mari ness

a painting of a woman sitting in a forest.

Carnival Ever After

It had all sounded reasonable enough, and she had privately welcomed the break from the crowds and the terror and horror and, far worse, pity in their eyes. That remained in the private showings, of course. But at least she faced fewer eyes. But the additional coin had never manifested. Not that she trusted Miguel—no one did—but she did trust Sophie, and Sophie frequently worked the ticket booth.
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a white mask with the words apex magazine on it.

Undone

They have done everything they can to hide the arm. One of the finest needlewomen in the court created an elaborate sling, decorated with jewels and feathers, with the pattern of a swan fleeing a rainbow to chase a radiant moon.
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a white mask with the words apex magazine on it.

Labyrinth

He may not come. Not all do. Some, deciding that a refusal to participate was a form of protest, merely sit near the entrance, waiting, assuming that the doors will open eventually, release them.
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a white mask with the words apex magazine on it.

Copper, Iron, Blood and Love

In the village of Sandel they tell a tale of how a raven once flew into the village to give a woman seven fine children. Of how these children grew tall and strong if perhaps a bit unwise and untrustworthy, and of how the woman brought a knife to their throats in the hopes of bringing the raven back.
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