#and comes out of the ether to ask the real important questions

[dooberific]

I absolutely love your writing!! Idk if you're open for request, but if you do, can I request doctor!reader with Harumasa? He loves to go to infirmary not only he can pretend to be sick but also just to see them

Double trouble cause I thought it sounded like a fun combination. Does using a 1988 song name as the title make me sound old? 🤔

❝ 𝘉𝘢𝘥 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯' 𝘠𝘰𝘶 ❞

harumasa x afab!doctor!reader

genre: fluff, I projected a little bit into this???

summary: if being in love with your cute doctor wasn’t bad enough, she’s completely clueless when it comes to romance

wc: 1.6k

The end of your pen tapped thoughtfully against your plush lower lip as you skimmed your notes. Once. Twice. Your eyes dart to the opened paper file on the counter beside you.

 Even cracked it was a solid two inches high and crammed full of health histories, specialty consult results and prescription sheets all bound haphazardly with what looked like ties from a bread bag. You really needed to get an actual binder to hold it all, but as of now you had other problems to address.

“Well,” you swiveled your chair around as you clicked your pen, eyes still skimming your intake sheet before you looked up with a smile, “Good news is nothing seems to be wrong. Well, let me rephrase that, wrong when compared to your baseline.” 

It was an important differentiation to make when you were dealing with one of your most tasking patients. In your two years of clinic practice in the city you had never needed to spend a series of days pouring over a patient file, heck, even before you graduated and were staged as a resident in the clinic in the Outer Ring it wasn’t so extensive. 

Ether Aptitude Regression Syndrome was a bad actor, and Asaba Harumasa seemed to be its favorite role to haunt. 

He coughed pitifully, a hand splayed over his chest as he shook his head. “Are you sure, Doc? My body’s aching all over and my head feels funny, and I—,” he coughed again, “can’t seem to shake this cough.” 

You frowned, scribbling another note on your papers. “Have you been taking all your medications as indicated?”

“Just as the doctor ordered…actually,” a pensive expression decorated his face as he fisted the fabric of his work shirt, “maybe I have a deficiency in something, I think I ran out of some of my vitamins.” 

You perked up immediately, flipping quickly to his laundry list of medication and supplements. “Which one have you been missing? A? C? K?”

“I think it was vitamin you.”

“Oh.” You pulled your prescription pad off the desk. “I’m going to write you an order for  Vitamin U. Try adding some cruciferous veggies to your diet, leafy greens, broccoli, stuff like that. Call me if it starts giving you stomach problems.”

You tore the slip off your pad as you extended it to him, the paper decorated in your curling and messy script. 

“Do you need a work excuse?”

Should he just quit? This was the question he asked himself every time he stepped out the door of the clinic back onto the street, paper bag of medication in his hand. 

White coat syndrome was a very real affliction, though his heart wasn’t racing and his blood pressure wasn’t spiking because he was anxious. After the fourth visit you just assumed it was his baseline response to see his pulse spike randomly through the exam, after all, his syndrome mainly seemed to impact his heart and lungs. 

What you didn’t know was that wasn’t his baseline, nor was it a mutation of his syndrome not documented by his past physicians. It was simply a biological response to something else you conveniently seemed to not notice: the raging interest he had in you.

Rest assured he was absolutely mortified when he figured it out himself, laying on his back staring at the ceiling in the dark as he realized he was enthralled by the very idea of you. Your intelligence, your nimble hands, the way you tapped your pen against your lips when met was a challenge you hadn’t quite deciphered, your warm smile.

It wasn’t a complete lie when he would tell you he felt feverish, or that his stomach felt sick and his heart was racing, he felt all those things with horrifying clarity tenfold when your hand pressed against his forehead after noting aloud that his skin seemed flush and clammy. 

Was it crossing a line to be flirting with your doctor? Definitely, he was sure he was toeing some doctor-patient professional relationship line, but if he ended up in someone else’s care later then there really wasn’t anything holding him back. 

But he was growing increasingly convinced that if you weren’t intentionally playing dumb that you might be a little thick when it came to the nuanced science of flirtation because he had shifted from casual to nearly outright and you never batted an eye.

How else could you have misinterpreted his texts from last week? He was half-giddy with excitement, sure he had you this time.

I miss you.

Your appointment isn’t until next week, you didn’t miss anything. Have a good night :)

It haunted him nearly as much as the day he forgot his work excuse and asked you to text it to him, how proudly he had flipped the phone screen to show Tsukishiro until she squinted and asked, “Why do you have heart emojis around your doctor’s name?”

A devastating blow to his ego. But so was every failed attempt to catch your eye. 

“Do you have an inhaler? Cause you just took my breath away.”

“Hold on, I’ll grab one from the cart. You’re supposed to carry your own inhaler, Mr Asaba!” You scolded, disappearing for a moment before tossing him an inhaler. 

“You look a little under the weather yourself, Doc. Sure you aren’t deficient in vitamin M E?”

“Ah, I didn’t put as much makeup on today.” You cupped your cheeks with your hands thoughtfully. “I feel fine though, thanks for your concern.” 

“I’m no organ donor, but I’d love to give you my heart.”

“Your medical condition prevents you from joining the organ donation program.” You didn’t even bother to turn around when you acknowledged him.

“I think my heart just skipped a beat when I looked at you.”

“You’re on a medication that regulates heart rhythm, should I write you a cardiology referral?”

He went to text you again as he walked home for the evening. Typed. Deleted. Typed again. Deleted again. You just weren’t getting it, or maybe you were just too kind to tell him you weren’t interested or even that you had a boyfriend already on his numerous visits. Maybe he should just give you some space?

But maybe that would be cruel when you were standing on the sidewalk waiting for the light to change, mascara smeared down your cheeks as you sniffled. He pocketed his phone.

“Hey Doc, you alright?” 

You tensed, head swiveled in his direction before you quickly turned your face away, hands swiping at your cheeks before wiping them on your dark scrubs hastily.

“Oh, hey Mr. Asaba.” He frowned at your attempt at a cheerful tone, your voice still wavering from your tears before you cleared your throat. “You, uh, don’t have to call me Doc when the clinic is closed.” 

“And you don’t have to call me Mister when I’m not sitting on your exam table.” He retorted, catching the little quirk at the corner of your lips as they quivered in a small smile.

“Want me to walk you home? It’s kinda late.” 

“No, but thank you.” You peered over your shoulder towards the restaurant just behind you. You gripped your bag tighter, inching closer to where he stood beside you on the curb.  “Actually, would you mind..?” 

He didn’t have to ask you what was wrong, within the first five minutes of your walk you had apologized to him multiple times, started crying again, and spilled your heart out.

Six bad dates in the span of a couple weeks came to a head over a plate of chicken parm, your date kicking back as he declared you to be dull, hopeless, slow, and much uglier in person than your dating profile picture (which was your clinic profile photo). 

“He said that I “couldn’t take a hint”, whatever that’s supposed to mean!” You cried indignantly before you turned to him, eyes puffy and wet from your tears. 

“Am I that bad?”

He sucked a breath between his teeth. “Well, not to play the devil’s advocate but I’ve been flirting with you for weeks and you didn’t notice.” 

You stopped dead in your tracks. “What?!”

He held up his hands defensively, but before he could say anything your head had already hung low, shuffling your clinic sneakers on the dirty sidewalk outside your apartment.

“I’m sorry.” Your voice was small as your shoulders sank. “I’m not very good at stuff like this.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, fingers grazing his choker. “I noticed, but it’s fine. You just need things to be a little more straightforward.”

He took a deep breath, clasping his hands together as he pointed at you. “I think you’re very pretty and charming in your weird doctor-y kind of way, so I would like to take you out for dinner sometime. Like, romantically.”

He was sure you gave yourself whiplash for how quickly your head snapped up, eyes wide. You brushed your tousled hair back from your face, cheeks flushing brightly enough he could see them burning under the streetlights.

“Oh, okay….when?”

“Tomorrow after you get off? I’m dreaming of beer and fried chicken if you aren’t opposed.”

“Of course not!” 

He was a little taken aback by how aggressively you answered, your hands clasping around one of his as if he was about to dematerialize before your very eyes.

“Great, then I will see you tomorrow. Have a good night, Doc—I mean, (y/n).”

“Good night to you as well.”

He turned to leave. He was practically screaming inside like a teenage girl you just secured a prom date, a new lightness to his step in the wake of his victory.

“Harumasa!”

He paused in his step, head whipping around to face you. You still stood on the stoop, a smile plastered across your face like he hadn’t seen before, one that lit your eyes up and dimpled your cheek.

“Thank you!”

He gripped his chest over his heart as it flipped wildly in his chest. His grin was pained when he looked up at you. 

“Doc, I might actually need emergency care this time--,”

Rey 2024

[bunnybunbun0]

Renaissance

summary: because Paul Atreides was a piece of art in bed.

pairing: Paul Atreides X fem!reader

warnings: smut,porn without plot,stablished relationship.

A/N: with the hype of dune part two being released i finally got my shit together and watched part one years later and oh.my.god. Seeing timmy play a serious important yet loving duke just rocked me a bit. i hope you guys like this!

sorry its short i wasnt planning on writing it,it just came to mind.not proofread,we die like real men. english is not my first language so be kind!

you are responsible for your own media comsumption! :)

credits to gif owner!

Paul Atreides was undoubtly the prettiest man you have ever seen.

And after stumbling upon a book on what ancient civilizations considered art,you were even more convinced he was god´s most wonderful creation.

When he pants on top of you while fiercifully thrusting into your soaked slit,his black curls clinging to his pale skin with a sheer of sweat;a beautiful contrast with his dark hair and white skin.

The sounds leaving the back of his throat are a sweet melody to your ears; the gutural grunts,the ocasional moan,the pants of your name,the filthy things he whispers in your ears.

You were fully convinced paul was the most beautiful work of art youve ever seen,he was ethereal,every trace of his was brushstroke,you lost yourself staring into the honey galaxies of his eyes.

"What are you thinking about that is more important than my cock inside you right now?"

His dirty question gets you out of your head;a long whimper scaped you at how dirty his words were,you tried your best to focus on answering his question,but between his cocktip brushing your sweet spot so deliciously,the force of his hips meeting yours,and the sinful noises that filled the room,all you could do in response was moan and whine.

He lowers his head to your neck,sucking and biting the sensitive pristine skin;you shiver at the thought of being marked by his beautiful lips,having him set a clam on you.

"Answer me" he asks in a grave tone,a shiver rippling through you bringing you closer and closer to the edge.

"You´re beautiful!" you blabber out in a high pitched moan,not even realizing how desperate you sound or how you´re not making any sense to him right now "you´re beautiful! fuck paul,you´re so beautiful"

To say that was not what Pauls was expecting to hear was an understatement,he knew you appreciated his looks;it was clear with your lingering touches on him or how youd be amazedly watching him while he did the most mundane of tasks,but not that you liked it enough to declare it so devotedely while he was deep inside you.

He knew your body better than anyone else,and he could sense you were on the brink of an orgasm,his hand reached down rubbing sensual circles around your clit,not once slowing down his thrusts.

You unravel around him yelping and crying out as your release washed over you,your eyes shut feeling the moment where you and him become one.

A few more faltered thrusts into your now even tighter pussy,and paul was cumming inside you with a string of profanities leaving his mouth accompanied with your name.

You both stare at each for what feels like forever,breathing deeply while coming down from your highs.

Paul was a completely different person once the sexual aact was over,the kiss he pressed on your lips right now was not desperate and hurried,it was calm,soft,he treated you like the wind blow you away into a pile of sand.

He slips out of you carefully,making sure youre okay,carefully enveloping you in his arms and throwing a blanket around both their naked bodies;a confortable silence falls into the room as thetwo of you cuddle,paul lovingly stroking your arms,ocasionally kissing whatever naked skin he could get his lips on.

"You really think i´m that good looking?" he asks with the memory of you moaning out how beautiful he was mid sex stuck in his mind.

In your post orgasm clarity your mind goes back to the beautiful paintings you found on the ancient book,the delicacy of the lines,the softness of the colors and beautiful tragedies behind every piece. The sudden desire to once again tell paul how beautiful he is and make sure to know your ancient knowledge with him are overwhelming.

You sit up in the bed looking up at his face,a smile immediately meeting your lips as you look at him and decide to ask:

"Have you ever heard of Michelangelo?"

[alltimefail]

Why doesn't Edwin call Charles, "Charlie?"

I shared the isolated audio of Charles' death scene where his "friends" taunted him as they killed him, and in that video, they called him "Charlie." This confirmed what many people in fandom already believed: Charles, a sporty teenage boy in the 80s, would not have gone by his proper first name and likely went by a nickname/shortened version of his name instead.

Now that we know that to be true, it does beg the question: why does Edwin call him Charles? I told you all not to get me started on this in the tags, but you stinkers want me to yap, so let's get into it! 😜

This is a very uninteresting answer, but I think Edwin does not call Charles "Charlie" simply because Charles did not introduce himself as such. Had he introduced himself as Charlie, I don't think Edwin would call him anything else.

This actually brings us to the "meat" of this analysis, and the more important question we need to ask: why would Charles choose not to introduce himself as "Charlie" if that's what people seemed to call him?

I have a couple of theories:

The first one: when Charles meets Edwin he's in a fragile state. A boy he's never seen in all his time at school approaches him, seeming to come out of thin air, just to bring him a lantern without any strings attached (even though Charles cannot give him anything in return). Charles has never experienced that kind of unconditional kindness in his life, and I'm sure that alone was enough to be a bit earth-shaking, mind-scrambling, and intimidating.

But it doesn't end there! The boy who brings the lantern is also claiming to be dead. Delerium/hallucinations are a common symptom of hypothermia so Charles could have though that Edwin was not real or was maybe even some kind of angel-like figure coming to keep him company in his final moments. I mean, the boy's wearing a dated school uniform, enters in a halo glow of golden light, and can walk through walls...it's not the wildest conclusion to jump to.

I think either of thos things individually or a combination of having your guard up, being a bit frazzled from the whole "dying" thing, and believing you're in the presence of an ethereal deity (combined with the fact that you're a people pleaser at your core) is enough to feel compelled to introduce yourself not in formal manner. Not to mention if Edwin introduced himself first, hand outstretched in a formal matter and proper posh accent on full display (something I can totally see him doing), Charles might have felt a bit silly calling himself by such a casual title.

While I think all of this can be varying degrees of true, however, my biggest personal headcanon is that Charles might not have introduced himself as Charlie because who's to say he LIKED that nickname? My circumstances were similar to Charles' growing up, I also had many nicknames from friends and family that I didn't ask for but was given anyway against my will... and I always hated it. Still cringe at some of them to this day, actually! So I think it's possible that Charlie Rowland met Edwin Payne, with all his formal stature and proper professional-sounding name, and took the opportunity to choose what he'd like to go by, without the influence of family or friends. In that way, his chosen identity that would kick off the rest of his existence moving forward (unknown to him at the moment, but true from a narrative standpoint nonetheless) serves as a "Taking your power back" moment for Charles who literally just heard the name "Charlie" being hurled at him as he begged for mercy from people who were supposed to be his friends. Even if he tolerated the nickname "Charlie" before, it certainly wouldn't have fond associations following the event that ended his life (if it had any positive associations to begin with).

Again, speaking from experience, Charlie also sounds like the kind of nickname that could be sugar-sweet on some tongues, innocent even, (his mother cooing over a young Charles), but terrifying from an abusive figure... a scathing kind of mockery. I've always imagined that Charles' dad more than likely called him Charlie, for example, and not in a fond, loving way (in the same way his so-called "friends" were not doing so in a loving way).

So yeah, why would Charles WANT to go by Charlie?

Now that we've established that, we can go back to Edwin...what you came here for!

All that in mind, I still don't see Edwin as the nickname type at all. From a romance standpoint I could maybe see him using a few dated, sappy endearments, but we don't ever hear him use a casual name toward anyone. In his lifetime Charlie would have been a perfectly normal name, but the kind of "fond" nicknaming practices and casual male friendships that happened in 1989 were not common practices in 1916, the Edwardian era. Even with his infinite fondness of Charles, I could never see Edwin uttering "Charlie." It doesn't feel right.

Plus, let's be honest: Edwin says Charles' name with enough love and reverence that he doesn't need to use an endearment. His tone says it all (lol).

Beyond that though, like I said above, I can't see Edwin feeling to impulse to call him "Charlie" because that's not how Charles introduced himself. Edwin strikes me as the kind of person that would be like, "If he wanted to be called Charlie, he surely would have said as much" and left it at that. But a name like Charlie also conveys a sort of youthfulness, and while he and Charles are 16 forever, technically, they have been detached from their lives for a long time and they're MUCH older than 16 in experience and in their professional life.

The only question I was left with, and one I've seen several people ponder, is why Charles would suggest they call The Night Nurse Charlie, (like from Charlie's Angels), as it seems a bit strange if his own name is Charlie/he went by Charlie. My answer/interpretation isn't that exciting, but it's one I feel makes the most sense: I honestly think this can easily be explained away by the fact that Charles is so far removed from that identity and so dissociated from his life that he no longer associates the name "Charlie" with himself in any way. Like it literally didn't even occur to him, in that moment, that Charlie/Charles are so similar because he has built a barrier in his mind between himself and that nickname; they're two entirely different identifiers to him. Whether that be a coping mechanism, or simply just something he wasn't thinking so deeply about (it has been 30 years since anyone called him that, except for Brad and Hunter in Port Townsend), we can't say for sure. However, it's clear Charles does not want to go by Charlie, and at least now we can safely assume why.

Let me know your thoughts! Do you agree with my interpretation? Do you have your own opinion that I didn't cover? Feel free to share with me!

Keep streaming Dead Boy Detectives & screaming about it ! Hugs to each and every one of you! 💜

[rory-cakes]

Birdy's Alastor

Y/n Altruist's presence seemed to radiate even in death. As she passed through the pearly gates of heaven, a soft, ethereal glow surrounded her, drawing others to her just as she had in life. Over time, she became known as the angel whose voice soared like a canary's, captivating all who heard her. Her weekly concerts became a much-anticipated event, a beacon of joy in the heavenly realm.

When Y/n was allowed to observe her loved ones, she was unprepared for the sight that greeted her. She saw her mother-in-law in a graveyard, cradling a tiny baby—her baby, Eudora. But it was the sight of the headstone that caught her breath.

However, she started to choke on her breath when she saw what was on the headstone. 

Here lies Alastor and Y/n Altruist 

Beloved Parents and Family

May their soul find each other in the next life

Her Alastor was dead?

What had happened to him? 

Why wasn’t he here with her? 

When she asked her frantic questions, the truth almost made her faint. 

Yes, he was dead; a deer hunter shot him; he was a serial killer and a cannibal. 

Her Alastor. 

No that wasn’t her Alastor. 

Her Alastor rubbed her feet after a long shift and always had a cup of tea ready when she got home. 

Her Alastor made cringy radio jokes first thing in the morning and then apologized with breakfast. 

Her Alastor made sure she was happy and healthy during her pregnancy. 

Her Alastor couldn’t wait to father his child. 

This was the world’s Alastor.

Y/n’s Alastor was real. 

She needed to see him.

Now

Lucifer’s Daughter?

She’s here to talk about a rehabilitation hotel?

Hazbin Hotel is ironic but okay.

Y/n thought the idea in itself was good. Sure, it could use more workshopping and an overall steady plan of how they were going to do this, but other than that, it was great. 

As Y/n grew deeper into her thoughts about the hotel logistics, she didn’t realize the commotion happening in front of her. 

“Gotta say I can’t wait to-”

“Adam!”

“-come down and exterminate you!”

What?

Exterminate?

Could her husband be exterminated?

That wouldn’t do.

During her time in heaven, Y/n grew to be loved by many. That includes the higher angels. Sara’s Bosses. Considering how even Emily didn’t know of the extermination, Y/n had a slight hunch that the higher-ups didn’t know about it either. So, after her most recent  concert, she asked for an audience with the seven virtues. 

Due to their busy schedules they weren’t able to see her until a month later.

They were NOT happy. Sinners were never mean to suffer like that, they were meant to repeant. That’s why the hotel was so important. Turns out no one had even told them it existed. 

With the events of the most recent extermination and Adam’s death, the seven virtues were preparing to put Sara on trial as well as Lute when somthing exstrodinary happened. 

A sinner was redeemed!

The hotel worked!!

Since Y/n was the one who brought light to the subject, the seven virtues asked that she be the one to check on the progress of the hotel from now on.

She gladly accepted.

A/N: Hope you liked part four of Alastor's Birdy!!

part 5

Taglist: @crazed-flower, @nanamunath, @preferably-fictional, @eccedentesiast-sapphic, @leximus98, @cupidsgift, @mag-chan, @stygianoir, @thereeallink, @yelloeukulele, @mariaclarade-la-cruz1, blurpleuni-squid, @galaxywing-has-adhd, @just-here-reading, @deez-nuts0, @strawberry-gothic, @purplerose291,@1-800-mocha, @trashbin-nie, @queenmizuki, @nkirukaj @bennythebitch @otherthoughtsofbu, @fantasycantasy, @hunnybee11626, @notally-tormal, @valerie-36, @lovingyeet, @holographicage

If you want to be added to the alastor's birdy taglist, just comment on this post!

[ps-cactus]

ROOTED – Sebastian Sallow & GN!Reader & Ominis Gaunt oneshot – 1864 words

tags and warnings: no smut, no obvious romance, however - established relationship, unreliable narrator, haunting atmosphere, mystery, dark magic, death and resurrection, identity loss and confusion, obsession, (a bit of) predatory instincts, survival instincts, blood, symbolism. Also posted on AO3

A/N: characters here are in their early twenties, not long since graduation. established relationship - you've been living with sebastian and ominis after graduation - you can see this as friendship (might be challenging, but you still can) or anything else; here it can be whatever you want.

Inspired by several songs: In the woods somewhere, Like real people do - Hozier / Rebirth - Poets of the Fall / Funeral of Hearts - HIM <- that's where the 'moonlight' and 'firelight' come from, and i liked how they worked together for these characters

Summary: You died. Here is what happens after a short while.

ROOTED

As you open your eyes, you’re struck by the absence of any memory that might explain your presence here, on the icy ground surrounded by trees.

The cold greets you first. It presses against your skin—a new sensation, a pleasant one. The last thing your body recalls is the suffocating heat of a fever, endless and draining. You don’t know how long it lasted or why it broke, you’re only glad it did.

You push yourself upright, steadying yourself on a large stone nearby. Intricate carvings cover its surface. Runes, whispers something deep within your clouded mind. Important, yes, but too complex for your dulled thoughts to hold onto now.

Your legs barely obey you, but you walk. Distance and time lose their meaning. You just know you must keep moving, must find… something. You don’t know what you seek, only that something is missing.

Had your mind been clearer, you might have noticed him sooner. A man—taller than you, but his frame feels neither threatening nor overly strong. The forest around you is pitch black, the thick canopy blotting out even the cloud-covered sky. And yet, you see him as though the darkness does not exist.

“Sebastian?” he asks. You find the sound of his voice comforting, and you take a step closer.

Perhaps he’s the one you’ve been searching for?

His blonde hair, light-coloured eyes, and pale skin evoke something ethereal. If nature had human embodiments, he would surely be the moonlight—the light you suddenly crave to bask in. Drawn by that resemblance, you step even closer.

He’s been facing you for some time now. He doesn’t approach, doesn’t move—he simply waits. When you stop before him, the forest’s silence envelopes you, undisturbed by your laboured steps anymore. Slowly, your weakened mind starts picking up more. It’s still hard to grasp and analyse the details, but you guess the man has been crying recently.

He points something at you—a wand. The word surfaces in your mind just like “runes” did—it’s important. Meaningful. Dangerous. The faint red glow at the wand’s tip pulses slowly, and you don’t like it pulsing in your direction.

“Hello?” Puffs of mist from his breath linger briefly before vanishing. Though you’re only steps away, he peers around as if still unsure of your presence.

“Hello?” you echo quietly and no mist follows your words. Your voice trembles, both hesitant and hoarse. He feels like the moonlight you crave, and you’re desperate for him to speak again.

“Is it... truly you?”

You stay silent, not because you’re incapable of answering, but because the question itself eludes you. Your thoughts are growing sharper and clearer, but you find no answer within you. Only the softly rustling trees seem to know what “you” means, and you haven’t been able to listen closely enough to grasp it yet.

“Hey?” His tone grows louder and firmer, and he takes a cautious step toward you.

“Hey,” you reply instantly. Your voice is louder this time but remains frail and faint.

The man approaches with deliberate slowness. The instincts generations your ancestors honed over centuries lie dormant within you, leaving only the faintest trace of awareness in the background of your mind. You don’t move as his hesitant fingers find your hand, trail to your shoulder, and then settle on your cheek.

“Hey,” you say once more.

His hand retreats sharply. Flecks of earth cling to his pale fingers, melting into mud speckled with fragments of old leaves. He doesn’t meet your stare, though you keep looking into his eyes. You can’t be sure about anything now, yet his eyes shine with something different—in a way that draws you in.

“But how?” He glances around again, his wand finally lowering from its aim at you. “He didn’t… no…”

He pulls you by the hand, as you walk slow enough to match your stumbling feet. He guides you to a house tucked amid scattered trees. Some of the tension in your chest eases as you realise—you’re not being taken away from the woods.

With each step further from the denser trees, something deep inside stirs sharply. You’re too new to this—to your new instincts—to decipher their meaning. This is, after all, your first day with them. You only know you long to return. The forest clings to you, and every step too far away would tear at you like a root ripped from frostbound earth.

Light and warmth fill the house. The shift in temperature makes you tremble. You want to leave, unable to fathom why the Moonlight man would bring you to such an awful place.

“When did you return?” he asks, releasing your hand. His words aren’t directed at you, but you enjoy hearing his voice all the same. “I’ve been searching for you, but...”

The fire near the wall, encased in stone, is the most dreadful thing in the room. Slightly less so is the other figure—a man standing before the flames. When he turns, the firelight catches his messy brown locks, making you think of smouldering wood.

The Firelight man moves swiftly, closing the distance until he’s right before you. His hands clasp your shoulders tightly, his eyes scanning your face frantically. Freckles scatter across his face, and as he stands away from the dreadful fire, you can’t help but wonder—would this freckled skin feel cool beneath your touch or hot like embers?

“I’d stopped believing it was possible...” he mutters, his wide eyes finally locking with yours and freezing there.

He wraps his arms around you, pressing you against him. His clothes are damp and chilled, with only a few spots where the fire’s heat has left a trace of warmth. He talks a lot, but none of it makes sense to you. He keeps asking some questions you could never answer. His clothes’ scent—of moisture and woods—fills your lungs, soothing in its familiarity. The urge to retreat back into the forest grips you once more.

“Maybe I… can get the bath ready for you,” he says, resigned to your silence, pulling a twig and a few leaves from your hair. “Or let’s just—”

The Firelight man immerses your hands in a water basin and carefully cleans them. The dirt gives way to fine scars—patterns carved into your skin, trailing from your wrists up into your sleeves. These scars, fresh and tender, awaken an inexplicable attachment in you, and for the first time in this new, raw existence, you feel joy.

The Firelight man’s hands are wrapped in bandages, and where they meet the water, faint dark spots seep through. He dips a towel into the basin and carefully wipes your face. You don’t object. You don’t know what else to do, so you simply stand there, feeling the cold water against your skin. The Moonlight man slips something over your shoulders from behind. The softness is nice, but the warmth is less so. You barely notice it’s a wool blanket before he steps away.

You crave moonlight—if not his presence, then the faintest touch of its radiance from the sky. You glance toward the window, but it reveals only shadowy blackness. A hand wrapped in frayed bandages carefully shifts your face back.

The water loosens one of the wrappings on his hand, exposing already familiar patterns carved into his skin, echoing your own scars.

The icy touch of the water on your face stirs a longing to return to the forest, to its pure and unyielding cold. But you still don’t know what you’re searching for or what truly matters, so you simply remain where you are. The Firelight man’s tousled hair glints in the firelight, its colour like deep mahogany, and you can’t tear your eyes away.

“You can hear me, right?” he asks, and your gaze shifts back to his eyes—brown flecked with green, like fallen leaves scattered on the woodland ground. “Want some water?”

Your eyes settle on the glass in his hand, but you feel nothing for the water within—no more than for the moisture still clinging to your skin.

“Or the tea, you must be so cold.”

“Sebastian, stop—just shut up for a moment,” says the Moonlight man, massaging his temples as he paces the room. “What is going on? Please, what have you done?”

“The thing you’ve desired above all else yourself,” the Firelight man retorts, the glass hitting the table with a resounding thud as he turns away.

“Tell me you didn’t go through with that ritual. It’s forbidden; they warned us—explicitly.”

“I never promised you anything regarding this, Ominis.”

“Do you even understand what you’re talking about?”

They keep arguing, their voices climbing in volume and speed. They’re unbearably loud, and it feels so wrong here. You look out the window, drawn closer to it—to the serenity of the night. Beyond the glass lies peace itself—the dense weave of branches, the cushion of moss on the ground and trunks, the gnarled roots snaking through the forest floor. You can see it all so clearly and it mesmerises you.

The clamour behind you doesn’t stop; it feels wrong and chaotic, but truly—means nothing. Their voices fade into the background as you stare at your hands again, now spotless except for the delicate beautiful patterns carved into your skin.

The narrow crescent moon emerges from behind the weighty clouds, and your gaze is drawn upward immediately. For the first time, you can inhale fully, as though the moonlight’s pale, ghostly light exists purely to let you breathe.

The scents around you grow vivid. Wooden floorboards, some damp and others dry and warm. Pungent and earthy, herbs waft from a table nearby, mixed with the burlap’s rough aroma. A dusty sofa carries the weight of years, while the blanket on your shoulders smells of wool and spices... and then you smell blood.

You tear your gaze from the crescent moon, drawn to find the scent's origin. The frayed bandage on the Firelight man’s hand is seeping with warm blood. You’ve never seen fresh blood spilling from human skin before in your life, but instantly, it’s all you desire to see. This is what you were meant to find. Your hands ache to reach out and feel it.

You swallow at the idea of tasting it with your lips.

Without even looking, you sense the moonlight’s gentle touch where it slips past the clouds to grace your skin. It soothes and strengthens you. But it could do so much more outside, beyond these walls. The forest waits for you, as much as you long for it—along with the presence that you know now lingers deep in the darkness.

Your growing instincts warn you that arriving alone would not be accepted. You don’t rush. You stand still, inhaling deeply. The scent of blood dominates the house now—it’s all you can perceive.

The dispute continues in the voices lower but still tense. The Moonlight man’s cheek glimmers faintly with the tear. The Firelight man lifts his eyes to you, his words ceasing, plunging the room into silence.

Everything finally makes sense—you’ll be genuinely embraced there tonight if you don’t return alone. They must come with you.

And you will stop at nothing to ensure it.

[ask-postcrash-curly]

heya curls

thanks for the encouraging words from the other day, i’m not usually such a downer when it comes to my livelihood, but that day just so happened to have many things piled up at once

i wholeheartedly agree with everything you said, but the tendency to forget about all of that when overwhelmed follows me like a shadow

…i am aware that 22 years is nothing by the way, but i think it’s an important detail to point out that i never saw myself getting past 15, i genuinely thought i was going to die by my own hand by then, as grim as that sounds

somehow though, i’m 7 years overdue and counting hahah!

…

but i don’t see myself growing old, and that it’s going to be my fault why that wouldn’t happen still

the idea of grey hairs and wrinkles seems so ethereal to me, essentially out of reach, and i can’t help but put an expiration date on myself once again

this time is a higher age though! like, more or less another decade and a half bigger from current time. not sure if that brings any solace when saying it out loud to others, but maybe it’s one of those things that once you reach it, you simply move the target again and push for more

…i need to mention that i am working on it!

i don’t feel like i have that much of a support network (i’ve been told countless times that i do have one, but feeling and knowing are two separate things), even with the little i talk with my therapist, but it’s something with a slow and steady progress at least. i haven’t told her about my deja vu thing though… i should bring that up soon with her

it’s a real paranoia i’ve had all the way back since i’ve conjured my first memory really

my brain is a very funky lad! (not as much as yours right now clearly heh) in retrospective, it’s really appalling how my parents never knew that something was different with me back then, i did internalize a lot so maybe that’s why. you see… around 12-ish i was genuinely delirious! if i had to describe in a few words my world view back then it would be “dying god complex”

yup! just as you heard. very gnarly stuff. i thought i had already died, that i was simply a walking corpse and that everything i was living then was a dream that my brain had created when firing my dying neurons in its last moments, which consequently made me the "god" of this dream, since it was all in my head. it would also explain the deja vu thing, since what are dreams if not recycled memories from the past¿

sometimes i can't help but think about it again every once in a while, and it torments me to know that there was a time when that was my mentality. sometimes i question whether it's still true or not…

i really hope not

later i came to know that specific delusion i had could maybe be classified as “cotard's syndrome” but that’s just a assumption i made myself after reading a lot on mental health

…man, i always write these messages with a goal in mind and i just keep derailing the subject i want to tell, hence making my message longer than necessary. what a pain, but maybe this is what keeps you entertained

it’s nice though, almost as if we were pen pals! yknow, with the whole delay thing on our end, it’s like we’re waiting for the letters to get delivered back and forth…

…!!!

almost as if we were using the pony express from the 1860! hahahah!! oh my god that’s so funny…

ahh! i keep derailing, ugh…

okay okay, here’s the point of my message; the other day i asked if you wanted to know the story about my favorite blanket, so here it is!! as i said, it’s a cute story, but also kinda bittersweet if i’m being honest

first though, a question for you! (it’s a segue to the story, trust); did you have or still have a comfort item¿ for example, a child with their favorite teddy bear

well… in my case, my comfort item is my sleeping blanket! heh

you see, since i was a little kid i’ve had a favorite blanket. some of them were even comically large for my minuscule size, but i was adamant to bring them everywhere with me

i also had to suck my thumb every time i brought it, and stopped doing it surprisingly late for my age, which was 10 years old. the reason i stopped¿ i got dental braces and that same night i instantly stopped doing it hahah

it’s funny because my parents tried with all their might to get me to stop sucking my thumb to no avail by using a thumb sucking deterrent appliance that goes against the roof of the mouth, which was put in by the dentist with some strong bonding around the molars, but after only a few days or weeks with it i would get some pliers and pull it out by myself, and this happened like three times under the age of 10 without any supervision lmfao

i guess my desire for better looking teeth was immediately stronger than my pettiness that one time…

i’ve had so many favorite blankets throughout my life, the most iconic one i remember was a really thin pink cotton sheet, but it was short lived because i accidentally dropped it in a river when looking over a bridge railing, so you can imagine how much i cried when that happened

cue my current blanket

the one i had before this one was okay, but it was kinda annoying how it didn’t even cover my whole body, the texture was only nice on one side, and it also had a hole in one of the borders

so one day while staying with my grandma i saw that she had a blanket i had never seen before in her house. it was very soft on both sides, like excessively, but perfect to me. had a very pale grey color, but also this subtle white star pattern, and when speeding it out, it even covered my whole body

love at first contact really

i inquired my grandma about it, and she even told me that the white star pattern glowed in the dark

jackpot

(i love glow in the dark stuff, sue me)

and then, well… yknow… i asked her if i could have it… [cough]

sadly, the blanket wasn’t hers but from one of my cousins, so away it went my dream blankie…

some months pass

i don’t recall if it was exactly a holiday or my birthday, but it was an important date, the point is; grandma definitely took notice of how much i liked the blanket that she asked my cousin where she got hers, and bought the same exact one for me!

i’m currently hugging it as i write heh

remember how i said that i used to suck my thumb¿ well, besides doing that (a side effect of doing so for so long made my left thumb have a very slight odd shape, and i can’t extend it as much as my other one lmao) i’d also bury my nose in the blanket to smell it… and i still do it till this day pft— HEY— it was either the thumb or the smelling, let me be smh

my dad still tells me to drop the habit but, i don’t know… is it that bad¿ besides, it’s not like it hurts him or anyone for that matter, it’s just weird when looked from outside i guess. how could i drop something that reminds me of simpler times¿

anyway, here comes the bittersweet part…

i don’t remember exactly why, but one night i was crying alone in my room, and another habit i had then was to hide in my closet when that happened

it’s not even a big closet, i barely fit inside, but i would grab a pillow and my blanket, and squeeze on top of my shoes that were laying at the bottom to muffle my crying so that i could fall asleep in there without disturbing my family

this time though, i had my new blanket

my room is fairly dark when it’s nighttime, but not so much that you could tell that my blanket could glow at first glance

when i got in the closet that time though, you could perfectly tell apart each and every single one of the stars

so i draped the soft fabric over myself and proceeded to count each one in the silence of the night

the tiny and the big ones…

soon enough, i stopped crying altogether

that same night i got out of the closet on my own and slept on the bed, instead of waking up to my mom’s scowling face and a sore back

i really love my blanket

it’s very comforting

i wish for you to find that same comfort again someday as well

Hey.

Don’t worry about it. We’ve all been there, yeah? Easy to get overwhelmed, hard to pull yourself out of it.

You’re definitely not alone there. But hey— you made it. That’s something to be proud of, even if you’re not sure what’s next.

Hey. C’mon. You’re going to get old and your back will hurt and if you still have your hair it’ll be gray as anything. I’ve known a lot of people with expiration dates that have long since passed, and they’re still kicking. And this is coming from someone who a few months ago wanted nothing more than to die as soon as possible. If there’s something left worth living for in my life, the same’s certainly true for you.

Glad you’re working on it. I know I’m not much of a support network, but I hope I can help somewhat. You deserve someone in your corner.

Dying god complex, huh. That... doesn't sound much fun at all. Not sure what to say about it, but I'm glad you've mostly moved past that.

That's all right. I like hearing your voice.

(Pen pals...? I thought we were having a conversation...?)

Let me think... uh... Okay, yeah, for a while I had a mouse plush I was very attached to, if that's what you're asking. What was its name...? It... it might have been called Mouse. Or Mousey. Not the most creative. Agh, I miss nice textures...

I get that. Large blankets are a rare and delightful luxury. (Probably going to be easier to find them now that my legs are shorter, yeah? Suddenly it's all worth it.)

A thumb-sucking deterrent appliance? That's a thing? That sounds... incredibly uncomfortable. Ah well.

Over a bridge? Damn, yeah, that's... that's rough.

It even has stars? Brilliant.

Aw, c'mon, I'm not going to judge you for smelling a blanket. I honestly don't see where the problem is with that. Sounds like it'd feel nice...

I'm sorry that you had to do that. But at the same time I want to do that so fucking much now. God. Sounds like a fucking brilliant sensory experience. Way better than this. Thanks for telling me about it. Adding that to my to-do-once-life-doesn't-hurt list.

Thank you, truly. Wishing the same.

[homesickwings]

HERE COMES THE WINGED YAPPER !!

Gonna use the prompts <3

🪻 I've often found that the world feels almost the same ever since I awakened, but i feel more at peace with myself. I feel like I've been more mature since I've embraced my nature, but more than anything, I'm glad I finally have the answers to the questions I used to ask myself constantly during my childhood here on Earth.

🌘 When it comes to romantic and sexual attraction, I do feel both of them, and I dont think they're just a mortal social construct - it's just that humans really feel the need to put a label on anything, which isn't even a bad thing. Anyway, love (in all its forms) is the most beautiful connection between souls, and it's a crucial part of who i am.

As for gender, I think mine isn't related to my divinity. I'm genderless/agender, but I used to label myself as something else even when I'd already awakened, so my lack of gender isn't due to my angelhood. All these things are an important part of me and I care deeply for other queer folks.

☁️ Physically, I'd describe myself as an embodiment of light, but not like a sun that blinds you if you look directly at it. In that way, I like to say I also embody warmth. And I'd love to change the way I'm perceived, I'd just like people to view me as the ethereal being that I am, but not because I want them to worship me or anything. I want to be treated normally, while also knowing that others view me as what I really am.

🩶 what does being an angel mean to me... well, back Home, i was just a regular angel and I'm not really able to give a "fancy" answer to this. However I know for a fact I was created as an angel and I am grateful to my Creators. My soul is in a mortal body now and I know they sent me here for a specific purpose, though I'm still trying to figure it out. I'm sure it'll all fall into place on its own eventually.

🌬 I feel the weight of being human, but I don’t feel bound to it because I'm not human myself. I am indeed a watcher of life around me even though I need to adapt to the responsibilities that come with being in this body.

🔭 my spirituality is an important part of my identity, though it's nothing similar to the "common" definition of religion. I worship and pay respect to my Creators whenever and however I can.

🪐 I came to realize who I was over time, but it's a pretty cliché story. I've felt non-human since childhood.

As for extra bits of myself.. I'm an angel otherkin with autism, fibromyalgia, a non-verbal learning disability, anxiety, avoidant personality disorder, and many other things that are tiring to list - so yeah LOL it's definitely a unique experience

🎐 I don't know if I have a favorite thing about being human, and I know me being here has its purpose, but I guess I'd prefer a dimension where people would accept my real nature without mocking me for it. My senses here do sometimes feel dulled. It’s like trying to see through a fog; there’s so much more, but it’s not always easy to access.

🌙 Mortality is something I’ve come to accept, too - the thought of death scares me, but it's okay, because I know I'll finally be back Home once my time here is over. I obviously believe in the existence of all non-human creatures, and as for past lives/reincarnation/heaven or hell, I believe any of those are possible and that it simply depends on the individual. Does that make sense?

🤍 As for being treated like a deity, I don't desire that. I don’t want to be worshipped or served, mostly because I'm not a god. I'm just a little ball of light with wings /lh.

⭐️ All I can say about my existence is that I'm just... there. I just live, you know? My favorite thing is helping others, though I know I can't always do that, because things here are different. But other than that, I don't really crave anything in particular. I'm just a creature waiting to be reunited with one's friends and family. As for the otherkin community, I definitely feel safe around most nonhumans, and I know that they've changed over the years but I try to stay away from negativity.

I don't really have strong gut instincts.. however, yes, I am protected by an invisible force. Which, in reality, is simply the protection of my celestial folks above. I feel their reassuring presence constantly.

✨️ Angels, in my opinion, show themselves in all kinds of ways. In the quiet stillness of a moment, in the beauty of nature, in the unexpected kindness of a stranger, or the sudden shift of energy. We’re in the light of the sunrise, the crisp air of a mountain, the peace in a child's smile. Divinity is everywhere, if you know where to look.

🦋 As for being understood, I do know that others may not fully grasp my nature. There’s a longing to be seen, to be known for what I truly am. But I don’t let that fear stop me from being who I am, and sometimes, it doesn't really matter what they think of me because I know they can't change the real me.

It's a journey of re-discovery, and I'm glad to be part of it, which is why I don't hold any resentment towards my Creators and Protectors even though being on this planet is hard most of the time.

♡

HEY, Angel !!

Would you care as to describe your experience? I think not enough hear on just how varied and interesting we are, and it would be great to scroll through reblogs of a single post and be able to find those with similar experiences/feelings.

feel free to write whatever but if you would like some prompts:

Have you noticed the world seem more beautiful/peaceful since you’ve found yourself?

How do you feel about gender? Or having a name? Or attraction as a whole? Is it tied to more mortal instincts, or do you still have some essence of it?

How do you feel like you physically look? Do you have any preferences in form? Would you change the way you are perceived if you could - and into what?

How does your day get affected due to your mystical self?

Do you incorporate this sense of self in your hobbies / behaviours?

What does being an Angel or being of divine/holy nature mean to you? Do you consider yourself born here, a newly created angel, or one which has been around for a long time? Do you have any thoughts as to why you were assigned human at birth?

How much sense of “human”ness do you feel, and do you see yourself as equal to humans, something more, or like a watcher of life around you?

Do you feel like you have some higher purpose and reasoning of being here? A meaning of life, if you will call it that.

Do you have any religious connotations tied to your identity?

How did you come to realise who you were, and what signs did you exhibit prior to knowing this?

Do you have any other ‘uncommon’ bits of self apart from being a being of light, in a way? (Therian, otherkin, interests in specific things, neurodivergencies?) YOU DONT HAVE TO ANSWER THIS IF YOU DONT WANT TO!!

What’s your favourite thing about the bodily experience of being on earth? Is there any sensation you really like? (Taste, smell, touch, feeling, etc)

Would you prefer to be in another dimension? Do your senses feel dulled?

What’s your stance on mortality and topics tied to that? Do you believe in reincarnation/past lives/fate/destiny/divine intervention/guardian angels/ghosts/heaven & hell/god/meaning of life?

Would you enjoy if others treated you as some highly being and brought you offerings/treated you like a god/submit to you/worked for you?

What’s your stance on the community?

How do you interpret existence - how does it all seem to feel and what do you take away from it, like.. what do you live for? Do you have a sense of some ideal where the more you experience the higher you will achieve? Do you crave something out of life?

Do you have a ‘gut instinct/feeling’ and has it ever been scarily accurate to the point there could be no other possible explanation other than something holy?

Do you believe you are blessed and/or protected by some invisible force?

Where do you believe angels also show themselves? Are they in those stray rays of light of headlights, do they exist in the bite marks of a wounded animal’s form, is it within the ripples of the water, in the breath of the tree that takes in the wine, in the chill upon a high mountain - or is divinity everywhere?

Do you fear people don’t understand you well enough? Don’t understand us? Have you ever felt like doing something about it?

do you feel bored from these questions already - did you enjoy it- would you like more? Did I give you satisfaction? I find joy through writing, it makes me personally feel incredibly divine, and there’s a calling to know more about other individuals in this mystical and extensive world.. we need to stick together - as a whole. Love eachother. Treat yourselves well, too. Do more of what makes you feel fulfilled and happy. There’s so much complexities to life, but we just gotta handle it all with our own minds - but treat your heart and soul with so much kindness and care.. please- take care of yourself. Find whatever works for you and live forever, my friend. My eternal, immortal friend..

[hitchell-mope]

(Third film. After “ballroom blitz”. Back in Mal’s subconscious. Mal’s once again falling through swirling blackness when she suddenly gently lands on her feet on a shiny black cavern surrounded by manifestations of Ben and their friends in the gala best. They all start walking around and past her in random directions. This is when “umbrella” happens. After the song. The manifestation of Ben starts kissing Mal. She returns it until she comes to her senses and pulls away and backs up against a wall at the end of the cavern)

Mal: no. No no no no. No. This isn’t real. I’m dying. This is just. This is just a dying dream. You’re not really here.

Ben (slowly walking towards her with smirk on his face): this is real. You are here. I am here. And you’re not dying. So enjoy it.

(He starts kissing her again. She enjoys it. This is when “as long as you’re mine” happens. After the song. Mal rises into the ether and finally wakes up to see Ben watching over her)

Ben (pulling her into a hug): oh my god you’re okay.

Mal (hugging him back): yeah. Yeah I am. How’d I get out?

Ben: your father pulled you out of the trench.

Mal: oh. Where is he now?

Ben: gone to get something to eat. Oh. He’s back.

(Ben approaches Hades and leans in close)

Ben: you will take whatever she has to say in good faith and good humour or I will rip your intestines out through your navel and then hang you with it. Do you understand me?

Hades (nervously): yessir.

Ben (patting the side of Hades’s cheek far harder than he needs to): good man.

(He turns to smile at Mal)

Ben: I’ll be leaving you two alone now. Shout if you need me.

(He turns to state daggers at Hades)

Ben: I can assure you that I will be watching.

(He teleports away)

Mal: can you do me a favour?

Hades: anything.

Mal: can you change back into the one that fathered me please?

Hades: as you wish.

(He shifts from Sebastian Stan to Jesse L Martin)

Mal: good. Thank you for that.

(She gets up, walks over to hades and punches him in the face)

Mal: YOU LEFT ME!!!! YOU LEFT ME AGAIN!!!! I TRUSTED YOU!!!! I VOUCHED FOR YOU!!!! I BONDED WITH YOU!!!! I JUSTIFIED YOU TO MY SISTER!!!! I BLAMED HER FOR YOU LEAVING!!!! I BEAT HER UP FOR IT!!!! YOU LEFT ME AGAIN!!!! HOW COULD YOU LEAVE ME AGAIN!?!? WHAT DID I DO TO MAKE YOU LEAVE ME AGAIN!?!? No. No. No. No. No. I can’t do this. I won’t give you the satisfaction. I just have. I just have one question for you.

Hades: ask away

(This is when “the name of the game” happens. After the song. Mal’s still looking at Hades through red rimmed eyes)

Mal: well? What was it then? What was so fucking important that you left me again even after you said that you wouldn’t?

Hades: Persey.

Mal: what do they have to do with this?

Hades: they needed my help with their mother’s coup against the rest of the council after Zeus was killed by Maleficent. And your sister knows. She hasn’t forgiven me. But she knows. She also crash landed Olympus into the museum.

Mal: you let my sister, Evangeline So Regal She Didn’t Learn To Drive Because It Could’ve Damaged Her Manicure Grimhilde, drive a mountain?

Hades: yes. And she was kind of ah claimed by Poseidon’s throne.

Mal: of course she was. Your leg’s bleeding. Why is your leg bleeding?

Hades: what? Oh. Oh yeah. Yeah. It doesn’t matter.

Mal: is it because of me?

Hades: no! No. Do not ever think that.

Mal: so how did it happen?

Hades: I think I got stabbed during the coup. I’m only just starting to feel it.

Mal: sit on the stump. I’ll heal it.

Hades: are you sure?

Mal: you’re looking at the girl who kept Carlos De Vil alive for eight years. I’m a dab hand by now. Trust me.

Hades: well alright then.

Mal: so uh. Who stabbed you?

Hades: probably Narcissus.

Mal: the egotist?

Hades: narcissist sweetheart. Narcissist. He’s the namesake of an entire behavioural issue for reason. Use the right word.

Mal: so he’s not dead?

Hades: no. Persey likes him. So we locked him in a cell without mirrors.

Mal: oohoohoo. Bit harsh don’t you think?

Hades: your stepmom wanted to cook him for dinner.

Mal (laughing): what? Why?

Hades: 23 years ago he called her a frumpy mess when she was in labour with Persey and Hadie.

Mal: there but for the grace for Persey eh?

Hades: indeed.

Mal: there. You can stand up now. And I can go back to hating you.

Hades: I under-

Mal: no! No you don’t get to do that! You don’t get to be gracious. You don’t get to understand. You. Let. ME DOWN! And I don’t know how to forgive you for that. I don’t know if I want to forgive you for that.

Hades: can I tell you a secret?

Mal: what?

Hades: can I tell you a secret?

Mal: if you must.

(This is when “hurt” happens. After the song)

Mal: you stabbed yourself?

Hades: yes.

Mal: why?

Hades: I got mad. You know how when adrenaline leaves your system you end up needing a piss?

Mal: mhmm?

Hades: with us gods we get mad. I stitched myself back up but the whole “Fight For Our Lives” thing probably made it worse.

Mal: ohhhh. So what n-oh boy

(Ben’s just teleported back to the clearing holding a beaten, bloodied and bruised Audreficent by the hair)

Ben: guess what I just found skulking twenty miles south of here?

(He throws Audreficent into a tree and binds the, there with gold covered iron chains)

Hades: twenty miles south of here would be....?

Mal: Doug and Evie’s cottage

Hades: ahhhh. I like that cottage. It’s nice to think you and you’re friends will all live together after this

(Ben and Mal give him an odd look)

Hades: what?

Ben: we don’t live with Doug and Evie.

Mal: yeah. I’d end up killing her two hours in.

Ben: we’ve got our residence at the palace.

Mal: they’ve got the cottage.

Both: Evie stays alive.

(Audreficent hacks up a small river of pus green blood to get their attention)

Audreficent: this is all very nice. But can we get back to the matter at hand here please?

Mal: lemme guess. My imminent and inevitable demise?

Audreficent: precisely

(They blow a huge plume of fire at Mal but it’s blocked by Hades and ricochets back into their face)

Hades: you will never touch my daughter again.

(He starts beating Audreficent up with his bare hands. Back in Auradon. Things aren’t looking good. Hundreds upon thousands upon millions of Audrefcent’s porcine goons have laid siege to the city and even the reanimated corpses of Grimhilde, Tremaine, Queen of Hearts, Gaston, Shan Yu and Jafar are having trouble holding them back. Elsewhere in the city. Doug and Evie are running for their lives from the onslaught)

Evie: any ideas?

Doug: just one! But you’re not gonna like it!

Evie: oh god.

Doug: one!

Evie: no!

Doug: two!

Evie: ah shit!

Doug: yup! THREE!

(He grabs Evie’s arm, throws her into an open sewer, dives in after her, narrowly avoiding a group of goons who were about to squash them flat and lands on top of her)

Evie (slightly muffled): this position is so much more comfortable when we’re in bed.

Doug (smirking slightly): or in the macrame room

Evie (chuckling): shut up and help me up.

Doug: as you wish milady. Oof.

Evie: how bad is the damage?

Doug: depends on how attached you are to this outfit.

Evie: I hate it. I don’t like trousers. No matter how practical they are.

Doug: then it’s fine. You’re fine. It’s all fine.

Evie: good. Uh. Where exactly are we?

Doug: if I’ve got my calculations right

Evie: which you always do.

Doug: of course. We are probably about 4-6 miles away from the throne room.

Evie: should we teleport or walk?

Doug: depends on how long you can stand the smell.

Evie: let’s teleport.

Doug: good choice.

(They teleport out of the sewer. Elsewhere in the palace. Carlos, Jay and Lonnie are in the medical room holding the goons at bay)

Carlos: we killed Jafar. We killed the queen of hearts. We’ve got the Chernabog brethren. You’d think we’d have won by now. But oh no. It just HAS to sends its non-kosher minions after us! Well I got news for you PORKERS!!!! I don’t keep KOSHER!!!!

Jay: of course you know what this means don’t you?

Lonnie: what?

Jay: she knows that Mal’s alive. Maleficent wouldn’t be losing it this badly if she thought she’d won. The old bitch is losing it. I know. I just know it.

Lonnie: yaaaAAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!

(She explodes over thirty goons into dust)

Lonnie: I love magic.

(Just then Doug and Evie teleports into the medical room)

Doug: we overshot.

Evie: good. At least we’re away from the smell. What happened to Gil and Jane?

Doug: uh. Gil has a concussion.

Carlos: and Helga Sinclair poisoned Jane with wonderland mushrooms.

Evie: okay. Your highness

Cinderella: mlady. Mlord. Are either of you in need of gauze or stitches or anything medical?

Doug: no.

Evie: all I need is a long, hot, sudsy, Doug filled shower.

Cinderella (unimpressed with Evie’s answer): there are chemical showers behind that door. Wash off and help your friends defend your other friends. You have ten minutes. Go.

Doug and Evie: thank you.

(In the war-room Uma, Ned, Persey and Hadie are holding even more goons at bay with the help of Elsa, Persephone, Belle and Maui)

Persey (obliterating over a hundred goons with their lightning whip): I just have one question.

Persephone: what would that be dear?

Persey: how does it work? I mean. How does belle avoid the “steel-Kleenex” problem? Maui IS a demigod after all and

Persephone: you did not inherit the gene. Please do not enquire about the love life of your sister’s future mother in law. At least not in my presence.

Persey: right. Gotcha. Sorry. Won’t happen again.

Uma (sending wave after wave of shadows at the goons): gene? What gene?

Ned: it’s just a fancy way of saying Persey isn’t attracted to their family members. You know Persephone is Hades’s niece right?

Uma: ohhhh. Wait. I’m triton’s niece. I was attracted to Harry. He was Hades’s son. Does that mean....

Ned: you inherited the gene? Yes.

Uma: fuck. Ah well. At least I never slept with him. Small mercies and all that.

Ned: do you need your sit down?

Uma: what? Why?

Ned: you just look a little um. Fuchsia.

Uma: no I’m fine.

Ned: if you’re sure.

Belle (whacking a goon repeatedly with a leather bound dictionary and thesaurus): DIE!!!! DIE!!!! GOD!!!! IN!!!! HEAVEN!!!! DIE!!!!

Elsa: she knows she has magic right?

Hadie: she’s panicking. Just let her carry on.

Elsa: why are you so calm?

Hadie: my little sister’s alive. Why wouldn’t I be calm?

Elsa: I like you Hadie. You look out for my daughter. She needs that.

Hadie: it’s my honour your highness.

Maui: WHAAAHOOO!!!!

(He keeps turning into different animals and attacking the goons)

Persey: oh my god

Ned: what?

Persey: Mal’s alive.

Uma: yeah. We know that. Maleficent’s sending the goons after us because of it.

Persey: yes but. Mal. Can control. The goons.

Ned: ohhhh.

Persey: mother. Cover me.

Persephone: on it.

(Persey bows their head and a ghostly duplicate of them separates from their body and shoots off into the sky)

Hadie: I didn’t know we could do that.

Persephone: oh my son. You have a lot to learn.

(Back in the woods. Persey’s astral projection lance in front of Ben and Mal)

Ben: boss?

Mal: what are you doing here? And what by can we see through you?

Persey: astral projection. It’s easy. I’ll show ya. Now. You can control the goons.

Mal: the what?

Persey: oh. You don’t know?

Ben: know what?

Persey: Maleficent is getting desperate. All the villains on her side have fallen so she’s throwing her porcine goons at us.

Mal: okay. But how can I control them?

Persey: I know you’ve disowned her as your mother. But you still have her blood. Ergo

Mal: they have to listen to me.

Persey: bingo.

Mal: what do I have to do.

Hades: Persey? Is that you?

Persey: yeah. She tenderised yet?

Hades: just about. Ooooh. I think I just heard her jaw crack

Persey: keep at it pops. Break her apart. Ready?

Mal: yes.

Persey: Ben. You can go with her if you’d like to.

Ben (immediately grabbing Mal’s hand): I thought you’d never ask.

Persey: good. Right. So. Your physical bodies will still be here. But your projections can go anywhere you need to. Got it?

Bal: yes.

Persey: awesome. Ready?

Bal: yes.

Persey: three. Two. One. And sleep.

(Ben and Mal’s heads fall forwards and they’re in the astral plane)

Persey: you can still touch everything like you normally would. Magic included. But you are, effectively, ghosts. So you can’t get hurt. Your bodies can though. So I’m staying here until get back? Comprendo?

Bal: understood.

Persey: off you pop.

(In a blink of an eye. Bal are in the middle of Auradon’s Main Street. And are immediately greeted with Maddy crying over her dying father as the Baker’s try to get to safety)

Mal: oh no. Maddy I’m so sorry.

Anastasia: Ben. Mal. You’re dead. But I thought.

Ben: astral projection. Persey.

Anastasia: they are a very clever individual.

Mal: that they are. I’m guessing you are Mr Baker.

Andrew: it’s a pleasure to meet you your highnesses.

Ben: how does it feel finally meeting your son?

Andrew: it would feel better if it weren’t under these circumstances.

Ben: understandable.

Mal (gently): Maddy. We need to get you somewhere safe.

(Maddy howls and snarls at her)

Mal: sorry.

Ben: how did it happen?

Anastasia: mauled by a hyena. Ed I think.

Mal: why Ed specifically?

Anastasia: I recognise the laughter from when I went hunting for their meat. I was the butcher on the island.

Andrew: ahhhh.

Anthony: is Hadie okay?

Ben: last I checked yes. I did kind of attack him though.

Mal: why?

Ben: I got mad. So. So mad. For them leaving you. I attacked all of them.

Mal: awwww. You attacked my family for me? That’s so sweet.

Ben: I do my best.

Andrew: are they always like this?

Anastasia and Anthony: yes.

Andrew: ah.

Ben: by the way. Andrew. Hopefully Mrs Potts will be overseeing the catering at the wedding. But would it be possible to request a limo sized white chocolate croissant cake for the reception?

Andrew: it would be my honour sir.

Mal: you, sir, are going to be a very lucky groom to be what this is all over.

Ben: dragon time?

Mal: aerial dragon time. And you don’t even have to turn into a beast. But it would be appreciated if you did.

Anastasia: um. Guys. Not that it’s not pleasant hearing our leaders discuss their bedroom antics. But we have a bit of a problem here.

(Bal immediately snap out of it)

Mal: right.

Ben: yes.

Mal: sorry. Lemme try. Ahem. Um. Excuse me. Maddy. We can take your dads body with us but we really do have to go now

Maddy: nuhuh.

Mal: Maddy.

Maddy: why is a Raven like a writing desk?

Ben: because Edgar Allen Poe wrote on both.

(Maddy’s head shoots up and looks at Ben)

Maddy: how did you. How did you know?

Ben: I mean. It’s kind of obvious when you think about it isn’t it? Edgar Allen Poe wrote on the subject of ravens and he wrote on a writing desk.

Hatter: I can die happy now.

Ben: ah crap.

Maddy: no papa no. We still have more people to tea.

Hatter: shh, shh, shh. You do my dear. I no longer need tea.

(Maddy bursts into wailing tears)

Ben: we need to get her out of here.

Mal: you all have magic right?

Anastasia: yes.

Mal: teleport her to the medical room. Just follow Carlos’s adorably psychotic laughter.

Ben: our son is not

Mal: Ben. C’mon. Please. The traps for senior prank day. When he wasn’t even a senior.

Ben:....good point.

Mal: now go.

(The Baker’s teleport to the palace, taking the Hatter’s with them. Mal and Ben face the palace)

Mal: listen to me goons. This Mallory Bertha Hestia Perrault Bernson. I share Maleficent’s blood. I am your new master. You will listen to me. Or die.

Goons: bAbY?

Ben: what?

Mal: yes. I am the baby. Maleficent is my birth mother. You are under my control now.

Goons: BABY!!!!

(The sounds of every single goon comes barreling towards Ben and Mal. In the medical room. The Baker’s just delivered Mad Hatter to the medical room)

Cinderella: I’m sorry but there’s nothing I can do. His injuries are far too extensive. Not magic can cure him.

(Maddy squeaks)

Hatter: Maddy. Maddy sweetheart. Come to you papa.

(Maddy walks over to him and he takes her hand. This is when “bleeding out” happens. After the song. Ben and Mal stop free falling and teleport back into the clearing. At which point Mal walks up to Hades, pulls him out of the way and slugs Audreficent in their face)

Mal: you out a failsafe on the goons didn’t you? DIDN’T YOU?!?!

(Audreficent is too busy coughing up blood to answer her)

Ben: I hate to play devils advocate. But I don’t think it was her.

Mal: how do you mean?

Ben: I think it was Maddy. It felt a lot like Uma’s wave of grief for Harry. And Hatter had just died.

Mal: oh. Ah well. At least I got to punch her in the face.

(Audreficent starts laughing through the blood vomit)

Mal: anything you’d like to share with the class?

Audreficent: I am just. So. Proud. Of you. So, so proud. Look at you. The horns. The wings. The skin. You are truly my daughter

Mal: I am not your daughter. I am Queen Elsa’s daughter. I am Hades’s daughter. I was never your daughter. I was just something you kept around to feel better about yourself.

Audreficent: I made you strong.

Mal: I DIDN’T NEED TO BE STRONG!!!! I NEEDED TO BE SAFE!!!! That’s why I kept Carlos safe. I did for him what you never did for me.

Audreficent: be weak.

Mal: be the mother he needed.

Audreficent: and for that he shall be the first to fall.

Ben: you lay one hand on mine and Mal’s son and I’ll rip your head off myself. Even if you are still in Audrey’s body.

Audreficent: that is where you are wrong little king. Blood. Is blood. Is blood. You cannot change who birthed you. Who raised you. There is a reason why they all say that blood is thicker than water.

Hades: once again you are inordinately wrong.

Audreficent: come again?

Hades: the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. That’s the full saying. I should know. I was there when it was coined.

Audreficent (laughing coldly): like it matters. Now. Be good sports and let me kill you so I can take my daughter, have her kill all her friends and rule the cosmos together as it was always meant to be. Forever and ever and ever and HAHAHAHA

(Ben slugs them in the face)

Audreficent (in Audrey’s voice): kill me. Kill me now! KILL ME!!!! I KNOW MY MOTHER SAID YOU COULD SO KILL ME!!!!

Hades: your highness?

Audreficent (still in Audrey’s voice): you can do it. I know you can. You’re a god. You can kill me. Please kill me. Please. (In Maleficent’s voice). SILENCE GIRL. I am so sorry her. Children these. Never know when to keep quiet.

Mal: let my friend go.

Audreficent: SHE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND!!!! I know you both dislike her. I know you both feel nothing towards her except guilt. Even though it is all her fault. Allow you of this burden.

(They rapidly twist their neck all the way around)

Ben, Mal and Hades: STOP!

(The rest of Audreficent’s body spins back into place)

Audreficent: killjoys.

Hades: let. The princess. Go.

Audreficent: only if Mal asks me nicely.

Mal: let my friend go. Please.

Audreficent: muh-muh-muh?

Mal (looking like she’s going to be sick): mother.

Audreficent (hissing): iffff you inssssisssst.

(They unhinge their jaw like a snake and Maleficent crawls out of Audrey’s mouth agonisingly slowly ad Audrey screams in pain and terror. When the process is over. Maleficent stand there, almost a dead ringer for Mal only taller, older and prouder while Audrey’s slumped against the tree like a corpse)

Mal (sick to her stomach): dad. Could you please teleport Audrey to the medical room. But please stay here.

Hades: of course.

(Once Audrey is removed from the clearing)

Maleficent: now where was I? Oh yes.

(She launches herself at Mal but is stopped by Ben throwing iron dust into her eyes, incapacitating her long enough for Hades and Ben to tie her to a gold iron chair)

Maleficent: you will not win. You cannot win. Not while I am still alive. Not while everyone believes you to be dead. I shall reign victorious and EVERLAST-MMPH!!!!

Hades (stuffing a cloth into her mouth): oh that is quite enough out of you for the time being. Now Mal. What’s the plan.

Mal: she’s right.

Ben: pardon?

Mal: she’s right. Maddy and the Baker’s know I’m alive. But the way things are right now they probably haven’t had the time to tell everyone.

Ben: what do you need?

Mal: the ember. And a midair screen. Like the one we made when we questioned her in parliament.

Ben and Hades: on it.

(One minute later)

Mal: good. Thank you. Ahem. Auradon. I am now speaking directly to you. My name is Mallory Bertha Iris Perrault Bernson. Soon to be LeRoi. And in case you haven’t heard yet. I. Am. Alive. I have no idea if this makes any difference to any of you. But if it does. This your cue to keep fighting. Please, for the love of everything we hold dear, please keep fighting. She can’t win. Not now. Not ever. So please. Please. Please keep fighting. Thank you.

Maleficent (having spat the gag out): do you honestly believe your little hope speech will?

Mal (steeling herself up): I dunno. Let’s watch.

(She turns back to the screen. This is when “we are warriors” happens. After the song)

Jay: I knew it. I KNEW MAL WAS ALIVE!!!! HAHA!!!! YEEEES!!!!

Carlos: what’re we standing around waiting for? Let’s go to her.

(Jay, Carlos, Doug, Evie, Hadie, Persey, Anthony, Ned and Uma all run through the midair screen. Jay abc Carlos immediately go to hug Ben and Mal)

Mal: hey sis.

Evie: hey.

Mal: Tch. C’mon gloomy guts. Judy don’t touch mine or Ben’s hair. Bring Doug as well. I know he wants in.

(This leads to everyone joining in the group hug. That is, everyone except for Uma)

Ben: c’mon then Uma. Being part of the group also means being part of the group HUGS.

(Anthony uses magic reel Uma in)

Ben: wait a minute wait a minute. Where’s Jane and my brother?

Lonnie: Gil has a concussion.

Carlos: Jane got poisoned with spores from wonderland.

Mal: are they alright?

Hadie: yeah. They’ll be fine. They just gotta sleep it off.

Maleficent: MES ENFANTS. ATTAQUEZ MES ENNEMIS. NE LAISSEZ AUCUN SURVIVANT. TOUT RASER. FAIS-LE. MAINTENANT.

Lonnie: whaaaat was that?

Mal: run.

Uma: what?

Mal: run now. Back through the screen. GO GO GO GO!!!!

Carlos: why?

Ben: she’s summoning them.

(Carlos immediately teleports the allies back to the palace)

Jay: Persephone.

Persephone: yes?

Jay: barricade everything. Maleficent’s sending the goons after us again. Gil, Jane and Maddy are incapacitated. We need all the help we can get.

Belle: are Ben and Mal okay?

Jay: mhmm.

Elsa: why aren’t they with you then?

Jay: ummmm....

Elsa: no.

Jay: Elsa

Elsa: NO!

Persephone: it’s okay. Hades is with them.

Elsa: I don’t give a fuck about Hades!

Carlos: you’ll have to forgive my grandmother. She can be very acerbic when she wants to be.

Elsa: Carlos, sweetheart, I’m not being acerbic. I just don’t give a fuck about Hades.

Evie: guys. Shut up.

Doug (on his cellphone): mhmm. Mhmm. Uh huh. Thanks. Bye. Right. Listen up. Aunt Snow and Uncle Florian are still in the ambulance.

Jay: okay....

Doug: good news. There are no more casualties on our side. We got away with two casualties and only one fatality.

(Maddy wails in the corner)

Doug: sorry Maddox. Bad news. My godparents are surrounded by the goons.

Carlos: ah crap.

Doug: good news. Snow has the ray gun. And she’s mowing them down left, right and centre. This is when you cheer.

(Everybody cheers)

Jay: what’s the plan major-domo?

Doug: defend the castle. Hold the goons off. Make things easier for Ben, Mal and Hades. I suggest WHOAH!!!!

(Cj Hook has run inside the medical room, tackled Doug to the floor and started throttling him with her bare hands)

Cj: WHERE’S MY BROTHER?!?! I KNOW YOU KNOW!!!! SO TELL ME WHERE HE IS!!!!

Harriet (hobbling in using her sword as a walking stick): don’t kill ‘im without me!

(Uma shoots Cj in the head and Harriet in the chest with a flintlock pistol)

Doug: thanks.

Uma: any time Doug. Any time.

Hadie (smiling sadistically): are they dead?

Uma: no. Just knocked out. Industrial strength dinosaur tranquilliser.

Hadie (extremely disappointed): awwww man.

Persey: never mind that now. Our priority has to be our sister and our dad. I just hope they okay.

(Back in the clearing)

Mal: what’s that noise?

Ben: MAL DUCK!!!!

(He pulls her out of the way just before Snow White and Florian’s ambulance careens into the clearing)

Snow: morning all.

Mal: flattened by an ambulance. That would’ve been a really embarrassing way to go. Thank you for saving me.

Ben: always. Also. What the hell were you two thinking? This is tbd most reckless thing you’ve ever done. And I’ve seen you at Doug’s tenth birthday party

Snow: for what it’s worth. We reimbursed Dopey for the mobile bar.

Florian: is that her?

Hades: yes. Yes that is Maleficent.

Florian: and you are?

Hades (shifting into his John Barrowman form and shaking Florian’s hand): Hades. King of Olympus. Persey, Mal and Evie’s father. Hey. How you doing?

Florian: mmmm. Promotion?

Hades: coup.

Florian: ahhhh. Whatever works.

Hades: don’t it just?

Mal: this is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen and I shared a room with Evie for a year and a half.

Ben: I know. Want me to break it up?

Mal: nah ah. I wanna see where this goes.

Maleficent: excuse me. Could you kindly cease with the Oktoberfest for a moment and focus on me please?

Mal: and she’s ruined it. Typical.

Snow: we know what you did to our godson.

Maleficent: another girl who thinks that choice counts where family is concerned.

Snow: I am the only mother that Doug has ever known. He is the only son that I have ever known. And you hurt him. You hurt everyone. It’s what you do. And you need to be stopped.

(She brings out an iron knife which causes Mal to double over in pain)

Maleficent: ooooh very scary(.) Would you be a dear and brandish that adorable knife a wee little bit over there?

(Maleficent indicates the direction and Snow follows it only to immediately realise the iron is affecting Mal which cause her to throw the knife away)

Snow: OH MY GOD. MAL I AM SO SORRY. I SHOULD’VE KNOWN BETTER.

Mal (straightening back up): no harm done. Don’t worry.

Ben: to stave off any more mistakes. Why don’t you two make your way to the palace?

Maleficent: while there is still a palace left.

Ben: go. Go now.

(Snow White and Florian get back into the ambulance and drive away)

Maleficent: why do the heroes always think they have the upper hand. You shall lose. I shall win. I always do.

Mal: you didn’t though. If you did. The world would be far worse off.

Maleficent: I was a queen.

Hades: no. You were just a princess who wanted power above everything else.

Mal: sorry what?

Hades: yup. You heard right. You’re royalty on both sides. So is Evie though. So don’t get too uppity about it.

Mal: eh. Can’t have everything.

Maleficent: indeed. I wanted to rule everything yet my parents said no. So I killed them.

Mal: you killed everyone. You killed every last dark fae in Persia. And you want to do the same to Auradon. And we won’t let you.

Ben (on his cellphone): hello? Oh good. That’s great. Yup. Mhmm. I can see it. Yes I can see everything. We’ll be watching. Thanks. Bye.

(He hangs up)

Mal: who was that?

Ben: Doug. They’re ready for the final defence. I said we’d watch.

Mal: let’s do it.

(They face the midair screen. This is when “bohemian rhapsody” happens. After the song. Jane wakes up to find Jay and Carlos hugging her)

Jane: I’ve had this dream. Many, many times. But you guys were never watching us.

Doug: Helga Sinclair infected you with wonderland spores. Jay and Carlos saved you with true love’s kiss.

Jane: huh. Cool. Could you guys leave now please. I’d really like to get back to my dream.

Persey: I think you might have to wait for that dream honey.

Jane: why?

Persey: because I think Maleficent just escaped the manacles.

Jay: oh no. Oh no no no no no no.

(Persey’s right. There’s a shaft of emerald green light shoot up from the middle of the forest)

Jay: FUCK!!!!

Evie: what do we do? Jay what do we do?

Jay: what we’re here to do. Help Ben and Mal.

(Back in the clearing. Maleficent’s sending attack after attack at Ben, Mal and Hades but they’re refusing to break)

Maleficent: yyyaaRRGGHH!!!!

(She notices plumes of multicoloured travel smoke headed towards her. She singles out the white plume and in a blink of an eye she’s got a knife to Carlos’s throat)

Maleficent: you take one more move against me and your precious little runt DIES!!!!

Carlos: that threat would’ve worked two years ago. But. Not anymore. ALLEY-OOP.

(He teleports out of Maleficent’s grip and proceeds to hyper kick her in the face repeatedly before doing an elegant superhero landing)

Maleficent: why must it be so DIFFICULT WITH YOU?!?!

Hades: because you know you can’t win. Not when all of us are against you. And it fucking tears you up inside.

Maleficent: you are right my love. For once you are right. And that is an ailment that is easily remedied.

(With that, she creates a twister that scoops up the allies, deposits all of them outside the forest and seals the forest off in yet another barrier)

Maleficent: this is between you, me, my daughter

Hades: My daughter.

Maleficent: MY daughter. And the handsome young king. But first. I shall kill you. My love. My sweet. My pawn.

(She starts force choking Hades until he’s on his knees while she blocks Ben and Mal’s attempts to help him. This is when “toxic” happens. After the song. Maleficent gasps awake)

Hades: any last words?

Maleficent: why do you continue to fight when you could have joined me?

Hades: because you’re a nutbag who uses people to her own ends.

Maleficent: you say that like it’s a bad thing.

Hades: it IS a bad thing!

Maleficent (getting up and making her way towards Hades): oh come on my love. We had a good time while we lasted.

Hades: yes. And then we got married. And you kicked me out the next morning. And what was that last one? Oh yeah. You threatened to kill my daughter if I ever dared to make contact with her!

Maleficent: mother’s prerogative.

Hades: hehehehe. Ahhhh. That’s the problem with you Maleficent.

Maleficent: what?

Hades: you’re like a fucking drachma.

Maleficent: I am afraid that I am not following.

(This is when “hot n cold” happens. After the song. Hades changed into his Eva Green form and starts patting herself down)

Hades: where is it? Whereisitwhereisitwhereisit? Oh crap.

(They’ve both seen the ember in the grass. They dive for it and after a brief skirmish Hades emerges victorious)

Hades: HAHA!!!! Up yours you scaly fucker! Up! Yours!

Maleficent (drier than sand): well done my love. You pilfered a pebble from an injured woman.

Hades: no no. Don’t do that. Don’t play the victim. You never are. And you never were.

Maleficent: worth a shot. So. Are you going to kill me?

Hades: in time my beloathed. In time. But first. You are going to listen to me.

Maleficent: oh lord. Here we go.

(This is when “rolling in the deep” happens. After the song. Back in the medical room. Evie’s keeping watch on the balcony)

Evie: Doug. DOUG!!!!

Doug: what is it? What’s wrong?

Evie: that bitch destroyed our house!

(She’s right. Maleficent’s using debris from Doug and Evie’s house to attack Hades who’s blocking it with everything she has)

Maleficent: why do you not YIELD!?!?

Hades: because you’re nuts!

Maleficent: ASIDE FROM THAT!!!!

(Hades makes iron spikes flower out of the ground)

Hades: time out time out. I’m getting too old for this bullshit.

Maleficent: awwww(.) Is the ickle god all tuckered out(?) How sad(.)

Hades: save it. You’re only acting like this because you know you’re losing.

Maleficent: I do not lose!

Hades: you lost to Phillip and the fairies. You lost Mal. You lost at the coronation. You lost the coup. And you’re losing now.

Maleficent: why can you not just let me win?

Hades: because I know what will happen. Hell will descend. Hell on earth. And not one that I can control. And it will be my descendants that will have to deal with it. Just like they’ve had to for the past year and a half. So you can’t win. I won’t let you.

Maleficent: you know. We really were good together. An entire room demolished. Twice over.

Hades: and then you kicked me out the moment you realised you were pregnant.

Maleficent: I had to protect myself. I could not run the risk of her being soft like you.

(Hades rubs her face wearily with her hands, turning back into Sebastian Stan in the process)

Hades: I am not soft. You know what I’ve done.

Maleficent: that boy and his elder sibling made you soft. And I was not prepared to let that happen to my daughter.

Hades (laughing hollowly): like frollo.

Maleficent: I ate frollo. It was the best meal I ever had. Apart from Balthazar of course. He was fatter. Far more substantial.

Hades: and that explains why Mal can’t process meat.

Maleficent: I did what I could but she was always weak. Maternal. Helpful. Emphatic. Paranoid in all the wrong ways.

Hades: oh how ironic(.) I feel like Alanis Morrisette should be playing.

Maleficent: what is that?

Hades: never mind. Now stay still so I can kill you.

Maleficent: do you remember how we met?

Hades: of course. Kronk’s Bar. The time abyss has not yet set in. Why do you ask?

Maleficent: just. Nostalgia. When one is facing the end. It jumps out at you.

Hades: are you making a last request?

Maleficent: yes.

Hades: oh what the hell. Fine. Kindness before you die. If I have.

(The forest melts around them, turning into a tavern on the island. Hades and Maleficent are at the bar. This is when “blank space” happens. After the song. Back in the medical room. Uma sits down next to Gil’s bed)

Uma: hey.

Lonnie: hey.

Uma: what happened to him?

Lonnie: according to Doug it was a massive concussion. He’ll he fine though. He just needs to sleep it off.

Uma: is he. S’he singing “London Bridge is falling down”?

Lonnie: yeah. Milo taught him how to do that. It’s a calming tactic.

Uma: oh.

Lonnie: you did a real number on him you know. At cotillion

Uma: trust me. I know

Lonnie: I don’t think you do. You’re his best friend. And he thought you hated him for doing what you always wanted.

Uma: what did he do?

Lonnie: he got off the island. The right way.

Uma: I hear this enough from my sisters. I don’t need to hear this from you as well.

Lonnie: well you’re gon-oh shit.

(Mal’s doubled over and gone into a trance, speaking Greek, French and Persian)

Ben: Doug! Can you translate?

Doug: what?

Ben: you’re an omniglot aren’t you?

Evie (indignantly): only for me though.

Carlos (dryly): yeah Doug’s a real cunning linguist.

(Everyone reacts with good natured disgust)

Carlos (innocently): what? I saw an opportunity and I took it.

Ben: that’s alright buddy. I’m a bit of a cunning linguist as well.

Carlos (experiencing parental squick): oh come on!

Ben (innocently): what? I saw an opportunity and I took it.

Carlos:....touché

(The teens have forgotten that the mothers are still there)

Elsa (who’s asexual): what are they talking about?

Belle (who’s dating Maui), Persephone and Cinderella: I’ll give you a book later.

Doug: why can’t you translate?

Ben: I only speak French and Persian. The Pantheon’s can only speak Greek. You’re the only one I know who can speak all three. You’re as smart as you are hot.

Doug: hey! Oh wait. Sorry. It’s a compliment when you guys say it. Fine. Lemme think. Lemme think. Ummmm. “She is my daughter”. “Up your ass you-Charlie Uncle November Treat”.

Ben: good save.

Doug: thank you. Um. “You have no claim to her”. “All you want is a chess piece”. “That is all she is good for”. Fuck.

Ben: what? What is it?

Doug: Maleficent and Hades are arguing about Mal. Like Kramer vs Kramer.

Hadie: well they were married for all of two days.

Ben: wait what?

Hadie: yeah. It was uh. One night stand with Jas Hook. Quickie marriage and divorce with Maleficent. Rebound with Grimhilde. What can I say? My dad’s a wee bit of a slut.

Persephone: it runs in the family. So does familial marriage. Although I think it skipped your generation.

Hadie: on the contrary mother. I’m a whore. And an expensive one at that.

Ben: could we stop talking about Olympian inbreeding for a moment please and focus on Mal!

Persephone: right. Sorry.

Hadie: our bad.

Gil: UMA LOOK OUT!!!!

Jane: ohhhh....my head.

Lonnie: Gil’s awake.

Jay and Carlos: Jane’s awake.

Doug: oh I honestly can’t tell if this is good or bad.

Uma: our friends are awake. What’s not good about it?

Doug: it’s too sudden. Gil was concussed. Jane was poisoned. It’s way too quick.

Uma: one bridge at a time?

Doug: one bridge at a time.

(Mal straightens back up, holding her head in her hands)

Mal: what in the hell was that?

Ben: it’s okay. You’re okay. It’s okay. Everything’s okay.

Mal: what happened?

Ben (gently): you went into a trance.

Mal: oh god again?

Ben: mhmm. You were speaking in Greek, French and Persian. Doug translated. He reckons that Hades and Maleficent were fighting over you. Like a custody battle.

Pain: Lord Greenman was most definitely correct your young highness.

Panic: most definitely correct indeed.

Persephone: boys. What are you doing here?

Pain: the king of the gods is entering his endgame. The bitch can’t be reasoned with.

Panic: Nor will she be changed.

Pain: Sire knows that now.

Persey: what are you saying?

Pain and Panic: the evil one shall die by her spurned husband’s blade.

Hadie (cheerfully): well that’s not ominous at all.

Persey: okay so what bl-Doug. Buddy. Um. You probably know this. What’s the Vorpal sword made out of? Also. Where is it?

Doug: um. Ir-oh my god!

Persey: yup. That’s what I thought. Now. Where is it?

(Doug points to Mal)

Persey: Mal. Honey. Where did you put it?

Mal (scrunching her face up and racking her brains in concentration): um. Room.

Persey (unravelling slightly): WHAT ROOM?!?!

Jay: uh. Boss. Can I translate?

Persey: please!

Jay: the Vorpal is in Ben and Mal’s apartments under their bed. Either on Mal’s side next to the en-suite. Or Ben’s side next to the balcony.

Mal: yes! That’s where Ben does his best cunning linguistics!

Carlos (wincing): I’m never going to live that down am I?

The rest of the teens: nope.

Doug (summoning the sword): got it.

Pain and Panic: Yoink!

Persey: Mal. Do you willingly give the Vorpal and the Cromwell gift to our father?

Mal: yes.

Persey (stressing the importance of the words): willingly. Willingly give. Do you willingly give the Vorpal and the Cromwell gift to our father?

Mal: I willingly give the Vorpal and the Cromwell gift to our father.

Persey: good. Pfft. Go!

(The imps hold the sword by the handle)

Pain: dragon fairy iron die!

Panic: dragon fairy iron die!

Both: dragon fairy iron die! DRAGON FAIRY IRON DIE!!!!

(They disappear in an explosion of magenta and teal light)

Persey: fuck I hope this works

Elsa (late to the punchline and grossed out by it): oh god! I just got the joke!

Persephone (dismissively patting Elsa’s head): that’ll do pig. That’ll do.

(Back in the clearing. Pain and Panic have turned into snakes and are curling up and around Hades’s right arm with the sword in their fangs)

Pain (hissing in Hades’s ear): I mellontikí vasílissa édose próthyma to xífos Vorpal kai to dóro Cromwell ston patéra tis.

Hades (gratefully taking the sword): thank you boys. Thank you kindly. But it is time for you to go.

(The imps teleport away. Hades shifts back into his John Barrowman form and fixes the ember to the other side of the pommel)

Maleficent: that butter knife cannot possibly hope to harm me.

Hades: SHUT. UP.

(Maleficent tries to speak but is forced into silence)

Hades: NOW BOW DOWN TO ME. LIKE THE KING OF THE GODS DESERVES.

(Maleficent is forced into a bow so deep that her nose ends up being two inches into the ground)

Hades: hehehehehe. Ohhhh I could get used to this. But I don’t. Legally. It’s Mal’s. The Gift and the sword. I could never take them away from her. Not without her say so. Un. Like. You.

Maleficent: if you let me go. If you let me live. We can be a family again.

Hades: not gonna happen. And do you know why? Because you will not stop. You led me on. You made my daughter’s life

Maleficent: my daughter.

Hades: MY daughter’s life a living hell until she got away from you. I am never going to let you hurt her again. Never. Get up. It’s time for your execution.

(Maleficent doesn’t move)

Hades: I said. GET. UP.

(Maleficent is forced back into her feet)

Maleficent: please. We can start again. Please. Please don’t do this. Please.

Hades: too late my love

Maleficent: the only reason I came to this clearing was to beg you to let me come back.

Hades: oh shut the fuck up. For once in your life. Just. Shut. Up. You didn’t love me. You didn’t love Mal. All you ever have loved. Is power. And it’s failed you. It’s kinda funny when you think about it really.

Maleficent (uneasily): what, pray tell, is funny?

Hades: it just is.

(This is when “get out and stay out” happens).

[lone-changelings-journal]

29/1/1495

UMBRA! HER NAME IS UMBRA!!! Oh my god, her name is Umbra. Wolf finally told me her name, and her name is Umbra and… Ghhh oh gods, oh my god. I don’t even know how I’m feeling right now. I finally know her name. She finally trusts me enough. Someone trusts me, someone actually trusts me, and I feel… So good. Does this mean we’re friends now? Well, no, I considered her a friend from the beginning. Does this mean SHE finally considers me a friend now?? Ah, I don’t know what this means, my mind is racing!!!

I don’t even know what I did that finally changed her mind. I honestly thought there’d be some big moment where everything would come out and some big crazy thing would happen, but no. We were just sitting outside together watching the stars when it just… Came out. No explanation or anything, she just said it and that was that. Even then, said isn’t the right word since she can’t speak. We were sitting there and I could just… Feel it. Like somehow I just new, and when I asked she confirmed it. So that was that.

It is nice finally having something to call her. I bet if we were still in Darrow and I started yelling “Wolf? Wolf!” In the streets trying to look for her that tavern lady would have called the guards on me. Now if we ever get separated I’ll know what name to call. You never realize just how important names really are until you meet someone without one. I think people just innately desire names. Father named me, and he doesn’t even like me! There’s an importance to names. 

The strange thing is, Morr seemed surprised at this fact. I did ask beforehand to make sure Umbra was okay with me sharing, and she is. Morr didn’t realize she had a name, which makes me wonder how close the two were before I showed up. Obviously there’s some bond between them, otherwise how could she have granted me Umbra as a familiar? She was apparently hand picked as well which means Morr MUST have had some prior meeting with Umbra. Then again, Morr has an odd relationship with names. She’s mentioned it more than once that she sees no real reason for them, and that her own name was only chosen out of courtesy for people like me who need names to identify people.

How can someone not care for names? I name everything. Even if they’re simple or silly, a name is still a name. And even if you decide to not give something a name, you still have to give it an identifier. If Morr didn’t have her name I’d probably be calling her something like “the masked woman” or something like that. If you don’t have a name you usually have a title, which is basically the same thing when you really think about it. Like… I’m sorry but if someone is only ever called something like “The flaming blade” well then guess what? Their name is now “the Flaming Blade”, because everyone who talks about them will call them that. You can’t NOT have a name! It’s impossible! It doesn’t make any sense.

What does make sense around here, though? I’m a runaway servant learning magic under the watch of some ancient being who has a shadow wolf as their companion. With each passing day I feel like my perception of reality is being shattered more and more until eventually I’m going to be left with a pile of broken glass and a head full of questions that can’t be answered. And if they are answered all that’ll do is bring on even more questions. That’s what’s happened every single time so far. I ask a question, Morr gives me an answer, and her answer makes me think of more questions. It’s a never ending cycle of questions! Is that all life is? Ghh, no! That was another question! I can’t escape them!!!

That’s what happened when Morr explained the planes to me. I don’t even want to BEGIN with that. My understanding of them is they’re like another world, but they aren’t actually another world, but also they are. Oh, and also sometimes you can be in multiple at once, and sometimes planes exist within planes. You can be here on the material plane which also has the ethereal plane in it, but the ethereal plane is also in places like the feywild. Oh but even though the ethereal plane and the material plane are both in the same place you can also choose to be in one and not another, and if you’re in one you can see the other plane just fine but in the other you can only see the plane you’re on. And then there was this whole rant about trees and circles and ugh! I can’t make sense of any of it! All I know is that planes are basically other worlds with different rules. That’s it, that’s all I’ll ever need to know, the chances I’ll ever even leave this world are next to nothing so THAT’S IT.

Speaking of confusing, Morr has been kind of weird lately. I’ve been getting left to my own devices more and more. She keeps saying that something is going on, but she won’t say what it is. Only that it’s not something I need to worry about. But not knowing is already making me worry about it, so why can’t she just tell me anyway? I trust Morr. I have a pretty good grasp of her values, more or less. If it’s something to do with her work then I think I’m going to learn about it one way or another. Her being gone so much is making me worry more than I should be.

I might be learning something here soon at the very least. She mentioned having a potential job ready for me this morning. Though I have my suspicions it's going to be another fetch quest. That's all I've been doing. Go get this tome, go find this mushroom, go grab some dirt. I get that my magic isn't up to snuff, but after everything I've been told about how Morr is some protector of the arcane I thought I'd be doing something more… exciting? Not that I'm complaining though! I love it here, and I don't want to leave if I don't have to. I just also… want to do something more with my life I guess. Back home I did important work with father, even if I hated it. I know I have to hone my skills in order to do any real work for Morr, I just… I don't know. It's stupid. Patience is a virtue as they say, as… horrible as it is.

But Umbra. Her and I have been getting closer I guess. Our walks in the forest have been helping a lot with that. I mentioned it before, but she doesn't like being in the hut much. It's too small for her, and she doesn't like destroying things. For something so large Umbra is very gentle. I've found her going out of her way to avoid crushing plants and bugs and things. She's a weird mix between a person, a wolf, and a cat. Honestly, the only reason I call her a wolf at all is because of her appearance. Aside from tail wagging and licking things she really is like a cat. A smart cat. With a wolf body.

Most of our forest walks have been to find things for Morr, but earlier tonight I noticed the sky looked different than normal. Er, maybe not different different, but different from what I'm used to. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the moon was MASSIVE. The biggest I've ever seen it before! It was so pretty I couldn't help but walk over to the main road where there's no trees and lay in the snow and watch the stars. It's something I always did back home when the night was clear, though I wasn't allowed in our garden. Instead I'd climb out the back window and lay behind our storage shed. It was close enough to the window to be able to sneak over easily, and during the night no one had any reason to go out there so there was no risk of being caught. I was almost caught once after falling asleep out there, but I just snuck back in through the window and pretended I'd gotten up early when the mistress started questioning where I was. I don't think she bought it, but at least no one figured out where I'd been.

Umbra tagged along and got really concerned about me being too cold (even with my coat on) so I explained what I was doing. She didn't really understand so I had her lay down with me. We just laid there and watched the stars in silence. It was really nice. The snow wasn't nearly as cold as I thought it'd be, honestly. Like it was chilly outside, but that was it. And as we were laying there she finally let me know what her name was. Then we went back to laying in silence.

I was going to write more, but Morr just came in and said I’d need sleep for tomorrow’s task. So… I guess that confirms that I do have a job for tomorrow. I’m also fairly certain it’s going to be something other than picking up groceries this time. Otherwise why would I need to be well rested? I dunno. Either way I know she’s right, so while I have more thoughts to note down I’m ending this off here for tonight.

[olivermspecialistpractice]

All About Lily Chou-Chou - Research 2

OPENING - “アラベスク” [ARABESUKU]

As the opening seconds of “All About Lily Chou-Chou'' roll in, the viewer is met with a melancholic melody of organ-like synths that slowly churn out as a cryptic text is overlaid upon a black background. The opening line of the film, rather than dialogue, is a post on the Lilyphilia website by the user Philia, who gives us our first information about Lily: that she was born at 10:50PM on December 8th, 1980, the exact moment John Lennon was murdered outside his New York residence. As we learn this oddly specific information about the mysterious figure, a steady, rhythmic drum pattern accompanies the lingering synthesizer. As layers of digital instrumentation begin to build, the screen cuts to show a vast, luscious field of green with a young boy standing at its center holding a Discman with his headphones on. His clean white shirt in stark contrast to his surroundings draws our attention as BBS messages continue to roll over the landscape. Philia, who is in fact the boy in white, describes Lily’s ability to access what is known as the “Ether,” an invisible yet powerful “spectrum” that surrounds and embraces all who know of it, and that Lily holds the power to both draw from and produce it through her music. At the same time, the dominating synths of the intro dissolve as a distant, repetitive keyboard pattern takes its place, making both the song and scene feel like a dream, a wondrous encapsulation of what Lily’s music is meant to be and evoke within its listener: endless, fantastical, and calming. As the song blossoms, we are treated to the words of other BBS users who relay their feelings on Lily and the Ether, with one revealing that the pain that comes with relationships - friends, family, lovers - is healed within the Ether, “a place of eternal peace.” As the song returns to its steady beat, but with a tinge of reverb-heavy orchestration behind it, a user of the BBS lists other artists who could be identified as “having the Ether.” These include famous names such as the Beatles, Björk, Ua, and even classical composers such as Erik Satie and Claude Debussy, who are referred to as one of the first artists to ever have this power. The track, titled “アラベスク” or “Arabesque” in English, is actually in reference to Debussy’s famous composition “Arabesque No. 1,” a theme of repetition that lingers throughout the film. 

As the song continues to roll on and slowly disintegrate, the opinions of chat room members become more dissonant. One, named Rod, refers to himself as Lily’s “Chosen One,” a “defender” of the Ether whose “orders” are to protect it from “fools” so that they “may not err again.” Others begin to question the identity of Lily, and ask whether or not she is even real in the first place. Some say that this website, or the fanbase of Lily, seems like a cult and that some of the posters are “brainwashed.” Coincidentally, as the negative comments begin to increase, the boy in white is now shown on his bike, leaving the fantastical field behind. As the song nears its end, a reverb effect is added to Lily’s vocals, evoking the sense that she is slowly distancing herself, as if being drawn back into the Ether, her invisible home. As the synthesizers ring out and dissipate, the song is abruptly interrupted by an obstructive but familiar sound to those living in Japan and elsewhere: a railroad crossing signal. From here, the first “live” scene of the film and the story it tells marks its official beginning, breaking us and Yuichi out of the blissful scenery of the Ether.

The opening scene of “All About Lily Chou-Chou” is arguably its most important. Not only are concepts such as the “Ether,” the various and extreme opinions of the site users, and Lily’s backstory established through the lens of her fans, but we as viewers are treated to one of Lily’s more mystical and unique songs that acts as the entrance into the world of the film. Lily sings the lyrics of “アラベスク” or “Arabesque”  in an Okinawan dialect, which is both a reference to her heritage as well as a pivotal location that our crew of characters visits later in the film, during which Hoshino has a near-death experience that completely morphs his character into the epitome of evil. In line with many of her other songs, Lily’s lyrics evoke colorful, naturalistic imagery, such as a blue sky, blue ocean, red flowers, as well as the “song of the southern island.” This southern island is interpreted by both the viewers and the fans of Lily to be Okinawa, and members of the film’s cast later see what they think to be the very island during their time in Okinawa. The ambiguous yet serene imagery of the song, as well as its lyrics being in an Okinawan dialect, make it a perfectly thematic opening track for the film, as it highlights the dichotomy between Lily as a musical idol and a regular person, as well as the dual-nature of our main characters. “アラベスク” not only opens this masterful film, but lays bear so many of its themes, both in its presentation and in its musicality. These opening moments establish Lily as a truly talented musician with a dense understanding of captivating song structure, but also shows us the conflicted image she has within the minds of her fans, who may either worship her as an idol, or use her name and words in order to control the thoughts of others. 

“愛の実験” [EXPERIMENT OF LOVE]

While some songs, such as “アラベスク” and even “回復する傷” [Healing Wounds], are rather ambiguous to their exact meaning or usage, other songs serve a much more direct role as themes for certain characters. These songs not only play during moments of conflict or resolution for these characters, but their lyrics are clearly reflective of the internal conflicts that these children experience throughout the film. One such song, titled “愛の実験” [Experiment of Love], serves as the theme for both Yuichi and Hoshino throughout the film. In the artificial history of Lily, “Experiment of Love” was released on her first EP titled “Jewel,” and also plays as we are introduced to Hoshino for the first time. Having been one of Lily’s first musical releases, it serves as a representation of Lily’s early sound as an artist. On top of this, the lyrics of the song are quite thematic in regards to both Yuichi and Hoshino, specifically the nature of their relationship, as well as showing a crucial aspect of Lily’s lyricism: duality. The lyrics, as well as the instrumentation of the song, are quite raw and repetitive, with Lily going back and forth between saying “I see you… you see me…” The song is almost disorienting in nature, but as the film goes on it becomes clear why it is played over scenes of both Yuichi and Hoshino, specifically ones where both of them are at a moment of heightened emotion. One scene that it plays over is a short but gruesome glimpse into the twisted mind of Hoshino as he gets his fellow bullies to abuse Yuichi, with the song cutting off as he breaks Yuichi’s Lily Chou-Chou CD in half. This moment is a perfect example of Lily’s music playing a real role in the world of these characters, and displays how the “Ether” can be shattered in a moment if someone were to spoil it. 

Returning to the lyrics, these two people that Lily describes seeing each other may act as both an internal conflict within the singer, as well as two individuals that begin to morph into one another. The lyrics shift into “I’m in you, you’re in me…” which displays the ways in which Yuichi and Hoshino’s character traits are shared, and yet their personalities are worlds apart. Yuichi, filled with passiveness and submission to more powerful forces, shares Hoshino’s disdain with the world around him, but does not choose to express his anger through the same cruel methods that Hoshino does. Despite their seemingly opposing personalities, Yuichi and Hoshino share numerous commonalities, not only including their silent love for Lily, but their discomfort and self-loathing that comes with their respective situations. The only defining difference is the way in which both characters interpret Lily’s lyrics. Yuichi uses them for good, spreading the word of the Ether and maintaining a space for fans to express themselves [Lilyphilia], but Hoshino’s self-hatred is catalyzed into a destructive force as he abuses and rules over his fellow classmates with an iron fist. The “spectrum” of the Ether is once again put on full display, with Yuichi representing its generous, comforting nature, and Hoshino embodying the idea that Lily’s words and the Ether can be used as a tool for power and fear. 

TSUDA AND KUNO: “飛べない翼” [FLIGHTLESS WINGS]

While “愛の実験” serves to represent the crucial character beats for both Yuichi and Hoshino, another theme that is arguably more heartbreaking accompanies the climactic final moments of Tsuda, Yuichi’s friend and fellow classmate. From the time Hoshino’s devious transformation following Okinawa, Tsuda is abused by him and his group of bullies into exploiting her body and time for money from older men, also known as “enjō-kōsai,” or “compensated dating,” in Japan. Tsuda, as well as Hoshino’s childhood friend Kuno, are the main victims in Hoshino’s abuse when it comes to his female peers. While Yuichi is seemingly powerless against the devilish actions and words of Hoshino, both Tsuda and Kuno are completely objectified and stripped of their humanity entirely, reduced down to nothing but their bodies for the sake of Hoshino’s monetary gain and, eventually, sexual violence. 

Kuno remains a relatively mysterious figure throughout the film, being referred to by Hoshino as the person who first exposed him to Lily Chou-Chou’s music, as well as being effortlessly confident in her capabilities. Her masterful skill at classical piano ties into the film’s musicality as her favorite piece is Debussy’s “Arabesque No. 1,” which she plays at several points in the film.

This cements her character as being intimately tied to the Ether from which Lily takes her inspiration, as Debussy is referenced as being one of the first musicians to ever give off its power through his sound. Tsuda, however, becomes a central figure in Yuichi’s new life as Hoshino’s punching bag, as he is tasked with following and walking her home to make sure she is completing her “job” for Hoshino. As Yuichi and Tsuda’s relationship develops, Tsuda becomes interested in Lily through Yuichi, and she officially “enters the Ether” after Yuichi lets her borrow his “ジュエル” [“Jewel”] CD, Lily’s first EP.

Eventually, due to her seemingly passive and obedient nature, Hoshino’s disastrous focus turns to Kuno, despite them being childhood friends. As Hoshino allows his subordinates and a group of girls at school to take Kuno to one of Hoshino’s family’s old business sites, he watches as they take Kuno and sexually assault her - a truly disturbing and heartbreaking scene that emphasizes Hoshino’s evil nature, and Kuno’s inability to attempt to fight against the abuse happening at their school. During this scene, it is not Lily’s music that accompanies her assault, but a repeated use of Debussy’s “Arabesque No. 1,” which in effect becomes her theme on its own. This scene, as well as the one that follows, holds some of the darkest imagery held within the film. Even Kuno, whose mysterious persona seems to attach her closer to the Ether than anyone in the film, is blindsided by Hoshino in the face of his merciless abuse, showing that even Lily and her music cannot truly protect her fans in the real world.

Following this, both Yuichi and Tsuda reach a new low of hopelessness. While Yuichi uses the BBS website and his friend, Blue Cat, in order to vent and express his feelings, Tsuda’s fate leads her to an irrevocable end. As “飛べない翼” begins to play following the assault of Kuno, Tsuda is seen standing atop a hill overlooking a group of kite flyers in a field on her way home. The bright, booming track feels like a rush of energy following the film’s darkest scene. As a harmonic mix of acoustic and electric guitar, fuzzy bass, and a steady drum beat fill the viewers’ ears, Tsuda approaches the kite flyers in a state of amazement. As Lily sings, her lyrics evoke imagery of a person seeing and observing the blank, monotone world around them: a “crooked schoolyard” and “white uniforms” set firmly on the ground. However, this person is awestruck by the sky, its endlessness, and the power that crows have to fly with their black wings - a power they yearn to have in order to leave the tethering ground under their feet. As Tsuda approaches the flyers, she is more elated than she has ever been, running towards them with an energy and excitement not yet seen on screen. As the group shows her how to fly one herself, Lily’s lyrics continue to speak of a desire - a longing - to fly into the sky like a bird, despite having wings that cannot take flight: “These wings that can’t fly, if I throw them away, I will soar in the sky.” The scene is one the most serene in the entire film, as we see and feel Tsuda’s childish joy and pride reigniting within her despite Kuno’s fate, only for it to suddenly crash into the ground. While she seems glad to have been given a moment of calm in the sea of chaos that surrounds her, she speaks her final lines before her tragic act: “空飛びたい,” “I want to fly through the sky.” The scene and the music abruptly cut as we are shown a bird’s eye view of Tsuda’s body, lifeless below the cellphone tower she was seen looking up towards at the beginning of the scene. 

Tsuda’s death, as well as the music that accompanies its lead-up, is the epitome of tragedy. Tsuda, like the person Lily speaks of in the song, is seemingly tethered to the ground - a caged bird with wings that simply cannot fly no matter how much they desire to. However, while the song’s theme is on-the-nose for Tsuda’s final moments, it can be equally applied to every character within the film; Yuichi, trapped in the barbed grip of Hoshino, desires escape and solitude; Kuno, wishing to be nothing more than a passive and kind-hearted classmate, is ultimately defiled due to her protest; and even Hoshino, caged within his own disillusionment and trauma, is shown as someone who is mentally consumed by his own isolation and outrage. Every character within the film can be seen as a bird with flightless wings, it is only how they choose to act within that reality that brings each to their respective fates. 

THE ETHER PERSONIFIED

Shunji Iwai managed to create a film that is not only a masterclass in cinematography, plot structure, and character writing, but also achieves the feat of creating a soundtrack that stands on its own two feet as well as accompanies the beats of the film in a mystically entrancing way. Lily Chou-Chou, although artificial, plays an imperative role both in the film and in our world that deserves its own recognition, as her existence treads the line between reality and unreality, real and fake, belief and disbelief. Whether or not we, the audience, understand the complex history of Lily Chou-Chou as a project, or if the fans of hers shown in the film know her manufactured backstory in its entirety, her music is what truly transcends the limits of the film’s runtime. To this day, Lily’s music featured in the film can be streamed on Spotify, with almost 70,000 sustained monthly listeners, and has continued to inspire musicians to this day. Recently, musician Mitski covered Lily’s song “グライド” [“Glide”] for the soundtrack to After Yang, continuing Lily’s legacy into beautiful art created today. Additionally, in early 2021, Korea-based post-rock band “Parranoul” released their album “To See the Next Part of the Dream,” inspired by the imagery and themes of All About Lily Chou-Chou, with the album cover as a digitized version of a shot from the movie itself. 

Fans of Lily today may not even know that she is “fake,” but in the end the power that her music holds - the Ether - bleeds into our world beyond the imagination of Shunji Iwai and his multi-medium plot, impacting the lives of her fans to this day over 20 years later. All About Lily Chou-Chou is not only a masterpiece of cinema and writing, but manages to allow the audience, viewers and listeners alike, to participate in a story that hasn’t quite ended. The myriad themes of misdirection, worldly conflict, and internalized struggle in a developing digital age are just as applicable today as they were in 2001, and in many ways have evolved into new and overpowering shapes. However, the message that Iwai intended with his dense and intricate project lives on in full stride - in a world full of gray, the idols we choose to worship can be either our saving graces or blind guides, and in the end their “artificiality” only goes so far, as their true reality solely lives in our own minds. It is what we choose to do with the plethora of sounds and words artists like Lily have provided for us that ultimately define her presence in the real world, artificial or not. But in the end, one thing is important for all viewers or listeners of Lily and artists alike to maintain: don’t spoil the Ether. 

[kiigan]

ㅤThere's a subtle change in demeanor that Itachi does not miss; truly, when do his eyes ever miss anything at all? A grain of sand might shift by the opposite end of the room, and the dreaded sharingan would follow it keenly. More than seeing it, though, it's something that he can feel. Something that is hard to explain. Might even be just his imagination? No, it is real... he may not know exactly what it means or what caused it, but it is real and it is just as exquisite as the rest of this woman. And can she even be called a woman, in the pure sense of the term? So much of her speaks of etherealness, of something that transcends humanity and mortality. It's unnerving and it is captivating, both at the same time; it's frightening and it is endearing. Is this what Pandora felt like, when opening the box that doomed the world?

ㅤThe Uchiha keeps observing, however. Learning, both for his own sake [he's not arrogant enough to believe he might emerge victorious from a confrontation with Sakuyoru, should it come to that] and for the simple joy of learning in itself. He's been like this since he can remember himself, that tiny toddler grabbing a book about exotic animals from faraway lands and teaching himself how to read because he so fervently wished to know what those words on paper were about. The current situation is no child's play and he's well aware, but the awe is there nonetheless and might even show in the crimson pools of his irises. He doesn't bother to hide it, not this.

ㅤIn a way, he wonders if this is what talking to Amaterasu-no-Mikoto Herself might have been like. Is Sakuyoru a goddess as well? Some kind of actual deity? Some kind of actual demon? So many questions and no answers at all. Which... is ironic, considering her claim that knowledge is, precisely, what she is made of - which, again, he does not doubt in the slightest. She might have been here already when the world was formed, for all he knows. If he already feels like a child compared to Madara, the current state of affairs has him feeling more like he's a spec of dust with zero importance in the grand scheme of things. It doesn't really help that she looks on him from above, literally and metaphorically speaking, but at the same time... the difference in height also brings with it an unexpected sense of familiarity. Mostly, because she's the same height as Shisui used to be, give or take.

But maybe it's time he says something, rather than to keep on gawking.

«And who bestowed such responsibility upon you, if I may ask?»

ㅤ...Or perhaps he should have remained silent. Is this disrespectful? Will she take his bold question for an offense? It was not asked out of malice, however - it's not like he's sneering and asking who made her queen over everybody else's destiny, so to speak. Who gave her the authority to classify what is wrong and what is right. And Itachi's tone of voice shows it, because it remains as neutral as before. No confrontation, no accusation. Not exactly a friendly tone, because he cannot afford to be perceived as such [imagine Zetsu watching from the corner and then running to go tell Madara that the infamous clan-killer is actually made of benevolence and softness], but there is an openness in it - there is room for the conversation to expand into something else, should Sakuyoru wish for it.

ㅤ«My clan, for centuries, has kept deities that the rest of Konoha has little care for,» he continues, wanting to at least give some context to his previous question and show that it did not come out of the blue, «I don't ignore them, but I never felt myself pulled towards worshiping them, either. Perhaps because I rather believe we, as humans, have the power to shape our own fate, rather than to wait on consolation and mercy from the powers that be.» And maybe now his arrogance is showing? Especially if she does turn out to be a goddess? Even so, he is being honest about it, which is more than can be said for literally everything else in his life. «Yet you speak of assessing intentions and of relaying corrective measures - which is where my curiosity comes from. What standards do you use to measure such things? How would you know who deserves to die and who deserves to live? Are such labels unchangeable? And, if so, does that mean we, humans, are born with that fate already set in stone? Are we put on this world merely to carry out a role that has been written, whilst someone else from above tugs at our strings and nudges us on what they consider to be the only suitable path?»

...Well, she asked what he wanted to know. Here are some few examples, then.

@kiigan

玫:

The silence she puts this room in is uncomfortable at best, only likely due to the fact she is simply staring and watching. Ever so still like the cold of winter. It's hard to pinpoint what she's thinking, if she's planning, scheming... This mask of hers puts even a porcelain doll to shame. Right until she finally sighs to herself through her nose. Not really defeated, but it's there. Like she's come to terms with herself.

"I am guarded for the information I harbor for good reason" she starts, the monotone she's carried so far has a tired lilt to it, but it's not to betray that she is very capable and ready at all times. Life is not kind, and thus you must be cruel when necessary.

"I care not what moral and/or ethical conscience you maintain — should you agree or no — knowing things is not for the faint of heart, and is a greater asset than an army of many men." Her bare soles finally move. There was not such a single sound from her as she moved, a testament to her ability to be unseen effortlessly. This inaudible approach is toward the window where he is closest, but only to stand by its wooden frame looking out. It's not hard to tell she is taller than him at 6 feet, which is a rare feat even for a woman.

"The tailed beasts have a history older than all of us. The power they encompass in themselves is but a fraction to a greater entity, split in 9 parts to keep order... To so much as attempt to control one is suicide, and to keep its energy stowed away is a fool's demise on this world."

Not a chance in Hell this woman is that old. She looks like she just turned 20, but talks like an elder. Maybe she's being vague for a reason. Trust issues and all that...

"Being that I know more than one should, for such an overstayed extent of time, means I carry pertinent information that could easily sway this world. Be it a mundane task, a village, or in such a case as tailed beasts — the world. I have responsibility to assess where that information falls to, and whom knows it. If by any means what I relay is used for ill-purpose that is beyond mere wars and human nonsense, I will have no choice but to step in and make... corrective measures" It's not said lightly. If anything, stating so much as corrective measures didn't sound like a mere assassination mission, no collection operation. It seems she understands her vagueness was not helpful, so when she looks at him — it's like Death was standing there instead, warning.

Death did ride a pale horse...

"Whomever is informed that undermines the balance of nature: They will be sought. Those they informed so much as a vague single word, is sought. If their families and neighbors informed, they are sought... There will be no trace of what was said, written, nor recorded. If I must, should this information be housed in a town, village, or any civilization that it has been mass-spread — it will be cleaned out and its foundations torn asunder like a clean slate."

"Depending on what information and the extent you ask of me, I must ascertain you are not a fool, and give it away to anyone else... So I must ask again, what do you want to know?"

[palushiemalis-fr]

Write My Dragon's Lore -- Results!

@protoformx personality: outgoing and loud

@the-odd-aardvadillo occupation: biologist or whatever form of science fits into your lore

@hystericblue aspiration: flying under her own power, she's not staying on the ground

@revolupine hobbies: puzzles and cosplay.

@scrubbythebubble dislikes : tight spaces, the cold, authority

“YOU.” 

Seep felt as if the Sandsurge’s hard stare had shot straight into his face. He felt winded from the impact. He wasn’t often put into a position where he was on the back foot, let alone on first entering a room.

“Me?” He managed as she sprinted over to him, drawing her neck up as high as she could to meet him.

“You are the resident engineer, yes?” She tilted one eye at him to peer into the reflection of his lenses.

Seep craned his neck back and tried to keep her stare, feeling bewildered at the hostility seeing as she was the one to invite him over.

“Yes, I mean, I’m not the only one but I— who are you anyway?”

“Cesarie.” She flicked the sail of her tail boisterously, “I am a bio-engineer. I needed to be polite and say hi and ask some questions and all that, good clan you got here. But then again I’m used to working in really cramped, nasty conditions, at least this place has heating. I’ve seen some real blighters when it comes to labs…” 

She began to ramble about her journey over from the Lightning territory. Seep couldn’t quite keep up and let his mind wander, inspecting what she had done with her chamber.

Cesarie’s den pulsed with an organic, ethereal green light. He squinted through his goggles to see delicate glow worms threaded from the cave ceiling, softly wriggling from their silken strands. The slime molds and algae that practically crawled on every surface let off their own glowing hues. There were terrariums and specimen jars lined up along racks and racks of shelving. Illuminated roaches and isopods trundled about in dimly lit habitats, a swarm of fireflies bonked persistently against the glass of their temporary tank.

Her work table was another matter altogether; an unfinished game of chess sat between microscopes, scapels and scientific paraphernalia with which he wasn’t familiar. For a biologist, she kept a lot of brass fittings, bolts and screws about the place. The air smelt green but was tinged with metal polish and lubricant. He’d always appreciated the smell.

In the middle of the chaos was a huge bell jar filled with a soup of green and blue ooze. Or, what he believed was ooze. It certainly seemed lively, it let out a belch of bubbles which popped vigorously. This caught Cesarie’s attention.

She marched over, knocking some spanners and tools onto the floor on the way, and slammed a fist on the worktop.

“SIMMER DOWN.” She barked.

The ooze let out a flatulent ‘glop’ and settled down.

Seep chuckled, he could relate. His own experimental subjects could be just as cheeky.

“This is my prototype.” She grunted, rolling the jar onto its side and tweaking the instruments and strappings attached to it. “I call her ALGEE. Aviator Levitator Green Energy … something something… I’m workin’ on it.”

“Ehh, the acronym’s usually more important than the words used to put it together.” He shrugged, “But uh, what does it mean? What is that thing?”

After bashing a few loose screws into place she heaped the jar onto her back (Seep watched her ‘percussive adjustments’ approvingly, making note to brush up on his own technique.) She pulled the arm straps tight and the jar sat snuggly between her two sails. She placed on an aviator’s cap and pinged the goggles to her forehead.

“Stand back.”

Seep coiled himself back into what little room the lab had for his huge, winding body.

Cesarie yanked a toggle on her strap and the jar hummed and sizzled with light. The glass shook violently and it began to lift of its own accord, pulling her up like a hot air balloon. She hung precariously in the air, her legs kicking and her tail wagging excitedly.

Seep laughed in amazement, “Impressive! And this is the prototype? This could be a paradigm shift in–”

There was a crack and a hiss and a whizz all at once.

Cesarie dropped like a stone and hit the ground with a winded “Oof.”

Cesarie picked up her jar of gooey, glowy ALGEE and juggled it from one paw to another. It must have been hot from the intense chemical reactions. There was a large crack down the size. 

“As I said. Prototype. But one day, this baby’ll fly all the way to the dunes and back. That foreman will be sorry he ever fired me for collecting algal samples on the job…” She began to rant and ramble once again, Seep sat himself down for the long haul.

[igotanidea]

Extraordinary : The Sandman x chronicles of Narnia crossover

YAY! Here we go!

Please do not get attached to the timeline, I'll work it out in time :D

This is just a little preview, let;s see where it takes us.

***

Every living being has to dream.

A human. Sure, but it’s not the only one that populate the world.

An animal. Obviously, however it’s not scientifically proven that those are capable of dreaming.

But what if we dare to think bigger?

What if we reached beneath things that are possible and actually exist to the point when we can see them with our own eyes?

Do you believe in magic?

Can you imagine that somewhere beyond reality, there are multiple fantastic realms and creatures only waiting to find them?

Would you dare taking such an adventure?

How about we take a couple steps into an empty room in some old mansion on the suburbs. Nothing exceptional, really, just four corners, a floor and a ceiling. And a wardrobe, nearly as ancient as the house itself, full of winter coats, half-eaten by moths. Can you feel this characteristic smell? Isn’t it strange how all of a sudden the fur seem like branches of trees, gently tickling your skin? Don’t you think it’s amazing how with every move the wardrobe is expanding and a few minutes later you are no longer inside an aged building, but in the middle of flowery meadow, full with sunlight and with few ethereal human-shaped entities. Nymphs? Dryads? It’s your choice.

“A daughter of Eve” whispers not louder than a breath of wind barely reach your ears and leaves you bewildered. You ask no questions just watching this delicate beings gather round in anticipation. No one dares a move to prevent this silent, fleeting moment from being disrupted.

Do you still remember where you came from? Or did you already forget the reality? No one would blame you for that.

 “Where am I?” you finally murmur to the group in front of you.

“You are in Narnia” the boldest and most beautiful of them steps forward. “Welcome, traveler.” She nods her head slightly and almost hypnotized by her graze and nobility you mirror the move “we shall take you to King Aslan. He is the one who summoned you here.”

“Summoned” you slowly open your eyes wider trying to adapt this information “why?”

“That is a question you should be asking our King, dear. If you allow me, I will show you the way and escort you to the palace. You are a guest here.”

With another gentle movement the nymph takes you hand. Her touch feels like a silk on the forearm and when you lock eyes you have no further wish to leave. Your plain clothes are now changed into long, blue robes – a skirt and an oddly comfortable corset and your hair are no longer a messy bun but beautifully braided and pinned in elaborate headdress. You fell calmness and peace. Everything laying in front of you – you are more than ready for this adventure. Let’s take the path winding through the forest. Let’s dare a walk through the palace, surrounded by the nymphs and their joyful, happy presence.

“King Aslan will see you now” as you reach the gates of the chateau your companions disperse back in the forest leaving you by yourself.

Do you feel that tingle in the fingertips?  That little thrill of excitement as you ascend the steps? A bit of trembling in the legs and the fastened heartbeat making the heat rise to your cheek?

“My child” deep, silent and royal voice comes from the right. Is that the King himself?

How do you imagine him?

Tall, golden-haired, blue-eyed?

Dressed in magnificent robes, similar to yours? Sitting on the throne looking down at your figure on the steps?

He is all of it. And nothing at the same time.

The giant lion with rich mane blowing in the wind coming from the window. Lightened by the sun, making him look almost unreal.

This is real. You see him and he looks at you with the most gentle and regal expression.

“King Aslan” you bow you head in respect.

Is it not amazing how quickly you adapted to the place you arrived at? How fast you accepted this place as yours.

“Raise, my child. I summoned you here for important matter. I believe we shall discuss it in details. Take a walk with me. “

And that is how it all starts.

Do you remember what I said at the beginning of this adventure?

There are multiple mystical Realms.

Hundreds of supernatural creatures.

And all of them has to sleep. And dream.  

***

I'm tagging everyone who were interested in this story under one of my previous posts, but the list is always open so just let me know if you want in or out.

@somest1 @pinksirensong @farintonorth @damianodavidhands @alrendriablaze @arim0895 @kiwiiiiiiluk @fizz-flat @sorrowfulfragmentation @moonstarjas @shadowsholdsecrets @urshowercurtain @chatoicboy @superwholockbooknerd526 @tree-of-blue-squirrel @starlightaurorab @pearlstiare @deniixlovezelda @hikariasanare @readingreaver @c0tt0ntailbxnny @disapproving-ghost @sammydami @blueroseabundance @noachingu @aletheiarynne @cheech-11

[princeblack]

Each one of her sobs makes his heart feel like it’s breaking further, green eyes full of concern as he gently tugs her hands from her small, wet face. She’s still beautiful even when crying, her eyes an even brighter blue and delicate features flushed pink. He still remembers the moment he saw her at the start of this year, rendering him completely speechless. She was already the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen the day they met, but she grew up a considerable amount over the summer, somehow even more gorgeous than before. Her hair is longer now, beautiful and styled like a princess’s. Her face has slimmed a little, matching her more mature body. She’s ethereal, by far the most beautiful girl at Hogwarts (and the the world, if you asked Regulus) and she doesn’t seem to realize it.

Even now, he’s distracted by her beauty, seeing her pretty face as he tugs her hands away from it. But her shaky sobs draw his attention back to the way his chest is aching, a lump in his throat just because she’s suffering. He never wants to see Bee hurting, to the point he doted on her for an entire day when she tripped down the stairs once. He’s the one to cheer her up and make her tea whenever she’s sad– she’s his best friend, even more so than Astoria. The Hufflepuff is the most important person in his life; the one who taught him it was okay to slowly start being himself.

He never wanted to lose her, even when he was sure she didn’t want to continue whatever they started on the train. But every moment without her was miserable, dreaming of having her and wishing she was in Daphne’s place. Sometimes the only way to even touch his girlfriend was to close his eyes and pretend she was Bee, which made him feel guilty because he didn’t know how the youngest Diggory felt about him anymore.

She explains herself in a trembling voice, telling him she couldn’t move on after the train, only dating Dean to distract herself but failing at that too. It feels like a dream, like it can’t possibly be real, hearing her say all of the things he wished for, for all this time. He pined away for her, imagining scenarios where he defied his mother just to make her his, confessing that he’s loved her since he met her on the train. Every day he’s fallen more deeply in love, to the point he can hardly contain it anymore.

“You can’t?” he asks shyly, in response to her saying she can’t move on. “I guess I’d thought you decided you were better off…” It sounds sad and a little pathetic coming from his lips now, especially when Bee is dissolving into tears in front of him. “Bee—“ he says, reaching out to take her small face in his palms. Her cheeks are wet from tears, using his thumb to catch one as it rolls down her skin. “Shhh,” he hums quietly, lightly tracing where the tear had fallen. He glances down at her lips, green eyes heavy with desire because she’s finally said she wants him too. Why should anything stop them now? Maybe he should wait; break up with Daphne and disappoint his family. But he doesn’t want to wait, he just wants her. The only thing in the world he wants is her and it’s agonizing to go another second without. 

“Don’t apologize,” he says quietly, allowing his thumb to trace her lower lip as it trembles. “Do you know how often I’ve thought of you and wished things were different?” There’s a lump in his throat, voice quiet as he cups her face, tilting it up towards his. Their lips are so close they could touch and she’s so small beneath him, full of sadness and jealousy that he can see in her eyes as she finally asks him the question.

It hurts him that she thinks it’s a possibility— Regulus kissing anyone like he did her. But he supposes he can’t fault her for it, since he was the one who started dating Daphne. She would never understand the pressure of his parents and what it was like, bearing the burden of being the heir of an old pureblood family that desperately wanted to plan his life out down to the very last detail.

Instead of explaining it, he closes the distance between their lips, dragging a gentle kiss against them, his eyes fluttering shut. She tastes like her tears but he keeps going, tilting his head as their mouths interlock. A shiver of desire moves through him, pressing her back against the wall as his hands cup her face, one sliding down to the side of her neck.

When their lips part, he licks his own, hovering there in her space and breathing her air. “I never kissed her like that.” He pauses, sighing a little. “You already know this, but my mother set us up-- I didn’t choose her.” Did that give him the right to cheat on her? Maybe not, but he can’t bring himself to regret what he just did, his hand still against the side of her neck and the other holding her cheek.

she remembers the day she saw them together, hand in hand and daphne had a smile on her face like she'd just won at life. she knew she had no right to be upset, not really...sure he kissed her on the train but it's not like they really talked about it afterwards and it was in part her fault, she'd been too shy to say anything to him because what do you say? she's never dated before, she's never even had a crush like this before it's never been this intense before and the entire thing kind of terrified her because if things didn't work out between them then she would be destroyed.

but now it was too late, he moved on to a pretty blonde with a lot more to offer him in the long run, she should be happy for him but selfishly she hated seeing him with someone like her, just because she was rich and pretty doesn't mean she actually understood regulus or his love of dragons and cauldron cakes, or how soft he was deep down because he didn't even know it yet. she hated seeing them together so much that it made her sick and then she felt bad about the anger she felt towards daphne...bee wasn't one to feel hate in her heart but she hated daphne for standing in the place she wanted to stand in. she also hated herself for being so weak, not being strong enough to take what she wanted.

and now here she is, hiding in the school corridor and sobbing into her hands over a boy who didn't even want her. the tears stream down her face as she sobs into her hand gently, wanting to run off and hide in her room but feeling too weak to do so, her knees felt like they were going to collapse in on her and it was as though someone had punched a hole clear through her chest, leaving it hollow and aching in a pain she never knew was humanly possible, it felt like she was going to die from a broken heart as the image of his lips against daphne's play in her mind over and over but worst of all she thinks of the day he kissed her too, how it had been the most magical day of her life and she can't help but wonder if daphne greengrass got to feel that same magic.

it makes a shaky sob fall past her lips, so loud that she almost doesn't hear the footsteps approaching her until she hears the voice, that sweet voice sending chills down her spine just as it always does as he gently calls out her nickname, pulling her hands from her face and making her look back at him which she hates doing because she never wanted him to see her like this, she looks so stupid with the tear stains on her face and sniffing from the sobs as soft blue eyes look back at him sadly.

she doesn't know what to say to his question, she doesn't want to hurt him or make him feel bad because she was a stupid girl who couldn't control her stupid emotions but the more she thought about it the more it made her cry, a soft broken sob leaving her lips as she shakes her head. "n-no regulus...I left because of me." she says softly, sniffing as she tries to look away from him, dropping her gaze to her feet. "I left because no matter how hard I try I can't move on from you and it's not fair. I tried dating someone I didn't even like and it ended because I couldn't let you go, I tried just being your friend because I care about you so much but every time I'm near you I fall apart but I can't stay away from you and it feels like I'm just stuck in this never ending heartbreak cause I also can't watch you holding hands with h-her for the rest of my life...." she can't stop the tears now, like an overflowing faucet, her emotions have all been building up too high for her small body and now it's coming pouring out and she can't stop it. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be dumping all of this on you...I know I have no right to ask but d-do you kiss her the way you kissed me on the train?" she bites down on her bottom lip, already regretting her question because she's too scared of hearing the answer as she shakes her head. "I'm sorry, fuck...i'm such a loser"

[lestwritewhilewaitingforajobcall]

Tamed Seas - Poseidon x Reader

(A/N)

This is the very first post I’m making on this equally new account and also the very first time I am ever using a second person POV for the reader. Let me know your thoughts!

The following story is just for shits and giggles. I do not own any of the characters, they are the property of Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui and Ajichika. I also do not own you, the reader.

Warning: Swearing from my disclaimer.

Tamed Seas

Poseidon x Reader

They were never allowed to stare.

If Poseidon never looked anyone in the eye, deeming them unworthy of even a simple gaze, then anyone other than himself were equally unworthy in looking at his wife.

Just before the meeting had started about a decision to be made on humanity’s fate, Poseidon had entered in his full regalia, his wife walking alongside him. Of course, such a prestigious couple deserved such a special entrance, as Hermes, per Zeus’ request too, played his violin most ceremoniously, a proud smirk on his face upon seeing the royal feet step perfectly on the red carpet he had immediately placed upon knowing of their arrival. Zeus’ older brother held a record of never attending meetings, much more any simple get-togethers unless they were of real utmost importance such as this one.

Shiva’s eyes grew at the sight of the couple. Even though Poseidon’s wife had originally been a mortal who had ascended to godhood, you were glowing and looked as ethereal as Aphrodite. Was he seeing things? He blinked and leaned forward in his seat. The last time he saw you was at the announcement of your wedding, then after the ceremony he never caught a glimpse of you ever again and only heard stories of your new and impressive conquests. Were you always this godlike?

As if reading his thoughts, he gulped upon finding himself at the receiving end of Poseidon’s cold and stoic stare. He shrugged his shoulders. Man, he had heard rumors of his sudden protectiveness towards his wife, but he never expected him to be this overly protective. He was merely trying to figure out if his wife was always glowing like this or not. Both figuratively and literally.

Alright, maybe he was checking you out a little bit.

Unlike the god of the seas, his wife greeted Zeus, and all the familiar gods with a warm smile. It had been ages since you had seen them all together, and the sight brought a sense of nostalgia to the days where you had first earned their favor, then their respect, and then their friendship. Although your story might not be as mighty (and as physically taxing) as Hercules’ was, you considered those ‘young’ days to also be one of your best apart from getting married to the man god who you had given your heart for and will continue to love and cherish for the rest of your life. Since you became Poseidon’s wife, you had not had much time to do leisure outside the palace, and correspondingly after heralding the title of ‘queen of the seas,’ you had taken it upon yourself to help your husband in matters concerning his own kingdom and the vast seas themselves.

“Master Zeus—” Zeus threw you a knowing look. “My apologies, Zeus, it’s such a pleasure to see you again!”

“Same here, little lady! Judging by the frequent calmness of the Atlantic Ocean, I trust you and my brother are faring along quite well?” The father of all gods chuckled, then wiggled his gray eyebrows. “Why, I must say, me and most of the other Olympians have been waiting for some new gods and goddesses to rule alongside us, if you know what I mean! Ehe he~”

Characteristic of your husband, Poseidon simply scoffed before muttering how gods such as themselves need not gossip. Blue eyes never left the Hindu god however, and unbeknownst to his wife, he lingered closer to you than usual whenever the both of you were in public.

This time, Shiva had had enough. He was sure he only looked at the direction of Poseidon’s wife only once, and admired you only once as well, yet he was being skewered by the god’s gaze for longer than what he had intentionally allowed. As if he had openly claimed you as his! He was the god of destruction for heaven’s sake, and would not allow this sacrilegious act, regardless of whoever he had to settle the score with. If it was with another prominent deity, then it would be a lot more fun. Golden eyes narrowed daringly, an equally challenging aura oozing from his form and startling the nearby gods.

“Lord Shiva, are you okay—”

“(Name). How many times do I have to repeat myself? You have no need to refer to other gods with honorifics.” Your attention whipped to your husband, who to your surprise, held a familiar, challenging stance. Unbeknownst to you but the other gods especially Aphrodite, Poseidon simply matched the challenge of the Hindu god. “You are the wife of the seas. All the other gods are beneath you, as they are beneath me as well.”

Upon hearing this, Shiva gripped his concrete armrests too greatly and it crumbled to dust under his strength. Pumped at where this interaction seemed to be heading−the thought of fighting, he stood up, arms on the ready to cause destruction. Despite being in the middle of the crowd and quite far away from the center of the stadium where the couple stood, he caught glimpse of the famous trident he would never be caught dead wielding. Now this was getting interesting!

“My rules are simple: you disrespect me, you die,” He pointed at Poseidon, which the latter found disgusting enough to scrunch up his nose.

“Should we put a stop to this, Lord Zeus?” Hermes asked behind a white gloved hand. Not exceeding any expectations, Zeus laughed after a stroke of his beard and clapped. He always was one to find entertainment in alike situations, especially after the fact that this was the only time, he and all the other gods had really felt Poseidon riled up. The expression on the god of the seas’ face remained calm but it was betrayed by the suffocating, dominating presence he emitted from where he stood.

“And after you die, your wife would become firsthand witness of realizing how your title betrays your strength,” Shiva stretched, but halfway through noticed Poseidon’s quick work of his trident. He took a stance and prepared for the parrying move.

Amidst the unexpected battle that was soon to happen, to everyone’s surprise, a whistling sound echoed along the tension-filled stadium. It was a tune most foreign to the gods, all except one. From your lips, a beautiful melody poured out as a soft gentle breeze seemed to have begun to blow. It was an old tune you had learned from one of your many lifetimes in the mortal world,

And the very same one you had sung to Poseidon that had sustained him in trying moments.

Poseidon came to a full stop, his muscles unmoving as he listened and slowly, put his trident down. What was he thinking? He should not have been swayed by a foolish taunt committed by a foolish god. He was perfection incarnate. His wife would never fall for a foolish antic, so why did he? Now he was both angry and confused with himself. How could he have allowed himself for even a moment, for others to see him angry over this? What even was this?

Without the need to look at you, relishing in your fine tunes reminded him of the initial catalyst to his reaction and an answer to his question. Whenever matters concerned his wife, his emotions, which he learned were out of his control, seemed to defy all rational logic, which, even at the very beginning of your courtship, bypassed his ego. Of course, despite these strong feelings, the one thing Poseidon had control over were his actions. Therefore, he had always had a grip on how he presented himself. Although it was still a slow progress to figuring out this foreign feeling with his wife, the only other being he deemed truly worthy to allow into his life, anyone else will never have a chance of being privy to this side of him−a sentiment that thankfully, his wife shared. Though he never admitted it, he was confused and left mulling over for some time when you had also told him before that you had meant a different thing.

“…Foolish. Gods have no need for wars, we are perfect beings ourselves. You are not the reason for my presence here and are not worthy of my time and attention.” Another long silence fell, finally broken by Poseidon, ignoring the mix of surprised and fearful stares. His legs started carrying him towards the direction of one of the high stage boxes in the stadium. “Come, (Name).”

Shiva, who had his fists out and ready to fight, blinked twice in confusion before grunting, scratching the back of his ear violently in frustration. “You Greek gods have always been boring! And here I thought I’d finally be able to cause some destruction again, this time in Valhalla…”

Other than the Hindu god himself, none would ever understand if he had riled up the Greek god on purpose for the sake of his own entertainment or, perhaps, for something more personal. Zeus, meanwhile, followed the sight of his older brother walking quietly alongside his wife. Aphrodite nodded her head in his direction, affirming his suspicions. He would never fully understand the concept of love, but hey, he did get the message that all would be damned if so much as a single hair went missing on (Name)’s hair. And it seems he was not alone in this thought, as despite Shiva’s aggressive taunting, he also managed to peak into the gravity of the god of seas’ feelings towards his wife.

After Shiva had been calmed down and more gods piled in along with the Valkyries, Zeus set his meeting in motion. From the stands, Poseidon and his wife occupied the two seats that closely resembled their thrones. Eagerly sitting beside the god, (Name) grinned. Every day she had to sit close to her husband or even at times on his lap, she always felt like her body fit snugly against his.

Blue eyes stared uninterested at the spectacle.

“Dearest?” Poseidon turned his head and met your gaze. Any dark smudges had disappeared beneath his eyes, and his mouth that was carved into a seemingly permanent frown softened. His lips went from a thin line to a gentle curve.

“Thank you.”

No more words needed to be said. Poseidon knew what you were thanking him for, and he responded by closing his eyes as though he was swallowing every ounce of serenity that emitted from you. And the taste was sweet…

Above the angry retaliation of the gods regarding the verdict of Ragnarok, Poseidon enjoyed an elusive peace. Even if it was just a simple moment like this, he set his features in calm lines and his shoulders sank−a truly rare sight, a special secret between himself and his wife.

“I don’t care about this. I am eager to go home.” Poseidon whispered under his breath.

A chuckle left his wife’s lips. “We’re going home soon, don’t fret.”

[ailuvyou]

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ TXT Taehyun : Personality ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Read disclaimer here. Reading done on 11.03.2022 using Archetype Cards and Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot. If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me by donating!

I have asked for permission to do and post this reading with my oracle deck and the answer is yes.

❝ Archetypes ¡! ❞

Question asked: What archetype fits Taehyun the most?

Cards: Hedonist (rx), Angel, Messiah (rx)

[🐿] :: Hedonist — Pleasure is important to him, whether that is through good food or luxury or doing what he loves, he seeks pleasure in life and he may even do it excessively to the point of endangering his health (which isn't very uncommon when it comes to being a K-Pop idol) and exhausting the people around him. I'm getting that he wants to live life comfortably (main goal) but having luxury is a plus, so with that goal in mind, he gets creative inspiration from it and works hard so that in the future, he can relax.

[🐿] :: Angel — Just like the name suggests, he is like an angel; loving, nurturing, likes to help people in need without expecting anything in return. He may have donated to some charities/organisations without publicising his name. There is some innocence to him and it's apparent by how he acts (meaning those times on camera where he's acting cute and innocent are most likely real and not an act, at least most of the time). He may feel connected to art, music and literature. Angels would like him, he may have many angels guarding/guiding him. However, I do think that maybe sometimes/rarely, he misleads others by acting innocent.

[🐿] :: Messiah — He may be spiritual. I think that his angel archetype goes together with this archetype where he helps people in need but often for his own gain. To be more specific, he may believe that he was brought on this Earth to do something to help humanity which can give him a bit of a saviour complex (the need to help/fix other people so that he feels good about himself). As for whether he is humble or proud, he is both; proud because he's accomplished so much and knows his worth, proud because he can help people in need but also down to earth especially when with normal people.

❝ Positive Qualities ¡! ❞

Question asked: What are Taehyun's positive qualities (in himself)?

Cards: Eight of Swords (clarifier: King of Swords), Queen of Wands, Ten of Cups

[🐿] :: Eight of Swords — The card represents the negatives of the idol lifestyle; he feels trapped, imprisoned, disappointed, his actions being watched and controlled by people other than him, knowing deep down he can leave if he wants to but he doesn't. What makes this a positive quality is that despite all this negativity, he's still able to become an amazing person. Despite having given away control of his life, he doesn't let it get to him and makes the most out of it, becoming successful, intellectual and fair, becoming himself in any way that he can with the limited control he has.

[🐿] :: Queen of Wands — He views himself very well (I'm glad he does). Like the angel archetype, he's very loving and caring especially for the people around him. He's full of (if not bursting with) creative energy and is very passionate in what he does. He gives it his all. I feel like he's grown a lot since he was younger and he's proud and happy of who he is now. He may also have very good intuition.

[🐿] :: Ten of Cups — It seems that he's satisfied with who he is right now and what he has accomplished. He seems very happy, a positive and cheerful person. A lot of times, he may bring positive energy to the people around him, lifting their mood up. This is especially useful during training and hard times. I feel like all he has to do is just exist and his presence would be very comforting. Of course, he's also doing well in terms of career and finance.

❝ Negative Qualities ¡! ❞

Question asked: What are Taehyun's negative qualities (in himself)?

Cards: Death (rx), Queen of Pentacles, King of Wands (clarifier: Three of Pentacles, The Devil)

[🐿] :: Death reversed — He may be resistant to change, oftentimes favouring the old and familiar instead of the new. He could be someone who holds onto the past even when it's time to let go and because of that, he causes his life to be stagnant. Sometimes, it bites him back, giving him problems in the present and the future. He can be prone to worrying and overthinking. He may also be afraid of the unknown (what's gonna happen in the future).

[🐿] :: Queen of Pentacles — Too much is the keyword here; see Hedonist & Messiah. Too much seeking pleasure and too much needing to help people to the point that he forgets about himself and exhausts himself or he gets taken advantage of. He seems very gentle and sensitive, hateful words can hurt him and deep down, he questions why people don't like him (if it's his fault or if he's doing anything wrong). He is like a child in an adult world and I don't mean this in a demeaning way or that he's incapable of taking care of himself or being an adult, it's just that he still has some innocence to him and you would want to protect him but other people would want to advantage of him. In a way, a child forced into the adult world at an early age.

[🐿] :: King of Wands — He may have some control issues. I think because he's very passionate and with the little control he has of himself, he tries to control the group but not extremely, just that he wants his voice to be heard and he wants people to do stuff his way like offering some suggestions on what they should do and becomes a bit pushy about it. Because of that, the energy can get a bit tense but I do think he knows when to back down and respect people well, especially Soobin and his decision.

❝ Passion ¡! ❞

Question asked: What is Taehyun's passion in life?

Cards: Two of Cups, Knight of Swords, Five of Pentacles (rx)

[🐿] :: Two of Cups — Being and working together with the people he loves, having good health, he may look forward to having some romance in his life

[🐿] :: Knight of Swords — Big changes and opportunities coming his way and him taking them, being ambitious, being a bit rebellious (he values freedom)

[🐿] :: Five of Pentacles reversed — Having stable finances and a stable future, spirituality(?)

❝ Values ¡! ❞

Question asked: What are Taehyun's values in life?

Cards: Knight of Cups, Ace of Cups, Ace of Swords

[🐿] :: Knight of Cups — Advancing in life, being fulfilled, living with inspiration, health by taking care of himself and the people around him

[🐿] :: Ace of Cups — Being compassionate towards people, harnessing his creative energy, finding what makes him happy and doing it as a living

[🐿] :: Ace of Swords — Being rational(?), truth, achieving victory/success, having clarity (being able to learn and understand important things)

❝ Goals ¡! ❞

Question asked: What are Taehyun's goals in life?

Cards: Eight of Wands, Six of Swords, Page of Wands + Temperance

[🐿] :: Eight of Wands — To continue as he is now (he wants his career to be successful like right now), he wants some balance and change in his life for the better, he wants to keep being productive (I think if I remember correctly, he did say that he prefers being productive and having things to do than doing nothing)

[🐿] :: Six of Swords — He wants a better outcome in his life/career like in the future, he wishes to have more freedom to express himself, finding solutions to his problems and resolving them, he wants to be secure and safe, he wants to build a better life for him in the future

[🐿] :: Page of Wands + Temperance — He may want to travel and see the world one day, he wants to meet fans all over the world, perform for many people, he wants balance in his life, wants to find his purpose in life too so he may want to explore who he is as a person in the future

❝ Extra notes ¡! ❞

[🐿] :: His energy is very cute and positive! It feels like he's very open about himself and has a positive mindset as well as a positive and welcoming attitude towards people (which makes sense because he is an extrovert).

[🐿] :: He may be a cat person.

[🐿] :: Reading went by extremely smoothly although there was a bit of tension when interpreting King of Wands in the negative qualities section. I'm extremely thankful that I get to do this reading and get to know him a bit more (albeit only through predictions) and I'm thankful that he and his guides/angels are very cooperative, open and welcoming with me.