#bdwc

Written by Ella

Down this long and dusty road-

I’m smeared by the embers I’ve sewed

Now? Just a cinder wench with a rusted sword

Stained by ash from the ocean shore

Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ

Since demanding turns to screaming as it echoes past the back door

Cause all I ever wanted was a motherly mentor

Instead, she’s setting sail to harden hearts

Masquerade Samhain Night

       Tonight was the night of the Masquerade Samhain Ball and even though she dressed up she wasn’t going.   

       How could she?  She was reminded of that day, nearly 4 months ago now, when she’d stepped into her first Ball.  Now?  She had the same feelings of horrifying fear of being humiliated&bullied, excitement, and tension.

       { I just hope this night turns out better than last time } Ella thought to herself. Wandering the grounds with rainbow sunglasses orange glasses and a lot of paint and glued on fake rhinestones on her face.  Along with her left wrist, it’ll look like she got a very bad hand transplant being stuck with moveable knives for hands!  Though don’t worry they’re made out of harmless old butter knives found in the Pukwudgie house.  On the back of her jean shirt, the words `The Morticians Daughter` in bold cursive she hands stitched on her own could be seen.

       Only he heard the faint ripple and patter of running water nearby. Upon following it she found herself in front of a fountain!  If there was one thing Ella’s always wanted to do was play in a fountain.  To why?  That was never very clear but she loved fountains, she had a fountain of her own full of wishes she’s made as a child!  Maybe it was the way fountains feel familiar and forbidden at the same time.  Seeing present reality and private fantasy cohesively captured at its core? She almost wished she had a coin to toss in it as she approached it.

       { I’m going to do it! } She declared in her thoughts as this was her night too. Just because she wasn’t at the Samhain Ball that didn’t mean she couldn’t have a little bit of fun herself right?  Slipping off her shoes she’d stand upon the cold stone rim gasping “Oh that’s cold!” Giggling a little as she brushed her right hand against the cold water splashing it every which way!  She was fascinated by the way the water moved, and how it felt underneath her.

       She even jumped into the water fountain squealing feeling the pin and needle coldness of the water engulf her sense.  She splashed and kicked the water around playing in it joyously hearing her own laughter next to the water sloshing around from her.  Until the water got too cold for her and she stepped out of the fountain numbish.  “Well, that was eventful what next?”  She spoke breathlessly to no one in particular as the campus felt vacant as if everyone was at the Samhain Ball.  

        Grasping her shoes Ella wandered back barefoot and enjoyed the night heading to the Pukwudgie house to obtain her broom.  Firstly pulling her hair half up, debating between her ribbons and bows, and her mother's muggle mermaid barrettes (✰ / ✰)  or butterfly (✰ / ✰ / ✰) collection.  Settling with a silk black velvet ribbon and a black bandana for good measure.  Smiling widely, she held tightly onto the polished mahogany seeing the words Nimbus 2000 flash of faded gold and on the other side of the broom, she felt the burned Gryffindor crest engraved.  Opening her window and ditching her shoes and knife hand prop she made for the costume.  

       Ella felt a warm glow of pleasure run through her as she flew out her window gracefully as she sat side saddled upon her broom.  Picking up speed feeling her hair whip in every direction making her itchy upon the back of her neck as the wind hissed in her ears as she flew over Ilvermorny.  Coldness consumed her as goosebumps climbed up her arms as she first thought of going to the Quidditch Pitch but a thought crossed her mind as she changed directions.  Upon the highest tower where she met the mysterious boy when she went to her first dance. 

       Everything about this summer was supposed to be amazing!  For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Ella was going to be free from the grasps of her cruel Stepmother Edelina and at least Anastasia as far as she knew but every day there was still going to be Drizella to deal with and even though she was staying behind because her Stepmother didn’t trust her she didn’t mind that much.  Honestly, the very thought of going back home filled her with a horrible fear so sharp that Ella could feel the heat begin to rim around her eyes making her eyes gloss over like she was about to cry.  

       Her home was drowning in physical and verbal abuse.  Where she felt like a complete stranger, and unaccomplished, stupid, and forced into long hard days of servitude to her own family that didn’t appreciate her even being around.  It no longer felt safe to leave Ilvermorny anymore to go back.  She liked it better here than being back in the utility shack even if she’ll miss the ocean air, and watching the morning sunrise on her roof before she had to make breakfast for her Stepfamily.  Sneaking off to sit on the beach when she needed a moment to clear her thoughts.  Even sneaking into the ocean to catch a couple of waves on her surfboard when she was blamed for something she didn’t do.  She loved that house so dearly she’d sell her soul to keep it but she had to face the reality that it was no longer a place to call home.  

       Not when her family didn’t want her.  Not when she wasn’t really wanted.  Not anymore.

  Laying flat on her back outdoors in the flower bed outside the Pukwudgie house.  Happily hidden among the large hydrangea bushes this hot summer evening invisible to passerby’s re-reading her first year's edition of Defence Against the Dark Arts book falling in and out of interest like she didn’t have the concentration for it but. . . she needed it.  She needed to push 2 years of magical learning in one summer break and with a library full of books and with her sisters handy down school books she’ll study her charms and her magic. She no longer felt happy between the Acceptable and Poor range.  Rapunzel, Eric, and the mysterious boy (Jim Hawkins) she met on the roof of the Astronomy tower seemed to help her realize the meaning of being passionate about something.  Everyone had hardships in life but that didn’t mean give into it.  She loved magical creatures and she wanted to c h a n g e.  She wanted to make something of herself someday and the pace she’s going she’ll get nowhere.  

       Though that was just part of the reason. .The other?  Anastasia made her realize something very valuable and dark during the Solstice Ball that struck pure fear into her own heart that night.  If she wanted to survive in this world she’s going to have to learn how to defend herself because she’s not sure what’s going to happen to her when she turns 18 and that alone frightens her. Thus why she begged Edelina if she could stay at school and get a summer job and Greylock Landing.  At first, she denied the idea but came around for some reason with the agreement she gets half of her paycheck (because of financial issues).

       If that’s what it takes to stay and earn her own keep and study&practice her magic all summer break then so be it. 

       Finding the strength to read the first four chapters and working on memorizing spells and practicing wand motions with a stick for now.  Before she knew it Ella was practicing in the dead of night surrounded by fireflies but there was something odd about tonight.  Still laying on her back hidden among the hydrangeas with her book on her stomach as she felt the wind pick up and the night air lost it’s summer humidness as Ella inhaled a strangely cold, crisp, clean smell that intensified over time until. . . “Snow! In the middle of summer? How beautiful” Ella said mesmerized by it slowly rising up forgetting about everything for a moment.   It was snowing, Ella was watching white flakes fall with such ethereal beauty and elegance that she was convinced they were magic!  The weight of her problems melting like the snow that brushed against her skin just for tonight.  Finding her breath appear in soft puffs of grey. Spending this night dancing gracefully in the snow falling all around her (✰). Stopping only when her bare feet burned from the cold that night.

3Until August 2, vampires will be attacking Adamsville with intentions of revenge. If the vampires are not stopped, the down will be decimated. FOR THIS EVENT THE LINES BETWEEN THE MAGICAL AND THE NON-MAGICAL WILL BE BLURRED. No-maj characters may have a taste of the magical world, although it will be a bloody one. Rules will be posted in the followup plot update, please tag all paras or selfies as BDWC2. Participation in the event will be noted.

The mayor is dead.

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