Chapter 46 – Evernight Castle: Notifications

Cover Art - Mi Chumi

Chapter Beta - ZoroEpsilon

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Garek asked for the fourth time.

They'd waited a week after Summer's rescue, and then waffled for a second week, just to be on the safe side.

It was time to contact her Queen. She would not dare to use the secure Scroll her Mother held, that would set a dangerous precedent. They'd carefully built that wall between Queen and Mother, and tended to it for almost a year now. It was not time to start blurring it.

Neither did she want to try to hold this conversation by messenger.

Selene had considered her options. If she could help it, she did not want to have to make yet another trip across the continents to Evernight in person. She was weary of travelling.

Though she would, if her Queen demanded it.

But she needed to ensure Summer's security now, in that narrow window where enough time had passed that it would not seem suspicious, but before the former prisoner's absence was discovered by the Queen's servants. Thus, Selene's first step was using a number she had obtained previously from Lionheart.

"I am," Selene replied as she sat at the small desk, Garek out of camera view opposite her. She needed him here.

Selene composed her face, attempting to quell her racing pulse, as the large man's square features appeared on the scroll.

"Hazel," Selene opened with as she saw his eyes, the same color as his name, widen in recognition, and then narrow in suspicion.

"Selene." He considered his next words. "I don't think any of my work has impacted yours… and nothing I've been doing has been interrupted, either."

"That is my belief as well, Hazel. Are you able to reach the Queen by Seer?"

Hazel's demeanor became, if anything, even more guarded. "I am."

"I would ask you to do so, now, and place your Scroll such that the Seer and I can see each other."

Hazel gazed at Selene for several long moments. On the one hand, he wasn't obligated to obey her. The Queen's instructions didn't go that far. They were to ignore each other, that was the order. On the other hand, she had spoken up for him at the last meeting with Salem. And even deflected Watts' attention away from him. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. Give me a few minutes."

Selene's eyes flicked to Garek's and received a slow nod in return, then watched as Hazel left the room, returning with a small wooden and leather case. As he opened it, she beheld a Seer unfold itself from the space and rise into view.

"We wish to speak to Queen Salem," Hazel addressed the Seer. And they waited.

It felt like hours, though it surely wasn't, before the bulbous head of the Seer began to become transparent, and its internal unfocused into a dense red smoke. A smoke that slowly clarified and resolved into an image.

The immaculate form of Queen Salem, seated upon her throne, swam into focus. She wore a dark Mistralian-style blend of dress and robe with oversized sleeves that offset her white skin. Her scarlet eyes at first appeared both bored and slightly put upon as she gave the image on her Seer a casual glance. "Hazel, for what rea-" she noticed the scroll in her Seer's image, and whose face shown on it. Her hands tightened slightly on the arms of her seat.

"Selene. Is it by your request that Hazel has contacted me?"

"Yes, My Queen." Selene gave a head bob as a courtesy.

Queen Salem lifted on hand to smooth her already immaculate robes. "And so soon after our previous conversations. Has your… arrangement with Lionheart so quickly failed to yield the results you had hoped?"

Selene shook her head slowly. "We are satisfied still, my Queen. I have… additional matters to bring before you."

Salem's eyes narrowed, and her nostrils flared. Her Seer image glanced at the third person listening in on the conversation. "Hazel, leave us. I will inform you if any of this conversation requires your awareness."

"My Queen," Hazel responded respectfully. He shot Selene a look and moved beyond the view of the Scroll's camera. She and Salem heard a near door, then one further away, open, and then close behind him.

Salem nodded, and stood, moving closer to the Seer while slipping her hands inside the sleeves of her robe's opposite arms. "You have my attention, young Selene. What do you have to report to me?"

Selene swallowed; her mouth suddenly dry. In her peripheral vision, she saw Garek make a gesture of encouragement.

She had determined not to lie, but to attempt half-truths. Her Mother already knew the truth, and she was unsure how that would work with respect to this aspect of Salem. Was it all a game? If so, who was defining the rules? Better to be safe than to break it completely.

"My Queen, I wish to inform you that, with Lionheart's assistance, we have contacted one of Ozma's former agents. A powerful Huntress named Raven Branwen." Salem's image nodded slowly. "And she has agreed to align herself with my work."

Queen Salem considered this news. She herself had… history with Raven Branwen. It had been Raven, working with that silver-eyed bitch, who had infiltrated Salem's domain several years ago. It had been Raven's associate who had threatened her with those damned eyes of hers. Who had dared to attack Her.

The fact that the attack had failed, as much due to Salem's reflexes and immediate reaction by Hazel, Tyrian, and numerous Grimm, only somewhat tempered her cold rage at the memory.

The fact that she'd taken Ozma's pet's eye and locked her in a cell to waste away softened that rage further, turning it into something closer to vengeful satisfaction.

But that was not the point. The point was that Raven Branwen was a known quantity. A very capable and dangerous quantity with a versatile Semblance. It was no secret that Raven had been, since that day, embittered toward Ozma, blaming him for her friend's blind faith. If Selene had indeed coopted Raven to her cause…

Selene watched the play of emotions across Queen Salem's face tensely, before seeing her features slowly shift to a slight smile. "This pleases me, young Selene. You have exceeded my expectations. I need not warn you to be wary of her learning your true nature. She would not react well."

"You are too kind, My Queen." Selene dipped her head before clearing her throat. "We have also secured the Spring Maiden," she added, raising her eyes again.

This time, the look of surprise on Salem's face couldn't be masked. Selene watched as that emotion slowly shifted to thoughtfulness, then something akin to hunger. "You are able to access the Relic of Knowledge."

Selene's eyes flicked again to Garek's face and back to the screen. They'd worried about this. "We are, though we have not determined what to do with this access. We… are considering our options, and our timing, My Queen."

Selene felt the Queen's eyes bore into hers, and even thirdhand, the Power behind that gaze was palpable. "You… consider your options." Her gaze was measuring, weighing. "And if I told you I had immediate need of it? If I ordered you to bring it to me, without delay…"

Selene's breath caught. "I would beg of you to issue no such order, My Queen."

Salem's nostrils flared, and Selene saw evidence of an intense internal struggle as her features twitched. "You… would defy…"

Selene shook her head in denial. "I would beg of you… to issue no such order. I am trying, My Queen. You know of my goal. We have the Relic secured, such that only we can access it, at a time of our choosing. Is that not a favorable result?"

Selene sat still, barely daring to blink, and watched as Salem's eyes roved over her, as best they could through a daisy-chain of Seers and Scroll. She could feel Garek doing the same across from her.

"You wish me to show… restraint. To provide you room to continue to pursue your efforts," the Queen spoke through tight lips.

"I do. I have hope - growing hope - that we will be able to forge a path that avoids open war and destruction. I would beg your continued patience. If I were to bring the Relic to you now, the risk is great that this information would become known. Whereas if it remains quietly secure…"

Selene watched the subtle play of emotions across her Queen's face. "I will continue to show… restraint. For now."

Selene felt a strange rush of exhilaration and fear.

She had accomplished most of her goals from this call.

"I fear I must ask your boon in another matter, that also serves my Mother's goals."

Something in her tone gave away the fact that this matter was even more weighty than the previous. Queen Salem regarded her again, a small frown forming. "And what is this… other matter."

"We have learned that one of Ozma's most trusted assets, a woman with silver eyes, was until recently in your custody."

Salem's bone-white features tightened, and her scarlet eyes practically glowed in anger. "You weren't to be told that! Who-" And then the words sunk in more fully. "What do you mean… until recently?" Selene felt like the world darkened, and realized with a start that it was either the room in Hazel's quarters where the second Seer sat, or the Throne Room where Salem stood that was actually dimming. Selene could feel the Power, even through the Scroll.

"My Que—"

"Hold your tongue, until I bid you speak,"the Queen snapped, and gestured to her left, where several Beowolfs moved into Selene's view. Salem gave them wordless orders, and then turned back to the Seer. "They will determine whether your words are true."

Selene stole another glance at Garek, who mouthed more silent encouragements to her, though she could tell he was as tense as she was.

Salem's hands came out of her sleeves, and she reached out with one, as if she would grasp the Seer and tear out Selene's response from it. "Explain yourself!"

"As you command, My Queen," Selene gasped. "It is my understanding that there was a magic or device that shielded this woman from Raven, and that the means of masking her failed in some fashion. As a result, Raven was able to use her Semblance to recover the prisoner, and to take a servant as hostage in the process."

Salem's hands twitched, and dark energy swirled between them, gathering, and then arching in broad curves around her own body. She glared into the distance and bared her teeth. "I should have destroyed her when I had the opportunity. But Watts said…" She returned her attention to Selene. "I will rectify this situation, without delay." Selene saw realization dawn, and the rage was tempered by sudden rejection. "You must not come near this woman! She is deadly to you!"

Selene felt her knees shaking, and then felt Garek's ankle press against hers beneath the desk. He was providing what comfort he could, and she was relieved Salem could see beneath the desktop where her Scroll sat. "My Queen, I have obtained… oaths from her, in return for her parole."

Salem froze, and Selene could taste the fear radiating off her. "No. No. You have… spoken with this woman. She knows of your existence..."

"I have," Selene responded simply. "She does."

If anything, it was the shock of that realization, combined with Selene's matter-of-fact tone, that seemed to break through Salem's rage and fear.

"You do not know the risk you place yourself in. I cannot… on behalf of your Mother, I cannot allow…" Salem took several deep breaths, hands shaking. "You do not understand how dangerous this woman is to you."

"I do. And she understands the consequences of harming me. That not only her life, but the lives of anyone she loves, would be forfeit. And she understands that she owes her continued freedom to my intervention." It wasn't so much a threat, as an awareness of reality. Salem was irrational when it came to her daughter.

The Queen rolled the words over in her mind, examining them, and found that they both surprised and calmed her slightly. "Oaths, you tell me…"

"Oaths, My Queen. That in return for her parole, she vows that she will not use her… power… against you or me. And further, that she will serve my interests in Ozma's inner circle, though not in order to harm them directly." She took a deep breath. This might well be the point that sealed The Queen's agreement. "And that she will prevent her husband and children from entering into Ozma's service, as well."

Selene sat very still as she watched Queen Salem absorb her words, and felt Garek's hand upon her knee, squeezing gently. Slowly the woman turned her back on Selene, making her way back to her throne and slowly sinking down into it. She sat very still, staring off into the distance as Selene counted her own heartbeats.

Gradually the Queen's tense limbs seemed to loosen, and the neatly manicured black nails of her right hand began tapping a slow rhythm on the arm of her seat.

Finally, she returned her overt attention to Selene. "I do not approve of your exposure to this woman." Salem shook her head, "But I cannot also dismiss the potential advantage that you have laid at my feet. I find myself with conflicting interests. The matter… of your risk-taking…" Salem frowned at her. "That behavior, you can attempt to explain to your Mother. If she does not bid me remove this woman due to the threat she poses you, I am willing to accept her judgment. Though I will order you to follow any directives she might give you."

Selene nodded slowly. Breath returning. Was it possible?

"My concern must then be regarding this woman's loyalty. How can you assure me that she will not betray you, and through you, me? How can you possibly ensure that she will not flee to Ozma, and tell him of your existence?"

The mere thought of it… of Ozma aware of Selene's existence, filled the Queen with the urge to gather an endless sea of Grimm and cleanse the land.

Selene realized, in that moment, that she'd won. Or at least she could believe she had. The Queen was looking for reasons to believe her, to grant her request. From the expression on Garek's face, he agreed.

"My Queen, Summer Rose is a broken woman, whose primary goal is no longer serving Ozma, but rather protecting her family. Much like Lionheart, she is embittered toward her previous master, and feels that she was ill-used by him. Of this, I am confident. She will not serve him again." Selene felt the surety of her words. This was not an act she was putting on merely to convince the Queen.

"And you believe this, and that she is willing to serve you."

"Yes, My Queen, with full knowledge of my nature, for I can provide to her what no one else on Remnant can. A return to her family, and safety for them."

Queen Salem's hands disappeared into the sleeves of her gown again. "I will consider this. Hazel will inform you of my answer tomorrow."

"My Quee—"

Anticipating her request, Salem continued smoothly. "I will take no action against her until after we have spoken. Do not press me, Selene, daughter of Salem." She gave Selene a long look. "And you will contact your mother, immediately. If she bids you come to Evernight immediately to defend your reckless behavior in person, you will consider this an order from me as well. Am I understood?"

"Yes, My Queen."

As the Seer image faded, Selene ended the call, and slumped into her chair, and found herself immediately enveloped in a Huntsman's strong embrace as soon as Garek reached the other side of the desk.

"You were incredible."

"I am spent."

"I can believe that. Need to throw up? Want a drink?"

"No, I… I need to send word to my mother. And then I need you to hold me." Garek nodded against her hair, and she let out a long shuddering exhale. "I must… have my hands free for this."

Laughing softly, Garek eased back so she could pick up the Scroll and begin typing out a series of messages.

The first was, as she promised, to her mother. Her shaking fingers could barely manage the text as the adrenaline began to wear off.

Mother,

As per our prior conversation, the woman Summer Rose has been removed from her captivity, along with Visha. I have also informed My Queen of this, and begged her to parole the woman, in a sense, into my custody. I believe that she will agree to this, come the morrow.

As part of her decision, she ordered me to inform you immediately, and place my behavior before you for, I believe, potential discipline. If you require my presence, in person, I will comply. But I would beg a few days to recover from my recent travels.

I would also inform you that Visha is well and has opted to stay with an associate of ours, where it appears she has quickly inured herself as a fearless and capable servant.

-Your Daughter, Selene

How long it took for her to get a response would tell her much about the Queen's state of mind and how long it took for her to… compartmentalize… the conversation they'd just had before returning to her bedchambers at Evernight, where her Mother kept her own secret means of communicating with Selene.

But for now, Selene let Garek assist her out of the chair on shaky legs, and to their bedroom. All that remained was the waiting.

When the Seer in her throne room dimmed, Queen Salem sat very still for some moments, examining the feeling of her black heart pounding in her chest. It had been centuries since she'd felt such fear. And her mind was racing.

The risks. The risks that Selene was taking.

The consequences of failure would be devastating.

And Selene was… interfering. Twice now, she has snatched potential tools from my grasp. Tools which I could have obtained for my own use.

And yet.

And yet.

Had she?

Was Selene in opposition to her? Were these tools truly being removed from her own service? Or were they merely being wielded differently, indirectly?

Summer Rose would never serve her, this Salem knew.

But Summer Rose might serve Selene.

And Lionheart… what manner of use would she have gotten out of the man, once she'd broken him enough to serve her?

And how did that compare with the results Selene might achieve?

Because Selene would serve Her, in the end. Of this Queen Salem was confident. Let Selene play at creating her "Third Way". In the end she would be offered a choice, a choice between Salem, her Mother and Queen, or Ozma, Salem's immortal enemy.

And the Queen had no doubt which Selene would choose.

For several hours, Salem sat still as stone, weighing risks and rewards as only a truly ancient being, one who had seen triumph and tragedy countless times across centuries, could.

But never, in all her ages, had she felt one fact with such surety.

Selene, daughter of Salem, would never betray her mother. And therefore, she could not betray her Queen.

Finally, she addressed the Seer waiting next to her throne. "Summon Watts. I must have words with him."

By the time Watts arrived, she had already received confirmation from Grimm messengers that the prison in the west was empty. Summer Rose was no longer her prisoner. And before her stood the man who had been responsible for keeping her in that state. A man who had apparently failed her.

"Your Majesty, you wished to speak with me."

"Doctor Watts." Queen Salem said through gritted teeth. "I have reason to believe that the prison you designed for me has been… compromised."

Watts' blood ran cold. "In what manner, my Queen?"

"It appears the machine you fashioned for me, and for which I provided a suitably powerful Apathy, has failed. Summer Rose's former partner was able to sense her presence and remove her from her captivity."

Watts considered Salem's tone. She was angry, this much was clear, but it was a controlled anger, which was surprising. He realized with a start that he had already been preparing for punishment, for pain. The fact that she hadn't already begun might mean she wouldn't be tearing his throat out. He steadied himself and frowned in thought. "I will recover her immediately, My Queen. Dead or living?"

"You need not, at this time. It appears she is sufficiently cowed by her experience, and no longer wishes to oppose me. And you still have the tissue samples from your previous… extraction."

Watts felt himself relax further. This might not be catastrophic for me after all, Watts thought. It appears the Huntress has become a coward. "Yes, My Queen. There is still much work to be done with the samples we have preserved." It wouldn't hurt to provide Salem reasons he was still useful, just to be safe.

"Very well. While this means I have no interest in her, for now, I do wish you to examine the prison and determine the flaw that caused the machine's failure. We must ensure we can reliably block the detection of Aura in situations such as this."

Watts gritted his teeth. If there was a failure, he was sure it would not be in the machine he designed. He was not some hack to create gross devices like the so-called Doctor Merlot. His designs were elegant. He was Doctor Arthur Watts. If anything failed, it was likely that stupid generator, which he'd had no hand in. "Yes, my Queen."

"You will take Tyrian with you."

Ugh. "Yes, my Queen."

It was late that evening when Selene received a response from her mother. She'd been nearly worthless the entire day, vacillating between relief, optimism, and gnawing doubt. Garek had put up with her mood swings with stoicism, though she suspected he felt the same.

Cinder had merely rolled her eyes at her guardians and retreated to her room after she had returned from Sanctum that afternoon. Likely she was plotting some new menace to the world of adults with her friends. She was fast becoming what Garek had labeled "a typical teenager" which appeared to be both blessing and curse.

But this was the moment she'd waited for. She startled Garek with an exclamation as she opened the message and read:

Selene,

As you and I had previously discussed this matter in full, and I did not at that time forbid you from this course, it would be the height of hypocrisy for me to punish you now. And therefore, I will not, and will inform our Queen of my reluctant acceptance of the continued risk this… woman… poses to you.

I will likewise not require your immediate presence here, though I would beg of you to come within the month once your affairs have settled somewhat. I ache with fear at the risks that you take, and I bid you again to have care for your own safety. If you are harmed, I will take myself before the Queen, demanding she wreak vengeance on my behalf upon those who have dared hurt my only daughter.

And I know that she will not be merciful. It is not within her.

Salem.

Selene's heart soared, and she kissed Garek in elation and relief despite the dire warnings of the last few sentences. She felt sure that Summer's safety was now secure, she need only wait for the confirmation, which would likely come the next day. She left the room with a skip in her step, eager to inform Garek. She would wait until she had formal notification before she went further than that.

Garek likewise was relieved, but he didn't overlook Salem's final warnings. He'd known that he was charged with Selene's safety, but this… the enormity of his responsibility weighed down on him suddenly.

In a second dimly lit bedroom, clearly owned by and decorated by a certain gazelle faunus, Sophia Keene lay in bed, propped up on her pillows, and read through message logs with a growing sense of cold dread. Her once-friend-now-lover Pete lay sleeping on his side next to her, one arm draped across her chest and snoring softly.

Well, that little threat was fucking subtle, she mulled as she read the logged response Selene's mom had just sent.

The temptation to wake up Pete and call Reggie right that moment ate at her for several minutes before she gave up and just decided she'd let it keep eating at her. They should talk about it tomorrow. Nothing would have changed by then.

They'd known that Selene had been keeping something from them, and last month Selene had admitted it… that her own mother somehow lived in the Queen's court and had the ear of the Queen of the Grimmlands. The fact that they'd already more or less known that due to eavesdropping on her messages… well Sophia and Pete had glossed over that part. Sophia still felt uncomfortable about it. But until the other two original members of The Lone Huntsmen told her to stop, she would keep logging these messages.

But it was eating at her soul. She liked Selene and Garek. At this point, she'd worked with them for a year. Reggie trusted them and had fought alongside them. That meant a lot. They'd been able to accomplish so much, largely due to Selene and Garek's help.

But this? Selene's mom was basically saying that if something happened to Selene, there'd be an apocalypse raining down on whoever was responsible. And deep in her gut, she didn't think Selene's mom was exaggerating. She believed it.

And where does that leave us? Do we lock Selene in a room and refuse to let her out? Garek won't go for that. She was sure of it. Does he even know?

Somehow, she suspected he did.

The next morning, the Queen received Watts and Tyrian in the Throne Room.

"Doctor Watts, your report."

"Yes, My Queen. Tyrian and I performed a careful inspection of the facility. The exterior doors were heavily damaged, likely by Grimm sensing the presence of the prisoner before she was removed." He cleared his throat. "We also found that the cell area remained locked and isolated from the common areas, which were in turn locked and isolated from the laboratories."

"And the device?"

Watts frowned. "My invention is undamaged, and would be operable, if not for two issues. The power transformer from the generator thermally failed, shutting down both the Aura Blocker and the generator itself. And there is no sign of the Apathy. It must have been critically damaged attempting to extract itself from the frame once the containment fields collapsed." He shook his head. "It appears to be an unforeseen and surprising failure. But not an impossible one."

"And there were no other signs of tampering?" Salem looked to Tyrian for a response.

"No, my Goddess! We found only this!" He held up a severed finger. "It is quite odiferous, having been cut off some time ago." He sniffed it. "At least two weeks, My Goddess. Do you wish me to hunt down its owner?"

"That will not be necessary. I know who it belonged to, and how she can be located if we desire to do so." She considered, resting her chin on one delicate hand's knuckles. "It would appear that all is at is seems. A freak occurrence. How will you prevent this in the future?"

"I will provide redundant power, My Queen, as well as securing the room with remote intrusion sensing, as a precaution."

"Very well. Do so, for the future. I will, at my convenience, sacrifice another Apathy for your device. I believe you also indicated you might be able to make a more… compact version?" Watts nodded in response to her words. "Very well." She looked at the scorpion faunus. "You are dismissed, Tyrian. You have done well."

Tyrian bowed low, stuck the half-rotted finger behind his ear like a pencil, and strolled off giggling.

Have you anything else you wish to report to me?"

Watts toyed with the buttons of his collar. "I do, actually. You are aware that I have been gradually working to ensure that all CCT equipment has been suitably conditioned to enable my—" he coughed "your eventual control of global communications."

"Yes."

"I have learned that an upstart company in Vacuo, of all places, is attempting to wedge itself into the marketplace."

"And this would be problematic?"

"Yes, My Queen. If it served as an alternative source of components."

"And so, you wish to infiltrate it, as you have the others?"

"Ah, that won't be necessary. We already have more than sufficient supplies of components. No, I was thinking something more… catastrophically satisfying."

"Ah Watts… you do so like to make a grand show of your successes, do you not? Do as you see fit."

"Selene."

"Hazel."

"The Queen has… instructed me to tell you that she has accepted your proposal."

Selene closed her eyes and sighed in relief. "That is good. Thank you, Hazel."

"What are you playing at, Selene?"

"I assure you, Hazel, it is no game. And if you wished to know what I am 'playing' at, you would have to swear yourself to my service directly and obtain your Queen's approval."

"That would depend on your goals."

The fact was, Selene didn't understand Hazel's goals, and didn't trust any of The Queen's agents. "And I would know yours, first."

Hazel's eyes glinted. "I want Ozpin. I want him to suffer the way my sister suffered."

"I see. Unfortunately, we have no plans along those lines. You will have to pursue that on your own."

"A shame. I am finding your work… intriguing."

"I fear it must remain a mystery, for the same reason that I do not press you for our Queen's instructions to you."

Hazel grunted and nodded.

No sooner had Selene finished her call with Hazel, she fired off a text message to The Lone Huntsmen.

That first message was fairly simple:

SL: The Queen has accepted Summer Rose's 'parole' under the conditions we discussed. We should expect no direct reprisals.

The responses to that from The Lone Huntsmen were the expected expressions of relief.

She sent a second, shorter version to a contact number Raven had sent them. Apparently, Raven had a web of contacts in the larger towns near the areas where the Tribe frequented. Raven had said they would monitor for messages and would send word by courier directly to the Tribe if necessary.

That was both impressive, and concerning if you were a resident of one of those towns.

This one simply stated that she'd received confirmation that the Queen apparently had little interest in seeking out Summer nor her rescuers, assuming they remained unaligned with Ozpin. She didn't expect an indirect answer from Raven for some time.

Her third communication was a video call to Summer Rose.

[A/N] A less exciting but necessary chapter to resolve the question of "Is Summer safe?" and some insight into Salem's thinking. It appears Salem feels confident that Selene's goals will eventually serve her ends, and so she's willing to allow Selene some more "leash". But as you can tell, her forbearance has limits.

Also, we're introducing a bit of a sub-arc regarding Watts. It seems he's learned of a potential complication regarding his plans brewing in Vacuo, which will allow us to introduce another OC originally created by Coeur Al'Aran, Rashem Annar for those who have read Relic of the Future, and will also draw Forrest into some more action.

We also are setting the stage for the NEXT chapter, which will be rather fun. Look for Chapter 47: Patch – Qrowbaby next Monday 4/15, and I think the name tells you quite a bit regarding what to expect.

And I'm going to start introducing a new A/N feature - Reading Recommendations. I have two this week. I read the latest chapter of Sparks in the Dark by TrashHatchery on AO3 and highly recommend that.

I also can recommend the two versions of War Machines, a situation swap of Ruby/Penny by two authors. Bryon Nightshade is publishing the derived version on FFN and AirForceMuffin is publishing their version on AO3. Both are excellent.