Rikasmirked As She Looked At The Screens. Destruction, Death, And Chaos Ruled Throughout The Subway System.

Rika smirked as she looked at the screens. Destruction, death, and chaos ruled throughout the subway system. It wasn’t exactly what she would have wanted, but it would do. As she was checking in on the rapidly unfolding situation, there was a tentative knock on the door which she ignored. Not having their knock answered, one of her sidekicks burst into the room. 

“You have to do something, people are dying down there!” the originator of the knock pleaded to her. A girl named Silky if Rika’s memory was to be trusted, and it was.

“I fail to understand why any of this should make a difference to me,” Rika replied almost lazily, never taking her eyes off of the monitors.

Silky clenched her fist, “.....I swear you have about as much compassion as a rock. I don’t even know why I bother anymore, you’re nothing like I thought you’d be. It’s like you don’t even care about all the innocent lives out there!”

With that, she stormed out of the room. Leaving Rika with her monitors and a creeping feeling branching out in her mind. Everything had gone as plan. Thanks to her deception techniques, her opposition was destroying the city subway network. Effectively bombing their own reputation and ruining millions of citizen’s daily commutes. All because Rika’s spies had suggested that she might have somehow hacked the underground security.

Looking back at the monitors, Rika witnessed the battle, though it would really be better described as a massacre. Anyone who got in their way was crushed in the most ruthless way possible. Having abanded their morals long ago, their only goal was to stop Rika, no matter how many “innocent people” got in their way.  Normally, this wouldn’t have bothered her. No matter what her carefully curated public perception was, Rika didn’t have a special connection to the innocent. She had become a hero because of one particular moment, one particular motive, and one special person. None of which she had ever shared with anyone. 

Still, as she watched the monitors for a brief moment Rika saw the situation as Silky saw it. People being crushed underfoot, broken bones and spilled blood. And Rika just watching it with a smirk on her face. 

“What Silky said was a bit concerning,” Rika said to herself, a habit that she had adopted to organize her many, many complex thoughts, “If I really am disappointing her so, I can’t have her defecting. The opposition would my enemies throw her a parade if she went to them.”

Once her mind got rolling, it was unstoppable. Suddenly everything she would have to gain from going down into the subway was evident. Rika going down to the subway was so evident to her then, she wondered why she had ever been content to sit in her chair. In a blur of movement, Rika collected the equipment that she would need. To an outside person, it would have seemed random. This knife and not that knife, a half-empty clip instead of a full one, but Rika was choosing everything in service to her larger purpose. Though she was going down to the subway, Rika had no intention to win the fight.  Having her enemies destroy the underground was her plan after all. No, Rika was going to be overwhelmed by their numbers, her knives will break after slashing through endless flesh and bone, and eventually, she will have to flee. Taking civilians and her own injured sidekick in a desperate retreat. 

“But I will have tried,” Rika declared to herself, the image of her battle playing out in her mind, “When they see me fleeing they will see themselves in me.”

When Rika strapped the last brittle knife to her belt, attached her body armor a bit loosely, tied her boot laces irregularly, she smirked.

“My approval ratings will go up at least 5%.”

Thinking of the battle Rika pressed the button on her intercom. Hearing the panic on the other line as everyone tried to determine who would pick up, Rika stifled a giggle. Normally Rika would have never used the intercom, but she liked to keep her people on their toes. Once someone did pick up, however, Rika kept her message brief.

“Tell Silky I need her in the City Room,” Rika said, and then for effect, “Now!”

Less than a minute later Silky burst into the room once again, this time not bothering to knock. Her eyes were red and she was sniffling a bit, though she was trying desperately not to. 

“Aww,” Rika thought to herself as she turned around, “She’s been crying, how cute.”

Wiping the last remnants of tears out of her eyes Silky spoke, “You wanted me?”

Rika stepped forward. Looming over Silky and smiling. In an almost motherly gesture, Rika handed her sidekick a handkerchief.”

“Dry your tears Silky,” Rika said pointing to the violence that was still unfolding on the monitors, “We’re going to save them.”

Silky brightened up almost immediantly. Drying her tears with Rika’s handkerchief and putting on a hopeful smile.

“All of them?”

“All of them,” Rika lied.

Person A: “I fail to understand why any of this should make a difference to me.”

Person B: “…..I swear you have about as much compassion as a rock.”

Music Tag

My sincerest gratitude to @writeunderthecloudsandmoonlight for tagging me, and I wish the best upon you this December

The Rule - List ten songs you’ve listened to a lot recently

A bit of context for the following list. Even though I am american my parents grew up in a french speaking country. To further my understanding of their native language I take french in school. About a week ago I got my french teacher to share the playlist of french songs he uses in class with me. I have been listening to a lot of french bops ever since.

1. Tombe Sous le Charme - Christophe Mae

2. Carmen - Stromae

3. Grow - HOAX

4. Les Jours Electriques - Jenifer

5. Danser Pour Toi - LikesBerry

6. Ocean Eyes - Billie Eilish 

7. Novocaine - Fall Out Boy

8. Mad Hatter - Melanie Martinez

9. Die Happy - DREAMERS

10. Mrs. Potato Head - Melanie Martinez

To continue the great tradition that is this tag I ask @tricksexual @timefirewrites and @ohnoitsthebat to please share with us the songs that you can’t stop listening to. Sorry if you have been taged before, if so feel free to ignore me. :)

Into the Murky Depths

Adea is finally ready to start her beloved. She had been dreaming of this night, and now it’s finally happening! She wonders what the ceremony will be like? And what will happen afterwards, Adea hopes she’s ready. 

1.5k words

C.W: Drowning

I looked at the mirror in front of me. It was one of the oldest things in the house. Hundreds of years of people have gazed into the mirror. Watching the glass crack and gold tarnish. No matter how much polishing and shining, they couldn’t stop the passage of time. But it wouldn’t matter for much longer. The golden flowers would glitter and bloom once more, and I would be able to see everything reflected in the glass. 

But in the few more minutes until the big moment I would have to make due and look at my slightly warped reflection. What I could see was perfect. We had all been preparing for this day for years, and it was what I had been dreaming of since I was a little girl. My skin was a glowing deep brown. And I could see the excitement glittering in my eyes. I fingered the crystal necklace hanging from my neck, and the tulle framing my curly black locks.

“No fidgeting, Adea, don’t want to muss your dress,” my caretaker, Maeve said even though she was the one who was fidgeting. Placing her papery pale brown hand on my shoulder. Then brushing one of my curls out of my place. And if she wasn’t touching me she was pacing, around and around the top of the tower we were in.

It wouldn’t be much longer. Lights were starting to appear all around the house, and night was falling rapidly. 

Yes, I thought, soon, we’ll be together soon.

There was a creaking sound behind me, and I had to physically stop myself from squealing. I didn’t turn around. I knew what Maeve would be doing. A respectful gesture to the new-comers and ushering them towards me. From behind, a bouquet of flowers was placed in my lap. I wrapped my hands around the stems, not even flinching as the thorns pierced my palms. 

Besides, a little blood won’t hurt, I thought as Maeve linked elbows with me and helped me out of the chair.

The smell of lily of the valley, jasmine, and white rose comforted me as I walked across the wooden floor. My bare feet making no noise from underneath my dress. Carefully and slowly Maeve helped me down the ladder, the skirt of my dress going down bit by bit. Once we were down the ladder we stopped as they opened the second trap door. I looked out the window, dazzled by what I saw below me.

Everyone was standing side by side on the lawn holding flickering lanterns aloft,  making a twinkling path for me down towards the lake. Even though I couldn’t see it, I knew the arch stood waiting for me. Where my beloved would be waiting for me.

The light shifted, and instead of gazing at the lawn, I was met with my own reflection. My dress, my dress! It was older than me, older than Maeve even. It was white and studded with real, weighty gems on the bodice. The skirt and sleeves ballooned outward with tulle and even more gems. For years I had been tailoring it, making sure not a thread was out of place or fold was unnecessary. It was the best I could make it and I knew it looked stunning. I knew my beloved would love it. 

“Get a move on, Adea, don’t want to keep Them waiting, do you?” Maeve chastised me playfully.

“Of course not!” I assured her and started down the latter. 

From then on all we had to negotiate was the swirling hallways of the house and getting to the stairs. Wood paneling up the sides of the walls ending in fields and fields of wallpaper flowers. Everything had the familiar smell of dust and fabric. Maeve was still leading me by the elbow while the two people who had first come and got me were behind us. 

Inconspicuously as possible I tried to turn my eyes around to see who they were. Maybe it was Harris and Jamie,they were in charge of important ceremonies. Or maybe they had sent some other people to get me, if so who were they? That mystery kept me going as we walked down the rug-covered stairs and arrived at the front door. We all paused at the door for Maeve to get ready.

She pulled her night-colored hood over her face and clipped a veil over what wasn’t covered. Once she was done doing this she once again started to fuss over me. Brushing all of the hair and fabric away from my face, making sure there were no wrinkles or stains in my dress. And once again checking my face. Only my face could be visible for the ceremony. Didn’t want my beloved to get confused after all.

Once everything was covered up, and I looked the best I would ever look, the two people I didn’t know opened the door. Maeve and I stepped out of the house, quickly descending from the deck and taking our first steps onto the lawn. The grass was wet under my feet. In the background, the night creatures of the wood were starting to awaken. The owls were starting their hunt, and I could hear the squeak of bats. I could hear the rippling of water on the lake. But what was in front of me was all I was paying attention to.

As I had seen from the window everyone was standing side by side, shoulder to shoulder. Holding their lanterns aloft and being as silent as possible.

Once the ceremony started, no one could talk but me. No one’s face could be visible but mine. It was my big day, and I was the center of attention. My beloved had to be focused on me and only me. There was no room for error after so much preparation.

I started tearing up as I walked across the smooth dirt path towards the lake, Even though they’re not allowed to talk they’re all doing so much for me! 

No matter what would happen to me with my beloved, it was the least I could do for all the people supporting me. Maeve walked me down the path and I glanced sideways every few steps. Everyone was covered in their night-colored hoods and cloaks, but I knew who was who. 

My favorite tutor, Isla, with her familiar dignified stance. My childhood playmate, Olly, with his playfully wiggling arms. Every posture, every stance, everybody I could recognize and remember the time we had spent together. I didn’t know where my beloved would take me or what would happen to me after the ceremony, but I was happier than I had ever been or would be in my entire life. I was so glad that everyone had come to see me off, so glad they cared for me.

Maeve and I were coming to the end of the dirt path. Dirt mixed with the sandy banks of the lake and created a thick mud that squelched between my toes. Maeve started squeezing my elbow harder, and I chuckled silently.

“Don’t worry, we’re meeting at a lake. I'm sure They won’t mind a little mud on my hem.”

Maeve didn’t speak, of course, but I could tell she was more relaxed. We were in sight of the arch, and I could hear cicadas singing in the reeds. I smiled and looked at Maeve, trying to see the outline of her beautifully wrinkled features through the veil. Speaking more would be dangerous, but I hoped that she could see the gratitude in my eyes. She had done so much for me since before I could remember, and it was fitting that she was the last person I would see before my beloved took me away.

Once I was done trying to say thank you I continued walking toward the arch. It was just me from that point on. No friends lighting the way and no Maeve. Just me, the now muddy path, and nature all around me. 

The arch was sitting on the waterline and I paused to look at it, but I didn’t look back. Made from the oldest tree that we had been nurturing since the beginning. Branches weaved together skillfully, with leaves still growing around the bark. I had seen the arch before, but that night it had more gravity. More energy, drawing me towards it. I didn’t fight the pull, knowing that soon I would be in the arms of my beloved.

Flowers still in my hand, I walked through the arch and into the lake. The water first started to pool in my footsteps, then it started to push against my feet. I tried my hardest not to trip as I waded further in. Maeve would have been happy knowing that the mud was being washed off of my dress. Further and further I went in and the water got colder and colder. 

Eventually I couldn’t walk in anymore without being completely submerged. Again I paused, but the pull of my beloved was enough to squish any doubt. I went in and continued walking, holding my breath and trying to keep my grip on the flowers underwater. I couldn’t walk forever, and eventually I was just floating. The gems on my dress served their purpose, weighing me down making me sink deeper and deeper into the dark depths. I couldn’t feel if the flowers were still in my hands as my breath gave out. 

Water rushed into my lungs and chilled my insides, my dress doing nothing to keep me warm. Time seemed to slow down as I sank deeper and deeper, smiling, knowing that I would be taken care of. My body went limp and up was down and nothing was normal. Just for a second, I was scared. But just for a moment. Once that moment had passed I was embraced in warmth. Still soaking wet, and without the flowers, but I felt amazing. 

I looked up into the murky eyes of my beloved and smiled. She was beautiful.

Happy STS from writingamongthecoloredroses! Which of your OCs is a Disney princess?

Oh, such a fun question. The main OC in the story I’m working on now (and that I will post next weekend) might take this title, but for now I have to say Myrtle. From https://etddivine.tumblr.com/post/189695187479/myrtles-cove. Even though it's a bit ambiguous at the end, she literally turns into a siren. So she’s a bit of a reverse Ariel, choosing the sea over the land and all that. I’m thinking of a sequel where she “lures” another girl into doing the same thing, but for now I’m really happy thing her ending. Myrtle’s Cove is one of the best stories I’ve posted so far, actually.

Get To Know Tag

A very surprised thank you to @writingamongthecoloredroses and @highlycosmic for tagging me in this game, thanks for wanting to get to know me I guess.

Rules: Tag people you want to get to know better

Name: Divine? Sorry I’ve been forced to take too many online safety classes to reveal my actual name online but divine is my favorite word so it’s the main part of my pen-name

Cats or Dogs: I’m allergic to both actually, but cats are more of my atheistic so hypothetically I would want one of those. 

Sexuality: That’s what I’m trying to figure out right now I’m thinking either asexual, pansexual, or aromatic but I don’t think I’ll get the results for a couple more years.

Current Time: 12:50 pm

Reason for URL: E.T.D. is actually my real initials and I like how putting them in there makes it more professional, I guess? And like I said, divine is my favorite word. 

Favorite Animal: Foxes, rabbits, or snakes. I don’t think about this question much so it changes a lot with my mood. 

And I’ll tag @phoenixisdabestwriter @keen2meecha @ohnoitsthebat @andiwriteunderthemoon @tricksexual

How I Joined a Secret Satanic Cult - WIP Intro

 Tumblr deleted the draft of this post three times. So enjoy the four days of frustration that went into making this post. I really hope you enjoy it. 

Backstory - When Naomi’s mom moved back to her home town of Fortuna Naomi thought it would be a fresh start. And the pair had had many fresh starts in the past. Because of her mom’s drug abuse Naomi had lived in ten apartments by the time she was eight years old. But when her mom got married and moved back to Fortuna everything settled down. Suddenly Naomi and her mom had what they had never dreamed of. A family, a real complete christian family. Naomi didn’t get along with her step-brother, but she tried to be part of that perfect family. Her mom had been a girl scout so Naomi joined too. Along with learning the viola and trying to be the best daughter she could be for her mom. But it wasn’t enough, by her freshman year of highschool Naomi’s tired of being someone who she’s not. But when she tries to express herself she finds herself even more alienated from her family. One day when she’s hiding from some upperclassman in the public library she finds a card in between some books. When she follows the instructions on the back she finds herself in the middle of the woods witnessing her girl scout trope leader pouring blood on a guy from an urn. Naomi doesn’t know what she’s gotten herself into, but she not sure if she hates it either. 

About Naomi - I image her as a girl who’s been trying her best her entire life. Before her mom moved to Fortuna and got clean she helped her out a lot. Cooking for her, making sure she woke up in time for work, and even reminding her when bills needed to be paid. But when they moved out of Olympia and Naomi’s mom no longer needed so much help Naomi didn’t know what to do. But being a kid Naomi tried to do what she had always been doing, being the best she could be for her mom. And at the beginning of the story Naomi is finally being to realized that what’s best for her mom might not be best for her. That to really be happy and begin her life she has to live her life for herself. As her new satanist friends would say she needs to live for only herself and Satan.

How the Story is Told - To make this as personal and emotional as possible this story is told through Naomi’s diary entries. Every chapter is a new day, a new entry in Naomi’s diary. Throughout the day Naomi gives her biased and sometimes very emo report of how her day went. Leaving out things that bored her and going on rants about people she was particularly annoyed with that day. 

Themes - This story is principally about collectivism vs. individualism. Whether Naomi should think about the good of her community and family or her own wellbeing. But along the way Naomi explores themes of the importance of religion and what constitutes a healthy relationship. With a good bit of found family sprinkled throughout.

If Your Interested - Hopefully I remember to post about Naomi and what’s happening with her and I’ve already started posting HIJASSC ( great acronym I know) and if you’re interested in reading it you can check it out here. 

https://www.wattpad.com/user/E_T_D_Divine

https://www.inkitt.com/E_T_D_Divine