☆

“Here, you can have my piece,” she said, handing them a slice of cake. “I’ll just get another.”

“Are you sure?” Aida asked, hesitantly reaching for the fork. “I’ve.. I’ve never had this kind before.. Or any, really. But I don’t want to take it all from you. Do you want to share?”

@immcrtalsx (Erik)

closed starter - audrey & aida ( @aidablackthorne )

“I feel so stupid asking Azlee to be a character witness to me. I mean, I am quite possibly the biggest bitch for it, because I have no right to, but I don’t really have anyone else to ask, and I literally can’t stand to see how some of the people at the DA office are handling some cases.”

“Why does it make you a bitch?” she asked. “I think you should do it. I’d offer, but I’m not sure a ghost is allowed to do that for another ghost,” Aida said softly. “Things aren’t always handled the way they should be. But you’re a good person, Audrey, I believe that. You deserve this just as much as me, or anyone else did.”

Aida Blackthorne - Halloween 2022

“Of course you can,” Erik said, smilin as he sipped on his own coffee. He listened, brow furrowed at the beggining but he quickly understood what she was asking, “It doesn’t work quite like that,” he began, “It’s about who you’re attracted to, romantically and sexually, just to put it simply and also about your gender. However, it’s not solid or constant. Sometimes people start off as one and then change their minds or realise they’re something different. Not to mention, over time new identities have been added and things chane. For example, I’m pansexual. That’s the pink, yellow and blue one. It means I’m attracted to people regardless of sex or gender. A few decades ago, I probably would have said bisexual which is the pink, purple and blue one and that means I’m attracted to men and women. The two are very similar but as time as one on, it’s expanded,” Erik paused, “As for getting the flags, you generally have to get them yourself or someone might give you one but it’s not completely like joining a club. Are you askin because you think you might belong to one of the groups or identities?”

Aida listened quietly. It was a bit confusing for her, this wasn’t something that was really a thing before she died, so she was trying to adapt to this new world. “There’s so much to remember,” she admitted, trying to force her brain to remember the info she’d just been given. “I.. I think I kind of get it?” she said. “I’ve never considered it until we went. But I don’t know. I’ve never been.. attracted? to anyone before. The people back in the day weren’t all that nice looking, and now, I mean.. who would want to be with a ghost? I see many nice people with nice faces in Northknot, but I don’t know what any of these feelings are. I only know family, platonic love, I haven’t experienced anything else. Is that bad?

“Oh dear,” Vanya breathed out in surprise as she accepted the keychain which held her keys for the University and thus were not something she wanted to lose. “Thank you very much. I would have been in trouble for losing track of these,” Vanya replied with a grateful smile as she took in the unfamiliar and yet somehow also familiar face now in front of her. It was like looking at a younger version of her mother which was shocking and as far as she knew impossible. “I’m Vanya. Vanya Blackthorne. And you are,” she prompted holding out her other hand. 

“Really? They’re that important that someone would give you trouble?” she asked softly. Aida looked at the extended hand and then back up at the other woman’s face curiously. “You’re a Blackthorne too?” she asked. “It’s nice to meet you,” she added, shaking her hand gently. “I’m Aida.”

@immcrtalsx​ (erik)

@vanyablackthorne​

“Consider me your walking, talking encyclopedia,” Erik replied, “Any event considered a significant event, I tried to be there and if I wasn’t, I read about it. Not to mention, there’s a whole library full of books to help you,” he smiled, “It’s not really a roller coaster. It’s more of a carnival ride. The roller coasters are the faster ones.”

“I like that, I want to be like that some day. I hate that I wasn’t around for it all. That must have been amazing,” she commented. “I want to read all of the books. Do you think I’ll have time?” she asked. Aida nodded. “A carnival ride,” she repeated. Walking up to the ride, there wasn’t much of a line, so they were able to get right on. “It feels... sturdy enough.”

“No, no, it’s like yummy goodness, like, y’know the dough that we used to make bread with? They put that in a frier and put powdered sugar on it,” Nova said. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Fascinating,” Aida exclaimed. Nothing about this world ceased to amaze her. It was one thing to watch her family as a ghost, but it was something so intense for her, being able to try all these new things. “Let’s get some, then! Can we share? I’m not sure I can eat it all myself.”

“Named after someone with the last name Ferris, revealed at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893,” Erik said. He had made an appearance for a day or two at the months long event, “Yeah, they’re called roller coasters and people tend to go on them for the thrill. These days they’re pretty safe, especially at town events like this,” he chuckled, “They don’t all go in circles but promise isn’t a word I throw around lightly. We will only do what you’re comfortable with but as scary as they can be, they’re fun too.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if you’d know the true answer but I’m relieved that you had it,” she told him. She needed to know it all. Aida nodded slowly, unable to take her eyes off of the large wheel. “So is a ferris wheel a roller coaster as well, or are they two separate things?” she asked. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay. Let’s go.”

“I am sure about this,”  Erik replied, reaching to squeeze his sister’s hand for a moment, “It’s called a ferris wheel. It doesn’t go fast or anything - we’ll work up to those ones - but we’ve got a perfect view of the whole town from up there. You’ll love it, I promise.”

“Okay,” Aida breathe out softly, squeezing her brother’s hand in return. “Why is it called that?” she asked. “Wait, there’s faster? Faster ferris wheels?” she asked. “Wouldn’t that just be unsafe, circling the sky at high speeds in some metal contraption?” she had so many questions. “Promise is a big word, Erik. But I trust you.”

“I used to love the teacups when I was a little girl,” she explained. Though it’s been decades since she rode them. Celestia was mostly doing this for Aida. It was her first festival. “I couldn’t miss out on this moment with you.”

“You did? And you’re certain it’s safe?” Aida asked. She wanted to be embracing everything to it’s fullest, it was just so hard. She struggled a lot with the unknowns of this world. “I’m just a little nervous.”

🍕 - our muses get some pride food together - nova & aida ( @aidablackthorne​ )

Nova was drunk, yep, definitely drunk. Nova ran up to her little sister, “Aida, Aida, Aida, let’s go get some fried dough. Has someone introduced you to fried dough yet? It’s divine.”

“Fried.. dough?” Aida asked. “What is that? I’ve heard of fries, is it like that?” She still had so much to learn, and her sister seemed unusually enthusiastic, something she wasn’t quite sure how to take. “Are you okay?”

“You never struck me as the type of woman who would seek out such thrills,” Aida commented, shaking her head. Standing in a short line for a teacup ride, she frowned. “Wouldn’t copious amounts of spinning make you want to be sick?” she asked nervously. “Because I think that’s all this would accomplish.”

“Are you sure about this?” Aida asked. She’d never been on any kind of ride before. She still hadn’t even been in a car before, so this seemed like something insane to try. She knew that she couldn’t die from it, she was already dead, but it still made her feel a little uneasy. Looking up at the structure, she reached for her brother’s arm gently. “What is this thing called, anyway?” she asked.