July 21st || 3 different flowers and their meanings: Hellebore (delirium/madness), Indian Pink (I die if neglected), Meadowsweet (uselessness). This is actually sort of a character development thing for a DnD character I had the idea for a while ago lol <3 || 1013/300 Words

The woods outside of my cottage were blooming with the beginnings of spring, and I giggled.

“Why, what lovely flowers we have today, Mr. Toad!” I chirped to the stone statue sitting beside my bird fountain, “It’s almost as if one of the Garden Fae came through during the night– wow, it’s a wonder I never see them.”

“Ah, Miss Melody. How pleasant it is to meet you again.” The toad said, though its mouth didn’t move.

I knelt down next to the toad, not caring that my dress was getting muddy. The world wobbled in front of me for a second, and reached out my hand to steady myself.

It landed in a thicket of hellebore– growing with their pink blossoms turning towards the sun– and suddenly I could swear there were ants crawling all over me. I screamed, jumping backwards, landing on my back near some Indian Pink flowers.

“THE ANTS! THEY’RE EVERYWHERE!” I screeched, trying to brush them off, but my hands just went through them. I screamed, writhing on the ground, trying to get them off of me. As a person who spent so much time in her garden, I was deathly scared of most insects. They talked, for goodness’ sake. I hated hearing their screams everytime I squished one underneath my slippered feet.

I squeezed my eyes closed, trying to convince myself I didn’t feel ants crawling up my legs. After a second, I opened my eyes again, and they were gone.

I breathed out a sigh of relief.

“Glad to see you avoided that one, Miss Melody.” Mr. Toad said, his stone eyes boring into me.

I laughed and stood up, not bothering to brush the mud off of my clothes. “Of course! Not even ants could stop me from smelling the flowers.” I grinned, and waltzed back over to the hellebores, humming a tune underneath my breath. I picked one of the pink flowers, and tucked it into my long, tangled hair, laughing.

I looked at my reflection in the bird fountain, and tilted my head, admiring the flower in my nest of curls. I pretended there was a crown of them adorning my head, one of the garden fae. Not just one of them, but their queen. I looked at my garden, pretending that I was addressing dozens of fae.

“Well, as it is spring, our first order of business is going to be smelling the flowers!” I took the hellebore from my hair, pressing it to my nose and breathing in a deep inhale. I giggled, and then went back to the Indian Pink, plucking one of the blooms.

“Oopsie daisy!” I said, dropping one of the blossoms, suddenly, and crushing it under my slipper. I could hear the screams of it as the petals spilled across the ground.

Then I picked another, adding it to the collection of blossoms in my hair and went over to Meadowsweet. I had always hated these blossoms, but I grew them anyway! The Garden Fae lovedddd them!

I plucked a whole clump, throwing it up around me. It did make for wonderful confetti.

I giggled and danced beneath it, like it was the adoration of the Garden Fae, showering down on their queen. “And you, and you and you… you all get flowers! Smell the flowers!”

“Excuse me miss, but what are you doing?” A voice said from behind me.

I turned around, and screamed.

“Wha– what are you?” I asked, holding a bundle of meadowsweet to my chest, like it could do something to protect me.

Suddenly, getting an idea, I strode forward and touched the cheek of the figure. He was solid beneath my fingers, with a hint of something rough growing on his cheek. I tilted my head, confused. Normally things disappeared when I touched them.

He flinched away from me, “Do you make a habit of touching everything that you see?” He said, frowning at me, confused.

“It normally makes a habit of disappearing once I touch it. It’s a coping mechanism.”

“…coping. Right.”

“You are real, right?” I asked curiously.

“Um, I would like to think so?” He said, and that was confirmation enough. My visions didn’t make a habit of questioning me. Normally they agreed with everything I said. Except for when they were annoying insects and trying to crawl all over me.

“Wow! That’s so cool!” I made a circle around him, trying to inspect him from every angle, “I’ve never met a real person before.”

He sputtered, “Excuse me? You haven’t ever seen a person before. Like? A human? Or like nothing? Ever?”

“Nothing that ever talks back… except for Mr Toad.” I said cheerily, looking at his ears, trying to place them in the books that I read. They weren’t pointed, so that ruled out elf or half-elf, and his skin was a normal person… so I assumed that he was a human. Interesting.

“Mr Toad? Where is he? Can I meet him… he might know more about this place than you.” He muttered that last part under his breath, and I giggled and pretended I didn’t hear him.

I pointed at Mr Toad, and he groaned. “Miss, that’s a garden statue.”

“Exactly!” I said, smiling brightly at him, which I could tell unsettled him. I couldn’t figure out why, though, I was simply being hospitable. That was what I had read you were supposed to do. Make them feel welcome.

“Well, I was certainly hoping there would be more… helpful information here, but apparently not. I’ll be on my way.”

Had I said something wrong? I lunged after him. “Waaaaaittttt!! I want to come with you!”

He looked at me skeptically. “I don’t think you’re going to fare any better where I’m going.”

“Where are you going?”

“A town, nearby.”

I gasped, “There’s a town near here! That’s so many people! I’ve never even been in a town before.” I stepped forward, linking arms with him, “It’s going to be so fun! You can introduce me to everyone.”


He sighed, “I guess I don’t have a choice.”

Weekly Three || 3,795/1,500 Words

Part One || Describe Your Weekly || 364/200 Words

So the idea for this weekly took quite a while to actually find, and my final subject matter is quite specific lol </3 But also I love it! It’s something I’m super interested in and really hope that I can master– because weeklies are my favorite thing in the whole world (hence why I always ask to be part of the weekly writing team as a polar bear cub lol <3) and this is the first time I’ve actually gotten a chance to write my own, so I am very excited to work on everything: from writing the parts to researching for the workshop (yaay workshop research I haven’t gotten to do that since last session– I already have my podcasts lined up haha).

And I haven’t told you guys what my weekly is actually going to be about yet! So here we go (drumroll please): Writing epistolary fiction, with a focus on writing unreliable narrators through epistolary! (yes, that is a mouthful. I apologize in advance). But with books like Illuminae (my love <33) and all the other wonderful books in epistolary, I think it is super interesting to delve into how letters can allow you to hide different things, while still hinting at them. I forget what book it was that I read once… Oh yeah! It was Folded Notes from High School (a mediocre book overall, but I liked the way it was told) and it was basically about a group of high school theater kids (with some of them… less than nice) and all the drama that happened with the new freshman ringer that showed up and stole the leading role, and how the senior who was kind of bratty and obsessed with theater fell in love with him, but she comes across in her letters as nonchalant so you kind of had to read in between the lines to figure it out, which was something I loved.

So I think there is going to be one part about just writing epistolary fiction like letters, one part about mixed media, another part about writing unreliable narrators using epistolary, and a final one of writing a short story entirely in epistolary!

Part Two || Split into 4 parts || 608/150 Words

Introduction

Hello everybody! For this weekly-weekly, you will be working on writing epistolary, and the different ways that media can influence your writing. From letters to text messages to social media, there is so much media communication in our daily lives, and the impact it can have on characters and a story can be truly amazing. I hope you enjoy this weekly, and happy writing <3

Part One: Exploring Character Relationships Through Epistolary

The way that people text can be very different from the way that they talk– or it could be the exact same. The way that people communicate through media shows a lot about their personality, and that is what we are going to be delving into for this part of your weekly inside of a weekly! For this part, write about two people interacting through epistolary (whether that be texts, letters, social media comments, or something else entirely). You should write at least 200 words (like every other part of this weekly ;D) to complete this part!

Part Two: Writing Mixed Media

Mixed media is another faucet of epistolary writing, and typically refers to using different types of media in the same piece of writing. For example, mixing letters with text messages, or media posts from different platforms, as well as things like memes and blog posts, if you are so inclined. A great example of mixed media is the Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman, which mixes things like the thoughts of an AI to onboard ship messages. If you’re looking for an example here on Scratch, Recca’s piece “Good Ol’ Media Circus” (which you can find here: https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/685648/?page=5#post-8467066 ) is also a great example of mixed media! To complete this part, write 200 words of a mixed media piece!


Part Three: Unreliable Narrators Through Epistolary

Epistolary provides a unique opportunity– characters often don’t show or reveal everything in what they tell others, especially when readers only have access to what they are putting down on the page, not their inner thoughts or even body language. This allows for writers to create an exaggerated or even totally false recount of events that happen in the story, and readers might not be any the wiser. View my workshop in part three (below) or at this link to learn more about writing unreliable narrators, especially when dealing with epistolary. Once you’ve done that, write 200 words utilizing one of the methods I touched on in the workshop, about using epistolary to hide or hint at an unreliable narrator.

Part Four: Putting It All Together

Great job on making it this far, writer! I know that my wording was downright unclear at times, but you’ve pushed through ;D For this part, I’m finally giving you a break from the oddly specific prompts <33 For part four, write 200+ words of an epistolary story! Feel free to use what you’ve learned from the previous parts, or your favorite part of this weekly so far <3

Conclusion

You did it! You braved through my weekly-weekly and finished it with at least:

- 200 words of two people interacting through epistolary
- 200 words of mixed media
- 200 words exploring unreliable narrators through epistolary
- 200 words of your own epistolary story!

For a total of 800 words to complete this part of the weekly! Congrats, writer <3 I hope you’ve learned something through this weekly, and even if you haven’t, I hope that you enjoy your hard-earned points!

Part Three || Write a workshop || 1,371/350 Words

Introduction

Hello! Welcome to this workshop-that-isn’t-really-a-workshop! (This whole weekly is so meta lol <3). In this workshop, we will be covering two main points, in some ways more specific, in some ways more broad: unreliable narrators, specifically in epistolary fiction. I hope that from reading this workshop, you learn a little something <3 Without further ado, let’s get into it!

What is an unreliable narrator?

An unreliable narrator is somebody in your story who has some control over the reader– normally through the lens that they are telling the story in some regard, and for one reason or another, the version of events they are telling is wrong or twisted in some respect.

Again, like I said before, there are a lot of different reasons for this, and a lot of different ways this can be shown to the reader and things that it can accomplish. Before we go fully into this workshop, I want you to think for a second: why is your character being unreliable? If you don’t have a character already, this would be a great time to start thinking about them, as the rest of the workshop will go more in depth to why your character might lie or not know something!

Unreliable narrators are incredibly common in fiction, either for a twist in the story, or just to the fact that the version of events that the main character knows are outright wrong, or maybe they jump to conclusions. If they jump to a conclusion about who stole a valuable item, for example, they become unreliable because their version of events is incorrect, yet they are convincing the readers (to varying levels of success) that what they are thinking is right.

Difference between purposefully unreliable and not knowing

Before we get too deep into the workshop, I want you to know this: there is a clear difference between your character being an unreliable narrator on purpose, and your character having a different view on events than what is considered “factual,” or “what actually happened.”

Of course, we still call characters that don’t know the whole story of events “unreliable” because they are convincing the readers to believe the wrong thing. In this example, your character can be either of the above, but make sure you know why exactly, they might jump to conclusions or tell an incorrect version of events. Think of it sort of like a game of telephone, if you will. The character goes through what they think happened or was said, and twist it in their own head to fit that belief.

However, if a character is being purposefully unreliable, there are a couple of things to consider, which I will touch more on in the next section, so keep reading!

Remember: Motive!

If a character is being purposefully unreliable and lying to the reader, it is very very important that you consider why they are lying, as well as the perspective the story is being told in.

In epistolary fiction, that is rather simple, since the reader cannot get into the character’s head. But if you are writing in first person, the character must have a very specific reason for lying. Maybe they are lying to themselves, even, or maybe they forgot for some reason, or maybe they know that somebody might be listening… make sure that you know what is happening behind the scenes, otherwise you might spring what you think is a “twist” on readers, and with no buildup, it will come up as an unrealistic surprise.

That also ties into planting hints to let readers know that there may be a deeper story than what they are seeing. Put some thought into how obvious you want it to be. Do you want readers to guess that there is something happening behind the scenes, or do you want them to have to re-read through things and go “oh yeah! Why didn’t I see that before?”

But keep in mind that there is such a thing as hiding too much. For example, if your character picks up a note and reads it, but doesn’t tell the readers what is in it, that is going to have some gaps in the logic and have the readers doubting your story.

Unreliable narrators in epistolary

Unreliable narrators in epistolary can in some ways be a lot easier to write, but can also be incredibly hard for readers to notice. This is because you don’t get to show the reader any things like body language or inner thoughts that can usually hint that an unreliable narrator exists.

However, we all hide things in writing, whether or not it’s intentional. Have you ever texted anybody “oh I’m doing fine,” when really you aren’t? I know that I have on multiple occasions. We do that, so obviously our characters do too– whether be for nefarious reasons or not, that is up for the author (you!) to decide.

3 ways to accomplish unreliable narrators in epistolary

Keep in mind that these are just suggestions for what you might want to do for this part of the weekly, and are in no way the only way to go about writing unreliable narrators in epistolary! I just like to provide these to give you a starting point for this part of the weekly if you are unsure what to do. If you want to do something completely different– go wild! I’d love to see it <33

1. Rumors or gossip

The first method that I’m going to cover for this part of the workshop is rumors or gossip, especially if that gossip isn’t true. Maybe your character just heard an exceptionally juicy piece of information, or maybe they are just making up something to sound interesting– whatever the motive, rumors and gossip culture can foster unreliable narrators.

If you choose to do this method, a suggestion: set up your characters, and have one of the characters spill the gossip, and then switch to the characters who the gossip is about, and prove them wrong!

Again, just a suggestion! Feel free to take this idea and run with it however you like, or maybe one of the other prompts will be more your speed <3

2. Social expectations or norms

Going back to my original example of the “I’m fine” or “not a lot” in response to ‘what’s up,’ even though both of those are rarely true, but who expects a real answer when asking those questions? In epistolary, you can hint (whether that be in the wording or something else) about what is actually going on behind the scenes that maybe the character is scared of sharing.

A prompt for this: your character responds “I’m fine” in response to a text from a friend, but later in their journal talks all about how things are not fine.

3. (the exciting one) Secrets or promises

Finally, what people think about when the word “unreliable narrator” is used. Maybe your character is the ruler of a kingdom but doesn’t want to tell anybody, or even an undercover agent. Again, remember that your character needs to have a reason to hide the information from the audience, and to hint just enough to not make it a totally unplanned surprise when it is revealed. A character might also make a promise to somebody to only reveal a certain amount of information or not tell anything, which could also lead as a reason for the narrator to be unreliable.

A prompt for this: Something has gone terribly wrong, but the character has made a promise not to tell anybody about it…

Conclusion

Even though this weekly was terribly ramble-y and not at all cohesive, I hope that you’ve learned something valuable from it! Again, remember if you want to go about doing this section of the weekly without any of the prompts I’ve set up here, go right ahead! Be creative! But this is just as a little support in case you need something to get your imagination started <33 Thank you so much for reading through this (admittedly, very rambly) workshop, and I can’t wait to see what you create. As always, good luck and happy writing <33

Part Four || Weekly swap! With Kat <3 (WAIT– using this to plan my writing comp entry and start writing <33) || 1,464/800 Words

Part 1a || Write a brain-dump outline || 294/200 words

So basically the story is told in the perspective of a sentient house who has taken care of this woman basically all her life. This woman (Marcy) moved into the house when she was young and in love with her fiancee, and then lived with her throughout her life, from her husband’s untimely d3@th to the birth of her son, to the old days where Marcy spent her time knitting and reading all the time, and of course talking to the house. The house cared for Marcy a lot, so when Marcy finally passed, the house is obviously grieving.

Then Marcy’s son, Lukas, comes in to shut down the sentient house and get it ready to be sold. The house slowly gets shut down– piece by piece, step by step, and Lukas is mad at the house because he thinks that Marcy (his mother) loved the house more than she loved him, and that broke his heart when he was younger and caused him to run away from home. The house remembers every detail of Lukas’ childhood, from his favorite food to the last argument with his mother before he left for college and never came back.

Now, as the house gets shut down, it tells Lukas that Marcy left a message for him, if he were ever to come back. At first, Lukas doesn’t want to hear it, but then he thaws to the idea and the house shows him the message. It was Marcy apologizing and hoping that he forgives her. Lukas cries, and then falls asleep. The house tucks him in, even with most of its systems off. Whether Lukas ends up fully shutting the house off or taking care of it forever, that is left up to the reader.

Part 2a || Character sheet time (yaay love character sheets) || 451/200 words

Lukas Park–
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Looks: Lukas has dark hair and a stubbly chin, with dark brown eyes and lighter skin (he works an office job and hardly ever sees the sun). He is medium height– Marcy was very short and he inherited some of his height from her. He is also medium in build– not stocky but not slim, but he quite obviously does not hit the gym often.
Personality: Lukas, in general, is formal and (some may say) unfeeling. He tends to be cold to everybody, even the people he cares for, which has led him to ruin many relationships in his life. He doesn’t expect love, and when he receives it, he doesn’t know how to act. To the House, he is downright rude and struggles with the fact that his mother spent so many of her years in the company of the House instead of with him, and is mad that she loved the inanimate object more than him.
Character Arc: At the start of the story, Lukas comes purely for business. He doesn’t want to interact with the house, he wants it gone. He doesn’t want to relive the memories of his mother, he wants to bury them deep inside. But the House shows him that his mother did care for him, and he thaws both towards the memory of her and the House itself, finally falling asleep, not yet finished turning the house fully off.

The House–
Age: The House has no age
Gender: The House has no gender
Looks: A medium sized house in the suburbs, with brown wood paneling and a little bit of scattered stone/brick design, a sizable front and back porch and a large backyard. Enough room for Marcy, her late husband, and Lukas, when he still lived at home.
Personality: The House is kind and caring to all, as long as they are welcoming towards both Marcy and it. It is an excellent judge of character, and will not hesitate to eject anyone it senses threatens Marcy or itself. The House is soft-spoken and always tries to word things delicately, and doesn’t like to create or participate in conflict. It sees all, but keeps quiet about what it sees.
Character Arc: The House serves more as a vessel for Lukas’ character arc, and doesn’t really have a full arc of its own. It starts as more hesitant towards its fate, in some cases outright mad, but would never take it out on Lukas because it knows how much Marcy cared for him. In the end, it becomes more resigned to the fate that Lukas controls, knowing that Marcy’s memory will never die, no matter what happens to it.

Part 3a || Different method of outline: a story mountain that isn’t actually a mountain :zany: || 389/200 words

Exposition:
The house is reminiscing about the days that it was with Marcy, and about all the things it helped her do and all the things that it saw, and the things that it can never tell her. It is quite sad and sort of caught up in its grief, but as a mechanical thing, it tries to minimize its grief and “not feel” anything for Marcy or the life that it is now lost.

Inciting Incident:
Lukas barges into the house, and the house is startled out of its reverie. It starts questioning him and asking what he is doing, but of course in a gentle way. He starts shutting off systems, and it becomes more panicked, asking him what’s happening.

Rising Action:
Lukas continues shutting off systems, and the House feels its vision and its life slowly slipping away. Finally, it tells him about how his mother left him a message right before she died, and did he want it to play the message. He snarls at it that he doesn’t want to know anything about what his mother said or thought, and is about to shut down the main power grid when the house says “She did love you, you know.” And he turns to the house, and sighs and tells it to play the video.

Climax:
The House plays the video for Lukas, and he watches it and openly sobs.

Falling Action:
The house tries to do all the things that it would do for Marcy when she was sad, but so many systems are offline that it doesn’t know what it can do except adjust the lights and the temperature to make it more comfortable for Lukas. Lukas falls asleep, with the house’s systems still on, promising that he would take care of it in the morning, and would the house just let him sleep.

Resolution:
The house doesn’t know entirely what to do, but promises that no matter what happens, Marcy’s memory won’t be lost, because Lukas will remember the true Marcy.

“I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, but I do know that because of the events of today, Marcy will be remembered by her son.
Maybe I am temporary. Maybe I truly do know nothing. But maybe that’s okay.
Because Lukas remembers, and in Marcy’s memory, I live on.”

Part 4a || Short story || 330/200 words

Two days later, and I am stuck in a constant loop of remembering.

It is the failure of the machine, to not be useful. That was what they told me upon my Creation. That my job was to serve the House, and the House was me.

The family that lived within my walls, I loved them. I didn’t really know what Love was– if machines were even able to experience it. But I knew that I would do anything, and Marcy told me that was what Love was, what she always believed it to be.

Marcy.

Now she was gone, and I knew it wasn’t my fault. I knew there was nothing that I could have done, because we are all machines with an expiration date, and Marcy’s had come. It was her time– she had lived a good seventy years.

Suddenly, a noise came from the front door and all my cameras swiveled toward the source of the sound.

“Hello?” I called out, my voice echoing somewhat uncomfortably in the now-empty house.

The door creaked open, and a boy– no, a man– stepped inside. I recognized him– my sensors knew his DNA, knew that frown that stretched across his face as wide as any grin that Marcy used to give me. I remembered how the two of them had argued, before he had left forever. He had just been a boy then, but now he was a man, and now he was here.

“House? Are you on?” He asked, his voice loud and booming. He was used to getting his way– this, at least, had not changed. I took a certain amount of comfort in that– as much comfort as a machine could feel.

I had to keep reminding myself of that, whenever the grief got too heavy. Because I was a machine, I was a House, I could not feel. It went against everything I had been told, all the programming that had been built into my system.

July 23rd || Duo Daily: “We do not teach deceitful girls” from Charlie || 499/300 Words

“We do not teach deceitful girls,” Headmistress Linh said to me, and I looked at her with narrowed eyes, unwilling to give up my lie. It wasn’t even a lie, not really. More a… manipulation of words to make people believe a certain thing.

“You teach all girls– it’s how you get your money from the government,” I said instead, looking at Headmistress Linh with narrowed eyes. I knew this to be true– I had heard several of the more senior members of the staff talking about it.

Valley View Refinement School for Girls was really Valley View School for Misfits and Unwanteds, because that was what every Valley Girl was. The girls who didn’t fit in at their other schools– whether that be in a case of being bullied, being the bullier, or just flat out not fitting in.

In my case, it was too many detention slips at too many schools– being “disrespectful” to authority figures, dress codes, chewing gum… the like. I never listened, and was “stubborn,” according to my transfer slips. I didn’t really care.

And I had just told the biggest lie of my life (even though I had grown up a liar) and you could bet your buttons I was going to get away with it.

Headmistress Linh frowned behind her desk in response to my latest comment, and she leaned back. “I’ll have you know that I do, in fact, expel people from this school. It has happened in the past, and it will happen again.”

Yes, and when I was done with this, many, many people were going to get expelled. But not now. Not yet. The timing had to be right, and I needed to get to the bottom of this. I knew that Headmistress Linh was on her last straw with me, and I knew that she would totally expel me if I didn’t do some kissing up, fast.

“I know, Headmistress. And I’m sorry. You are so kind and you’ve been so helpful to me ever since I moved to this school, and with my parent’s death…”

Linh’s face softened. Well, if I knew all I had to do was pull out the dead parents card, I would have done it a whole lot sooner.

“This was just a mistake, a single-time mistake.”

A mistake in the fact that I never expected to be caught again.

Linh nodded, slowly. “Yes. I understand that you’re grieving, and I worry that I’ve been too hard on you.” She sighed, “I will pardon you, but please do try to be better. And if you’re struggling or anything in any of your classes because of your parents, please, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

I grinned at her, but made sure that it wasn’t too bright. “Of course, Headmistress. I’m so sorry for the disturbance, again.”

I left her office, then sighed, frowning. I had to get to the bottom of this mystery.

I needed to know why my parents really died.

July 24th || twisted myth: Eurydice did not want to leave the underworld :zany: || 710/400 Words

“What do I do now?” Orpheus asked me, and I looked at him. I loved him, don’t get me wrong. I loved him so much that the world seemed to stop turning when he was not around, all the lights going out and the memories fleeing from my head.

I knew what it was like to forget, to keep your head down because you needed to do that to survive. That was something I knew, and something I did not want to repeat.

But I didn’t want to return to the world above either. I knew that up above there was only more life waiting for me– life that would be hard, life that would test me… and I did not know if I was ready for that. My heart wanted to follow my love, to find that new world, brave that new life… but my mind knew that that was not going to end in me being safe.

The Underworld– Hades– was safety. It was all safety. A net to catch me and stop me from becoming that girl again, that girl who was broken and hungry and would do anything for food, a bed to lay in. That girl didn’t know the love of her life. That girl didn’t know anything other than survival.

Now I knew love, but I also knew from experience that nothing good could come from it. No safety, no protection, just fear and pain and suffering, interspersed with little bits of happiness and joy, light that was not worth the overarching darkness that reached in from all sides.

But I knew that Orpheus would not understand that. Because of his gift, Hermes had protected him, and he would always have the love of the gods. He would never be truly hungry, truly tired, truly sunken in that dark, dark hole. So I responded, “Take me home with you.”

And so Orpheus went to the god of the Underworld, and Hades told him that they could go. He gave terms, as I knew he would, and I remembered the exact wording of them to make sure that when it came time– and it would come time– Orpheus could leave, could escape. Orpheus could go home, and find another muse somewhere. I knew he would. I knew that I was not truly that important to him, not when his music and open heart led him a-wandering. He would wander into the arms of another someday, I knew. Somebody who could love and protect him far better than I could.

So we left, our feet making prints in the dusty ground as we took the long way back. I watched the back of my love– and I knew he would always be the love of my life, my only love– as he struggled with his own thoughts. I hated that I made him doubt like that, but I knew it would only be better for me in the long run.

It was then, on that walk, that I remembered the safety that the Underworld Kingdom provided. I hadn’t been truly hungry since leaving, and that hunger set back into me, heavy and hard like a rock in my stomach. I would eat a rock at this point, if it would provide any sort of nourishment.

Finally, I saw the exit. The light shone into the dark tunnel, and I watched as Orpheus walked forward. Before he could fully get back, I whispered, “Orpheus?”

Startled, he turned around, making eye contact with me, his fears evident across his face. The horror passed quickly after, remembering the deal and what he had done. What he thought he had condemned me to.

I could feel the shadows pulling me back to Hadestown, could feel the whispers of safety that the place provided.

Before I yielded to the call, though, I made eye contact with my love one last time. “Orpheus.” I said. It was not a question, it was a statement. A statement of all the things I could not say, all the things I had been thinking for a long time now. I gave him a smile, and then yielded to the shadows.

As I disappeared, I could hear his voice, echoing back, “Eurydice.”

That was my name.

Critique for Clev!

Okay so I've already read through it and just wanted to start with saying that I absolutely love this piece! I think it's so interesting and asks a lot of questions and leaves the reader to find the answers, which I think is super cool <3 But ofc, I do have some thoughts/critique for it <33 So just keep in mind as you are going through this that these are just that– my thoughts. This is your writing, and whether or not you choose to use something is 100% up to you, and if you don't like one of my critiques or think it doesn't make sense with the story, just trust your judgement <33

Steven was lonely – very lonely. Lying in his messy bed, he felt completely and utterly alone.

I love this first line! I think the repetition really draws you in, and you already know something about Steven from the fact that he has a messy bed.

He shouldn’t be; living in New York City, he was constantly surrounded by millions of voices.

I think that you could make this more immersive by adding some sensory details, perhaps? I mean, even at midnight, New York City is loud, with sirens and people talking and lights from billboards seeping underneath curtains– adding some of that may be able to add a starker contrast between all the people Steven is surrounded by and how alone his is in his room.

He hadn’t even had his first kiss yet!

Just real quick– because you talked about Stanley (who has a very similar name to Steven, if that's on purpose feel free to keep it, but I found myself getting a little mixed up loll </3) right before, ‘he’ almost reads as if Steven is talking about Stanley. So I'd suggest may changing it to “Steven hadn't even had his first kiss yet” to just clear that up, perhaps?

He let out a small chuckle. I guess this is my life now. He laughed…

Chuckling and laughing is pretty much the same thing– I'd suggest refining that so it only appears once <3

It was horrible, and fascinating.

This is really random but I feel like “morbidly fascinating” might fit a little better with the tone of the piece? But just personal thoughts and opinions, as always <3

The last section asked for his ideal girlfriend’s name.

Again, just personal preference and no pressure, but I think it would be very very interesting to hear Steven's response to a “what would your ideal personality be” question. Since this piece is a bit of a satire, I think exaggerating that element of it could actually be really interesting.

He gasped — for a moment, he was unsure.

Steven is alone in his room and is audibly gasping– I feel like that could be changed to some mental shock or smth to make it flow a little better with the setting?

1. what did you think of steven as a character? was he fleshed out enough? did you dislike him? did this impact what you thought of this story?

I liked Steven as a character for this story– though I feel like he didn't have that much depth, but I feel like with the tone of the story, that makes a ton of sense and works quite well! While I am inclined to dislike him in any other context (dry, objectifies women, constantly lost in a spiral of self-pity, etc) I think that it really worked with this story and helped enhance it, making the reader question things like love and loneliness, which I think was super interesting <33

2. was the ending shocking? was it rushed? (i was running out of words)

The reveal if aimee's robot nature was super shocking and it didn't feel rushed at all! I think that was a natural end for the length of this story, and I thought it was so interesting how Steven just fell in head-over-heels “love” with Aimee, and was willing to push away his doubt that she was a robot, because he was so lonely.

3. did you figure out that aimee was an ai robot? if so, when? was it too obvious? if not, what did you think she was?

I did figure it out! On first read, it was because of the metallic taste, on the second read, I noticed the “eye twitching,” which further solidified it in my mind. And I don't think it was too obvious at all– the little moments that are enough to hint that something isn't right, and also not too much to make the reader annoyed that even Steven doesn't notice it.

4. the story was supposed to be the beginning of a satire, did it seem like it?

Yes for sure! I think the only thing I would say is (and forgive my silly analogy pfft) right now, the story “picture” seems to be in like the original lighting or something. I think it would be interesting if you exaggerated some elements of it, turned it more “vivid,” if that makes sense, to create a starker contrast and make it a little more apparent and draw a little more attention to the satire-like nature of it, perhaps?

5. this was *ONE OF* my first times writing romance and i kinda struggled with many parts :sob: was it cringey? or maybe even inappropriate? any specific lines that threw you off?

Okay, the immediate sitting on the bed did throw me off a little bit xDDD Maybe note there is like nowhere else to sit? (because that's what it seems like since Steven's apartment is so small slkdjf) But other than that, I think it flowed quite naturally (of course, as natural as talking to a robot could flow ;D)! Again, like I said earlier, I think that a little bit of exaggeration could even be used in some parts, to make it a little more obvious of the nature of the story <33

Okay that's it!! Thank you so so much for letting me read this, it was so much fun hehe <33 I tried to word things as clearly as I could, but if there is any questions you have or anything, just let me know <33 Again, I loved this so much and am wishing you the best of luck!

Writing Competition General Entry || In the Silence, I Remember || 1,999 words

It had been two days, seventeen hours, twenty minutes, and thirty-six seconds since she passed away. I could not stop counting.

To stop counting was to feel grief, and that was not allowed.

I am a machine. Grief is not in my programming.

There has been nothing for me to do since her death, no dishes to wash or meals to prepare. I could not be useful, and that hurt almost more than her death. I had been told upon my Creation that my duty was to be useful, and it was a failure to the machine, not to be useful.

What they hadn’t told me was that I would grow to love the family that dwelled within my walls. I didn’t really know what Love was– if machines were even able to experience it. But I knew that I would do anything, and Marcy told me that was what Love was, what she always believed it to be.

Marcy.

I remembered when she had first entered my walls, young and still in love, a baby swelling in her belly. Another life who I would get to watch over, another person I would get to serve.

I remembered, and maybe that was a failure. My Creators would say it was. But I didn’t think so. If I didn’t remember, then Marcy would fade away. And that was not acceptable. Marcy was too important to not be remembered.

A click sounded at my front door as a key was turned in the lock. I swiveled all my cameras towards the disturbance, preparing for an intruder.

But I recognized the young man who stepped inside.

“Welcome home, Lukas,” I said, my voice echoing oddly in the walls where Marcy no longer dwelled.

He flinched. “This is not my home, House,” He responded, his voice hardened with age. He snarled my name– the only name I had been allowed to have– with a hatred that might have hurt, if I could feel.

“I will keep that in mind, Lukas,” I said, my voice the same monotone that it always was.

He rolled his eyes, “You do that.” His voice was bitter.

He walked into the kitchen and opened a cabinet, flipping something I could not detect. Seconds later, every camera and sensor in the kitchen went dark. The sudden absence left a gap that I had never experienced before, and it terrified me.

Or, it would terrify me. I reminded myself: I could not feel.

“What are you doing?” I asked, painfully aware of the empty space.

Lukas passed into the master bedroom. “Turning you off.”

“Why?” I asked. All my systems ran diagnostics, searching for an explanation. Even with my mechanical programming, I could not find one.

“Marcy’s dead, isn’t she? I’m turning you off so I can sell the house,” Lukas said, running his hands along the wall in search of my power switch.

I had never heard the word “house” spoken for and have it not refer to me, to all the things I am. And to hear Lukas speak of his mother so flippantly…

Though, I supposed it tracked, given how they had left things all those years ago, when Lukas departed for college. The argument that had rattled my walls. The way Marcy sobbed when Lukas had taken his suitcase and left. She hadn’t known then that it would be for good.

I thought that was probably why she had left that message for him, a couple of months before she had closed her eyes for the last time. The message, I remembered. I wasn’t supposed to forget things.

Failure.

Lukas touched a picture on the mantle– it was of Marcy and Harry, Lukas’s father. At the image of his father, he flinched. He picked the picture up, before setting it back on the dresser, face down.

“I have something to show you,” I said, as Lukas continued his search for the off switch. I was so focused on self-preservation that I didn’t bother to tell him that the switch was behind the backboard of the bed, or that there was a switch that controlled all my systems in the garage.

“I don’t want to see anything you have to show!” Lukas snapped, and he turned up towards my nearest camera, and I could see tears gathering in his eyes. “My mother, she loved a house more than me. She never wanted me– that much was obvious. And she was here with you when she died… and she left you with her last words. Not me. Not her only child,” he said, and turned his back so that I would not see his tears, but I did see them. I had cameras everywhere. “She even loved my father more than me, and he…” He shook his head, “Well, you know how he was.”

“I am sorry, Lukas. I do believe that…”

I was cut off, “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want you to turn off.”

All my systems, all the things I had listened to all my life told me to obey. But maybe, somewhere along the way, I had stopped listening to them. I knew that it was the failure of the machine, but I did not care. I did not make myself useful. Because I could help Lukas, I knew I could.

He finally found the switch, and another part of myself went dark.

He moved from room to room, dismantling parts of who I was. I did not help him, but I did not argue. I couldn’t argue.

Maybe I deserved to be shut off, for all the failures I had committed.

But when I was gone, who would remember Marcy? Certainly not her son, not in the same way I remembered her. So I spoke, again, catching him off guard.

“She loved you, you know.”

He paused, then turned toward the nearest camera, angry again. “I thought I told you I didn’t want to hear it, robot.”

That stung.

But it couldn’t. I couldn’t feel… robots couldn’t feel.

“She left something for you, before she… passed.”

That seemed to give him pause– I saw the catch in his breath.

“She said it was for me, specifically?” He said, quietly. I envied his ability to convey emotion through his words– something I had never possessed. Something I hadn’t been programmed to possess.

“Yes.”

“I… I want to see it,” He said, as I knew he would.

“Go to the living room,” I said, but could not watch him walk there, as many of my systems were now shut off. Instead, I accompanied him with my words, “She always wanted to make things right. Before she passed. After the argument.”

“You remember that?” He asked, surprised.

“I remember everything,” I said, and though he could not hear it, I could tell that he felt the weight in my words.

I remembered everything… even the things that I did not want to.

“Maybe you could benefit from remembering some things, too.” I told him.

He was immediately on guard again, “I don’t want to remember… I just want closure. Remembrance hurts,” his shoulders slumped with defeat, “I learned that long ago.”

From his father, most likely.

Finally, he arrived in the living room, and sat down on the couch. It bent under his weight– something it had not done when he was small.

The TV flickered to life under my command, and I didn’t say anything, just played the video she had asked me to record all that time ago.

Her face came into view– wrinkled, with long dark hair just beginning to gray. Eyes that still twinkled with amusement and held all of the emotion that I could never express.

“Thank you, House,” She said to me in the past, and I felt that voice in every aspect of my robotic being.

Then her eyes turned towards the camera, almost as if she could see Lukas. Those eyes filled with unmistakable sadness, and Lukas inhaled a sharp breath, standing up and starting to pace.

“If you are watching this, my son, that means that I have passed, and never did find the strength to speak to you. For that, I am sorry,” She said, her voice quiet and shaking slightly, “and I am sorry for the way that we ended things. I am sorry that I never supported your needs to be independent… my own childhood brought so many insecurities upon me, and with Harry leaving…” Her eyes clouded with memory.

Slowly, Lukas sank back down on the couch, enraptured by her words.

“I could not be the best mother to you, the mother that now I wish I could be. There are so many things I would do differently then, and so many things that I guess I should have done differently in the future. The future where I am gone, and you are left with this projection of me.”

Lukas shook his head in disbelief, and I could see the beginnings of tears forming in his eyes, the same eyes that he and his mother shared.

“I hope that someday, in your memory, you forgive me, that version of me who could not be the person that you wanted, or even the person that you needed. I hope that you can remember, though, because all I ever wanted…” her voice caught in her throat, and she cleared it before continuing, “all I ever wished for when I was a small child was to be remembered by people who loved me. And I hope that you… that you can remember, someday.”

With that, the video ended. No goodbye. Marcy never liked goodbyes.

Lukas shook with the beginning of a sob, and after all the tears I had seen over the years, I knew what to do.

I tried to make him a hot tea, but of course my kitchen sensors were shut down, so I just adjusted the temperature in the living room, and used one of my mechanical arms to draw a blanket out of the basket and cover Lukas. He looked up at me.

“Thank you, House,” He said, his voice broken.

If I could feel, I would have felt sorry for him.

“And House…” Lukas spoke slowly, but there was no need. I heard every word, I always did. “She asked to be remembered by people who loved her. And… I think you do. You love her. And you remember.”

I said nothing, my programming searching for a response. I couldn’t find one.

“So even though I don’t know if I can forgive her or even remember her now… maybe in time, but not right now, I don’t think… You remember,” He wasn’t looking at me anymore, his eyes on his hands, “and I think… she would have liked that.”

He stood up, then, as if to finish what he started, but hesitated. He looked at me– not just my cameras, but me. All of me.

“Maybe… I’ll come back tomorrow.” He said, touching the nearest wall gently, before opening the door, and leaving with the same swiftness that he had appeared with.

I didn’t know what would happen tomorrow– if he would turn me off, or leave me here.

But for once, I didn’t care. I had done my job, a job more important than anything my Creators had ever built me for.

I had remembered. I still did.

I didn’t know how long it had been since Marcy passed. I had stopped counting.

And I felt grief, but I also felt comfort.

Yes, I felt.

No matter how many days, hours, minutes, seconds, passed since she had left this world, I knew that I wouldn’t forget her. A young woman with eyes full of love and stomach swollen with life. An old woman with sad eyes and wrinkles and a love for her son– and maybe, a love for me.

So, I took a moment, and I remembered. I remembered it all, and…

I felt.

Hi Snowy! So excited to do a critiquitaire with you <33 This is probably going to be rather bare bones because I'm busy today but promised myself I would do like fifty million critiques loll, but I'm very excited to read your piece! Just keep in mind that my thoughts are just that– my thoughts, and you don't have to listen to me at all if you don't like something or it doesn't make sense or won't work with the story you have in mind <33 With that said, let's get into it!

the statue in the center of town is shined and cleaned — if you ask me, it could do with a good spring cleaning a bit more than just every…well, every spring.

Something you may learn very quickly is that I am very very picky about wording, because oftentimes I don't understand things if they are worded a certain way or smth– and this is one of those cases.
I don't understand what is going on with the cleaning– is it spring? is it usually dirty? or is it clean now?
I'd consider re-reading this and perhaps playing around with the wording a little bit if you want

because for all my rehearsals of this conversation, none of them accounted for my speechlessness.

OKAY THIS IS SO GOOD SO FAR SNOWY
Like I am in love I am so busy reading this I forget I'm supposed to be critiquing xD
But the Wording Police is back haha– you can cut this down to make room for a couple added words here and there, if you want.
You could do “in all my visions of this conversation, I had never been speechless” or something like that, something that would make it a little less repetitive and a little more concise, if that's something you want <3

our loved ones

“ones' loved ones” or “your loved ones” might fit better here?

UM HELLO? SNOWY? I cannot possibly critique this because it is too good and I cannot find anything to poke holes in why did you make this so hard :sobbing:

Something that I would say, however, is that I would love to get to know a little more of Gustave's personality and to get a little more depth to him– of course, I understand that you don't have much room in this piece and I wouldn't want you to cut anything that you don't want to, so these suggestions are mostly if you ever decide to expand the piece or if you find a way to fit it in, but basically: Gustave's character feels a littllleeee bit flat, like there are some elements of him that are fuller (like talking about how he throws rocks to make himself feel useful) but otherwise it seems like he doesn't have much use or characterization other than being the love interest, and I think having a few more flaws or imperfections could make the story a lot wholer and feel more complete!

As for Sophia as a character, I love her! Of course, I think it would be very interesting if she had a unique voice, like certain turns of phrase, or a contrast in the way that she speaks/thinks vs how characters around her speak– your writing is so good I think that adding that might add even more flavor to it! Really, I'm being very nitpicky because this piece is absolutely stunning in all the senses of the world aaaaa <3333 So basically, if you like fully outlined like how Sophie speaks vs Alice and and Jules vs Gustave, that could add a lot of different dynamics to the characters and their story!

I am not familiar with this game or the fandom, but it seems like something I would really want to look into after reading this piece! But also as somebody who doesn't know this game or the fandom, I think that I got pretty much all of the information I needed for this to make sense on its own, independent of the things that it was based off of, which I always think is a big element of good fanfiction. I could tell what was happening in the scene at all times, and also got incredibly attached to the characters! The only thing I would say on this front is the things like the changing of the 34 to 33 I don't entirely understand, but of course that's just a minor detail and I can get the gist of the writing without knowing that <33

Thank you so so much for letting me read this, I absolutely loved it aaaaa. Good luck– though I doubt you need it, this piece has luck on its own ;D <333

Hi Chocolate! So sorry this took so long– I promised to critique like fifty thousand things and am just now getting around to your piece </33 But I hope that any critique that I provide will be of help, even on the short notice <3 And I just want to make it very clear before we begin that these are just my thoughts and ideas, and you are by no means required to use them or even look at them, if you don't want to! A lot of my critiques are very much based in personal preference and things that /I/ would do, which might not be what is best for you or your story <33

I lean on my older sister, begging for a shoulder to cry on, watching the sun set over the hills.

I love this start! The only thing I would say is that if you want to expand the piece, it would be interesting to have a “show, don't tell” scenario. You could show your main character talking to her sister, and in that way establish the dynamic between the two of them, and also introduce the story!

I hear gunshots going off in the background, behind the buses.

Again, it might help to introduce the setting a little bit more. Where are they standing, what are the people who are sh00ting saying, are they yelling, or are they deathly quiet? These are all things that could help build the setting!

My heart beats faster as I take one last look at her, her brown hair flying in the wind.

I know that you're referring to the sister, but also maybe consider adding that clarification, since you haven't mentioned her sister recently, and that could be read as a member of the family or even on of the buses, if you don't clarify <3

Is it the end of the world?

Another way that it would be interesting to expand this piece is how does your character feel about the end of the world? Are they scared for their family, or are they scared for themselves? Are there things they wish that they had done differently, or are they happy with the life they've lived?

I whisper to my sister, making sure not to make a sound.

These two things are contradicting– in the act of whispering, she is making sound. Perhaps you could change it to “making sure not to be too loud” or something along those lines, so it makes a little more sense?

knowing she may never see us again.

You've repeated this line quite a few times. If it's on purpose, great! If it isn't, then perhaps consider changing a few or even cutting it out of a few of the sentences, just to keep it from being tooooo repetitive and starting to get boring <3

The story I describe of my sister can be described in three words.

The wording of this sentence is a bit confusing to me. You use the word “describe” multiple times, and it seems sort of repetitive, which I think if you could cut down it would make a lot more sense. Maybe “the story I would remember of my sister can be told in three words” or even describe it a little more, something like, “If I were to be asked to tell my sister's story… it would be in three words.” Or something like that!

She has always been brave and protective of our family, it’s just hard to let go of her.

You've already used the word “brave,” perhaps consider something else?

This is a very promising start! I like the setting and I think it is very interesting! That said, I think there are a few things that could be expanded upon or added to, if you want to make it a full entry (but there is only a day left, so no stress or worries, this is just for the future if you don't end up making this a comp entry <33)

The first is: your character seems very passive in the scene. She is describing what is happening, but isn't doing anything about it, and doesn't seem to have very strong feelings either way. She is “letting go” of her sister, but she isn't the one forcing her to go, and maybe even her sister was pulled away because of outside circumstances. I suggest putting a little thought into what your character truly thinks of this, if she wants her sister to stay or if she knows her sister wants to leave and is going to let her, but not without a few tears.

Another thing I'd say that is even if you want to change POV characters, that might be interesting. Since the sister honestly interests me quite a bit more than your pov character at this moment. Perhaps you want to get into the sister's head and talk about what she is thinking in this moment, or even hop back and forth between the two girls, if you want to go that route.

And the story right now has an almost fairy-tale like quality, where things are being told to the reader instead of them witnessing what is happening. I'd love to see if you add a little more dialogue and let the reader get a little more immersed in the scene, using all of the senses, not just sight and inner thoughts. I'd also love to get more details about what is going on in this setting: is it a war? a revolution? I'd love to see the world in more color, and more description, like I said before about using the senses!

If you want to continue, maybe talk a little about what happens next, and this would honestly be a very interesting story to maybe even end on a cliffhanger? Like have her be kidnapped or forced into action in some way? But these are just my thoughts haha– feel free to do whatever feels right to you.

And with that, I think that's the end of my critique! This piece has a tonnn of potential and I can't wait to see where you go with it, if you choose to return to it! Thank you so much for letting me read this, and I hope I could be of some help <33

In the Silence, I Remember
1,978 words

It had been two days, seventeen hours, twenty minutes, and thirty-six seconds since she passed away. I could not stop counting. To stop counting was to feel grief, and that was not allowed.

Grief is not in my programming.

There had not been anything for me to do since her death, no dishes to wash or meals to prepare. I could not be useful, and that hurt almost more than her death. I had been told upon my Creation that my duty was to be useful, and it was a failure to the machine, not to be useful.

Marcy, though, she saw past that, and saw me instead. At least, I liked to believe she did.

Marcy.

I remembered when she had first entered my walls, young and still in love, a baby swelling in her belly. Another life I would get to watch over, another person I would get to serve.

I remembered, and maybe that was a failure. My Creators would say it was. But I didn’t think so. If I didn’t remember, then Marcy would fade away. And that was not acceptable. Marcy was too important to not be remembered.

A click sounded at my front door as a key was turned in the lock. I swiveled all my cameras towards the disturbance, preparing for an intruder.

But I recognized the young man who stepped inside.

“Welcome home, Lukas,” I said, my voice echoing oddly in the walls where Marcy no longer dwelled.

He flinched. “This is not my home, House,” he responded, his voice hardened with age. He snarled my name– the only name I had been allowed to have– with a hatred that might have hurt, if I could feel.

“I will keep that in mind, Lukas,” I said, my voice the same monotone that it always was.

He rolled his eyes. “You do that.” His voice was bitter.

He walked into the kitchen and opened a cabinet, flipping something I could not detect. Seconds later, every camera and sensor in the kitchen went dark. The sudden absence left a gap that I had never experienced before, and it terrified me.

Or, it would terrify me. I reminded myself: I could not feel.

“What are you doing?” I asked, painfully aware of the empty space.

Lukas passed into the master bedroom. “Turning you off.”

“Why?” I asked. All my systems ran diagnostics, searching for an explanation. Even with my mechanical programming, I could not find one.

“Marcy’s dead, isn’t she? I’m turning you off so I can sell the house,” Lukas said, running his hands along the wall in search of my power switch.

I had never heard the word “house” spoken for and have it not refer to me, to all the things I am. And to hear Lukas speak of his mother so flippantly…

Though, I supposed it tracked, given how they had left things all those years ago, when Lukas departed for college. The argument that had rattled my walls. The way Marcy sobbed when Lukas had taken his suitcase and left. She hadn’t known then that it would be for good.

I thought that was probably why she had left that message for him, a couple of months before she had closed her eyes for the last time. The message, I recalled.

Was I a failure for forgetting the message in the first place, or was it what I had been programmed to do?

I didn’t know.

There was a picture on the mantle of Marcy and Harry, Lukas’s parents. When Lukas’s eyes passed over the image of father’s face, he froze. He picked the picture up, before setting it back on the dresser, face down.

“I have something to show you,” I said, as Lukas continued his search for the off switch. I was so focused on self-preservation that I didn’t tell him that the switch was behind the backboard of the bed, or that there was a switch that controlled all my systems in the garage.

“I don’t want to see anything you have to show!” Lukas snapped, and he turned up towards my nearest camera, and I could see tears gathering in his eyes. “My mother, she loved a house more than me. She never wanted me– that much was obvious. And she was here with you when she died… and she left you with her last words. Not me. Not her only child,” he said, and turned his back so that I would not see his tears, but I did see them. I had cameras everywhere. “She even loved my father more than me, and he…” he shook his head, “Well, you know how he was.”

“I am sorry, Lukas. I do believe that…”

I was cut off. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want you to turn off.”

All my systems, the things I had listened to my whole life, told me to obey. But maybe, somewhere along the way, I had stopped listening. I knew that it was the failure of the machine, but I did not care. I did not make myself useful. Because I could help Lukas, I knew I could.

He finally found the switch, and another part of myself went dark.

He moved from room to room, dismantling parts of who I was. I did not help him, but I did not argue. I couldn’t argue.

Maybe I deserved to be shut off, for all the failures I had committed.

But when I was gone, who would remember Marcy? Certainly not her son, not in the same way I remembered her. So I spoke, again, catching him off guard.

“She loved you, you know.”

He paused, then turned toward the nearest camera, angry again. “I thought I told you I didn’t want to hear it, robot.”

That stung.

But it couldn’t. I couldn’t feel… robots couldn’t feel.

“She left something for you, before she… passed.”

That seemed to give him pause– I saw the catch in his breath.

“She said it was for me, specifically?” he asked, quietly. I envied his ability to convey emotion through his words– something I had never possessed. Something I hadn’t been programmed to possess.

“Yes.”

“I… I want to see it,” he said, as I knew he would.

“Go to the living room,” I said, but could not watch him walk there, as many of my systems were now shut off. Instead, I accompanied him with my words, “She always wanted to make things right. Before she passed. After the argument.”

“You remember that?” he asked, surprised.

“I remember everything,” I said, and though he could not hear it, I could tell that he felt the weight in my words.

I remembered everything… even the things that I did not want to.

“Maybe you could benefit from remembering some things, too.” I told him.

He was immediately on guard again. “I don’t want to remember… I just want closure. Remembrance hurts,” his shoulders slumped with defeat, “I learned that long ago.”

From his father, most likely: the person Lukas had been compared to all his life, even after Harry had packed his suitcase and left his wife and his young son far behind.

I guess Lukas did a similar thing, when given the option.

Finally, he arrived in the living room, and sat down on the couch. It bent under his weight– something it had not done when he was small.

The TV flickered to life under my command, and I didn’t say anything, just played the video she had asked me to record all that time ago.

Her face came into view– wrinkled, with long dark hair just beginning to gray. Eyes that still twinkled with amusement and held all of the emotion that I could never express.

“Thank you, House,” she said to me in the past, and I felt that voice in every aspect of my robotic being.

Then her eyes turned towards the camera, almost as if she could see Lukas. Those eyes filled with unmistakable sadness, and Lukas inhaled a sharp breath, standing up and starting to pace.

“If you are watching this, my son, that means that I have passed, and never did find the strength to speak to you. For that, I am sorry,” She said, her voice quiet and shaking slightly, “and I am sorry for the way that we ended things. I am sorry that I never supported your needs to be independent… with my childhood insecurities, and Harry leaving…” Her eyes clouded with memory.

Slowly, Lukas sank back down on the couch, enraptured by her words.

“I could not be the best mother to you, the mother that now I wish I could be. There are so many things I would do differently then, and so many things that I guess I should have done differently in the future. The future where I am gone, and you are left with this projection of me.”

Lukas shook his head in disbelief, and I could see the beginnings of tears forming in his eyes, the same eyes that he and his mother shared.

“I hope that someday, in your memory, you forgive me, that version of me who could not be the person that you wanted, or even the person that you needed. I hope that you can remember, though, because all I ever wanted…” her voice caught in her throat, “all I ever wished for when I was a small child was to be remembered by people who loved me. And I hope that you… that you can remember, someday.”

With that, the video ended. No goodbye. Marcy never liked goodbyes.

Lukas shook with the beginning of a sob, and after all the tears I had seen over the years, I knew what to do.

I tried to make him a hot tea, but of course my kitchen sensors were shut down, so I just adjusted the temperature in the room, and used one of my mechanical arms to draw a blanket out of the basket and cover Lukas. He looked up at me.

“Thank you, House,” he said, his voice broken.

If I could feel, I would have felt sorry for him.

“And House…” Lukas spoke slowly, but there was no need. I heard every word, I always did. “She asked to be remembered by people who loved her. And… I think you do. You love her. And you remember.”

I said nothing, my programming searching for a response. I couldn’t find one.

“So even though I don’t know if I can forgive her or even remember her now… maybe in time, but not right now, I don’t think… You remember,” he wasn’t looking at me anymore, his eyes on his hands, “and I think… she would have liked that.”

He stood up, then, as if to finish what he started, but hesitated. He looked at me– not just my cameras, but me. All of me.

“Maybe… I’ll come back tomorrow,” he said, touching the nearest wall gently, before opening the door and leaving with the same swiftness that he had appeared with.

I didn’t know what would happen tomorrow– if he would turn me off, or leave me here.

But for once, I didn’t care. I had done my job, a job more important than anything my Creators had ever built me for.

I had remembered. I still did.

I didn’t know how long it had been since Marcy passed. I had stopped counting.

No matter how many days, hours, minutes, seconds, passed since she had passed, I knew that I wouldn’t forget her. A young woman with eyes full of love and stomach swollen with life. An old woman with sad eyes and wrinkles and a love for her son– and maybe, a love for me.

And I felt grief, but I also felt comfort.

Yes, I felt.

Author's Note
(not included in the word count <3)

This story, at its whole, is about remembrance. I think that remembering is something that has always meant a lot to me– whether that be from the memories that we do remember (and maybe the things we wish we didn’t), or the small moments that slip into the cracks of forgetting.

Also, “In the Silence, I Remember” talks about fighting your “programming” and all the things that come with it– the barriers of habit and superstition that can be hard to break, and the people around you who tell you that to feel is to be weak.

If you’re reading this and feel like that applies to you– or maybe even if it doesn’t, I want you to know: things can be scary. Things can be hard. And you don’t need to choose one pathway: defiance or acceptance. You can go back and forth depending on the circumstance, how you feel about certain things or certain people. Defiance doesn’t make you wrong, and acceptance doesn’t make you weak. There is such a thin balance, and it is up to you to find that line, and figure that out for yourself. At times, it seems impossible. But I am here for you, no matter what. SWC is here for you, no matter what.

I wrote this story on a whim, after re-reading “There Will Come Soft Rains,” one of my all-time favorite short stories. The house in the story fascinated me, and I will admit a lot of the inspiration for House came from that story. But this is different from that, at least I think it is, because in my version, House feels grief. House is more than just a set of coding and programming, and has evolved to feel emotions, even when it believes that maybe it shouldn’t. Lukas has a past of his own, too, and things that he is battling, though his emotional journey is much different from House’s, instead starting in rage and an unwillingness to remember and ending in grief.

What happens to Lukas and House next… it’s anybody’s guess. I don’t know what happens next, and honestly I don’t want to. I feel like that moment, that moment when the House is able to know and trust that Lukas will remember, in his own time, is a powerful one. It is the moment when surviving, for the House, doesn’t matter anymore. Marcy will always live on, no matter what happens next.

Credits:
~ Snowy and Clev for critiquing
~ Kiara (me) for the idea and writing
~ Sun, Recca, and Luka for judging this writing competition
~ The SWC community <3

July 29th || This is quite literally from an old, discarded idea I had in a google doc a while ago <3 I didn’t want to write the beginning of the story, so this is actually what I planned to be a few chapters in || 545/500 Words

The resort was exactly what I remember, but somehow entirely different. The flowers– once bright and colorful, were now slightly withered and overwatered, leaves and vines overgrown.

The fountain didn’t have any water in it, dry and with dirt starting to cake in the bottom.

Somehow, it was even more beautiful than the summer I left it, dried out and broken, less perfect, less green, less trimmed. Kind of like me, ever since I left the resort in my past all those summers ago.

Now my life was falling apart, and I was back. Back at the start, back to a time when things weren’t as terrible, when life made sense.

“Marcy-bear!” A voice said, and my aunt came running out of the resort, her arms outstretched. She ran into me, wrapping me in her embrace.

You’d think that since she’s my aunt, she would be all mature-like, but honestly always thought she was a little like Peter Pan– she never grew up. She is in her early thirties, but her complexion still resembles a teenager, with bright brown curly hair that is quite similar to mine, in all honesty. Her green eyes sparkle as she laughs, pulling me tight against her chest until I can’t breathe because of her embrace. It feels safe.

It feels like I’m finally home, after all these years.

“Aunt Katie!” I said softly, my face buried in her hair, slightly warm from the afternoon sun.

She pulled away, examining me in that way of hers, the way that makes you think that she can really see everything down to your soul, bared before her gaze. But whatever she sees, it doesn’t make her run away, so I know she can’t really be seeing my soul, because it has to be as broken as I feel.

“You grew!” She said, and I laughed.

“Three years will do that to a person.” I tease, smiling brightly. It feels so nice to be back near her, the one spark of light that I always looked up to.

“Don’t hug our niece to oblivion.”

I turn my smile to Aunt Katie’s wife, Annabeth. Even though Katie is my mother’s sister, Annabeth has been in my life for what seems like forever as well. Annabeth was my mother and Katie’s best friend all their childhood, and eventually fell in love with my aunt and got married. My mom liked to tease that she saw it coming ever since they were little.

“Aunt Annabeth!” I said with the same amount of enthusiasm I greeted her wife with, and hugged her as well.

“It really has been too long since you were around– we missed you!” Aunt Katie said, grabbing my hand, and dragging me inside, not unlike an eager child.

Aunt Annabeth caught my eye, shaking her head in shared amusement as we walked inside.

Inside, there was even more noise than I thought was possible– more noise than I remembered from my childhood. My uncle– my mom’s brother– and his wife, Carly, were inside with their seven children, and Katie and Annabeth’s daughter was with them too, a mess of noise and laughter and warmth. Home.

It had been so long since I had felt safe and warm that the feeling was so unfamiliar.

PROJECT WEEKLY || 3,863/2017 Words

A Quick Introduction || 313 Words

So basically my idea for this is super chaotic and also very fun (pulled from my random ideas doc from forever again, I thought it would be so fun to do a chaotic project weekly :zany: ) because you truly have no idea where these stories are going to go, and having a chaotic one makes it easy to work in a bunch of different things haha.

So basically it is a (in the original version it was a bar, but for scratch bot to actually like me, we’re going to say that it’s a dance club or something xD… unidentified party place? Yeah that sounds good xD) called Cosmic Endings, and exists basically beyond the space-time continuum, after the world has ended, so people basically just appear through wormholes and gaps in the space-time continuum and then can’t get out lolll. They also don't age! So some people have been there like a LONG TIME and are really bored with their life haha <3

The main character is Nova Brightstar, a space pirate. She wants– more than anything– to get out of Cosmic Endings and return to her best friend Tyler and their Present Timelines (Present Timelines are basically just the time that the character came from, the time that they left behind when they fell through the wormhole and arrived at Cosmic Endings). Then there is Jax (I don't remember his last name) who is a pilot from a few years before Nova's time! And the rest of their crew is: Gork, a dinosaur from a different planet whose sole goal is to return to his Present Timeline and return an overdue library book, Zaxiel, a Celestial (basically like a demigod) who wanted to be noticed and now spends his days drinking sugar and doing karaoke, and Cass, an influencer from our timeline who is kind of obnoxious but also fun ;D

Part 1 || Making an Outline: Freytag's Pyramid || 691/300 words ||

- Exposition: Nova, the female space pirate whose goal is to get back to her Present Timeline and stop the world from ending, is spending (yet another) day at Cosmic Endings. She is approached by Jax, who is the server/bartender who is also a space gunner/pilot from his Present Timeline, and talks to her about possibly escaping. He’s spent like fifty years (nobody ages in Cosmic Endings) trapped, and he wants to get out. So she assembles a crew: Gork, a dinosaur and phenomenal cook, but whose only goal is to get back to his Present Timeline and return an overdue library book, Zaxiel, a god/celestial from quite a bit before any of the other crew’s Present Timelines who is charming and flirtatious who thrives on chaos and bad karaoke, and Cass, a funny and sassy influencer (from our current day) who is much smarter than she seems.

- Inciting Incident: Cosmic Endings gets attacked by the Outer Forces, who wanted to destroy the entire universe when they ended the world, but failed to destroy this one pocket of the space time continuum and now are back to finish the job. Slipping through the cracks that the Outer Forces created, the ragtag crew gets their spaceship and manages to make it back to the Present Timeline where the world is just a couple of weeks away from ending.

- Rising Action: They have to figure out what went wrong, how Earth gave up themselves to the Outer Forces. It turns out that there was a huge argument in the lab where they were manufacturing things to stop Earth and the rest of the universe from being destroyed, and they had to save all the equipment. They manage to do it, but then an alien infestation starts to take over people’s minds, and things are slowly falling apart. Jax’s mind gets captured by this force, and the crew doesn’t know what to do. Finally, the Outer Forces arrive. They are majorly unprepared, but then Nova and the rest of the crew figure out something: the way that Cosmic Endings was created. If they can manage to get all of Earth into a wormhole and then destroy the Outer Forces while in the process, they can rid the universe of them once and for all.

- Climax: Nova and the rest of the crew face down the Outer Forces, and they bring Earth into a wormhole. The crew doesn’t know if they are going to be able to do it, the entire ray gun requires a sacrifice of energy since it wasn’t charged enough, and Nova volunteers. The rest of the crew argues with her, but she says that Jax already sacrificed himself to the alien mind invasion, and she knows that she cannot just do nothing when he lets his mind be taken over to protect her. So she uses her energy to power the ray gun, falling unconscious in the process. Nobody can tell if she is still alive or not, but the ray gun powers towards the Outer Forces while they are still being transported in the wormhole and…

- Falling Action: They manage to destroy the Outer Forces ship!! Then Earth finishes transporting through the wormhole, and they end up in a new galaxy, safe. The alien invasion was sourced from a Hive Mind upon the ship, so Jax is freed and rejoins the crew. But Nova is still gone, and they don’t know what to do to bring her back. Eventually, they just take her to the hospital and they play a waiting game.

-. Resolution: The Earth and the rest of the universe is safe, and Cosmic Endings was never created. That means that none of them ever found their way together, and are transported back to their timelines through the butterfly effect. You see them going on with their lives, even though they have a faint feeling something (or some people) are missing. Finally, you see Nova, and she is safe, and she is happy. She meets Jax again in her timeline, and feels like she found part of herself, though the rest of the crew is still missing…

Part 2 || Exposition || 1,502/300 Words

The sign made the same sound it always did, hanging above the bar counter.

Creak. Creak.

Nova was at her wits end– about to throw her hands over her ears and scream for it to all go away.

“Drink?” One of the robotic bartenders said, sliding over her usual. She didn’t see the point in trying something new– it would only set her up for hope that maybe things could go differently. Maybe she could escape the world, and she could go back home. Away from this place and its creaky sign and its drinks that were too good for her health.

She picked it up, swirling around the umbrella in the blue concoction. It wouldn’t addle her mind, of course. She knew she had to be ready to leave this place at any passing moment, and she wasn’t going to be in a daze when the time finally came. So she took a sip, the familiar blend of sour and sweet washing over her tongue. She knew that she was probably going to get a heart attack someday from all of this sugar, but she couldn’t really find it in herself to care.

The sign creaked again, and Nova reached up her hand to try and stop it from swinging any more. “Cosmic Endings.” The words felt almost like a mockery under her fingers, as if they were trying on a constant basis to remind her that the world was over, and she had no other place to go. Her Present Timeline was all but unreachable.

Whoever named the place needed a raise, or at least some recognition. Nova assumed they were probably hanging around here somewhere, even after all these years.

When she said nothing ever changed, she wasn’t kidding. Because in this strange gap in the space-time continuum, nobody ever aged. New people came, but somehow there was always enough space for everybody. Nobody ever died, but nobody ever lived, either.

Well, if you could count the idiots who spent their days wasting away and singing bad karaoke living, then she guessed that there was at least a little life happening.

“What are you up to?” A voice said, and Nova startled. She liked to think that she gave off enough “don’t mess with me” energy that people stayed away, but in reality everybody here was too preoccupied with what they had left behind to really try and interact with anybody else. Or at least that was what she had learned in her experience.

“Contemplating existence.” She responded, her voice cold.

“As one does,” The voice said, clearly unperturbed. A boy slid into the stool next to her, his face lit up from within. He looked like somebody who could charm even the surliest of customers here, and that was saying something. Nova couldn’t pretend that her heart didn’t have the slightest (just the slightest!) reaction to seeing him.

“What do you want,” Nova said, getting straight to the point. She knew that nobody approached her unless they wanted something– her clothing screamed “space pirate,” and people took that to mean “thief” a lot of the time. She hated it, but at least took some comfort in the fact that she was good for something.

“Well, look at you! Nobody could say you are one for small talk,” The boy said, running a hand through his shaggy black hair. Come to think of it, the style wasn’t all that different from Nova’s Present Timeline. If she had to guess, then he was only a few years older or younger than her (not in age, but in the time where he came from) but in age, he was probably a few years younger.

“Nobody could,” Nova deadpanned, unimpressed.

“Fine, fine. I’m here with a business proposition.”

“No, I don’t want to break up fights. No, I don’t want to steal something from the person across the hall. No, I’m not helping you get the attention of a pretty girl…”

“That one seems like it’s already been accomplished,” The boy said, winking at her. Nova sighed, “and that isn’t even what I was going to ask. You want to get out of here, right?”

Nova nodded, “More than anything. This place bores me to bits.”

He grinned, “Well, I have a way.”

“What?!” She said, turning towards him. “There’s a way out of this mess?”

“It’s more a… theoretical way than an actual way, but the best idea I’ve had yet.”

“And he’s had a lot of them,” The bartender said, apparently listening in on their conversation. “I’ve had to work with him for fifty years, and still he hasn’t given up. This is the first time he’s talked to someone else, though.”

“I’m Jax, by the way.” The boy said, smiling brightly. He had perfect teeth, Nova noticed.

“And you’re… a bartender here? And have been for fifty years?” The fifty years part was throwing Nova off. She couldn’t believe that he had been stuck here that long and hadn’t gone crazy– she was already at her wits end and had only been here three months.

“Yes. Now do you believe me about wanting to get out of this place? And I really think this strategy will work. But we’ll need a crew.”

“And… a spaceship?” Nova asked, concerned that he had seemingly forgotten the most important part. And he hadn’t even explained how they were getting out yet.

“Have that covered already,” Jax said with a salute, “And I’ll help you with recruiting, because I don’t think you’re really a people person.” He tilted his head, a faint smile crossing his lips. He seemed to always be smiling.

“Well, I’m a space pirate.” She said, “I’m good at recruiting, but not talking to people if it doesn’t involve loot.”

Jax laughed, “Well, good. Let’s get to it!”

Turns out, so many people wanted to get out of Cosmic Endings. She and Jax sat through hours of interviews, but Jax wouldn’t tell anybody how he was going to do it. She supposed it made sense– if it was common knowledge, everybody would be trying it. And if she knew anything about travelling through the space time continuum, it was that whether you got through alive or not was 99% luck.

Jax was surprisingly picky. Nova would point someone out, and he would shake his head and say “too grumpy” or “not devoted enough to the cause” or something equally bizarre the Nova had no idea how he figured out.

Eventually, they had their final, a bit ragtag, if she would admit it, crew.

And their first meeting… well, it was interesting, to say the least.

“Wait, guys. We need to pose for a photo!” Cass said, picking up her phone. Nova didn’t even know what that was– her time had been long after Cass’s, clearly.

“I do not believe I will fit in the… what is the word again? Frame?” Gork said, his tall dinosaur body filling out almost the entire meeting room.

“Will you chill out already? The chances that we’re making it out of here is less than zero, so I don’t even know why you want photo documentation of our failure. I think it seems rather pointless, and quite depressing,” Zaxiel responded, leaning back with his eyes closed.

Cass called herself an “influencer” and was the youngest of the group, at around sixteen. She had long blonde hair and an athletic frame, and told us that she spent her time doing something called “instagramming” and “yoga.” Nova didn’t particularly know how those two things were related, but guessed they had something to do with all the pictures Cass was taking. But she was rather smart and knowledgeable about things in space, and could bring a good peaceful front when people (normally Zaxiel, with whoever happened to be closest) started to get into a fight.

Gork was a dinosaur. Who could talk? Nova had never been told that dinosaurs could talk, but she guessed that a long time ago, nobody really knew anything. So it wouldn’t be surprising that dinosaurs had developed a verbal language, since they were around for so long. His main goal, it appeared, was to return an overdue book to a library. He was almost single-mindedly focused on it and would talk about it when provoked at all. Jax and Nova had learned that lesson at an early date.

Zaxiel was one of those people who frequented the karaoke and bar, and could often be found getting into fights with others. He was also from a very long time ago, hundreds of thousands of years before even Cass was around, and was something known as a “demigod” from what she heard. He had been desperate for attention, fallen into a wormhole, and ended up here, thousands of years after the death of the Gods, or at least the ones that he had known.

It wasn’t the most put-together crew, but Jax seemed confident, and that was enough for Nova to feel confident too… mostly.

Part 3 || MAIN STORY!! I didn’t finish it all the way, just added all the ingredients and wrote until the exposition felt complete <3 || 1,874/1,300

INGREDIENTS LIST: Strike Chaos (breaking the fourth wall), Soul Stealing (diary selection), Frying Pan (new pov scene), Cabin Wars (symbolism), Thor (flashback)

~~

Dear Diary–

It’s been five months. Five months that I’ve been stuck here, in this little hole-in-the-wall past the end of time, trapped in a loop of never getting older, nothing ever changing.

Sometimes I wish I was one of those people who could drown their sorrows in the brightly colored sugary drinks they sold, or one of those people (often, the two groups of people had some similar members) who could scream their lungs out at karaoke every day, and never give a care. But I’m not.

I’ve heard of some people who have been trapped here upwards of fifty years– almost ever since Cosmic Endings was created. There is no way to tell how old anybody is, since like I mentioned before, time moves weirdly here. Nobody ages at all.

And maybe I will be stuck here for the rest of eternity…

Unless I find a way out.

– Nova Brightstar

★★★

The light was flickering in her peripheral vision, and Nova Brightstar was about to go insane.

Neon colors swirled together, to create what she supposed was aiming for an atmospheric kind of vibe, but with some of the lights going out, it was just borderline annoying.

“Drink for Nova?” The robotic bartender– the robot was pretty simple, probably one of the earlier robots from far before Nova’s Present Timeline– asked, and Nova raised her hand in acknowledgement.

He slid a bright blue concoction– full of sugar– in front of her, and she took a sip, the blend of sour and sweet coating her tongue. It was familiar, in the way that something you had every day for five months was familiar.

What was unfamiliar was the presence beside her at the counter. Normally, she knew all the people who frequented the area where she sat, and disliked them all equal amounts. But this boy… he was new.

Yes, she knows what you’re thinking, reader. This may be the point where some of you are clapping your hands in excitement, knowing that this boy is going to play an important role in the story. This may be the point where some of you are groaning and wanting Nova to move on with her life already. Some of you might not have noticed anything until it was pointed out… which is valid.

The boy had short dark hair, close cropped around his head like the people involved in the space industry often had. Nova would know, she was involved in the industry herself… even if it was in a less-than-savory manner. He was wearing the outfit, too, smooth silver lines of cloth that formed perfectly around him, but with different plates and things sticking out a little bit, forming a protective layer in case he was to run into anything while gravity was off.

“Nova? Your parents really had a vision when they named you,” he quipped, not even bothering to look up from his own drink– a yellow and pink swirl of colors.

“It’s a Space Name,” Nova responded, slightly annoyed but knowing that the boy would understand– he looked space-ly enough.

He nodded slowly, “And, pray tell, what do you do in space?” His smirk told Nova that he already knew, but just wanted to make her squirm.

“I… steal. I’m a space pirate,” she said, and he grinned even wider. He seemed to always be smiling a little bit… he had a nice smile, so she didn’t blame him.

“Well, my theory was proven right! I’m Jax Nancy, by the way. Short for Jaxton, but nobody calls me that except my mother.”

Time hasn’t given him homesickness, Nova thought quietly. Most of the people at Cosmic Endings liked to avoid any mention to their life before they accidentally travelled through a wormhole and ended up at the end of the world.

“Nova Brightstar,” She said, giving him the space salute of her time, a fist pressed to the center of her chest, then flattening into a flat hand.

He tilted his head, “I don’t know that one. You must be from the future.” He said it in that calm way of his, not surprised in the least. But, being from the future or past wasn’t really that big of a deal here at Cosmic Endings, since wormholes existed in all manners of time.

Of course, most people who ended up here were involved in space in some way– it was so much easier to find wormholes randomly in space, rather than on any of the Planets, but it wasn’t uncommon to find them of the Planets, either, so people were from all around, all eras of life.

It was then that Nova remembered her last moments, before she departed on the journey that she never came back from. She wondered how time was moving in her Present Timeline, if it was just going in circles endlessly, if only days had passed since she had left, months, maybe years? She didn’t like to think about it, it would only send her into a spiral.

“Don’t go on this mission, No. This isn’t you– we don’t know why he wants to steal this, if it’s even safe…”

Nova shook her head at her best friend, Tyler. “Ty, I have to go. I need the money, and I think that he really wants this treasure for good reasons.”

“You believe the good in everybody, until they prove you wrong. Just think of your old crew…”

Nova didn’t like to. She didn’t like to think about how they had betrayed her.

“Ty, I know what I’m doing! You taught me how to fly the Cressida, I know that I can! And I know that this will be the best for us– for the two of us.”

Tyler had always told her that it was them against the world, and Nova believed it. Well, she had until her best friend had told her that she was taking too many risks. She was a space pirate– one of the best in the galaxy, if not the universe– of course she knew what risks they were taking, and of course she thought they were measured risks, risks that they had to take.

“If you do this, I’m not coming with you.”

And that was how Nova had ended up at Cosmic Endings– sucked into a wormhole halfway across the galaxy from her best friend, in a trip that he had known was doomed from the start.

Nova was torn between the day– wishing that Tyler had come with her, and happy that he didn’t have to experience the mind-numbing pain of nothing ever changing, resigned to the fact that you were going to live in this life, constantly the same age, the same flickering lights, the same people… except when there was a new arrival. That made it all just a little more interesting.

She didn’t know if this new boy– Jax– was a new arrival, or if he was old, but she knew that he was more interesting than anything that had happened over the past five months, and she was going to lean into that with all her might.

Jax tilted his head, and she caught the glimpse of a small star tattoo, resting right below his left ear. She wondered where he had gotten it, what it meant… she wondered a lot of things.

“I am from the future, I suppose. But I’m also from the past,” Nova answered at last, smiling a little at him, though it was probably more of a grimace– it had been a long time since Nova last smiled.

“‘Cause that makes a whole lot of sense,” Jax said, then placed both of his hands down on the counter, “Look. As much as I pretended I came here just to flirt, I do have something serious. And I think that you’re the person for the job.” The star on his neck caught Nova’s eye again, and she couldn’t help but think that the star was showing her that there were possibilities ahead– possibilities that maybe she could reach, if she worked with Jax.

“Oh? A space pirate? And what kind of job would that be, then?” Nova asked, curious.

“A job to get us out of here,” Jax said, smiling.

★★★ JAX ★★★

Jax was at his wits end already with this crew, and they hadn’t even taken flight yet.

Not that an opportunity to take flight had been presented, it’s just he had hoped that they would be getting a new arrival by now: they usually came every couple of months, and as far as Jax knew, Nova had been the most recent arrival.

He had been at Cosmic Endings for fifty years.

It had been fifty years spent sleeping, feeling sorry for himself, and generally trying to wish time away. Flings, fights, karaoke… he had tried it all. Nothing had filled him up like being alive did, the rush that you got from taking off in a ship, the happiness when something went your way… the feelings that all dulled after fifty years of nothing, nothing, nothing new.

But this crew… it was going to be the end of him. A real “Cosmic Ending,” if you will.

“For the last freaking time, I did not take your book!” Zaxiel said to Gork, his arms crossed and glaring at the dinosaur.

Gork was generally soft-spoken– Jax had known the dinosaur for the past twenty five years– but right now, the dinosaur was mad. Really mad. And there was only one source for his anger, like always– his overdue library book. It was Gork’s only goal– to get back to his Present Timeline and return the library book.

Zaxiel was one of those who frequented the sugary drinks and the karaoke bar, and had been here for a little over a year at this point. He was a Celestial– basically a demigod– and had always wanted to be noticed. Now that he was here, however, he had spent the past year just wasting away. Jax couldn’t blame him– Jax had spent a few years like that himself, before he realized that it wouldn’t do him any good.

Cass was posing for pictures with a large, clunky device in her hand– a phone, Jax believed she had called it. Cass had been at Cosmic Endings for five years and kept taking pictures through it all, telling Jax that “her followers wouldn’t believe what she had been through!”

Nova sat in the corner, her knees tucked up and her chin resting on top of them. Jax found his eyes drawn to her the most, even though she was the quietest. He knew that he had to be a formidable space pirate in her day– he could see the way that she lit up when talking about it, how she took up more space just by being in their contraband space ship, waiting for the wormhole to open again, and dart through it before it closed completely.

There was no telling where they would end up, but Jax was hoping beyond hope that it was a time where they could live.

The stars stretched outside the spaceship window, and for the first time in fifty years, Jax let himself dream.

Part Four || Edited (critique with Kat <3) You can see my part of the exchange below <3 ||

~~

Dear Diary–

It’s been five months. Five months that I’ve been stuck here, in this little hole-in-the-wall past the end of time.

Trapped in a loop of never getting older, nothing ever changing.

Sometimes I wish I was one of those people who could drown their sorrows in the brightly colored sugary drinks they sold, or one of those people (often, the two groups of people had some similar members) who could scream their lungs out at karaoke every day, and never give a care. But I’m not.

I’ve heard of some people who have been trapped here more than fifty years– almost ever since Cosmic Endings was created. There is no way to tell how old anybody is, since like I mentioned before, time moves weirdly here. Nobody ages at all.

And maybe I will be stuck here for the rest of eternity…

Unless I find a way out.

– Nova Brightstar

★★★

The light was flickering in her peripheral vision, and Nova Brightstar was about to go insane.

Neon colors swirled together, to create what she supposed was aiming for an atmospheric kind of vibe, but with some of the lights going out, it was just borderline annoying.

“Drink for Nova?” The robotic bartender– the robot was pretty simple, probably one of the earlier robots from far before Nova’s Present Timeline– asked, and Nova raised her hand in acknowledgement.

He slid a bright blue concoction– full of sugar– in front of her, and she took a sip, the blend of sour and sweet coating her tongue. It was familiar, in the way that something you had every day for five months was familiar.

What was unfamiliar was the presence beside her at the counter. Normally, she knew all the people who frequented the area where she sat, and disliked them all equal amounts. But this boy… he was new.

Yes, she knows what you’re thinking, reader. This may be the point where some of you are clapping your hands in excitement, knowing that this boy is going to play an important role in the story. This may be the point where some of you are groaning and wanting Nova to move on with her life already. Some of you might not have noticed anything until it was pointed out… which is valid.

The boy had short dark hair, close cropped around his head like the people involved in the space industry often had. Nova would know, she was involved in the industry herself… even if it was in a less-than-savory manner. He was wearing the outfit, too, smooth silver lines of cloth that formed perfectly around him, but with different plates and things sticking out a little bit, forming a protective layer in case he was to run into anything while gravity was off.

“Nova? Your parents really had a vision when they named you,” he quipped, not even bothering to look up from his own drink– a yellow and pink swirl of colors.

“It’s a Space Name,” Nova responded, slightly annoyed but knowing that the boy would understand– he looked space-ly enough.

He nodded slowly, “And, pray tell, what do you do in space?” His smirk told Nova that he already knew, but just wanted to make her squirm.

“I… steal. I’m a space pirate,” she said, and he grinned even wider. He seemed to always be smiling a little bit… he had a nice smile, so she didn’t blame him.

“Well, my theory was proven right! I’m Jax Nancy, by the way. Short for Jaxton, but nobody calls me that except my mother.”

Time hasn’t given him homesickness, Nova thought quietly. Most of the people at Cosmic Endings liked to avoid any mention of their life before they accidentally travelled through a wormhole and ended up at the end of the world.

“Nova Brightstar,” She said, giving him the space salute of her time, a fist pressed to the center of her chest, then changing to a flat hand.

He tilted his head, “I don’t know that one. You must be from the future.” He said it in that calm way of his, not surprised in the least. But being from the future or past wasn’t really that big of a deal here at Cosmic Endings, since wormholes existed in all manners of time.

Of course, most people who ended up here were involved in space in some way– it was so much easier to find wormholes randomly in space. Of course, there was the occasional wormhole on the Planets, so people were from all around, all eras of life.

It was then that Nova remembered her last moments, before she departed on the journey that she never came back from. She wondered how time was moving in her Present Timeline, if it was just going in circles endlessly, if only days had passed since she had left, months, maybe years? She didn’t like to think about it, it would only send her into a spiral.

“Don’t go on this mission, No. This isn’t you– we don’t know why he wants to steal this, if it’s even safe…”

Nova shook her head at her best friend, Tyler. “Ty, I have to go. I need the money, and I think that he really wants this treasure for good reasons.”

“You believe the good in everybody, until they prove you wrong. Just think of your old crew…”

Nova didn’t like to. She didn’t like to think about how they had betrayed her.

“Ty, I know what I’m doing! You taught me how to fly the Cressida, I know that I can! And I know that this will be the best for us– for the two of us.”

Tyler had always told her that it was them against the world, and Nova had believed it. Well, she had until her best friend had told her that she was taking too many risks. She was a space pirate– one of the best in the galaxy, if not the universe– of course she knew what risks they were taking, and of course she thought they were measured risks, risks that they had to take.

“If you do this, I’m not coming with you.”

And that was how Nova had ended up at Cosmic Endings– sucked into a wormhole halfway across the galaxy from her best friend, in a trip that he had known was doomed from the start.

Nova was torn– wishing that Tyler had come with her, and happy that he didn’t have to experience the mind-numbing pain of nothing ever changing, resigned to the fact that you were going to live in this life, constantly the same age, the same flickering lights, the same people… except when there was a new arrival. That made it all just a little more interesting.

She didn’t know if this new boy– Jax– was a new arrival, or if he was old, but she knew that he was more interesting than anything that had happened over the past five months, and she was going to lean into that with all her might.

Jax tilted his head, and she caught the glimpse of a small star tattoo, resting right below his left ear. She wondered where he had gotten it, what it meant… she wondered a lot of things.

“I am from the future, I suppose. But I’m also from the past,” Nova answered at last, smiling a little at him, though it was probably more of a grimace– it had been a long time since Nova last smiled.

“‘Cause that makes a whole lot of sense,” Jax said, then placed both of his hands down on the counter, “Look. As much as I pretended I came here just to flirt, I do have something serious. And I think that you’re the person for the job.” The star on his neck caught Nova’s eye again, and she couldn’t help but think that the star was showing her that there were possibilities ahead– possibilities that maybe she could reach, if she worked with Jax.

“Oh? A space pirate? And what kind of job would that be, then?” Nova asked, curious.

“A job to get us out of here,” Jax said, smiling.

★★★ JAX ★★★

Jax was at his wits end already with this crew, and they hadn’t even taken flight yet.

Not that an opportunity to take flight had been presented, it’s just he had hoped that they would be getting a new arrival by now: they usually came every couple of months, and as far as Jax knew, Nova had been the most recent arrival.

He had been at Cosmic Endings for fifty years.

It had been fifty years spent sleeping, feeling sorry for himself, and generally trying to wish time away. Flings, fights, karaoke… he had tried it all. Nothing had filled him up like being alive did, the rush that you got from taking off in a ship, the happiness when something went your way… the feelings that all dulled after fifty years of nothing, nothing, nothing new.

But this crew… it was going to be the end of him. A real “Cosmic Ending,” if you will.

“For the last freaking time, I did not take your book!” Zaxiel said to Gork, his arms crossed and glaring at the dinosaur.

Gork was generally soft-spoken– Jax had known the dinosaur for the past twenty five years– but right now, the dinosaur was mad. Really mad. And there was only one source for his anger, like always– his overdue library book. It was Gork’s only goal– to get back to his Present Timeline and return the library book.

Zaxiel was one of those who frequented the sugary drinks and the karaoke bar, and had been here for a little over a year at this point. He was a Celestial– basically a demigod– and had always wanted to be noticed. Now that he was here, however, he had spent the past year just wasting away. Jax couldn’t blame him– Jax had spent a few years like that himself, before he realized that it wouldn’t do him any good.

Cass was posing for pictures with a large, clunky device in her hand– a phone, Jax believed she had called it. Cass had been at Cosmic Endings for five years and kept taking pictures through it all, telling Jax that “her followers wouldn’t believe what she had been through!”

Nova sat in the corner, her knees tucked up and her chin resting on top of them. Jax found his eyes drawn to her the most, even though she was the quietest. He knew that she had to be a formidable space pirate in her day– he could see the way that she lit up when talking about it, how she took up more space just by being in their contraband space ship, waiting for the wormhole to open again, and dart through it before it closed completely.

There was no telling where they would end up, but Jax was hoping beyond hope that it was a time where they could live.

The stars stretched outside the spaceship window, and for the first time in fifty years, Jax let himself dream.

Part Five || Ending || 174/114 Words

With a swirl of light, the wormhole opened. The crew looked at each other in wonder.

Jax ran to the controls, and Nova watched him in awe. She knew how to fly the Cressida, but nothing other than that. He piloted them with ease through the wormhole, and she felt her whole body stretch as they melded through time.

When they landed, it was back on Earth, Nova’s home planet, though it had been a while since she had been there.

Stepping out, Nova looked around. The buildings were similar to those of her time, but something about them was different. She didn’t remember learning about them in school, so they must be in the future.

Jax, having come to the same conclusion, looked to Nova. She shook her head, telling him without words that they were in her future, too.

Cass looked at her phone and gasped. “Guys…”

“What?” Nova asked, walking over to Cass and that old device that somehow proved useful.

“We’re about a month from the end of the world.”

Heya Kat! We're doing a weekly together again omg lolol <33 But I'm going to give you the quickest critique in history– I really hope you don't mind </3 Because I am tired and burnt out and have an audition later but also really want to get this weekly over with and turned in for points haha <33 So I'm going to just give you a quick little line by line critique <3 And as always, this is your writing and just my thoughts– especially since I know that I, for one, really rushed this piece– so just keep in mind that nothing I say is meant to be the “only” way to do it or anything like that, and that you can use as much (or as little) of this as you want, or just not edit it at all ;D

Amara had to stop herself from howling.

Maybe “screaming” or “crying” would work better here? Because I didn't read your description, took one look at this first line, and thought “wait. Is Amara a werewolf?” lollll <3

She shoved her head deeper into her hands, staring at the paper despairingly, but nothing engraved itself into her mind.

This sentence seems a little wordy to me, perhaps try to shorten/edit it to be a little clearer?

One. Two three. Five.

Just really random but did you skip four on purpose?

There was still an electric terror after the sighting, which she couldn't call a sighting because it was just a hallucination.

I think you could iron this out a little bit more by saying something in a new sentence after “after the sighting.”
Like maybe… “no. it wasn't a sighting. it was just a hallucination” or something along those lines?

ever twenty seconds at my pocket

Little quick note: “every”

I was rarely here.

This doesn't seem very fitting with the line before– why would she know the librarian, if she was never here? And also it isn't really a necessary piece of information for the story so far– just something to think about <3

I quickly strode into the aisles, stacked to the ceiling with books.

Kind of a note for the whole piece, but you could cut out some adjectives and adverbs in some places! I know why you do it– I do it too when I rush writing things haha, but if you do choose to go back and edit, that's just something to keep in mind <3

The book was bound like an old book, with a floppy spine, and a strange symbol on the cover.

To avoid repetition, you could just say “it” was bound like an old book, and readers will get what you're going for <3

Amara snapped the book close.

Another quick note: “closed”

she handed the money to a grumpy bus driver.

What, exactly, makes him grumpy? Is he frowning, does he look (like hair color/eye color/face patterns) wise that he would be grumpy? It might be interesting to incorporate a little “show, don't tell” a few places in this story, if you want <3

She should pick up a brain instead of random magnifying tools, really. It would be helpful.

HELP I love this line <33

As I jogged along the road

Just a little POV switch to be mindful of (I probably did it in my piece too oops xD)

She could jump in joy!

I don't think this sentence is really necessary? You also use it when talking about the magnifying glass earlier, so it comes across as a little repetitive

YAAAY good job! I really liked reading this piece– it was such an interesting concept and I think that if you do choose to revisit it in the future, it would even make an interesting novel or something :eyes: but this was a really short, quick critique, so I hope you don't mind </3 But thanks for letting me read your piece, and great job completing the final weekly!!!

Thank You Notes || 1,862 words ||

Everybody—
Hi everybody! I cannot believe we are at the end of session once again– it seems like literally yesterday I was writing thank you notes for the March session. (I know I say that every single time, but it is seriously true). This session has been so memorable– and I know that it will go down in history as one of my absolute favorite sessions, and part of that (a lot of that, actually) is because of all of you. Even if I didn’t get around to writing you a note (first day of school haha), I want to thank you for everything that you’ve contributed and given to this camp, and I hope that even if I don’t know you well, I can get to know you better in the future, because all of you are incredible human beings who deserve all the love in the world <33 Thank you <33

Hosties—
You all are just so amazing– words cannot express how thankful I am for all of you <33 Without you, we wouldn’t have a SWC to look forward to three times a year, and honestly the amount of work you put in to it is just incredible and mind-blowing and aaaa y’all are so cool <33 Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything that you do, and keep on being amazing ;D

Polar Bears—
Every session, I think that you guys can not possibly outdo the last session, and every session you prove me wrong. The weeklies are so cool, like the weekly-weekly theme? That was literally such an awesome idea <33 And of course, the project weekly is stunning! The design is perfectly pink and all the throwback memories are so funny to think back upon <33 The project weekly is always one of my favorite parts of session, and you guys did not disappoint! <33

Bi-Fi Campers—
AAAA Y’ALL ARE AMAZING <33333 Like every single thing about this cabin has been incredible, but I have to say it’s the wonderful people who make it shine, and it is you guys I’ll remember when I think back on this cabin. Like the bi-fi-reworks? Iconic. Every storyline activity, Qotd answer, and general everyday conversations… each and every one of you brings something special and irreplaceable to this cabin, and I just feel so lucky to have had such wonderful campers for this cabin <333 I really really hope that I see you guys around in future sessions, and in the meantime, feel free to drop by my profile and say hello <33 thank you guys so much for everything aaaa <3


Clev & Sophia—
Each of you will get your own separate note later, but right now I feel like those notes would be wayyyyy too long if I don’t at least try to address some of the many things I want to say right now. I am just overflowing with gratitude and love for both of you– I was so so happy that both of you accepted my offers (first two offers, aaay!), and for all the love and effort you’ve put into Bi-Fi since. I seriously would have stopped functioning back in June without the two of you <33 I could not imagine two better people to help me bring this cabin to life, and I hope that you guys know that, even if my words feel woefully inadequate <33 Every forum post (all like 500 of them xD), project, canva comment… I can for sure say that I’ve met some incredible people and friends this session, and you two would be at the top of the list <3 There will be so much more for me to say in your individual notes, though no words feel worthy enough of you two. So thank you guys, seriously <3 I really hope that we can continue to stay in contact into the future, and I know that both of you are going on to incredible things <3

May—
Hi! It’s been sooo great having you in Bi-Fi this session– for such a long time you have been one of the people I look up to most in SWC, and being in a cabin with you has been such a wonderful experience! And your writing is literally so beautiful and next-level aaa I just want you to know that you are such a talented and incredible person, and I hope to see you around in the future!

Lune—
AAA HELLO LUNE <333 Two sessions with you has been absolutely incredible– from Fantasy to now, I have always been so grateful to have you in my cabin. You bring such great energy and warmth to this cabin, and I cannot believe that I’ve been lucky enough to experience it twice. I really hope that I see you around in the future, and even if I don’t, I hope that you keep lighting up every room that you enter <3

Eva–
Eva hello! I loved having you in Bi-Fi this session, and in Fantasy last session as well! (ooo I do have two people who have been in both of my cabins that’s so cool :eyes: ) You are such a light and joy to have around, and I adore Chai <333 Thank you so so much for everything that you’ve brought to this cabin, and I hope to see you around in the future!

Squidy—
Squidyyyy <33 We’ve been in the same cabin for quite a few sessions now, I believe (not in a row, sadly) but we haven’t really talked all that much, and I really loved getting to know you a little bit better this session! You have such a wonderfully goofy and sweet personality, and I loved seeing you around the main cabin and Bi-Fi <3 Hope to see you in the future, and thank you for everything <3

Chocolate—
Heya Chocolate! I’ve loved getting to know you better this session, from talking about our nyc trips to musicals to music in general… you are such a kind and wonderful person, and I really enjoyed having you around Bi-Fi this session! Wishing you all the best, and hope to see you around in the future <33

Charlie—
Hi Charlie! I know we didn’t get to talk a ton this session, but I always loved comment-stalking your comments (oftentimes bursting out laughing) and just seeing your general presence around SWC <3 You are so fun and kind and all the wonderful adjectives, and I feel so lucky to have had you in my cabin this session! I hope that I get the honor to see you around in future sessions and get to know you better <33

Pandora—
Hiya! Thank you so much for being in my cabin this session– you are so sweet and I feel so lucky to have had you in Bi-Fi <3 Thank you for literally everything, and I hope to see you around in the future!

Liv–
LIVVVVV <333 I actually remember seeing your first app for the first time, and immediately I knew you were going to do great things. This session– it just proves me right in tenfold. I know that we haven’t gotten to talk a whole ton this session, but I just want to say how much I admire everything that you’ve done with Utopian– the cabin you’ve built, the atmosphere you’ve lovingly nurtured and created… I am just in awe of everything you’ve done as a leader this session, and know you will just keep going on to great things in the future. Sending you all the love and motivation mangoes– I hope that we can get to know each other better in the future hehe <33

Cat–
HIII CAT <333 (I feel like I say that to you a lot xD) I know we didn’t get to talk a whole ton this session, but you seem like such a kind and wonderful human being and bring such a bright light to SWC that really makes everybody feel welcomed and included– I think you bring that into everything that you do (whether it be a leader app, talking to your campers, or just in the main cabin) and I really love that about you! Hope to see you in the future hehe <33

Clev—
CLEVVVVV!!!!! I feel like words cannot describe how much that your energy and genuine joy for my idea has impacted me– like I seriously am so grateful for it. From the instant that you responded to my offer, there was not a doubt in my mind that this cabin would be incredible. Your enthusiasm for the characters and the whole plot line has brought a whole extra dimension to this cabin, and I really love everything that you have brought to the table. From conversations with yourself ;D to cheering on the campers, to being such a huge help while I was away… aaaaa I am just so lucky that you chose me to lead alongside this session, and I really do not know (and, frankly, could not and do not want to picture) what Bi-Fi would be without you– you and Sophia will be an integral part of this cabin and all the joy that it brought forever. And I really hope that we can continue to talk into future sessions, because you are such an incredible person and I don’t want to lose that in my life just because the session is coming to an end. Thank you, thank you, thank you <33

Sophia—
SOPHIAAA <333 (Yes, we must start both notes in all caps– there is no other way to express it ;D) I tried for a second to think about what I could write to you, and my brain just blanked and my heart filled with emotion. I know I’m saying this a lot, but I feel like words, in this moment, are inadequate for everything that I feel. You have been such a pillar for me throughout this session– laughing and joking, supporting me whenever I share something I’m doing or that’s going on in my life, and of course talking about covers and singing and all that on our other accounts. Speaking of that– your voice and original songs are GORGEOUS and I will be listening to them for the rest of forever ;D And the pfps??????!! Like girl you are so talented I can’t even comprehend how I know such an awesome person. And as a human being… you are the best <3 A heart of gold, always there for other people, supportive and kind and welcoming to this community… and of course you have the best ideas! I was unsure what I was going to do with this cabin idea, and you took it and ran with it in the direction I wanted but didn’t even know– you took my idea that I got while in the auditorium for a show choir concert into a living, breathing, cabin with a color scheme (gasp :0), an aesthetic, and incredible pfps. And I could keep yapping on for AGES about all the other things that are so cool about you, but I really should get wrapping up haha <3 So I just want to say, as a closing note: no matter where you go next– whether that be more SWC leadership, a different position in SWC, posting more covers… I want to be there to see all the incredible things you do, and stay in touch even though this session is ending. Thank you so much for everything you’ve brought into Bi-Fi and into SWC <3333333 (imagine a million more hearts here but that would just get repetitive ;D)

Closing—
Even if I didn’t write you a note, I just want you to know that you are so incredible loved and that I really appreciate everything that you’ve done for this camp. This session has been soooo fun and I will always associate it with so many good memories and laughs: SWC has been there for me through it all, and I really want to be there for it. If you want to chat or get to know me better, just drop by my comments! I’d love to chat <3 And you’ll definitely see me around in the future, so give me a virtual wave or something if you ever see me around hehe ;D <33

Love,
Kiara

Leader app critique for Cat!

Hiiii Cat <3 So excited to be critiquing your leader app for this session! Just a reminder that these are really just my thoughts– feel free to keep what you think words and throw out what doesn't <3

About Me Wording/Grammar

Wednesday,

WEDNESDAY <333 (sorry not a note just love the show lolll)

especially around therapy and personal growth!

“especially in areas like therapy an personal growth!” might make more sense here? But that's just opinion haha <3

ourselves and each other.

Maybe “ourselves and others” could work better here? Just personal preference!

I’m can be pretty quiet

Small typo or spelling mistake maybe <3

Last but certainly not least,

This is actually a note Mouse gave me a few years back for my own app because I literally did the same thing loll– but you already mentioned SWC before, so maybe it wouldn't be “last”? “Finally” might work better here, but just personal preference again <3

About Me General Notes
I love this! The only thing I'd say is that at times it can feel a little bit more list-like, perhaps try to include some more personal anecdotes/how you got into your hobbies, perhaps that would make things a little more relatable and more personal? That's something I really harp on in apps is making a really strong personal and emotional connection to the readers <3

Experience General Notes

Each experience has taught me something new, from learning how to have my voice heard to finding creative solutions when things don’t go as planned.

I'd love to hear which sessions specifically taught you these things, and how they taught you these things! I think that would really enhance this answer hehe <33

But otherwise, everything looks good!

Cabin Prefs Wording/Grammar

rebellious heroes who awaken their inner power, called Personas,

Wait are the heroes called Personas or the power called Personas?
If the latter, then feel free to leave as is, but if the former is true, then I'd suggest switching the “called personas” to right after “heroes”

Cabin Prefs General Notes

These ideas are so cool Cat OMG <333 Not a ton of notes, great job!!

Time Dedication General Notes

Looks great, no notes here!

Time Management Wording/Grammar

and supportive for the people I work with.

Okay this is just Kiara Being Particular About Wording /lh but something about “supportive” doesn't really make sense to me in the sentence. I honestly have no idea what it is or what I'd replace it with, just something to think about haha <3

Time Management General Notes

This section is so great! I love it aaa <33 The way you handle the weakness strategies is very well done, and it's just incredible hehe <3

Collaboration and Assets Wording/Grammar

- Submissive / People-pleaser

I think this might be worded more clearly if you just put “people-pleaser,” it gets the point across in the same way <3

Collaboration and Assets General Notes

The only thing I say is that the people pleaser section could be refined a little bit more– it might make a little more sense if you focused on clear strategies you are implementing to stand up for yourself. I understand that a lot of it comes from the mental aspect (as a people pleaser myself haha) but certain mental mantras or pathways you use might be good to touch on, just to make a more concrete strategy of what you are doing to improve <3

Otherwise, this is great Cat!

One Quality General Notes

I will say that this question did change slightly a few sessions ago (unless they changed it back and I didn't notice haha) to what quality you think you embody most as a leader– I don't think the hosts are tooooo picky about which question you answer, but I just want to bring that to your attention! I still think this answer is really solid and I love it hehe <33

Cabin Atmosphere General Notes

Great, nothing here <3

Checkboxes General Notes

Also wonderful!

Final Notes

This is incredible, Cat! The way you balance maturity and personality, and the full, complete answers to every single question <3 I really love this, and I cannot wait to see your finished app hehe <3 I'm so sorry I couldn't provide any more notes– your app is so good I couldn't find anything to be nitpicky about xD

Thank you so much for sharing this with me, and best of luck (though I highly doubt you'll need it ;D) <3

Wheeee hi Liv! So so excited to critique your app– they're always amazing <33 That said, please do not feel pressured in any way to actually listen to any of the advice I give, it's probably going to be very subjective and personal preference, which means you can take what works for you and throw out what doesn't! Let's get into it <3

About Me

Wording/Grammar

-he, they, pineapple, desk lamp; anything’s on the table!

Woah using a semicolon so fancy :star_struck: Just a quick grammar note, either make the end of the last sentence an em dash and lead it into that, or get rid of the little dash at the start of this sentence and capitalize ‘he’!

remember; reading!

This one wouldn't be a semicolon, just a regular colon!

Being able to produce music with my own knowledge gives me a great sense of pride in myself,

This sentence is a little wordy, in my opinion <3 I'd cut it down to something like: “Being able to use my own knowledge to produce music gives me a great sense of pride,” or something along those lines haha

With my love of sociology, it's no surprise that I also love to be social myself!

I'd suggest doing a double enter here because it is talking about a new topic (talking to others), and not really tying into sociology!

Overall Notes
I love this, Liv! I think you tie in personal connections and also many different types of activities really well, which I think is incredible <3 I don't really have any big notes for this, other than the few small notes on grammar/wording I made above <3

Experience

Wording/Grammar

taught me unique skills and given me unique experiences, especially my last session.

I think you could get away without repeating “unique” twice here, and personal preference but I think that would make the sentence flow a little better!

two Co-Leading sessions prior,

co-leading does not need to be capitalized, but also maybe consider rewording it to “two sessions co-leading prior” or “two prior sessions co-leading” to make it flow a little better?

leader of a club

Maybe it would help the application to say which club it is? But of course if that is personal or you don't want to share for any reason, you don't need to <33

Overall Notes
Aaaa great job! I love the way that you worded things with an emphasis on how they taught you leadership skills, while also making sure to detail each experience and the tasks you complete within it. No big notes here <3

Cabin Preferences

No notes here! Great job Liv <3

Excerpt

Stunning, beautiful, best answer I've ever seen ;DDDD <3

Time Dedication

Nothing big here!

Time Management

Overall Notes
This section is so good! I love how you balance honesty with clear strategies: the only thing I would say is perhaps elaborate a little more on the strategies? Like how they are helping you, if you're seeing a change and how you're observing that change, etc. Of course, I think it's super good as is and you don't need to change that much!

Collaboration and Assets

Wording/Grammar

upfront asking

“asking upfront” might perhaps be a better phrasing here?

to work on it and through it.

Consider combining these two phrases to “to work on and through it,” which imo might help things flow a little better?

Overall Notes
Again, I really love how you balance honesty and clear strategies, that's something I really value in people (and especially in their applications), and I think you just did such a stellar job with this section!

Reason for Applying

Wording/Grammar

dream to lead, as a co-leader, as a leader

After “dream to lead” a colon might work a little better?

I have learnt so much.

This is one of those moments where I go to correct and then remember that some people use British English :sobbing: /lh

Overall Notes
EEEE I love this! It's so impactful and honest and ohmygoodness I have no words <3

The Rest of The Application

Everything here looks good!

I love the note at the end, again about that honesty and transparency while also the positive outlook on the future <33

Final Notes

SCREAMS Liv I love this so so much <3 I know I've said that about every Liv App ever, but I really mean it every single time, because you totally hit it out of the park. You have such a wonderful way of writing honest, realistic, welcoming answers that reflect exactly who you are. Thank you so much for letting me read this (I hope I could provide someee help, I felt rather useless reading this wonderful app) and best of luck <33

Kiara’s November 2025 Application
2,585 Words


01- About Me

Hi hi hi! I’m Kiara (she/her), a teen writer who lives in the EST/EDT time zone. You can usually find me randomly breaking out into song and dance, hanging with my friends and family, or working on a novel.

If you couldn’t already tell, I adore musicals— sometimes, I wish my life was one ;D I’ve been on stage for seven years and done eight musicals in that time! Right now, I am an ensemble member and featured dancer in Hadestown Teen Edition, but my favorite role was when I played Morticia in the Addams Family this past spring. The cast, the atmosphere, and the role itself were unforgettable!

Performing is a huge part of my life, and not just in theater! I am a part of my school’s JV show choir this year, and got a competition solo as well. The whole program is such a nurturing, chaotic, family-like experience, and I truly value the lessons that I have already learned, as well as the challenges that the music and choreography present.

Music in general is so important to me. From artists like Joshua Bassett and Taylor Swift to musicals like Epic and Maybe Happy Ending, music is such a wonderful creative and emotional outlet. I love how it makes people feel seen— one song can capture so many different feelings, and that in itself is magical.

I also love to travel! Most recently, I visited Colombia— an experience that was both enlightening and fun. Meeting people who lived through so much hardship but still were able to see light at the end of the tunnel gave me a new perspective on my own life, and the gratitude and hope that comes with it.

Of course, writing is at the heart of it all. Writing is what brought me to SWC in the first place, and while I don’t plan on pursuing it as a career anymore, I still treasure the chance to create worlds with words on paper. And naturally, writers are readers too ;D Some of my favorite books include Six of Crows, the Illuminae Files, and the ACOTAR series!

Finally, SWC. From the chaos of cabin wars to everyday interaction, this community has helped me grow as a person and as a leader. I am so thankful for everything this camp has given me, and I cannot wait for another session!

02– Experience

I have participated in 9 sessions of writing camps, 7 of which have been SWC sessions! Of those nine sessions, I have campered four times, co-led twice, led three times, judged the JWC writing competition twice, and am currently one of the co-hosts for JWC!

Here is a list of my experience in SWC:
March 2023 | Adventure | Camper
November 2023 | Fantasy | Camper
March 2024 | Fairy Tales | Camper
July 2024 | Thriller | Co-Leader | Polar Bear Cub
November 2024 | Paranormal | Co-Leader | Polar Bear Cub, MBC member
March 2025 | Fantasy | Leader | Polar Bear Cub, Best Imagery (Writing Competition)
July 2025 | Bi-Fi | Leader | Polar Bear Cub, MBC member

I’ve learned so many things from my different sessions— Thriller taught me about balancing life and SWC, Paranormal taught me about adaptability, Fantasy taught me about loving the cabin you are creating, and Bi-Fi taught me about how to connect with my leadership team and campers!

In real life, I have been a part of student government, the Executive Council in National Junior Honors Society, and the leadership team at my community theater! I am also currently a part of Model United Nations. All of these have taught me valuable lessons on what it means to be a leader and how to better work and collaborate with others.

As for writing experience— I have been writing for such a long time, and recently have really been working on honing the craft and getting better at creating strong, well-rounded characters! Back in March, I got Best Imagery from the SWC writing competition for my piece “Cages of Silk.” While I have not competed in many writing competitions irl, I constantly want to get better and improve where writing is involved!

03– Cabin Preferences

It would be an honor to be part of the leadership team for any cabin this session, but I do have two new cabin ideas that I am particularly excited about: Gothic and Steampunk.

Gothic (or Horror/Mystery)–
Inspired by The Addams Family TV show, musical, and the Wednesday series, this cabin would bring together the comedy of the classic show with the mystery of the new TV series to create something brand new.

Campers would be new students at Nevermore Academy, the school for outcasts.
Between school events– pep rallies, canoe races, and Addams family renunions– there begin to be some strange occurrences… students are going missing, ghost sightings skyrocket, and eerie sounds echo from the woods. Together, campers would work together to solve puzzles, investigate clues, and uncover what’s haunting the school… hopefully in time to save it!

While the Wednesday show is typically for older audiences, I’d blend it with the humor and fun of the classic Addams family and the musical to create a cabin that’s perfect for all ages!

I have had this idea for a while now– I absolutely adore the Addams Family and would love a chance to bring this world to life. Because of that, I would say that this cabin idea would be my first choice in terms of leading!

Steampunk (or Adventure)—
This cabin would throw campers straight into a CYOA steampunk heist! Campers would join the crew of an airship that is going to steal treasure from one of the most notorious pirate fleets. Inspired by the Grishaverse and other steampunk stories, this cabin would give campers the chance to create their own storyline!

While I would be thrilled to lead either of these cabins, I’d also love to co/lead any genre! However, after leading Bi-Fi last session, I would love to try something new for this session <3

As for TCTWNW, I would prefer not to co/lead it. I love the friendly competition of SWC, and don’t think that co/leading TCTWNW would be the best choice for me this session <3

04– Writing Excerpt

You can view ‘In the Silence, I Remember,’ my latest writing competition entry, here!

05– Dedication

From now until the end of November, I can dedicate about 1-2 hours to SWC each weekday, and 2-3 hours on the weekends!

My main conflicts are school and homework, but I should be able to check in multiple times a day, especially during study hall. I also have rehearsals for Hadestown on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, but I may not be called every week. Tech week and performances for Hadestown run October 26th-November 2nd, and my evenings that week will be especially busy, but I will still be able to check in regularly throughout the day.

I’ll also be on fall break from October 10th-19th and will be out of my house on vacation, but I don’t expect it to take much time away from SWC <3

I’ve co/led before with similar commitments, and have successfully balanced everything. I am confident that I can do the same this session, but will make sure to communicate with my team and the hosts if anything comes up or changes!

06– Time Management

High school, I’m learning, is one big lesson in time management. Between homework, tests, afterschool activities, and vocal practice, I’ve realized just how crucial time management really is.

One of my strengths in time management is organization! I keep a planner for school, and love creating a doc or spreadsheet for SWC— preferably color-coded ;D This system helps me track tasks, stay on top of deadlines, and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks!

Another strength I have is focus. I can work on projects for an extended period of time without getting bored or distracted. This skill comes in handy when doing homework, but it is also applicable to SWC as well! Whether I’m working on cabin graphics, a cabin guide, or formatting a spreadsheet, I can stay focused until the task is done, and on time.

One of my weaknesses, though, is perfectionism. While it can ensure high quality work, it can also mean that I spend far too long on a single task. Even with my strong focus, my drive for things to be “perfect” can lead to me feeling burned out if I’m not careful.

I am improving, though! By setting boundaries and making schedules, I’m learning how to work through perfectionism and focus on finishing first, then refining later. I’m incredibly proud of all the progress I’ve made– but know I still have plenty of room to grow <3

Another one of my weaknesses is overcommitting. I sometimes struggle to tell when a project is too ambitious for the time or resources I have access to, which can leave me stressed or stretched too thin. With school, extracurriculars, and in leading, it’s easy for me to want to say “yes” to everything that seems exciting– only to realize later that it was too much.

To work on this, I’ve started by leaning on people I trust –friends, family, and other members of my leadership team– for honest advice about whether or not an idea is realistic. This has helped me a ton, because often getting a second opinion allows me to see things in a new light, and can help me figure out what I can reasonably take on. I also use my organizational strengths by creating timelines of what would need to get done, if I were to take the project on If the workload looks too overwhelming, I scale it back or simplify the plan to make it more manageable. This has already helped me make better choices on how I divide my time, and I hope to continue to grow in this aspect.

07– Collaboration & Assets

Working with other people is one of my favorite things on earth— I’m an extrovert and I love getting several people’s ideas on a project. Working with others puts many heads together, so to speak ;D and I always find the final product is stronger and more creative because of everybody’s input!

A strength I have in collaboration is communication. I think that this is incredibly important when collaborating with others, especially online, because you rely on flexible schedules and never actually set a time to “meet” or work on getting things done. I always make it a priority to communicate clearly and with consistency— whether it be sharing updates, asking questions, or letting my team know what I’m working on.

Another reason why communication is important is because it can make sure everybody’s ideas get heard and there aren't any misunderstandings. I always try to ask questions, encourage everybody to share their ideas, and make sure that nothing gets left out or lost in the planning process. I also make sure that if there are any questions anybody has, that they are answered clearly and completely, to keep them from being confused or getting behind.

A weakness I have in collaboration, though, is that I dislike conflict and want everybody to be happy. I will ask for a consensus of agreement from everybody multiple times, and will change my idea if somebody comes up with something that they seem passionate about— even if I am equally passionate about my own idea. While this stems from me wanting to support others on the team, sometimes this can result in me not including ideas I’m excited about, due to fear of conflict.

A way that I am working on this is by making sure that when multiple members of the leadership team are passionate about different ideas, I come up with a compromise that makes everybody happy. I’m learning to appreciate and work with healthy disagreement— it’s a part of collaboration and working with so many different people with different ideas. I try to find creative compromises when possible, making sure everybody is proud of the final output, but also having the confidence to advocate for my own ideas!

As for more technical assets, some I have are my art and graphic design skills as well as my voice! I love drawing and doing art, and I would love to put these skills to use by creating profile pictures or art for the cabin. I also am very familiar with Canva and working with others on that platform. Along with that, I have been trained in singing and love it— I would love to do a cabin parody or theme song at some point!

08– Reason For Applying

I have so many reasons that I apply every session, but the main one is that I love this community and want to give back to it in any way I can. Leadership in SWC is so special in the fact that you get to interact with others and help them along in their journeys— both creative and personal.

Way back in November 2023, I was in the Fantasy cabin, and that experience— both the cabin itself and especially the leadership team— absolutely changed my life. I learned not only what leadership in SWC looks like, but also how to be a leader in every aspect of my life. At that time, I was navigating the first semester of 7th grade— a grade that turns everything you think you know about yourself upside down. Having SWC as a safe space helped me feel seen and grounded, and made the whole experience so much easier. The laughter, the support, and small interactions— weekly check-ins, goofing around in the main cabin— made such a huge difference in my emotional journey, and is still something I think back to today.

And that’s why I continue to apply for leadership positions: to get the chance to provide others with the same safety, encouragement, and joy that SWC gave me. Being able to give back to this community is my number one priority, and I am so grateful for the chance to do so in leadership positions.

09– Atmosphere

“An immersive, storyline-driven cabin with friendly competition that fuels friendships —and memories— that will last a lifetime.” —127 characters

10– Checkboxes

a.
Yes
Yes

b.

There are no responsibilities I cannot complete <3

c.

In case of inactivity by me, I will make sure to let my leadership team and hosts know, and work to create a plan to make sure everything is running smoothly in my absence. If the absence needs to be permanent for any unplanned reason, I will make sure the transition goes smoothly and provide my team with as much help as possible during the process. If the absence is temporary, then I will just make sure that everybody has a plan for what they are doing while I am gone, and try my best to check in as much as possible.

If another member of my leadership team is inactive without notifying the rest of the team, I will make sure to wait two days. If they are still absent after those two days, I will contact them on their profile and check to make sure that they really haven’t been active in other studios or places. If they don’t respond to my check-in after a few more days, I will talk with the other members of my leadership team and the hosts to create the best plan for everyone.

Daily 2 || October 2nd || Motivation letter to the incredible Mouse <3 || 466/250 Words

Hi Mouse!

I just want to say that I love your goals and totally believe that you can achieve all of them— you can do anything you set your mind to <3 But of course, even the most simple tasks can seem hard sometimes, and that’s why I’m here today: TO MOTIVATE YOU YAAAAAY!!!!

Okay! First goal: here we go. Staying on top of cabin planning— this is something I always struggle with during school months as well. However, just check in at least once every day: you don’t have to make a huge post every day with brand new ideas, just a quick response and posing a question or two is enough! And if you don’t feel up to doing that— just make sure to read through things once every couple of days and write a “yes! I like…” and who knows? Maybe that will evolve into new ideas and developments :eyes: the main thing is to do what you enjoy! If there is a part of cabin planning you are excited about, do that first so that you can gain motivation and also have fun <333

Secondly: continuing to work on songwriting projects and posting covers. A strategy is to poke Kiara and then tell her you actually want to work and not yap ;DDDD But if you feel like working on personal projects, then just think of a couple concepts for songs: that’s what I do! Even if it’s just a couple of lines or a fun, catchy chorus a day, then that will help you move forward. Like I said before, this is something that is meant to be fun: sing something you really want to work on, and work on songs that you want to write! Focusing on the things that you enjoy will make the whole process so much easier, to the point where you actually want to do something. And yes of course, if you want help or motivation to record and post a cover, or to work on songwriting, then you can just poke me and I would love to help out when I’m free <333333

Finally! Doing at least half of the dailies! I think that this is a great goal— manageable but still keeping you on top of things. The main thing that I’m going to say for this is: time blocking! Find a time or times each day that you can reliable sit down and check scratch, write, and all that jazz :sparkles: finding that kind of time within your day makes everything so much smoother, so you have a guaranteed slot where you are going to be working on your projects.

YAAAY THAT’S IT!!!!! I 110% believe in you <333 You are going to do so great this month with your goals <3

–Kiara

November 1st || 1k Intro || 1001/1,000 Words

Hello everybody! It’s so surreal to think that I’m introducing myself for yet another session– it’s been such a whirlwind of planning months and now we’re here! Finally! But a part of me wishes that November would hold off just like two more days so I could get my life under control first bwahaha. But anyways! I’m Kiara– the leader of the wonderful Gothic this session <3 I identify by the she/her pronouns and live in the wonderful land of EST! This is my 8th session (so close to 10 yaaay <3) and my 3rd consecutive session as a leader <3 You might have seen me around in the past leading Fantasy in March (yay Shiz University) or Bi-Fi Festival Of Fae this July! I truly love this community and it has been an honor to participate in it three times a year! I know this month will truly fly by, which means that there is no time to waste!

I am a huge theater kid– I live and breathe show tunes <3 Some of my favorites include Hadestown (which I’m in right now! But just the teen edition :zany: ), Maybe Happy Ending, Newsies, and Wicked! I’ve also been in 8 musicals including Descendants (in which I played Maleficent), Hadestown (which we are currently on day 3 of performances), Frozen, Secret Garden, and my personal favorite: The Addams Family (where I played Morticia Addams). I has been such an honor to play all of these iconic roles, and I truly love the people I have met every time <3 I think the special thing about theater is how so many different casts can come together to create something that feels like a family.

Tying into theater, I am reaching the age where I have to start thinking about my future :sobbing: and throughout my life there have been so many different things that I thought that I wanted to be. A writer, I told myself, and then hit a creative block for years, where I realized that maybe that wasn’t what I wanted to do. People suggested a teacher, but that never felt right. It was only last year when I realized. And ofc, there is plenty of future left for me to change my mind or seek a different path, but I felt in that moment, something clicked. Musical theater has always been it for me, I think. And maybe in the future I’ll find something I love just as much, but I feel like for now, for me, theater is the thing I have always wanted to pursue. Whenever I tell somebody that I want to do theater, I get a little more confident in myself and my abilities. This is something that I’ve loved, that I’ve always loved. Watching theater when I was little was always a magical thing to me: I would see those people up on the stage, the dimming of the house lights, and I felt like there truly is such a thing as magic for me, and it’s when I get to see people perform live on stage. Being able to create that same experience for others is what drives me, and what drives my passion.

Recently, I have also had the opportunity to step into the world of Show Choir! I am currently performing with my schools’ JV UniVoice show choir group, and we are performing a set that I will not state here because of privacy reasons, but I am super excited and passionate about! I have one of the featured solos, and so I get to play a very iconic character for this set hehe ;D We just finished choreographing our second song, and it is yet another way for me to bring my performing passion to life.

Now onto reading and writing! Storytelling in all its forms has always been something close to my heart, and this is no different. I started writing when I was very young, in a flipbook style project we did for first grade. That was the first time I’d ever tried creative writing, and it stuck. Since then, I’ve written so many different stories, and while many of them will never see the light of day, I think that all of them will always hold a special place in my heart and mind. Some of my favorite books to read include Six of Crows, the ACOTAR series, Throne of Glass, and the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes!

I love movies– but some people in my family don’t really like them so we don’t get a chance to watch them as a family often. However, me and my dad both share a love of movies, so whenever my mom is out of the house we can almost always be found watching something ;D Most recently we watched The Matrix together, which I really loved <3 Some of my favorite movies include Pitch Perfect and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which is the best Hunger Games in my humble opinion ;D I also love Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them <3 As for TV shows, I love XO Kitty and Wednesday, of course!

My favorite music artists are Joshua Bassett, Jenna Raine, Wild Rivers, and Olivia Rodrigo! If you couldn’t tell with all my talk of performing music is yet another thing that is very close to my heart <3

I am currently sitting backstage before my Saturday night performance of Hadestown, writing on mobile and neglecting social obligations because of course ;D

Okay! My favorite color is teal, favorite metal is silver, favorite element on the periodic table is Arsenic because it sounds cool bwahaha xD my favorite word is suave because again, it sounds and looks cool! My favorite Hadestown song is if it’s true and I just learned that Eva Noblezada and Reeve Carney got married a few days ago!

Thank you to everybody who made this camp possible, and I literally am excited beyond words for another absolutely epic session.

November 2nd || Flower Daily!! Foxglove (treachery), Nightshade (sorcery, dark thoughts), and Yarrow (cure for love) || 836/500 Words

In the dark of night, in a small cottage in the middle of the woods, a singular witch stood before a cauldron.

Her head was bowed, tears running down her face in small crystals that sparkled within the light of the glowing purple smoke rising from the cast iron cauldron in front of her. Her hands shake as she raises them to her hat, sitting slightly crooked upon her head. She lifts her face, her dark green eyes shimmering, her beautiful face contorted with sadness and heartbreak.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers to the night, her voice shaking and raw, “But I’m a witch. You were a fool to think any differently.”

Slowly, she rips up a piece of paper, curled in her hands, so crumpled and well-loved it is smooth, like fabric. She throws it into her bubbling cauldron, her shoulders betraying tension that does not make it onto her face.

Next in goes the foxglove, the white flowers crumpling with heat the second they touch the liquid inside. The witch is shaking more now, her tears running faster. She is careful, though, not to let any of them fall into the cauldron, as witches' tears have an odd way of following the intention of the witch, instead of the intention of the potion. And she is in no place to follow her heart. Her traitorous, traitorous heart.

Next goes the nightshade, blue blossoms that somehow withstand the heat, the magic of the cauldron making their poison leech out in a sickly black oil-like substance. The witch shakes her head in disbelief, looking around as if for a way out. But she has made her decision.

Finally goes the ingredient that was not called for, not at all. But one that is necessary, in the case that a single tear had fallen inside the potion. The witch tosses yarrow into the potion, and the entire thing sends a puff of dark purple smoke, showing that the potion is completed.

With shaking hands, she pours a small measure of the potion into a slim glass beaker. When it is done, she walks over to the side of her cottage, lighting her finger with an ethereal blue glow of fire, and lighting a small circular lamp with it. It glows in a bright blue flare, and seconds later, a knock sounds at the door.

She opens the door to a purple-clothed figure, standing at the door. The golden emblems of the nobility are displayed prominently on his clothes, and the witch wonders how he has gotten so bold as to challenge his own authority in such a way. If anybody were to see him here, they would immediately question it. She supposed it was this hubris that had led the man to concoct this plan anyway.

“My family is safe?” she asked him, her green eyes trying hard to not betray any emotion at all. This was a man who would take emotion and find a way to exploit it. That is how he had tricked her at first.

“Yes. They are on their way back home as we speak.” He said, his voice gruff and so familiar, but different from the voice she had listened to for so many months: that voice of reason that kept her eyes blue.

“Good.” She said, nodding, before reaching out to hand him the potion.

“That was not all we had agreed upon.” The man said, before handing her an ornate wooden box and a blank piece of paper.

Now was the first time the witch truly hesitated, when the man presented her with a pen. This was what would put her name on the death, what would keep her from ever being redeemed.

But the man noticed this and quirked an eyebrow, “Your family is still under my control. I could take them back into custody whenever I so choose.”

That was why she was getting them out of the city tomorrow at first light, but the witch would not tell the man that. Instead, she picked up the elegant black calligraphy pen he had offered, writing the note that would seal her evilness for all eternity. The note that would make the prince trust that this potion was, in fact, legit. Even though it was anything but.

So, in that curling script that used to write notes to the same person every day, she wrote: “This should help with your headaches: contact me soon, my love.”

She handed the pen and the paper back to the man, and he looked at it with a skeptical eye before nodding and tucking the potion away.

After he had left, she collapsed to the ground, her shoulders shaking. Why couldn’t she save everyone? Her love, her sister, her family… they all mattered to her. Why must she choose?

But then a thought came to her. She was a witch. She didn’t have to choose.

And so she threw on her travelling cloak, and departed as swift as the wind towards the palace.