Shortish writeups but hey.



WHAT IT WAS: Chapter 11 of The Enchantress.

The twins are in the streets of one of the poor sections of Danu Talis when some street thug lunges out of an alley and grabs Sophie by the hair. She screams, but her training takes over and she breaks the guy's kneecap with a side kick. Before he can scream, Josh drops him with a punch to the center chest and knocks him out. Virginia Dare, who's with them, is impressed; she says she's not sure the twins even need her protection.

Josh asks if Sophie's okay, and she says all those years of martial arts training had come in handy and thanks him for rescuing her. He says he didn't really, she'd put the guy out of commission, but he wasn't going to let anyone lay a finger on his sister. She thanks him again anyway, and he blushes and says he always said he'd protect her. Then there's an awkward moment where they both remember the last time they met; Josh says he still doesn't know what to think about her attacking Coatlicue, but it's just the two of them now. She reminds him that it's always been just the two of them, and he says it's literally them against the world now. This breaks the tension between them; both twins admit they missed each other, but that things have been crazy.

Virginia Dare says that while this is heartwarming, it would be better to have the conversation later; the people around them are no fans of their parents and the guy they knocked out probably has friends. Sophie asks whether Isis and Osiris really are their parents, and they agree that they can't be. Josh asks, then who are they -- but Sophie says the more important question is, who are the twins? And that, Josh quotes, remains to be seen.



EFFECTS/WHAT HE LEARNED

* +50 twindere
* +50 self-confidence
* +25 protectiveness



WHAT IT WAS: The very last chapter of The Enchantress, and the series. Josh, as Marethyu, is writing Sophie a letter which I will reproduce in its entirety.

My Dearest Sister,

I cannot promise you too many letters— you know how bad I am at writing, and there aren’t really phones where I’ve been. I wanted you to know that I am safe and well and getting used to the hook. I did scratch my head with it, but that’s a mistake you make only once. I’ve had a couple of offers to turn it into a proper silver hand or a golden glove, but to be honest, I’ve grown rather fond of it. And of course, it does have some wonderful advantages. I used it to make this most amazing Shadowrealm only last month. I put some great prehistoric animals in it and added two moons— and of course, there are no snakes.

I believe you are off to London shortly with Aunt Agnes. Give my regards to Gilgamesh. It’s probably best not to tell him who I was/ am/ will be. He’s confused enough as it is.

Please do not worry about me.

I know that is like telling you not to breathe, but I do need you to know that I am fine. More than fine. I am discovering more and more of my powers every day. I am immortal and eternal and I regret nothing. We did the right thing: one to save the world, one to destroy it.

You know that if you ever need me, all you have to do is look into a mirror and call my name three times. (Use the new name; I’m not sure calling Josh would have any impact.) If you ever call me, I will come to you.

But even if you do not call, Sophie, know that I will watch over you all the days of your life. It’s what a brother is supposed to do, isn’t it?

Marethyu
Writ this day, the 10th of Imbolc,
on the Shadowrealm Isle
of Tir na nOg

P.S. The Flamels send their love. Marethyu

P.P.S. We were at Aoife and Niten’s wedding last month. Scathach was her bridesmaid. Everyone cried. —M



EFFECTS/WHAT HE LEARNED:

* "Marethyu" has some kind of significance. Possibly because it's unique? Anyway, he at least had a reason for taking the new name other than melodrama. (He still won't use it in Aather.)
* Planning to watch over Sophie forever, but otherwise stay out of her life. They both have stuff to do; it's a bittersweet feeling, but something he knows he has to do.
* It's a month after his world creation memory and Niten and Aoife's wedding. The Shadowrealm he's in has a different calendar system and may be outside time.
* CLEARLY HE WASN'T GETTING LAID IN THE MEMORY because he was getting fond of the hook. nope.jpg
* He can hear his name across dimensions if it's done right! This has awesome implications and he'll be passing this information out like candy.

This memory will feel kind of...final to him, because it's his last one! He still has gaps in his memories, but those will come back when he legacies; for now he's getting skills.