Chapter Text
In a filth-filled locker, in a decaying school called Winslow High, in a decaying city called Brockton Bay, on a decaying planet called Earth Bet, a tall, slim girl with black hair took one last breath of foetid air and was still.
Overburdened by panic, Taylor Hebert's heart rested from its labours. No more would it pump in her chest and circulate the blood that sustained her. It would rest, and her blood would be still, and her thoughts would fade away forever.
In a graveyard that stretched away as far as the eye could see, Taylor Hebert's soul stood face to face with a woman not so much dressed as encompassed in layers upon layers of gauzy black silk.
"Welcome, Taylor daughter of Annette," said the woman, her tone warm but accompanied by some kind of buzzing undertone. "Thou facest an ending. Wouldst thou like it to lead to a beginning?"
"What's going on?"
"Thy body is dead. One of the petty frailties of the human form caused thy heart to stumble and fall. In a few minutes someone will find thee. Wouldst thou rather they find thee dead in that metal box, or alive and dreadful in thy beauty?"
"Beauty? I'm not—"
Taylor didn't see the woman move, but suddenly there was an insistently silencing finger pressed to Taylor's lips, its icy chill barely softened by the layers of silk.
"Hush." The woman's voice was suddenly cold and stern. "I see thy beauty, and thou'rt forbidden to deny it, even in thy heart where only thou and I may hear."
The finger withdrew as abruptly as it had arrived, and Taylor nodded.
"Good. Now, wouldst thou take my gift of a new beginning, and become my black rose, dreadful in thy beauty and graceful in thy strength?"
"Um, what's the catch? I mean, there has to be one."
"The gift itself is the catch. Thou shalt have grace and might and beauty in a world hell-bent on tearing itself asunder. Better, certes, to have them than not, but they shall bring their own burdens once they become known."
"You said something about being your 'black rose'. What's that about?"
"I may have tasks for thee to accomplish, to justify the gift of thy thorns and perfumed petals. They shall not be utterly beyond thee, neither shall they be abhorrent to thee, but they shall be a bloody-handed business."
That was about what Taylor expected. Probably better, even. "Fine. So do I sign something?"
"Takest thou me for the Devil? Thou needst only say, in plain words, that thou shalt be my black rose."
"I'll be your black rose."
"And I shall be thy Queen in Black Silk," replied the woman, her tone driving home that that was a title, not just a description.
An ice-cold palm slapped against Taylor's forehead, and the graveyard and its rustling trees gave way to the rose-scented interior of Taylor's locker and the sound of the first-period bell.
Thread started by Your Best Nightmare 12:30pm EST
Subject: New cape in town?
We've got a new cape here in BB.
Some girl got stuffed into a locker this morning, and when we were heading out of class after first period, this new cape appeared in the hallway, ripped the locker open, and helped the girl out.
[IMG:sevenhundredveils.jpg]
I'd call her "Seven Veils" but I think seven hundred might be closer. That cloth is crazy thin, but there's so much of it I couldn't see anything. Not even her eyes.
Those are rose petals on the floor, by the way. Black rose petals. Like, blacker than my gothic Brocktonite soul. They even feel and smell real.
- YBN
Reply by Void Cowboy 12:31pm EST
Did anyone else get a better picture? Asking for a friend.
Reply by Lizard King 12:31pm EST
Did VC just learn subtlety?
Reply by Your Best Nightmare 12:32pm EST
Nobody wanted to get close. She took that door off with her hands and bent it in half.
Then she vanished after helping the girl out of her locker, like she teleported out or something.
Reply by Severina777 12:34pm EST
700? y not 777, much better number
love is the law love under will
Reply by AllSeeingEye 12:35pm EST
756 veils.
Reply by Your Best Nightmare 12:36pm EST
That's really precise, Eye. And kind of out there. Care to explain?
Reply by AllSeeingEye 12:39pm EST
Not just no but hell no.
And if you push, I will explain exactly why your username is terrible and you should feel terrible for using it.