#Poor child...

[pomefioredove]

hiiiiii i luv ur bloggg😭💞 i hope it's not a bother bc u most have SO MANY asks already, but i'll like to request for the event a #17 sugar cookie with dry fruit and chestnut❤️ byeeee

THANK YOU!!! I am getting thru all of these requests one at a time dw!!

order #17, sugar with dry fruit, chestnut

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ soliciting kisses

summary: legend says a true love's kiss cures all... tropes: first kiss, sick fic characters: jade additional info: romantic, gender neutral reader, reader is yuu, mentions of kissing but nothing explicit

"It's a children's story. Don't listen to him,"

Azul pushes his glasses up his head and rubs his eyes. He's in good health and yet seems more worn and weary than the coughing boy in bed behind him.

You look between the two. Jade is smiling, despite the rasp in his throat.

"...Are you sure?"

"Prefect," Azul sighs. "I know you're unused to the rules of this world, and I sympathize with that. But you are not a child. A kiss is not going to cure a cough."

You glance between the two again. "...But he seems so sad,"

Azul frowns and taps your forehead. "You're not some poor, unfortunate fool. Don't fall for... whatever it is he wants from you,"

"I'm not asking for much, Azul," Jade croaks from his sickbed. "If I truly had malicious intentions, wouldn't I be soliciting something of value?"

Azul covers your ears. "You should be resting," he snaps at the eel. "And please, for the love of the Seven, leave the Prefect alone! The very last thing I need is to be accused of inappropriate conduct. I don't need the staff involved in lounge affairs..."

"You say that as if I'm going to eat them," Jade grins, baring his pointed teeth.

"I wouldn't put it past you," Azul mumbles, his hands leaving your head. "I have to see to the lounge. Floyd will come to take your place in a few minutes. Don't get too close to the bed. He bites."

Your eyes widen as Azul waves the bedroom door shut behind him. Jade remains in bed, perfectly complacent and calm. His hands are folded over his stomach, there's a pleasant smile on his face.

"...Well, then," he says, once the sound of Azul's footsteps have finally faded. "I suppose we'll wait for Floyd."

You take a seat at the desk, careful not to touch any of the little glass boxes and jars full of moss and mushrooms that cover it.

Five minutes go by. Then ten. Then thirty. Then it's been fifty minutes. Jade leafs through a thick book. You shift uncomfortably.

"...It's rather uncomfortable, being ill in a human body," he says. He's soliciting sympathy from you. Azul had warned you about this. "Unbearably hot. However do you stand it? I could collapse if I wasn't already in bed."

He looks fine. But there's still a sheen of sweat on his cheeks that glistens in the mellow light.

You look away. "What're you reading?"

"Oh, this? It's what I was telling you about, before Azul interrupted," he smiles. "The story of the mermaid princess. Shall I summarize?"

You open your mouth, and nothing but air comes out. He continues anyway.

"She had wanted to be human. And this was a time where potions for these purposes weren't widely available, so she sought the help of an expert potionmaker. She was offered a generous deal: if she kissed her true love, all of her wishes would come true. Isn't that nice?"

You blink. "Why are you telling me this?"

Jade sets down the book, which he hadn't really been reading. "Only making conversation. Is it not intriguing how stories from both land and sea cite a true love's kiss as the cure to all ailments?"

You can recall a few stories like that. Lilia had told you one, once, and so had Rook. Both seemed more like fables than fact.

"...I suppose,"

"Of course, there is some truth to the sentiment," Jade says, as if sensing your suspicion. "It may not be a miracle cure, but it certainly lifts one's spirits. Ah, I am so very warm..."

Is this working on you? Why is this working on you??

Floyd was supposed to be here an hour ago. But it's still just you.

"Is it really that bad?" you ask, to which Jade nods solemnly.

"I'm used to the cold of the Coral Sea. I've never felt so uncomfortably warm before,"

Curses. He almost looks pitiful. He's pouting. You've never seen that face on him before...

You leave your seat at the desk and stand over his bed.

"Alright... to make you feel better,"

---

Azul opens the door, a tray of tea and cough drops between his hands. "I just ran into Floyd in the courtyard, he says he never came at all, I'm terribly sorry that you- AH! PREFECT! You look awful!"

You're slumped against the side of the bed, face flushed and warm. Azul sets down the tray and hurries to feel your forehead.

"...Dreadful. Of course, you're sick. Did he bite you? He bit you, didn't he?"

"...A little," you mutter, which is technically true. Azul snaps his fingers in front of your face to keep you from falling asleep.

"What did I say about getting too close to the bed?"

Jade snickers. Contrary to you, he looks happy as a clam, leafing through a mycology magazine. "Why, I'm insulted. I'm not an animal, Azul. I can control myself,"

Azul frowns and mumbles to himself. "I'll be in the Prefect's pocket for months... how will I repay this?"

"No need," you manage, wearily waving him off. "...Well, maybe a warm cloth wouldn't hurt."

"Yes, right away," Azul says, standing from your side.

Jade just smiles, setting his magazine over his stomach, completely unconcerned.

"Take your time, Azul. I can tend to the Prefect just fine," he says, "I have a cure for all ailments that's proven to work,"

[minimag1c]

Hey cookie run fandom look I'm not dead wow

Also requested by @/Tiramisubestcookie on Wattpad

A winter break

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 : ❥︎ᶜʰᵉˢᵗⁿᵘᵗ

                      ❥︎ᵗⁱʳᵃᵐⁱˢᵘ

❦︎sʜɪᴘ

ᵗⁱʳᵃⁿᵘᵗ (ᵗⁱʳᵃᵐⁱˢᵘ ˣ ᶜʰᵉˢᵗⁿᵘᵗ)

➪Omg ooc again??? Who would have think it??

➪Also headcanon time: Tiramisu cookie is mute here. Why? Why not.

➪Head up: I don't celebrate Christmas, for obvious reasons I think, thus don't except me to partially know how the holiday works. Even when I was in my christian household, Christmas was just going to church then eating with family and that's it. Gifts were just a side plot lol.

♡︎♥︎♡︎♥︎

To say that the town would become less of a sunflower in the month of December would be an understatement. It was a fanned yellow that shifted to a brightly dark blue hue.

The sky was partially a black, blank canvas, waiting to be filled with the numerous shades of green, yellow and red from the white ground, orned with meticulous, thick snow, seen from miles and kilometers away whenever on the concrete or tatched roofs, hanging warm and bright lanterns on the sides, contrasting the ever lasting night, almost ominous during that time of the year.

Between this brewing warm ambiance of festivity and gathering, a young energetic boy was skedaddling in the streets, his already rusty and used shoes who were the fautives of almost making him split on the solid ice more than once when he was working hard to deliver those newspapers even if during holidays, most townspeople are not that much interested in everyday struggle nor politics and would rather forget their daily issues in lives.

Sadly, that wasn't convenient for the young little boy, Chestnut cookie. Him whose almost entire solace of living was based on making sure the package of spilled ink in his bag were all sold out until he would be left with enough money to get himself a nice warm cup of chocolate.

But today seemed to be an okay day! As Chestnut finally arrived in front of an unfamiliar door, he knocked slightly, shivering slightly because of the small, thin layer of white snow that started to appear on his hat and already torn up beige shirt.

For a few moments, no one answered and the child's serotonin almost dropped until he could hear slight and light footsteps getting heavier and closer as the door's lock shifted and moved until it was out of sight.

A quite aged up woman in her night fluffy robe was soon standing in front of chestnut, her arms in soft gloves that reached her forearms and thick slippers at her feet.

Chestnut couldn't help but feel jealous, knowing too well she would be all snuggly and warm in her clothes unlike him who could freeze from any times if he wasn't careful enough with his thin shoes and clothing of poor qualities.

Fortunately, she was a kind old woman as she looked down at the smaller cookie as her wrinkled face beamed slightly.

"Oh little one! What are you doing here in the middle of the night with such winter?" She asked, titling her head to the side in curiosity.

Those words were enough to snap Chestnut out of his pessimistic thoughts as he cleared his throat and put on his brightest smile.

"Hello ma'am! Newspaper delivery!" He said joyfully, rummaging through his own leather bag and pulled out an handful of said papers as the child still grinned.

However, his joy was short-lived and his bright expression almost fell when the old lady widened her eyes but didn't seemed that convinced to actually buy it. Nonetheless, her kind face came back although it was less that enthusiastic like a few moments ago which still made the younger cookie nervous.

"Oh... My little sugar. I am not actually into reading newspaper during holidays because I'm most likely busy with my family."

There goes the same excuse again, the words that Chestnut cookie feared.

The remaining optimism that were nesting and bubbling in his guts quickly evaporated as soon as it appeared. When he finally thought that he had someone else, aside from the orphanage, who brought his belongings, obviously it had to be took away line that.

The old woman in question saw that her propos had a negative impact on the small child as she slightly bit her lips, feeling slight remorse and sorry for him. Eventually, after a few seconds that what felt like eternity, she spoke up again, her tone as if in haste.

"But maybe I can make an exception for this holiday sugarplum. What do you have with you right now?"

It tooks Chestnut a while before his eyes beamed with hope again as he smiled widely at the other elder cookie who couldn't help but feel a tad guilty and bad for this poor kid.

Without wasting time, Chestnut cookie pulled out from his raggedy leather bag numerous headlines from recent news and spilled papers that were paired with the inked one that had pictures on them. The old woman didn't actually had to chose that much, since she didn't even wanted to buy one in the first place, as she took the first title she found.

Searching in her fluffy robe, she just had enough coins for the little boy to not only buy his newspaper but also for him to be able to get himself a small, warm snack for this thick and heavy winter night.

Chestnut cookie pretended he didn't realize what the old cookie did but still, despite feeling grateful for her kindness, there was still some part of him that felt ashamed of being in such desperate situation he partially looked like a beggar instead of a seller.

After that small interaction, the old woman didn't left without thanking softly the younger cookie as she wished him a good holiday before closing the door, leaving Chestnut cookie on his own.

Again.

Alone.

With an almost cracked up bag, still full of journals and papers that were rejected since no one was interested enough during that time of the year.

Normally, the young cookie would just ignore those thoughts about his unlucky and almost dire situation but he didn't knew if it was because of the unusual harsher weather and heavier snow or because the only person who was willing to read right now only helped him because they felt bad for him.

Was he really that pitiful?

Chestnut didn't even went that far from the house, cringing slightly when he felt more snow entering in his tarnished similar-leather shoes as he sat on a bench that was covered with a thin line of white. He tried his best to sat on it, shivering when he felt the coldness of the seat as he frantically started to rub his arms together as to keep a feeling of warmth. There was still numerous newspaper in his bag, all waiting to be delivered despite the fact that a few of them were already worn out, dating from last week.

The young cookie faltered furthermore, not even caring anymore that snow fell on him or his thin clothes. Not caring that his rear was getting numb from the coldness of the bench. Not caring that, since his bag wasn't fully closed, a few papers slipped in and fell on the solid, dirty and snowy ground.

He didn't even noticed when he felt a few salty drops running down his cheeks, cooling even more his already frosted cheeks.

Chestnut cookie couldn't help but raises his shaky hand on his face when he realized he was actually crying. Was it because of the cold? Or was he tired again? Emotions were easier to handle in winter as they hibernate just like bears and weren't visible through thick, heavy clothes.

But now, the young cookie didn't knew anymore if it was because he spend all night in the harsh cold, hoping to gain a bit of money with no avail. Or maybe because he was so cold.

So cold.

He shivered furthermore as he hugged himself as to keep himself from getting hypothermia.

We never knew when you're as poor as a mouse in a church, prone and vulnerable to any cold favorable diseases despite a strong immune system.

-☃️-

Tiramisu cookie buried his nose deeper into his scarf as the heavy breeze of winter hit him hardly on the face while he sat next to Eggnog cookie who rode his Christmas sled, led by his faithful deers and roebucks. The older man, as always, stood in his winter might, his neck as high and far as he could to make sure he wouldn't miss on any houses he hasn't visited yet nor his apprentice whom he cared a lot for.

The said younger cookie sighed slightly, leaning a bit more on the rails of the bright red sled, his gaze sluggishly taking note on the way festival lights shone through the town they were currently in.

"Have you seen any areas where we haven't went through yet, Tiramisu Cookie??" Eggnog cookie's loud and deep voice rang out in glee, almost startling the one with deer attributes.

Tiramisu slightly huffed, frowning because of the sudden call before he shook his head, his eyes still glued down below, almost a look wonder seen through his gaze.

The older cookie smiled furthermore, huffing slightly in content as he urged the roebucks to speed their track, with Tiramisu ignoring the rest of the world as he continued to aimlessly look at the beautiful view that was decorated with any kind of Christmas theme motives.

But then his sharp vision alongside with his senses of lightness towards winter holidays noticed that someone was not happy between all of those joyful Capernaum.

Leaning slightly more next to the sled, much to Eggnog's surprise, the young apprentice squinted his eyes as if to see better.

And their own shock was an awe on its own when he spotted on a snow filled metal bench another cookie almost around his age, maybe a tad younger of two years, sitting all alone.

That made Tiramisu pondering as he frowned furthermore except, this time, it wasn't only because of the cold. Why was this cookie sitting all alone there? Didn't he had any family? And why would they even be out now, when night was at its apogee as snow was thicker now and, if not supervised not gets a watch on, dangerous.

Tiramisu Cookie even shivered for this other child.

"Is there something wrong Tiramisu?" Eggnog cookie's pipped, slightly turning his head but not fully as to keep track on the road in the sky, just in case.

It didn't took that much time for Tiramisu to act up before he slightly jumped on his seat, almost startling the older cookie if it wasn't for the other to point at the now small piles of gifts that were tied behind, secured.

And it didn't took that much time as well for Eggnog to understand what he meant as he hummed, nodding slowly.

"Oh you saw that there are still people who didn't had their gifts yet." The adult nodded slowly, as to understand more the younger one.

Said Tiramisu affirmed his guess by vigorously tapping his hands together, before sitting on his knees, his back facing the sled. Eggnog widened his eyes in slight panic.

"Woah woah woah hey there son, hold on your horses a bit, kay? Don't worry you'll be able to deliver the cookie's present soon! But, for now, don't fret because I really don't want you to get hurt." The older cookie chuckled slightly before Tiramisu huffed, slightly rubbing his arms together before sitting back in a more correct way, facing forward despite his burning want to look down at his side to check on this cookie somehow.

Maybe because they were like him except they didn't had an Eggnog like Tiramisu?

Or is it pure empathy?

At least the questions in his head were enough to distract him a moment while Eggnog cookie rode the reindeer as to find a spot of land without being seen.

-☃️-

It was a small gift, wrapped in a bright red motif and tied with a golden lace. It was light and, if not for Tiramisu to shake, he would have thought it was empty.

But no, that wasn't the case. For aside from that, what was inside was actually an almost identical replica of his own scarf aside from other motifs, neatly folded and thick enough to warm the other cookie. There was even a small not attached with the golden lace, the ink still fresh, a mix of childish and messy handwriting with a neat and clean one. (Eggnog was the first type)

◣✦◥▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔◤✦◢

ℋ𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓎 𝒽ℴ𝓁𝒾𝒹𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂ℯ𝓇𝓇𝓎

𝒸𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓂𝒶𝓈

ᴍᴀʏ ʏᴏᴜ ʙᴇ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ

ᴛʜɪs ɢɪғᴛ!

◤✦◢▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁◣✦◥

Tiramisu couldn't help however but blushes slightly. Was it too plain? Too bland? He really wanted to gift the other something and, judging from his raggedy attire, Tiramisu Cookie thought that maybe a new piece of clothe was ideal. But what if he wouldn't like it? What if he just rejected his present or worse throw it away??

Somehow that made Tiramisu's heart clench a bit even though, usually, he wasn't the one to be known as being overly concerned about someone's likeness of an act or something free. It was mainly Eggnog cookie's job while the deer like cookie only delivered what the older had in store and what he judged the best for anyone. Oh no! He should have just asked Eggnog to do it! Why did he even agreed-

But then Tiramisu shook his head, huffing to himself. What idiotic thoughts really! What really mattered was not the gift itself but the intention behind it and, if he was pouring enough devotion in it, the other cookie would not want to get rid of it.

At least.

Tiramisu came back on the ground when he heard slight shuffling and snow being stomped as he hid himself furthermore behind the small house he find himself outside, trying his best to hide himself yet at the same time peeking out to see the other cookie. Said the latter was still thankfully on the bench except they seemed more tired thorough the minutes, their eyes drooping slightly as they didn't even seemed to care about the fact that their bag was still open and the papers inside threatened to fly away.

Tiramisu's panic then almost skyrocketed upon the daunting realization.

How on earth would he be able to gift his present without them noticing??

There were almost no one outside, only the two of them so far. Any kind of sounds would echo all around and Tiramisu being discreet was never his forte despite being with Eggnog for almost his entire life.

So he did the best thing he could think of.

And threw the small package in question at the other, aiming at his head.

Instantly, like an ant running from water, Tiramisu scrambled away, pressing himself furthermore on the house's wall when he heard the other yelp in slight pain from the hit, his heart beating fast as his hands trembled and his breath shortening.

"What in the-" They started before stopping their words and if it wasn't for Eggnog's apprentice's anxiety to grow furthermore, he would have try and look at the other cookie.

However, an unusual feeling of butterflies in his stomach grew alongside with an unfamiliar warmth spreading throughout his entire body, mostly on his cheeks when he heard the other speak again, although their voice was softer and almost in awe.

"Wait- is it actually for me?"

Tiramisu felt his ears twitching like an invisible sign of small victory when he soon heard said cookie giggling slightly.

"Aww it's so cute!" They said out loud before continuing, Tiramisu feeling their gaze landing all around, almost wanting to make him jump and show himself.

But he restrained himself, despite how the following words made his heartbeat faster and more irregular.

"Whoever gifted me this... Thank you. I appreciate it so much." They said with emotions.

If it wasn't for the cold, Tiramisu would have thought that his cheeks were red because of what just happened.

The small, shy smile that slowly creeped up his face didn't any excuses though.

_______________________________________

{2787 words}

You can see it started okay ish but then it went downhill

But! This time I have an excuse (ironically)

Happy holidays, Happy Yule and Merry Christmas for those who celebrates! ☃️🍪🎁🎄

And for those who don't celebrate like me happy week :)

Yup that's it. That's the reason because I will be (like almost always) unreachable for the next following days oskgnzkgkrg

Anyway bye I'm tired

Posted: 23/12/2024

----

Wattpad version

Archives of our own version

[moonwaterstories]

I love stories.

The undying amount of possibilities for our imagination which they offer.

When I was a child, I always ran around the forests, looking for a rabbit hole to Wonderland. As I never found one, I tried wardrobes, hoping I could get into Narnia. Every night, I left my window open, waiting for Peter Pan to take me to Neverland. When I found an old carpet in the attic, I was persuaded it was Aladdin's and I tried to talk it into taking me to see the pyramids several times. It hasn’t moved yet.

Then, once I've read the Spiderwick Chronicles, I realized I should stop just waiting for a letter from Hogwards. It's better to pay attention, see what is around - and act, if necessary.

I started collecting weird stones in hopes they could turn into a Waterhorse and when it didn't work, I got myself a dragon egg (I've spent hours wrapping the crumpled newspaper with ceramics and meticulously painting the round thing after it dried, but it was worth it: the dragon is still waiting for the right time to hatch.). Apart from being a dragon rider as Eragon, I was also a discoverer, just as Spiderwick: I wrote and illustrated my own book of fairy creatures just to be able to turn its pages and feel like the magic was breathing at me. I stole a pair of beans in the kitchen and with a beating heart, I planted them under my bed, believing they would once take me to the realm of giants (this only didn’t work because I forgot to water the poor beans and wasted my only opportunity to meet Jack). I secretely stole my grandma's ring with a blue stone and tested a turn as Arabela did it to make my wishes come true (I cracked the trick – if you ask for the night to come at the end of the day, it always comes true...) and I only returned the ring once I got a goldfish. I also was very good in making potions out of pickled chestnuts - it was just that no-one ever wanted to try them (my dad told me he didn't really want to turn into a cat, but maybe it was the taste, because when I forced a spoon into my brother's mouth, he spat it out).

As you probably grasped, I am the type of person who prefers silver over gold because when I was younger, it had a meaning. Someone who doesn’t really want to know how the trick is done, for I enjoy the spell of not knowing. And even if in some cases, I couldn't really shield myself, I could never ruin it for others. Because Santa Claus is real as long as you put cookies and milk to the window for him.

Samodivas dancing in ‘Le Villi’ (1906) by Bartolomeo Giuliano

[scrumptiouschocolatechip]

Chestnut Cookie as Charley

(👏The👏Baby👏Is👏Chocolate👏Chip’s👏Child👏legally.)

[themousefromfantasyland]

The Yule Man (1/7)

As told by ME

This was meant to be a short story, but it became too big, so I separated it in seven parts. I want to turn my blog in a space where I can share my writting every once and a while.

This is the first time I post one of my stories on a public space. This is the first time anyone besides my sister will be able to read, so I'm pretty exciting and anxious. I want honest criticism. I hope you all enjoy it.

"It's he who brings the Yule ice and snow to Arnsberg." The little girl said.

Everything seemed somehow brighter and warmer on that peaceful afternoon.

The lines of holly hanged above the walls and windows gave an otherworld feel to the street. The jingle of the bells of the market down the avenue helped to remind how happiness sounded like. Silver bells adorned the rooftops. The traditional statues of silver stood on the churches’ terrains.

They promised that the Silver God would once again bless his holy season. The store windows promised an affable and cozy night. That was not what that beggar boy received.

The confectionery attendant shoved him away with all scorn and disdain possible in a man. Why did he should show him kindness? The boy couldn't pay, and he was so filthy dressed he would drive customers away. And as he said beneath his breath while coming back to the store:

"Magic only brings trouble."

Mia Hayek and her baby sister were stepping in their carriage when they saw the scene. The poor young man looked at the sweets in the windows of the confectionery with so much craving. He looked as if he hadn't eaten anything in a long time.

She took out her long wide hat and her cotton scarf and asked her sister if she knew that boy. The little girl, with all sincerity that a child is capable off, responded.

He had a slender and thin body, but the enormous, hooded fur coat worn swallowed it completely. He carried a huge bag of shabby cloth against his back. The fur hood and the cloth around his lower face made it hard to give him an age. Mia was sure he couldn't be older than twenty.

Everyone in Arnsberg knew the boy. Always seen wandering without destination in the Solstice Eve carrying that stained bag. He arrives in town no sooner than the first snow. He stays for the twelve days of the Yule Festival, then he disappears. And no one can find him before the next one.

Mia saw him in the last year. He lived near the park in front of the bakery. The baker shoved him away as if he was a stray dog. He has not changed a thing from then.

"He never changes." Sophia mindlessly added. "Even mother remembers him from her time. He never changes."

Mia stared at the boy. Ragged and disheveled. Time had devoured those clothes, tattered and grimy as they looked.

"Is he magical?" Mia asked.

"Yeah!" Her little sister nodded. "But he can only bring the snow, he can't control it. He's harmless."

"Stay here!" She told her.

Mia stepped out of the carriage and walked in the direction of the boy as fast as her boots allowed. Noticing being followed, he turned. She stopped in the spot.

The hood obscured his face. He maintained his back bended, and he avoided looking into her eyes. By the way he stayed quiet, she knew he was nervous. People dressed like her usually didn't had nice things to say to people dressed like him.

"You're beautiful!" He whispered to himself, hoping only he listened.

She smiled back.

"Thank you!"

She heard and he could only blush in response.

"Sorry, but I always see you around here during this time." She began saying while messing with her curly hair. "The town can get pretty cold. Do you have where to pass the night."

The boy chuckled, and she could see a vague spark in his eyes.

"The cold never bothered me anyway, madam."

"What do you carry with you?" She came forward and touched his long bag. It felt so freezing that she immediately withdrew as by sheer impulse.

He lowered the cloth that covered his face and looked up to her, allowing Mia to take a deep look.

"I... I should already release this thing, but... I got distracted. I wanted to find something to eat first, so..." He sounded so nervous, trying so hard to justify himself, as if fearing punishment.

His face was pale and soft, still with signs of boyhood. His eyes were big and innocent, in bright green. His beard was as red as a fox, and it was shaggy and full of pieces of ice.

"...and now I don't know where to release this stuff."

"Do you have where to spend the holidays?" She interrupted him.

"No." He answered embarrassed.

The question really pierced through him. She saw how it affected him in the wrong way. A second question slipped through her mouth before she could have time to re-evaluate it.

"Do you found somewhere to eat?"

He didn't respond.

She drew his hands, letting his bag land on the ground. It surprised her how soft and warm they were.

"Stay the Yule with us."

Mia could just have brought him food and then forget anything about him in the next day. Any normal person would do that. Maybe she felt a genuine urge to help him. Maybe her pity for him spoke louder. Perhaps she found him too adorable to let go. Whatever the real reason may be, something drew her to him.

"My father is wealthy, but generous. I'm sure he'll allowed it."

He smiled to her by a second, as if he loved the idea, but then he frowned, as if he remembered something.

"I'm sorry. You have been very kind, but I can't."

"Please!" She insisted, her voice cracking a little. "You can't spend the Yule in the streets and in the cold."

""I already used to it."

He forced a sly grin, as if trying to tranquilize her. He continued. "I'm sure you mean well, but it's better that I stay here."

"Our mansion is always open to those who need it, and you'll be well treated there."

"A mansion?" He frowned.

"My father is Mr. Hayek. My name is Mia Angela Hayek. Ravi de vous rencontrer." She greeted him with the dress.

"Never heard of him." He joked.

"Please, stay with us. We...

"Is it comfy..."

"What?" She asked surprised.

He spoke in a tone that made her think of a timid small boy.

"Your mansion. Is it comfy and cozy? That's how I always picture these places to be." He didn't want her to see he smiled.

"Of course." She nodded.

"Does it have a fireplace?"

"Yes. You can drink hot cocoa by it and eat some gingerbread cookies if you want."

"I never eat a gingerbread cookie."

"You can eat all sweets you wish. The kitchen has smelled wonderful since morning. My father is giving a big ball tonight. It will be so full of cakes and sweets. It will make even the most illustrious confectioneries envious."

Mia saw how much the idea pleased him, how much it tempted him to say yes. Yet, something held him back.

Against his better judgment, he said:

"Okay."

The air grew colder on that moment. The winter breeze brought chills down her spine. Whatever it was, the boy felt it too.

"But just for one night." He soon added.

"What's your name?"

"I don't have one." He said while pulling back his bag.

She tilted her head.

"How come you have no name?"

"Never needed one."

James Hayek had all the reasons to be jolly during the holidays. This son of immigrants became the most important merchant in all the North Kingdom. The Hayeks were the wealthiest mixed family in Arnsberg. This filled him with pride, but also a deep sentiment of duty. As a child of Arnsberg by heart he felt as his duty to retribute all his good luck back to the community.

The Hayek Mansion was a charming building located near the road down to Arnsberg, far close to the forest. Mr. Hayek certified himself that its doors would be forever open to the town that welcomed him.

It was the Solstice Eve. Tomorrow the Yule Festival would begin, twelve days of tradition and merriment. A gigantic fir-tree of nine meters was brought to the mansion's courtyard. The servants of the Hayek family surrounded its needles with all sorts of ornaments. They garnished the Yule Tree with silver, gold, and all kinds of jewelry. On its top, the Solstice Sun ornament promised to shine brighter than the real one. Not even Queen Ava's tree in the Royal Palace was as beautiful as the one who stood now in the Hayek Mansion.

Dozens of statues of goats surrounded the tree, all carefully made of pure straw. A somewhat forgotten tradition that Mr. Hayek couldn't let go in any capacity.

Two full tables had been already set. Roast turkeys and ducks, steamed hams and caramelized cods covered the first table.

The second table looked like a small child's fever dream. Colorful palaces of gelatin and chocolate sprinkled with sugar. Snowy towns and castles of gingerbread covered with white marzipan. Fountains and rivers flowing with chocolate. Towers of cakes and pies. Mountain chains of pudding with nuts and chestnuts boulders. It had enough to maddening the youth.

When Mia and Sophia arrived at the Hayek residence, the Yule Log had been already tossed into the fire. Both her and her sister helped the fur-cladded boy stepped out of the carriage. No sooner they crossed the golden gates, the servants already whispered between themselves. They couldn't help but gaze at the peculiar young man with awe and curiosity.

As soon as the girls walked upon the carpet in the living room, their parents rushed to speak to them. When Mr. Hayek first heard the news, he had to come to see it by himself.

"You brought the Yule Man?" He gave a strong laughter that came straight from the bottom of his belly.

The boy didn't know how to react, so he stepped behind the sisters and gave him an awkward smile.

Mr. Hayek was a cheerful and youthful old man. Mrs. Hayek could be the proudest woman the world has ever seen. She fitted the role of the women who dressed to show the world her social status. Her blue eyes had troubles showing affection. Her corn-like hair was stylized in the same way as the fashion magazines. Meticulously armed.

She approached Mia to talk in particular.

"You should be getting dressed." She spoke with veiled bitterness.

Mia tried her best to argue back.

"Sorry mother, I was doing shopping when..."

Her mother definitely didn't want to know. She twisted her eyebrows and said:

"Why are you so irresponsible. I'm tired of sorries. And what are you wearing for the gods' sake" She started yelling.

Mia swallowed her mother's sermons with her best poker face. Since she was a child, she knew how harsh Mrs. Hayek's criticism could be. Nothing different from the woman that searched for defects in everything.

"You know how this night is important. It's your first ball. My daughter shouldn't look like a hag." She took a pause to breath. "Go get dressed!"

Sophia came forward.

"Can the Yule Man spend the Yule with us?" She asked with manipulative eyes.

"You can't bring him here." She whispered while offering a false smile to greet the newcomer boy.

Fritz and Thomas, Sophia's elder brothers, looked at him with intense curiosity.

"Magic always leads to trouble." She put.

"Mother, he needs us." Mia shot back. "Besides not aging, there's not that much he can do. He is harmless."

"Mia, can you stop arguing..." Her mother tried to shut her down as she always did.

Mia had other plans.

"Father..." She turned to Mr. Hayek. "This is the true Yule Man. You can show him to the town's children tonight.

"I like children." His tiny voiced ricocheted off the living room walls. They turned to face him.

"They are nice to me." He said in a small tone behind them.

They almost had forgot he was still there.

"My dear, I don't know..." Mr. Hayek gazed at his unhappy wife.

"Remember when you were young and poor, and they chased you off that department store." She pointed to the boy. “They shoved him out of the confectionery as if he were nothing. He doesn't have where to spend the Yule days. He never had."

Mr. Hayek grew quiet. Not everyone had been nice to him. The way he looked had closed a lot of doors before. He promised to never take part in any judgment by appearances.

"You win." He winked at her. "Okay. Welcome to our Yule party Mr. Yule Man.

The boy looked at Mrs. Hayek. He saw her eyes steaming.

The guest started appearing around the evening. The parties in the Hayek Mansion always yielded weeks of conversation and gossip. They were more accessible than official public events. Open to everyone who wanted to participate. Thanks to that Mr. Hayek received the charming nickname of the "Father of the Poor." from his enemies. He liked it.

In her bedchamber, Mia wore a ballgown that had the color of the winter night sky. A low busted and short sleeved gown that drew attention to her silhouette. It was richly embroidered with snowflake patterns that surrounded her skirt. A delicate bow tied her curly brown hair back, drawing attention to her delicate face. Her strong red lipstick contrasted quite well with her light-brown skin tone.

When she went down the staircase. She gasped at how beautiful her house looked. Decks of holly, ivy and winter roses scattered everywhere. When the Yule Man saw her, he gasped at how beautiful she looked. He raced to her, still with his bag.

"Why are you still wearing this thing?" She pressed her lips together. She sounded just as her mother.

"Sorry If I was too rude. Do you like it?"

"No. No. I don't like this thing at all." He chuckled while eating a huge piece of marzipan with his free hand.

"So, why do you wear it?"

"As if I had a choice." He smirked.

He had finished his attack on the table of sweets. His mouth still was stained with sugar and chocolate. She noticed he had pockets in his suit, because they were full of gingerbread cookies and pieces of cake. The corners of her mouth lifted a smile as soon as she realized it.

When they arrived at the courtyard, the guests already crowded the place. The music had begun. The youthful couples already waltzed together amid the chatter of their families. That scene never failed to fill Mia's eyes, and now she could be officially a part of it. Her first ball as a woman.

She saw her mother approaching.

"What are you wearing." She yelled in her lowest tone.

Mia stood in her defensive position.

"Mother, you promised I could pick my own dress."

Mrs. Hayek exhaled.

"Yeah, I did. You look beautiful."

Mia smiled in relief.

"You too mother."

"You look perfect, and it's Yule, but don't exaggerate on the food." She laughed. "You know how the woman in our family have problems with weight."

Mia forced a yellow smile as a good daughter. As soon as her mother departed, the boy tried to cheer her.

"That was close. You survived the attack of the amazing shrew. Good job."

Mia laughed out loud. He felt proud with himself.

The children on the place couldn't stop looking at him with amazement. She turned to him.

"You don't really have a name?"

His smile disappeared.

"No."

He tried to physically walk out of that social interaction. She followed him.

"Do you at least have parents or relatives?"

He spent a couple seconds thinking.

"I don't know. I believe that I don't."

"Where you go when you aren't in Arnsberg? Do you visit other cities?"

"I prefer not to think about that." He said as politely as he could.

"Can I ask about the bag?" She joked.

He handled the bag over to the other hand.

"Nope!"

He really didn't like the direction of that conversation.

"Can I least ask you about the beard? Do you like it?"

He stopped. He looked at her.

"Not even a little." He laughed. "It's shaggy, it scratches, and it annoys me so much."

"Why you don't shave it?"

"As if I had a choice."

That was getting on her nerves.

"Why wouldn't you have a choice?"

He looked deep into her eyes.

"Because only real people have a choice."

On that same moment, a man wearing a red fur cloak and carrying a sack full of toys and stepped out of the servant’s door. The children gasped and cheered his presence and rushed in his direction. The adults were left amazed. Santa Claus had arrived. By his side, a very tall man came closer, wearing a wooden goat mask and wearing a very thick coat. On his hand he carried birch branches. The children surrounded them in seconds. The Goat-masked man asked in his spookiest voice if they had been nice or naughty that year. Santa had already start delivering the presents to all the children.

Mia nudged him.

"It's my father. He lives by the Yule Festival." She boasted. "He loves to dress like Santa. He's the only black St. Nick in the town."

"I find funny how you always seem to agree that he's an old fat man in red."

He left her confused.

"Excuse me."

"St. Nicholas is way younger than that. And he drinks." He chuckled. "A lot."

She tilted her head and frowned.

"How can you tell? No one can see him."

He stayed quiet.

"Do you know the real Santa?"

He broke the silence.

"He's a good man. He's nice to me. The Yule Goat is bad. He's very bad. He beats children."

He nodded to the goat masked man. Mia saw that it unsettled him a bit.

"Calm down. It's just Edgar, our butler. He likes to scare kids, so every year he dresses like the Yule Goat."

All the kids after receiving their presents ran to his side. Mr. Hayek as the jolly saint came closer to Mia at said in direction of the young man:

"This man..." He certified himself to be heard by everyone. "...is the Yule Man. Today he will show us the magic of the Yuletide season."

The crowd turned and stared at him in intensity. The typical hypocrisy of mortals: They fear magic but can't lose a chance to see it close. The boy himself stayed quiet as a mouse in his spot.

Mia asked in his ear:

"Crowds make you nervous"

"Yep" He almost couldn't be heard.

"I realized."

He walked to the center of the courtyard without saying no more words. Near the fir-tree he tossed his bag on the ground. Mia attended all that closely.

He pulled the knot that tighten the bag closed and opened it. A single snowflake came out first. It flew like a white butterfly in the direction of the wind. Calm, gentle, beautiful. It shimmered like nothing else. Some of the children ran after it and tried to catch. A second came out, and third, and a fourth. The snowflakes then burst out of the bag, billions of them. Small bright crystals that looked more like pixie dust.

He opened his arms and allowed the endless wave of light blast off and fill the skies. The crowd clapped and cheered in a mad frenzy. Mr. Hayek couldn't believe his eyes.

Mia stood there, speechless. The sight took all her ability to think properly.

The Yule Man closed his eyes. He shook both hands together as quick as he could. The bright outburst ceased. The bag dissolved in icicles. As if the world's largest swarm, they dashed up, up into the sky, while the snow started to fall.

He turned back to them.

"And this...This is how the Yule snow comes to Arnsberg."

The crowd clapped in pure ecstasy. He exhaled relieved.

The kids chased him. The adults had troubles understanding what happened. Mia stayed quiet in her thoughts processing everything.

The north wind blew over them all. The boy felt the message sent to him down to his bones. A dark figure appeared in the corner. He knew there were consequences to be dealt with.

Mia searched for him when he appeared and shook her hand.

"I'm grateful for everything..." He started. "... but St. Nicholas saw me. I already violated too many rules."

And he ran away.

"What!"

She stayed behind, left speechless again.

Mia marched to her parents close to the mansion's entrance.

"Father, what did you said to him?"

She took Mr. Hayek by surprise.

"Nothing, I..."

Sophia stopped playing with the other girls and their new toys and walked to them.

"It was not him. It was the real Santa.

"Hey!" His heart broke. He said visibly offended. "How long do you know I am not..."

Mia interrupted him.

"Sophia, why are you talking about?"

"St. Nicholas came here to talk to him."

"How I didn't see him?"

She responded with such innocence that terrified Mia.

"He's invisible to you."

Mia rushed back inside and searched for him everywhere. She found him when he was getting nearer the front gate.

"Why did you leave?" She approached him behind pulled him by the arm. You said you would spend the night here."

"I can't. I simply can't. St. Nicholas talked to me...

"Santa? Santa threatened you?"

"No. St. Nicholas is nice to me." He argued. "Only a few like him are. The North Wind brought him here. He told him how I was breaking the rules. Different from him, I can be seen by mortals. He thinks it's not wise for me to get too close to them, to you."

He paused as soon as he realized how that sentence could be interpreted.

"To you guys, the mortals, your family." The awkwardness possessed his body.

Her forehead furrowed while pressing her lips together.

"What are the rules?"

He scratched his head and lowered it down.

"I arrive to Arnsberg by the first light of the Solstice Eve. I must leave before the first light after the Yule days are over."

Her expression lightened.

"So, you can spend the festival with us."

"Do you even listen to me?" He cried out loud.

She placed her hands over his shoulder.

"Listen, you will not violate any rules. As long as you left..." She gesticulated for him to continue it.

"Before the first light after the Yule days are over." He added.

"I know you liked here. So, what do you say.”?

"Mia, I can't."

She raised her voice.

"So, they want you to spend the holidays in the street?"

"I don't have a choice." His jaw clenched and he shut his eyes.

She drew him closer.

"Yeah, you do."

That simple phrase teared down his walls. He no longer felt the ground under his feet. His eyes teared up.

"Do you really believe that." He said in a cry voice.

She struggled to look him in the eyes now.

"I do." She smiled to him.

He closed his eyes.

"Okay, I will spend the Yule Festival with you."

He heard the wind blowing outside. A very bad omen indeed. For some Mia sensed butterflies on her stomach. She felt a sweet taste in her mouth. Something sweet and warm inside her chest.

"Okay, I will ask Edgar to lead you to the Guest room."

He shook his head.

"It isn't necessary. I hate giving people trouble. I can sleep anywhere."

She raised her eyebrows.

"But you need a name. Can I call you Christopher? I always found a beautiful name."

"Yeah, you can." His eyes twinkled while the corners of his mouth quickly turned up.

She stepped closer.

"Happy Yuletide, Chris!"

[the-girasole]

I absolutely love Chestnut Cookie and I love how wonderfully sad his background is. Even though there's nothing sad in his bio in game, I can tell it from details of his outfit and the idea of "paperboy" in general.

First, his clothes. If you take a closer look, his hat, newspaper bag and jacket/cardigan have patches, which shows us that he's a bit.. poor. And his work is not something a regular child would do. Plus, he's working even in winter, when it's extremely cold. It makes me think that Chestnut is an orphan from an English workhouse (like Oliver Twist).

The second thing is his costume. Obviously a reference to Hans Christian Andersen's short story The Little Match Girl. The story tells us about poor girl, who was selling the matches in cold winter night on New Year's Eve and she, apparently, was frozen to death in the end.

It's so beautiful and so sad.

[trishmilburn]

An Exploration of The Untamed’s Romance & Mystery, Episode 6

Disclaimer: This post and others in this series will be filled with loads of spoilers if you haven’t seen The Untamed, the Chinese drama based on Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s novel, Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation). My chief interest in doing this series as I re-watch the drama is to chronicle the development of the romance between Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, but I also highlight the progression of the mystery that helps bring them together. Keep in mind that I’m writing these posts with the knowledge of what’s going to happen throughout the series and having read the novel. If you’d like to read my examinations of previous episodes, links are provided at the end of this post.

On to Episode 6…

We begin with Nie Huaisang sneakily knocking on Wei Ying’s lodging at the Cloud Recesses with what we assume is a prearranged secret knock. When Wei Ying asks what took him so long, Huaisang says he went to get peanuts. Our sweet, pre-calculating Huaisang was late because of snacks. We soon see that these peanuts are to be washed down by Emperor’s Smile as Wei Ying, Nie Huaisang and even Jiang Cheng sit around talking, Wei Ying and Huaisang waxing poetic about how much the love wine. Chronically surly Jiang Cheng tells them that if they like it so much, they should just stalk the smell of wine to find their immortal partners. And now I’m imagining Wei Ying drunk and seeing Lan Zhan as a giant jar of Emperor’s Smile.

Jiang Cheng’s comment leads to Wei Ying teasing him about all the stipulations he has for his own partner in life, which of course doesn’t sit well with his brother, who starts to chase Wei Ying around the room. Enter Lan Zhan, who arrives just in time to see the three of them wrestling on the bed. Lan Zhan calmly asks what they’re doing, probably thinking that they’ve never had such upheaval at the Cloud Recesses until Wei Ying showed up. The boy just can’t stay out of trouble.

Wei Ying’s reaction to the local rule enforcer showing up? Of course, he tries to get him to join in the fun, even tugging on the arm of Lan Zhan’s robe with his fingers. Seriously, this is cute flirting, and Wei Ying is too dense to realize it. Predictably, Lan Zhan says alcohol is prohibited in the Cloud Recesses, and Wei Ying proceeds to basically call him a fuddy-duddy again. Lan Fuddy Duddy tells them to report to the Discipline Hall for punishment, thus sending Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang running out looking as if they are about to toss their cookies. But Wei Ying, not ready to stop being mischievous yet, slaps a paper talisman on Lan Zhan’s back. And just like that Lan Zhan is docile and under Wei Ying’s control. Soon, however, Wei Ying realizes why Lan Zhan doesn’t drink. One tiny cup of wine and he passes out drunk! When his head lolls over on the table, we get the first moment of Wei Ying touching Lan Zhan in a tender way when he lightly touches his face. Realizing that Lan Zhan won’t be able to make it back to his own room, Wei Ying puts him to bed, then has a bit of fun by having Lan Zhan call him Elder Brother. But we see how ingrained the protection of the Lan forehead ribbon is when Wei Ying tries to touch Lan Zhan’s and Lan Zhan swats his hand away. But when Wei Ying tells him that it’s crooked, cute drunk Lan Zhan bolts upright and tries to straighten it. Again, Wei Ying tries to help. And again, Lan Zhan swats his hand away, saying that the headband is important. Only his parents, wife or child can touch it. This is important. Remember this.

Wei Ying says that the Lan Clan has so many rules, who would want to marry Lan Zhan? He tells him that he’s going to be single for life. This is heartbreaking to me as a viewer because I know what Lan Zhan is going to go through during those sixteen years between Wei Ying’s death and his second life. He is going to be alone and thinking he will be for the rest of his life, all with the knowledge that he never told Wei Ying how he really felt. It’s part of the reason why he spends every day of those years playing “Inquiry” on his zither, trying to connect to Wei Ying’s spirit but without success.

Another heartbreaking moment is when Lan Zhan responds to Wei Ying’s jab with, “That’s fine.” I have to wonder if this is partly because of his parents’ sad story but also possibly a part of him acknowledging that he likely won’t get married because he’s not attracted to women. Wei Ying seems stunned by this response and continues to tease, saying Lan Zhan’s father probably so dull that his mom is bored. When Lan Zhan confesses that he doesn’t have a mother, it takes a few moments and some unthinking comments before he realizes what Lan Zhan means and sees the sadness that a non-drunk Lan Zhan would never show to anyone, least of all this frustrating young man next to him. To offer empathy and in another effort to make a connection with Lan Zhan, Wei Ying shares how his parents died when he was only four. The only memory he has of them is his mother beside him telling a joke as Wei Ying rides on a donkey. This is one of those moments when doing this re-watch has helped me make a connection I didn’t before. That memory probably feeds into his affection for Little Apple. There will be other such “aha” moments later in this episode.

Next we see Lan Xichen talking with his uncle after Lan Qiren has returned from the Discussion Conference. Qiren reveals that similar strange things have been happening in Qinghe, the seat of the Nie Clan, as have been happening in Gusu.

Then we’re back to someone knocking on Wei Ying’s door again, which wakes him up after his night of drunken revelry. But then he remembers there is evidence of said drunken revelry and Lan Zhan is still passed out drunk in his bed, at least until his rolls out into the floor, still completely out.

When a Lan disciple reports to Qiren and Xichen that Wei Ying and some others were drinking the night before, Qiren angrily says Wei Ying is just like his mother, which Xichen finds quietly humorous – at least until he hears that Lan Zhan was among those drinking.

Oh, here comes the punishment part of the misbehavior cycle. Wei Ying doesn’t understand why Lan Zhan insists on receiving punishment when it wasn’t his fault that he drank. Wei Ying tries to plead with Qiren not to punish his nephew, but the Lans seemed determined to go through with the 300 beatings on the back with one big-ass ruler called a ferule that is more like a plank. Also, 300 strikes? Wow. Even Xichen admits this was an excessive punishment when he encounters Yanli helping Wei Ying and also comforting Jiang Cheng, who got 50 whacks with the big-ass ruler. Qiren was obviously more upset by Wei Ying’s continued mischief and his corruption of Lan Zhan, Qiren’s star pupil, than by the actual drinking. Xichen tells Wei Ying that it will take about two weeks for his wounds to heal but says he’ll send him to a place that will help him heal faster. Wei Ying asks Xichen how Qiren knew Wei Ying’s mother, and Xichen responds that the two were classmates.

We haven’t seen the Wens in a while. Let’s see what they’re up to. I’m sure it’s nothing good. Wen Qing is communicating with Wen Ruohan via magic talisman, telling him about the waterborne abyss and how Wen Ning’s eyeballs turned white. Wen Ruohan determines this means the Yin Metal his conniving self is looking for is in the water.

Oh, we have arrived at the section of our program known as Naked Lan Zhan. Hee hee hee. Lan Zhan is soaking in the cold water springs to heal his wounds. Remember Xichen telling Wei Ying he’d tell him where to go to help heal his wounds faster? He had to know his little brother would be there, too. I’m telling you, Xichen is the biggest WangXian shipper there is. And for someone who was hobbling along with his arm around his sister’s shoulders not long ago, Wei Ying sure does move fast once he sees Lan Zhan in the pool. Not to mention how excited he is. Poor dense Wei Ying, all he knows is that he wants to be close to Lan Zhan without having a clue why.

Lan Zhan, at least on the surface, is less thrilled by having his solitary soak interrupted, especially when Wei Ying comes sloshing into the water with more enthusiasm than poor repressed Lan Zhan has ever expressed in his young life. Lan Zhan, now clothed, asks how he came to be there, and Wei Ying says that Xichen sent him. Lan Zhan has to be wondering by now why his big bro keeps pushing the two of them toward each other. Like a big, happy puppy, Wei Ying tells Lan Zhan that he really wants to be his friend. Of course Lan Zhan says he doesn’t want it. Yeah, sure. Then comes some hilarious unintentional innuendo when Wei Ying says there are lots of benefits to being his friend and then starts to take off his clothes. Um, friends with benefits, perhaps? Lan Zhan asks what in the world he’s doing, even though he himself was naked in that pool a little while ago. As he starts to leave, Wei Ying quickly says he won’t take off his clothes in an obvious attempt to get Lan Zhan to stop running away from him.

Wei Ying starts telling Lan Zhan, who did indeed halt his departure, about Yunmeng and says if Lan Zhan comes to Lotus Pier, he’ll gather lotus seed pods and water chestnuts for him. Yes, totally something you’d tell a guy friend to entice him to come visit you. Lan Zhan, still aloof, says he’s not going, to which Wei Ying thinks he’s sweetening the pot by saying there are a little of pretty girls in Yunmeng. Oh honey, that’s not going to help your cause.

Wei Ying senses something strange and asks Lan Zhan if he senses it as well right before Wei Ying is pulled under the water. Lan Zhan grabs Bichen and starts after Wei Ying, but then he’s pulled under as well. They tumble into a secret cave below the cold water pool, and Lan Zhan looks genuinely surprised at its existence. As they ventured further into the cave, Lan Zha spots a guqin/zither and heads toward it. Wei Ying follows, but the guqin sends out a wave of magic, knocking Wei Ying back off his feet. It continues to do this, a method called chord assassination, until Lan Zhan uses Bichen to halt it.

Once he’s safe, Wei Ying notices several white bunnies which are wearing the Lan forehead ribbons. Thinking how the forehead ribbons are connected to their wearers and offer protection, he calls out to Lan Zhan, who, coming to the same conclusion, uses his forehead ribbon to connect his own wrist with Wei Ying’s. Remember that whole conversation earlier in which drunk Lan Zhan said that only his parents, wife or child could touch his forehead ribbon? Yeah, they’re married now, LOL. Okay, not really. That comes later. But it is significant that Lan Zhan is willing to create this connection between them to protect Wei Ying. He could have told him to just not approach the guqin anymore, but he willingly connected himself to Wei Ying instead. It’s an important first step made by Lan Zhan, who up until this point has done whatever he could to distance himself from Wei Ying, his antics and perhaps an attraction he either has not yet recognized or has no idea how to handle.

Now connected to Lan Zhan, Wei Ying is able to accompany him as Lan Zhan sits at the guqin and plays “Inquiry” to connect with any spirits nearby. This song will become important in their future investigations during Wei Ying’s second life as well as when he’s dead and Lan Zhan is desperately trying to connect to whatever is left of him. They now hear lots of voices of the clans attaching another sect and calling out to destroy the Yin Metal, something that neither of them has ever heard of. Next comes a section of the show that feels as if it was a confused blur to me during my first viewing but has many “aha!” moments during this second viewing.

Lan Yi, a Lan ancestor who was the first and only female leader of the Lan Clan, shows up and tells them that the Yin Metal is cursed and that she’s a part of its cursed history.

Meanwhile, Xichen tells Qiren he’s sent people out to look for Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, who have been discovered missing now. There is worry that whoever is behind the nefarious things that have been happening may have taken them. We see Jiang Cheng telling his obviously tired sister to rest by the river while he continues to search. After he and the other searchers leave, she slips on a rock and starts to fall backward but is caught by Jin Zixuan. Though their relationship is strained, it’s obvious these two are smitten with each other by the way they look into each other’s eyes for long moments before pulling apart. Jin Zixuan tells her to be careful and then leaves with his clan members to resume his own searching.

Back in the cave, Lan Yi reveals that she has used all her spiritual energy to suppress the Yin Metal and then tells Wei Ying and Lan Zhan the history of this dangerous artifact. Once upon a time, the Yiling Burial Mound (which we’ll see more of later in the story when Wei Ying becomes the Yiling Patriarch) was once a spiritual mountain and cultivator Xue Chonghai was the state preceptor with the strongest magical power. This was one of those light bulb moments for me since it hit me that this guy must be an ancestor of Xue Yang, who we’ll meet later on in what is known as the story’s Yi City Arc. After all, Xue Yang’s work with the Yin Metal would make sense if that kind of work has a history in his family. Wen Ruohan probably knows about the connection and thus why he recruits Xue Yang to work for him.

Anyway, Xue Chonghai was the first to use the Yin Metal, which was a natural treasure that could absorb nature’s natural aura, to absorb the resentment of the humans he sacrificed for this purpose. With this Yin Metal, he controlled the Black Tortoise of Slaughter and slaughtered many sects. Wei Ying deduces that in response the five great sects joined forces to kill Xue Chonghai. When Lan Yi says that Wei Ying is indeed very smart, Lan Zhan glances briefly toward him. Despite Wei Ying’s misbehavior, this is the second person Lan Zhan respects (the other being his brother) who have had positive things to say about him.

We see a brief flashback of a crazy looking Xue Chonghai when the sects arrived to take him out. The first one in the door was Wen Mao, the founder of the Qishan Wen Clan of which Wen Ruohan is now the head, and Xue Chonghai says that he’ll meet the same kind of end.

Lan Yi states that the slaughter of the sects turned the spiritual mountain into a burial mound, and the Yin Metal had absorbed so many spiritual consciousnesses that the resentment was too strong to be eliminated. Xue Chonghai had tainted it forever. The fives sects agreed that the only way to suppress its power was to break it into pieces and hide it, and never tell any of their descendants about it. Obviously, Wen Mao didn’t keep his mouth shut because Wen Ruohan is having visions of using it for dominance over all the sects, thus ensuring it will leave more death and misery in its already horrible wake.

So we’ve gotten more information about the mysterious Yin Metal and some first steps of Lan Zhan warming a fraction toward Wei Ying. He might be able to convince himself he was just doing his duty in protecting another cultivator in that cave, but the fact that he used his forehead ribbon to literally tie himself to Wei Ying was significant, even more so than he realizes.

 Previous posts in this series:

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Episode 5

[imagineyourocsandotps]

Send me a shade of color for my OC(s) to answer

Red - What makes you angry?

Crimson - Have you ever been in war? If so, describe how it impacted you

Maroon - What are you most passionate about?

Imperial - Are you in any position of power or authority? 

Ruby - Would you consider yourself impulsive or reckless?

Chili - Do you like spicy foods?

Brick - What are some things you dislike?

Rose - Would you consider yourself a romantic person?

Redwood - How tall are you? 

Wine - What is your opinion on alcohol? (and does it exist in your world?) 

Orange - What are some of your comfort foods?

Spice - Do you like to cook? Do you cook often?

Tangerine - What is your favorite fruit?

Peach - Are you generally a more gentle and soft spoken person or a louder and rougher person? 

Squash - Do you live in an agricultural setting?  If so, are you a farmer or something of the sort? What kind of crops do you grow?

Amber - Do you wield any sort of superpower? If so, what is it?  

Honey - Have you ever considered marrying someone? What is your opinion on marriage in general? 

Sandstone - Who in your life has been the most healing for you?

Rust - Have you thought about becoming old? Can you become old? Are you scared of being old? What do you think about elders? 

Pumpkin - What is your favorite part of Autumn? (If that exists in your world)

Jumpsuit - Have you ever been arrested/ in trouble with authority?

Bronze - What is your favorite way to warm up when it’s cold 

Yellow - Are you an optimist or a pessimist? 

Dandelion - Would you consider yourself stubborn? 

Marigold - What types of flowers are in your setting? Do you have a favorite?

Blonde - What is your hair color? do you like it?

Lemon - Are you more of a clean or dirty person?

Safety - What is the most traumatic experience in your life?

Gold - Would you consider yourself more rich or poor, in comparison to the world you live in?

Butterscotch - Is there candy in the world you live in? If so, do you have a favorite one? 

Daffodil - Do you like trying new things? What is something new you’d like to try?

Sunshine - Are you a more active or lazy person? 

Green - Was there ever a time in your life that you went through a period of growth? describe it. 

Juniper - What is the nature like in your setting? 

Shamrock - Do you believe in luck? If so, are you a generally lucky person?

Pine- If camping exists in your wold, have you gone camping? did you like it? do you go often?

Green tea - Does Tea it exist in your world?  If so do you like it, and which kind is your favorite? 

Fern - Would you enjoy running a flower shop? 

Seafoam - Are there bodies of water in your setting? Describe them if you can

Mint - Does Ice cream exist in your world? If so, what is your favorite Ice cream flavor? 

Laurel - Is there a major victory you’ve achieved in your life? if so, what is it? 

Emerald - If you could be immortal, would you want to be? 

Brunswick - Are you a person who is often jealous? what makes you jealous most often? 

Avocado - Are you a health nut or a fan of junkfood? 

Army - Do you have a fighting style? If so, what is it?

Olive - What is your Greek personality type? (sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, or melancholic)

Blue - Are you a creative person? How do you like to be creative? 

Peacock - Are you a more flashy person, or do you like to blend in?

Sky - What is your favorite time of the day?

Arctic - Do you prefer warm or cool weather? 

Cerulean- What is your favorite way to cool down in hot weather?

Baby (blue) - Would you consider having children? If so, how many?

Periwinkle -  Would you consider yourself to be a good parent? what do you think a good parent should be?

Denim - What is your fashion style?

Navy - have you ever been on a boat/sailing? does it exist in your world? did you enjoy it? 

Ultramarine - What is your favorite aquatic creature? (if they exist) 

Cobalt - Do you live in a world with freedom? Describe your opinion on the subject

Teal - What makes you feel most at peace? 

Turquoise - Are you good at communicating your feelings?   

Lapis - What is your opinion on religion and the afterlife? 

Aegean - Would you consider yourself a wise person? who do you look to for wisdom? 

Purple - Is there magic in your world? if so, describe how it works

Violet - What is your ideal date?

Lilac - How would someone win you over?

Lavender - what is a smell you really like? 

Royal - How do politics work in your world?

Eggplant - What’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten?

Amethyst- What is your aesthetic?

Mauve - What makes you feel nostalgic? 

Magenta - What is your Zodiac sign? 

Pink - Are you currently in a relationship? if so, who is your partner? 

Watermelon - what are your favorite summer activities?  

Bubblegum - Are you a sassy or sarcastic person? 

Salmon - Do you have any health issues or physical disabilities? 

Blush - Do you have a crush on anyone? If so, who is it?

Cotten candy - Would you say you have a sweet tooth?

Carnation - Are you comfortable with PDA? 

Rouge- Do you have an unpopular opinion? 

Pastel - Do you prefer pastel, bright, neon, or dark colors?

Coral - Do you have a strong moral code? What are some moral things that you feel strongly about?

Fuchsia - Are you a generally playful or goofy person? Who or what makes you feel playful or goofy? 

White - Do you consider yourself a good person? What’s the best thing you’ve ever done for somebody?

Snow - Have you ever seen snow? Do you like it? What do you like to do in the snow? 

Frost - What do you like to wear in cold weather?

Bone - When was the first time you ever witnessed death? How did it impact you?

Cotton - What do you like to wear for pajamas? 

Cream - Do you prefer Tea, Coffee, or Cocoa? (If your world has those things. If not, what sort of hot drinks do you have?)

Coconut - What would be your ideal vacation? 

Pearl - What do you look for in a romantic partner?

Parchment - Do you like to read or write? 

Lace - What would you name your child if you were to have one?

Porcelain - Do you consider yourself a delicate person? Do you fall apart easily? 

Salt - Would you consider yourself a mean person? What is it like to fight with you? 

Ghost- Are you easily scared? What scares you the most? 

Ivory - Do you play any musical instruments? If so, which ones and how well? 

Chiffon - Do you prefer a larger and cleaner environment, or a smaller and cozier one?

Alabaster - What is the most recognizable thing about you? What are people most likely to notice about you when they first meet you?

Egg-nog - Do you celebrate Christmas? If so, what traditions do you have? Which are your favorite?

Ecru - Do you have curly, wavy, or straight hair? 

Beige - What kind of foods do you eat when you’re bored?

Tan - What is your skin color? Do you like it, or do you wish you looked different?

Buttermilk - Do you prefer pancakes or waffles? (if those exist in your world)

Oatmeal - What is your usual breakfast?

Linen - What clothes do you wear to work?

Sugar cookie - What reminds you of your childhood? 

Sand - Have you ever been to a beach? If so, what’s your favorite thing to do at the beach? 

Hazel - What kind of folklore/myths/stories are told in your family/community?

Sepia - Do you have any hobbies? If so, what are they?

Buff - Would you consider yourself to be fit, fat, or skinny?

Latte - Do you like milk in your hot drinks? 

Brown- Where do you call home? 

Mocha - How do you like your coffee? (If you like coffee) 

Cinnamon - Which of the “Cinnamon Roll” memes fits you best? (looks like they could kill but is actually a cinnamon roll, looks like a cinnamon roll but could actually kill you, looks like a cinnamon roll and is actually a cinnamon roll, looks like they could kill you and could actually kill you, or sinnamon roll)

Tawny - Cats or Dogs? (or any animal for that matter)

Hickory - How smart are you? Would you consider yourself more book smart or street smart?

Leather - How “basass” would you say you are?

Brunette - If you could change your hair color, what would you change it to? 

Gingerbread - What is your favorite holiday? 

Penny - If you could make a substantial living doing anything, what would you do?

Chocolate - Do you like chocolate? If so, what is your favorite way to eat it? 

Chestnut - Have you ever ridden an animal? If so, which one? 

Umber - Who do you call your friend? How many Friends do you have?

Carob - What do you look for in a friend? 

Cedar - How old are you? 

Caramel - How much does sugar affect you? 

Mahogany- What is your moral alignment? (Lawful good, Neutral good, Chaotic good, Lawful neutral, True neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Lawful evil, Neutral evil, Chaotic Evil)   

Peanut - Do you have any allergies? 

Grey/Gray - Introvert, Extrovert, or Ambivert? 

Shadow - What is your biggest regret? 

Silver - What do you imagine the future to be like? 

Graphite - Do you like to draw? If so, do you draw often? What do you like to draw?

Smoke - Have you ever taken any drugs? 

Fog - Was there ever a period in your life when you were confused and lost? how did you get out of it? 

Fossil - Do you have any older relatives other than your parents? If so, how many? Do you like them? 

Slate - If you could erase any memory from your life, would you do it? If so, which memory would you chose? 

Cloud - What do you spend the majority of your time thinking about? 

Ash - Is there something or someone from your past that you miss? 

Iron - Have you ever used a weapon? Do you own one? If so what is it?

Black - What is the darkest thing you’ve ever done? 

Ebony - Describe your family

Onyx - What are your nightmares most often about? 

Obsidian - Do you suffer from any mental disabilities? 

Spider - What irrational fears do you have? 

Charcoal - on a scale of one to ten how would you rate your survival skills? 

Soot - How hard do you work to achieve your goals? 

Midnight - Are you a night or morning person?

Raven - Can you fly? If not, do you ever dream about flying? 

Ink - write your autobiography in one sentence 

[thebattlelost]

A Christmas tale of one idiot.

When I hear someone say have a Merry Christmas it

makes me want to wrap a rock in the Christmas cheer

place a pretty bow on it then smile and throw it

through their God damn window while I am screaming

here bitch is your fucking HoHoHo, and all the lights

hanging everywhere on everything looking like a stupid

Disney movie causing the cost of electricity to go up

giving the crooks the ones in suites the greedy bastards

who care about nothing but themselves besides that

it hurts my eyes so bad that I want to break every single

bulb like it is bubble wrapper or shoot every mother

fucking one of them then take the wire and wrapped it

around their necks and hang by the chimney with care

fill the house with gas and yuletide log then catch it on

fire so Santa Clause won't miss it so he can kiss me

ass from the air and then when the carolers come

howling those stupid songs that hurt my ears wearing ridiculous clothes that a clown would not even wear

I want to take my hose to turn it on full blast and spray

them down like two dogs humping, then close the

shades to my room and turn the lock then place a note

on my door that says I killed Santa Clause so

Christmas is canceled due to the fact that

he is an asshole so take your damn cheer and happy new year and shove them up your ass. I mean everywhere you

go you will see the best of all humanity putting up Christmas

trees with all that shiny tinsel of Red and green buying

over price gifts standing in line for hours with money they

do not have to spend in the first using all their rent and bill cash on people they do not even like and who do not care

about I mean really who in the hell needs ten stuffed all shapes and size stupid Christmas bears or ugly sweaters

or crappy tasting fruitcakes while killing trees and filling the dumps and the ground with billions of tons of trash and litter

For what a hallmark channel made up holidays that are supposed to be celebrating the day our Lord and King Jesus Christ was born you know what I bet he was pissed off only getting one gift with a card that said happy birthday and Merry Christmas if that was me I would be like like yo hey bitch bitch one gift you cheap mother beeeeeeep I will

smite your ass and flood your crops hey dad will you send a plague of wasp, I mean what is the deal with holiday spirit

there is nothing at all to cheer about the poor keep getting

poorer living on the streets they got no money for presents hell that can't even eat you have the television showing

all the specials where everyone gets presents making

those unfortunate children feel like shit because of

who they were born into I mean i guess they get the gift

of their father locked away in jail who spent the Christmas money on bail for beating his mother half to death who

nothing but a whore drug addict passed out on the floor

hey kid have yourself a Merry Christmas I hope you get

presents but he won't instead he will be a foster kid living from home to home and Happy Holidays even though your parents died a day ago hit and killed by a fucking drunk driver coming home from a Christmas party full of holiday spirit

walked away saying I did not do it there you kid all

parents were in the car sorry about the blood and guts

that is not finger it is a chestnut and then those alone at

home to face the dark alone they want to laugh and smile

but can't because of mental health they have depression or anxiety or some other form of a mental kind no one to help them they never believe them take a pill or twenty just

smile until they find them hanging by a rope by the chimney

with care dead who knows how long they been hanging

there or holding a gun still been dead two weeks all red

and green and it ain't now Christmas spirit that blood splatter

or sitting in a car that is full of presents and cookies

and candy smothered and covered by carbon monoxide

and oh hear that Christmas music blaring full of the happy new year where you find the addicts on the streets

trying to snort up all of the white powder or the ice that

has fallen or those in places where unknown fighting and dying for what jingle bells and IEDs singing all they want for Christmas is their arms or legs they were blown away

when they stopped and search foreign Santas and his elves carrying a hundred pounds of explosive and radioactive Christmas toys so I screw the holidays take your cheers

I do not want to hear about Rudolph or snowman or how

they git fifty thousand dollars worth of toys but threw them all away and killed their parents because they did not get what they asked for so take your jingle or I will kick your balls

and tell Santa that if he comes here he will see naughty

when I Claus his eyes out then shot his reindeer put their

heads on my wall so all of you greedy suit wearing bottom dollar soul-sucking corporations stop shoving your

Christmas bullshit down the throats of those who have nothing at all to give stop harassing our kids and charging

forty dollars at the overcrowded malls to see your crappy

looking smells like he has been drinking child molesting

fake Kris Kringle figuring the kids will throw a fit so

the parents will have to spend all that money. so take

your HoHoHo and shove up your holiday spirit and go back

to hell with the other demons.. and Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night,,,,,,

Born in the backseat of a station wagon.

Aka Poet Richard M Knittle Jr.

[1-little-rose]

Red - What makes you angry?

Crimson - Have you ever been in war? If so, describe how it impacted you

Maroon - What are you most passionate about?

Ruby - Would you consider yourself impulsive or reckless?

Chili - Do you like spicy foods?

Brick - What are some things you dislike?

Rose - Would you consider yourself a romantic person?

Wine - What is your opinion on alcohol?

Orange - What are some of your comfort foods?

Spice - Do you like to cook? Do you cook often?

Tangerine - What is your favorite fruit?

Peach - Are you generally a more gentle and soft spoken person or a louder and rougher person? 

Amber - Do you wield any sort of superpower? If so, what is it?  

Honey - What is your opinion on marriage in general? 

Sandstone - Who in your life has been the most healing for you?

Rust - Have you thought about becoming old? Are you scared of being old? What do you think about elders? 

Pumpkin - What is your favorite part of Autumn?  What is your favorite season?

Jumpsuit - Have you ever been arrested/ in trouble with authority?

Bronze - What is your favorite way to warm up when it’s cold 

Yellow - Are you an optimist or a pessimist? 

Dandelion - Would you consider yourself stubborn? 

Blonde - What is your hair color? do you like it?

Lemon - Are you more of a clean or dirty person?

Gold - Would you consider yourself more rich or poor, in comparison to the world you live in?

Butterscotch - Is there candy in the world you live in? If so, do you have a favorite one? 

Daffodil - Do you like trying new things? What is something new you’d like to try?

Sunshine - Are you a more active or lazy person? 

Green - Was there ever a time in your life that you went through a period of growth? describe it. 

Shamrock - Do you believe in luck? If so, are you a generally lucky person?

Pine- Have you gone camping? did you like it? do you go often?

Green tea - Does Tea it exist in your world?  If so do you like it, and which kind is your favorite? 

Fern - Would you enjoy running a flower shop? 

Mint - What is your favorite Ice cream flavor? 

Laurel - Is there a major victory you’ve achieved in your life? if so, what is it? 

Emerald - If you could be immortal, would you want to be? 

Brunswick - Are you a person who is often jealous? what makes you jealous most often? 

Avocado - Are you a health nut or a fan of junkfood? inbetween? describe.

Army - Do you have a fighting style? If so, what is it?

Olive - What is your Greek personality type? [temperament] (sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, or melancholic)

Sky - What is your favorite time of the day?

Arctic - Do you prefer warm or cool weather? 

Cerulean- What is your favorite way to cool down in hot weather?

Baby (blue) - Would you consider having children? If so, how many?

Periwinkle -  Would you consider yourself to be a good parent? what do you think a good parent should be? 

Denim - What is your fashion style?

Navy - have you ever been on a boat/sailing? did you enjoy it? 

Ultramarine - What is your favorite aquatic creature? (if they exist) 

Teal - What makes you feel most at peace? 

Turquoise - Are you good at communicating your feelings?   

Lapis - What is your opinion on religion and the afterlife? 

Aegean - Would you consider yourself a wise person? who do you look to for wisdom? 

Purple - Is there magic in your world? if so, describe how it works

Violet - What is your ideal date?

Lilac - How would someone win you over?

Lavender - what is a smell you really like? 

Amethyst- What is your aesthetic?

Mauve - What makes you feel nostalgic? 

Watermelon - what are your favorite summer activities?  

Bubblegum - Are you a sassy or sarcastic person? 

Salmon - Do you have any health issues or physical disabilities? 

Blush - Do you have a crush on anyone? If so, who is it? 

Cotten candy - Would you say you have a sweet tooth?

Carnation - Are you comfortable with PublicDisplaysofAffection? 

Pastel - Do you prefer pastel, bright, neon, or dark colors?

Coral - Do you have a strong moral code? What are some moral things that you feel strongly about?

Fuchsia - Are you a generally playful or goofy person? Who or what makes you feel playful or goofy? 

White - Do you consider yourself a good person? What’s the best thing you’ve ever done for somebody?

Snow - Have you ever seen snow? Do you like it? What do you like to do in the snow? 

Frost - What do you like to wear in cold weather?

Bone - When was the first time you ever witnessed death? How did it impact you?

Cotton - What do you like to wear for pajamas? 

Cream - Do you prefer Tea, Coffee, or Cocoa? (If your world has those things. If not, what sort of hot drinks do you have?)

Coconut - What would be your ideal vacation? 

Pearl - What do you look for in a romantic partner?

Parchment - Do you like to read or write? 

Lace - What would you name your child if you were to have one?

Salt - Would you consider yourself a mean person? What is it like to fight with you? 

Ghost- Are you easily scared?

Ivory - Do you play any musical instruments? If so, which ones and how well? 

Chiffon - Do you prefer a larger and cleaner environment, or a smaller and cozier one?

Alabaster - What is the most recognizable thing about you? What are people most likely to notice about you when they first meet you?

Egg-nog - Do you celebrate Christmas? If so, what traditions do you have? Which are your favorite?

Ecru - Do you have curly, wavy, or straight hair? 

Beige - What kind of foods do you eat when you’re bored?

Tan - What is your skin color? Do you like it, or do you wish you looked different?

Buttermilk - Do you prefer pancakes or waffles? (if those exist in your world)

Oatmeal - What is your usual breakfast?

Linen - What clothes do you wear to work?

Sugar cookie - What reminds you of your childhood? 

Sand - Have you ever been to a beach? If so, what’s your favorite thing to do at the beach? 

Sepia - Do you have any hobbies? If so, what are they?

Buff - Would you consider yourself to be fit, fat, or skinny?

Latte - Do you like milk in your hot drinks? 

Brown- Where do you call home? 

Mocha - How do you like your coffee? (If you like coffee) 

Cinnamon - Which of the “Cinnamon Roll” memes fits you best? (looks like they could kill but is actually a cinnamon roll, looks like a cinnamon roll but could actually kill you, looks like a cinnamon roll and is actually a cinnamon roll, looks like they could kill you and could actually kill you, or sinnamon roll)

Tawny - Cats or Dogs? (or any animal for that matter)

Hickory - How smart are you? Would you consider yourself more book smart or street smart?

Leather - How “basass” would you say you are?

Brunette - If you could change your hair color, what would you change it to? 

Gingerbread - What is your favorite holiday? 

Penny - If you could make a substantial living doing anything, what would you do?

Chocolate - Do you like chocolate? If so, what is your favorite way to eat it? 

Chestnut - Have you ever ridden an animal? If so, which one? 

Umber - Who do you call your friend? How many Friends do you have?

Carob - What do you look for in a friend? 

Caramel - How much does sugar affect you? 

Mahogany- What is your moral alignment? (Lawful good, Neutral good, Chaotic good, Lawful neutral, True neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Lawful evil, Neutral evil, Chaotic Evil)   

Peanut - Do you have any allergies? 

Grey/Gray - Introvert, Extrovert, or Ambivert? 

Shadow - What is your biggest regret? 

Silver - What do you imagine the future to be like? 

Smoke - Have you ever taken any drugs? 

Fog - Was there ever a period in your life when you were confused and lost? how did you get out of it? 

Fossil - Do you have any older relatives other than your parents? If so, how many? Do you like them? 

Cloud - What do you spend the majority of your time thinking about? 

Ash - Is there something or someone from your past that you miss? 

Iron - Have you ever used a weapon? Do you own one? If so what is it?

Black - What is the darkest thing you’ve ever done? 

Ebony - Describe your family

Charcoal - on a scale of one to ten how would you rate your survival skills? 

Soot - How hard do you work to achieve your goals? 

Midnight - Are you a night or morning person?

Ink - write your autobiography in one sentence 

[philmytummy]

The start of rarest. began with Anthony Marini winning the 2nd season of CNBC’s Restaurant Start Up. The Philadelphia restaurant concept opened in November 2016 inside the aka at Washington Square) serving guests a modern, seasonal american menu which focuses on tartares, crudos, ceviches, and charcuterie. Marini’s winning vision was simple: a restaurant, called The Rarest, which focuses on raw or lightly cooked food. But now, the concept has since evolved into so much more.

As a Philadelphia native, Anthony Marini graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. His formal career began in his hometown working in the kitchens of Dilullo Centro and the Germantown Cricket Club.  Marini has also led kitchens as Executive Chef at Philadelphia Fish & Company in Philadelphia, Christopher’s in Phoenix, AZ and the Standard Hotel in West Hollywood, CA.

photo credit: Philly.com

In 2003, after relocating to Alabama, Anthony introduced Birmingham to his eclectic cuisine with AMBA, as Executive Chef and Partner. AMBA received strong local recognition. Then Marsini opened (local) restaurant and cocktail bar in 2005. The restaurant won “Best New Restaurant”. Marini was voted one of the “Top Three Chefs” and (local) was voted one of the “Top Three Restaurants” in subsequent years also. (local) garnered outstanding reviews from Birmingham Magazine, The Birmingham News, Portico Magazine and was featured in Bon Appetit, Cooking with Paula Deen and The New York Times.

On January 20, 2015, Marini competed in season 2 of the hit CNBC network show Restaurant Startup.  He pitched a restaurant he wanted to open in his hometown of Philadelphia. The show profiled Marini (nicknamed “The Comeback Cook”), and his 30 year friendship with his teammate and the custody battle that led him to abandon his business in Alabama. They ultimately won an initial investment from restaurateur and host, Joe Bastianich, beating out the #1 food truck in Atlanta, GA. Soon after, he partnered with Stephen and Tom Finley of Finley Catering to bring the restaurant to 834 Chestnut Street.

The restaurant decor was curated by Marini along with the direction of Morris Clarke of DAS Architects. The Rarest’s decor is sleek and stylish, full of concrete, wood, brown leather and modern art (many of which was inspired by Marini’s personal life, or created by Marini himself!).

The restaurant menu reads in sections entitled “To Share”, “Raw”, “The Variety,” “Pastas and Grains” and “Daily Requirements” (larger plates). We began with the Selection of Meats and Cheeses (To Share) with chef’s pickles. The meat selection on our board included Speck from Italy, Jamon Serrano from Spain, Wagyu Bresola from 1732 meats in PA. The cheeses were Manchego from Spain, Shropshire Blue from England, and Von Trapp Oma from VT. This was by far one of the best charcuterie courses we’ve enjoyed thus far in the city. And we could not neglect sampling from the Raw section, we tried the Tuna Tartare with soy-sesame-chili marcona almonds, compressed cucumber, sushi rice, and taro chips. Otherwise the most popular plate is the Hanger Steak Tartare with red pepper relish, egg yolk, and garlic croutes.

Next we sampled from the Pasta & Grains. What could be more rich a decadent then Garganelli pasta with red wine braised octopus, house lamb merguez salad, and fennel pollen or Mushroom Risotto with grana padana. Although many Italian restaurants offer risotto on the menu, it is rare that we are as pleased and impressed as we were with this dish.

For something more substantial we tried the Hanger Steak with creamed greens, veal reduction, new potatoes, creme fraiche, trout roe, and black garlic from the Daily Essentials. Our server suggested the Hand Cut Fries with kenneback potatoes, fried leeks, bottarga, topped with shaved ancient gouda and a side of smoked mayonnaise. Boy are we glad she did! These are truly the grown-up version of french fries, thick cut perfectly soft inside and crispy on the outside. If you’re used to an aioli for dipping, the smoked mayo was very unique and delicious.

When it came to the dessert course, we were truly touched on an emotional level as the menu reads:

Marini writes: “Sometimes, it’s not about a restaurant. Often, as a chef, I’m asked too many questions about the dish I’m proudest of. This dessert menu is what I am most proud of now. The reason? Steven Marini, my son, who is my most treasured accomplishment…He is also a child diagnosed with high functioning autism.

Steven has a story and he wants to share it. He and I have created this menu as a way for him to be part of rarest. in his own way. It’s not high art, but it is damn good. I love him for wanting to do this and I just watch some incredible wheels turn as I go on this journey being his dad. I hope you enjoy it. “

Guests can enjoy a selection created by father and son, including our favorite Peanut Butter Parfait with sugar cone crunch, cocoa nib, salt and pepper caramel. Spring weather cravings call for the Ice Cream Sandwich with coffee ice cream, and shortbread cookie. Plus a classic choice of Chocolate Pot de Creme with spiced whipped cream or daily selection of Trio of Homemade Ice Creams. 

 Don’t forget the rarest Amaro and after dinner drink cart. Alexandra Cherniavsky is the general manager, and prior worked as wine director for Avance’s cellars, as well as managing Jose Garces’s Amada in Old City. Her beverage collection is described as “interesting to novices and interesting to experts.” The 80+ bottle list spans the globe, with a slight focus on bubbles—something she thinks would match Marini’s cooking. On tap: five craft beers and a Vieux Carré cocktail. Kevin Lopez heads up the ingredient-driven cocktail program.

Stop by Monday- Friday to sample some libations during happy hour offering $2 off draft beer, $2 off Amaro, $8 Poor Richard’s Punch, $8 cocktail of the day, and $7 select red or white wine. Look for a lunch menu coming soon! Reservations can be made via OpenTable. Restaurant capacity is 75 in the dining room and 20 seats at the bar. If you are interested in hosting a private event, you can email theteam@rarestphilly.com for more information.

rarest. The start of rarest. began with Anthony Marini winning the 2nd season of CNBC's Restaurant Start Up.