pale november dew

[commemeorate]

the random scenario meme


comment with your character.
respond to others
lbr — no one uses rng. just go wild, and maybe kinda sorta pick from the scenarios below?
post picture prompts OR write starters OR whatever!
have a grand ol' time

TYPES OF SCENES
① Action → Gun fights, bar brawls, fights to the death are all possible scenarios.
② Angst → Characters suffer emotionally or physically from relationships breaking up, death, injury, etc. Hurt and comfort themes are included.
③ Crack → Genderswaps, super powers, sudden compulsions are all possible outcomes.
④ Fluff → Something that is devoid of angst. It's light-hearted and might have the overtone of romance.
⑤ Gen → General fun, things that didn't fit in the other categories.
⑥ Sex → First times, kinks, even dubcon are all possible themes of sex related scenarios.
⑦ Your choice → Think of your own scenario, choose one of the above or make a combo even!

ACTION.
① Zombies → It's the zombie apocalypse, lock and load!
② Bar brawl → You had one too many drinks, said something wrong, and now you're being asked to take it outside.
③ Chase → You're caught in a high speed chase.
④ Gun fight → You're caught in a big shoot-out.
⑤ Fight with a friend → You're fighting with a friend, all out.
⑥ Interrogation → You're being interrogated for some offense you've done.
⑦ Aliens → Aliens are attacking and you're not going to take your probe laying down!
⑧ Final battle → This is it. The battle that will end all the fighting for you. Will you win? Will you get that peace you want?
⑨ Training → You're not actually fighting, just training for the inevitable.
⑩ No hope → You know this fight has no hope. It's not going to end well for anyone involved, but you can't turn away.
⑪ Sneaking in → You're stealing a diamond or sneaking in to kick some bad guy butt, but whatever it is, you have to practice stealth.
⑫ Blue wire → You're faced with a bomb that needs to be disarmed.
⑬ Fight for honour → You've been disgraced or someone you care about has, so it's time to fight for honour.
⑭ Showdown → Time for a cowboy-style showdown. Whoever draws the fastest wins.
⑮ War → You're caught in the middle of a war here. Remember to keep your chin up and keeping fighting.
⑯ Apocalypse → The apocalypse finally happened and now you're left to scavenge and fight for whatever is left.
⑰ Sabotage → It's time to sabotage someone's plan! How is entirely up to you. Do you set up a bomb in their toilet? Do you double cross them at the last minute?
⑱ Big damn hero → You know you have to handle this one alone, so that means disarming or knocking unconscious the person who wants to join you.
⑲ Fight club → You know the rules... you're in an underground fighting ring and you're fighting with all you've got.
⑳ Threaten → You've just been sent here to rough them up a little, threaten them into behaving.

ANGST.
① Injury / illness → Your character has become injured or ill! To what extent is the mun's choice.
② Last moments → You character has been gravely injured and this is their last chance to say their last words.
③ Depression → Your character is depressed, what actions they take is up to the mun.
④ Betrayed → You character has been betrayed by the other. How do they react?
⑤ Tortured → Your character is being tortured and needs rescuing or at least a sympathetic ear to help him through it.
⑥ Jealousy → Your character is feeling jealous and must deal with it, how will they do it?
⑦ Breakup! → This relationship has gone as far as it can, it's time to breakup.
⑧ Broken → For whatever reason, the character is broken, mentally or or physically.
⑨ Fight → You can't even be in the same room as your friend or lover without arguing anymore.
⑩ Lost → You lost the biggest fight of your life and now all you can do is try to pick up the pieces.
⑪ Worst nightmare → Whatever you fear the most is now real or maybe you're just trapped in a dream together, but whatever it is, it feels too real.
⑫ Addicted → You're addicted to something, alcohol, drugs, sex, whatever. It's destroying your life and you can't do anything to stop it.
⑬ Hurt you → You're being forced to hurt someone you love either by betraying them or even being forced to shout things you don't mean. It's for their own good in the end though.
⑭ Separation → You were forced to leave this person for their own safety and while you've been miserable without them, you really didn't mean to run into them again... maybe it was by accident or you were watching them from afar this whole time.
⑮ Becoming a monster → You are slowly changing, becoming a monster: vampire, zombie, demon, something you can't recover from and no-one can help you.
⑯ Frozen → You are entirely helpless, frozen, to stop some kind of disaster.
⑰ Prison → You were very bad and now it's time to pay the price by turning yourself in or maybe the law just finally caught up to you.
⑱ Fear → You're not sure why, but you are suddenly terrified and you can't deal with it. You need help.
⑲ Hated → You are now hated by the person you loved the most.
⑳ Down and out → You're living on the streets, you've hit rock bottom, and you don't know what to do.

CRACK.
① Sexswap → Uh-oh, you're suddenly the opposite sex!
② Forced confessions → No matter what it is and no matter how hard you resist, you're going to be compelled to spill some deep dark secret!
③ Mind-reading → You've suddenly got the ability to read minds!
④ Animal → You're suddenly part animal or transformed into an animal!
⑤ Awkward pick-up lines → You're compelled to use bad pickup lines on whoever is closest!
⑥ Back in School / Graduated → You're suddenly back in school! Or if you were already in it, you've aged and long since graduated!
⑦ Vampires, werewolves, and zombies, oh my! → You're suddenly a vampire, werewolf, or zombie! Maybe even a demon or a devil, whatever creepy crawly you can think of. What do you do now?
⑧ Ghost → You're suddenly a ghost or at least invisible. What are you going to do with this new ability?
⑨ Awkward conversations → So did you just fart or what? Any conversation goes, as long as it's embarrassing and awkward.
⑩ Crossdressing → For whatever reason, you're suddenly dressed in clothes of the opposite sex.
⑪ Suddenly naked → Oops! Your clothes are suddenly gone.
⑫ Suddenly a kid → You're a kid again! Have fun with that second childhood.
⑬ Fortune cookie → You've suddenly received a note with something that will happen in the future, either precise or vague.
⑭ Super power → And suddenly you're like Superman! Any power goes.
⑮ Bodyswap → Somehow you've changed bodies with the other person.
⑯ Back in time → Somehow, you wound up in the past again. Do you try to correct something or just sit and wait for time to jump? Maybe it jumps to various points in your life or maybe you actually think you're back in the day. Have fun, run wild with the idea!
⑰ To the future → Is it everything you've dreamed? Is it horrible? Whatever happens, you're here to witness what happens to you in the future. Either you take the place of your future self or you're just there to watch. Might cause some confusion if people start seeing double though...
⑱ Angels, mermaids, and fairies! → You're not necessary something dark or evil. You're just something different. How do you deal?
⑲ Locked in a closet → For some reason, you're locked up in a closet with someone else. Do you make nice and try to figure your way out or what?
⑳ Finger trap → You're caught in a Chinese finger trap... with somebody else! You can't figure out how to get loose either... have fun with that.

FLUFF.
① Cuddling → For whatever reason, characters feel like being close and cuddling.
② Pillow talk → After the main event, characters are up for some pillow talk.
③ Celebration → Anniversary or some other big event is taking place and characters want to celebrate!
④ Love confession → Someone has finally decided to confess their love and today is the day!
⑤ Appreciation → You feel the need to show appreciation for that person closest to you, even if it's just a pat on the back.
⑥ Apologies → You made a mistake and now it's time to make it up in some way you know the other can't refuse!
⑦ Get back together → Why did you break up again exactly? Whatever the reason, it was a huge mistake and you both know you can work through it.
⑧ Date night → You've planned for a wonderful night together and you can't wait to get it started.
⑨ Family → You've either found out you're pregnant or you've already got that addition to your family.
⑩ Marriage → You're just about to get hitched or maybe you're enjoying your honeymoon. Maybe you've been together for years now! Whatever the case, it's time for that next big step.
⑪ Meeting again → It's time for that happy reunion finally!
⑫ Love at first sight → For whatever reason, you are now insanely in love with the first person you set eyes on.
⑬ Flirtation → You can't resist to do a little bit of harmless flirtation all of a sudden.
⑭ In the snow → Look outside! It's a winter wonderland, so why not go out and play in it?
⑮ Engagement → You've planned it all out and now it's time to finally pop the question.
⑯ Friendly games → You've set up the game station or board games for a friendly competition!
⑰ Gift → Time to give that special someone a gift just because.
⑱ Recovery → You're taking care of someone who's just recovered from some illness or injury.
⑲ Healing → Time to help mend that someone who's been through hell and back.
⑳ Better than ever → You've finally got everything you've ever wanted here. What is your ideal life and who does it include?

GEN.
① Nice meeting you → It's your first time meeting this person! You bumped into each other on the street, in a bar, at work... whatever!
② Drinks → You're out for drinks! Or just chilling at home with some beers. Wherever!
③ Lost → You're lost and you kind of need help finding your way to where you're going. A little help with directions?
④ Costume party → You're at a costume party, both of you are wearing masks. Do you keep the anonymity or take it off and see whose company you've been enjoying?
⑤ Wrong number → Oops, actually you didn't mean to call that person...
⑥ Drunk → You're already drunk! Drunk dialing, stumbling into someone, showing up unexpected... what type of drunk are you anyway? Aggressive, loving, happy? How does the other react?
⑦ Old friends → you haven't seen this person in a long time!
⑧ Rivals → you're suddenly rivals! Or maybe you have been all along...
⑨ Problems → you've got a problem with each other, just got in a huge fight, whatever. Try to work it out!
⑩ What are your intentions... → This person? They're dating a close friend, family member, etc. You need to find out if they're going to hurt them! Or you need to discuss your friend/family's dating choice.
⑪ I saw you → you saw the other person doing something bad and you need to confront them about it.
⑫ Sorry but no → the other person has feelings that you just don't share. They don't necessarily have to be romantic... maybe you just don't agree with their sudden desire to quit their job and start a business making tiny, fuzzy teddy bears.
⑬ My hero → you need to tell this person how much they mean to you. They've been your best friend or your role model your whole life and they need to know.
⑭ Enabler → you're enabling the other (or each other) to do something bad, really bad. Addiction, stealing, killing, or just any other self-destructive behavior.
⑮ Cooking → Time for an impromptu cooking lesson!
⑯ Oh, sure, I remember you... → It's that awkward moment when someone comes up and seems to know you, but you have no idea who they even are!
⑰ Rescue! → One of you was in trouble, but you came to the rescue!
⑱ Boss → One of you works under the other. Is your relationship good? Are you scheming things? Or do you hate each other?
⑲ Perfect crime → You and the other person have just pulled off the perfect crime... or you're planning to! What are you doing? The heist of the century, an assassination?
⑳ Movies → movie night! Maybe it's a sleepover. Whichever the case, it's time to eat a lot and have fun.

SEX.
① First time → it's your first time together or your first time ever! Enjoy the awkward times!
② Bondage → You and your partner decide to experiment a little with ropes or handcuffs or whatever you'd like to tie your partner up with.
③ Rough / Aggressive → Your characters want it rough.
④ Romantic → Slow and gentle, meaningful, that's how characters want it.
⑤ Dubcon → Character A wants Character B and it doesn't really matter if Character B wants it as bad or not.
⑥ In public → Characters feel like taking a risk and doing it in a public place.
⑦ Roleplay → Naughty nurse fetish? Pirate kink? You and your partner decide to try it out now!
⑧ Healing → You've both fought hard or gone through a rough time and it's time to get some R&R in.
⑨ Last time → This is the last time you're going to this because you're breaking up or maybe your lover is running off to sacrifice their lives in some heroic way. The possibilities are endless, but you better make this one count.
⑩ No strings attached → You're just friends with benefits. Nothing wrong with that, right?
⑪ Anonymous → You met in a restroom or bar, any location of your choosing, but you don't even know each other's names.
⑫ Toys → You're eager to try something new, so why not toys?
⑬ Aphrodisiacs → You've been slipped a strong aphrodisiac somehow and now you absolutely cannot control yourself.
⑭ Show → You're putting on a show by either doing it right in the club or filming it for a bunch of people.
⑮ Ménage à trois → It's time for that threesome you've always dreamed of.
⑯ Non-penetrative → Frottage, handjobs, whatever you want to try out.
⑰ Controlled → You are under mind control and must do whatever your lover asks of you.
⑱ Hatesex → It's not just rough or aggressive, you absolutely cannot stand each other.
⑲ Extreme → Fisting, knifeplay, whatever you can think of so long as it tests the boundaries.
⑳ Fantasy → This is just a fantasy, a dream, and you know it, but what is your ideal fantasy and how willing is your partner?

Comments

Snow White || Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs || OTA

[onebadapple]

[No smut, please. Can also be Wreck-it-Ralph, Pocket Princesses, KH, Descendants, Disneyland character, etc. compliant.]

[4hearts]

(OOC: Step-sisters bonding/getting to know each other?)

[onebadapple]

(OOC: Works for me!)

It was, perhaps, unsurprising that this was Snow White's idea, all things considered. If asked, it certainly wasn't Doug's or any of the dwarfs or their sons or wives' ideas. Snow was, as far as that entire side of the family was concerned, the matriarch of not just her own castle but of the homes and lives of the dwarfs too (much to Grumpy's wife's dismay). So, when, at one birthday party Snow had noticed a distinct lack of Doug's significant other, well, she was just not having it anymore. Aurora and Cinderella had thought it marvelous ideas, Jasmine had teased it was about time while Tiana had offered her any recipes that would help let the other feel more welcome as Tiana was her go-to for any recipe that Snow White may not know. Really, all her fellow queens and kings were quite all for the idea, even Belle, with some reluctance, who always was a bit overprotective of Snow considering she was the youngest of all of them and... well, the most naive when pressed for honesty.

So Snow White had sent out the royal invitation, had pestered Doug for all of Evie's favorite foods and now she stood at the front of her castle, waiting for the royal private car carriage that would be bringing Evie straight from Auradon Prep to her home. No, Doug was not allowed, at least not yet, none of the dwarfs or wives or sons were.

It was time Snow White got to meet her step-sister, and she'd be damned (pardon her cursing!) if anyone was going to try and hinder the moment.

When she saw the car come in from the royal gates, having driven through her massive apple orchard, she smiled from her place on the front steps of the castle, hands clasped in front of her as the car came to a stop, and one of her footmen opened the door for Evie.

"Why hello there!"

[4hearts]

To say that Evie had been surprised to receive the invitation would have been an understatement. She hadn't even finished reading it before she'd collapsed onto her bed, mouth hanging open. Snow White. The Snow White, had invited her to her home - her castle - to meet her step-sister. She'd heard about how good and kind and all of those things Snow White was as a child, and still was today, but to think that a kindness like this would be offered to her - to the daughter of the woman who'd poisoned her and left her to die? Even with the positive influences in Auradon, Evie wasn't sure she would have been so generous if their positions were reversed.

There was only one proper answer, of course. And, if she were honest with herself, she was curious about Snow White. Doug didn't talk about her much at all, and after the misunderstanding between Queen Leah and Mal at Family Day when the VKs had first arrived, none of the others had been overly eager to try and meet the people whose lives had been harmed by their parents. When she'd shown Doug the invitation, he hadn't acted all that surprised, but he also wouldn't give her any idea of just what to expect.

She certainly hadn't expected a private car to pick her up from the dorms, or for a footman to hold the door for her. Of all the people to acknowledge Evie's royal parentage, it was the woman who had the most reason to ignore her. She'd chosen her outfit carefully - more bright blues and true reds than the darker shades that might call to mind her mom, or her life on the Isle. And she brought a gift - a capelet embroidered with Snow White's favorite flowers (which she'd had to grill Doug to learn), that she'd done up herself. No food. Nothing related to apples. No reason to call her mother to their minds.

Being driven through the apple orchard at the front of Snow's property, Evie wondered if she'd been a bit too cautious. The apple incident hadn't diminished her step-sister's love of the fruit, it seemed. She saw Snow standing on the castle steps as the car pulled up, and had to take a deep breath to calm her nerves. By the time the footman opened the door, Evie had a ready smile of her own, and she let him help her out of the car before retrieving the carefully wrapped package and turning to the other woman.

"Hello." Evie lifted a hand and waved, feeling slightly awkward a she did. She took a few steps forward, then dropped to a curtsy in front of her step-sister. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

[onebadapple]

Oh, Snow had, for quite some time been absolutely scared of apples. She had the worse malusdomesticaphobia possible, but with some love and care from her prince and her dwarfs, she had been reminded that not all apples were bad, green ones and yellow and red ones were perfectly safe. Upon a closer look, Evie would likely notice not a single red apple could be found in that orchard.

When her little stepsister came out and curtsied, Snow White knew it was on her to set the mood. Which is why, without a moment of hesitation, she wrapped up her little baby stepsister in her arms in the warmest hug she could possibly give.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're here!"

[4hearts]

Evie nearly dropped her gift when Snow White embraced her. She froze, tense for a moment, before she brought her free arm up to return the hug. This was not how she'd envisioned their first meeting going at all. Nothing about her step-sister matched what her mother had told her. Then again, what had?

"Thank you," she managed to stammer. "And thank you for the invitation. It's very kind of you to have me over."

When Snow White finally lets her go, she holds up the gift with a smile. "I've brought you something. I hope you like it."

[onebadapple]

"Oh let me get a proper look at you," she smiled, pulling back and caressing Evie's cheek. "My goodness, aren't you simply lovely! What a bright and beautiful smile you have! And your hair is so soft! And why, it's one of my favorite colors," she giggled as she gently ran a hand over Evie's hair. "You're every bit as beautiful as Doug described, not that I had any doubt. And just as sweet as I expected. I'm really so very glad you accepted my invitation! I should have sent one to you sooner, I hope you'll forgive me for not contacting you sooner! Please say you will?" she asked with all earnestness and seriousness.

"You have a gift for me? Oh! That's so kind of you! I have a gift for you too, but that will come a little later." Snow White takes the gift. "Would it be alright if I opened it now?"

[4hearts]

Evie couldn't help but blush under Snow White's compliments and caresses. How can a woman be this kind and sweet and genuine? She's even more kind than Fairy Godmother.

"Of course," she replied, without hesitation. How can she not accept such an earnest request? "Things have been very hectic since we came to Auradon. I appreciate that you've let me have time to adjust to life off of the Isle."

Snow White looked so delighted by her gift that Evie nodded, her smile widening. "Of course you may."

[onebadapple]

"You know, Evie, I'm really so glad to have you here, and I hope we can stay in one another's lives if you'll have me," she reached out and gave Evie's hand a squeeze. She smiled, because no one was going to understand Snow White the way Evie could, they both had the same mother, after all. Snow had never known her birth mother, and her father had died when she was so young. Queen Grimhilde was the only parental figure she had. "And if you need anything to help adjust any further, please let me know. You're my sister, after all!"

She looked back to the present.

"Ah, but before I open it, where are my manners! Come in come in! I would love to give you the grand tour and then I have lunch ready afterward! Oh! Unless you're hungry now, of course? We can go in whichever order you prefer!"

[4hearts]

Sister. Not step-sister. Evie squeezed Snow White's hand back and her smile felt so wide it would split her face. "If I'll have you?" How was that even a question? "More like if you'll have me." How had her mother come to hate this woman so much? How could anyone hate Snow White?

Snow's genuine delight and graciousness reminded Evie of Dizzy. That realization endeared Snow to her more. "Thank you," she said. "I'd love a tour, if you don't mind."

[onebadapple]

"Well of course I'll have you, you're family, you... well, you understand better than anyone. We were raised by the same mother, no one else is going to understand like you will." She gave a sad, if knowing smile. "No one really ever knows like family, isn't that so? Well, no more dillydallying! Your gift and then the grand tour!"

She held up the gift and began to carefully unwrapping it.

[4hearts]

Snow White was someone she could talk to about her mom, and know that she'd truly get it. Mal and the others understood the things Evie had gone through living in her mom's castle, to a point, but they weren't raised there. Snow had been raised by her mom. No wonder she thought of Evie like a true sister - Evie certainly felt more of a connection to the woman after seeing that particular smile.

"That is very much so. No one understands like family." Evie reached out to squeeze Snow White's shoulder and smiled that same sad, knowing smile.

And then Snow White was back to her cheerful self, carefully unwrapping the present Evie had brought. She recognized that behavior as well. How many times had Evie distracted herself with something happy? How many times had she gone deliberately seeking Dizzy after dealing with one of the Evil Queen's tirades, so she could remind herself of the warmth that did exist on the Isle?

Evie watched, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet. She really, really hoped Snow White liked the gift.

[onebadapple]

Snow White opened the gift carefully, giving it her full attention. She opened up the capelet and her eyes widened as she pulled it out. A deep blue capelet with all her favorite flowers.

Her eyes widened as her fingers ran over every little stitch.

"Oh... oh Evie... this is beautiful! Look at how perfect they are! And my favorite flowers! How did you know? Did a little blue bird tell you?" she giggled, holding the capelet close. "I love it, I adore it!" she undid the clasp and wrapped it around her shoulders. "How does it look? It's so wonderfully warm!"

[4hearts]

Evie couldn't help smiling watching Snow White examine the capelet. She examined it with the same careful eye Evie would herself if someone had given her clothing.

"I'm so glad you like it!" She felt her cheeks grow warm at the effusive praise, but she nodded. "It looks amazing on you! I was really worried I might have chosen the wrong tone of blue to compliment your skin, but you look seriously beautiful and regal in it."

[onebadapple]

"I've heard you're quite the fashion expert, so much so nearly every student at the academy is dressed by you! Have you thought of opening your own boutique, Evie?" she asked, looping her arm around Evie's as she began to guide her through the castle.

"This is the grand entry hall, it's rather perfectly named, wouldn't you say?" she giggled.

[4hearts]

Evie blushed at the comment. "It's not really that many of them," she said, glancing down for a moment. Then, her smile widened. "I have, actually. Doug's been helping me with the logistics of it. He's really good with numbers."

Evie let herself be led inside, and marveled at the entry hall. "Definitely," she agreed. "It's lovely."

[onebadapple]

"Have you found a place by chance? Or have enough for the down payment?"

"The dwarfs all helped to redecorate it, when you get your boutique and need any woodwork done, Evie, you must let the dwarfs try, there are no better craftsmen! They made me my own bed while I was staying with them and it was the most comfortable thing I ever slept on!" As opposed to the stacks of hair and tattered blankets that she got as a scullery maid in the castle.

[4hearts]

"I'm still looking. It'll probably be a few more months before I've got the down payment I want, so I'm not in a rush. Fairy Godmother's let me have one of the empty dorm rooms for my studio for now." She was still kind of in awe that she'd been allowed to open a mini-shop on school grounds, but considering her roommate was dating the King, maybe she shouldn't be surprised. Mal had been worried about the fabric taking over the whole room.

She smiled at Snow White, then returned her attention to the entry hall, letting her eyes catch the details. "They're amazing craftsmen," she agreed. "Doug's talked about some of the projects his dad and his uncles have done." She wasn't sure how comfortable Doug would be with his family being so invested in her business, but that was a worry for a later time.

"Sleeping in the dorms my first night at Auradon Prep felt like the most comfortable bed ever for me. The Isle didn't have a lot of mattresses." She felt a little embarrassed at the admission, but she knew how her mother had treated Snow White when Snow had been younger than Evie - at least, from her mom's perspective. Their situations hadn't been that different, in the end.

[onebadapple]

"Well, if you need any help, let me know, family helps family after all. So please don't hesitate to call on me. I... well, I'll be honest, I was going to offer to help, I wanted to give you the money for the down payment as many many many belated birthday gifts. But I'll understand if that makes you uncomfortable. It's just important to me that my family is safe but also happy."

She guided Evie away from the grand entry into one of the many grand staircases towards a ballroom that would take them towards hallways and doorways that could be an absolute maze without a guide.

"Oh, I can only imagine! I... must admit, when the idea was brought up, I really and truly didn't support it; bringing everyone back to life just to put them on a prison island, I mean... But, I suppose I am very glad that everyone can get a second chance now, and even more importantly, it gave me my baby sister, nothing could be terrible about that."

[4hearts]

Snow White's offer brought tears to Evie's eyes. She was so kind and generous. Investing in her shop as belated birthday gifts? Birthday gifts, end stop? Evie couldn't remember the last time she'd had a birthday gift from her mother. And this, this was why Snow White had become the fairest, back in the day. Physical beauty only went so far. Kindness and generosity and love enhanced beauty in an ineffable way that the Evil Queen hadn't understood.

"It means so much that you'd even think of all that," she said, blinking the tears away. "Having a sister so kind... that's more of a present than I ever thought I'd have." She took a moment to collect herself, so she wouldn't end up blubbering on the pristine floor. "Safe and happy family is important to me, too. I wouldn't feel right accepting such a large gift, but if you would help me when I'm ready to go castle-shopping, I'd really appreciate it."

The tasteful opulence of the castle spoke to Snow White's taste, and it fell in with a lot of Evie's own aesthetics. And Snow being with her would make it far less likely a realtor would try to swindle her. Who would even think of trying to treat Snow White unfairly?

She nodded as Snow White began speaking about the decisions that led to the Isle. The idea hadn't ever made sense to Evie - resurrecting dead villains just to lock them away seemed cruel. Her mom had certainly thought so. "It's okay to think it was a bad idea," she said, smiling at Snow White. "I understand why someone might think it was a good idea, and I understand why someone would have reservations about it. We'd talk about it sometimes, when we bothered going to school, on the Isle. It was always a weird conversation."

Her smile widened. "But I'm glad we got our second chance. I'm glad Ben decided to take a chance on us, and let us come to Auradon. And I really hope we can continue doing that - letting more kids have an opportunity to come here and go to school and feel safe."

[onebadapple]

"Well, all the same, if you need anything, Evie, know that you always have a place here. We can even put a sewing room here if you like. I've got so many rooms here. Even with seven dwarfs with seven wives with seven sons, I still have more room than I really know what to do with." She giggled. "But, I'll be more than happy to go castle-shopping with you."

She would, however, have to figure out some way to make up for all those missed birthdays. Snow would never forgive herself otherwise.

"You know, perhaps we can see if there's a castle that isn't too far from this one, I would so deeply love the idea of you being nearby if you're alright with it. Oh!" she paused as they came to a hallway where giant portraits from floor to ceiling hung on the walls with vases in-between each one. "These are the family portraits. This is my husband's," she gestured to him alone, "this one is mine, there's one for each dwarf of course," she pointed out each one. "These are his parents, I'm afraid they're no longer with us, oh but they would have loved you." She paused, "And... here is father... and... step-mother." There, on the wall in all her terrifying beauty, was Queen Grimhilde, sharp and beautiful but difficult to look at as her gaze stared down at you, sneering. Snow White looked up at it, beside Queen Grimhilde was a much more kindly looking man, a king, of course, with hair as black as Snow White's who shared her nose. His gaze was much gentler down at the onlooker.

"She looks so happy, don't you agree?" Snow White smiled, Queen Grimhilde was, in fact, smiling in the portrait, but it was a smile of power.

"Ah, but my two favorites are here at the end." At the end of the hallway was a portrait of her with her prince that Ben had had Jane create for them as a gift, and then one with her, her prince, and all seven dwarfs. "We'll have to get one of you and put it in here! You are family, after all! Oh! That's it! That shall be one of your birthday gifts!"

At the mention of the second chances, she nodded.

"Ben mentioned that you were on the council to help decide on such things on who was ready to join Auradon Prep, they're all welcome to come here if they need a place to stay while they settle. Actually, every harvest I have a little Auradon Prep picnic, students can pick as many apples as they like while we sit under the apple orchard trees, I provide the lunch, you all provide the blankets! You had just missed it before you arrived."

[4hearts]

Evie's eyes widened. "All the dwarfs and their families live here, too? Doug never mentioned that." She made a mental note to ask him about it later.

She was about to say something about how it would be nice to have a place near family, when Snow exclaimed, and Evie found herself standing in front of larger than life paintings. Family portraits. Her family, after a fashion. She drank in the images as Snow pointed out each person, and smiled at her declaration that her husband's parents would have liked her. The smile vanished as she stared at her mother, and she took an involuntary step backward. This wasn't just her mom; it was her mom at her prime. Grimhilde's imperious gaze stared at her, almost like she was judging her now, through the portrait. This was Mom the way Snow White knew her. Evie had been terrified of the Evil Queen growing up on the Isle; she could only imagine how Snow must have felt with those eyes on her all the time.

"Why do you keep her portrait?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. She couldn't stop staring at it, as if the moment she turned away, her mom's hands would reach through to grab her. "She... she's terrifying." Evie had seen the statue of her mother in the Hall of Villains at the museum. She'd thought that portrayal had been scary. The portrait, painted when the Queen was still in power, was ten times worse.

She forced herself to turn away after a long moment. Her mom couldn't hurt her here. She knew that. Mom was on the Isle, behind the barrier. She was safe here, and Snow White was safe here. She focused on the kindly man in the next portrait, whom Snow resembled quite a bit. What had this man seen in her mother? He was good; that was evident just from the picture, and from how kind his daughter was. How had he come to marry her mom?

She let herself be led to the final portraits, swallowing the questions. Snow White wouldn't know the answers, and the people who could answer were either dead or locked away. Evie wasn't sure she wanted to know the answers, anyway. The final portraits were stunning, and brought a warmer smile back to Evie's face. "These are lovely! They've captured the happiness you have so well."

She nodded at Snow White's mention of a portrait of herself. "Thank you. I'd be honored."

And her sister surprised her yet again with the offer of help for any future VKs. She grinned, feeling way more at ease with this topic. "Ben asked me to help, and I couldn't say no. There are so many kids who'd benefit from coming to Auradon Prep, like we did." Dizzy's smiling face entered her mind, making her own smile just a bit wider. "That's really kind, and it will help a lot, if the council knows that there are people willing to take in kids from the Isle and help them transition. I'm not sure how many we'll end up bringing over next. I'd love to let everyone who wants a chance come all at once, but others on the council think we need to start smaller, and make it more of a gradual thing."

She couldn't help giggling at the irony of her timing. "It sounds amazing. I'm sorry I missed it. Next year, definitely. Fresh apples? So, so good."

[onebadapple]

"Oh, well, not live here, but they all have their own rooms so that when they visit they can feel right at home. They can stay here as long as they like, you can too. We can get you a set of rooms."

At the question about their mother, she gave a sad smile, looking back towards it.

"She's... still family," she let out a soft sigh. Evie had not and would not be the last to ask that question. Only Cinderella understood, and even then, Cinderella had only really forgiven Anastasia. She shook her head. "Besides, it's the only portrait of my father. Mother had all his other ones burned after his death except for this one," she looked back towards the king and then back to Evie.

"You know, the apple orchard is actually a bit new. I used to be terrified of them after everything! I fainted at the mere sight of them! But the dwarfs and my dear prince and... quite a bit of therapy helped with getting over the fear. I started with yellow and green apples, I... haven't quite worked my way to deep red apples just yet. But I can cook with them again."

[4hearts]

"That makes sense." Of course Snow White would want her closest friends to feel at home. The story went that they gave her that feeling of comfort and safety when she'd stayed with them, hiding from the Evil Queen. The idea of Snow not doing the same was unthinkable.

Evie's eyes stung at Snow's admission and acknowledgement. She had to keep the picture of the Queen to have her only portrait of her father. "I'm sorry," she said. "That's cruel, burning all the other paintings. It isn't fair, and it isn't right. Mom... isn't very good with loss. It doesn't excuse her actions, but it's part of her." She shuddered under the portrait's gaze once more, and bit back a surge of jealousy. At least Snow White knew her father. Had grown up with him, had memories of him. She knew his name. Evie had none of that, because her mother refused to tell her.

Apples. Focus on the apple orchard. "I can't blame you for being terrified. One tiny bite from something so harmless? I mean, we were wary enough when there was free food in the car that brought us to Auradon. We'd never had candy before, and trusting people was hard for us. But you'd had no reason to be wary, or mistrusting of someone being kind."

She rested her hand on Snow White's shoulder. "One step at a time. If you don't want to have red apples, you don't have to. You've done a lot for yourself getting to trust yellow and green ones. It reminds me of Mal getting over her fear of the water and learning to swim." She smiled, both in encouragement, and at the memory of a bedraggled Mal coming back from her first date with Ben.

[onebadapple]

"Oh, I'm not mad at her for what she did," everyone ever wasn't sure Snow White could ever be mad at anyone. No one had ever SEEN Snow White mad in all her years. She shook her head. "I'm sure at the time she did it, it made sense to her." Her eyes fell to her hands and she was quiet for a moment. "But yes!" she took a deep breath and smiled.

"I have a confession to make, I never liked apples all that much to begin with, I never got them often enough. My favorite fruit has always been gooseberries and blackberries! And you know, despite everything, stepmother did give me a real wishing apple in a way." She tilted her head. "I woke up, and there was my prince, carrying me away and we lived happily ever after! I didn't even know a year had passed or that stepmother had died at the time. All of that came out just before the wedding. What about you, Evie? Have you overcome any fears?"