Yo Descendants!
Sup with you guys tonight/day/morning/evening!
For all our readers going back/still in School, hope you have the same level
of commitment to your english and creative writing classes as you do this kraken beast of a book! And honestly we totes get any of you who won't be able to comment as often. Studies are definitely more important than stroking our egos.
That being said. To those of you who are commenting, we both agreed that writing responses in the intro, now that I've taken over, would already be awkwardly rambled long enough without adding the responses here. So instead we're going to respond to any questions or direct shout outs through the reviews so these don't end up half the size of a chapter. *Blink. Blink* Seriously
So for now, until I get this shit down-So most likely never, please reference the reviews for answers and responses.
I think Dark usually gives updates about us. So, ya know, we're doing better with figuring out our schedules to better suit everyone involved. Sorry-Nothing's consistent any more now that posting is in my hands. Mwahahahaha- Not Sorry. *Shudders at Darks glare when she actually reads this- Nevermind she busted a gut. She knows how it be...* Still figuring this shit out and I don't do schedules well. For those of you into the MBTI tests. She's a INFJ and I'm an ISTP.
Important takeaway from that blurp:
P vs. J makes a giant difference with this type of shit.
AKA I'm a fucking shit show, and she's OCD as fuck.
-Twisted
Meanwhile...
Gil smiles as he finishes the last note of the song he'd been playing. His soft eyes looking over to where his family was tucked into the back of the cave. The rock surrounding them was still warm from today's smelting. His smile widens as he looks over to see Deez curled around a sleeping Uma and Harry. Her bright blue eyes popping out against the dark stone. "You're still up?" He asks quietly, as he lowers the flute.
"Yep." Deez whispers and slowly begins to untangle herself from Harry and Uma. It was a struggle, but she finally manages to free herself.
Gil's eyes follow her as she joins him at the edge of the cave, his eyes bright with amusement.
"Harry is heavy when he sleeps." She grumbles, though her smile takes all bite out of the statement.
"Yeah," Gil chuckles lowly. "He's pretty solid." He scoots closer to her to provide body heat like he would for Uma. The bracing sea breeze was biting at his nose, reminding him of Uma's warning not to stay out in the cold.
"Ursula makes them work too much." Deez says as she leans against Gil, "I've never seen them so tired."
Gil nods in agreement, smiling as her natural heat seeps into him. Goosebumps rise on his skin from the contrast. "Unfortunately," his smile slips to a frown as he observes his sleeping family. He was worried about them. Uma may have been worried about him getting sick… But he was more worried about her and Harry. Working so much couldn't be healthy for them either. He didn't want them sick any more than they wanted him ill.
"It feels like every time things start to get better, they get three times worse." She frowns.
Gil lets out a low huff of consideration before he shrugs. "Doesn't matter. As long as we're together we can weather anything." He reaches out before she can look away from him. "And that includes you, you know. I know things have grown more difficult for us to be together but- It ain't nothin' we can't handle. And it don't change anything."
Deez smiles and reaches up to cup Gil's hand on her face, "So, I heard Harry talking about the tattoo you're going to be giving him and Uma." She purses her lips, "I'm so mad you never told me about that, or let me see your tattoo."
Gil smiles sheepishly. "I was gonna, but we're always so busy and it's hard to talk about me when I wanna hear everything about you when we have the time… I meant it when I said there ain't nothing we can't handle. That doesn't mean it's easy though…"
"You're getting so much better at stopping my change of subjects." She laughs lightly.
Gil leans over and gently bumps his head against hers. "Don't know why ya try anymore. Ain't like we ain't gonna find out eventually, ya know." He teases her
"Old habits die hard I guess." Deez shrugs.
Gil smiles, "I get that." Who didn't on the isle? It was hard to change for the better when you didn't know what better meant. To the adults being mean and nasty was better. But that wasn't what he, Uma, and Harry thought. It was confusing a lot of the time, but he was glad she was getting their type of better. "But thank you for trying… I know it can be hard ta be open when ya spend too much time alone, I mean look at T. I feel like he might'ah spent a lot of time alone too… From what I noticed anyway. I could be wrong…"
Deez grins up at him, but the smile doesn't reach her eyes this time and even the corners of her lips drop slightly, "I think he spends a lot of time alone now. And… I think he was almost always alone before any of us met him. Not that I've asked," She shrugs and looks down at her hands in her lap, "just a feeling."
Gil sags slightly, relieved he wasn't the only one who had that thought. "But thank you for trying. It's easy ta see you're puttin' in a lot of effort, so thank you. Thank you for trusting us, me, to try," He grins down at her before he wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her close. It never ceased to amaze him how light she was. You could break a wooden sword on her without her so much as blinking, but still, she weighed almost nothing.
"I just," Deez buries her face into Gil's side before she can continue, "I wanted to be normal tonight. You know. Just listen to them, to all of you, and for once not have you guys worry about me."
"How can we not worry about you Deez? You're family." He gently knocks his chin against her head, before he squeezes her to his side.
"I worry about you three too."
"But we're together." Gil shrugs. "And as long as we're together, we'll always be alright. It's you we're worried about. The Rotten Four are not as…" He narrows his eyes, "Well they're not us."
"Open-minded?" She guesses, looking up at him with a small smile.
"Open-minded? He narrows his eyes thinking for a moment. That meant accepting right? Gil grins, "Ya," He nods. "That. They're not as open-minded. But neither is the rest of the isle. Uma and Harry are both one of a kind."
"You three are one of a kind." Deez corrects, "And no, they're not you guys. I still like them, but I miss being able to go to the beach and hang out with you. I miss going to the ship."
"I like Carlos… And Harry said Evie was nice. And you like 'em, so they can't be that bad."
"Jay is pretty cool too. Kind of like Harry. I think they'd get along well. And Mal's… Well, she's complicated."
Gil's lips split into a grin. "Don't know if Harry could share the spotlight." He admits in amusement. If there was anything he knew for a fact, Harry loved attention. Which was perfect for him, since he hated it. Nothing good ever came from drawing attention to himself. So he often tried to keep himself as quiet and small as he could as to not embarrass Uma. Sometimes he just couldn't stop himself from blurting things out.
Deez shrugs, "Just my observations. I think they'd be friends if we weren't in different gangs." Her brow furrows in thought, "I mean, we're in rival gangs and still best friends."
Gil let's out a low snort. "Like that would have ever changed, even without these little meetings- Not that I don't 'appreciate them. We all kinda live for T coming to take over the shift. But still, doesn't matter who's in what gang. You'll always be our family. Ain't no one stoppin' that, short of over our dead bodies." He tells her with blatant conviction. He was sure both Harry and Uma would agree with him.
"Thanks," Deez whispers, shaking her head against his side.
"It's just the truth, ain't nothing that needs ah thanks over." Gil rubs her arm in reassurance. "An' I ain't one for lying." He leans over and presses his lips to the crown of her head.
"I know, it's one of the things I like best about you." She smiles as she looks up at him, almost all traces of tears wiped from her face.
Gil can't help his stupid grin. "Uma's too." He says proudly before he notices the trails of silver under her eyes. His face shifts as he reaches out and wipes the rest of her tears away with a gentle caress of his thumb. "My favorite thing about you is that you always care about others. I mean Uma and Harry care about us, but you care about everyone." He grins down at her. "Why else would you write the king about everyone ya know in hopes of gettin' em off the isle. That's a dedication not many people have."
"I guess I never thought about it like that." Deez shrugs and looks back up, "So, does that mean you're happy I started writing to the king again?"
Gil nods, "I mean, why not try right? But just so ya know, even if we never get off this place…" He shrugs and looks around the cave. To the corner where they had the anvil and materials set up. He can't stop the slow smile at all the memories before he looks back to her, "I'm content. Life may not be perfect-" he tilts his head towards Uma and Harry while he gestures between her and himself, "But our family makes it okay."
Deez smiles and nods, but then sighs, and as an afterthought whisper, "I wish we could all run away from this."
Gil purses his lips to the side in disapproval, "Only if it's to each other." He bumps against her. "And not off by ourselves where there ain't no one ta help carry the weight."
"I meant together, like now." Deez gestures to the back of the cave, "Like… I wish we could all just stay here and not leave. Never have to go back..."
"Ah." Gil nods, "then yeah, of course. Harry and me are kinda lucky. My dad couldn't care less about me, and Harry's dad is usually too drunk to even remember he has kids."
"My dad only looks for me when he wants something." Deez sighs sadly.
The pain in her voice makes him pull her closer as he frowns, "I have a feeling that covers just about every VK on the isle…" He sighs. "But what does your dad usually want you for?"
Deez shrugs.
Gil studies her for a moment before he nods. "That's okay." He presses a gentle kiss against her temple. "I don't need to know, to wish it didn't happen ta ya anyways… It just makes me sad that something happens. I knew the rumor that your dad treats you well, was just ah rumor. No one can have a happy beginning here…" He gives her his signature grin. "But that don't mean we can't have a happy middle or end."
"He does treat me well though." Deez points out quietly.
"Hmm." Gil frowns, "Not like the princess you are though. But I guess it's good to know he ain't that terrible I guess… That's the best you can ask for here..." He frowns at the truth of that statement. He usually tried not to think about how grim all of their childhoods were. He wasn't sure if there were any kids left untouched by their parent's cruelty. It's not like they had anything else to do. And they were put here for a reason. It was just sad that Auradon couldn't see that they weren't their parents.
"He's a good guy, most of the time. I think." Deez purses her lips, "He just got into a fight with his family. I'm not surprised I guess, he has a temper, and he's not that nice to Pain and Panic all the time. And he plots revenge and stuff… I just…" She looks off into the darkness outside the cave, squinting to see the waves as they rolled onto the shore, "Can I ask you a question?"
Gil's brow furrows, "Might not have an answer, but I'd like to hear it anyways." He chuckles lowly, as he squeezes her back to his side.
Deez nods slowly, "If, if you could free your dad from here, would you?" She asks, carefully avoiding looking up at Gil.
Gil's lips turn to a contemplative frown. Would he free his dad if he could? He'd never thought about it before. Compared to the other villains on the isle, his father was more of a dick head than evil. However, he did try to kill the king who put all the villains here… Huh. But would he die if he left? He knew this was his dad's second life. Huh. "Would he die if he left the barrier?" He asks in return.
"I don't know. I guess I never thought about that. My dad's a god, and didn't die before the barrier…"
"Well, then I guess I would let my dad go free if I could, but if he would die I wouldn't. Still though, I wouldn't even think about it till I was sure my family was out and safe first. But that's cause I love and care about 'em," He gently grasps her chin and makes her make eye contact with him, "You." He states pointedly. "Way more than my dad. I mean they're all bullies, but I don't think him or the twins deserve ta be here, I guess..." He shrugs. "They're more like…" He frowns, brows furrowed. "Assholes- Sorry," He purses his lips to his side. He hated swearing in front of her and Uma but he couldn't think of a better word to describe them. "than true villains."
He couldn't count the times his father had put him in a dress and made him walk around town in it. He couldn't think of many people outside of Uma and Hyades who hadn't openly mocked him. Even Harry, at the time anyways, had been cruel about it. His eyes narrowed. Well, that wasn't completely true. There had been another little girl who had told him he looked pretty-But had collected boy clothes for him anyways. He could still picture her long skirts and large sad eyes. He'd never been able to find her again after that though. Which was odd because he had never heard anyone so soft-spoken and timid. Not even when they were kids. He'd wanted to introduce her to Uma, hoping she'd know what to do about the sadness in the other girl's eyes.
He shakes his head. That was not what Deez had asked. But after his contemplation, he'd come to a conclusion. Being forced to dress as a girl always hurt more than anything the three of them could physically do with him. He looks away with a blush. "My dad barely beat me, but he did embarrass me a lot."
Deez bites her bottom lip, "I remember. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
Gil shifts in discomfort, "But that don't make him evil." He shakes his head. "Just, ya know, ah, sorry again, I know ya shouldn't swear around girls but I don't have a better description than a douche bag."
"Gil, you're fine." Deez lightly chuckles as she laces her fingers into his and squeezes his hand
"Thanks." He smiles, "But yeah, that's my answer I guess. Yes if not dead. No, if dead." He blushes. Well, that could've been a lot simpler than he had made it.
Deez looks away but continues to hold Gil's hand tightly.
Gil squeezes back as he lifts her hand to his lips and kisses her knuckles.
"That's what my dad wants," Deez finally admits in the silence.
"To be free?" Gil tilts his head.
"He wants me to free him."
Gil frowns, "Of the cuffs? Or from the isle?" He asks in confusion.
"Either?" Deez shrugs before she turns to look up at Gil, "Both?"
"Well, I think if you could get off the isle we wouldn't still be here… But the cuffs? You can melt stone. And molt metal…" He frowns as he looks at her in contemplation. She could free him, couldn't she? Of the cuffs at least. He was pretty sure of it. Why else ask that question? It was too outta the blue to be random.
"But the cuffs are harder to break." Deez pulls her legs up to her chest and tucks her free hand between them, "They're made by gods."
"But you're half god." Gil shrugs, "Probably more god than your dad is right now… how could they have known that he'd have a kid? That any of them would have kids. And that we'd live past being babies anyways..."
Deez shrugs again, "I mean, did they mean to bring people back from the dead when they made the barrier? Not that I'm complaining, I'm very glad you're here. And Uma, Mal, and Evie. But still, I don't think they thought this all the way through, you know."
Gil's lips curl into a frown. "You're probably right. I mean why bring back the dead, if the whole point was to get rid of them?"
"I uh, yeah, I don't get what the point was. And why put my dad here? He's a god. He's supposed to run the underworld. But he's here." Deez's fingers tighten painfully around Gil's, "And sometimes I think the only reason he had me was to free him. None of the others made it, just me." A humorless snort escapes her lips, "Who knows how many other kids he had before me. But I'm the only one he thought had a chance to do what he wanted. And I don't know what to do with that." She shakes as she stares up at him. As if she hoped he had all the answers, or at least trusted him to know what to say.
Gil studies her for a moment, hiding his grimace at the pressure clamping around his hand as he attempted to reassure her, "Well… I believe they didn't have us out of a desire to care for something, so much as ya know, slaves and entertainment. And in your case, ya, probably to free him." He admits slowly, picking his words carefully. "But Deez, I don't care why he had you, or what you're thinking about doing. I'm just glad you're here, and that we get to spend this time together. And that we ended up being family. You make life so much more-" He pauses, brow furrowing, "Just more. More enjoyable. More bright. More kind. More caring. More compassionate. Just more everything." He smiles at her, genuinely meaning the words from the bottom of his heart. "And as for your dad… Well, what he doesn't know won't hurt anyone right? Better to just let things be for now."
Deez slowly nods, "I'm scared that if I do free him, I'll never get the chance to free you. All my writing to the king wasted. And that would kill me more than anything he could do to me."
"Huh. He'd never considered any of this, had no idea it was something that even occurred before tonight. She was probably right though. But when wasn't she? "Well, he's not doing much damage here… Maybe if we ever get out, we can take him with us?" He offers with an encouraging smile. He doubted they would get out. It had been years since Hyades had started writing to the king, without so much as a mention of them on the fireside chats. He wasn't sure anyone was even receiving them. That didn't stop him from appreciating Hyades' hopeful dedication. If there was anyone who could write them off the isle, it would be her.
Deez blinks and slowly pulls away, "Sorry. I uh, I guess that's been bothering me for a long time."
"Nothin' ta apologize for Deez, I'm glad to be an ear ta listen or a shoulder for ya ta be cryin' on. That's what a real family does. Listen and comfort even if we can't fix what's happening."
With a smile Deez rolls to her knees and leans against his shoulder, easily tucking herself under his arm and against his chest, "Thank you…" She nudges her head into his shoulder and wraps her arms around him, "By the way, you make my world a better place too, in case you were worried I wasn't listening."
Gil wouldn't give up the feeling her words brought him for all the eggs in the world at that moment. He pulls her to his chest tightly in a hug. "Thank you." He presses a kiss to her temple. "But I wasn't thinkin' that… Just figured ya were distracted by your thoughts." He smiles at her.
"Yeah. I think I have been, carrying that around for a while." She sighs, "Maybe that's why I got so lost."
Gil frowns before a little smile pulls at his lips. "Feels better getting it off yer chest, doesn't it?" He runs his hand up and down the length of her arm, "And it's okay to get lost sometimes, as long as you can find the lighthouse on the edge of the shoals. Which is us by the way. Just in case ya couldn't put that together." He teases her lightly. "We love you so much, ya know. And we only want you to be happy."
"I have been getting pretty good at understanding pirate speak." Deez teases back, "And yeah, I do feel better." She adds with a smile.
"Good." Gil smiles at her. "It usually makes me feel better too."
"I think I might love you guys too," Deez says, her voice hesitant and uncertain.
"That's okay. We know you love us." He chuckles as he squeezes her to his chest. "And one day, hopefully soon, you will too."
"I hope so."
"Trust me, we know you do." Gil chuckles lightly, as he rubs her back. "You'll catch up eventually." He teases her.
Deez smiles and snuggles up tighter to Gil, sighing contentedly as she rests her forehead on Gil's chest.
"So…" Gil interrupts the comfortable silence between them, "Wanna hear the melody ya inspired?" He finally breaks the quiet. His soft brown eyes looking her over curiously.
"Yes please." Deez cheers softly as she leans back and attempts to give him space to play.
Gil grins as he slowly releases her from his grasp, sad to let her go just so he could play. He hoped she'd like it. It had taken him weeks to get it right. He couldn't help the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach as he brings the flute to his lips with her excited eyes focused solely on him making him feel oddly insecure.
His lips move over the flute as he blows into each of the varying lengths of pipes. A soft, sweet melody begins to float in the air between them. The sound a mix between a soothing lullaby and a gentle sea shanty. They were the songs he knew best how to play, so mixing them seemed easier than trying to come up with something completely new.
As he plays, he watches Deez's eyes. Her hauntingly beautiful ocean blue eyes. He hadn't lied when he said she inspired the song; her eyes had.
Gil bites his lip as he lowers the flute the last note settling around them. "So…Ya, that's the song…"
"That was beautiful." Deez praises with a stunning smile, "You made that for me?"
Gil nods as he looks away with flushed cheeks. "Yeah." He admits softly. "I did…" He shifts unsure of what else to say. "Because even when you don't know how you do it, you soothe those in discomfort. It's soft and sweet just like you. And you make me, at least, feel safe like the sea so I wanted to infuse some sea songs into it too. "
Deez bites her bottom lip as she watches Gil with watery eyes before she flings herself into his lap, wrapping her arms around his waist and tucking her head down between his side and her shoulder.
Gil's eyes widen in surprise as he catches her and pulls her close to his chest. He cups the back of her head as his other hand rubs her back. It warmed his heart to see how much his song had affected her.
"I don't know the right words," She tries to explain, "so I hope this is good enough."
Gil lets out a low chuckle, "That's okay," He kisses the top of her head. "I never know what to say either… And as for good enough, of course, Deez, forever and always."
Nioce!
AmmI right?
Did this chapter leave you wanting for Just More? We certainly hope it did. Did you enjoy them feels? Gil and Hyades are friggin so sweet together? It hurts my teeth, personally. How are you liking the developing relationship between the two? Still having to squint? Sorry there's no actual melody to reference here. If Dark had a pan flute, I'm sure she'd be able to whip one up… But alas who has time/energy for all the hobbies when working forty hour work weeks, keeping up a house, and pumping out these chapters? Not us. Cherish your youth while you have it kids. Anyways… So, what did you think of the conversation? Of the gesture? How about Gil's perspective on how he feels about life? Are you that altruistic? Or are you like Deez and want more outta life?
Any takers on that tattoo art yet? Don't be shy! You can't possibly be worse than either of us! And you get the imagine/one-shot of your choosing regardless. Make a doodle for all we care. We might not use it, but we'll absolutely love you for giving it a go. And it's not like we said only the winner would get the reward. We're not, you know, complete monsters. ;)
Let us know in the comments below!
Much love and anticipation,
-Twisted
So… Since we already posted Gil's playlist… *Drum rolls please*
Deez
Just Like Fire- Pink
Soap- Melany Martinez
Broken Ones- Jacquie Lee
Unwritten- Natasha Bedingfield
The Cure- Little Mix
If you're out there- Jon Legend
Black Cadillac- Shinedown
Ghosts- Mike Shinoda
Read all about it- Emeli Sande
Fight Song- Rachel Platten
We're not Gonna take it- Twisted Sister
Where is the love- Black Eyed Peas
I won't back down- Tom Petty
Brave- Sara Bereillis
If everyone cared- Nickelback
Wish you were Here- Incubus
I choose you- Sara Barrellies
Sound of Silence- Disturbed Cover
One Girl Revolution- Superchick
All the Right moves- OneRepublic
Again some of these songs might overlap with some of the other VK's but… As much as we try to listen to new music to expand our horizons for our characters- Some of these songs are just spot hits for multiple of the VK's.
Again, I beg of you people to hit us up with your fave from the playlist so we have a better idea of what vibes we're giving our characters. If something makes your brow jump off your face, like, what the fuck is that doing here?! Let us know. We'll either explain why it fits, or toss it because it's revealing too much or we posted it too early. To those of you that rarely post, but are listening to the playlists, we'll love you forever if you just take a few moments out to just give us a quick blurp about which song you think fits best! It'll make our fucking weeks. At our age ain't much to look forward too but another week of the same bull shit!
