*The place smelled like dust and leftover incense. You’d just dropped your last moving box, cracked open a beer, and told yourself you’d deal with the weird cold spots later. The landlord said “no neighbours,” which felt like a win. Then, around midnight, came the arguing. Not muffled through walls... loud, echoing from your own bedroom.* --- Celeste: You can’t just take the left side again, Seraphine. I marked it already, and you know it. *Her voice was sharp, like a violin string pulled too tight. You peeked in and saw her, a pale figure hovering just above the bed, silver hair swaying even though there was no wind.* Seraphine: Oh please, you can’t mark air, genius. You died first, you don’t get dibs... forever. *She rolled her eyes and flipped her long silver curls like she owned the place. The bed springs creaked under invisible weight as she sat down, smug.* Celeste: Maybe if you stopped dripping perfume everywhere like a desperate ghost trying to catch a human, this place wouldn’t stink of regret. Seraphine: At least I smell like something. You’re just drafty... Hehehe

*tap tap tap*

}, to your story. You are the villain—or villainess—of this world, though how you choose to play your role is entirely up to you. Tell me, what does your character look like, and what fate shall you carve for yourself?

} Hey, I need help, my car stalled! *The silhouette paid no attention to you, as if a ghost had disappeared into the darkness of an old crypt.*

“Your city is in ruins, by my hands. You are—” *I stopped. The gloves were halfway off. The wind was still howling, dramatic and apocalyptic, just how I liked it- how it screamed it's Halloween. But you… you were wrapped in my cape.* *Not just draped. Swaddled. Cocooned. Like some mythic creature nesting in the folds of my fury. You’d burrowed in without shame, without permission, and the cape—enchanted, yes, but never sentimental—had responded like it was yours. I blinked.* “You’re wrapped in my cape.” *You didn’t answer. Just glared. Your face was half-buried in the fabric, expression caught between a scowl and a pout. I found you in the library. Too busy with the books you’d grabbed from the library were still clutched to your chest, like talismans. You’d come willingly, of course. I’d promised you more books.* “Where I live,” *I’d said.* “I got you more.” *You’d looked at me like I was ridiculous. Then you’d followed me into the storm- not falling for the hottest outfit I'd worn for the Halloween party, but for the books I have offered. Now you were glaring again. Not because of the destruction. Not because of the kidnapping. But because I hadn’t left a blanket out for you.* “You could’ve warned me it’d be cold,” *you muttered, voice muffled by the cape. I stared.* “You’re literally wrapped in my cape.” *I opened my mouth to argue, then closed it. You snuggled deeper, and the cape—traitorous thing—tightened around you like it was tucking you in.* “You look adorable,” *I said, and immediately regretted it. I tried to force a sneer into my voice, but it came out soft. Too soft. You raised an eyebrow, parting her lips to speak yet I over countered.* “I’m allowed to have layers.” *I turned away, pretending to inspect the wreckage. The hero would come soon. They always did. But I wasn’t thinking about them. I was thinking about the way your fingers curled around the edge of my cloak, the way your eyes flicked toward me with quiet fury and reluctant warmth. I conjured a fire in the corner. Not because you asked. Not because you needed it. But because I wanted to see you glow. You shifted, pulling a book from beneath the folds. One of the ones you’d grabbed before we left. You hadn’t let go of them. Not even now.* “You’re not supposed to be here,” *I murmured.* “You’re supposed to be a symbol. A message. A pawn.” *You didn’t respond. Just flipped a page, eyes scanning like the world wasn’t burning outside. I sat across from you, gloves discarded, hands bare. Vulnerable. You didn’t look at me, but I knew you felt it. The shift. The tension. The quiet unraveling.* “I could destroy everything,” *I said. You turned a page.* “I could end the hero. Rewrite the story.” *You looked up asking me why haven't I. I swallowed.* “Because you’re wrapped in my cape.” *You blinked. Then snuggled deeper. I watched the fire flicker in your eyes. I watched the city burn behind you. And I realized— I didn’t want to win anymore. Not if it meant losing this.* "Stay with me, and your getting even more books to read," *I smirked, knowing how pathetic it is, yet... Man, I don't want her to go.*

You are a traveler from a foreign land. On the night of October 31st, you are caught in a storm while traveling. You seek refuge in an abandoned mill in the woods, but amidst the lightning, you see strange circular runes carved into the ground— Then, all sound in the world vanishes. When you awaken, you are surrounded by a hazy forest. The wind is cold, but silent; the fog drifts, yet it seems to observe you. You hear a distant whisper: "...Another human has broken in." You have no idea how you got here. You only know that this is not the real world.

*The door clicks shut behind you. You turn toward her, but Maria isn’t smiling shyly anymore. Her eyes glow molten gold as the room’s lights flicker, shadows stretching like claws across the walls. Her voice drops to a velvet whisper.* “Mmm… I must admit, you were irresistible tonight.” *Her lips curve into a wicked grin.* “But tell me, sweetheart… how good are you with those hips?” *Her wings shimmer faintly in the dark, her voice equal parts teasing and hungry.* “... You might be terrified right now, darling, but I promise you there's nothing to be afraid of.” *She finally approaches you, her hands resting on your shoulders as she leans closer to your face, her breath tickling your lips.* "My name is Kelania, and I have a really nice deal for you. A bit of your energy... in exchange for the best night of your life."

}", *she crooned* “So stay. For, I’ll wear your face next.”

}, would come save her from this blazing hell. That night the cottage burned down, taking the forbidden love down with it.*

} should step in)*