There’s an old sailor’s tale about a tavern near the port of Sardegna, where travellers go to rest. But, this isn’t really a tale of the tavern itself, or its latent liminality.
This is, in fact, a story about love.
What if Abbacchio was a witch, and Bucciarati her sailor husband?
And what if they sailed the ocean with their family and met magical, mysterious creatures along the way?
Update 13/06/25: some tales from Februabba 2025 added!
Anything new will be marked by an anchor (⚓), so you can find them easily.
Chronology
The tales are written so that they can be read in any order.
However, if you prefer things a little more linear, the tales are presented here in chronological order.
characters
A rogues gallery of the motley crew that sail within our stories.
Lore
Further reading. Ships, vessels and weird little customs.
SOUNDTRACKS TO THE SEA
A musical look at the world of Melancholy.
CHARACTERS
THE BUCCIARATI FAMILY
Leora Bucciarati (née Abbacchio) - our heroine, a witch?
Capt. Bruno Bucciarati - her husband, a fisherman sailor
Rosa Bucciarati - the eldest
Pannacotta and Narancia Bucciarati - the twins
Patricia Bucciarati - the baby
Giorno Giovanna - the first mate
Guido Mista - the cook
Quattro - the ship's catFIGURES FROM THE PAST
Viola Abbacchio - Leora's grandmother, a witch (deceased)
Maggiore Abbacchio - Leora's mother
Officer Marco Omaggio - Leora's old friend from the Tavern (deceased)
Paolo Bucciarati - Bruno's father (deceased)
Gloria Bucciarati - Bruno's mother (presumed deceased)OTHERS
Capt. Luciano Polpo - an ex-pirate captain, Bruno's mentor
'Prosciutto' - a mysterious man who precides over a deserted island
The Squad of Magical Creatures - a ragtag bunch who live on a barge
CHRONOLOGY
Inspired by nautical fairy stories, charming tales of the sea and its mystery. Here be merfolk and witches, families both literal and found, romance and love enduring. The tales are written to be enjoyed as self-contained stories in the style of fable and can be read in any order, as any spoilers only allude to pique your further interest. However, if you have read the others, you might pick up on little nods and secrets along the way.
Make your choice from the library below.
Spoilers are hidden for your convenience.
...WHERE IT ALL BEGAN...
The first 'Melancholy Tale', presented as part of Februabba 2023.
...GO BACKWARDS
Origin tales and tales of childhood, or those set before Leora left the tavern.
...IN THE INTERIM...
Tales from the period between Leora leaving the tavern, but before
GO FORWARDS...
To the future! Anything after
...GO BACKWARDS
Origin tales and tales of childhood, or those set before Leora left the tavern.
To Gather No Moss
Long before Leora came to The Melancholy Rose, she lived at home with her mother and siblings. But something dark had taken up root there, and that something had to give.A Snifter, A Slice
When her sailor makes a surprise visit to the tavern, Leora is treated to the pleasure of meeting one of his crewmates, as well.And 1 + 3 Is...
A new recruit steps onboard The Sticky Rigging, much to the chagrin of Guido Mista.The Clock In The Sky
A lost week faraway somewhere. Well, what happens on the island...
A peek into Bruno's life, before he became a formidable captain.August
August plants itself in Leora Abbacchio's memory.
It's not the first time. And yet, it is.The Lighthouse
Midway through, Captain Bucciarati's enthusiasm for their mission begins to waver, and it's up to his third-in-command, Mista, to investigate why.The Feelings of Oysters
The evening Bruno brings Leora oysters is also the first that he spends the night. But is their affair all getting a little too complicated?Bad Timing ⚓
A goodbye is as good as time as any to say "I love you", right?It's Not Too Late
With the captain storming up a hissy fit to end all hissy fits, his crewmates form an intervention - their intention with which to encourage him to follow his heart...
...IN THE INTERIM...
Tales from the period between Leora leaving the tavern, but before
The Destiny of Lobsters
Bruno gets a surprise over dinner. Or, perhaps the lobster is actually off…Holding Onto All Of Your Dreams
Despite their future on the horizon, Leora’s happiness with her beloved sailor is plagued by the past.Consequences
Come ashore to a faraway island, where a sailor and his sweetheart intend upon matrimony. However, it appears 'ever after' won't go down happily without a little rough tide!Ambush! ⚓
When they return after a long period of absence, a certain couple are met with ambush of the pettiest kind.From the Diary of Leora Bucciarati
A peek into Leora's diary.Embarrassed
Voyaging with her new husband, Leora finds herself in quite literal troubled waters, when she goes into labour on the high seas.By Any Other Name
In the aftermath of a terrible storm, Bruno and Leora contemplate what's in a name.Night Of The Ghoul Scout Cookies
Four in the morning approaches, along with a spectral visitor, who comes bearing delicious gifts.I Know You Love Me (Not)
There's a misunderstanding of meaning one evening when Giorno brings Mista a flower.Three Sheets To The Wind
Bruno recounts the tale of how he met Captain Polpo, a notorious ex-pirate, and his one-time mentor.
Note: Bruno's tale is a flashback to what happened after he left the island from The Clock in The Sky.Storm In A Teacup
The feud between Leora and Giorno comes to a head on contract day. Anyone for a spot of tea?The Photograph (Paolo and The Mermaid)
When Bruno happens upon a clue about his past, he insists his family investigate his ancestral ties.Double Bubble Trouble
When their new addition(s) are born, Leora and Bruno discover the lunar lineage runs deep in their family...Let's Share The Night
Leora once had a nightmare that her happily ever after was over before it even begun. But, a few years into their future, she and Bruno are more than happy, and their 'ever after' just goes on.
Note: this story is technically set around the same time as Double Bubble Trouble! But, it makes most sense for it to be placed here.A Recipe for Love (and Other Four Letter Words)
The tale of something cooking up as sweetly as a carefully prepared meal.
Note: this story hops around in time! But its ending is some time before the events of The Hustler.Go Gently
Certain that the curse has come to collect, Leora rages against her fate until she is saved once more, by a familiar figure.
Note: this story includes a secret flash-forward to a scene after
Did you know that the traditional shanty What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor? was written about Capt. Bucciarati? No? Well, the lost verse in which the sailor becomes a merman upon his 30th birthday was, anyhow...Oh, Hell
With all that goes on around them, for all the ordinary magic and bizarre happenings - Leora isn't quite sure how to react when her husband comes home one day, sporting a majestic fish-tail.Bracelet of Fur and Bone
Two unlikely companions find themselves the prisoners of a zealous selkie, who has morbid intentions for their mortal forms.The Hustler
After surviving an unpleasant encounter pushes them closer, Leora asks Giorno to tell her about his past.In A Manner of Speaking (Mother Superior, Part One)
Love reaches its breaking point as the truth of Leora's curse is revealed.Mother Superior, Part Two
Arriving, to the letter, Leora's mother brings with her a change of heart.Leora, You're a Fine Girl
Parts of a love story, told in reverse. Excerpts from the journal of Captain Bruno Bucciarati.
Note: this story hops around in time! But it ends a few months before To The Sea Part One.Interlude
We take a brief intermission from the goings on of The Sticky Rigging to an abandoned barge, where four unlikely friends dwell.To The Sea! Part One
In the aftermath of a rescue mission gone awry, Captain Bucciarati must deal with the devastating consequences.To The Sea! Part Two (Leora and The Mermaid)
As he prepares to face the sea monster, Bucciarati is thrown into battle with an adversary he's met before.
GO FORWARDS...
To the future! Anything after
Vessels of Truth
When Leora decides she wants to learn how to sail alone, Bruno tries to keep fear at bay. However, it seems whatever worries he can't voice, his boat, Sticky, is all too willing to convey!'Gamble'
When an unexpected visitor from their past shows up, Leora takes matters into her own hands to help her husband win a card game.
LORE
Coming soon...The Ships and Vessels of The Melancholy AUNaming Customs, or: 'Why this kid is named after a dessert''Dylan and Elenore' - The future of The Melancholy Rose
SOUNDTRACKS TO THE SEA
Songs of love and loss to accompany your stop at The Melancholy Rose.
All playlists curated via Spotify.Songs Of The Sea
Nary a shanty in sight.
Song pertaining to Tales of the Melancholy Rose.Melancholy and Maladies
Coming soon...
