#[ strength and spirit are one and the same // bea ]

[phntasmgoria-moved]

6/???

[faelorelia]

"Will's love towards Mike is a really beautiful thing." – Finn Wolfhard

And he is absolutely right. Throughout the whole series, the "Stranger Things" creators have made it clear to the audience how special Will and Mike's bond is and how much Mike truly means to Will. They have consistently highlighted the depth of Will's feelings towards Mike, and his love has saved the day quite a few times already. ❤️

Will's love for Mike is sincere, pure, quiet and completely unconditional. It's a love unspoken, yet expressed a million times through his actions. Will couldn't keep the truth from Mike in S1, even though it was just a small detail related to D&D. Despite being possessed, Will drew strength from Mike's presence and care, as if Mike was his beacon of light in the darkness. Mike's heartfelt monologue to Will about how asking him to be his friend was "the best thing he's ever done" reached Will's soul thanks to the love he felt, and that helped them all to stop the Mind Flayer in S2. In that same season, Mike was the one who Will was able to recognize after his possession because of how strong his feelings for the boy were.

We also saw the tender and emotional moments between Will and Mike in S3 and S4. Will's heartbreaking confession of "not going to fall in love" when he was (probably) already aware of his romantic feelings for his childhood best friend hits even harder when you think about it. Despite the times Mike unintentionally hurt Will, Will's love for him has remained too strong for him to simply forget and move on. There is just no way Will could ever get that boy out of his heart.

Because that's the thing – Mike is his heart, and Will hinted at it himself (albeit in a veiled form). Will's unconditional love for Mike is what led this sweet, sensitive and traumatized kid to set aside his own desires and pain just to ensure the happiness of the boy he loves. Even if Mike's happiness lies with his girlfriend (who also happens to be Will's new sister). Even if it means Mike is happy without him. But Will has long accepted this because he's inherently selfless and caring. He prioritizes the happiness of his loved ones over his own.

Will promised Mike he'd never be replaced and stayed fiercely loyal, as we saw in that unforgettable "Not possible" moment in S3 and later on in the show. Will was always there for Mike in S4 when he needed support and encouragement. He tried his best to patch things up between Mike and El, thinking it was what Mike wanted. Will even pushed Mike to open up to El, reminding him of his irreplaceable role in the party. Through it all, Will did everything he could to lift Mike's spirits, making sure he felt needed, valued and loved (even if it was indirectly through others).

And to prove, once again, how beautiful Will's love towards Mike is, I want to remind you of his monologue in the van scene where he was expressing his feelings for Mike by disguising them as Eleven's (slightly adapted to fit the purpose):

“Anyway, my point is, see how you're leading us here? You're guiding the whole party, inspiring us. That… That's what you do. And see your coat of arms here? It's a heart. And I know it's sort of on the nose, but that's what holds this party together. Heart. Because, I mean, without heart, we'd all fall apart. Even [me]. Especially [me]. These past few months, [I've] been so lost without you. It's just, [I'm] so different from other people, and… when you're… when you're different, sometimes… you feel like a mistake. But you make [me] feel like [I'm] not a mistake at all. Like [I'm] better for being different. And that gives [me] the courage to fight on. If [I] was mean to you or [I] seemed like [I] was pushing you away, it's because [I'm] scared of losing you, like you're scared of losing [El]. And if [I] was going to lose you, I… I think [I'd] rather just get it over with quick. Like ripping off a Band-Aid. So, yeah, [I] need you, Mike. And [I] always will.”

If Will's love for Mike isn't beautiful, then I don't know what is. Because "Stranger Things" shows us the true power of love and how it can change the world for the better. I find it truly inspiring. ❤️‍🩹

[howaboutjude]

Disclaimer: I am not an expert in combat, just sharing thoughts and observations.

While it delights me and makes my heart sings to watch Ava performing Bea's moves, the way Ava fights is quite different from Beatrice's. (Also I am itching to write about them, so here's a breakdown of scenes no one asked for.)

The street fight in the first episode is an excellent example of Ava's progress and the differences between her and Beatrice.

Let's do Ava first.

Throwing her body weight on the first thug to bring him down and later with a punch to incapacitate him.

Though Michael has warned her, it still takes good reflex and control, given the strike comes from behind. And this also shows Ava knows The Halo gives her an edge and when to use it.

She blocks most of the hits but doesn't land the punch here. So she can hold herself against multiple attackers, but not expertly.

She knows with her slight build, kicks, especially jumping kicks, carry more force than punches.

And there's Beatrice.

Wrist-grabbing, rotation to apply pressure on the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, causing pain and restricted movement, and end with a strike to level up the pain.

Block and arm-gripping, put her hand behind the opponent's back to lock the entire arm and push to stretch his shoulder.

A clean-cut punch follows wrist-grabbing and locking. Beatrice uses a lot of control techniques in combat.

Honestly, the stunt team deserves a round of applause for how they incorporate storylines and characterization into combat scenes.

Although Ava's movements are wild and sometimes off target, her reflex and strength more than make up for it. And the energetic and spirited way she fights is a perfect reflection of her traits.

The same can be said for Beatrice, who has mastered Aikido, uses joint locks to constrain mobility and often demonstrates excellent momentum redirection. That, too, echoes her self-control and restraint. Oh, and remember that precise punch and the clean dodge? *chef's kiss*

Both Alba and Kristina have done a superb job of stunt performing, and watching them fight is highly satisfying.

For real, Warrior Nun is a great show in many ways. And to people who skip episodes to get to the kiss, I highly recommend watching the entire season. You won't regret it.

[sloshed-cinema]

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

It’s so refreshing to see larger animation studios begin to treat animation like it’s art once again.   Speaking as a snobby indie-head, I’ve never had to worry about compromise from smaller, more arthouse-minded studios such as Ghibli, Laika, or Cartoon Saloon compromising production design in the name of making a quick buck.  But as technology and processing power improves, one would think that it would make realizing a director and production team’s truest creative vision easier and more potent, or at least more budget-friendly.  It makes sense that Toy Story was the sandbox Pixar chose for its first endeavor: it doesn’t matter if your characters look like they’ve been molded from plastic, because they are!  And Sid, well… sometimes he keeps me awake at night.  So now, when budgets are big, technology impressive, and overworked animators bountiful, why has Disney/Pixar decided to make every one of its projects for the last five-odd years look as if it were cut from the same cloth?  When things like character design are limited to the same mould, storytelling is reduced to the strength of the script, and that’s been somewhat lacking for that studio, fair to say.  Fortunately, there has been a sea change in other studios.  Sony Animation’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was a visual tour de force that took comic book aesthetics and ran with them in every way possible, brimming with creative energy.  The Bad Guys drops viewers into a poppy world of jewel thieves and preposterous heists, again playing with a mingling of 2D and 3D animation to draw the eye.  With Puss in Boots, action sequences take on a similar energy, feeling at points like stop-animation or almost as if one were flicking through a flip-book.  There’s something about the quasi imperfection of these moments which makes them more exhilarating: rather than trying to render plasticky perfection, the filmmakers are trying to generate a specific energy.  There’s an intentionality to when sequences are played out in twos or threes, a return to the spirit of hand-drawn animation in a medium capable of even more.  A conventional action sequence will suddenly explode into a splash panel of stylized color, or the silhouette of a character will loom in an impossible way.  Impossible little reflections or clever framing suggest excited storyboarding sessions, plotting out the funniest or smartest way to accomplish a plot beat: it’s an adventure, and it’s supposed to be fun and heightened, and about time we handled things that way.

Even beyond taking a new tack at visual storytelling, Puss in Boots couldn’t be farther from its filmic legacy.  It feels like the Shrek franchise has grown up to a certain extent, become more worldly.  I don’t remember Shrek as fondly as most do, but know the import that it had for a lot of people.  Looking back in 2023, I don’t know if it can be argued that it still holds up in quite the same way.  Even aside from visuals, the cynicism that people found an antidote to saccharine Disney trash feels more hollow now, well-trod ground.  Maybe it was needed then, but anymore that acerbic air feels more like a frustrated Jeffrey Katzenberg punching a Mickey Mouse shaped straw man.  Sure, we get some indulgences here, but I prefer my anti-Disney shade where it’s Jiminy Cricket doing a James Stewart impression vacuously lecturing about ethics.  Here we get a better sort of alchemy to the handling of satirical fairy tales: sometimes they’re just rapid-fire references, others slightly more layered jokes tying nursery rhymes to the woes of capitalism.  But at no point does the movie ever turn to the audience asking for them to gasp “oh shit he went there!”  Puss in Boots brings a new approach to mainstream family storytelling, presenting characters with problems that are simple in a universal sort of way and yet satisfying.  It’s clear from the start that Goldilocks’ journey will be one about family issues, but the inevitable bond of the bear family in the end feels sincere and endearing rather than cloying.  It’s just plain fun to watch Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Samson Kayo, and Ray fuckin Winstone be goobers.  Any story about wishes is pretty much required to end in no wish being made one way or other, and Puss’ journey to wish for more lives is bound to teach him that one life can be enough if lived well.  Zero fucking cinema sins points if you knock the movie for that.  The movie has a safe blueprint, but it cares about the characters.  Aside from his existential quest to avoid the scythes of the intimidating and super fucking sultry specter of death who could ravish me within an inch of my life and I would come back begging for seconds, Puss learns to overcome his machismo, learning to value others in his life and admit when he is wrong.  Kitty Softpaws dodges being the Token Girlboss or the trophy.  Jack Horner allows the story to indulge in a Trump metaphor without leaning too heavily into it, mostly rendering him a gleeful sociopath with absolutely bonkers proportions.  But the real coup de grace, against all odds, comes in the adorable sidekick.  Perrito somehow manages to absolutely thread the needle.  He’s cute, all of the qualities of a mini Aussie with the proportions of a chihuahua, but also a little weird—that distended belly with a scar, tho.  He’s sweet and silly to a fault, but there are cracks in the façade.  He describes his own attempted murder with naïve delight, and his kidnapping grants us the gift of the greatest occurrence of excessive bleeping this side of a RedLetterMedia video.  It just.  Fucking.  Works.  I would punt Olaf into the sun without a second thought, but I would lay down my LIFE for Perrito. 

THE RULES

SIP

Someone says ‘hero’ or ‘wish’.

The map changes hands.

Puss... in BOOTS! says his own name.

One of Jack Horner’s Baker’s Dozen bites it.

BIG DRINK

Puss in Boots wants gazpacho.

Puss in Boots’ facial hair changes.

Death shows up.

[atlabeth]

everything happens for a reason part 6 - zuko x fem!reader

The thing about forever is that it's a fucking lie

part 5 | masterlist | part 7

a/n: you all know whats coming lmao i got nothing to say for myself

wc: 3.5k

warning(s): pakku's usual sexism, typical siege of the north stuff, mostly angst but a lil bit of fluff in there

chapter title comes from forever is a lie by bea miller!

“I can’t believe that your tribe doesn’t teach waterbending to women!” Katara fumed, the snow beneath her feet packed tightly from her continuous pacing. “I mean, how can they even do that? Master Pakku’s all about ‘his culture and his teachings’ but his teachings are completely sexist!”

Y/N just nodded along as she listened to Katara — Master Pakku had refused to teach Katara, and after a disappointing healing lesson she had found Y/N to rant. “Yep. It’s unfair, but there’s not much we can do about it.”

Katara frowned and stopped in her tracks. “Don’t you want to learn how to fight too? I love being able to heal and help people, don’t get me wrong, but healing isn’t all I want to do.”

A shaky sigh fell from her lips and she shrugged, adjusting her position on the platform of ice she had made to sit on. “Well… yeah, I guess. I know a couple of martial moves, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to know more. But Katara, I—”

Y/N was silent for a moment as flashes of the past played behind her eyelids. “I’m not like you. I’m not the kind of person to challenge the rules. Not anymore.”

Katara shook her head, already back to her pacing. “I think you’re selling yourself short. I saw your healing during your class — you’re really talented, Y/N, and I know that skill will transfer over to fighting.”

“Thank you, but— but it doesn’t matter how good we are. Master Pakku is just as stubborn as he is talented, and I think he’d rather die than be a decent person. It’s a shame though. I’d really like to see someone knock some sense into him.”

“Yeah…” Katara sighed. “Hopefully Aang is having a better time than I am.” She looked up at the sky then fixed Y/N with a wry smile. “Speaking of Aang, I should probably get back to him and my brother. Sorry for talking your ear off the whole night.”

Y/N waved her hand around nonchalantly. “Don’t worry about it. You have my permission to rant to me any time you want while you’re here.”

Katara grinned and offered her hand, which Y/N took with a small smile as she got up from her ice platform. With a slight movement of her hand she bent it back into the ground, and the two girls began their walk back to the city. “I just wish I knew how to get Pakku to let up.”

“You’ll think of something,” Y/N reassured.

-

Katara did indeed think of something. Y/N’s wish of Pakku getting some sense knocked into him was granted when Katara challenged him to a fight, which was quite possibly the best thing that Y/N had ever witnessed. Though she ultimately lost, he still decided to take her on as a student — and in a move that Y/N would forever be grateful for, Katara had gotten Pakku to take her on as well. Katara made history that day, and she felt a shining sense of admiration for the girl for shaking things up.

And now, her days consisted of early mornings spent training, afternoons in classes, and nights doing homework, as well as fitting in time to hang out with Yue — it was a miracle she had any free time at all.

Lately though, it seemed like all Yue could talk about was Sokka. She liked him just as much as he liked her, but Yue was good — no matter how much she cared for someone, her tribe would always come first.

(“Did I hear that you and Sokka have a date later tonight?” she teased. “Aren’t you moving a little too fast?” Yue was silent at her attempt at humor and Y/N frowned. “Yue, are you okay?”

Silence lingered in the air for so long that Y/N almost thought she didn’t hear her, but finally the princess spoke as she pulled down the collar of her jacket to reveal an engagement necklace. Y/N gasped.

“It’s from Hahn,” she said quietly. “He proposed an hour ago, and I accepted.”

“You what?” Y/N cried, prompting a slight grimace from Yue. “Hahn— you can’t stand him!”

“Y/N, please,” Yue sighed. “He’s not that bad — he’s handsome, I guess. And he’s the son of a noble, and he’ll be really good for the tribe.”

“Yue, you’re the one who has to deal with him. He proposed to you, not the tribe — Spirits, half the boys in this tribe like you, why him?”

“It’s best for the tribe,” she repeated, her words an attempt to convince Y/N as much as herself.

“But what’s best for you?” Y/N countered.

Yue hadn’t answered, and had made up some half-baked excuse that she had to be somewhere. She had watched her go sadly, hoping that she would figure something out with Sokka.)

And it’s not like she wasn’t happy that her friend had found someone, it was just…

Y/N was upset that someone wasn’t her. And she didn’t know how to deal with that revelation.

But one morning, while making idle conversation with Katara as their lesson came to an end, a matter much more pressing came to hand.

Black snow. Soot raining down from the sky, tarnishing everything it touched.

A feeling all too familiar brewed in her chest as she met her friend’s eyes, and one thing was clear.

The Fire Nation was coming.

-

The air was even more frigid than usual with the knowledge of an imminent invasion, and Y/N had parted ways with her friends once they reached the town hall to be with her grandparents. The tension in the air was thick as Chief Arnook stepped up to address the people.

“The day we have feared for so long has arrived — the Fire Nation is on our doorstep. It is with great sadness I call my family here before me, knowing well that some of these faces are about to vanish from our tribe, but they will never vanish from our hearts. Now, as we approach the battle for our existence, I call upon the great spirits. Spirit of the Ocean! Spirit of the Moon! Be with us! I'm going to need volunteers for a dangerous mission.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Sokka stood up. “Count me in.”

Her eyes widened as she met Katara’s from across the room, and she looked equally surprised. “Sokka…”

“Be warned: many of you will not return.” Several other men stood up after Sokka, including her grandfather. Despite his age he was a skilled fighter, but that was no comfort to Y/N. She reached up for his hand and shook her head almost desperately, but he smiled sadly and squeezed her hand, a sentiment to express words unsaid. “Come forward to receive my mark, if you accept the task.”

As he walked forward to join the line, she found the only solace she could in her grandmother’s open arms, burying her face in the fur of her jacket. “He will be okay,” she soothed. “He’s just as strong as he is brave. You have to have faith.”

She hoped that her grandmother was right. She couldn’t handle another loss.

Once all the men had received their marks, they left to confer about the battle plan. Y/N found her way up to the stage where a tearful Yue sat. It pained Y/N to see her in such a way, and when she sat down and offered her hand the princess immediately took it.

“I saw that your grandfather volunteered,” she said after a beat of silence. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too. For Sokka.” Y/N adjusted her position so their shoulders were touching, and she sighed heavily. “I can’t stop thinking about my village. My father.” She met Yue’s eyes, her own beginning to tear up.

“What if it happens again?” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I can’t— I can’t do it again.”

Yue let go of her hand to wrap the girl in a hug, the warmth of the embrace managing to chip away at some of their hopelessness. “You won’t have to do it again,” she stated, the reassurance seeming like the truth when coming from her. “You’re not alone this time.”

She finally pulled away from the hug as she wiped the tears off her face, and Y/N nodded. Yue somehow always knew exactly what to say. “What would I do without you?” she asked, her voice slightly watery.

“You’re never going to know,” the princess smiled. “Because whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me.” That got a laugh out of Y/N and the two of them stood up as Yue gestured outside with her head. “I think I saw Aang and my father out there. It’ll help to talk with them — I think you need some fresh air anyways.”

Y/N nodded and the two girls walked out hand in hand, a small reprieve from carrying the weight of the world.

-

Things were so much worse than she had been anticipating.

After a short talk outside the hall with Katara, Aang, and the Chief, Yue had been transported somewhere safer as Y/N steeled herself for the front lines. After all, as a student of Master Pakku, she could fight damn well — it was just a matter of putting it into action.

But a line of warriors and children alike were no match for the strength of the Fire Nation from afar, and the first few fireballs had done their job at disrupting both the fighters and the wall — Seeing her home get destroyed hurt nearly as much as constantly getting thrown around.

After Aang had taken off on Appa and Chief Arnook took a section of his soldiers off for a different plan, the work on the ground began. The fleet of ships seemed endless , and the same went for their artillery — the fight went long into the day as Y/N worked with various other waterbenders to stop fireballs and repair broken parts of the city’s infrastructure, but just as the full moon began to show, the attacks stopped coming. Limbs heavy with exhaustion from their work in the field, Y/N and Katara met up with the princess back at the balcony of the palace.

“They’ve stopped firing,” Yue noted as they all gazed off into the distance.

“Thank the spirits,” Y/N muttered as she worked out a knot in her shoulder. “I don’t know how much longer I could’ve kept going.”

Just then, Appa came into view and a grin spread across Katara’s face. “Aang!”

He landed below them and the three girls hurried down to meet him. Aang landed on the ground, exhaustion clear in every part of him. “I can’t do it,” he muttered as he placed his head in his hands. “I can’t do it.”

“What happened?” Katara asked as she ran up to him, Yue and Y/N close behind.

“I must’ve taken out a dozen Fire Navy ships, but there’s just too many of them!” His large grey eyes were full of hopelessness, and Y/N’s heart ached for the boy. “I can’t fight them all.”

“But— you have to!” Yue pleaded. “You’re the Avatar.”

“I’m just one kid,” Aang countered wearily. He buried his face in his arms and Katara kneeled next to him in an attempt to comfort him. Y/N could almost forget about the pain in her body at that moment, feeling an odd responsibility to this boy as she looked down at him.

“Aang,” she muttered, following Katara’s example and kneeling next to him. “You’ve already done so much for us. Just by being here, you’ve inspired hundreds of people — you’re a beacon of hope all on your own! We don’t expect you to take out this whole navy by yourself. As long as you’re here, fighting with us? You’re helping us more than you know.”

He managed a slight smile at that and he took her outstretched hand, getting pulled back to his feet with her help.

“We’ll have a better view from up there,” Katara noted, pointing back up to the balcony. “You can help us keep watch, Aang — in case they start attacking again.”

He nodded and the four of them began the walk, the Avatar in slightly better spirits.

“The legends say the moon was the first waterbender,” Yue said once they had reached the balcony, all of them gazing at the sky. “Our ancestors saw how it pushed and pulled the tides and learned how to do it themselves.”

“I’ve always noticed my waterbending is stronger at night,” Katara mused, causing Y/N to hum in agreement.

“Our strength from the spirit of the moon, our life from the spirit of the ocean,” she said. “They work together to keep balance.

Aang’s expression brightened at her words as he popped up from the ground. “The spirits! Maybe I can find them and get their help!”

“How can you do that?” Y/N questioned.

“The Avatar is the bridge between our world and the Spirit World,” Katara explained excitedly. “Aang can talk to them!”

“Maybe they’ll give you the wisdom to win this battle!” Yue exclaimed.

“Or maybe they'll unleash a crazy amazing spirit attack on the Fire Nation!” At that, all three girls met him with strange looks. Aang coughed and straightened his posture. “Or wisdom. That's good, too.”

“The only problem is, last time you got to the Spirit World by accident,” Katara said with a frown. “How are you going to get there this time?”

Yue’s eyes lit up and she looked at them with a smile. “I have an idea. Follow me.”

-

A few minutes later, they were standing in the Spirit Oasis, the most spiritual place in all of the North. Yue, Y/N, and Katara all shed their coats as Aang walked around, marvelling at the beauty.

“I can feel… something,” Aang said as he sat down, getting into a meditating position. “It’s so tranquil.”

Soon enough, after a few moments of silence, Aang’s eyes as well as the arrow on his head began to glow.

“Is he okay?” Yue gasped.

“He’s crossing into the Spirit World,” Katara reassured. “He’ll be fine as long as we don’t move his body. That’s his way back to the physical world.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Y/N whispered, astonishment etched into her face. For as much as she had been taught about the ocean spirits, she wasn’t well-versed in the Spirit World as a whole — she was thoroughly fascinated by every part of this.

“Maybe we should get some help,” Yue suggested, still on edge as she took a few steps away from the gate.

“No, he’s my friend. I’m perfectly capable of protecting him. Besides, I already have some help here.” She smiled at Y/N, a sentiment that she returned happily.

A deep voice, almost mocking, broke the silence as it echoed throughout the oasis. “Well, aren’t you a big girl now? Even got yourself a little student.”

The three girls all whipped around to find the source of the voice, and Katara’s whole body stiffened. “No…”

“Yes. Hand him over and I don’t have to hurt you.”

Y/N immediately eased into a bending stance along with Katara as the princess fled to get help, but her confidence faltered when she took the time to focus on their assailant.

She almost didn’t recognize him — it had been nearly four years since she had last set eyes upon the boy, but it was as if he had become a completely different person. His head was shaved completely save for a ponytail, and blues and reds marked his skin in various cuts and bruises. His eyes held an anger she had never seen before, an expression only heightened with the addition of a large red scar across his left eye.

“Zuko?” she breathed, her chest tightening up beneath the weight of the revelation. Katara stared at her in bewilderment — she had no idea that Y/N knew the prince that had chased them halfway across the world, but Katara supposed that she had no reason to ever suspect she did.

His eyes flashed with recognition as they ran over her, and it seemed as if he had a similar epiphany as he staggered backwards. “I… I thought you were dead.”

“You’re with them,” she muttered, blood turning to ice. “Your nation is invading, and you’re helping them— you’re after the Avatar? What are you doing, Zuko?!”

The momentary surprise was replaced by steely determination as he shifted his weight forward and kicked up his leg, sending a blast of fire that she barely managed to dodge. “You know nothing!”

Y/N fell back into position next to Katara, but the newfound knowledge was like a fog over her mind. “Whoever he was when you knew him, that’s not him anymore!” Katara yelled as she bent water out of the pond and blocked his following attacks. “He won’t hesitate to hurt you, so you can’t either!”

“O-okay!” she stammered. This was the moment she had been waiting for, wasn’t it? After training with both Katara and Pakku, her martial skill had increased tenfold, and she was desperate to try it out — she only wished her first opponent didn’t have to be him. But another fire blast snapped her out of her paralysis, and she jumped into action.

The two girls worked impossibly well together, one stepping forward when the other fell back, the bending between them nearly seamless. Any fire that the prince sent their way was quickly extinguished, and with two against one on home turf, Y/N and Katara were able to hold him off with relative ease.

Y/N bent another jet of water up from the oasis and shot it at Zuko, the force of which knocked him several feet back. Katara took the opening and froze his feet to the ground, then began to move her arms about as she formed a ball of water around him — one more movement and it was frozen solid.

“You little peasant,” he growled. “You’ve found a master, haven’t you?”

The orb of ice began to glow, the air around them becoming hotter and hotter until it melted around him. Blasts of fire were flying at them as soon as Zuko hit the ground, and they were forced to retreat back towards the oasis as they grew more intense.

Y/N drew up a shield of water, extinguishing the flames on impact. Zuko dodged around them, his fingers inches away from Aang’s collar. Y/N propelled the water already at her fingertips towards Zuko with a grunt of effort, which sent him flying into the shallows on the other side of the oasis. She conjured up a large wave and sent it towards the prince, sending him up the side of the wall and trapping him once Katara froze it.

She breathed a sigh of relief and let her arms fall, a part of her wondering how they were still connected after the tediousness of the earlier battle. But this, one on one in a fight with real stakes? It was as exhilarating as it was nerve wracking, and she had never been so thankful that Katara had gotten her in with Master Pakku. Y/N felt intensely guilty over the pain she had inflicted on Zuko, but she tried her best to push it out of her mind — like Katara said, he would’ve done worse if she hadn’t fought back.

“You fought well,” Katara smiled. “I told you that you were talented.”

She chuckled and shrugged, cheeks heating up slightly at the praise. “It’s not exactly my first fight, just… the most intense.” It reminded her of the early mornings and late nights spent sparring with Zuko, a memory that only twisted the dagger in her heart even more.

The two girls smiled at each other as they began to walk back over to Aang — it seemed the boy was undisturbed by the fight by virtue of his glowing tattoos and closed eyes — when Y/N found herself squinting from the rays of light filtering in.

“Huh,” she mumbled. “The sun’s out. The sun’s out— Katara!”

Y/N turned to find the prince free from the ice, and the pair barely had time to draw water from the pond to shield themselves from the impending flames. But it was too little too late, and the power of the blast sent them back several feet. They slammed into either side of the gate, the force of it immediately knocking Katara out.

Y/N gasped in pain as she tried to push herself up, but the fight combined with the impact of her landing had taken a toll on her and she collapsed once more against the gate. When the smoke from the fire cleared, Zuko was there with Aang’s collar in his grasp.

“You rise with the moon,” he muttered, his face tinged with the slightest bit of guilt as he met her eyes. “I rise with the sun.”

The last thing she saw before her consciousness faded out was the boy she loved escaping with the Avatar.

-

why did i make yue and y/n like this when i KNOW what i have to write next omg i hate myself

perm tag list: @dv0412 @siriuslyslyslytherin @maruchan77

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atla: @marianne1806

[pokemonswshbutionlyplayedsword]

In a sort of fantasy AU, where all the Gym leaders + Hop and Victor/Gloria got turned into mythical creatures, What would they be?

In fantasy AUs (which I’m very fond of btw) I like to think it was just always like that, rather than they all got turned into one. Still, the same idea. I also added a few extra characters, since I like fantasy AUs a lot. I got an ask about one a while back, so I’m gonna try to keep close to that, and I saw another au from someone else, so I hope I don’t accidentally copy them too closely. Most people in this AU are just humans. It’s just fate that all the people of note gets to be creatures. Humans and creatures live in harmony, mostly. But the majority is humans.

Milo is a cervitaur, which is like a centaur, but with a deer instead of a horse. It’s not actually a deer, though, just similar, with antlers as well. Milo is very small in comparison to other cervitaurs, but he makes up for it in strength. They pull their own plows, and what takes 3 other cervitaurs to pull, takes only him. He works hard.

Nessa is a mermaid. The kind that gets legs when completely dry and/or control the form they take. You can tell she’s a mermaid even when she has legs, though because her neck has dark scars/marks where her gills normally are. Her tail is long and flowly, much like a Milotic but with wider fins, and a lot of different shades of blue scales.

Kabu is a werebeast. They’re like werewolves, except wolves don’t exist in pokemon. They can change forms at will, but they are also forced to change under a full moon. He’s not the most powerful because he’s not a full werebeast. There are people in his ancestry that were just humans.

Bea is a half giant. She’s big and very strong, but she looks like a big human, rather than normal giants. She’s also smaller than normal giants, but she’s just as strong, if not stronger. She works hard because people see what she lacks as a half giant compared to giants, rather than what she gains as a half giant compared to humans. Full giants don’t exist anymore anyway.

Allister is a spirit. The accident that he got his ghost affinity in? Yeah, he died, but his spirit clung to the realm of the living and continued his lift. He used to be human, but he was so young, he doesn’t remember it much. It doesn’t bother him as much as it bothers other people. Spirits are not unheard of, but they’re one of the rarest in the world.

Opal is a faerie. She hails from the forests around Ballonlea. Flowers grow when her bare skin touches dirt. She can use magic, most pertaining to plants. She would have been a grass specialist if she wasn’t so fond of sweet things and pink.

Gordie is a golem. He’s a rock golem, but he was born a snow golem. He changed it when he took up rock type pokemon. Golems can change what type they are at will, and he’s the first rock golem in a family of snow golems.

Melony is a golem, like the rest of her family. A snow golem. She can’t leave Circhester for more than a few hours, or she risks melting and becoming a water golem. They can change at will, but sometimes they are forced to change. She can change back, but it’s just an inconvenience.

Piers is a vampire. Naturally. Almost everyone in Spikemuth is a vampire, it’s why they have a roof. People don’t like vampires much, and there are a lot of restrictions that they have to follow. It’s why they’re all rebellious punks. Piers follows the rules only so he can keep Marnie.

Raihan is a werebeast. Except, unlike Kabu, he comes from a line of purebred werebeasts, so he’s much more powerful. Werebeasts are praised as heroes, unlike the vampires, who are supposed the be the villains. So Raihan is kind of an idol to everyone in Galar, except Spikemuth, most of whom reject any werebeasts because of the past.

Leon is a sphinx, but with a much more human form because it would be inconvenient for everyone if he had a full lion body. He’s got giant golden wings, too, which is not something all sphinxes have. They’re very rare, so he’s even more of a spectacle. They’re also very powerful, and with Leon’s training, he’s incredibly strong, both as a trainer and a person.

Hop, like his brother, is a sphinx. He also has wings, though they’re smaller, and he’s more of a tan than a golden color. He thinks he’ll brighten up and his wings will get bigger as he gets older. His goal is to not only be as good a trainer as him, but also as powerful a sphinx as him, too.

Victor/Gloria are either interchangeable characters or twins, depending on the situation. Thus, they’re the same thing. Shapeshifters. Their form is normally just a normal person, but they are able to take the shape of any pokemon as they wish. Like a ditto, almost, but more convincing because they don’t have that weird face. They can’t turn into other people, though.

Marnie, like her brother, is a vampire. She’s working hard to undo the discrimination against them, and the consequential damage that Spikemuth suffered due to it. She often tries to tell the people of Spikemuth that the wars between vampires and werebeasts were long past and that it was time to make amends. Piers is proud of her.

Bede is a faun. People often think he’s sweet and kind, but he’s abnormally short tempered. He hates being a faun and he wishes he was something powerful like  Leon. When Opal takes him in (they’re in the same category of mythical creatures anyway), she teaches him to accept himself for who he is.

Oleana is a gorgon. She can’t turn anyone to stone, but she’s still incredibly scary. People whisper that she has a venomous bite. She is able to shut down any bullshit with her stare. She’s also very strong, and serves as a bodyguard along with assistant to Rose. She’s considered one of the scariest people in Galar.

Rose is a normal human, somehow. His progressive acceptance of all monsters (as it seems, he still doesn’t care much for vampires) got him a seat of power. Also, since the majority of people are human, he’s able to be the chairman. He works closely with many monsters, though, so he can essentially harness their powers.

If this au gets more traction, I might make a few changes, but for now, this is what I have.

[foolishlovebugbaby]

skz’s reaction to their s/o being a classical musician

requested by @wxnterlee​!! i hope you like it, sorry it took so long hkjdhfkhsg <33

bang chan

The first time he’s introduced to you is at a busking event at a christmas market

It’s the holiday season, so skz being skz they wanted to really feel that christmas spirit

But as they’re strolling, they reach this live band playing christmas tunes

And usually those mellow, low-key songs would play around this time of year but this band was anything but that

It was lively and every synonym for jolly

And as he scans the band, his eyes finally land on you

You’re playing the saxophone with so much energy and really feeling the music that his eyes are just so drawn to you

He can’t explain it, but he can’t take his eyes off of you

It doesn’t help that you’re extremely attractive either

His eyes never leave you through the entirety of the performance, and you definitely take notice

Mans is as subtle as a gun lmao

You make it a point to smile at him directly after the first set of performances because ure cheeky like that, and you immediately see him flush in the cold

So now he frequents the market and always makes sure to catch at least one performance of yours 

But then one day you approach him and chan internally yells because he’s in a hetero panic 

But then he chills out because you’re so warm and inviting and you both get to know each other slowly

Needless to say, the rest was history

As a boyfriend, chan is your number 1 hype man

And i mean Hype Man

He always makes it a point to watch your performances whenever he can

Esp whenever you have big recitals that get you all nervous, he’s always there no matter what to cheer you on and give you a pep talk and take you out for a celebration dinner afterwards

And he loves the way you light up when you play

The sheer passion in the way you perform and in everything you do in general makes him fall so deeply in love with you each time

He’s also a clown and never fails to try and attempt to play the saxophone whenever you have it with you

He fails miserably, but he’s cute and you love him more than anything else :’)

lee know

Knowing the crackhead he is, the only reason why he was able to meet you was because instead of booking a cinema ticket for frozen 2, he booked a musical titled Frozen II

The show had nothing to do with badass sisters and magical talking stones (it was some winter musical or sumn, minho wasn’t sure), and the moment he realised this, he was all pouty

But then he scanned over the orchestra and thought that for once his dumbass worked with him and not against him

Because there you sat, looking as ethereal as ever, playing the harp

He swore up and down you were a goddess

Like, hera or aphrodite’s reincarnate

The only magic he saw that night was you, and he was more than happy about that

He tried his hardest to meet you, to tell you what an amazing job you did, but alas, he couldn’t reach you because visitors weren’t allowed to go backstage

So he got all sulky and :(( as he exited the theatre

But by a miracle, as he was walking back to his car, he saw a certain someone struggling with bags and equipment of all sorts as they walked out of the back entrance, and minho’s heart skipped a beat when he realised it was you

Of course he rushes to help you bea=cause chivalry 

And he makes it a point to compliment you and make small talk as he helps you to your car

As fate would have it, the two of you become good acquaintances, then close friends, and even closer more-than-friends until you finally had the guts to just ask him to be your boyfriend and you don’t even take a breath before he says yes

Minho as a bf is minho as a bff but on lsd i swear to god

He already goes to majority of your performances, but when that boy is cuffed jesus christ he makes sure he’s in the front row for every damn performance no matter how small

You’re his harp-playing goddess who walked straight out of eden in his eyes, how could he not???

He’s also humorously afraid to go near your harp because he knows the moment he’s within arms length from it, something will go wrong

Being the weirdo he is he always finds a way of personifying your harp and whining about how you spend much more time with it than with him

And you’re like??? And he’s all like :((( 

So you just have to give him a cuddle and boop

Ugh what a cutie

changbin

Dark rapper meets classy cello player???? 

An aesthetic.

Because you both are polar opposites in the music world, the only reason you knew about him is because your mutual friend had dragged you to an underground rap battle (much to your dismay) as a way to “get you out of your shell”

As much as you thought you’d hate it, you really enjoyed yourself

Esp when you laid your eyes on Changbin

Just everything about his aura was so enthralling to you and you so desperately wanted to get to know him and asked your friend to introduce you, but to no avail :((

After that, you didn’t really see him again

But one fateful night, unbeknownst to you, your friend had dragged changbin all the way to your music studio because he was in desperate need of a recording booth as the ones in the company were all occupied 

When he entered, what he did not expect was to witness an absolute daydream right before his eyes

You sat inside the booth playing the cello, recording a snippet of a symphony you so desperately needed practice on, and hadn’t noticed them walked in, too concentrated on the music sheet in front of you

But oh god, to say changbin was impressed was an understatement

Dang he thought he produced good music, but the music that you made???? 

Absolutely magical.

When you ended the piece and looked up, you almost had a heart attack

Literally jumped out of your seat a lil bit because they both were just staring at you

But once you both introduced yourselves, it was like you both were two sides of the same coin

You both grow closer and realise that you really are opposites of each other

But in a good way??? like everything is so complimentary

So you shared your playlist of symphonies and he shared his playlist of lyrical masterpieces and these songs suddenly become the soundtrack to your love story 

Ugh he’s such an amazing boyfriend because he helps you with his recordings and vice versa

You’re both super critical of your own work so the pair of you make it a point to remind each other of how good you’re doing 

And just being with you opened up this whole new world of music for changbin 

He’s so grateful for it that he can’t describe it in words

He even asks you to record small pieces so that he can add them into his music

And you have a habit of turning skz’s and his own music into cello versions

Thank god opposites attract

hyunjin

Mister dancer over here loves going to dance workshops of different types

Hip-hop, contemporary- you name it

So when he signed up for a 2-week modern dance class, he definitely got more than he bargained for

He didn’t know what he was supposed to expect, but goddamnit he did not expect to have his limbs feel like they were falling apart

So after class, when everyone had left, he literally just laid on the floor all sweaty and tired wanting nothing more than to crash n sleep

But then !!

He heard a piano melody echo through the room, a mix of melancholic yet romantic notes floating through the air

And when he lifted his head up to look for the source of the sound, his eyes settled on your figure at the other end of the hall

As it turns out, you were the pianist for this specific studio and for all modern dance productions

You didn’t notice him at all- mostly because the lights were dimmed and mans was too busy dying on the floor to make his presence known

But dear lord did your music make him feel some typa way

He just wanted to dance to it, express himself through it

So once you finished, he just clapped from where he was on the floor without getting up

Think lazy seal on its back

Nevermind the fact that he literally almost made you scream

But you both introduced yourselves properly to one another, and let’s just say that hyunjin started to look forward to his bone-breaking classes a lot more than he would’ve thought

At first it was purely because he thought u were cute and he had a middle school crush on you

But then as the days progressed, he found himself more and more drawn to you and the way you played the piano

Always so concentrated and the expression on your face mimicked the piece you were playing

And agghfhf he loved being able to dance to your melodies

So when his lil 2-week excursion was over, he was all :(((((((((((((x10009283 because he knew he wouldn’t be able to see you as often

So he mustered up all his strength to ask you out on a proper date

Now, when you both become official, dear lord is this man always going to ask you to play something for him

Literally the ABC’s would suffice 

He’s just so smitten with you and your love for the piano that he always wants to see you play because it lights up your entire face

And when you compose pieces just for him to dance to, his heart m e l t s

He also always begs you to teach him, but he’s such a flirt that not much teaching goes on lol

It makes me feel loopy imagining hyunjin dance to the melody his s/o plays like do u feel me ohmygod idk what to do w myself

han

Han’s first encounter with you was purely accidental

Like a literal accident

As in, he was just walking down the sidewalk not really paying attention when he ran into you

You, a clumsy violinist who had just exited your apartment complex in a rush to get to your lesson that you were already late for, suddenly found yourself knocked over and on the sidewalk in a daze

Jisung was h o r r i f i e d

He rushed to your aid, helping your disoriented self stand up but

Your fall was the least of your worries

Because there, strewn across the sidewalk, was your life your love your baby

Your violin

You rushed to it and inspected it for any dents and scratches and phew

Thank god your hard case protected it for the most part, save for minor dents and scratches

So you let out a breath and finally face the culprit of your heart palpitations

And suddenly you’re given a different set of heart palpitations because big, round eyes of an extremely, unfairly handsome man looks at you with concern and guilt and you suddenly forget how you ended up there in the first place

Lots of apologies from han’s side and he offers to buy you a drink 

But you’re in a rush so you tell him nah

But he’s like pls pls and so you’re like but i have to go and he’s like i’ll wait for u and you’re like O-O o-ok,,,

So he sits awkwardly outside your practice studio, but the moment he hears and sees you play through the glass window, he feels the wind knocked out from his chest

So now he just makes it a point to get to know you by asking you out more and more 

Like changbin, when you both become a thing, your relationship revolves so much around your mutual love of music 

And he lovesss getting to help you improve and vice versa

And on your one year anniversary he bought you a replacement violin to make up for the one he scratched up during your first meeting and you’re just like :’)))) i would’ve destroyed my violin a thousand times if it meant getting to meet you :’)))))

felix

Like minho, it’s Felix’s sheer crackheadness that allows fate to cause the two of you to meet

Like one day he decides on a whim that he wants to learn the viola so he books classes on the first learning centre he sees on the internet

But when he got to the class,,,,

As it turns out, the one that he booked was for beginner kids, not beginner adults

Cue tiny heads plus yours snapping to the door and staring at a blushing felix

Not only did he just embarrass himself in general, but the moment he saw how attractive you were he just wanted the world to swallow him whole

But he paid a good amount of money for it so he sucks in his cheeks and decides to stay for the class

He’s so awkward when he comes into the room ksdfjs you find it so cute because even though he’s like more than twice the height of the kids, his face and expression are just as small

You introduce yourself and vice versa, and you begin teaching everyone the basics

Immediately felix has a crush on you

And he wonders whether there’s a big age gap because uhm you’re a teacher and he’s a student

But turns out you do this as a side job and are a performing arts school student with the same age as him and he’s just like :DDD 

So now he always makes sure to come to class on time

Actually, even earlier than on time because he wants to get some alone time with you before the rest of the class cockblocks intervenes

And slowly you both develop a strong bond

Even though he’s a crackhead and it’ll take you 2757264597 years to explain to him the difference between a viola and a violin, you don’t mind because at least with him being your boyfriend, you can give him a kiss to shut him up abt it :)

Even after his viola classes ended and you both became official, he still had a lot of interest in learning that instrument so you always teach him

And he offers to pay for lessons but you always reject it because duh hello you’re my bf shutup just give me a kiss and buy me ice cream instead??

And he teaches you a thing or two about dance, even though you look like those blow-up mascots in front of car dealerships whenever you do

He thanks the universe that he’s goofy and a crackhead, because at least he now has you :))

seungmin

So on a trip to a jazz house is when seungmin first met you

Yes, a jazz house

Don’t ask why but skz just wanted to go okay let them be

They watched multiple groups perform and were having the time of their lives

But something about you just caught seungmin’s eye

You were apart of the last group coming to perform and you played the double bass

He thought you looked so goddamn cool and slick whenever you played 

And he found it adorable the way the instrument was almost the exact same size as yourself

Like chan, he’s about as subtle as a gun with the way he looks at you

And he’s so enthusiastic during the performance, always hooting and clapping after each song 

And you take notice and find him so absolutely adobable because who wouldn’t

And after the performance he even yells encore so loudly and the rest of skz just laughs at his antics

But mans is so shy to approach you afterwards

He can barely move towards you 

It takes a jeongin a hyunjin and a whole ass changbin to mentally and physically push seungmin to say hi to you

And after a whole 10 minutes of convincing, he finally does

And you both talk and talk and talk that he doesn’t realize all the boiz left him

Traitors

So the two of you make plans to meet up another day

Another day becomes two

Then three

Then ten

And soon enough (after much pushing again from the entire skz) he asks you to be his officially

He always tries to show up to any and all of your gigs, big or small

And he’s sooooo boastful about it it’s so cute like he’ll have videos saved on his phone of you playing and send them to anyone and everyone

His parents, the skz gc

Almost sent it to jyp himself too lmao

You’re just so cool to him that he wants the rest of the world to know it as well

But, like minho, he won’t go near your instrument

He’s so intimidated by it it’s hilarious

So he sticks to watching it from afar and hfkjhkgjfh

Big smooch 

i.n

During a music event is when jeongin first laid eyes on you

But not because he saw you perform

Your performance group shared the same backstage lounge as skz and everyone was just getting to know each other

And you and jeongin really clicked well because you both were the youngest and the same age 

He had absolutely no clue who u were tho and he didn’t want to be rude so he didn’t ask what kpop group u were from

But as it turns out you weren’t apart of a kpop group at all

You were apart of an orchestra doing a special stage and you played the flute and jeongin was just like O_O when he found out 

You played the flute and damn did u play it well

Jeongin just stood in front of the screen astounded and seungmin did not and will not stop clowning him for it

After it ended, jeongin was quick to congratulate and compliment you 

And he rambles about how it was so unexpected and you blush so much because he’s so cute

And so you both exchange numbers and frequently text from then on, becoming really good friends

And then slowly developing feelings for each other

Cue cute highschool confession tingz

Jeongin as a bf is super adorable

He’s always asking you to send voice notes of you playing the flute

But not just to any song

He’ll request crackhead ones like the wii music, some trot song, into the unknown

And you’re just like????? Okay, my quirky king

And in return you force him to send voice notes of him singing more trot songs

He attempts to play your flute

But he always messes up but he’s so adorable that you tell him he’s doing great just so that he keeps playing cutely

:’))))))))))

choosing to do ot8 now,,, it’s difficult to imagine skz as ot9 in my head then be brought back to reality of ot8.. please understand :( but i will take separate woojin requests

[nelllraiser]

before i go | jared & nell

TIMING: before luke and layla’s birthday party, and before the resurrection of bea LOCATION: jared’s farmhouse. PARTIES: @nelllraiser​ and @themidnightfarmer​.  SUMMARY: nell tries to tell jared goodbye in case the necromancy ritual goes wrong...with mixed results.

It seemed somewhat ironic that there was such a big birthday taking place on the day Bea was meant to rise, a celebration of life and coming into this world that somewhat mirrored what Nell, Luce, Winston, and Blanche would be trying to accomplish that evening. For once in her life...Nell had nerves eating away at her stomach like little termites. She wasn’t usually one to get anxious before something like this, but this ritual would be different. There was so much more at risk. And even though she could very well die if anything went wrong, that wasn’t what worried her most. It was the lives of Winston, Luce, and Bea that hung heavy on her mind. Or at least, it had been until Jared came into view, already hilariously dressed in his cheerleader costume. She quickly forced a smile to her lips, trying to act normal for the time being. Nell had gone back and forth with whether or not to tell him of what was happening tonight, what they would be attempting. After all, he deserved to go to the party with little on his mind, to simply have fun and enjoy the moment. But it was the thought of him coming home to an empty house, and a world that no longer had Nell in it that pushed her hand. She would tell him. If she was going to leave, willing or not— she wouldn’t do it without saying some form of goodbye. “I knew you had the legs for it,” she teased gently, her mind elsewhere. Walking up to him, she traced the word that was emblazoned on his chest. “An angel, huh?” As she spoke she looked meaningfully up towards where his horns would have been had his glamour not been up. 

On Jared’s side of the coin he was focused on the party, he had yet to be informed what was going to happen that night apart from a birthday party and as such his spirits reflected that. He appeared around the door leg first, just in the hopes of making Nell laugh. He extended a leg and then followed it with his head before he fully came into view. “All that running around after you.” he joked back, smoothing out the costume top - a cropped top of sorts in baby blue showing his stomach a little. He was definitely built differently than the manufacturer envisioned when producing it. To compensate Jared hiked the skirt a little higher as well as Nell made her way over. He was lost for only a split second when she repeated the word on the front. Then caught her gaze and stuck his tongue out at her. “Are you telling me I’m not an angel? I could be an angel! Angels sometimes have horns….or maybe they do and no one has ever seen one!”

Even though Nell’s emotions were in something of a whirlwind, as always, Jared seemed to ground a portion of them, earning a more genuine smile from her as he spoke. However, the corners of it were still small, unable to truly rid herself of the worries that were plaguing her. “You love it,” she teased vaguely before reaching up to gently swipe at the shoulder of his costume, wiping away imaginary lint as an excuse to keep touching him. This could very well be their last moments together if things went horribly wrong, and she wanted to remember him and the warmth he’d always given her, filling her soul with it ever since they’d met her freshman year at that party. “You tell me.” Her quips weren’t as quick or fast as usual, Nell’s mind being elsewhere in these moments. All this talk of angels though— it only reminded her of what she needed to tell him. “You’ll have fun tonight, right? You deserve to go have some fun.” Especially after dealing with the shit show she’d been bringing home as of late between all the necromancy and squid demons. “Even if-” she hesitated, trying to find the right words. “We’re doing something tonight— with Bea. But I don’t want you to worry about that.” Her tone was unusually somber, a rare moment of seriousness between them.

His mood took a small dive downwards when he started to catch on to her distracted mood. His eyes started to focus on her face with increased intensity, as if he could see her thoughts displayed clearly on her forehead. His good mood hit the floor when she started her thought with ‘even if’, he was usually so dense, so easily missing bits and pieces of conversation for what they were. Never with Nell. Jared tried to catch every little piece of emotion her words presented to him. He was always avidly listening, so that he could drink in her laughs, as well as her sobs whether she showed them outwardly or not. “What are you doing tonight?” he asked, his heart sinking. She looked so tense now that he thought about it. Smiling for him earlier, but was that what she was truly feeling? She was so serious now. He took a hold of her arms, sliding his hands down from her shoulders to take her hands. “Can you tell me? Should I stay home? I can stay home?” he offered with hardly a breath between the questions and the offers. “I can come? If that won’t ruin whatever it is you need to be doing?” The thought of potentially seeing what had become of Bea terrified him, but if she needed him he’d go. All she had to say was she needed him.

Damn it. This was exactly what Nell had been trying to avoid, even if she’d known it was inevitable. She would have done the same in Jared’s position, would have mirrored the expression on his face if something this heavy had been happening with him. “It’s the big one.” She tried her best to put the smile back on her lips. Maybe if she acted like everything was going to be okay, he’d be less worried. There was a reason she hadn’t told him exactly how serious the magic was, how dangerous it would be to play with literal lives. More often than not, the caster paid with their own life when it came to things like this. She couldn’t be the one to tell him that she might leave him again, not after last time— not after his family had been ones to leave him, as well. “We’re gonna try and bring Bea back tonight.” Her head shook reflexively, it’s movements fervent as she gripped his hands in her’s, lacing her fingers through his to give them a little squeeze. “No- no, I want you to go enjoy yourself, like I said.” Plus the idea of having Jared near such volatile magic was...unacceptable, not when he didn’t need to be there, even if she selfishly wanted him there. “I just- I wanted you to know. So you’re not worried if- I’m gone longer than you expect tonight.” If she didn’t return at all. “I’ll message you as soon as it’s done, alright?”

It was hard to process, but the nights that had led up to this moment were starting to make sense in his head. This was it. This was the night they put everything into play. The night they’d attempt to bring back their sister. And Jared had no idea how dangerous this all was, in his mind the risk was the same as it had been every night before this. Just this time they were doing it for real because they’d gathered all they needed. And that was his mistake, a misunderstanding he had no idea he was making. Her smile did a little to ease his mind, this was fine, crazy in the grand scheme of things, but fine. They’d get Bea back, he was confident in them all. They were all excellent and dedicated. Bea would be here by tomorrow. Or at least that’s what he was trying to tell himself. If it didn’t work, he knew none of them would be the same, all that was holding most of them together at the moment was the hope of seeing their sister alive again. “Are you sure I shouldn’t come? What if you need someone to...I don’t know...drive?” he was grasping at straws. He squeezed her fingers. “You’ll text me as soon as it’s done? Tell me what happened?” He was almost tempted to ask her to promise him, but that would be cruel and manipulative of him. And she’d never do it. He wouldn’t want her to. He never wanted it to be like that between them. “As soon as?”

“No- it’s okay, really.” There was that big chunk of Nell that wanted him there simply for comfort, security, but beyond the magic that could potentially lash out and damage him...if things did go badly. He didn’t need to see that, didn’t need just how much havoc magic would wreck on a fragile, human body if it wasn’t properly harnessed or controlled. “Blanche is going to drive.” The clearing wasn’t all that close to a road anyway, and they’d have to walk from the car to the place where they’d be casting. The squeeze of his fingers felt like a little squeeze on her heart, lending it both the strength that she needed, but also plunging it into the pit of her stomach. He’d always had such an effect on her, though not a control. And she knew that he never would have wanted to have a control. That was why he’d always been given all of her, not bits and pieces, nothing to hide away from the man in front of her. Because she knew there was nothing he’d ever want to change, nothing he’d try to pin to the ground and harness like others might try to do. She wished she could make him understand, to let him know just how thankful she was for that— the ability to breathe freely around him and not wonder whether or not she’d be met with judgment or disdain, whether it was silent or not. Her hands left him to trail their way back north, hands going to either side of his face not unlike she’d done the night she’d come to tell him of Bea’s death. How to tell him goodbye when it might not even be needed, and without him realising it? Was it kinder to leave him in the dark when it came to the way her feelings had been trying to rear their head once again ever since she’d been home, since she’d first seen him back on his tractor nearly a month ago, the way her very soul had seemed to leap at the sight of his, eager and wanting to dance with his once more? “I…” But what would be the point in telling him? Either he’d return the sentiment, and he’d be left with a bleeding heart if she didn’t come back right, or he’d feel awkward and deny her, coloring these possible last moments with guilt and uncertainty. No. She wanted them to be as they were. Maybe there was an in between, though. “You know how much I care about you...right, Jared?” 

Jared knew he wasn’t any use to them. He wasn’t a spellcaster, he wasn’t a person who could see spirits. He was just a nymph. A nymph that couldn’t do anything for them apart from try and provide support, a welcome home when she came home from a hard night, a light topic to change to when it was a bad night, a mindless task to distract her and make her smile at him when it was obvious the whole thing was taking a toll. He bent his head down to meet her hands, tilted to the side slightly to weigh heavily into her right hand. He didn’t know that this was more than nerves, that her acting so serious wasn’t just simple anxiety for the work they were about to put in, in the hopes that it would bring Bea back. She had searched for comfort like this before, when she’d told him Bea was gone. He’d extend the same care he had then to her now. Jared caught her eye and looked at her confused by the question. “Not near as much as I care about you,” he said in return with a levity to his words that her’s had lacked. He searched her face for a moment before answering more seriously. “I know Penelope. And I cherish you, you’re the best person I’ve ever met, or had stick with me.” he said it seriously before pulling back and wrapping her in his arms tightly. “It’ll be okay, no matter what happens you can come back here and we can try and work through it okay? I’ll always be here when you’re done doing what you need to be doing. Always. Whatever happens tonight I’ll be home when you get back, and we can figure it out.”

“That’s a lie. Impossible,” Nell replied, following his suit of casualty when it came to tone. Maybe this was how it should be. If they were saying goodbye, it should be how their relationship had always been— ridiculous, loyal, like two magnets that kept being drawn together no matter how far they might go. Nell’s thumb traced a gentle line over his cheek as he matched the severity in her voice, remembering how there’d been that split second the other evening where she’d thought he’d been trying to kiss her. Now as she stood here with his face nestled in her hands, she took a tentative step closer, her heart in the driver’s seat for a moment as she looked up at him. Maybe there was an easier way than telling him- maybe if she simply showed him it wouldn’t hurt as much if she was rejected? And how long had she wanted to lean into him? Sometimes actions could speak where words couldn’t, and she didn’t know how to tell him thank you as the beautiful words fell from him. But maybe she could show him. Her arms moved to loop around the back of his neck, toes standing on end as she ever so briefly let her gaze flicker to his mouth. But then her brain was back in control, reminding her of all the reasons she’d just gone over when it came to not acting on this burning that was in her chest, that had seemed to have been there ever since she’d been in highschool. Nell grounded herself once again, heels connecting with the floor as she instead leaned forward against him, bringing him in for a close hug. “You remember what I said when I first went to travel? After I graduated?” It had been five years ago, but the sentiment still held true. “Nothing’s gonna keep us apart for long. We’re always gonna find a way back.” Even if it wasn’t in a physical sense. “You’re- you’re the best thing that happened to me, Jared. I’m not letting that go, no matter what.”

His heart was in his throat as she looked at him, she was speaking with an awful tone. Her voice was painting a completely different picture than Jared had concluded about what would happen that night in his head. He felt the words she was telling him rather than hearing the, with each syllable spoken into his very being, sending a new little stab of emotion his way. Blue eyes held hers as she drew closer, searching for the answer that he wanted. Too incredibly distracted by what she was saying to be sent reeling by the intensity she’d had in her gaze seconds before wrapping her arms around him in return. “You said that because you were leaving.” It was an obvious thing to point out but Jared’s brain was working overtime to connect the dots from then to now. “Why do you sound like you’re saying goodbye?” His words were barely a whisper, muffled by her hair. He was becoming so lost and confused. He felt like they were having completely different conversations. And in reality it was true, although he didn’t know it. So he made the easiest connection he could, the one that would hurt the least, in the hopes that voicing it would confirm that it was the most that could happen and wasn’t the worst that he could come up with. “If you’re worried about moving out again when it’s over don’t worry about that either, we can talk about it. Just….could you please come back here at least tonight to just tell me how it went?”

Shit, Nell had gone too heavy, hadn’t she? He knew something was up, though that was hardly surprising. After all he was one of the people on this planet who was best at reading her, knowing her mannerisms and tones. Because she was leaving. For all she knew, she might be. But she’d fight with every piece of her not to. Too late she realized he’d gotten the wrong impression from her attempted, under that radar goodbye. He thought she was leaving the farm? To be honest, she hadn’t even thought of what would happen if they managed to resurrect Bea, hadn’t gotten that far in her plans. What would come after Bea was back? Nell had been so busy working towards this point, that she forgot there would be an after. “It’s not-” she hesitated, not wanting to tell him he was wrong, but not wanting to tell him the truth, either. Nell didn’t know if she’d be back tonight, didn’t know if she’d be back any night. “I’ll message you,” she repeated, not knowing what else to say. “And let you know how it went.” And if she could come back she would. She felt like her efforts when it came to achieving what she’d wanted tonight had fallen flat, though had there been any possibility of success in the first play? Was there any good way to tell someone you might die without actually saying as much? It was time to abort the mission, to soothe the worried look she’d accidentally made on Jared’s face. Forcing a brighter grin on her lips, she broke their hug, batting playfully at this skirt. “White Crest isn’t ready for cheerleader-Jared. Have fun, okay? Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do...which we both know isn’t that much.” She didn’t know what the night would hold for her, but what she did know was that she’d always come back, one way or another. She���d always find her way back to Jared.

[rdmfavcpls]

Pink

Title: Pink

Category: Pokemon

Relationship: implied Bederia

Rating: T

Summary: Opal knows what she’s talking about when she focuses on pink. She isn’t crazy as everyone believes she is, but she can see things others can’t. There is a reason why she’s so focused on pink.

Author’s Note: This is a freeform drabble that wouldn’t leave my head until it was typed up. It is also one of my late christmas gifts to @pkmntrashcan who I love her stories. All of them are works of pure art and deserve all of the love in the world. I hope that she and all of you enjoys this

Disclaimer: I own no rights to the Pokemon franchise.

~~Story Begins~~

Opal has seen a lot in her 88 (or 16 in Gloria’s case) years of life and has learned from her adventures. She has also won many bets with her older colleagues about who will be the next gym leaders.

Milo didn’t surprise anyone when he took over the grass gym leader position. He tended to dote and love grass types more than any other type of pokemon. To Opal, the color that surrounded Milo was of the calmest greens she had ever seen. 

Nessa was her first bet won of 200 pokedollars.. Nessa wanted to be a model and she worked hard for the job of being a model. However, Opal knew that Nessa would be perfect to do both even through everyone but Nessa and herself said it was impossible. The aura of Nessa was a beautiful swirl of a raging blue of her beloved water types and the pure white light aura of those who live in front of a camera. It was perfectly balanced mixture.

Kabu wasn't surprised either as the man lived and breathed in the mines. The red aura that circled around Kabu was brighter than the red flames of two dueling Magmars. She’s still waiting ten more years to win a bet about that being the time he’ll start looking for a replacement.

Sonia’s yellow aura showed that she would be the perfect electric gym leader if it wasn’t for the fact that Galar didn’t have an electric gym. Sonia also wanted to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and the yellow aura always dimmed when she listened to Magnolia talk about her life. Opal knew that it was because Magnolia didn’t want Sonia to suffer the same fate that she did when she was young. 

Bea’s tan brown aura matched her fighting spirit that provided the competitor’s with a rough battle that took out about half of those in the Pokemon Challenge. Allister with his dark purple aura and connection to ghost Pokemon was a surprise for Opal as he took over the gym leadership at such a young age, but she still won the bet over both of them being a gym leader for the same gym. It didn’t take her seeing their auras to realize that the times they needed to leave the Galar region allowed them to trade off on being gym leaders. When Bea had to travel to the Orre region to take her place on Mt. Battle, Allister was the gym leader. Then whenever Allister traveled to the Kanto region to pay his respects at the Lavender Tower, Bea took over the gym leadership.

Of course, the fate of the Circhester gym rested on a mother and son relationship. The light blue aura of Melony matched her love for ice-type pokemon. She was also known for giving the cold shoulder to her son who never agreed with her love of ice pokemon. His aura of brown showed his stubbornness with his mom because she didn’t agree with his love of rock-type pokemon. Rumors state that Melony hates rock-type Pokemon because one of them destroyed a classic ice sculpture that she had created. Gordie doesn’t believe it, but his aura matches the rock-type Pokemon that he is a natural leader when the time calls for it. He also defeats more competitors when he’s in charge of the gym while his mother is away than his own mother does. Something about challengers getting frustrated with sand being blown into their eyes hurt more than snow.

Piers aura of wasn’t as black as Marine’s. It was evident at first that he never wanted to be a gym leader as his love was more of performing than it was with gym battles and his love of dark type Pokemon was because they danced more in tune to the hard metal music that he writes. She has a bet waiting to be won for the day when he visits the Kalos region and finally uses the special Z-type moves with the dark type where Nanu makes Piers take over the Grand Trial there. Yes, she can see that Team Skull and Piers would make for a lovely concert that she will be waiting to see.

Raihan’s dark purple aura made him the most natural choice of being Hammerlocke’s gym leader and she won a 5,000 pokedollar bet over that. His calm and cool attitude with the love of selfies had people believing he didn’t understand the amount of power that dragon-types had, but he had an easier time training them than Lance. In fact, dragon-type pokemon just seems to love Raihan. Opal has seen Raihan get mad and his rage matches the true strength of dragon-type pokemon. She knows for a fact that Leon will never forget Sonia’s birthday ever again. 

She had been waiting for Bede to arrive at her gym because he had caught her eye since the opening ceremony. The shade of pink that surrounded him was so bright that it blinded her. He was the perfect candidate to take over the gym challenge for fairy-type. The sense of misdirection and being tricked are what fairies enjoy doing and as a victim of it, Bede would be the perfect leader.

When she saw him in Hammerlocke, after he was kicked out of the League, she instantly went after him because his aura was even brighter than before.

His aura spoke volumes of what Rose (Opal never liked him) did to Bede and her heart broke. She decided then and there that she will adopt him officially as her own as well make him her successor. It will be a long road, but he will come out on top. She glanced at Gloria and nodded more to herself.

Gloria’s colorful aura showed more gold when Bede was around and that same gold outlined his own. She will try her luck at playing matchmaker sometime later, but for now, she had a young child to adopt.

[swilmarillion]

A Love That Bleeds | read on ao3

Written for @terrifyingtolkien week 2019.  Heavily inspired by the incredible way that @imindhowwelayinjune writes these two.

               Celegorm moves with easy, practiced grace.  His steps make no sound in the underbrush, though he is less certain these days that this is by any virtue of his own. These woods are strange and silent and still, and he thinks perhaps there is no sound in them their lord does not allow.  Still, he is not frightened by the stillness, or the eerie sense of being watched.  He is welcome here, has always been welcome here, and he walks on, unafraid.

               Unafraid, yes, but also, though he little cares to admit it, uneasy.

               Things are different since the Oath. Stranger.  Wilder.  Less certain than they had been all his life before.  Paths that once seemed straight and true and yielding twist under his feet, leading him in ways he is not sure he wants to go.  Lesser hearts might have turned away, might have fled for the safety of the fields beyond the wood, away from the silent, judging eyes that surrounded him, unseen and unheard, but not un-felt.  

               But Celegorm’s heart is mighty, bold and unyielding, and he walks on toward the forest’s heart.  He is welcome here.  He has always been welcome here.

               He does not yet know that always can be a thing of the past.  He will know it one day soon.

               He steps out of the trees and into a clearing he knows by heart.  He has seen it countless times before, roamed its impossible boundaries and lain in its soft, green grass.  He knows it in sunlight as well as in shade, and he knows it now in the dark and moonless night.  There is a fire burning in its center.  There is always a fire burning there.  He has fed it himself in days past, with wood gathered and split by his own rough hand.  Its eternal flame has warmed him, dried his clothes, fed his belly with spit-roasted flesh, and taken his offerings and thanks.  

               It burns low tonight.  He is not sure why.  He passes the low-banked flames and tries not to wonder.

               The tent is where it always is, just past the fire’s dancing light.  It is white like bone and splattered with shifting red.  Celegorm has never noticed how much the flames look like blood on the seamless, faultless cloth.  He tries not to notice it now.  Steeling himself, he reaches for the fold of the entrance and ducks inside.  

               He has known Oromë for more years than he can count, and yet the sight of him still takes Celegorm’s breath away.  There is a quality of wonder to all the Valar, for they are something Other, something ancient and strange and fey.  Yet he has always loved Oromë best, loved the smooth black of his flesh, the bone-decked braids of his hair, the tattoos that shift and change before his eyes.  He has always loved the warm gold of Oromë’s eyes, the blinding white of his smile.  

               (His mind strays unbidden to the memory of the feel of Oromë’s hands, the rasp of his voice in the dark, the searing satisfaction of his own pleading, brutally answered.  He pushes these thoughts away.)

               Oromë isn’t smiling now.  His face is grave, though not angry, and Celegorm takes heart. “Lord Oromë,” he says, inclining his head.

               “Tyelkormo,” Oromë says in return.  His lips do not move.  They do not have to.  Celegorm hears him all the same.

               There is silence between them for a long moment.

               “You are leaving me,” Oromë says.

               “I am leaving Aman,” Celegorm says.  “I am not leaving you.”  Oromë tilts his head, a familiar gesture of interest that makes Celegorm ache inside, and he pushes on.  “What is distance to a god?” he says, a lightness in his words that he does not feel.

               “The leagues of the earth are nothing to me,” Oromë says, and Celegorm knows that this is true.  “But there are other kinds of distance, Tyelkormo.”

               Tyelkormo.  Hasty-riser. He has always loved the sound of his name on Oromë’s tongue.  What others despise, Oromë has always cherished—boldness, action, impulse without fear.  It is what has always endeared him to the Vala, and Celegorm hopes it will do so now.

               “If I have offended you,” he says, striding forward to close the distance between them, “then I beg your forgiveness.  It was not my intent.”  He bows his head, respectful if not contrite.  “I have loved you well these many years.  I have learned your lessons and kept your ways.  I have given you the first blood of my hunts and the glory of my skills.  I have sought your pleasure and your blessing in all things, and if I have lost it through this oath, then I am sorry.”  

               “It is not my blessing you should fear to lose,” Oromë says.

               “Yours is the only blessing that matters,” Celegorm answers, bowing his head low.

               Oromë reaches out, rough palm cupping Celegorm’s chin, raising his face and looking into his eyes.  “Tyelko,” he says, his voice low, reverberating in Celegorm’s chest.  His thumb reaches up to stroke Celegorm’s lips, and Celegorm turns his head to kiss Oromë’s palm.

               “What do you want of me?” Oromë asks.

               “Your love,” Celegorm says, heart aching in his chest.

               “You have had it many times before,” Oromë says, feeling the warmth of Celegorm’s blush beneath his hand.  “You do not come to seek it now.”

               “Your blessing,” Celegorm says.

               “You have that too,” Oromë says, “though you grieve me by the swearing of this oath. Tell me what you really seek, son of Feanaro.  My patience is a brittle, and it wears thin.”

               “I have no right to ask,” Celegorm says, eyes downcast, unwilling to meet Oromë’s gaze.

               “It has never stopped you before.”

               Celegorm breathes in, breathes out, steels his courage. “You have always shown me kindness,” Celegorm says, looking up at him at last.  “Though I have been angry and impetuous and unworthy.  I ask your kindness one time more, though I stray far from where you would have me be.  Grant that I may always find that which I seek, and I will give you the glory of my success.”

               Oromë withdraws his hand, and Celegorm mourns the loss of his warmth.  Oromë’s eyes are hard, and Celegorm fears he has gone too far.  

               “I may not have my brothers’ gift for prophesy,” Oromë says, “but even I can see you ask me for a curse.”

               “You could never do me ill,” Celegorm says.  He wants to believe that this is true.

               “The things we seek,” Oromë says, “are not always the things we wish to find.  I fear you’ll learn this, to your sorrow.”

               Celegorm is afraid now.  He has never liked to be afraid.  He reacts the only way he’s ever known.  “Ask of me what you will,” he says, lifting his chin defiantly. “I will do it.”

               Oromë’s face is hard; his voice, when he speaks, is cold is ice.  “Bring me a white stag’s heart,” he says, “and I will grant this thing you ask.”  There are rules that even he must follow, though he loves them little.  He turns away.

               Celegorm takes his leave, and heads back into the forest.

*****

               It takes him three days.  He eats what little he can forage and drinks the cold water of the streams he comes across.  He sleeps little and wanders long, following tracks and scents and fleeting glimpses through the trees.  The white stag is rare, and it is sacred.  It is not a thing killed lightly, and Celegorm feels the weight of it as he stalks the cunning beast through field and stream and clawing underbrush. He wastes arrows and shatters a spear, curses and despairs and hardens his heart.

               It takes him three days, but he kills the thing at last.  It is not an easy death.  The stag is larger than any deer he has felled, and fights with every ounce of its inhuman strength.  An arrow pierces it, but it does not fall.  A spear makes it stumble, and Celegorm gains.  It is a knife that finally finishes it, stabbed through the shoulder and the chest, slashed viciously across the throat.  It does not give its spirit willingly.  One great, shining antler pierces Celegorm’s side, and he grits his teeth against the pain of it, hacking at the shining down of the throat until the knife falls from his hand, greased with hot blood and gleaming viscera. The stag falls not long after, crashing to the bank of a stream and lying still at last, still at last.

               Celegorm falls with it, knees buckling beneath him, hands shaking as he peels up his shirt.  The wound is deep and jagged, his own red blood seeping through the fabric to mix with the golden gleam of the stag’s.  Celegorm peels off his shirt and tears it, shaking hands methodically folding it and pressing it into place.  Two more long strips bind it to him, and he pants, dazed and shaken, the world spinning before his eyes.  He kneels in the dirt and thinks how easy it would be to sleep, how soft the grass beneath him, beckoning.

               He grits his teeth and crawls to the beast, heaving it onto its back.  He hacks the heart from its chest and pulls it free, watching the golden blood spill through his fingers and down his arms.  It beats against his palm, and he thinks it must stop, it cannot go on, the beat of it louder than the stream, the birds, the cry of the cicadas in the trees.  

               It does not stop.  Celegorm cradles it to his chest, shivering as it touches his chest. He wipes the gore-soaked knife on his breeches and slides it into the sheath.  Then he steels himself and stands, wincing at the searing pain in his side.  The world swims before him, and he closes his eyes, breathing raggedly.  He takes a deep breath, then another, then another. He opens his eyes and begins to walk.

*****

               When he reaches the clearing, Celegorm is exhausted. He is ragged and battered, feet stumbling beneath him.  He has bled too much; his skin is cold, and the trees spin dizzily before his eyes.  The earth calls to him, bids him to fall on the soft grass, to rest his head on the moss.  He does not heed its call.  He staggers past the fire and pushes his shoulder against the entrance of the tent.

               Oromë is there, as he is always there.  Celegorm has suspects he is there even when he is not. The thought makes his head spin, and he pushes it away.  He stumbles forward until he reaches Oromë, until the sight of him fills his vision and the smell of him makes him weak.  He falls to his knees and holds the heart in his outstretched hands.  It beats against his palms, strong as the moment he plucked it from its cage of bone.  “The heart of the white stag,” he whispers, almost too weak to speak.

               “Eat it,” Oromë says, and Celegorm obeys.

               It is a terrible thing that he does.  He will do many more terrible things in days to come, and some will be much worse, but none will fuel his nightmares more than this. The heart is warm, and the flesh beats against his teeth as he chews is.  The blood is bitter and hot, burning his lips.  It gags him when he swallows.  A lesser will might have given up, but Celegorm is nothing if not persistent.

               When the last chunk slides heavy down his throat, Oromë kneels and takes Celegorm’s face in his hands.  He kisses him, and the blistered flesh of Celegorm’s lips screams at the pressure.  He shivers as Oromë’s hand caresses his tired flesh, sliding smoothly through the gore and mingled blood that soaks him.  He lets Oromë lift him, moaning softly as the torn flesh of his side rips anew.

               Oromë carries him to his bed and lays him on the furs, soothing Celegorm’s hiss of pain with a kiss to the hollow of his throat.  “I feared the beast has killed me,” Celegorm says, turning his head to the side to see Oromë’s face.  

               Oromë kneels beside him, stripping the sodden fabric from his wound.  Celegorm cries out as the fabric tugs at his flesh.  Blood spills from the gash and stains the fur beneath him.  “It is not yet your time,” Oromë says, pressing a warm, damp cloth to the wound.

               “I have done the thing you asked of me,” Celegorm says, his teeth gritted against the pain.

               The cloth in Oromë’s hand is soaked with crimson and gold.  His touch is gentle, but the pain is intense, and Celegorm bites his tongue to keep from crying out.  Oromë wipes away the blood, and when he pulls back his hand, the wound ceases to bleed. He does not look at Celegorm.

               Celegorm reaches for Oromë’s hand.  “Oromë,” he says.  “Please.”

               For a moment, Oromë is silent, and Celegorm’s heart is in his throat.  Then Oromë lifts Celegorm’s hand to his lips and presses a kiss to his knuckles.  “I will do the same,” he says.  There is sorrow in his voice, and Celegorm, spent as he is, cannot fathom why.  “Rest, now,” Oromë says, leaning down to press a kiss to Celegorm’s forehead.  “In the morning, you must go.”

*****

               It is daybreak when Celegorm wakes, warm and contented and blissfully free of pain.  He sits up and runs a hand over the jagged white scar on his side, the only sign of the wound that nearly killed him.  He looks for Oromë, but the Vala is nowhere to be found.  Celegorm sighs and picks himself up.  He casts a last, longing glance around the tent and pushes his way outside.  

               It takes him a moment to realize what is strange about the clearing where he stands.  The fire, ever-burning, has gone out.  He kneels beside it and presses a hand to the coals.  They give no hint of the flames that outmatched his own height only the day before; the embers are cold and crumble beneath his hands.  He stands up, uneasy, and startles at the rattle behind him.  He turns to find the tent has collapsed, falling in on itself in a heap.  He goes to it, watching in dismay as the fabric twists and tears and crumbles, aging an eon before his eyes.  

               He backs away, eyes darting uneasily around the clearing.  He is beginning to understand the sorrow in Oromë’s eyes, the regret in his voice. Later, he will share it.  For now, he turns and runs.  

[hrhduchessoflancaster]

Chapter Ninety: Uncharted Territory

Disclaimer: see Prologue.

A/N: I know it’s been a very long time since I posted anything but here it is.Thank you so much for all your comments!! The story is almost over. Only a few more chapter to go. xx Bea.

 ___________________________________________________________________

             The Invictus Games held in Toronto that year game Harry a purpose and a new sense of accomplishment. After all the turmoil that he and Elle had been through the last months, being able to be a part of something he was so proud of and really make a difference, shone in him a new light and perspective on what he could do now that he had more influence and power on his hands. Elle had stayed behind since Arthur was still too young to travel and needed his mother. 

        When he arrived in Canada, he once again met with the Trudeaus. The trio exchanged pleasantries before proceeding to the Prime Minister's home, where Harry would be a guest until they flew to Toronto on the following day.

" I'm very happy to be able to congratulate you in person on the birth of your son. We are all thrilled for you and Eleanor.", said Justin.

" Thank you. We're both very happy. Arthur really is an incredible child and truly a blessing to us both.", said Harry smiling.

"And... we've all been shocked to hear of the recent changes as well. I'm sorry if that is a sensitive topic, but I wanted to talk to you about some bilateral projects, if I may.", said Justin.

" It's somewhat delicate but I'm happy to talk about improving the relationship between the UK and Canada.", said Harry, giving a brief smile. " But for now, let's focus on the task in hand. This year's Invictus Games.", he continued and the Prime Minister nodded his head, not touching on the subject any longer.

    On the following morning, Harry flew to Toronto with the Prime Minister and his wife. He was taken in a black SUV to the Air Canada Center, where the opening and closing ceremony would held. As the car approached the venue, he could hear the music and cheer growing louder and louder. Stepping out of the car, Harry waved his hand at the public gathered. He walked backstage, alongside the Justin Trudeau and waited for his queue. As the teams filled the arena one by one, Harry watched as the speeches were made, getting emotional after each story of endurance and hardships that was shared. 

" Your Royal Highness, Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to stand before you tonight and welcome our competitors to this year's Invictus Games. But before we can declare this games officially opened I'd like to say a few words. Your Royal Highness, thank you so much for your leadership, vision and strength in realising and guiding  this project, which will allow so many of our brave veterans to keep moving forward and us, the opportunity to cheer them on.", said Justin and loud cheers and claps were heard from the audience.

"... and without further ado, here, to declare the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 opened, our patron and founder, Prince Harry.". Harry was then welcomed onstage and smiled at the audience. 

" Hello Toronto! Merci beaucoup pour votre hospitalité. And thank you Prime Minister for this warm welcome. Invictus is about the dedication of the men and women who served their countries, confronted hardship, and refused to be defined by their injuries. Invictus is about the families and friends who faced the shock of learning that their loved ones had been injured or fallen ill - and then rallied to support them on their journey of recovery. And above all, Invictus is about the example to the world that all service men and women - injured or not - provide about the importance of service and duty. I wanted to find a way for veterans to be a beacon of light, and show us all that we have a role to play; that we all win when we respect our friends, neighbours, and communities. That's why we created Invictus. Not only to help veterans recover from their physical and mental wounds; but also to inspire people to follow their example of resilience, optimism, and service in their own lives.", said Harry.

" Sadly, my wife could not join us here since she's at home with our little one...", he said and cheers erupted from the crowd. "... but she too wanted to pass along the message of hope we all share today.", he continued and a video appeared on the screen behind him. In it, Elle was dressed in her Invictus Toronto 2017 shirt and had a little Arthur, napping on her arms, dressed in the Invictus baby grow they had been gifted a few months ago.

" Hello Toronto! Hello competitors! It saddens me not to be able to see you compete fiercely in these coming days and cheer you on as I did last year in Florida. But as you can see, I have a very small person that needs my full attention.", she joked and there was a sound of laughter from the crowd. " These games were created so that each an every one of you can see and experience change and teamwork. You are all winners for having reached this far. For cheating death and overcome emotional and physical challenges. I hope you embody the spirit of this games by showing courage and determination that will inspire generations to come. You are proving to the world that everything is possible, even under the most impossible situations. Good luck to you all!", said Elle. As the video ended, another cheer and applauses were heard and Harry grinned. 

" Well, as my wife has said, I hope you are ready to inspire, to challenge, to work together, and to change your lives in the next coming days. You are Invictus! Let's get started!", he concluded, to a resounding cheer. 

    When Harry came back from Canada, he felt invigorated. He was ready to resume his public activities with full force. And so was Elle. With them both back at work, which had had some new additions to their normal workload since the singing of the Abdication document, Harry and Elle spent a lot of time on their engagements around London and the UK as well as working on their side projects. Elle had once again started writing her book, meeting every now and then with Melissa and Trevor to catch up and talk about academia. As for Harry, he was working on expanding Sentebale's work across other African countries.

A new Royal Tour was set for next year, on the Caribbean, which they hoped to bring their son along. Most of the times, if they’d be staying for more than a day, they’d bring Arthur with them. But he did spend a good deal of time with his grandparents, who, on both parts, doted on the little boy, dearly. Even though Charles and Camilla were estranged from Harry, Elle made a point to take baby Arthur to see them from time to time. As for her own parents, Victoria and Rupert adored babysitting their grandson and were completely at his mercy. Elle once caught her father bouncing the infant on his knee as he did with her when she was a child and it warmed her heart to see how much her son was loved by her family.

     Not to mention the staff. The entire McClaire gang doted on the little boy. Brandon and Olivia were delighted to have a child on the home again and usually commented on how much they had missed the joy of children whenever Elle was around. Jane and Gregory took upon themselves to play with Arthur whenever they could. As for Margaret and Thomas, they’d school the little boy about everything around the kitchen and garden, respectively. Now that he was starting to eat solids, Maggie was particularly fond of cooking small portions of baby food for Elle to take home with her to see if Arthur would enjoy it. And it had never failed to please the infant, to the chef’s delight. 

        Once winter arrived, and Elle’s birthday came to pass, she received the best gift she could ever wish for: hearing Arthur properly say his first couple of words, such as mama, dada and lan, which, of course, translated to the three most import things in his life: his parents and Lancelot. He had also mastered his tummy time and could roll on it and then upwards again, as well as sitting without either Harry or Elle helping him. They had a good routine going on of naps, playtime and feeds, with now a few solids introduced as well. The new parents quickly discovered Arthur’s fondness for bananas but his distaste for papaya. Little by little, the three of them were entering new territories. 

    On the second week of November, Elle and Harry prepared for Remembrance Sunday, as many other members of the Royal Family. That’d be the first big and meaningful event without William and Catherine. They had moved back to Anglesey with the children and Elle had heard weekly from Kate. Dressed in a black dress and matching black hat, she stood beside Camilla,  Anne, and Sophie on the balcony and watched as Her Majesty, Charles, Harry, Andrew and Edward all placed the red poppies wreath on the Cenotaph. A tear or two fell down her cheeks as she thought about all the suffering that still went on around the world; about the fight and the people, military and civilians alike that were caught in the numerous conflicts. 

     That day at the Cenotaph had been the first interaction Harry had had with his father since the Abdication. After the ceremony, once they were all inside, she saw them talking in hushed tones and Harry, although stone faced, was talking back to Charles and even gave a small, tight smile to his father when he showed his phone to him. Elle imagined they were talking about Arthur. On the mend… slowly, but surely., she thought observing father and son. 

 “ I’m so glad to see them taking again.”, said Camilla, coming to stand beside Elle. The young duchess nodded her head, agreeing with the older woman.

“ Indeed. There’s much work to be done, but the first steps have been taken.”, said Elle. 

 “ I hope he can do the same with his brother.”, commented Camilla. “… William… it’s been hard on him too. He misses Harry. They all do. Will you talk to him, Eleanor? See if he can, maybe, call him again?”, she asked.

 “ I’ll try. I promise. I don’t like this situation anymore than you do, but Harry needs to be allowed to get over the anger and resentment he’s still feeling before he can forgive both his father and his brother.”, said Elle.

 ************

     Long before the whole ordeal with the Abdication had come to pass, it had been decided that Harry, Elle, Arthur and Sir Lancelot would spend Christmas with her family that year, stopping by at Sandringham, to make a quick visit to the Queen and other members of the family, on Boxing Day. So when December came, Elle was more than happy to take all of the Christmas decorations from storage and start giving their apartment the very best of seasonal cheer. 

As this was Arthur’s first Christmas, she had outdone herself by making sure he was featured every step of the way, dressing him in the cutest outfits: from little Elf to Rudolf, a Snowman and Father Christmas himself. Harry would often sneak on her and take several pictures of her and of Arthur and sometimes he too would get into them. The album Elle had given him years ago was filling up quickly. Soon another one would have to be bought so they could be cataloging their lives together. 

When he went to their bedroom that evening to shower and change while Elle fed Arthur downstairs, he opened one of his drawers to look for that particular photo album when he saw the binder Elle had given him on their first anniversary, a few months ago. In it, there were the unopened letters she had written to him, each for a different occasion. Going through them, he found the one he was looking for: for when you feel lost. Carefully detaching it from the binder, Harry took the small envelope in his hands and opened it. Elle’s elegant penmanship came into view.

 My love, my darling Harry,

If you’re reading this letter, then it means something horrible has happened in yours or our lives and you need to keep yourself grounded, to find a path to keep going forward. I may not know what it is since I’m writing this in the past with no hindsight whatsoever about the future. But, I do know that you’ll always find a way to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel. You are one of the strongest, most kind, good-hearted and positive people I know. You’ll find a way to see past whatever is troubling you because you know, deep down, that it’s not the edge of a cliff, or the end of journey. There’s so much more to be lived! You may be at a crossroads or maybe a very big challenge is what you’re facing… and although it seems like a big deal now, it will be nothing more than a little bump on your path towards a great and happy future. You can do it, Harry. You can face whatever challenge is put in front of you and you can find your path again. I hope I’m there by your side, through thick and thin, as we have vowed to each other. I hope you don’t need to read this letter because I’m going to be there by your side telling everything that is written here. But, in the case that I’m not for whatever reason or that you need to hear it again, and again, again… You can and you will be found. You will see clearer. You will overcome the darkness and the desolation you might have been feeling. Take a deep breath, focus on the good parts of your life, on the people who love and support you no matter what, find your inner strength to battle the urge to 

shut everyone out… forgiven and forget, my darling. The storm is scary but it always ends. And the result is a beautiful and clear sky. You may be lost in the middle of a storm right now, but it will end. I’m sure of it.

All my love, 

Elle.

Harry eyes were glossy and unshed tears threatened to fall down his cheeks as he read the letter another time. He let her words sink in his brain and heart, reassuring him yet again, that he could do the task that was set for him and that she, his wonderful wife, his marvellous Elle, would be with him, beside him, every step of the way. Sighing, Harry folded the letter and put it on his nightstand. A hot shower was in need. 

    He was mid shower when he heard the bathroom door open. Harry didn’t turn his back for he knew who was it. Soon, a chilly air invaded the box and a pair of arm encircled his waist. He felt Elle’s breathe on his back, her lips gently kissing his warm skin.

“ Arthur is asleep.”, she said in between pecks. He placed his hands over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze before turning his body to face her. Looking deeply into her eyes, Harry cupped her cheek and lowered his head, molding his lips against hers. They pulled each other closer, basking in the passion of the moment, as the hot water fell on their bodies. Kissing turned into touching, pressing and gasping and soon, Elle had her back against the tiles, moaning. Their love making became more and more intense, the shower long forgotten. Panting, the entangled their bodies and leaned their foreheads together, faintly smiling. 

" It's been a while since we've done that, hasn't it?", said Harry, giving her his signature smirk.

" In the shower? Most definitely.", she replied chuckling. Pecking his lips, she reached for the towel and draped around her body before exiting the bathroom. Harry remained there for a few more minutes then joined an already dressed Elle in bed. He got under the covers and pulled her against him, nesting her in his arms. Gently, he began running his fingers through her hair, which earned him soft moans of content from her. In a matter of minutes, Elle was fast asleep. Harry smiled at the sight before him and placed a peck on her temple before closing his own eyes and drifting off into sleep.

************

    As Christmas week came, Harry, Elle, Arthur, Lancelot, and their RPO's made their way to Woodenford Castle. Passing through the snowy fields of Wiltshire, they drove during late morning arriving at the familiar majestic site of the 13th century stone castle on early afternoon, just in time for a healthy lunch provided by Ms. Martin, the fabulous chef. As soon as they were past the gates, Elle could see her family eagerly waiting at the front door. Once the car was pulled into a stop, they jumped out of the Range Rover, took Lancelot out and pulled Arthur from his car seat, who greeted his parents with a bubbly smile. The family was soon engulfed in warm hugs and kisses on the cheek offered by Victoria, Rupert and Edward, who soon whisked his nephew away, whispering promises of fun and mischief in his ear, while Logan helped with their luggage.

" I'm so glad you're here!", said Victoria, still holding Elle's shoulders. 

"We are very glad to be here.", said Elle. " Specially since it's Arthur's first Christmas. And nothing can compare to our Christmas tree...", she continued as they stepped inside. Warmth and the smell of pine and spices filled her senses, making her instantly more relaxed and happy. As they too off their coats and headed to the Drawing Room, she held her breath in excitement. And she wasn't disappointed. The 25ft Norway spruce was up, its ornaments glistening under the lights.

" Oh wow...", said Elle in wonder.

" We haven't finished decorating it yet. We know how much you love doing it.", said her father smiling. She smiled back at him and nodded her head with enthusiasm. She walked over to the with Arthur in her arms and browsed over the many different ornaments, their shapes and colours twinkling in the light, catching the infant's eyes and sparkling his curiosity. The family around them smiled lovingly at the scene and Harry even snapped a few pictures of mother and son, who seemed to be immersed in their own little bubble of Christmas cheer. They all joined in to decorated the tree. Little by little, the magnificent decor was complete. Harry snuck behind Elle and warped his arms around her, pulling her and Arthur close to him. 

" Now this... is what I call a proper Christmas tree.", he said in her ear.

" Couldn't agree more.", she replied, turning her head to the side and pecking his lips. They smiled to each other then looked down at Arthur who was looking amazed at every little thing around him. Elle kissed his chubby cheeks and Harry tickled his belly, earning them both a giggle from the toddler. His smile, a toothy one now, lit up the room. It was contagious and made everyone else smile too.

    For the next few days, Elle and Harry took the time away from the city to decompress and have a few dates, just the two of them. Since the snow wasn't deep and they decided to take the horses for a small walk near the river. Bundled up in puffer jackets and very warm mittens and caps, they walked over to the stables, greeting the familiar faces they saw on their way.

" Ahh Lionheart.", said Elle stepping close to her horse's stall. He neighed and threw his mane around, reaching for her hand. She chuckled and caressed his nose. "I've missed you too, buddy.", she said to him. Harry was given Percival to ride, just like on the first time he had been to Woodenford, all those years ago when they reconnected. 

    They saddled up their horses and slowly trotted side by side, the chilly breeze cutting through their skin, making theirs cheeks red. "Race you to the river.",  he said to her and galloped past her. Elle chuckled, remembering how she was the one to do the same last time they did that. She soon caught up with him and they laughed to each other as they reached the riverbank together. 

" Even with a head start, you can't seem to beat me, Major.", she said, winking and grinning at him. 

" What can I say, you've always been better at it than me...", he replied. Harry then got off his horse, tying him to a nearby tree. He then helped Elle out of her horse and did the same. Elle then picked up the the small basket with water and sandwiches she had brought and hand in hand, they walked to a stone bench that overlooked the river. Sipping on their bottles and nibbling on their snacks, they quietly observed the flow of the water and the breeze on the pine trees, listening to the sounds of the nature around them. Snuggling up to him, Elle sighed happily. 

" Feels so good to be here, in the peace and quiet after the months we've had, doesn't it?", she said.

" It really does.", replied Harry. " Sometimes I can't believe all that has happened to us...", he continued, holding her close, playing with her wedding ring. 

" I know, darling. It's been a crazy couple of year, filled with good and bad things, and we've faced them all together.", said Elle, looking up at him. 

" I have no idea what I'd have done without you by my side, Elle.", he said cupping her cheek. "You bring out the best in me. You're my saving grace and shining light at the end of a dark and rocky road.", he finished. 

" Oh Harry...", she whispered, smiling gently at him, teary eyed after his declaration. Leaning in, she pulled him closer and brought his lips towards hers. They kissed slowly, savouring the moment, but eagerness and passion flowed through their mouths and soon they were feeling much hotter than before. Once they finally pulled away from each other in need of breath, they rested their foreheads together, breathing in and out, eyes closed, feeling the heat coming from one another's bodies. 

************

    On Christmas Eve, the family gathered in the Great Hall of the castle for the Foundation brunch. A tradition that her parents had started as a way of thanking the staff and key members of the community who are a part of the Duke and Duchess' foundation. Cassandra was there and was delighted into meeting the new addition to the family. As were a few other staff members, coordinators and representatives of the small associations connected to the Foundation. Harry was soon whisked away by some veterans that he had met before while Elle was engrossed in talking to new mothers and their children about the literacy projects she had been developing and the work that had been done in the county. At dusk, they took part in a soup kitchen, delivering food and blankets to the homeless and less fortunate of Salisbury.

" I think that doing this, helping other people, really shows what Christmas is all about.", commented Elle as they gave out blankets to the people. Harry smiled at her and placed a kiss on her temple. 

    When finally came time for dinner, they returned to the castle for the much anticipated festivities. Dressed in a burgundy red dress and black pumps Elle patiently fed Arthur while Harry took shower. With only a towel around his waist, he come out of the shower and gave her a peck on the lips, walking towards the closet to get dressed. Smirking, Elle bit her lips and settled Arthur on his Moses basket. She tiptoed to the closet, finding her husband wearing only his underwear. Sneakily encircled her arms around his waist, running her hands up and down his torso, leaving a trail of kisses along his back and neck. Harry groaned and she smirked to herself, nibbling his earlobe. 

" Someone's in a mood...", he said huskily. 

" Oh darling... you have no idea what awaits you later tonight...", she whispered back, before leaving him alone in the closet.

" Looking forward to it... you tease!", he said, catching sight of her wink and smirk towards him just as she exited the room. Shaking his head, Harry dressed quietly, feeling a little discomfort on his trousers. That little temptress..., he thought. He heard her talking to Arthur and soon he was all alone in their room, which gave him plenty of time to get her gift from his suitcase. Smiling to himself as he looked at it, he pocked it and left the room as well, rushing down the stairs to meet the rest of the family. 

    The McClaire family was gathered in the Hall, the Christmas tree sparkling bright and under it, a selection of different sized boxes, mostly filled with toys and clothes for Arthur no doubt. The table was set with candlelight and ornaments along its length; a selection of roasts and mashes filled them all and warmed their bodies. At the stroke of midnight, the clinked their glasses in cheerful and joyful harmony, wishing each other a very happy Christmas. Once dinner was over, they pulled crackers and in a selections of colourful paper crowns, gave each other their gifts. As predicted, Arthur was spoiled to bits by their grandparents and uncle. Her parents exchanged comical gifts such as a new pair of glasses for her father and a new crocheting kit for her mother. Her brother gave everyone gift cards to Waterstones, which pleased most of them. Elle and Harry gave them framed pictures of Arthur with each family member, which brought her mother to tears. Finally, it was their time to exchange gifts. 

" Mine is a little bit late, but with everything that has been going on, I thought it was actually fitting to give it to you now.", said Harry handing Elle a small, squared package. She tore the paper and inside she found the familiar red box with the logo of the House of Garrard in golden letters. She carefully opened it, finding an eternity band ring, surrounded by tiny diamonds. Picking it up, she noticed that on the inside that was something engraved: Little Bear it read and she looked up at her husband with misty eyes.

" I wanted to give you that for a long time but...", said Harry. Elle smiled and shook her head.  "No, no... it's perfect timing... oh Harry... it's beautiful. Thank you.", she said, pecking his lips. She then reached to her side to give him his present. Similar to her own, it was wrapped in a square brown paper. He, like her, tore it to pieced and found a small circular container. 

Opening the lid, he chuckled and looked at her. Elle smiled and waited for his reaction. He took the silver and leather bracelet from it and payed closer attention to the marks on it: 

51°31'02.0"N  0°10'23.0"W, 19.04.17. Harry instantly knew what it meant. 

" It seems I'm gonna start a collection with these ones...", he joked, pointing out to the bracelet. Elle chuckled and smiled. 

" Well... it's only fitting since you have one for every part place in our shared history.", said Elle. 

" I love it. Thank you, my love.", he said, kissing her cheek. 

        That night, once everyone was asleep and Arthur was properly placed on her old bedroom which had been converted into a nursery, Elle kept her promise to Harry. She teased him, and toyed with him until he had enough of it and pushed her against the wall, on the bed, in the shower, and on the floor. They released all their bottled up tension making passionate love to each other again and again.

************

        On the very early ours of Boxing Day, they made the four-hour journey from Salisbury to Sandringham. With a sleepy Arthur in the back and Ingrid beside him, they drove to the familiar red bricked estate. 

" Are you ready to see them?", asked Elle.

" I am. Do I still feel hurt? Yes. Am I going to wallow in it? No. I think I should, no, need to move forward. For my own sake.", replied Harry. Nodding her head, Elle smiled and took her hand in hers, joining their fingers. 

" It will be great. And we'll start mending bridges by greeting them properly, alright?", said Elle, and Harry nodded his head in agreement. They parked outside and were greeted by William, Catherine and a very sleepy looking George. Taking a step forward, Harry smiled gently and embraced his brother.

" Hi Will. Happy Christmas.", he said. William, who was a little shocked, embraced his brother back and smiled widely at him.

" Happy Christmas, Harry.", he replied then hugged Elle as well. 

" Hello all. Merry Christmas!", said Kate, hugging them. " Had a pleasant trip?", she asked.

" It was pleasant enough. Not much traffic at this hour.", replied Harry.

" How was Christmas at Woodenford? I don't think I've been there since we were teenagers.", said William.

" Oh it was great. You know hoe my mother is with decorations... Arthur was delighted to see everything.", said Elle smiling at her brother-in-law. 

" I wonder where Elle gets the crazy Christmas fever from...", said Harry and the adults chuckled. The light atmosphere was enough to settle the animosities and bring back, a little of he camaraderie and love that was severed between the brothers. The sleeping toddler on her arms twitched a bit and they rushed inside, to warm themselves up. Once there, they were greeted by the rest of the family who were about to get breakfast. Charles and Camilla were among the first ones to greet them. Cautiously, Charles approached Harry.

" Son... Merry Christmas.", said Charles, smiling faintly. Harry smiled back and took a step forward to hug his father. Elle could see that Charles was visibly relieved to be hugged by his younger son. 

" We're delighted that you've come here.", said Camilla, greeting them with hugs and kisses. " Would you like to have breakfast with us?", she asked. Famished as they were, they joined in and Arthur was soon whisked away from Elle's arms and passed along cousins and doting family members.

" Oh he's so big!", commented Anne smiling. 

" He's gonna be a tall lad!", said Edward. 

" I reckon he's gonna go into the family tradition and join the military.", said Andrew.

" Now now, he's not even a year old. Let the poor baby be.", said Bea.

    The banter and conversation flew joyously and Elle took the time to look around the room. Elizabeth and Philip were still absent but, considering the time, she thought they would both be changing for church. Soon enough, they appeared on the doorstep and smiled at the sight of the new arrivals.

" About time you got here, boy. Lost your way, ye?", joked Philip. 

" Let us see the baby...", said Elizabeth, taking Arthur into her arms. The baby cooed and smiled at his great grandmother. "Oh he's just as adorable as I remembered.", she said., making his parents beam with pride. " Oh, that reminds me... I have something for him. Come with me you two.", she said pointing to Harry and Elle. Following her into the living room where the Christmas tree was, she handed them a rectangular box. Opening it, they found a glass bobble with Arthur's name in it, surrounded by glittering green specks. 

" Now he has one too.", said the monarch. " We've hanged yours now you can put his next to them.", she continued. Smiling to the older woman, Elle took the ornament and looked around the tree to find hers and Harry's names, placing his it just under theirs.

" Now the tree is complete.", said Elizabeth.

" Indeed, it is. Family should stick together... and I'm happier than I can possibly say to have you here, my dears.", she continued looking at the small family in front of her.

[dykecanthropy]

Brother Bear

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Brother Bear is a 2003 animated film from Walt Disney Pictures about an Inuit boy who pursues a bear in revenge for a battle that he provoked in which his oldest brother is killed. He tracks down the bear and kills it, but the Spirits, angered by this needless death, change the boy into a bear himself to gain perspective.

Contents

1Kenai

2Koda

3Denahi

4Sitka

5Rutt

6Tuke

7Tanana

8Tug

9Dialogue

10Cast

11External links

Kenai[edit]

You ready? [Denahi: For what?] We're going after the bear. [Denahi: I know what you're feeling, but-- But killing that bear is wrong.] "Wrong"? Our brother is dead and it's because of that monster. [Denahi: I don't blame the bear, Kenai.] I see. [Denahi: Killing the bear won't make you a man.] Oh, now you're trying to be wise. [Denahi: I'm trying to follow my totem. Why can't you?] You really think love has anything to do with being a man? A man wouldn't just sit here and do nothing. [Denahi: Kenai! Don't upset the spirits.][scoffs] Spirits. [sarcastically] Thanks for your wisdom.

Koda, I did something very wrong. [Koda: I don't like this story] Your mother's not coming.

I'm not a beaver, I'm a bea-- no, I mean, I'm not a bear! I'm a man!

Uhh! Enough with the stories! I don't care about-about the time you and Binky found, you know, the world's biggest pine cone ever! [Koda: First of all, his name's Bucky, not Binky. Second, it wasn't a pine cone, it was a pine net. And it was huge. Even bigger than your fat head!]

You wanna know what I did this year? Alright. I went on the longest, hardest, most exhausting journey I have ever been on, with the biggest pain in the neck I have ever met! But, hey. What do you expect from a little brother?

Koda[edit]

[singing] Tell everybody I'm on my way! New friends and new places to see! With blue skies ahead, yes, I'm on my way! And there's nowhere else that I'd rather be!

My name's not Kid. It's Koda.

I'm a ragin' ball of brown fur!

I told you before, my name's Koda! Say it with me. Ko-da.

[Kenai: Uhh! Enough with the stories! I don't care about-about the time you and Binky found, you know, the world's biggest pine cone ever!] First of all, his name's Bucky, not Binky. Second, it wasn't a pine cone, it was a pine net. And it was huge. Even bigger than your fat head!

You have a brother up there? What happened to him? [Kenai: He was killed by a be-- By a monster.] What's your brother's name? [Kenai: Sitka.] Thanks, Sitka. If it weren't for you, I would've never met Kenai. I always wanted a brother.

The monster has her backed up against this giant glacier! The monster attacks--pop! But Mom's too quick for him. And before he can do it again, she stands up real big and yells, "Go away!" [Kenai screams as he falls onto a cliff] [Sitka: Kenai!] Then Mom smells more of 'em. There's a whole pack comin' right at us! [Kenai: Sitka, no! The bear! Look behind you!] So, she runs out to stop them before they can get to me. And all around, they're poking her with sticks. The whole thing broke, and they fell into the water. There was ice everywhere! She couldn't hold her breath any longer before, Pow!, she burst out of the water. I've never been so scared in my life. [Kenai: I'm going after the bear.] [Denahi:Don't blame the bear.] [Koda's Mom: Koda?] [Kenai: Aah! Sitka's not here because of that monster!] ["That monster!" echoes]

Denahi[edit]

[first lines; narrating as an old man] This is a story from long ago, when the great mammoths still roamed our lands. It's the story of my two brothers and me. When the three of us were young, we were taught that the world is full of magic. The source of this magic is the ever-changing lights that dance across the sky. The shaman woman of our village told us that these lights are the spirits of our ancestors, and that they had the power to make changes in our world. Small things become big. Winter turns to spring. One thing always changes into another. But the greatest change I ever saw was that of my brother. A boy who desperately wanted to be a man.

There he is. Ha ha! Come here, loverboy.

You didn't tie it off, did you?

Typical Kenai.

I know what you're feeling, but... but killing that bear is wrong.

I don't blame the bear, Kenai.

I'm sorry, Kenai. I don't know what I'm doing anymore I need help. Sitka?

It's all right, Kenai. No matter what you choose, you'll always be my little brother.

[last lines; narrating as an old man] My brother Kenai went on to live with Koda and the other bears. He taught me that love is very powerful. And I passed on the wisdom of his story to my people. The story of a boy who became a man. By becoming a bear.

Sitka[edit]

[to Kenai & Denahi] Will you two knock it off?

[to Kenai & Denahi, who are fighting] Hey, I said knock it off. Now the quicker we get these fish, the faster we'll gonna get to your ceremony. So let's just try and get along for a few hours.

[last words] What?

I said "the eagle of guidance?" What does that mean?

Well, isn't this nice. Instead of fighting, you're giving each other flowers.

Just be patient, Kenai. When you live by your totem, you will.

Knock it off. We'll just make another basket.

Rutt[edit]

My name's Rutt. This is my brother Tuke.

Oh, well, let's get a back seat or something! I mean, I look like you hunted me!

Tuke[edit]

Hey, I can change. Come on. I can change. I can change!

Tanana[edit]

[To Kenai, who wants to trade totems.] There is no trading! [bops him on the head]

[To Kenai] Love is the most precious of totems. It reveals itself in...unexpected ways. Let love guide your actions and one day, you'll be a man, and will place your mark next to those of our ancestors.

You left too soon, Sitka. Your brothers need your guidance.

Tug[edit]

The most interesting thing that happened to me this year...mmmm...Ooh! I know, I know, I know, listen to this. I would say I finally knocked down that tree that was blocking the view from my cave. Now I have a family of chipmunks staying at my place! [laughs, but stops when he notices the chipmunks frowning at him]

Dialogue[edit]

Kenai:

Yeah, I'll probably get like a sabertooth tiger for bravery or strength or greatness. You know, something that fits me.

Denahi:

How about a mammoth for your fat head? Just make sure you get that basket tied up.

Kenai:

Don't worry. No stupid bear's gonna get anywhere near this fish.

Denahi:

Just tie it up.

Kenai:

[under his breath]

"Just tie it up."

Man:

She's back! Hey, everybody! Tanana's back!

Sitka:

Come on!

Child:

Come on, Kenai, let's go!

Kenai:

Come on, come on.

Child:

Tanana's got your rock! Come on!

Denahi:

There he is.

Kenai:

[moans in annoyance]

Ohh.

Denahi:

Ha ha! Come here, loverboy.

Kenai:

Uhh. Leave me alone.

Denahi:

Aw, Kenai, wait.

Kenai:

Uhh.

Denahi:

I'm sorry.

Kenai:

What?

Denahi:

Your totem: I think it's really great.

Kenai:

You do?

Denahi:

Yeah. And I made you something?

Kenai:

[smiling]

Really?

Denahi:

[throws flowers on Kenai's head]

Now when you skip around loving everybody, you'll smell so sweet.

[Kenai pushes the flowers back to Denahi]

Sitka:

Well, isn't this nice? Instead of fighting, you're giving each other flowers.

Denahi:

Yeah, isn't it lovely? He's so in touch with his totem already.

Kenai:

Uhh!

Sitka:

Hey, dog breath, go take care of the fish.

Denahi:

Sure. Kenai loves me, he loves me not. Kenai loves me, he loves me not. Kenai loves me, he loves me not.

Sitka:

[grabs Kenai's hand before he throws the rock]

Kenai.

Kenai:

Someday I'm gonna just-- He's just such a--

Sitka:

Hey, bonehead. Just because his totem is wisdom doesn't mean he's wise. I mean, look at him.

Denahi:

Kenai loves me, he loves me not. Kenai lo--

[accidentally steps on a dog's tail and the dog yelps and barks]

Hey! Whoa!

People:

Hi, Denahi.

Denahi:

Oh, hi. Heh-heh.

[the dog growls and bites his butt, offscreen]

Aah!

Kenai:

Ooh.

Denahi:

Let go!

Kenai:

Yeah. I guess the spirits messed up on both of our totems.

Sitka:

You know, I felt the same way when Tanana gave me mine.

Kenai:

Get out of here.

Sitka:

No, really. I said, "The Eagle of Guidance? What does that mean?" Ha ha. But now that I'm older, I know it's about being a leader, and keeping an eye on you two.

Kenai:

I just want to get my handprint on that wall.

Sitka:

Just be patient, Kenai. When you live by your totem, you will.

Kenai:

Really?

Sitka:

Guarantee it.

[laughs]

Kenai:

But come on, the Bear of Love? I mean a bear doesn't love anyone they don't think, they don't feel, I mean they're--

[people chatter at the fish trail]

They're thieves.

Denahi:

You didn't tie it off, did you?

Kenai:

Uh--

[chuckles nervously]

Denahi:

You should've got the totem of pinheads!

Sitka:

Knock it off. We'll just make another basket.

Denahi:

We? Oh, no. No. It took me

2 weeks

to make that basket. You get lover-boy to do it. He's the one that's messing things up all the time. Typical Kenai.

Kenai:

All right. I'll go get your basket.

Sitka:

Kenai, wait. Kenai!

Denahi:

[Sitka looks at him angrily]

[confused]

What?

Kenai:

[kicking tree branches out of anger]

Uhh. Unh! Unh!

[Kenai hears a growl, and sees a bear]

Unh!

[throws a rock at the bear]

Sitka:

Kenai!

[the bear roars angrily]

Kenai! Where'd he go?

Denahi:

If we're lucky, far away. Huh.

Kenai:

Aah! Uhh!

Denahi:

Kenai!

Sitka:

Kenai!

Kenai:

Sitka, no! You got to get out of here!

Sitka:

What?

Kenai:

The bear! Look behind you!

Sitka:

[alarmed]

Aah!

[the bear roars, and Denahi throws rock at the bear]

Denahi:

Hey, bear, come on! Over here! Come on, bear! Come this way!

Kenai:

Uhh. [Roaring]

Denahi:

Aah!

Kenai:

[running over]

Denahi! Uhh! Hold on! Come on, pull!

Denahi:

Uhh!

[Sitka pants]

Kenai:

[struggling to pull Denahi up]

Unh!

[Sitka sees the ice crack and stabs the ice with his spear, causing the ice to crack more, and the bear moans in alarm]

Kenai:

[alarmed]

Sitka.

Sitka!

[the ice breaks apart and the bear and Sitka fall in the water]

Denahi:

Sitka?

[the bear comes out of the water, and walks back to the land]

Kenahi:

Come on!

Kenai:

Sitka!

Denahi:

Sitka!

Kenai:

Sitka. Sitka!

Denahi:

Sitka!

Kenai:

Sitka, where are you?!

Denahi:

Kenai!

[Kenai finds the hood of Sitka's top floating in the water]

Kenai:

[sadly]

No.

[desperately]

Sitka! Sitka! Help us find you!

Sitka! Sitka, where are you?! Sitka!

[Denahi sees Kenai's clothes ripped, and he thinks Kenai died]

Denahi:

[in thought]

I don't blame the bear, Kenai.

[Denahi stands up and walks away.]

Kenai:

[in thought]

A man wouldn't just sit here and do nothing.

Koda:

Skinny! Fat! Skinny! Fat!

Kenai:

Hey, I've got a mountain to get to. Come on, kid.

Koda:

I told you before. My name's Koda. Say it with me. Ko-da!

Kenai:

Are you sure your mom didn't ditch you, Ko-duh?

Koda:

Hmph.

Kenai:

Koda, there's...something I ought to-- You know that story you told me last night?

Koda:

Yeah.

Kenai:

Well, I have a story to tell you.

Koda:

Really? What's it about?

Kenai:

Well, it's kind of about a man and kind of about a bear. But mostly, it's about a monster.

Koda:

You think so?

Kenai:

Oh, yeah, for your friends.

Koda:

Mom says the spirits make all the magical changes in the world, like how the leaves change color, or how the moon changes shape, or tadpoles change into frogs--

Kenai:

Yeah, I get it. You know, for a change, maybe they could just leave things alone.

Koda:

What do you mean?

Kenai:

My brother's a spirit, and if it wasn't for him, I... I wouldn't be here.

Koda:

You have a brother up there? What happened to him?

Kenai:

He was killed by a b-- By a monster.

Koda:

What's your brother's name?

Kenai:

Sitka.

Koda:

Thanks, Sitka. If it weren't for you, I would have never met Kenai. I always wanted a brother.

Koda:

I'm sorry we're lost, OK? Even though it's pretty much your fault.

Kenai:

My fault?! Ugh! That's it.

Koda:

Just remember, if it weren't for me, you'd still be hanging upside down right now.

Kenai:

Better than being stuck in the middle of nowhere with you and your blabbing mouth.

[mocking Koda]

"I'm lost. I can't find my mommy. Will you take me to the salmon run?"

[angrily]

Why don't you just grow up?

Koda:

Fine. I'll just go on my own, then.

Kenai:

Fine. Go ahead.

Koda:

Fine.

Kenai:

Fine.

Koda:

Fine.

Ram:

Oh, that clears up the sinuses.

Koda:

Ahem. In accordance with all federal and state wildlife regulations, no fish were harmed during the making of this film.

Fish:

[screams in fear]

No! He's gonna eat me!

[screams]

Koda:

[chuckles]

Cut. Cut.

Fish:

Somebody help me!

Koda:

Ooh!

[bear belches]

Cast[edit]

Joaquin Phoenix as Kenai

Jeremy Suarez as Koda

Rick Moranis as Rutt

Dave Thomas as Tuke

Jason Raize as Denahi

D.B. Sweeny as Sitka

Joan Copeland as Tanana

Michael Clarke Duncan as Tug

Greg Proops as Male Lover Bear

Pauley Perrette as Female Lover Bear

Estelle Harris as Old Lady Bear

Bumper Robinson as Chipmunks

Angayuqaq Oscar Kawagley as Inuit Narrator

Carole Jeghers as Young Woman Bear

David Ogden Stiers as Deer

Jim Cummings as Forest Elephant

Holly Gauthier-Frankel as Rabbit

Rick Jones as Young Guy Bear

Pat Fry as Moose

Corey Burton as Old Man Bear

Frank Welker as Bird

U Aung Ko as Bear

External links[edit]

Wikipedia

has an article about:

Brother Bear

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Children's animated fantasy films

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This page was last edited on 30 November 2018, at 03:03.

[ladyshiranui]

Hi Bea! I'd like to request a match with any group, please! Thanks for indulging us! `7`)// I'm an INFP; I firmly believe that respect should be given until it is lost and that credit should be given where it is due. I'm a perfectionist; passionate/driven and prone to self doubt. I love thunderstorms/snow, cooking, drawing, singing, people/bug watching. I dislike liars, bugs (lol), and hot weather. I aspire to be less indecisive in the future "Orz

I match you with…

Souma Kazue! (￣^￣)ゞ

INFP’s have traits that are so similar with a lot of the other characters, but I finally knuckled down hard enough to discern Souma being a little more suited to you than the rest! It was very close, nonetheless it is passion and perfectionism that stands him out from the crowd a little bit. Striving to be the very best he can be, though he starts out as but a page with Nomura and Chizuru, he dedicates himself tireless to hours of training, errand running, and fighting for the cause he has devoted himself to.

In the beginning, Souma was wary of the Shinsengumi. He had his doubts about their method of doing things, thinking them as barbaric when the idiot trio comes to his rescue in their very first meeting. But later down the track, once he allows himself to be a little open-minded, a quality of an INFP, he jumps on the band wagon and joins them in their cause to fight for the shogunate. His apprehension and initial sharpness of tongue before settling with his new comrades indicates that he isn’t the easiest to get to know, another quality of an INFP.

“Respect should be given until lost…” This alone threw many names around in my head, as many characters, not just the Shinengumi, abide by this belief and many others like ‘passion’ and ‘dedication’ to their own causes, but I think this reflects Souma the most. In Kyoto Winds, when Souma first signs up for the shogunate army that is not the Shinsengumi, he is exposed to majority of the men being relieved they don’t have to fight while he is sitting in the reserves on stand-by with them. Baffled by why warriors wouldn’t want to fight for their country with a spirit of pride and justice, he lost hope in his domain and left, deciding to join the ragtag group of ronin serving Lord Tokugawa.

In this case, his respect for his own domain was certainly lost. He was disappointed in the lack of warrior spirit they each possessed, hoping he would be able to share his pride and excitement to serve his country in battle with others of his home. When this was not achieved, he placed his faith in the Shinsengumi, and in the end grew an insurmountable respect for his comrades, so much so that he eventually took over as the final Chief.

With strengths come weaknesses, and Souma is not immune to these. According to my lovely friend Google, INFP’s can be “too idealistic and too altruistic”. Souma demonstrates both of these in Edo Blossoms. Too idealistic; all Souma wanted was a perfect world, believing all would fall into place if everyone fought hard enough. 

Alas, with the woes of war comes loss, and the harder Souma believes for the best, the harder he despairs every time a comrade is lost to Death. This in itself leads to his own self-doubt, which you yourself have said can be prone to feel in your perfectionism. 

Too altruistic; he pushes himself until he wears himself thin, despite his transformation of becoming a fury and being unable to easily withstand the day time. He trains and trains and trains, forgetting to take care of his own personal needs while his mind is so focused on bringing about the harmony the Shinsengumi have fought so hard for.

SURPRISE! I also match you with…

Iba Hachiro! (◕◞౪◟◕✿)

To be completely honest with you, I think your likes and dislikes match with Iba Hachiro! He’s real pure at heart, so I think he’d love all the things you do, especially singing. I mean, have you heard Mamoru Miyano sing? What a GOD. I think he’d definitely enjoy ‘people-watching’, seeing as his duty mainly includes patrolling around the streets, keeping order from behind the scenes and looking after the shogunate. He’d also hate liars, or people who are not true to their word. This is heavily expressed in Edo Blossoms when it is revealed to him the shogunate only wanted to get rid of the Shinsengumi to keep them away from the decision-making, not really believing in them to be able to take Kofu castle.

But back to Souma, I’m sure his aspiration would be the same as yours. His indecisiveness has been brought about by the Survivor’s Guilt that has hung on his shoulders the entire war, believing he doesn’t deserve to be alive. He wants to be more sure of himself, he wants to be less doubtful of his beliefs and what he deserves. Together, you’d absolutely make that happen for one another when you’ve got each other at your backs. ❤️

Your runners up were Iba Hachiro and Saito Hajime!

[moonlit-manifesto]

Heartbreak Red’s Takeover

It’s April 1st, so you know what that means - it’s April Fools’ Day!

Because it’s Uduki Arata’s Hearbreak Red’s month, he’s taken over the Tsukiuta Twitter (@tsukiuta1) and Tsukino Productions website as you’ve probably already seen. I’ll translate some select Heartbreak Red tweets from the throughout the day and put them on this post under the cut. This post will be continually updated throughout the day, so check back at the end of the day to see all of them!

☆Today Begins April☆

Haru: “I would like to give formal thanks to the month of March. Until next year♪”

Arata: “Thanks for your hard work, Haru-san!  Don’t worry! I’ll definitely make April an exciting month just like you did!”

Haru: “Ahh, good. I can feel your enthusiasm from those sunglasses and that red scarf.”

Arata: “Yep!”

#Please treat us well, April

Arata: “Now then, it’s time to hand it over to a hero.”

☆It’s April 1st! Everyone Gather ‘Round! It’s a Heartbreak Red Fest☆

Red: “Hey, everyone! It was pretty hard to make updates everywhere with just one person! [referring to the site takeovers] I worked extremely suddenly! So guys, will you join me~ ?”

Red: “Your heart will beat...” [This is part of his catchphrase but doesn’t sound good translated literally lol. The full phrase is “ハートがキュンと来て... ドッコイショ!” (HAATO ga kyun to kite... dokkisho!)

[T/N: In this tweet, he’s supposed to be reading through some requests/mail sent in. As part of the April Fools’ Day campaign, people could actually tweet things to Heartbreak Red, and he’d reply to some of them.]

Red: “There’s ‘heartbreak’ stuff in here. Well, any subject is fine. ‘Go call on Aoi-kun~’ is in Requests (I’ll go catch him when he comes back to the dorms). ‘Anxiety from becoming an official adult in April’ warrants some more serious advice so I’ll throw away my carefree-ness for that one. The carefree-ness will make a return though.”

☆It’s noon! Let’s have some fun!☆

Red: Is everyone enjoying April Fools’ Day~? I admire, and also laugh at, the official staff’s common sense once it became time for their lunch break. Now’s my time to shine! I’m Heartbreak Red. So with this first greeting, let’s try and continue energetically!“

Red: "Your heart will beat…” [everyone’s supposed to respond with ‘ドッコイショ!’/'ba-dump!’]

[The tweets below are some of the requests/messages/etc. that were submitted along with Heartbreak Red’s replies. I’m mainly translating the funny ones since they’re more interesting ^^ ]

[REQUEST]: I want to see a drawing of Hajime-san by Heartbreak Red.

Red: Bam:

[ADVICE]: Red!!! My boyfriend is incapable!!! What should I do to make him more exciting??

Red: "How about me instead!!!”

[REQUEST]: Please call Chisa-chan over

Red: “CHISA-CHI---------------!!!”

Chisa: “I’ve arrived from your call, ta-daaaaa! ‘Your heart will beat - ba-dump-----!!!’ Bye now!!!!!”

Red: “That great energy she gives off is the best!!!!!”

[ADVICE]: My room is really disorganized. How can I make it pretty (´;ω;｀)?

Red: “Take a picture of it with your phone, and look at it and say ‘Wow... it’s better in my imagingation... possibly...’ is what I would recommend (speaking from experience).”

[OTHER]: Arata-kun, how are your nose and throat? [because it’s allergy season]

Red: I’m not Arata, but in regards to hay fever, I seem to be fine for the time being.”

[REQUEST]: Pick a fight with You-kun ◝(●˙꒳˙●)◜

Red: “Hey Cure Curry---!!!!” [reference to Precure, see Tsukiuta’s other prank this year where they turned some characters into magical girls]

You: “Who’re you calling ‘Cure Curry’!! I’ll force-feed you curry!! *angry*”

Red: “He’s a tsundere.”

[later on, he quote-RTed this with a correction]:

Red: “Sorry, sorry, it’s Pure Curry [not Cure Curry].”

You: “Either way, I’m neither of them.”

Red: “Well I’m not Arata either, you know?”

You: “Don’t group me with you *angry*”

[ADVICE]: I’m starting a new chapter in my life, but I’m always bad at self-introductions. Please tell me if there’s something I can do to have a good grasp of it!!

Red: “Try the standard ‘syllabary composition*!’ So for me, it would be ‘shi’: I’m a happy [shiawase] person... ‘tsu’: I have an indifferent [tsurenai] attitude... ‘re’: I cook things using the microwave [renji]... ‘n’: nnn~hmmm and I’m a genial person.”

*[T/N: take a sound/syllable in JP and come up with a word that starts with that sound to describe yourself (in English, it’d be like coming up with a word for each letter of the alphabet). Heartbreak Red kind of cheated on his last one - the ‘n’ sound lol]

[MESSAGE]: Heartbreak Red!! I love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!

Red: “Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuu I love you tooooooooooooooooooooo!!!”

[REQUEST]: Please give me a supportive message to help me save money in order to move to a different residence 🙋

Red: “With this 10,000 yen, your next place will be 10m^2 in area.. *saying it like an incantation*”

[REQUEST]: Call Koi-kun over~

Red: “Ay, Pink.”

Koi: “So rude~~~~!!! Could you call for me in a nicer way!!!??? I’m on stand-by!!!

Koi: “I’m everyone’s hardworking cheerleader: Kisaragi Koi! Call me Koi-kuuuuun!”

Red: “Alright, thanks. Everyone, send him off with your loudest applause.”

[ADVICE]: I’m nervous and I don’t want to go to tomorrow’s company welcome ceremony and orientation. What should I do?

Red: “I understand, I totally understand. But you should go because there’s bound to be a lot of unexpected, surprising things anyways! During difficult times, just remember me because I’m cheering for you a whole lot. Keep fighting ☆

[REQUEST]: I love Kai-kun! I become a working adult tomorrow, so could he say a few words for me? ♡

Red: “Kai-sannn!”

Kai: “Congrats on becoming a full-fledged adult! I hope you find joy in your work and that it’s something worth pursuing. I think it’s bad to dwell on just the mistakes made in life, so make sure to take a breather without working too hard during the tough times!

[REQUEST]: Dear Heartbreak Red, I want you to call on Issei and Ichiru from QUELL! I want to hear the twins’ thoughts on “unrequited love!”

Red: “Pure Hokkaido guys~~!”

Ichiru: “That’s not us!!”

Red: “Yeah, yeah. This is random, but what do you think of unrequited love?”

Issei: “Erm... Love, umm... *shy* Ichiru, what do you think?”

Ichiru: “Ehhhhh!? Um, I-!!!?? I-I still don’t.... know about stuff like love that well...”

Issei: “Me neither... I think it would be nice to experience something like unrequited love, that’s the kind of love I want to try.”

Ichiru: “Same.”

Red: “A priceless answer. Thanks, guys.”

[T/N: all of the “love” talked about here, including the “love” in unrequited love is “koi,” not “ai”]

[REQUEST]: Heartbreak Red~!!!! Call Kakerun over~~!!!!!

Red: “Kakerun - I’ll give you ice cream if you come over here.”

Kakeru: “Good evening~!! How’s everyone doing~? I’m in good spirits since I got to eat ice cream. Tomorrow is a new you! I’ll take on Angra**, so let’s keep smiling!”

**written as アンラ, I’m assuming this refers to Angra Mainyu which is a boss from Final Fantasy X-2

[OTHER] I want to know what everyone’s favorite kanji is ( *´꒳`* )

Red: “Strawberry” (苺) [of course lol]

Kakeru: “Gold” (金) [also obvious]

Red: “Oh, this has a once-in-a-lifetime meaning!!!”

Kakeru: “Ah, it matches our image color meanings too!!!!”

Koi: “You guys do know the whole business is based on our images, right? Have you been paying attention at all?”

[REQUEST]: Heartbreak Red, as well as whoever’s near you: tell us the color of your underwear!

Red: “You guys like underwear, huh. Mine are the red of victory... Well that’s what I pretend the plain grey is.”

Kakeru: “Dang, what bad timing! Mine are gold! That was a lie! Uhh~ they’re black!”

Koi: “Such a question at a time like this........Mine are red.”

[T/N: Koi’s first sentence was actually the same as Kakeru’s but idk if I got the nuanced meaning correct in Kakeru’s part so I didn’t want to copy the same thing]

[REQUEST]: What kind of lie did Rui-kun tell today on April Fools’ Day?? Please tell us!!!

Red: “Rui-rui~”

Rui: “Were you referring to Minaduki Rui (水無月涙)? I’m actually Minaduki Rui (水無月類). There’s a lot of Minaduki’s around...”

Red: “That joke’s hard to understand based on sound alone, Rui-rui.”

[T/N: Rui just changed the kanji in his first name from 涙 to 類, but both have the same pronunciation so you can’t tell unless you see it written lmao]

[REQUEST]: Please summon Heartbreak Purple and Heartbreak Green!!

Red: “Please heed my request!!! Mainly Green!!”

Green: “I dragged Purple with me ♪”

Purple: “...”

Red: “With that really reluctant face, it must be the right time to do that mean prank I was talking about earlier.”

Purple: *clench*

Green: “If you have something to say, just say it. Come on, Purple!”

Red: “Yeah come on, Purple.”

Purple: “This all started from that one magazine’s survey results, and the fact that this ‘unrequited love army’ has continued to exist worries me.”

Red & Green: “Sounds fair.”

[REQUEST]: No matter what Heartbreak Purple is doing right now, call him over and say your catchphrase together!!

Red: “Yessir!”

Green: “Yessir!”

Purple: “I learned that hesitance gives way to shame, so I’ll say the catchphase.”

Red: “All right! Lol”

Green: “Ok! Lol”

Purple: “Your heart will bea.... You guys, quit laughing *angry*. Will beat.... Ba-dump.”

[REQUEST]: Please call on Yoru-kun! I start work at a new place tomorrow, and my anxiety is unbearable - please say some encouraging words!

Red: “There’s a lot of serious concerns about the anxiety of starting a new chapter in life on April 1st, aren’t there...! Yoruru~n!”

Yoru: “Y-yes! Don’t push yourself too hard, eat properly, rest properly... Keep fighting!”

[This one wasn’t particularly interesting, but I’m a big softie for the yellow softie, Yoru lol]

[REQUEST]: Make a quick one-liner jab at Sakuraba Ryota with all your strength!

Red: “Sakurabaaaan!!!” (he did some “bam” pose) [like something triumphant]

Ryota: “... (expecting something)”

Red: “That dead-cold glare of yours... I could get used to it.”

Ryota: “Please dont.”

[I’m also a big softie for the pink tsun, Ryota. Thanks @syphiria for correcting me on this translation and also noticing all my late-night typos!!]

[REQUEST]: Spread some love to everyone!

Red: “Thanks for all your messages, everyone---!!! It’s almost time for me to go, but it’ll be great if we could meat again next year! When you’re not feeling well, just remember: I’m here, so cheer up~”

Anddd that’s all! These are actually the majority of the tweets since I skipped the more serious ones. The life advice Red gave was mostly the same for those anyways. There were a lot of requests to interact with other characters, but I loved all the cameos haha.

[iamsteven98]

Screening Reports for “Spirits of Rebellion”

“For this documentary “Spirits of Rebellion” (Zeinabu irene Davis, 2016), I love the hand-held camera, in terms of myself, that is one of the most important things for a documentary, to have more credibility and help audiences to get more involved into the story, same as soundtracks, When she talk about the early film “Bea, Bob and Bea Honey”, the background music changed into jazz. I am also impressed by the way Davis represents the story- with her voice, sometimes I feel like she is telling us about her life instead of a documentary. In addition, I love the flashbacks, we can see conflict, period differences, and changes between those scenes.

O. Funmilayo Makarah (Enrolled 1975), she said when she was young, she saw a movie on the bus, at the time, she was wondering who made Black Girl (Ousmane Sembene, 1966) because that’s exactly the same story that she experienced before. The reason I really like this part is because some early leading black filmmakers use their strength to tell the world their stories.

At the beginning, the director, Zeinabu irene Davis said she“passed those legacy to her students”. As a filmmaking professor, Davis also said she got inspired by some early films by black filmmakers. When she saw it, she wanted to do something. It just reminded me something that I’ve been experienced recently, every human being will get inspirations from their life, career and art exhibitions, but the most important thing is, we need to do something practical, whether that’s your statement ,your opinion to the whole world or spread different culture background, that’s the duty of a filmmaker.”

[blackbutler-readerinsertsandjunk]

Lol, I want angst. I want Agni to survive the attack at the manor but has tremendous PTSD from the event and one day has a detrimental panic attack and is comforted by reader. <3

YOU WANT ANGST, DO YA

WELL LUCKY FOR YOU I’M LIKE THE ANGST FAIRY

… This, uh… got… waaaaay longer than I meant for it to…

It’staken months for Agni to physically recover from what happened. As itis, despite the fact that he’s been out of hospital for a while,and he isn’t in too much pain anymore, he’s still got scars. Theydot his back like a map, and according to him, they ache when he getsup in the morning. It’s almost impossible for him to sleep on hisback. The scars aren’t unbearably painful, but they are stilltender.

Thatis nothing compared to the way he’s still not recovered mentally.

Ittook a while for you and Soma to convince Agni that it’s okay tostay at the townhouse. That nothing’s going to happen. That even ifsomething does happen, you’ll protect him. There are nights you’vefound him sitting up in the parlor, staring at the door, because hismind just keeps tormenting him with the possibilities of bad thingsthat could happen. He has nightmares about Soma dying, about youdying, and about being killed himself. He flinches whenever the dooropens, especially when it’s sudden, quick, and loud. It’s hardfor him to even cook anymore unless you and Soma are both in thekitchen with him. Although he’s always been protective, because ofthe attack, it’s crossed over from that into him being overlyclingy.

Youdon’t think you’ve ever felt worse for anybody in your life. Agnican’t fully relax anymore. Every day is nothing but anxiety forhim. He’s a prisoner in his own mind, and there’s nothing you cando to free him, and it makes your heart hurt.

Todayis the first day in a long time that you’re visiting thePhantomhive manor. While Agni is completely wound up about it andunable to keep himself from worrying about something bad happening,at least he’s not trying to escape the outing. You can tell he’sstill not happy about it, of course.

Forthe most part, nobody makes any big fuss about you all coming here.Ciel is happy to have you back – as happy as he can be, you think.As irritated as he is by Soma sometimes, (and as hurtful as he was toAgni right before the attack happened), it’s clear as day that Somaforgiving him enough to at least come visit the manor is a hugeweight off his shoulders. To be perfectly honest, as cold as Soma hasbeen to Ciel after the incident, you weren’t sure yourself whetheror not he would forgive the young earl. The look of relief on Ciel’sface when Sebastian announces the three of you speaks volumes. Onsome level, he must have considered Soma and Agni friends.

MeyRin, bless her heart, hurries to get you all comfortable sitting downin the parlor, with a tray of tea and cups poured for each of you.She seems to be a bit bewildered as to why you’re here instead ofin the sitting room; her demeanor morphs into one of understandingwhen Agni shyly explains that it’s because he feels safer here.Near the door. Then she hurries off to get something for you all toeat. Hoping to comfort you with food, probably.

Bardclaps his hand down on Agni’s shoulder, gently, making sure he’sin plain sight of the man first, and giving him a friendly grin.There’s a shine of sympathy in his eyes when Agni jolts slightlyregardless. He makes a comment about how he missed seeing you all,how you and Agni look more handsome together than ever, how he hopesAgni is healing well. To his credit, Agni nods politely, says thankyou, and is able to chat for a moment.

Finnycomes racing in – probably having come from the back door onpurpose, because it’s clear by his grass-stained shirt and muddygloves that he was just outside – and lights up with a smile uponseeing the three of you. He’s got a flower for each of you,carefully pressing them into your fingers. His words go a mile aminute, saying that he’s so glad to see you and happy that Agni andSoma are doing well. Agni is startled, but thankful for the gift andkind words.

Snakefollows after Finny, almost managing to hide, and predictably, hedoesn’t have a whole lot to say. He never really does. You don’tblame him, though. He seems even shyer than Agni. When he translatesfor his snakes, one of them says something to the effect that they’reglad Agni “didn’t die”. Snake at least berates the serpent inquestion for speaking so bluntly. Agni is a bit flustered, but Snakeapologizes before hurrying off… presumably to hide under a rock.

Tanakaand Sebastian, bless them, have the good sense to keep their supportfairly brief. Tanaka gives Agni’s arm a small squeeze and says thatit’s nice to see all three of you in better health and spirits.It’s very sweet, especially considering that you weren’t awareTanaka paid that much attention to you all. Sebastian gives each oneof you a smile, inquiring as to how Agni is feeling. It’s prettyobvious how much it means to Agni; Sebastian is one of his onlyfriends here in England. The butler leaves you all with strictinstructions to relax and keep recovering, before he disappearsupstairs with Ciel.

Onceeveryone is gone and it’s just the three of you in the parlor, Agniat least calms down the slightest bit. He leans against you,listening as you read a book aloud. Every so often, he shifts aroundand gives you a smile, or lightly runs his fingers through your hair.That’s something he used to do frequently before the attack, andhe’s been trying so hard to regain as much normality as he canlately.

Aboutan hour into this, Soma gets up from his chair, stretching out a bitbefore he tells you he’s heading to the kitchen. Which is fine,because you’ve all managed to finish the food Mey Rin brought, andSoma’s still hungry. You can’t fault him for that.

AlthoughAgni tries to move and get up to follow, you keep your arms aroundhim. Quietly reassuring him not to worry. It’s fine. Soma’s justgrabbing a snack, and he can take care of himself. He won’t be gonelong. Agni does his best to protest, but after a moment, he justheaves a sigh and relaxes against you. Yes, it’s fine. It’s fine.

He’sa bit more calm now than you’ve seen him in a while. You set thebook aside, just playing with the parts of his hair you can reachunder the turban. A soft hum vibrates from your chest, and he smilesas his eyes drift closed. “Ah, so nice… I think… I could fallasleep right now…”

“Goahead,” you giggle before resuming your humming.

Justas he seems ready to drift off – it’s taking much less time thanusual, for some reason – there’s a loud BANG from thekitchen.

It’sa miniature explosion (that didn’t hurt anybody, judging by Bard’sshout of, “Goddamn it!” followed by Soma’s snorting laughter),not a gunshot. There seems to be little difference to Agni’sagitated mind, however, because he’s immediately alert again. Worsethan before he even came in. Everything happens so fast that youdon’t even get a chance to pull him back when he jumps up from thesofa. “My prince!”

“A-Agni!”Your hand does catch him before he can fully run off toward thekitchen. In fact, you wrap both arms around his waist to keep himfrom going too far. He’s a lot stronger than you, though, despitethe fact that he’s still not quite at full strength. “Agni, Agni!Stop! It’s okay! Soma’s fine!”

It’sas if he can’t hear your voice. His eyes are wide with panic,darting everywhere to look for Soma, and your weight slowing him downdoesn’t even seem to register. He’s gone back to everything hewas feeling that day, to the memory, to his desperation of notwanting it to happen again. “Soma!” he calls again, louder thistime. There are tears in his eyes now, and you can feel that he’sshaking all over.

Youtry to dig your heels in and prevent him from moving more. It doesn’tdo much, though at least Agni looks back and actually notices younow. “Agni, please, stop! Didn’t you hear Soma laughing? He’salright!”

Heblinks at you a couple of times, as if he’s trying to recognizeyou. It’s eerie; it almost feels like he’s looking straightthrough you. “(Name), you… you need to stay in the other room!”His fingers try to pry at yours in a feverish attempt to get you offof him. It’s pretty obvious to you that what’s happening isn’ta flashback. It’s more that he keeps remembering what happenedbefore and thinks something similar might be happening again. Hewants you to stay where he knows it’s safe while he gets Soma intothe same room. So that he can protect both of you.

Yourfingers slip, and you quickly reach up to cup his cheeks. There’sgot to be something – something you can do to make himrealize that it’s okay. “Agni, Agni, please… it’s okay. He’salright! Nothing bad is happening, I promise… Bard just fouledsomething up in the kitchen again…”

It’sat this point that Soma finally comes out from the kitchen. His hairis a little disheveled and he’s holding a burnt… something… inhis hand, with a thin layer of ash on his clothes, but he looks noworse for wear at all. “Eh…?” His big gold eyes blink at bothof you. It’s like he’s silently asking what’s going on.“(Name), Agni! Is everything okay? What’s the matter?”

“Myprince…” This is what seems to finally snap Agni out of it. Youcan see the realization in his eyes as it dawns on him that anotherattack isn’t happening. Something flashes, slightly, and hisbreathing gets heavy. The tears that started to pool in his eyesbreak free, making trails over his face. He squeezes his eyes shutand, at last, allows his weight to collapse against you. He mumblessomething in Hindi that you don’t quite catch before starting tocry against your shoulder. “(Name), I – I’m sorry… I don’t…I-I thought…”

“Iknow, I know. It’s okay, love.” You hold him tightly, trying toavoid touching the scars on his back too much. Instead you let yourfingers play with the strands of hair that poke out from under histurban. The beads wrapping around one lock slide a little under yourtouch. “It’s alright. Everything’s okay, and you don’t needto be sorry.”

Doeshe really think he has to apologize for this? He’s trembling,sobbing, undoubtedly still terrified, being tortured by his own mind– and he thinks he has something to apologize for? This isn’t hisfault. It’s the fault of the people who attacked him months ago.

Hetries to say something else; it comes out as nothing but a strangledgasp and more sobs. Proper words won’t even come to him right now.He’s so overwhelmed and afraid and upset that he can’t make hisbody speak.

Youmove a bit, just so that you can kiss his temple a couple of times.Hopefully that’s as comforting a touch as you can give him at themoment. “It’s okay,” you repeat as you give him a gentlesqueeze. “I’m here. Everybody’s okay. Nothing bad happened, andnothing bad is happening right now. It’s okay.”

Anotherhalf-wheeze comes from him, and he wraps his arms around you.

“It’sokay. It’s all going to be okay.”