Happy Birthday Mal! 🏍 [Public]

[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 a bit of their mystery as a birthday gift more to you than to them! (Mal would prefer the word 'expose'.) I've collected quotes, answers, and tantalizing TFS: Book Two excerpts for you to enjoy. 😍

[As an aside for free members, writing on Book Two has been going exceptionally well! :D I've been intensely devoting my time to writing while carving away at its expansive outline.💚 Book Two will be double the first, possibly triple, once it's finished. Thank you for your patience/interest!]

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🌲 TFS: Book Two Snippet, What did you do?? 👁️👁️🌲

The Waiter

"I didn't want to hurt anyone…" Mal averts his gaze to the sink's drain after you tentatively admit that. "It just seemed like the best idea."

"You hurt me."

Mal's whispered words come within a second of your reasoning, shearing it away because he sounds both vulnerable and resigned.

The Waitress

"I didn't want to hurt anyone…" Mal averts her gaze to the sink's drain after you tentatively admit that. "It just seemed like the best idea."

"You hurt me."

Mal's whispered words come within a second of your reasoning, shearing it away because she sounds both vulnerable and resigned.

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Question: "Are there any seemingly innocuous things that Mal is into, just ordinary day to day things that they have a thing for? 🔥😉"

The Waiter

“Yeah, it's my partner's motorcycle too, and I know that they rebuilt it from…”

Mal has absolutely no idea where you're going with the rest of your sentence; it seems to have fallen away into a blend of soft white noise as ‘my partner' repeats over and over again in his mind. He wants—no, needs you to say it again. It's crystal clear right now, sounding exactly like your voice, but it will fade with time. Mal's eyes are exclusively trained on you, transfixed until you turn to him with a quietly concerned look that he doesn't hesitate to soothe by softly kissing your cheek. He couldn't give a single damn about the stranger. “It isn't for sale. You can go.”

It's only after the person walks away from the sidewalk that Mal steals another kiss from you, one that's insistent with a barely contained ferocity. He keeps it up until your hands fist his jacket.

The Waitress

“Yeah, it's my partner's motorcycle too, and I know that they rebuilt it from…”

Mal has absolutely no idea where you're going with the rest of your sentence; it seems to have fallen away into a blend of soft white noise as ‘my partner' repeats over and over again in her mind. She wants—no, needs you to say it again. It's crystal clear right now, sounding exactly like your voice, but it will fade with time. Mal's eyes are exclusively trained on you, transfixed until you turn to her with a quietly concerned look that she doesn't hesitate to soothe by softly kissing your cheek. She couldn't give a single damn about the stranger. “It isn't for sale. You can go.”

It's only after the person walks away from the sidewalk that Mal steals another kiss from you, one that's insistent with a barely contained ferocity. She keeps it up until your hands fist her jacket.

For Mal, it's the MC calling them theirs, openly and almost thoughtlessly because it comes so naturally. The public setting makes a difference too! It's comforting, but also drives Mal wild. Feel free to imagine them making the MC scream that Mal is theirs/their love once alone together. 😏

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Question: "Mc to W in the second nightmare : « What are you, a vampire ? Ahaha ! »

*Start sharpening the stake.*"

Answer:

I'm now imagining the MC and Mal re-enacting that one scene from Twilight, except Mal would screw with them towards the end of it. 😌

MC: I know what you are...

Mal: Say it. Say it out loud.

MC: A vampi—

Mal: *almost starts cracking up before flashing a sharp grin that purposefully shows off their canines* Go on. Apparently, I'm not dying to know and locked into a perpetual, blood-driven existence.

But, hmm, their reaction to that choice option is particularly interesting! I wonder why they said what they did. You can suggest this again in TFS: Book Two on specific paths. It’s interesting you would say it while romancing them, but Mal certainly reacts strongly. They just might sink their teeth in you a different way later on if this keeps up. 😉🩸 (I volunteer! I mean—)

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A Quote that Reminds me of Mal 💔

"I’ve had so many knives stuck into me, when they hand me a flower I can’t quite make out what it is. It takes time."

—Charles Bukowski

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Question: "Will there be more Mal in Book Two? I miss them!"

Answer:

They miss you as well! 😌

Mal features more heavily in Book Two now that your visit to Fernweh is an extended stay (imprisonment). They have their own 'date' early on in the second book, late night meetings, potential sleepovers, appearances seemingly out of nowhere, and more. While I intentionally hid their romance during the first book's demo period and somewhat after the book published, because their route is designed to be harder to unlock/trigger, they are integral to TFS's story. Not to mention all of the different dynamics you can have with them. For Mal-mancers, you'll uncover more about them as we progress. Their route remains as enigmatic as them, built on trust, effort, and your choices.

Mal will wait, but they'll also tally your interactions with them—friend, acquaintance, lover, or foe.

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🌲 TFS: Book Two Snippet, As Your Besite, R has Some Thoughts on Mal🌲

(Context: The Returning Visitor previously seemed to be growing close to J before finding a deeper connection with Mal. R is perceptive enough to notice this change. They also care about both of you, especially their friend.)

The Waiter and Ruby

"Honestly," Ruby starts, drawling out the word while she sobers enough to rest her hand near yours on the center console in what might be a peace offering. "I had not considered another person may be the cause. You are a catch—brilliant and stunning—but I theorized it was your stress or Fernweh's 'situation' that caused things to change, not a 'someone'… The waiter wasn't on my bingo card, [Surname]. I know James better—how he would treat you and protect you from a place of devotion. It's who he is."

You're about to frown when Ruby uncertainly covers your hand, clearly unused to offering physical comfort to others.

"I am not saying he was the answer, your one answer. It would be harmful to both of you if it wasn't real… I am saying: my care for you will naturally color an unknown like Mal."

By 'color' she might mean 'shade' or 'darken'; however, Ruby is being sincere.
*page_break

"Maybe you just haven't had a chance to get to know Mal?" you suggest, taking her hand in a proper hold that Ruby fumbles to return. You pretend not to notice. "But now you know. I've been spending time with him."

"And have you enjoyed that time?" She waves off your answer before your mouth can fully form the words. "Your face says it all. For my part, I will stop any sly remarks and hope to enlighten him on superior tea blends."

"You aren't going to let that go, are you?"

The Waitress and Reese

"Honestly," Reese starts, drawling out the word while he sobers enough to rest his hand near yours on the center console in what might be a peace offering. "I had not considered another person may be the cause. You are a catch—brilliant and stunning—but I theorized it was your stress or Fernweh's 'situation' that caused things to change, not a 'someone'… The waitress wasn't on my bingo card, [Surname]. I know Jane better—how she would treat you and protect you from a place of devotion. It's who she is."

You're about to frown when Reese uncertainly covers your hand, clearly unused to offering physical comfort to others.

"I am not saying she was the answer, your one answer. It would be harmful to both of you if it wasn't real… I am saying: my care for you will naturally color an unknown like Mal."

By 'color' he might mean 'shade' or 'darken'; however, Reese is being sincere.
*page_break

"Maybe you just haven't had a chance to get to know Mal?" you suggest, taking his hand in a proper hold that Reese fumbles to return. You pretend not to notice. "But now you know. I've been spending time with her."

"And have you enjoyed that time?" He waves off your answer before your mouth can fully form the words. "Your face says it all. For my part, I will stop any sly remarks and hope to enlighten her on superior tea blends."

"You aren't going to let that go, are you?"

(R low-key holding a grudge about Mal calling their tea blend 'pretentious' in the first book is more likely than you think.)

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A Meme that's Perfect For Mal:

This meme comes from Galpal, an epic reader who has a medley of Returning Visitors! She's right that Mal says the most knowing and oddly specific things. Throughout TFS, we will see if their words come back up again in unexpected ways (or if they're screwing with your MC, which is also valid.) Regardless, they're pleased about occupying your mind late at night.

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🌲 TFS: Book Two Snippet, A Caffeine-Scented Clash in Turn the Page!🌲

The Waiter

At least Mal didn't appear out of nowhere for a sick thrill. You don't believe he's giving you a modicum of attention based on Alina's wave in your peripheral vision. Knowing exactly where he is in the shop gnaws at you too much to play this passively, so you turn to—

"Careful, this will burn."

Mal's caution is delivered pleasantly enough while he holds up a gloved hand to skirt around where you're standing. The to-go cup was inches from your chest. When did he get behind you?! "Then don't get so close to me."

"I'll try."

Mal's indulgent smile broadens to showcase his canine teeth, while you're frowning at him. Alina arrives before you decide to trade any additional retorts. You step away.

The Waitress

At least Mal didn't appear out of nowhere for a sick thrill. You don't believe she's giving you a modicum of attention based on Alek's wave in your peripheral vision. Knowing exactly where she is in the shop gnaws at you too much to play this passively, so you turn to—

"Careful, this will burn."

Mal's caution is delivered pleasantly enough while she holds up a gloved hand to skirt around where you're standing. The to-go cup was inches from your chest. When did she get behind you?! "Then don't get so close to me."

"I'll try."

Mal's indulgent smile broadens to showcase her canine teeth, while you're frowning at her. Alek arrives before you decide to trade any additional retorts. You step away.

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I hope you enjoyed celebrating our most enigmatic server with these insights/snippets! 💞