Hey Descendants Fam!
Welcome to another Monday.
Speaking of Monday... or just day in general, is there a better one you'd like to see us posting on?
For everyone still with us, thank you so much. We love writing this story and will continue to love writing it for many more books to come.
If you enjoy our story, shenanigans, or weirdness and are interested in following us, we are Dark and Twisted Sisters on FB. Keep your eyes out for something we have in the works. We're very excited about all the new things!
Anyway, back to the reason you're here-
We hope you enjoy the update, and please, leave us a sign you were here.
Comments and reviews fuel us!
Clap your hands if you believe!
Lots of Love,
-Dark-
He can't help his grin.
Yet another step closer to his deepest wish.
Roy, the school's outcast and resident bad boy, showing his nurturing side to their group of friends.
He'd known about Tuck, the silent guardian of the stables who refused to stay in his stall.
He even knew who Tuck belonged to.
He'd just never received an introduction.
But now, here he was, watching the way the group hung on every word an amused, albeit slightly bewildered, Roy said.
Oh yeah, his cheeks were already starting to hurt with how happy this was making him.
"Right, so, that's about all you need to know-" Roy's brows furrow, "I think."
"You think?" Carlos whispers quietly beside him, his fingers still clenching the sleeve of his jacket the way he had months ago when he first met Dude.
"Well, I'm pretty sure anyways, yeah." Roy shrugs. "So- Anyone actually want to-"
"I do!" Lonnie instantly raises her hand.
"Me too." Jay nods, quickly slipping an arm around Evie to keep her from stepping back, "I'm waiting until after Lonnie."
"It's bigger than I thought it would be- Sorry, he's bigger." Evie bites her lip.
"Don't let Tuck fool you. He's all feathers and claws." Roy chuckles.
"Oh, that's reassuring." Carlos breathes.
"I won't let him near the precious ones." Roy grins as he passes a worn leather shoulder-length glove to Lonnie, "Looking at you too, Evie."
Mal snorts.
"Thank you." Evie smiles gratefully.
He smiles as he watches Lonnie eagerly hold out her glove clad arm, giggling as Roy passed Tuck over.
"This is so fucking cool." She chirps as she reaches up and pets the bird's head.
Fearless as always.
His eyes shift to Mal as she walked over to Jay and Evie.
"Alpha trumps Beta. I'm next."
He barely manages to contain his snort.
Jay rolls his eyes, "I mean, since you asked so nicely." He bows at the waist before he pulls Evie back a step with him.
"Aww, he likes you." Roy chuckles as Tuck clicks his beak.
"Sweet. I like you to Tuck." Lonnie smiles as she runs a finger over his feather covering his chest.
"They're both insane," Carlos mumbles as Tuck waddles back and forth happily on Lonnie's arm.
"I thought you wanted to see Tuck?" He looks at the younger boy in concern.
"I did- do." Carlos quickly explains as Roy looks back at them with a frown, "I do. I just, pictures always fool me into thinking things are smaller."
"Sorry," Roy rubs his head, "Should'ah told you his wingspan. My B."
"No. He's wicked. And I think he's great, you know from back here." Carlos points at his feet, "At least for now."
"Fair." Roy grins before he turns to Mal, "You can pet him while Lonnie's holdin' him if you want."
Mal lightly bites her lip before she nods and slowly reaches her hand up to run a finger over Tuck's head and down his back, "Huh. You don't feel anything like Diablo." She smiles.
"He's so soft, right?" Lonnie grins at her.
"Yeah, he is."
Roy lifts his brow, "Who's Diablo?"
"My moth-" Mal suddenly pauses before she shakes her head, "Maleficent's raven."
"Oh, so you're like used to big birds." Roy grins. "Betcha mine's cooler though."
"Oh, for damn sure." Mal smiles.
"Diablo is a pecker." Jay shakes his head.
"Head and, well, anything he could reach out of spite." Mal nods as she rubs Tuck under the chin with more confidence.
"Tuck's a lot prettier too." Evie smiles gently. "Do you give him something to keep his feathers so healthy?"
"We use special grit sand for his dust baths. Helps him keep his feathers and skin clean and free of build-up."
"Oh," Evie nods, "That's neat, sounds like a mud mask."
"Kinda?" Roy frowns before he shrugs, "Except no water. Not that Tuck minds rain and birdbaths, or fishing."
"Bet he's a killer fisher." Mal grins. "Aren't you, boy?"
"Hell yeah he is!" Roy beams, "He's flipped a twenty-pound fish into our boat before."
Lonnie chuckles, "A bird after my Dad's heart."
Ben smiles at the gang's confusion.
He doubted he'd ever forget the sight of Lonnie and her brother catching fish with just their hands.
He'd found it fascinating.
He'd even tried to do it himself after the Shang's left.
He'd failed miserably, of course.
And he wasn't sure he'd ever heard his mom laugh so hard before as she helped him out of the pond, explaining they'd been trained their whole lives to do such a thing.
Lonnie chuckles, "I'll show you the next time we go swimming with fish."
Jay shrugs, "You never fail to find cool shit to do."
"Idle hands," She shrugs.
His brow furrows when Mal snaps her head up, glaring at Lonnie.
"Why'd you say that? Where did you hear that?" Mal asks suspiciously.
Lonnie tilts her head to the side, "Um, I'm not actually sure. My dad just kinda says it all the time."
"It's from the bible," Doug volunteers as he joins them. "The whole saying is idle hands are the devil's workshop."
Mal takes a slow deep breath before she glances over to Jay with her eyes flashing their glowing emerald green.
"I know." Jay nods solemnly before he pulls his shoulder back and smiles again, "Now, are you going to actually hold Tuck, or is it my turn."
Mal lifts her brow, "I don't know, is your girlfriend gonna share?"
Lonnie instantly turns and lets Tuck walk back to Roy, her face already a brilliant shade of red.
He quickly covers his mouth as Doug shakes his head at Roy's snort.
"Mal," Jay rolls his eyes. "Don't play." He turns to Lonnie, "Sorry, she just get's-"
"Hey now, I don't need you to say sorry for me." Mal glares at him as Roy helps her slide another set of gloves on.
"Lolz." Roy snorts. "The gloves ate you."
"I am not small."
"Nah, just fun-sized." Roy shrugs.
He chuckles before he turns back to Carlos, "How are you doing?"
Carlos looks up to him with a grin, "Better the longer he doesn't peck anyone."
He smiles, "Same though."
"Right?" Doug agrees as he looks at the bird wearily.
"Hey, Tuck has ears, you know." Roy glares as he encourages Tuck onto Mal's covered arm, "Don't hurt my Tuck's feelings."
"Birds have ears? Really?" Evie tilts her head curiously. "Where are they?"
Roy grins as he gently pulls a section of feathers on Tuck's head back, "See the holes?"
Evie blinks. "Ah."
He chuckles at the 'sorry I asked' tone.
"Cute little earholes, right buddy?" Roy chuckles as he ruffles the feathers back in place.
Tuck clicks his beak as he lets out a small coo.
"Awww," Evie gushes.
"He's a real ladies bird." Roy nods proudly.
"I guess one of you had to be." Mal laughs.
"One, ouch." Roy presses a hand to his chest, "Two, fair, he's got a steady lady waiting for him back home. Meanwhile, I'm forever alone until we get the rest of you lot over here."
He shakes his head.
"Huh." Mal stares at him for a moment.
"What?" Roy shrugs, "Ben and Doug can't be the only lucky ones."
Evie titters, "I think many of the girls would find you to be attractive prey."
Jay snorts as Carlos shakes his head.
"I'll take foreboding hopeful." Roy grins, "We can't both be the predator bird, can we buddy?"
Tuck squawks in response as he nuzzles Roy's hand.
He shakes his head.
Roy's conviction that his future girlfriend was somewhere on the Isle was endearing, but he'd worried that the others might not take it so well.
Luckily he loved being wrong.
Jay studies Roy for a moment, "Eh," He shrugs, "He could hold his own."
"Sure," Mal snorts, "Depending on the hunter."
"Freddie's going to chew him up and spit him out though." Jay snorts.
"Freddie's not interested in that kinda prey." Evie giggles. "But she totally would if he was her type."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Roy frowns.
"Freddie's not interested in boys." Mal rolls her eyes as she lightly rubs Tuck's beak, "Like in the slightest. She straight-up turned down both Jay and Harry, and no one does that."
"Oh." Roy grins, "Gotcha."
He doesn't miss the way Lonnie looks Jay over before she shakes her head.
"She tried so hard to get E though." Mal continues with a wicked smile.
"And Deez." Evie quickly adds, "And you too."
Mal rolls her eyes, "She's just lucky T likes her. Girl'd be chow otherwise."
Evie nods before her eyes widen, "Oh, huh."
"Oh what-" Mal pauses, "Oh."
"Yeah, didn't think about that." Jay chuckles.
"Should've been my first clue." Evie shakes her head.
"I wanna know." Carlos pouts.
Mal snorts, "Freddie wasn't into any boy but T."
"But T's a boy-" Carlos blinks before his eyes widen as well, "Oh."
"There you go, Pup." Jay snorts.
It was rare for him to feel like an insider with comments like this, but he was pretty sure he understood the revelation they were all having.
Freddie likes girls.
Freddie liked T.
T's body was a girl's body.
He smiles softly at the looks of confusion on the other's faces.
Doug nods as he slowly wraps an arm around Evie's shoulder.
Apparently Doug was also in the know.
"Is this like one of those things we can't know like on purpose?" Roy frowns as he and Lonnie share a glance.
Jay shares a glance with Mal, who just shrugs.
Jay nod's before he turns to Lonnie and Roy, "T's a girl."
"No. T's a boy," Evie stomps her foot before she sighs, "but he is in a girl's body."
Roy blinks. "Oh. Oh..." His face turns dark as he looks away.
"T has split personalities," Carlos continues, "T protects Faustina."
"Oh," Lonnie nods.
"Yeah, but if you guys don't mind," Jay sighs as they make eye contact, "we'd like for it to not get out."
"Cause he'd throw a fuckin' fit." Mal shakes her head.
"Fair." Roy shrugs, "Can't imagine that's easy." He adds as Lonnie nods.
Jay and Mal shake their heads.
"We didn't know until Family Week." Evie shrugs.
"And he didn't know 'til right before we left," Carlos adds.
"Wow. I'm sorry." Lonnie frowns, "That sounds hard."
Jay shrugs, "Nothin' the Sea family can't handle."
"Hopefully." Mal sighs before she passes Tuck back to Roy.
"My turn." Jay whoops as he jumps to unhook the last pair of gloves hanging from the ceiling.
"'Course man," Roy grins as he strokes Tuck's head.
He couldn't help the pride he felt in his friends.
He knew how hard it was for his VK friends to share something that personal, a secret some of them had been guarding for a long time.
And his HK friends couldn't have reacted any better to the trust extended to them. They listened, and even though they couldn't empathize, they didn't make it awkward or try to play anything down.
They hadn't even changed the subject, which was customary etiquette when a conversation took a turn.
They just let it be what it was.
He turns when Carlos slowly releases his sleeve, smiling when the younger boy looks at Jay before he hesitantly takes a few steps closer to him, Roy, and Tuck.
Baby steps, but steps closer.
He walks just behind him and slightly to the side, protectively in case Carlos found himself needing his sleeve again.
He smiles broadly when Mal shoots him a look of appreciation.
Jay grins at Carlos with pride shining in his eyes as he continues to pet Tuck's head.
"I promise he's a good bird." Roy nods encouragingly, "He'd rather bite snacks or dinner than fingers."
Carlos bites his lip as he nods, "Right." He swallows before he slowly brings up his hand to stroke Tuck's feathers. His eyes brighten almost instantly as he grins. "He is soft."
"Right?" Roy chuckles.
Doug takes a deep breath before he turns to Evie, "Do you want a chance to pet him too?"
"Oh no, I'm fine just admiring him." Evie smiles prettily up at him before she leans up and kisses his cheek, "Thanks for offering though."
Doug grins as he steps closer to her rather than pulling her to him to hug her tighter.
"Want to hold him, Pup," Mal asks as she offers Carlos the gloves she'd been wearing.
"Um, no." Carlos shakes his head, "But," He turns to Roy, "Maybe next time?"
"Course One o' One, I totes get it. Tuck's a sweety, but legit an intimidating one." Roy grins, "Just let me know." His eyes sweep over the rest of them, "Any of you can. He really enjoys the attention.
A soft smile tugs at his lips. Tuck wasn't the only one who enjoyed the attention. From the look on Roy's face, his handler did as well.
"Cool," Lonnie grins. "I really want to see him catch treats next time."
"Sure." Roy smiles, "Would'ah brought some this time but didn't want to scare anyone with his swoopin'."
"Nice." Jay grins.
"Count me in." Mal nods as she continues to watch the bird with appreciation.
"Uh, thank you for not." Carlos smiles nervously.
"Same." Evie nods.
"Duh, can't scare my friends." Roy rolls his eyes."It's nowhere near October."
"What's in October?" Carlos and Evie ask at the same time.
"Halloween." Roy grins, "Best holiday of the year. You'll love it. You get free candy if you dress up."
He frowns at the blank look on the four VK's faces.
Yeah, he was starting to suspect they never celebrated holidays on the Isle.
Except for Mother and Father's day, apparently.
Parent's day.
Every month.
"C'mon," Evie tugs on Doug's, "I wanna go feed the horses before it gets too dark."
He smiles as Doug's face lights up.
Were they dating now?
It kind of looked like it.
"I left the basket by the door for ya, E," Jay calls out before he passes Tuck back to Roy.
Evie turns with a bright smile, "Thanks," she calls back before she turns to Roy, "You too, Roy, it was lovely of you to share your adorable boy with us."
"Thanks for taking an interest. It uh-" Roy scratches his head, "ya know, means a lot to me."
She giggles, "Of course. What type of friends would we be if we didn't care about your interests. Especially such a handsome one."
"She's talkin' bout Tuck." Mal rolls her eyes before Roy could speak.
"Just checking." Roy chuckles, "But seriously, thanks for comin' out. I can tell Tuck appreciated the extra love." He rubs the bird under the chin. "But it's time for this handsome guy to sleep."
He smiles as he watches Roy dip back into the stables before he turns to catch Jay biting his lip thoughtfully.
"Hey Lonnie," Jay asks as he walks over to her, "you got a sec to talk?"
"Yeah," She nods as she looks up at him curiously.
Jay shakes his head as he wraps an arm around her shoulder, "Like on the way in for dinner?"
Even in the growing darkness, he could see her blush. "Oh, yeah, sure," She falls into step with him, "What's up?"
He grins as the two duck out of the stable.
"I should go get Dude and take him out before dinner, but um, Ben?"
He turns to smile at him, "Yeah?"
"We always assume you're busy, which I mean, yeah, you probably are, but-" Carlos rubs the back of his head, "I uh, I was wondering if you wanted to join us to practice parkour."
"Oh," He smiles brightly, "That sounds kinda awesome, actually. I'd love to join you guys."
"Wicked. We've been meeting up in the student parking lot. I think Jay's been wanting to make it a Tuesday and Thursday thing."
"Tch," Mal snorts, "I see how it is." She crosses her arms in mock anger. "Where the fuck is my invite?"
Carlos taps his fingers together, "Sorry Mal, I uh, I just know Jay's been trying to support Lonnie getting on the ROAR team. Oh!" He snaps his head back, his eyes suddenly hopeful, "Oh, wait, Lonnie offered to spar with us. Jay's been talking you up to her."
"Has he now?" She lifts her brow, her eyes bright with mirth.
"Mhmm. Mhmm. Mhmm." Carlos nods emphatically, "So, I think he was just like, waiting for you to like show an interest- And well," He blushes, "You like, never seemed interested in parkour before."
He lifts a brow in confusion when Mal suddenly turns away with a blush as she lets out an adorable huff.
Carlos tilts his head to the side as he studies her for a moment before his eyes narrow. "He wouldn't have made fun of you, you know. He could sometimes be thoughtless, but he was usually pretty chill when he showed me new moves. Well," He frowns, "Maybe not in the ways he got me to try them, but you know, like when he was teaching me how to do it."
His brow furrows as he looks between the two.
He?
He clearly wasn't talking about Jay-
Oh.
He covers his amusement.
T.
She snorts.
"Or- uh, uh, I could show you the stuff he's been teaching me."
She turns as her eyes sweep over him, "Seriously?" She asks with uncharacteristic hesitation.
"Sure." Carlos smiles tightly, "What's another day of parkour practice."
"I'd um," Mal rubs the back of her neck, "Actually really appreciate that."
"Would you mind if I joined sometimes? I could use all the help I can get."
She glances at him, "So you're like horrid at it, then?"
"I've never tried, but if bouncing off bookshelves when I'm walking is any indication," He claps his hands together, "I'm going to suck at it." He grins.
But it sounded like a lot of fun, and any time spent with Mal, even when he was going to be bad at the task, was worth it.
She grins before she turns to C, "Whatta'ya say, Pup? Wanna show us some basics?"
"Oh, sure. When, when are you both good with?"
He chuckles when Mal turns to him expectantly, "After the ceremony, I'll be free pretty much every Sunday morning."
"That works-" Carlos pauses before he turns to eye Mal wearily. "Um, are you okay with mornings?"
Mal blushes, "Who gave you permission to know me so well?"
Carlos grins, "You."
Mal rolls her eyes as she reaches out and ruffles his hair, "You're lucky you're you."
He chuckles, "Why don't we continue the conversation on the way to dinner."
"Oh, um, actually, I was gonna wait for Roy if that's okay?" Carlos blinks up at him, 'Sorry."
"We can talk on the way to dinner." Mal offers before she shrugs, "If you want."
"Deal." He grins as he takes her hand, "See you in a bit then."
Who was he to pass up an opportunity like that?
Ben is such a damn puppy-
*OMG Dark! Dark! I just realized a thing, and it makes chapter 76- or 75 or whatever even better! Dead*
-being so stupidly happy about something as small as Roy showing a different side of himself. I can just picture him wagging a-
Nope.
Stop.
Don't.
Dark'll kill you.
But-
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Too late thoughts there, and I have no fucking self-control.
She's going to murder me for this after the whole alignment shit, but…
I can't not now.
Ben- Labrador
Roy- Fox
Mal- Kitty Cat
Jay- Wolf
Evie- Mare
Carlos- Quokka
Lonnie- Falcon
Doug- Golden Retriever
Uma- Black Mamba
Harry- Peacock
Deez- Dolphin
Gil- German Shepherd
T- Honey Badger
Faustina- Spider
Yep, she was pissed…
Anyways back to the questions.
Fuck me, this is going to take forever… Unless...
What did you guys think about everyone's reactions to Tuck? Spot on? Or did we mess up on anyone?
Anyone know why Roy named his most faithful companion Tuck?
And seriously, little wanna be badass is just adorable thanking everyone for showing an interest in Tuck.
The thought of Roy being 100% convinced his girl is on the Isle always makes me smile with its conviction and pure adorable-ness. What about you guys?
Ha! Do you guys think Freddie actually knows T's a girl? Or think it's just a coincidence?
Evie's denial to T being a girl.
Dead.
Lolz. Jay's reaction to Mal calling Lonnie his girlfriend.
And E! E of all people calling him out like that for his hunting?
Poor Jay?
And by extension, Lonnie...
But seriously Mal, talk about a dick move. *Shakes head* she woulda blown a gasket if Jay had pulled that stunt with her.
Speaking of the hypocritical dragon though…
The image of Mal's face when Carlos talks about T teaching him parkour is priceless. As her writer, I can't help myself, and besides I bet you guys won't mind a bit more introspection, right?
Carlos tilts his head to the side as he studies her for a moment before his eyes lighten. "He wouldn't have made fun of you, you know. He could sometimes be thoughtless, but he was usually pretty chill when he showed me new moves. Well," He frowns, "Maybe not in the ways he got me to try them, but you know, like when he was teaching me how to do it."
And now for the Introspection-
Sometimes?
Thoughtless sometimes!?
Who the fuck was their pup trying to kid?
That freak had a death wish a mile long.
And the thought of him teaching anyone anything was scary enough. But the thought of that freak out on the roofs teaching their pup how to leap over them? That was terrifying.
Her stomach drops.
How the hell had he gotten Carlos to try it exactly?
She slams the thought down quickly.
Nope.
The last thing she needed to do was picture was T coming at Carlos with a dagger on top of a roof.
She swallows a groan.
So much for that attempt.
She was going to strangle that little shit the next time she saw him, for so many reasons. But this one had quickly made its way straight to the top of the list.
And there we go, a little insight into Mal's thoughts in that moment.
Fave line
"Tch," Mal snorts, "I see how it is." She crosses her arms in mock anger. "Where the fuck is my invite?"
What's yours?
Much love and appreciation,
-Twisted