maz53

[maz53]

An Unexpected Ally - Hermione & Severus

Severus Snape learns to accept help from the most unlikely of sources. Okay, he reluctantly accepts it. Alright! There’s no accepting at all, only a rock and a hard place. Though with a high enough pressure, even diamonds can form.

4.6k Words / Gen Rating (Platonic) / TW: risk of drowning

Snippet below - AO3 link

"It was utterly degrading, that’s what it was. Oh, Severus flailed and yowled but it did nothing to release the ginger menace’s grip on his neck. If anything, the mangy beast almost appeared to be laughing at him, with short bursts of purring rumbles against his fur.

Even more ridiculous for it to have been another cat that caught him unawares. Severus’ form was a small breed by any measure, but the tabby holding him seemed larger than the average pet. No matter how far Severus tried to stretch, his paws never reached high enough to swat the furry face of his attacker."

Fic inspired by the @newts-fest prompt: "Someone unexpected has gone through the ritual to become an animagi; what is their animal form and why are they hiding it?"

[maz53]

nobody asked for this post BUT has anybody talked about the beautiful metaphor of all the call and response choreography in the Wicked movie??? how the dancing shows the influence that characters have over each other. cuz im about to.

okay okay look at this. everybody at shiz copies Galinda during "what is this feeling"

okay standard expected yeah but THEN we get to "dancing through life" (AKA everybody's horny for Jonathan Bailey) and Fiyero has to "corrupt his fellow classmates"

WATCH them follow along! watch them LEARN the dance as his influence spreads over them. BUT not just them! because for the first time in her life, Galinda is NOT the center of attention. she's nor in command of the crowd and she JOINS IT. SHE JOINS THE CROWD.

now of course she eventually finds her way to the center, she finds a place of influence in the dance because that's who she is. When Glinda isn't in control, she joins the influence to take control of it.

but you know who isn't dancing? you know who's the one person refusing that call? of course you do you watched the movie too.

and yes. I know, those of us that are familiar with musical theater probably already saw all of this. but shhhh this is fun to talk about anyways. AND we're getting to the fun part. that's right... it's the

🧊🐟✨️ozdust ballroom✨️🐠🧊

now THIS is what's special about the call and response aspect of the choreography. THIS is the part that makes all of us cry whether or not we consciously realize it.

because whereas Glinda is able to FIND her place of control in the influence, Elphaba doesn't have that ability. she's NEVER had that. she can't join a crowd because she's different and she sticks out no matter what.

Elphaba has to do her own thing. She always has to go it alone. that's why this dance is so strange and so beautiful!! because it's so uniquely her! and THATS why the call and response motif of the choreography makes this moment so sad. because it's not just Elphie not caring what anyone thinks.

it's a desperate call for anyone, ANYONE to respond to her.

And Galinda sees her. FINALLY, a response. finally, Elphaba has broken through that wall. for the first time in her life, she's reached out a hand, and someone else took it.

and i just think that's beautiful. 🥺

i definitely have more to say about this but for now I will end it here anyways thanks for coming to my OZTEDtalk.

[maz53]

Don't let go

[maz53]

otter and terrier

[maz53]

Gelphie + Mirrors

I wanted to expand on a post I made yesterday about all the faceless shots for Glinda. You can find that post here.

In that post I collected shots from the movie where Glinda is placed with her back to the camera. Instead of facing the viewer, she is often seen facing an audience. She is performing for them to uphold a facade and maintain her popularity. It is an interesting directorial choice to frame her character like this.

While looking for these faceless shots I found two particularly interesting shots that say something about Glinda's performance or lack thereof regarding Elphaba. The shots I will discuss both include the mirror of Glinda's vanity: one pre-Ozdust and one post-Ozdust during Popular.

Pre-Ozdust Mirror shot

In this shot Glinda is shot facing away from the camera. Just like the other shots I collected for my faceless post, she is performing in this moment. But in this scene they placed her in front of her vanity so the viewer can still see her face. To me it seems like they did this to show she is acting two-faced in this scene. She is thus framed to have two faces, one directed away from the viewer and one reflected back.

The implication as with all these faceless shots is that in this moment Glinda is performing. The version we see of her in the mirror is acting in a way that is false. She is maintaining her popularity and holding up a facade by acting counter to who she presents herself to be, namely a good person. "Out of the goodness of my heart", she says as she gifts Elphaba the hat, when we know this to be false.

Post-Ozdust Mirror shot during Popular

It is post-Ozdust when Glinda and Elphie have become friends that we get the following mirror shot. This time Glinda is not shot from the back as with the other faceless shots. Instead both Glinda and Elphie are shot framed by the mirror. The implication is that this is her true face.

As such this time Glinda's intentions are framed by the movie to be true instead of false. In this moment she is not performing for an audience or upholding a facade. That means when Glinda says, "Why, Miss Elphaba, look at you. You're beautiful." – she is being completely sincere and this is supported by the framing of the shot.

[maz53]

Glinda Upland + faceless

Bonus: becoming faceless when she is forced to turn away from Elphaba

[maz53]

“Someday there’ll be a celebration throughout Oz that’s all to do with me.” 💔

[maz53]

Art by "@jungle_puppie" on Twitter

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Art by "@Paiges_of_Art on Twitter

[maz53]

they’re so cute i had to draw them!!!!

[maz53]

Galinda Upland's Gifts (Wicked 2024)

One really interesting way to see Galinda's growth as a character is through her gifts to others. It's clear that material items mean a great deal to her, but the meaning of those items changes as Part 1 progresses.

When she first arrives at Shiz, she expects "gifts". She's owed a private room, as well as a place on Madame Morrible's private seminar, and the adoration of the student/teacher population at Shiz.

Of course, Elphaba foils all of those things. Elphaba calls Galinda out in front of the crowd (to little effect), Elphaba and Galinda are forced to share a dorm, and Elphaba gets the attention of Madame Morrible instead of Galinda.

Fiyero is not a physical object, but a relationship with him is something else Galinda expects (as well as the flower he gifts her). And she "gets" him, for a time, too. However, Boq and his handkerchief were not part of Galinda's plan. The only meaningful gifts (and people) to Galinda at this stage are those she deems desirable. It is her own opinion that matters and that's all.

Which is what makes the next gift that much more interesting: Galinda's Grandmother's Hat.

At first, it may seem like this hat is a sentimental item; Galinda's taken it with her to Shiz despite it's hideoteous-ness. Yet when questioned, she states it's because she doesn't hate anybody that much to give it away.

Of course, when Elphaba appears, it's Galinda's first instinct to gift her the hat. A symbol of an inside joke with Galinda's friends that Elphaba's not in on. This gift is something that Galinda doesn't value, given to somebody who she doesn't value either.

However, when Galinda's at the Ozdust Ballroom, she receives a gift she hadn't expected: a training wand and entry to Madame Morrible's private classes. (see here for more of my thoughts on Madame Morrible)

Elphaba has given Galinda that which she most desires, on the same night only hours after Galinda had given Elphaba the worst thing she owned. It's this that begins to change Galinda for the better. No longer can she stand by and watch Elphaba be humiliated. Elphaba has become something meaningful to Galinda, and not just because she gave Galinda what she wanted, but because she did so even when Elphaba didn't have anything to gain from it.

If we recap the points I made earlier:

Galinda was promised a private suite, and in return Shiz get to coast on her parent's nobility

Galinda expects to study under Madame Morrible, and in return Madame Morrible/Oz can reap the rewards of her powers

Galinda expects others to do her homework, and in return they can be influenced by her popularity

Galinda expects Fiyero's attention (and gifts), and in return he can use her for the same (they're both putting up a front, just for different reasons)

Galinda has nothing to gain from Boq's attention (or handkerchief) as he wouldn't do much for her social standing or provide anything else she might need

However, Galinda didn't expect anything from Elphaba and is now completely floored by what she's gained.

When they return to the dorm, Galinda offers a secret of her own to find out a secret about Elphaba - an exchange that she expects to be reciprocated. When Elphaba freezes up, Galinda forces a tantrum to get her way because it doesn't match her view of the world. She even goes on to sing an entire song about how having connections and exchanges is the way life is.

During Popular, Galinda is convinced that in order for Elphaba to be liked she has to change to be more like Galinda. The entire song, Galinda is gifting Elphaba clothing and accessories - all of which are pink(ish), and none actually suit Elphaba or what she might want. It's Galinda's way of repaying her, but she's still thinking selfishly.

The flower is a key moment here. It's something that Galinda values because she's beginning to truly fall for Fiyero, but she gifts it to Elphaba instead. However, it's still pink. It's still not quite what Elphaba needs, even if she does want to be accepted it's not true to herself.

(and I'm not even going to touch the symbolism of Elphaba wanting Fiyero's love and Galinda giving it to her! Also Fiyero gifting Elphaba a flower after gifting one to Galinda... I'm going to do a separate post about Flowers I think)

The next gift we see from Galinda is the pamphlet she gives to Elphaba at the train station. It's the first thing we see her gift anybody that isn't a repayment and holds no expectation for a gift in return. In fact, Galinda almost forgets to give it to her. However, Elphaba defies Galinda's logic yet again by inviting her to join Elphaba to Emerald City. In my eyes, Elphaba recognised that Galinda was changing and truly cared about her too.

Yet, the message Galinda writes in the pamphlet is "I hope you get your heart's desire." - meaning Galinda doesn't know what Elphaba actually wants still. Yes, she knows Elphaba wants to be liked, that she wants to meet the Wizard but I don't believe she knows what Elphaba would ask for. Especially after being so confused that Fiyero and Elphaba are still thinking about when Dr Dillamond was taken.

It's still progress though because Glinda is realising that Elphaba might want different things to her, but Glinda still develops through the last of part 1.

She's conflicted when meeting the Wizard and seeing Madame Morrible. This is the moment where she's forced to choose to either commit to her own beliefs about the world or take a leap of faith. Despite Elphaba's "strange" behaviours, Galinda can't drop everything for one person. Glinda knows that staying close to authority will be better for her, and doesn't understand how Elphaba disagrees.

For the first time in Elphaba's life, she expects something from another. She asks Glinda to join her. Yes, she asked Glinda to get on the train with her to the city but that was in a response to Glinda's gift - it was an exchange. But here, Elphaba asks Glinda to fly away with her knowing that it won't be what Glinda wants (or mostly wants).

Glinda entertains the idea briefly, but knows she can't leave. Though she's aware, now, that she needs to offer something in return. It's her own lesson after all. And so Glinda reverts to what she knows best - material items. This time with a twist.

There aren't many options in the tower where they're hiding, but Glinda searches anyway. She lifts some black fabric off a rack, intending to look underneath, but realises it's a cloak. In that moment, something clicks for Glinda.

This black cloak is what Elphaba would want most. It's not something Glinda values, it's dark and old and dusty. But she finally can see (and respect) that someone else might value it. This time, it's only Elphaba's perception that matters - not her own.

And that is why I end up sobbing at this scene. Glinda has grown so much, and Elphaba finally feels acceptance, but it's too late for anything to truly change. (at least that's how it feels, I don't know too much about part 2)

Also Defying Gravity is a beautiful song by any stretch, but I especially love how Glinda ends the film mirroring the scene which started their friendship. The Hat versus the Cloak. She's come so far!

[maz53]

Defying Gravity

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retro wicked 💖💚

[maz53]

If Cynthia Erivo cries I cry

That's simply how it works

[maz53]

Dancing Through Life goes like this, right?

[maz53]

HP SOULMATES SECRET SANTA REVEALS

It's the moment you've all been waiting for - our amazing creators are revealed!

Giftees, if you've not yet left a comment on your gift fic to thank the author for their hard work, please consider doing so. There's been so much effort put into this exchange and we all know how much a comment means.

Thank you all for being so amazing to work with and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

UltramarineOrchid and Jellie xx

⭐Master List⭐

☃️a golden string ties two hearts together☃️ by Gcldxnsnitch for Jiraffas

🎀A Soulmate for Christmas🎀 by @gaeilgerua for MarinaJune

✨Addictive✨ by @elisedonut for @gaeilgerua

💞And Thus With a Kiss💞 by @kidansong for @ultramarineorchid

🎀Back in Time, once more🎀 by Elvira_Kamgut for @skywatcherrose

🎀Be Still, My Foolish Heart, Don’t Ruin This On Me🎀 by @hunterswithcell-phones for @midnightstargazer

🥂Between Two Hearts🥂 by SomnophiliaSweetheart for @billowingangel

✨Compass and Witch✨ by OrangeColouredSky for mrsprobie

❄️Confessions Under A Starry Sky ❄️by @dramioneendgamealways for @chaosophia

🦌Does one really want to know if they have a soulmate?🦌 by consumedly for @its-the-allure

✨Doomed to Tell the Truth✨by @chaosophia for Gcldxsnitch

🎁Endorsed by Fate🎁 by @jelliewrites for ronaldweasleys (left0utsideal0ne)

💘Eros’ Arrow💘 by mauraudersaffair for @echoofawind

🥂Finally🥂 by vitruvian8008 for maraudersaffair

🐍golden eye and shadowed hearts🐍 by @tumblingghosts for Elvira_Kamgut

🥂Handprints on bathroom doors🥂 by @alyceofthetogas for @elisedonut

⚡Happy Birthday⚡by @itsphantasmagoria for SomnophiliaSweetheart

🎁I'm Healed. Now What? And Why Are They Both So Pretty? 🎁 by Watson3000 for The_Fourth_Queen

🥂it was truly obvious (how could you not have noticed)🥂by Elvira_Kamgut for @alyceofthetogas

🦌left a mark (leave a stain)🦌 by @mintyelbows for @jelliewrites

🥂Life beyond knowing🥂 by @p0intless-p0et for @ultramarineorchid

🦌Love again🦌 by @spireasalix for SonnenFlower

❄️Love is Blonde❄️ by @emilyrickman for @sybilevergreen

☃️Love isn’t random, we are chosen☃️ by @ducky1783 for @hunterswithcell-phones

🌿Marked by Mistletoe🌿 by SomnophiliaSweetheart for @browneyesandhair

💘Molten💘 by @ultramarineorchid for @kidansong

☃️Mon âme☃️ by ronaldweasleys (left0utsideal0ne) for vitruvian8008

🎁Not Your Time🎁 by @maz53 for OrangeColoredSky

🦌Old Classics🦌 by SonnenFlower for @Rei383

✨Once Upon a Winter's Ball✨ by Elvira_Kamgut for @nyenke

🐍One last shot🐍 by pink_x_eye for @tumblingghosts

🎀One Night🎀 by @skywatcherrose for @fiestylilmetalbendingqueen

🌿Peels🌿 by @browneyesandhair for MitsukiSirya

❄️Rare Discoveries❄️ by @billowingangel for GimletSour

❄️Senses❄️ by @browneyesandhair for @strixxinxiang

🌿Silver and Gold🌿 by Jiraffas for razzleberrie

🐍Soul Bites🐍 by @echoofawind for @spireasalix

🐍Soulmates?! Merlin No!🐍 by Elvira_Kamgut for @p0intless-p0et

⚡Sweet like candy to my soul⚡by @its-the-allure for @mintyelbows

🌿Tangled In You🌿 by @strixxinxiang for @dramioneendgamealways

☃️tempting fate☃️ by @nyenke for Dreadful_Pears

🎀Ten Minutes to Midnight🎀 for by GimletSour BurdenedWithPointlessPurpose

☃️Third Time’s the Charm☃️ by @midnightstargazer for Caitriona_3

🎁Third Time's the Christmas Charm🎁 by MarinaJune for Watson3000

💘The Inevitability of Choosing to Love You💘 by D4nce for Tardis_Magic93

⚡The Glow⚡by @digthewriter for @itsphantasmagoria

⚡The Muggle Way⚡by @rei382 for @digthewriter

💞The Sparks of the Golden Glow💞 by @drwhoisginnyholmes for @fluxweedstem

🐍To Be Friends🐍 by The_Fourth_Queen for Maxymumu

✨Two Inches Above The Knee✨ by @ultramarineorchid for @emilyrickman

🎀Two Left Feet Led Me to You🎀 by @fiestylilmetalbendingqueen for EastWindmilk

💞vinculum animae - the fine art of evading fate💞by @fluxweedstem for D4nce

💘With you in my head💘 by Tardis_Magic93 for @maz53

[maz53]

Not Your Time - Regulus x Hermione x Theo

A Soulmate-AU inspired by OrangeColoredSky's Request!

Nothing made sense anymore. The Dark Lord was crazy, Regulus was going to die, and he had two time-travellers in his living room.

4k Words / Teen Rating / TW: Implied/Referenced Child Abuse

"It was too much of a coincidence for the locket to not be a Horcrux.

Perhaps Regulus was jumping to conclusions, but the Dark Lord was certainly mad enough to create one. It was no wonder he wanted Kreacher dead.

Really, Regulus only had one choice. If the Dark Lord knew Kreacher lived, they’d both be dead within minutes. Regulus resisted the urge to pick at the skin on the side of his thumb. Sure, they could run, but he wasn’t like Sirius. Kreacher was all Regulus had, and he would rather die by his own choice than the whim of a Dark Lord."

After writing this, there's a longfic inside me desperate to escape! Unfortunately, I have some more WIPs to work on before I get there. Regardless, I hope you enjoy the introduction to this world!

Either click the title or here to read it!