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

[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?"

[4hearts]

Evie blinked. As much as she could believe Snow White had never been mad a day in her life, she had trouble believing that her step-sister hadn't been mad at the Evil Queen for the way she'd been treated. "She made you a scullery maid, forced you to wear rags, and tried to kill you twice. And you aren't even a little mad at her?" Evie was mad on her step-sister's behalf, and she'd heard the story from her mom's point of view for her whole life. Seriously, how had her mom been able to be so cruel to Snow?

"Gooseberries and blackberries?" Evie couldn't help but giggle. The princess associated forever with apples hadn't been that big a fan of them to start with. "I'll remember that for the next time we get together. I'll make us tarts."

"I guess that's one way of looking at it.... I'd never really thought about what happened like that. It's... it's the kindest interpretation of what happened." And of course, Snow White would find the kindest way to make sense of what had been done to her. It didn't make what her mother did right, but at least her step-sister hadn't suffered that much, if that was truly the way she'd internalized what had happened.

"Me?" She glanced at the ground and then folded her hands in front of her a little awkwardly. "I mean, yes. I was scared just to come to Auradon. Everyone on the Isle talked about it like it was the worst place ever, and the only reason I got over the initial fear was the idea of finding a prince." She blushed at that. "And then, when I got here, I was afraid people would only see a villain, even though that's kind of what we thought we wanted them to see. And I was afraid the boys wouldn't like me if they knew how smart I was."

She looked up at Snow White and smiled awkwardly. "Doug helped me deal with that particular fear."

[onebadapple]

"No, I'm not. If anything... I'm a little sad for her." She closed her eyes and pressed her hands together. "I can't think of a time in my life she was ever happy, not on her wedding day, not... when she became the sole ruler, and nothing ever made her pleased. She was a queen, the fairest in the entire land for so many years and yet.... yet... Did she smile around you? I would like to think having a daughter of her own would make her smile... I hope she smiled the day you were born. I know I would."

She then smiled when Evie giggled. "Oh yes, once when I was little and earned a day off, I went berry picking, I picked so many blackberries my fingers were stained purple for three days! I would love to try your cooking, Evie. I hear you're quite the chef! Perhaps you can help at Tiana's restaurant, she only trusts the most expert of chefs, you know!"

Snow linked her arm with Evie's as she led her out of the grand hallway into a smaller room at the end, inside were floor to ceiling windows with some tables here and there and very comfortable couches and chairs covered in little pillows.

"This is the reading room, next door, the doors on either side of the giant fireplace will lead us into the royal library. Now, it's not as big as Belle's, but it's nothing to sneeze at.... though Sneezy HAS sneezed up a storm in there from dust."

She listened as Evie explained her fears and then smiled. "There's nothing wrong with wanting a prince, Evie. I wished all the time for a prince to take me away from my situation. It was the only way I was going to escape. I wish I had been there to greet you all. Fairy Godmother thought it would be too overwhelming to have us greet you after just leaving the Isle. Aurora was the hardest to convince, you know? She wants very much to meet Mal... but I'm glad you're not scared of that anymore. And I hope you know you can come to me with any fears if you have them."

[4hearts]

This was a side of her mother Evie had never heard about before. She frowned. "Mom was never happy? She'd go on and on about her glory days, when she was so powerful and beautiful and she made it sound like she'd been the happiest person ever." Had her mom ever smiled? Really, truly smiled? "If she has, I haven't seen it," Evie said honestly. "She'd get upset with me if I smiled too widely. She said it would give me wrinkles."

Evie imagined tiny Snow White with fistfuls of blackberries, and found herself smiling again. "We should go berry picking together, and then make the tarts as a treat for a job well done." That would be nice. Something she could do with Snow that had nothing to do with the Evil Queen. Something mom hadn't tainted. She blushed. "I'm not sure I'm good enough for Tiana's restaurant. I know how exacting her standards are. But thank you for the compliment."

They continued on their way, and Evie found herself glad to be away from the portraits. Her mother's gaze could follow her even through a painting, sometimes. "It's lovely," Evie said, looking around the reading room. "It's very cozy." She laughed a bit when Snow mentioned Sneezy. Doug said his uncle was allergic to just about everything.

She nodded. "There's nothing wrong with it, if it's what I actually wanted. But, it's what mom wanted for me. A prince that was handsome, with lots and lots of money, and a castle with a mother-in-law suite. That was what she taught me. We'd repeat it over and over, like a mantra. But really, I just wanted someone to see me for me. To look at me and see not a villain, not the Evil Queen's daughter, not a pretty girl, but me. The way M and Jay and Carlos do, but...more."

Snow White had wanted to greet them? The initial meeting might have gone better if she'd been allowed to come. Audrey, at least, would have had to play nice with her mother right there. "It might have been, but it also might have helped us if you all could have been there. The other kids weren't exactly kind to us at first. Not that we were much better, but we were scared, and you're not allowed to be scared on the Isle. It's a weakness and it's dangerous.

Funny you should mention Aurora, though." Evie couldn't just let it go unsaid, not when Mal had been so hurt. "We met Queen Leah at family day, and, well... we saw part of why Audrey was so hostile to us when we got here."

[onebadapple]

"Not that I can recall, no," she closed her eyes in thought. "I think you have a beautiful smile, Evie. You know what is so wonderful about a smile, it shows how honest your heart is! If something makes us truly happy, we smile so big and wide, why, even Grumpy can't help those kind of smiles!"

At the mention of making tarts, Snow White nodded, beginning to open up the library door.

Oh! Berry picking with you would be so much fun! I know the perfect place to do it too!" she giggled, giving Evie's hand a squeeze. "We'll make a whole day of it! I'll pack us a picnic and then we'll bring them back here for cleaning and cooking! Well, you know, Tiana does offer cooking lessons for those who have a real talent for it! If you want, why not audition for one of those spots if it interests you? If you like, of course! I would be happy to be your recommendation!"

In truth, Snow White wanted so much to help Evie in some way, to try and give her something.

"Whatever your dream is, Evie, please know I want to support it and help you achieve it. You deserve to have your dreams come true."

At the mention of the help, Snow patted Evie's hand.

"There was a long discussion about it, and even a vote, it was tied right down the middle. Some of thought it might help to show we were welcoming you, others thought... well, it might be seen as an act of intimidation," though who could ever find Snow White of all people intimidating? Or Cinderella for that matter? "So the deciding vote going to King Beast. I suppose it's for the best, no one knew about Carlos' fear of dogs and Pongo and Perdita being there might have been exactly what they said, a sign of intimidation. Still, I'm so sorry that they were unkind to you, you didn't deserve that."

At the mention of Queen Leah, Snow White sighed.

"Yes I... did hear about that. Queen Leah however, does not speak for Aurora or Phillip. Nor does Audrey, for that matter. Just like our mother does not speak for either of us or Maleficent for Mal. I hope someday you can meet and judge Aurora for yourselves rather than the actions of those she's related to," she gave a knowing look, quite sure Evie would appreciate the irony of that statement.

[4hearts]

There had been a few occasions when Evie had cause to think of her mother with pity over the years. This was another. She couldn't imagine someone never feeling happiness. "Maybe someday, she'll find something to smile - really smile - about." Not that it was likely anytime soon, but Snow's optimism was contagious.

"I'd like that, spending the day with you like that." She smiled. "It's a kind offer, but I really do want to focus on my sewing over my cooking. Mom made sure I could do both, but sewing is my passion. Doing all the orders for Cotillion... I felt really good about what I was doing, seeing everyone's faces light up when they came for fittings, seeing how everyone looked at the dance. Four Hearts is what I want, more than anything." She'd been creating outfits since she was tiny. Scraps and safety pins and tape and spray paint. She'd made it work on the Isle, and that was part of why Mal's crew had the reputation that they did - Evie had the skill to make style out of scraps, so they looked intimidating, even as a bunch of kids.

Evie nodded as Snow talked about the welcome, and about being seen as intimidating. "It might have been, with everyone there. I don't know. No more intimidating than having the whole school turn out, full marching band and all. The only adult we met that first day was Fairy Godmother." She thought of how scared Carlos had been just by the reception they'd been given, and how the statue of King Beast transforming had freaked him out. "For Carlos, yeah, it would have been bad. Cruella had drilled that fear into him since he was a little kid. He didn't get bedtime stories so much as nightmare fuel. I think now he'd be okay, especially if he could bring Dude with him."

Evie understood the irony very well. "I think Mal would appreciate meeting Aurora and Phillip. I just wish Audrey was less influenced by her grandmother and more by her mom and dad, if that's the case. I don't think she's a bad person, but I think she's had some bad influences - made with what I'm sure Queen Leah thinks are the best intentions - but...." Evie sighed. "I know why people hate us. I get it. We were raised to be evil ourselves, but when push came to shove, we couldn't do it. The Isle was the Isle, and we did what we had to in order to survive. But here? Auradon is perfect. Everyone is safe, and people live comfortably. How can meanness even take root here?"

[onebadapple]

"Alright, sewing it is," she nodded, willing to support Evie no matter the endeavor. "Four Hearts? What a cute name! Where did it come from? You know, some of the best feelings we get are from helping other people. It's why I always try to do what I can for everyone I do and don't know."

At the mention of the whole school coming out and the only adult being Fairy Godmother.

"Oh dear! Poor Carlos, I'm glad he's not scared of dogs anymore. Maybe he should actually meet Pongo and Perdita. Jay has met Aladdin and Jasmine..." She pressed a hand to her cheek in thought. "I'm not sure, politics is really so terribly complicated and I'm never sure what is an isn't a misstep sometimes." She shook her head. "But Carlos is able to make his own choices, but please let him know, if he'd like to meet them, he can come to me and I can arrange the whole thing."

At the mention of Mal, she nodded her head again.

"I'll speak with them at our tea in two days. I'm really very sure that they'll agree to it... but... perhaps... I don't want Mal to feel pressured to accept or feel alone either. Perhaps I can find a way to get Aurora to extend the invitation to you as well... two and two, as it were. You make so many situations feel calmer, Evie. You're so incredibly good at making everyone feel at ease, did you know that? It's a perfect skill to have as a seamstress, can be such a stressful situation for so many."

She paused and pressed her lips together.

"Oh Evie, Auradon is a truly lovely place, but there is always room for improvement. You and Mal and Carlos and Jay all proved that Auradon can be... far from perfect, it's GOOD that we know we can improve. Evil takes root because people still feel, Evie. They get upset and mad, they feel slighted and hurt so they make mistakes. They... lash out because they're hurting. It doesn't excuse why they lashed out, but it... starts things, unless real understanding and love is given. Evil can take root if others do nothing to stop it, and I'm afraid there are many, myself included, who just watched hoping for the problem to fix itself."

[4hearts]

Evie smiled at the memory. "It's part of the spell Mal used to stop her mom, and it stuck with me. 'The strength of evil is good as none, when stands before four hearts as one.' She had Fairy Godmother's wand, and was staring down her mom as a dragon, and we were at her back, supporting her." She looked up at Snow White. "It's like you're saying, helping others is a good thing. We had each other's backs, and kept each other safe, and our friendship was strong enough to do real magic."

"To be fair, it's kind of hard to be scared of Dude." Evie laughed, but she knew he'd terrified Carlos the first time they met. "At least, once you get to know him. Ben helped with that. He's good with people. He knows how to make someone feel comfortable, how to help them feel safe." She grinned. "He's already such a good King, and I know he'll be even better as he gets more used to it. But, yeah, I'll talk to Carlos, and extend the invitation. And I'll talk to Mal, if you want."

She blushed at the compliment. Something else Grimhilde had done for her, even though neither of them realized it on the Isle. All those lessons in showing a a kind face and acting poised and calm had affected Evie more deeply than her mom had probably intended. "It can be really stressful," she agreed. "But so far, it's the kind of stress that energizes instead of drains me. And Doug's help is a life-saver."

She listened to Snow's explanation and nodded. It made sense, when she put it that way. It was just so easy to assume that Auradon was picture-perfect, especially when you'd grown up on the Isle. She reached for Snow's hands. "You did what you thought was right. You spoke out against the Isle, but got voted down. So you watched and hoped. And when the chance came for something to be done, you took it. I know Ben's decision wasn't the most popular thing, but you trusted him, and now look at us." She squeezed her sister's hands. "And we can keep working from this. We're going to bring over more kids from the Isle, and give them a better chance here. I can't wait for you to meet Dizzy. You are going to adore her!"

[onebadapple]

"That is a wonderful spell. And friendship is such powerful magic, just as strong as true loves kiss," she lightly tapped Evie on the nose. "Family love too. True loves kiss doesn't say who has to be the one loving you, you know."

At the mention of extending the invitation, Snow White nodded. "I would like that, but I will understand if they're not comfortable with it. I would hope no one is scared of me, but I think I have a bit of a reputation." In that, she's bright, cheery, and somewhat intense because of it.

"Oh, I can't wait either! And I'm sure I will, I've never met a person I didn't like! And if Dizzy comes with your recommendation, then I know she's a sweetheart!"

Snow White entered the library and while it was nowhere near as tall as Belle's there were still wall-to-wall books with tables here and there.

"Welcome to the castle library! Everything is divided by section, and then those sections are alphabetical by author."

[4hearts]

Evie scrunched her nose at the tap, but smiled. "So, a really powerful platonic love could count as true love's kiss? It doesn't have to be romantic love?" She hadn't known that. That was good information to file away, just in case.

She giggled. "I can't imagine anyone being scared of you." Ignoring the fact that Evie herself was terrified before spending about thirty seconds in her step-sister's company.

Thinking of Dizzy and Snow White getting to sit and talk together brought a full grin to Evie's face. "She's amazing. She's Drizella's daughter, and she does jewelry and hair. She's kind of like a little sister to me. We were close on the Isle, and she's a bright spot of positivity." Dizzy would love a place like this. Absolutely love it.

Evie's eyes widened as she took in the library. There was no library in the world to rival Belle's, but Evie only knew of hers by reputation. This... the library at Auradon Prep wasn't this magnificent, and Evie had thought it was amazing. "I love it! It's beautiful." She glanced at Snow. "No wonder Doug is so smart - I bet he was here doing homework after school every day when he was little. When he wasn't practicing his instruments, at least."