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Building Oz || Louran

lou-bonfightme​:

Toulouse frowned. What kind of response was “I got an email?” That didn’t explain why this boy was just standing about uselessly. How annoying. There was nothing Lou disliked more than inefficiency. (Okay, perhaps insubordination. This boy was edging on both.)

“No job? Of course you have a job,” Lou told him with a huff and glanced down at his clipboard where he kept the schedule and everyone’s assignments for the day. It was, perhaps, a bit over the top, but it meant that things were done to the utmost perfection. Besides costuming, the set was the most important part of a show. You could not transport an audience to Oz without the proper ambiance. 

 As Lou’s eyes scanned down the list, he realized that none of the names matched this boy’s face. In fact, Lou did not think he had ever seen him before. And Lou was very good with names and faces. His mother had trained him like a soldier for such purposes.

“You are not on set crew,” Lou summarized, some of anger simmering. The email comment now made sense. “You were sent that email by administrative error.” Which meant it was his fault (though, Lou would just as likely blame someone such as…Simba. That oaf was as unorganized as Lou was organized.)

A beat.

“Why on earth did you show up when you are not on set crew?”

Taran was starting to think that Swynlake was out to get him.

First twisting him around so that he accidentally joined a musical’s cast then getting him lost in the streets no matter where he was trying to go, and now here he was in front of one of the most stunning men he had met, who seemed to be in charge, and disappointing the person before him.

“I’m in the cast,” Taran blurted out as the man scanned the list and noted he wasn’t on the clipboard. “I’m one of the actors playing Boq?” He frowned, spinning the hammer in his hands. He wondered if he was about to be in trouble. Whatever phrase had come after him not being on set crew was unintelligible to Taran’s nervous brain.

“I was what?”

God, was Taran ever going to fit into this small town?

“I... I got an email? I’m... I’ve never.... I’m new here.”

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eveningstxr‌:

“Your secret is safe with me,” Lottie promised with a grin. She reached for her own mug but didn’t take a drink — instead, she continued to use it to warm her hands. She’d begrudgingly adapted her expectations of the weather in Swynlake, but her body had yet to catch up. She still found herself feeling chilled, no matter how many layers she wore.

“Oh, I was in a few shows back in high school, though they were nowhere near as interesting as Wicked. You ever see Seven Brides for Seven Brothers or Oklahoma?” She asked with a chuckle, shaking her head. “At least I don’t have to wear a hoop skirt in this show.” Or so she hoped.

The blonde finally took a sip of her drink, a slight smile appearing as it warmed her from the inside out. “Have you always liked theatre, or did you decide to audition on a whim?”

“Thanks, I’d hate to get fired so soon,” Taran laughed. He drummed his fingers on the table, a bad habit he had. To him it was a sensory act, not realizing that it made noise that could bother those around him. He was used to sitting alone, where he couldn’t interrupt anyone’s time. A town like Swynlake where he continued to get lost and there were buildings everywhere he looked.. It was a culture shock.

“I’ve, um, never seen a musical before,” he admitted. He made a half-hearted gesture to his ear, though he knew that wasn’t a real excuse. He was in one now, but when the opportunity to visit London and see a musical had arrived Taran had passed. He kind of regretted it.

“To be entirely honest, I’d been on my way to find lunch since I’d just moved in and somehow entered the theatre? It was, um, quite the shock. I went through with the audition because I didn’t know what else to do. Didn’t think I’d get in.” He shrugged. “But it’s fun so I’m glad I’m here!”

Dear Old Shiz | Tattie

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the-princess-atta:

Queen Clarion told Atta and the rest of the Orkney fairies that most of the clumsies in Swynlake were very familiar with fairies and so they should feel free to relax in town and be themselves. And she was right. When the whole group of Orkney fairies came into town, they didn’t receive the kind of ogling that Atta had been scared of.

The boy’s surprise, though, made Atta smile, not cower. She knew it must mean that like her, he was new too. 

“Ah, I’m not so sure about that. Not many humans have such a loyal pig companion, you know.” Her eyebrows sprang higher on her forehead and her smile widened. “You know, we fairies believe that magic is everywhere– in the movement of wind, in the way that flowers grow through the cracks of concrete. Everyone has their own connection to this magic. For some, that connection expresses itself in spectacular gifts. Hen Wen’s friendship could be yours.”

Taran had been told about different Magicks, obviously, when he was sent to Swynlake. This was why Hen Wen was being raised in a flat rather than her cozy little house that Caer and Taran had built with their bare hands. Caer was a sorcerer himself, not that Taran had ever been allowed to participate in those ventures.

Fairies were very different from sorcerers, though. He had many questions that he wanted to ask her about how she’d grown up and what sort of abilities she possessed but he kept those pushed down. He knew that it might come off as too invasive and he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable in the slightest. She had been kind enough to tell him, he didn’t want to betray that trust.

"I suppose that’s fair, Hen Wen’s the best friend I could ask for.” A blush crept up Taran’s neck and into his cheeks. “That’s a really nice sentiment, actually. Thank you, Atta.” Hen Wen put a hoof up on Taran’s leg before curling back up by Atta as a sign that she approved.

“Hennie wants to be your friend too.”

Picky Piggy

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panicked-nights:

The demon that helped humans.

Had he sunk so low? At least with Percy he could lie to himself and say it was his influence.

And with a pig following them. Even weirded.

“Percy and about three something now.” And he was getting married(maybe) and lost so much. Did he hate or love those three years. “Why do you even have a pig as a pet?“

“That’s pretty long!” Taran chirped. He hoped that he could stay in Swynlake so long. If people wouldn’t discover Hen Wen’s powers he thought they could make it work. Besides, Taran hadn’t even known about Hen Wen’s magic until the last minute. He just had to be quiet.

“She’s family, I couldn’t just leave her behind! Hen Wen’s kinda spoiled. Back home she had a whole building built just for her. We needed a life change, though, so here we are.”

Picky Piggy

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lou-bonfightme‌:

Toulouse was in his element. He had a complicated relationship with art these days. Not knowing what to expect from it and not sure what he wanted from it. But, it could not be denied that being an artist was a part of him that he could not remove, no matter what. It was built into him, like a spine, it helped him to stand.

And he appreciated using it to the advantage of others. Perhaps his personal creativity was less a well and more a desert, but when it came to a project he had been tasked with, he enjoyed the challenge. The final project was always satisfying to see. 

The set for Wicked was particularly challenging. Between the iconic dragon clock and the bubble alone, there was much to do. Which meant that they were running, already, on a tight schedule, and all the literal and figurative gears had to turn together. 

Which meant that when someone was standing there, looking lost and confused, Lou needed to intervene. 

“You–” Lou did not recognize him from the initial meet and greet of the set crew. And Toulouse was excellent with names and faces. “What are you doing?” 

Taran was starting to feel overwhelmed. He hated crowds for obvious reasons, he simply couldn’t keep up. It never felt nice to be the one person out of the loop but he’d been warned by his father that he might always be. It was heartbreaking when he was told the first time and it was equally painful to actually experience it. Abled people assumed so much about those around them having the same abilities as themselves, Taran didn’t have that luxury.

He froze, gripping the hammer with both hands, when a man approached him. He opened his mouth for a moment, unsure how to answer the query.

“I got an email?”

He didn’t know how else to explain himself. The stranger’s eyes on Taran made him seem too visible after that terrifying ordeal of being invisible. 

The first thing about the man’s features Taran noticed were his eyes and how green they were. They reminded him of the hills that had surrounded the farmhouse that Taran would climb during his free time, pretending to be going off to slay dragons and save damsels. This discovery led him to follow the strangers’ trail of freckles around his face, the shocking hair and the strong jaw...

Taran blinked, bringing him back to his senses. Why was he staring at this man so intensely?!

“I don’t have a job, um, someone just gave me this hammer?”

Building Oz || Louran

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ferbmanofactionfletcher:

Taran. Now that he had seen it, paired it together with a face, it would be forever placed inside of his brain. 

He was right, Taran was new, very new. Mentally he sent out a prayer– or something along those lines, he didn’t know what it was that Swynlake was entirely but he knew there had to be some form of cognitive function to exist as it did– for the town to be kind to the new comer. Maybe lay off the weird dreams until he could see it for what it was first! 

“I’m Ferb, and the pleasure is all mine!” There were so many questions brimming to the surface of his mind. Where had he come from? Why had he come here? Was he alone? Did he have family? Friends? Anyone? There were a lot of people who came to Swynlake by themselves, trying to start over in a small town with magic that could help them in one way or another. And Ferb knew what isolation felt like, even though he had grown up here. 

He wondered if he could help alleviate some of that for Taran. If only he knew how.

“Are you liking it here so far?” His eyebrows dipped with his question then he glanced behind them to the windows that framed the street outside. “I know it’s small in comparison to most places, but it’s a lot bigger than one would think.” 

Ferb. Taran nodded, banking that information away so he’d never forget. He wondered how many people in Swynlake could sign. He would have to keep an eye out, he decided, because now he’d met a few of them. The circumstances of his arrival were haunting and left him rattled, but at least Swynlake was a haven. Taran had no intention on ever leaving.

“This place is amazing,” Taran started, his eyes brightening. “It’s huge in comparison to the farm I grew up on! There are so many people around and everyone’s been really nice so far. I keep getting lost but I’m told that’s normal.”

Taran shrugged, rapping his fingers on the counter as he tried to think. It was overwhelming, the joy that was surging in his chest. He finally felt like he fit in somewhere. He couldn’t believe it.

“How long have you been in Swynlake?” He wanted to ask more but he had to keep himself calm. “It’s the best place I’ve ever been.”

Muffin’ To It || Taran + Ferb

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un-incredibleviolet‌:

“Confident in my terminal and inoperable case of awkwardness, my friend.” Violet corrected him, snapping her fingers into finger guns. “I can’t change it, so I may as well live with it. It’s my cross to bear.”

She sighed dramatically, and even looked thoughtfully off to the side so he’d get the ‘I’m being dramatic for the laffs’ vibe she was going for. What residual hearing he might have, she doubted he could hear a dramatic sigh. Just trying to do her best to be understood as intended!

Maybe she’d look up some beginner BSL videos on YouTube later. Assuming this continued to go well!

“Oh, have you been to Chippamunka’s yet? Their milkshake selection is criminally wide. The Chinese place and pizza place are great too. Oh, you’re probably going to keep getting lost here for a while. I do. The streets like to confuse people, almost like they’re sentient. I don’t see too many confused squirrels, so maybe Hen Wen has an animal advantage.”

Taran continued to snicker when Violet shot him finger guns, the motion so unfamiliar and amusing to him. He watched her mannerisms, seeing the dramatics that she was pulling off. He wondered if this was how he looked when being dramatically defiant toward Caer. The thought made him sad to think about. He rubbed his arm, trying to distract himself from the sad track.

“Well if you’re awkward then so am I, though I suppose that wouldn’t be so bad.” Taran was unsure if this behavior was going to make himself seem too desperate to be around her. He reached up and scratched the back of his neck, hoping that any extra awkwardness could be explained by language barrier.

“I haven’t been anywhere yet,” Taran admitted, completely lost about what the restaurant name she’d said was. He was simply going to trust Violet’s judgement. 

“Which one’s your favorite? Hennie here is being picky about her lunch.” Hen Wen lifted her head the same way she’d turned up her nose at the food Taran had offered originally. “See?”

Picky Piggy

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tw: parental death & fire mentions

The Tin Man that Boq becomes fits Taran’s aesthetic. This is not to say that he is heartless or cruel, but more to say that Taran does not know how to move through his emotions. He is soft and openhearted but finds emotions and relationships rather clumsy. His hard work on the farm back in Wales didn’t require personal relationships that needed to flourish other than the ones he had cultivated with his father and Hen Wen.

The work itself could be grueling at times, Taran was not simply a pig keeper, though that was his main profession, but also a farm worker by all accounts. He cut wood for their fires and helped cool their food.  The axe the Tin Man carries when he becomes broken down with rusty joints is a common tool for Taran to have used. He was also rather familiar to the sensation of angry joints after a long day’s work. Caer was a kind man, but firm about getting one’s chores done.

Taran has just faced heartbreak after losing the only home he’s ever known. To watch it go up in flames the way that it did was the most painful thing he has experienced. He would take a hundred hours of chopping and carrying wood around the farm if it only meant that he could return home and see his father again. He knows he will never get the chance and his heart aches for what he has lost.

Maybe, if he had done more, it would still be okay. He lives with this guilt, as Boq should live with his own.

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panicked-nights:

Panic laughed at the pig. Why was he talking to a pig? Who knows? It was easier to be mad at a pig that couldn’t fight back. It could snort angrily but Panic was bigger and stronger and good with a knife.

“Oh well that’s Swynlake. It likes to have some fun with the people that are new to town. but come on then.”

“I appreciate the help, thank you.” He fell into step beside the other man, Hen Wen trailing behind this time as though she didn’t trust the stranger anymore. Taran knew she would keep close, though, she was aware she couldn’t wander off in public, especially not after what they’d just gone through.

“My name’s Taran, by the way, and this is Hen Wen. You lived here long?”

Picky Piggy

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eveningstxr:

For once, Lottie was actually focused on what she was reading. Maybe it was because she enjoyed theatre and every other book she’d read recently was for school or self-improvement (two very stuffy categories, in her opinion). Or maybe it was just her way of soaking in the comfort of familiarity — she knew the plot line backwards and forwards, after all.

Regardless of the reason, she was sucked into the script — so much so that, when Taran approached her table, she almost didn’t look up until he was already seated. Luckily, her attention shifted just in time.

She smiled almost sheepishly as he settled in across from her. “Hi Taran, thanks for meeting up with me today.” She set her coffee down on the table. “I’m good! Excited to dig into the script and all. How about you?” 

Taran tried to keep an eye on Lottie while pulling the script from his bag so as not to miss her response. He smiled kindly as he managed to both extract the book and catch her words. An achievement in and of itself in his book! He could leave this little rehearsal with no further knowledge of the script and Taran would believe that he had made progress in life. It wasn’t often he managed to do multiple things at the same time, especially when one was accommodate hearing people. 

Sure, he knew that they usually weren’t terrible people and would repeat themselves for him, but that didn’t make working at this any less exhausting. Lottie was very pretty and had been kind enough to offer to meet with him after all. He just hoped her patience levels were high enough to slog through some signing.

“I’m good, I’ve been scanning the script a bunch during my off time.” Taran smiled, opening his script to the first scene they shared. “Don’t tell my boss but I also did some reading at the bakery,” he admitted with a wink. He reached for his Earl Grey, taking a long sip and then setting it aside where he wouldn’t knock it over with his hand movements.

“This is the first play I’ve been in, how about you?”

Dear Old Shiz | Tattie

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the-princess-atta‌:

Atta smiled again, this time just for him, not the pig. She was not shy– a common misconception in her own Hollow at first, though part of that was fairies being rather shy around her, as once-upon-a-time royalty. Atta was simply quiet, and she needed…space to meet people. Did that make sense? That space could look very different. Maybe it was being alone in the room with a serving-talent, helping them roll napkins while talking to them about improvements for the kitchens. Or maybe it was in the middle of a dance, but with the flurry of laughter and music around her, she could lean across a table and talk into a friend’s ear, and it would be a kind of privacy– of space– all its own.

She didn’t do well in group hang-outs. She listened too much and thought too much. I think I’m a very slow talker, Atta once joked about herself out of exasperation to Milori after a meeting with all the Talent Heads in which Atta said precisely one thing. But Milori shook his head and corrected Atta–you’re a very fast thinker. 

A little bench was the perfect space though. There was room here for a friend. Or maybe not a friend, maybe she’d never see this boy and Hen Wen again, in which case, the bench would hold these few moments of friendship instead, where Atta felt almost like herself again.

“Chocolate is tastier when you share it with a friend,” Atta said. And then she extended a hand. This was what humans did, correct? “My name is Atta. Is–is this the right hand for shaking? We don’t shake hands in my fairy hollow.” And with her other hand she swept her blond hair to the side to show the fine point of her ear, revealing her magic. 

Taran was glad for how gentle this introduction had been. He knew Swynlake wasn’t actually the biggest city in the world but it was still the biggest town in his world thus far. Swynlake’s winding roads and bustling, friendly streets were magical even without their magical trickery. He had never seen so much all together like this. It was mesmerizing to him.

Atta’s soft demeanor left his shoulders relaxed and his posture slightly slouched --though his father would have made him do extra chores if he’d seen it. He wondered what it was about her that seemed so quaint and calm. He scanned her features as she spoke, eyes widening when she revealed the words fairy hollow as well as her ears.

“Uh, yes, the right hand,” he responded, the words tumbling from his lips clumsily. “Truthfully, I’ve never met a fairy before.” He shook her hand in open bewilderment. “My name’s Taran, there’s, um, nothing magical about me I’m afraid. Just... human...”

Picky Piggy

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📷 for Taran and violet bc u know they exchanged numbers and deff hang

Here!

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♥ 156 likes

taranthegreat: #HenWen sure knows how to make @ultraviolet laugh! So glad you’re involved in #wicked2020 so we can hang out more!

@un-incredibleviolet

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Hm 📷 for Adella bc sign language play buddies!

Here!

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♥ 134 likes

taranthegreat: @adellectable and I hanging out between scenes! So glad to work with her! #bsl #wicked2020 #🤟

@adella-the-idyllic

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send 📷 for a post of your muse on my muse’s instagram

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