Happy Birthday Mal! 🏍
Added 2023-05-26 12:30:01 +0000 UTC[Alternate Text: An image of an ebony motorcycle with some crimson pinstripe detailing; it's parked on concrete. The title reads: "Happy Birthday Mal!" in a heavy font that is crimson with a shadow lurking behind it.]
In honor of our favorite enigmatic server’s birthday, I decided to unravel just a bit of their mystery as a birthday gift more to you than to them. (Mal would probably prefer to use the word ‘expose’.) I altered my plan to address the A. Corvin and Mal dynamic since we had a writing about it earlier in the month; instead, I’m sharing some of Book Two. 👀
Specifically, I know a few of you are curious about Mal’s motorcycle, but this comes from a section featuring a romanced MC since the scene varies by affinity.
The Waiter
The humming purr of a well-maintained engine guides your head to the side on instinct, though it isn't instinctual to get closer to a motorcycle.
Mal watches your approach, tilting his head and pausing in slipping on his black helmet so that his view isn't inhibited by tinted glass. You can see the control he has over the bike, straddling it with both boot-clad feet planted on the ground and skillful hands readied near the controls as the engine warms up. It's like your sense of danger about the machine is dulled because of his projected certainty.
"I'm sure you have a busy evening ahead…"
Mal’s comment is accompanied by an enigmatic smile that you can't get a read on, except that his gaze fails to reflect that same pleasantness. He's looking a little too deeply. His burnt umber eyes are made that much darker, more rusted, in the waning daylight and growing shadows.
"Don't let me keep you from it," he continues speaking in a light tone while deftly pulling on his helmet. "I wouldn't let go."
You aren't allowed to offer a farewell or say anything more as the purr becomes louder; he is engaging the engine, ready to leave.
Despite the sheen of the visor, you can feel Mal’s focus on you when he angles his head in your direction before carefully pulling off the curb.
The blur of crimson and black streaks away.
The Waitress
The humming purr of a well-maintained engine guides your head to the side on instinct, though it isn't instinctual to get closer to a motorcycle.
Mal watches your approach, tilting her head and pausing in slipping on her black helmet so that her view isn't inhibited by tinted glass. You can see the control she has over the bike, straddling it with both boot-clad feet planted on the ground and skillful hands readied near the controls as the engine warms up. It's like your sense of danger about the machine is dulled because of her projected certainty.
"I'm sure you have a busy evening ahead…"
Mal’s comment is accompanied by an enigmatic smile that you can't get a read on, except that her gaze fails to reflect that same pleasantness. She’s looking a little too deeply. Her burnt umber eyes are made that much darker, more rusted, in the waning daylight and growing shadows.
"Don't let me keep you from it," she continues speaking in a light tone while deftly pulling on her helmet. "I wouldn't let go."
You aren't allowed to offer a farewell or say anything more as the purr becomes louder; she is engaging the engine, ready to leave.
Despite the sheen of the visor, you can feel Mal’s focus on you when she angles her head in your direction before carefully pulling off the curb.
The blur of crimson and black streaks away.
_ _ _
I hope that this makes you curious about the moments that led up to this exchange between the MC and Mal. They seem to know something more, hmm.
Also, there is a longer description of the motorcycle for those of you who would like to imagine it more clearly. I won’t spoil it now since there is some extra meaning to that page; however, it is an ebony color with crimson pinstripes. It’s very well-maintained too, almost as polished as Mal’s signature smile.
(I might share the model/story of it later on if I do a series on ROs’ vehicles. Each one has a distinctly fitting mode of transportation.)
Best wishes! 💚
Comments
Im soo late 😥 but Happy Birthday Mal. Wishing you lots of love 🥰
Lurker11
2024-02-11 19:39:39 +0000 UTCI smiled when I saw your use of 'mythology' and 'angelic lore'; it's incredibly motivating to me since there is so much /lore/ within Fernweh. Many threads and plot strings are all woven together to give the town its shape. 🌲 TFS is more so about an eerie atmosphere and slow-build horror rather than horror-horror. Thank you for your kind words about my imagination; I'm honored to have you in Fernweh! 🥰
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-08-08 12:28:34 +0000 UTCAbsolutely adore a good mystery thriller (not so much on actual "horror horror"). But I love a good Detective story, especially one filled with mythology and angelic lore. This is exactly right-up my alley! I can't wait to see where your imagination takes you. 😀
Mo
2023-08-08 00:15:58 +0000 UTCI can't wait for you to see if your theory is correct; Mal loves their air of mystery, but their name (both versions) has important meanings. I'm so glad that you're enjoying the woven hints/clues. 💚🔎
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-08-07 22:13:34 +0000 UTCLove it! I'm excited because I think I already know his name🤞🏻! I'm just loving the book with all the little clues! ❤️
Mo
2023-08-07 00:35:26 +0000 UTCMal would think that to be one of the best gifts they've received! 😌
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-07-19 13:37:04 +0000 UTCkissing them on the mouth
Kelsey Lee
2023-07-19 04:15:13 +0000 UTCAfter reading your thoughts on the duality aspect of Mal, I'm further convinced that you and they might share some kind of Gemini connection because: my goodness, I love every single one. 🥰 It is also such an incredibly well spotted detail that the MC is more often than not the impetus for a more genuine reaction on Mal's part, if not the primary reason for a departure from their Server role. Oh, the dots are becoming a bit more connected where they are concerned; the problem is that Mal loves to add more and more. (That's partially why I find them very engaging to write; they keep even me as the author me on my toes. XD) I can't wait for you and your MC(s) to continue to glimpse behind the curtain, possibly eventually let it fall. I'm very 👀 over your mirror comment. I believe I once mentioned this before about there being a slight emotional disconnect with Mal; I can't tease more right now. But how they can sometimes relate to the world is something I've built to add to their unnerving quality (e.g. those scenes in Chapter 6. Or even the sidewalk scene where we see Mal make a direct reference to the MC's personality by saying: "I know you would XYZ" in regards to Kyle rather than leading with their own feelings about the unruly customer.) It's mirroring, perhaps even an intentional positioning, that has massive implications for their character. Anyway, my Mal feels are like !!! now. Thank you for your comment! 💚🥰
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-05-30 12:55:02 +0000 UTC🥺Mal🥺
A Ba
2023-05-28 22:04:32 +0000 UTCA nickname for a nickname! 🥴 ALSO MAL WILL GET A RAMBLE ONCE THEY STOP BEING SO MYSTERIOUS BUT I CAN SEE THE CURTAIN IS BEING PULLED SLIGHTLY! 👀 Just know Sparrow thinks Mal is really cool and will absolutely call them Mally Wally to their face.
KiraaBear
2023-05-28 12:41:13 +0000 UTCAwww! That was so, so adorable. I just want to comfort Mal even more now. And I'm glad my thoughts on them are appreciated haha because there are SO much more where those came from!
LJ
2023-05-28 01:59:52 +0000 UTCDuality, yes! I feel it definitely fits Mal more so than any of the other ROs; while the others seem to have roles and positions that allow them to be closer to their true selves (though there's definitely some differences there among the other ROs, too) and to blend who they are with what they do in a more natural way, Mal tends to put forth two very distinct personalities- polite and distant, almost remote and unreachable, and then the second, depending on how you treat them, can be cutting, charged, but there's always real emotion. It's the difference between the public façade, and getting a glimpse behind the curtain. Masking all real emotion, and then MC acting in such a way that Mal feels compelled to provide a genuine emotional response. It's also interesting to me that Mal is such a reactive character without much in the way of their own personal beliefs or emotions impacting their interactions. It's very much a 'this is how you've treated me, I will respond in kind' sort of thing. Kind of like a mirror. There's that duality again!
musica
2023-05-28 01:35:14 +0000 UTCOh, I'm onboard for them being called a sexy and mysterious stop sign. 🛑 I often hear 'red flag', but this links to that extended encounter with them. :D
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-05-27 19:20:02 +0000 UTCOh, your use of ‘respectful’ has caught my eye, although that is nothing compared to how Mal would sense that as you approach them. They would accept your hug, possibly lingering longer than you expected only because you treated them with a rare form of courtesy that made them feel safe to do so. Their charming smile seems a little wistful once they pull away. “It wasn’t a particularly ‘happy’ birthday until you came home, [Name].” They would say that quietly, using your full name this time rather than their tailored nickname. (I’ll stop now before I write a ramble. XD) Thank you for being sweet to Mal. I always love your thoughts on them! 😍
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-05-27 19:17:13 +0000 UTCHaha, I do agree that ‘survival’ and Fernweh don’t exactly mix. XD Mal appreciates your birthday wishes enough that I’m permitted to share some insight now, although there will be more to come. I intensely researched both the traditional astrology signs and the Celtic ones before deciding placement; I love that you’re also a Gemini like Mal. 🥰 Part of the reason is the duality associated with this sign along with how there is a more hidden inner self in addition to the exterior front that is presented to the world. I think that’s true for most people--it’s often remarked on more with this star sign. These meanings made me think of the level of variation with Mal as a character—how they can hit so differently when in romance versus friends versus adversaries, etc. They can seem like two (or more) different people because Mal is a very, hmm, tit-for-tat character in TFS, tailoring how they act based on their own treatment and never once looking back for the most part. I hope to share more about the Gemini choice for them as you get to explore more of TFS. I do think it’s cool you might relate to them to a degree. 💚👀
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-05-27 19:13:16 +0000 UTCI will always adore your nickname for Mal. 😍 I do think the use of ‘please’ would go a long way with Mal for various reasons, so Sparrow has a good chance of getting a race. A ride might work too, if the two of them become closer as friends; I think there’s a chance of it happening.
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-05-27 19:09:11 +0000 UTCHappy Birthday to the towns sexy & mysterious stop sign!
Sadie
2023-05-26 15:18:24 +0000 UTCFor their birthday, I would like to give Mal a cautious and respectful hug, if they let me.
LJ
2023-05-26 14:04:57 +0000 UTCCongratulations on surviving another rotation around the sun, Mal! (that seems like it could be a difficult thing to do in Fernweh 🥲) As a fellow Gemini, I'm looking forward to eventually finding out why you made Mal one, when the series is far enough along that you can answer those kinds of questions 🤭
musica
2023-05-26 13:12:47 +0000 UTCHAPPY BIRTHDAY MALLY WALLY! Sparrow still wants to ride on your motorcycle or atleast to race you, please 🙇🏼♀️ (i love the literally walking red flag that definitely knows more then they let on.)
KiraaBear
2023-05-26 12:38:14 +0000 UTC
