Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning

GUYS. This morning I realized that I have never posted a complete story for Fox Paw. After making horrified faces at my computer monitor for several minutes, I decided to amend it.
 
....
 
Jack looked uneasily at the room, unsure of whether he wanted to sit or stand. No one had seen him slip into the house and Effy had reminded him a few times over that her aunt had fallen deeply asleep in her rocker on the porch, but he still felt at ill ease. Not only could this ruin his friend's reputation as a good young lady (which, admittedly, as already rather shaky) but he would be strung up and fed to the dogs by Effy's mother.
 
"Look what I found." Effy said, her voice shaky with excitement. She was sitting on the floor, papers scattered wildly around her. Jack could see a faded photograph of her mother, back when there wasn't that marked harshness behind her eyes. Back when she was young and beautiful and looked rather like Effy.
 
"What?" Jack asked, leaning over to try and catch some of the words written on the old parchment. Effy was clutching them so tightly that they were getting creased and rumpled, the old paper thin as a moth wing.
 
"It's my mother's diaries. She used to keep tons of them, back when she was my age. I found the boxes in the attic. Have a look." Effy said, shoving the piles toward him. She was nervously twisting around her cameo in her hand. Jack flushed when he saw it. It was the one that had been the talk of the town the week prior.
 
It had all went down after Effy's mother had found a pair of her trousers. Effy liked the comfort of them, but Mrs. Marlow wouldn't have it. She had burned them in the fireplace. Effy, in an act of protest and retribution, had asked Miss Magnolia to take a portrait of Jack. She had it cast in a cameo and wore it as a brooch in the center of her chest. Her mother hadn't liked that one bit. A very unladylike thing for an unwed girl to wear the portrait of a strange boy on her breast.
 
"She talks about Reverend Benison! Or, as she calls him, Albert. She doesn't provide many details, but days after their last recorded meeting she quit the convent for good. Nine months later, I was born. I knew it, Jack. He's my father."
 
Effy laughed and grabbed his hand. Her eyes were bright and sparkling. Jack, himself, wasn't so sure why she sounded so happy. Reverend Benison didn't have the grandest of reputations. He was bound to break her heart.
 
....
 
Harriet Marlow had been having another miserable day in a vast series of miserable days.
 
The schoolchildren had been particularly horrid, and had taken to thrown their chalk at her head. They all screamed and told her how much they preferred the sheriff's wife: the young, beautiful, perpetually perfect Elizabeth Lannon. It set her teeth on edge. She had been teaching for much longer than her, but they still continued to stomp on her toes and called her an old maid.
 
Still, throughout the day her mind was elsewhere. Namely, on her young daughter, Elvira. Last weekend she had shown up for afternoon tea wearing a cameo that carried the portrait of Jack Delaney. Effy's grandmother Dotty had laughed and told Harriet simply not to worry - that she had carried the portraits of many boys in her day. But Dotty, a former Kilkenny Cat, was not the example that Harriet had hoped her daughter to imitate, and she was outraged.
 
It wasn't just that she didn't trust the boy's intentions, or that since their friendship had bloomed her daughter had grown starry-eyed and sworn off venison, much to the inconvenience of their dinner plans; but the boy was a Were. A creature of the night. No matter how sweet the exterior may seem, in his soul there was darkness. She didn't trust him for a second.
 
Harriet had her own history of boys who had blackness in their hearts. She knew that you couldn't change them, either.
 
She thought that her day could worsen no more, but that was before she came home and found Jack sitting on her living room floor with her daughter. Harriet let out a screech, preparing to whack the boy with her stack of notepaper as he stood up - but something gave her pause. The photograph that Effy was clutching in her hand. It was her, when she was young and innocent. And the letters Effy had scattered on the floor, it was her handwriting.
 
Harriet stared at the defiant expression on her daughters face. The way she comfortably held Jack's hand, who looked like he wanted nothing more than to dart out of the room and never appear again. "Elvira Emilia Marlow, you have some explaining to do."
 
In Effy's free hand, she held up a letter. It was dated 1849. The year of her conception, when Harriet swore she would never let her daughter find out about her father. "No, mother. You have some explaining to do."
...
 
Mentioned
@marzipanniers
@bluestocking

NOT A ROLEPLAY. A while ago I started a short story about a group of teenagers who work at Disneyland, but I never finished it and it got banished to the "incomplete" pile. This year, I decided it was my New Year's Resolution to finish all of the short stories that were beginning to stack up against me. This is sort of my character cheat-sheet/inspiration to complete it.
 
Obviously, it revolves around this gang. As in real Disneyland, the actors aren't allowed to share their real names, lest you ruin the Disney magic. It is intended to be a light-hearted, silly little romance story, filled with drama galore.
 
Adding more as I go.

- J.D, Heathers. [Which is playing on Lifetime right now, whoooo.]
 
TODAY'S EVENT:
It's a chilly day at Neverland, and if that weren't odd enough, both pirates ships have disappeared from the shore! Could they be planning something? Pan and Rabbit sure think so. But for now, there's not much that can be done, so everyone is going to be at the beach tonight. There's going to be a bonfire!
 
.
 
Story up later, gators.

☽ Eden
Origin: France
Eden is easily the princess of the group, and the most girlish. She prefers to spend her time picking flowers, hanging with the mermaids, flirting with the lost-boys, and playing the maiden-in-distress. She gets kidnapped at least several times a month, by pirates or Scorpion tribesmen, and the lost-gang always goes to her rescue. Eden's favorite pass-time seems to be trying to attract the attention of Peter.
Model: Anna Arendshorst
Owner: @allee-bird
 
Some facts about Eden:
 
• While Eden doesn't remember anything about her life or family before Neverland, she does remember France. She has retained her ability to speak French and English near perfectly, though she sometimes slips into her native tongue while trying to be charming or while under stress.
 
• Eden's tree house is fit for a princess— with tables piled high with jewelry and treasures; silk hanging from the walls; battered Victorian furniture in the corners and tiny lanterns hanging from the ceiling. While it is the most lavishly decorated, it is also one of the most cluttered, messy rooms.
 
• Eden has a fascination with flowers and almost always has one in her hair. It is because of this that the forest fairies are particularly fond of her. The feeling is doubly mutual, and Eden is always trying to find the location of the Pixie Kingdom.
 
• Eden has a very problematic relationship with Peter, and hates the way that he usually rolls her off his shoulder. She would like to be of some use to the group, but she can't find her niche. It doesn't help that she really has no particular talents other than flirting.
 
• Eden is actually a very sweet, sentimental person. She has a large trunk in her tree house filled with little trinkets and baubles that mean something to her, or hold a memory. Eden gets agitated if someone tries to go through her things.
 
• She will only fight in most drastic cases of self-defense, or if told to do so by Peter himself. Her weapon of choice in those cases is a bow and arrow, due to her lack of physical strength. Because of this, she is always getting kidnapped by the enemy. This, and she really rather enjoys being rescued by the 'Boys.
 
• Eden has the rather bothersome habit of giving people silly petnames. Usually she just adds a "y" to the end of your name. Though, sometimes she'll come up with peculiar, nonsensical names that really don't make sense. She'll never explain them, and they're sort of an inside joke with herself.
 
• Compared to some of the other Lost kids, Eden can be a bit of a homebody. She spends most of her time in camp or hanging around in the Eastern Forest, looking for pixies and picking flowers.
 
• Though naturally flirtatious, Eden has been having romantic feelings about one Lost Boy in particular. She hasn't divulged this secret infatuation to anyone. Yet.
 
• More to come.
 
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/group.show?id=135737

- Neil Gaiman, American Gods.
 
☽ Eden
Origin: France
Eden is easily the princess of the group, and the most girlish. She prefers to spend her time picking flowers, hanging with the mermaids, flirting with the lost-boys, and playing the maiden-in-distress. She gets kidnapped at least several times a month, by pirates or Scorpion tribesmen, and the lost-gang always goes to her rescue. Eden's favorite pass-time seems to be trying to attract the attention of Peter.
Model: Anna Arendshorst
Owner: @allee-bird
 
Collection: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/collection?id=1313284
 
Salut, everyone! I think I'm going to go pick flowers and spy on the fairies, who wants to come?
x, Eden.
 
Say hello to Eden and state your relationship. (Friends? Enemies? Frenemies?)

It isn't really cohesive. That's how I like it.

Last Sunday was the first practice for Annie and, if you didn't already know, I've somehow squeezed my adult ass into the orphans. While looking up what sort of outfit I'm going to put together, I ended up making this. Eh.
 
I'm really tempted to go buy an adorable round-collared babydoll dress, but then I remember that I'm going to have to sew patches on it and get it dirty and generally just make it look like a dingy orphan dress. And since I'm just going to be in the chorus, I'm allowed to "create" my own character, which excites me to no end. I definitely want to look vaguely Wednesday Addams'-ish, with braids and mary janes. And uneven, slouchy socks. Expect a backstory.
 
...Aaaand I'm probably going to end up looking younger than the rest of the 13-year-old-and-under orphan cast.

• Airling
Origin: USA
Airling is truly special, and was the original lost-girl. Shortly after Wendy's departure from Neverland, Tinkerbell discovered young Airling alone and abandoned. Tink told Peter of the girl's plight and the boy decided to have a girl around permanently. Peter has been her mentor ever since, and Airling's skills now even match his own; the two are in-separable. She can fly, fight, and while Peter crows she howls. Airling has become the leader of the lost-girls, and Peter's second in command.
Model: Julia Johansen
 
• COLLECTION:
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/collection?id=1299054
 
• SONG:
"Brightly Wound" by Eisley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEH2Ja3KnoM
 
It's happening all the time
When I open my eyes
I'm still taken by surprise
I hold sunlight and swallow fireflies
And it makes me want to cry
I love you
I shall never grow up
Make believe is much too fun
Can we go far away to the humming meadow?
We were walking there
And I had tangles in my hair
But you make me feel so pretty
You have shining eyes
Yes, like those forest lights
And it makes me want to cry
 
• STORY:
 
Airling ran through the forest, her feet only leaving the ground to fly over the stray ditch or boulder. Slung over her arm was a satchel filled with berries and nuts. In her arm was a fresh young rabbit that she had caught only moments before. Tonight, they would have hasenpfeffer and wildberry stew, one of Lyte's specialties. Though Rabbit would not appreciate the choice of protein.
 
She reached the Lost Hideaway, and she took a moment to admire them. The tree houses could neither be called a tree or a house. They were something better than that. A cluster of structures made from sticks and other materials they'd found. The trees had thick limbs that were perfect for climbing, and were surrounded by plants that were littered with tiny lavender flowers and wide, waxy green leaves shaped like hands folded in prayer. They called it home.
 
Airling could feel him coming up behind her, and of all her keen senses her ability to sense Peter's presence was her most astute. Peter's voice came chiming in behind her. "A rabbit, huh? Our Rabbit's gonna love that." The fading sun shone in his eyes. He smiled.
 
She smiled back. Tink circled her, surrounding her in the shimmery dulcet glow of pixie dust. "Any sight of Hook or Calypso?" Airling asked, though she really didn't want to know the answer. Both pirates were powerful and chaotic forces, but together they were destructive; treacherous.
 
Peter's smile dimmed. "No, not yet." He said, lowering his feet onto the ground. He looked faintly exhausted these past few days, and his hair stuck up in mad angles. She felt silly in his presence sometimes; like a stupid, love struck child. "But we will soon, I'm certain of it. That's why we have to be ready when it happens."
 
She nervously twisted the string hanging off her satchel. "What if one of them hurts one of us, Peter?" She asked, quietly. The Lost Boys and Girls were her family, and some of them were so innocent and mild mannered, she couldn't imagine them winning a face off with a pirate. "What if one of us is killed?"
 
Usually Peter turned down such ideas straight away or simply pretended that he did not hear them at all to begin with, but this time he looked at her straight on. "I can't let that happen, Airling." He said, his voice somehow both soft and fierce. She flushed dewy shades of pink. "I can't let it."
 
She nodded, swallowing hard. Tink looked back and forth at the two of them. Most people only listened to words, but the silences they shared could speak volumes to the attentive ear.
 
Peter leaned close to her and whispered something. She could hear it, though he had been speaking softly. The words tickled, as if a million tiny butterflies were rounding through the air and making their way to her brain. "Don't ever grow up." Peter had said, and then went flying off toward the tree house, where there was a clatter of what sounded like brass pots and pans and the unmistakeable sound of Slightly cackling.
 
As Airling flew behind him, biting her lip as the warm air brushed against her face, she couldn't help but wonder if what he had said had been a wish or a warning.
 
TOP 4 CHOICES:
• Airling
• Eden
• Nirvana
• Tally

28th December;
{Prompt}
Every Dunraven child has his/her own opinion about Lord Dunraven. And every Dunraven child has a different story about the moment they first met their father {aside from Jessica @bluestocking who has known him her entire life}. Tell us your Dunraven's first memory of Lord Dunraven, and also, of the manor and its curious inhabitants.
 
1st January;
Today is Hallow'd Haven's traditional New Year's Street Masque. Unfortunately, all Dunraven children are restricted from venturing off manor grounds without a chaperone. Rather than miss the grandest masquerade festival in the entire world, some of the girls decide to sneak out. Don an elaborate mask and costume and enjoy the festivities while you can, because Butler will be waiting for you when you return!
 
Story up later, dears. Finch is dressing up as a peacock. (It's a play on birds.) Comment to be added. (:

25th December
It’s a Dunraven Family Christmas!
Wake to freshly fallen snow and hundreds of presents tucked beneath and stacked around the Christmas tree. {If you have a gift from Grandmother Dunraven, it’s probably a pair of woolly socks, with your name embroidered incorrectly across them.} Cookie will slave away in the kitchens making the Christmas swan, while Butler cleans up all the discarded wrapping paper. And alas, Lord Dunraven is missing, and his gifts remain untouched. Christmas Dinner is served promptly at half past five.
 
I'm still not satisfied with any of this, but It's getting a little late for this to still be relevant so I figured I better just publish it. I tried to mention as many people as possible, sorry if I missed you.
 
.
 
Dear Santa Claus (or Jessica and Butler. We know it's you guys, silly.) here is a list of the things I'd like for Christmas.
 
. Guitar strings
. Guitar picks
. Guitar straps
. Clothes without holes in them
. Warm boots
. Good will toward men.
 
_
 
Christmas morning was, as everything in the Dunraven household seemed to be, extravagant; unusual and chaotic. Sarabel was seen carrying around a polar bear cub, which nearly attempted to take down the Christmas tree that stood center in the room. Luckily, Sophie appeared and managed to calm it down. It must have been the sight of all of that tinsel - Genevieve had gotten her hands on it and made everything quite over the top.
 
I felt bad for Genevieve. She was trying to enjoy Christmas, but you could tell she was positively beside herself because Lord D was no where to be found. I acted like I hadn't noticed, even though I had. Hard to ignore when such a menacing presence is out of the room.
 
The windows are crusted with dried snow, but it oddly didn't feel like Christmas. When we went to open presents, I felt horribly under-dressed, as usual. Even dear Clara had been in right mind enough to know to dress up, and looked beautiful. I wore a sweater that was unraveling at the edges, and felt ridiculous. It made me rather homesick for when the old days when I was little and Christmas morning meant running down the stairs in footy pajamas and tearing open presents that mom had wrapped beautifully.
 
And even though there was just something off about our unusual family, like a puzzle where the piece just doesn't fit right, it almost started to feel natural when we all got together and started opening presents. (Almost.) I waited to open mine, and instead watched everyone else opening theirs. Even Contessa managed to smile as we looked at each other, an entire room filled with brothers and sisters. (I couldn't remember the last time I saw anything other than a scowl on my dear sister's face.) Riona grinning at the zombie movie box set I'd gotten her; EJ was scrambling to find something sharp to remove the head from the doll she had just unwrapped; Holly applied new lipstick; Chessy let out a giggle as she opened up a smorgasbord of different cat toys; Helene was putting on her new necklace in the shape of a crescent moon; and Amelia flipped through an encyclopedia of bugs, eyes wide and delighted; Jasper let out a cackle as she unwrapped a stuffed plushie dragon. I couldn't help but smile, too. Damn, what was it about Christmas that made you want to smile like that?
 
My guitar had been sitting in my lap and I strummed my fingers across the strings, listening as it hummed through my hands and wrapped itself around me. The familiar tune echoed around us. Joy To The World.
 
'Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing...'
 
--
 
Mentioned:
@marzipanniers
@hannahbbmmiller
@dearbette
@daddys-little-monster
@wishes-and-dreams
@forgive-and-forget
@princess70xox
@dorian-is-the-walrus
@semper-eadem