#ALSO you're being held by a very pretty mermaid

[metanarrates]

talk more about little mermaid 2023

bad movie! but since when is that news to anyone

here is a short list of things I liked:

-shockingly, the actors playing prince eric and ariel had pretty decent chemistry! i thought their scenes together were somewhat cute. they were certainly the only actors in it who seemed like they were trying to give their all, except for maybe a few minor largely unnamed side characters. nothing special, but in a soulless CGI cash grab poorly disguised as a "live-action" work, having a handful of vaguely pleasant scenes was better than nothing.

-also shockingly, I did somewhat like most of the scenes the movie added from the original. rather than being a straight-up adaptation, they added a number of scenes to either flesh out eric's character, flesh out the romance, or to further explore ariel's experience on land. they weren't all great scenes, and were basically the equivalent of polishing up plastic, but some of them worked fine at a mechanical level, and at least it shows that a little bit of effort was made? although a number of creative choices were clearly to Ward Off Discourse. we will discuss this.

-uh. i thought the costumes were okay. there was an attempt

ok that's it for good shit the movie did. here's the stuff i did not enjoy:

-BAD cgi. like APPALLINGLY bad. I'm by no means a visual effects expert but the way the actors were integrated into underwater environments was horrible. they didn't look like they belonged there, their movements were too floaty even for underwater, and the way their hair was animated to float looked distracting and unnatural. additionally, the "camera" was set up frequently in action scenes to not capture a lot of the action, seemingly because the movements were difficult to capture well in CGI. a lot of the time in the CGI environments, the lighting would be distractingly weird and make the whole environment look even more fake than usual. the color palettes didn't feel like they always had a lot of thought into them, which also led to weird lighting and visual problems, and it never felt like the CGI animals had much weight. speaking of which...

-WHY DID THEY MAKE THE FUNNY ANIMALS WHO SING AND DANCE LOOK LIKE REGULAR CRABS AND FISH AND WHATNOT

-NO SERIOUSLY IF YOU'RE TRYING TO PAINT-BY-NUMBERS RECAPTURE THE WHIMSY IN THE ORIGINAL? GOING FOR "REALISM" IN ANIMALS THAT DON'T PARTICULARLY EMOTE IS A HORRIBLE CHOICE

-halle bailey seems to be a perfectly fine actress, based on what i've seen of her. it didn't seem like the director wanted her to facially emote hardly at all ever. she mainly goes for the wide-eyed vaguely pleasant disney princess expression the whole film, and it makes her performance feel horribly strained. im not expecting a disney film to have stellar acting - its a movie targeted to kids and millenials with nostalgia - but it kind of sucked to watch because there were a few moments where she DID emote more and it felt like she was doing pretty well in those moments! it felt to me like, rather than a lack of ability, she was simply hamstrung by those directing her :(

-awkwafina rap written by lin-manuel miranda.

-on that note, none of the new songs were very good. they also changed under the sea to not be an ensemble piece? look, im not the biggest fan of the original film, but having the fun colorful song where lots of fish and whatever sing all together change into a sebastian solo act with ariel support is... a weird choice. it does kind of feel like the whimsy has, in general, been sucked out of this film at times.

-outside of a few side characters, nobody seemed like they wanted to be there besides the leads. the deliveries were awkward and strained. king triton ESPECAILLY seemed like he did not want to be there. sir was there a gun held to your head here

-perhaps the biggest sin of all, but ursula did NOT serve cunt. half the fun of watching the original movie is how over-the-top she is as a performer, and here the actress is just Not giving it. her vocalization sounds really oddly strained at times? ma'am is there also a gun held to your head

there's a certain structural ethos applied to this movie. I alluded to it earlier with the comment about warding off discourse, but probably a better way to word it would be "trying to retroactively defend the original film, and try to make parts of it more 'up-to-date' when thet's not possible." a sort of repolishing and image-update of the Little Mermaid brand, if you will.

obviously, remakes have frequently done this in the past. I would argue that is often the point of a remake: a way to make the IP still viable in the modern day as a source of income to the company. but it felt very transparent here. the little mermaid has often been criticized for being an insta-romance where ariel's only dream is to marry a random guy? here's several more scenes with eric and ariel to establish their chemistry. people have discussed some of ursula's lines in "poor unfortunate souls" as being objectifying? we're cutting them. and hey, let's just show everyone that the little mermaid is now a diverse story that values women. let's cast a black lead actress and have several side characters be woc, including a new character who is eric's mother.

to be clear, I don't think these changes are bad, in and of themself. it's nice that these actresses of color were cast! the changes made to the plot were kind of fun! but all of these changes are only in service of trying to squeeze even more money out of an existing cash cow. it's very obviously an image and marketing thing, rather than people feeling passionate about retelling an existing story. and really, there's only so far you can go with a story originally only showing white people and written in 1989. all you can do is polish. there are no broader, structural changes you can make to it, because all that would do is turn it into a different story. and of course disney is never GONNA tell a different story, made by and about black women, because there's not a cash cow in that. in the hands of a megacorporation, diversity is only going to be a token gesture to accumulate more profit.

it's a disney remake. at the end of the day, there's not too much point in thinking too hard about it. I watched it for a laugh with my good friend, basically. but I'm still interested in it as a gateway into the decision-making process of the disney board of directors and stakeholders. i've seen some of the other disney remakes, since my mom and younger siblings do like watching them and this one in particular strikes me for how little care was put into it. I'm wondering how well it did at the box office, because this really does feel like we're reaching the final possible end for these remakes. they're not making very many cultural waves. it seems like nobody likes them. but clearly, the disney board is hoping for them to be a perfectly marketable recapturing of whatever the existing IP had. who knows how many remakes the studio has left in them?

whatever. the late-stage capitalist megacorporation media landscape continues to be a depressing slog. I'd recommend going and finding something actually good to watch lmao

[incorrectshantaequotes]

REVERSAL AU - Mermaid Falls

So the Reversal AU talk yesterday reminded me: a few weeks ago I actually had an idea for another transcript for this AU, and just...kinda forgot to write it down afterwards? Whoops. In any case - here's a transcript for how Mermaid Falls would go in the Reversal AU!

NOTE: If you're new or need a refresher for how these work, take a look at these earlier transcripts

[With a flash of purple light, RATTLE, RISKY, and BLAST appear at the beginning of Mermaid Falls]

RATTLE: And here we are! Mermai-HRRK!

RISKY: Rattle!? Are you-

BLAST: Wow, I didn't know bones could look that green!

RATTLE: I'm fine, I'm fine! URF. Mostly. Long range teleportation is a bit of a new one. Really takes it out of me.

RATTLE: I just...might need another second to keep my head from spinning or spilling my non-existent guts...

RISKY: "Another second?" You look one bad step away from death's door! And you're already mostly bones!

RATTLE: That...might be a contributing factor to your assessment there, Risky-

RISKY: You're sitting this one OUT, Rattle. Just get some rest and wait until we need to be teleported out of Scuttle Town. This mission might be better off solo, anyway.

BLAST: Hey, don't forget about me!

RISKY: Like I said. Solo.

BLAST: Aw, don't be so down on yourself, Risky! I'm sure you can do...something important, probably. You just gotta have confidence! Like me! BLAMMO!

RISKY: Is that what you call it? Well, if it helps you sleep at night...

BLAST: Well, enough chit chat! We're already here! Mermaid Falls! Home of mermaids! Maidens! Uh...seashells...? Can't think of a fourth thing...

BLAST: ...what are we doing here again?

RISKY: SIGH. Alright, from the top:

RISKY: The queen of the mermaids is being held hostage by Huntress Baron. None of the locals know what she wants, just that she captured the queen a few days ago and dragged her off to an unknown location.

RISKY: She's also, apparently, been cutting down all the trees in the area - I can hardly imagine what for, but it can't be good for the mermaid queen...

BLAST: You mean the GIGA MERMAID?

RISKY: Okay, honestly, why does EVERYONE keep calling her that? She's not some sort of comic book character! "Giga" is not a proper royal title.

BLAST: It is if you're big enough!

RISKY: And...how big is she?

BLAST: KAPOW! No idea! Gotta be pretty big though.

RISKY: Uh huh.

RISKY: In any case, our first priority is to save the mermaid queen-

BLAST: Giga Mermaid.

RISKY: Ugh, fine! Our first priority is to save the..."Giga Mermaid"...and after that, we can ask about the Eternal Seafoam Mimic needs for the insulation of his machine.

BLAST: Oh yeah, that thing! That big thing that'll generate a shield to keep out all the pirate and monster attacks on Scuttle Town! The thing that'll effectively do your job but better for the rest of all time! That one!

RISKY: ...

BLAST: You know, now that I say that out loud - why are you helping Mimic with that, exactly? Like, personally I wouldn't mind the vacation, but uh, you kinda sound like you're getting a raw deal here-

RISKY: It's not about ME, you OAF! This is a matter of Scuttle Town's SAFETY! Yes, this...does mean that I'll be...giving up my one true goal and drive in life...but if THAT'S what it takes for Scuttle Town to have PEACE and COMFORT, that is a sacrifice I'll GLADLY take!

RISKY: VERY. GLADLY.

BLAST: WOAH, mayday, MAYDAY! Entering hostile territory! Going down...kaSPLOOSH!

BLAST: Alright, message recieved! Help Mimic build the device to replace you! Got it!

BLAST: ...I mean, sure, if I was in your position, I'd tell him to shove it up his-

RISKY: BLAST.

BLAST: Shutting up now! Shutting up. Yup! What were we talking about?

RISKY: Huntress Baron.

BLAST: Right! She's got Giga Mermaid captured, yeah? I'll handle that no problem! She'll be no match for my PERFECT PLAN!

RATTLE: You already have a plan? That fast?

BLAST: Yup! I'm just that good! Here's how it goes:

BLAST: Step one: I introduce her to my two boys here - KABOOM, and KERBLAM!

BLAST: Step two: she LOSES!

RATTLE: ...is that it?

BLAST: Well, I was considering adding a third step where I do a victory dance, but that seems like a bit much.

RATTLE: Blast, it's going to be a lot harder than that - she may not be a traditional Baron, but Huntress Baron is no joke.

RATTLE: Not to mention, the mermaids in this area must be tense with their leader so vulnerable. If you act rashly instead of taking the time to explain the situation to them, they might-

BLAST: Alright, we've spent enough time talking! Time for some ACTION!

RATTLE: Blast-!

BLAST: Here we go!

[BLAST charges off-screen into Mermaid Falls]

BLAST: BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAASTTTTTTTTT...

RATTLE: ...wait...

BLAST: ...OFFFFFFFFFFFF! SHAPOW!

RATTLE: ...

RATTLE: ...

RATTLE: Oh my gosh, he just ran in.

RISKY: Yup.

RATTLE: Did he forget how Huntress Baron was hired to headhunt the king of Sequin Land?

RISKY: Yup.

RATTLE: And how she was NEARLY ABLE TO SUCCEED!?

RISKY: Yyyyyyup.

RATTLE: I-How-WHY is he like this?

RISKY: Honestly, I don't know what you were expecting. It's BLAST. Subtle is not his middle, last, or first name.

RISKY: Or even on his family tree for that matter.

RISKY: He was never going to agree to any plan you or I put together.

RATTLE: ...I guess you're right...but at least I can be confident that YOU'RE going to take a few minutes to carefully form a plan, Risky.

RISKY: ...

RATTLE: You are going to take a few minutes to plan, right, Risky?

RISKY: ...

RATTLE: Risky.

RISKY: Well, I'm not charging in BLINDLY-

RATTLE: RISKY!

RISKY: Will you relax? If there's one thing Blast is good at, it's being a human - or, well, cyclops - wrecking ball. I doubt I'll have to deal with much opposition here.

RATTLE: And HUNTRESS BARON?

RISKY: Dangerous, and Blast has more hot air in his head than brains for thinking she'll be that easy to fight, but you already knew that, and unlike you, I've MET her.

RISKY: The woman's an utter loon! I hardly imagine her demands are anything we need to worry about. I'll see what they are, and if they're harmless, it will be no trouble to fulfill them at all. If not...well, ideally, it'll be easy to talk her down.

RISKY: I'll still prepare for a fight if necessary, of course, but while this is a serious situation, I highly doubt it'll be as dangerous as you think.

RATTLE: Right. Not as dangerous as I think. Like that one time when we were kids, and you-

RISKY: WELL, WILL YOU LOOK AT THE TIME! Places to go, mermaid royalty to save, I'm sure Blast caught himself in a net somewhere- see you later, Rattle! Don't move from that spot!

[RISKY runs off-screen into Mermaid Falls.]

RATTLE: ...SIGH...I should hang out with 'Pod more. At least he PRETENDS to listen to me when I warn him about danger.

~~~~

[RISKY runs into scene to see BLAST, strung up in a net. He's notably crying his singular eye out, but RISKY doesn't notice yet]

RISKY: Huh, what do you know? I managed to call it.

RISKY: So, Blast. How's that perfect plan of yours working-

BLAST: BWUH-HUHHUHUHUHUH!

RISKY: Huh?

BLAST: BWUHUHUH-WUH-WUH!

RISKY: You're...crying?

BLAST: *incomprehensible gibberish*

RISKY: This is...I think this is the first time I've seen you break down since...well, as long as I've known you.

RISKY: ...

RISKY: Is this about earlier? I...Look, I'm SORRY, okay? I shouldn't have snapped at you like that; frankly, you're not nearly as bad as you used to be.

RISKY: I just...I suppose it DOES bother me that I'm going to be replaced by a mere machine. A little bit. Let alone that I've ALREADY been replaced by that smug, irritating, twin-tailed, HALF-BRAINED-!

RISKY: Ahem. But I can't make this about ME. It's my job, my DUTY to protect people. And can I really call myself a hero if I put my own hopes and dreams before the safety of the town I was entrusted with?

RISKY: ...even if it means I won't be the one protecting it?

RISKY: ...

RISKY: I'm sure this all sounds like dead air to you, hollow words from a poison-tipped tongue, but I truly am sorry. If there's anything I can do-

BLAST: MY COOOOOOOAAAAAT!

RISKY: ...I beg your pardon?

BLAST: My beautiful, BEAUTIFUL cooo-oa-oa-oat! She BURNED IT! She burned it right in front of my eye!

RISKY: What.

BLAST: I should have listened to whatever boring nonsense Rattle was saying earlier! That coat was the coolest thing I owned! My heroic signature! My BABY! And she BURNED IT!

BLAST: Who is Blast without his cool longcoat? That blue coat flapping in the wind as he flexes his arms heroically? All I am without it is a buff cyclops who makes explosion noises! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY OF THOSE THERE ARE IN SEQUIN LAND!?

RISKY: Just you. It's literally just you.

BLAST: Oh no, it's even worse than I thought! I'm going to be a social pariah! A WEIRDO! They'll laugh at me in the streets! These woods...these woods will become my new home.

BLAST: No longer will my name be BLAST. Now...all will know me as...BOBO-

RISKY: Oh, will you STOP THAT!? You're draining my tolerance for incoherent rambling, and I need to save it for Huntress Baron. Here, give me a minute...

[RISKY stands in place for a moment as a series of blueprints form above her head. After a few moments, a blue coat is formed, which drops onto RISKY and causes her to briefly play the ITEM GET animation before tossing it to BLAST.]

BLAST: Wait, what's this?

RISKY: A new coat. Surprisingly, clothing isn't all that different from my golems...I think. There's a chance it may try to bite you. Other than that, it's practically identical.

RISKY: I also went ahead and did you a favor in making it fireproof. Honestly, I don't know why you didn't have it fireproofed already, what with the amount of explosions you surround yourself with-

BLAST: Ah, SWEET! Risky, you're a lifesaver! Thank you! That Dynamo may be able to protect our town, but it will NEVER replace that heart of yours!

RISKY: I...well, I never thought I would say this, but- thank you, Blast. I really needed to hear that.

RISKY: ...were you even crying about the coat to begin with?

BLAST: Oh, KABLAMMO, one hundred percent! This coat is my baby and I will personally deck anyone who insists otherwise! This adventure will emotionally scar me for life and Huntress Baron is a heartless monster who needs to be stopped.

RISKY: Ah. Well, I suppose it's good to know I DID genuinely help there.

RISKY: I don't suppose you managed to get any information other than the fact that Huntress Baron is a pyromaniac?

BLAST: There WAS one thing that was kinda weird. When she set my coat on fire, she kinda just...glared at it after a few seconds. Muttered something about "not big enough" and then kicked it into the water. SPLISH!

RISKY: "Splish?"

BLAST: Underwater torpedo.

RISKY: Got it. You're right, that IS unusual, but not particularly HELPFUL. What on earth does fire have to do with a hostage situation?

BLAST: I mean, who knows what goes on in that crazy mind of hers? Other than terrible thoughts of hurting everything you hold dear and making you watch.

RISKY: Of course. Other than that.

BLAST: Well, you go on ahead! Normally, this would be the part where I'd flex to break the ropes of the net and save the day with my renewed heroic gusto, but uh...

BLAST: ...you need this more than me, so I'll let you take this one. Savor the moment. Mark this day on the calendar, Risky, because this is the one and ONLY freebie I'm giving you!

RISKY: As should be expected, of course. The Brilliant and Bodacious Blast can't allow himself to fall behind for too long, now can he?

BLAST: WAPOW! Exactly! Glad we're on the same page, Risky! Now go out there and do some good work, soldier!

RISKY: It'll be my PLEASURE.

[Risky runs off, about to exit off-screen, but stops just before she does]

RISKY: And...I can't believe I'm about to say this...SKA-POOSH!

BLAST: "Ska-poosh?" That is a TERRIBLE explosion noise. Zero out of five stars.

RISKY: Oh, SHUT UP! You used "Splish" earlier! I can just leave you here, you know, don't think I won't!

[RISKY resumes her run, now fully off-screen]

~~~~

[RISKY runs in on what appears to be a camping site, stopping a few feet away from a fire pit. GIGA MERMAID is visibly bound and gagged in the background, and HUNTRESS BARON is sharpening a hunting knife on a stick]

RISKY: URK! By the crusty barnacles at the bottom of the sea, she's HUGE! As nonsensical as that title first sounded, I'm starting to see Blast's point about size...

RISKY: ...

RISKY: Hmm. Blast made three meaningful and insightful comments today, and yet there's no pigs flying. I never thought I would see the day.

RISKY: But, putting that aside for now...

RISKY: Hold it, HUNTRESS BARON!

HUNTRESS BARON: Hmm? What was that noise? It sounded like...

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh. I know you.

RISKY: Glad to see the recognition.

HUNTRESS BARON: Yessssss...you were that little mouse, weren't you? That little RAT who cost me the BIGGEST PAYDAY OF MY CAREER.

RISKY: Uh-

HUNTRESS BARON: Do you know what that money could have gotten me? A king's head isn't cheap, you know. I would have been set for life. Free from a life of crime to do as I wish.

RISKY: I-

HUNTRESS BARON: I wouldn't have done that, of course, I could NEVER give up on my passion, but I could've gone overseas. I could've gone to the annual meeting of the Hunter's Guild.

RISKY: Hunter's Guild?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, they invite me every year. And every year, I can't go, because I don't believe in boats. No one ELSE realizes they're a scam made by the SEAGULLS to FEAST ON OUR FLESH, but I know better. I know better...

RISKY: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: But that much money could have been enough to afford the services of someone who can teleport. I could've gone there this time - for the first time in years, I could have seen their smiling faces, tears in their eyes as we finally reunite...

RISKY: Well, that's terribly unfortunate, but no matter how badly you want to see your-

HUNTRESS BARON: ...and THEN I could finally add them all to my trophy room, those insufferable little cretins! DRAKE's pelt could go over the fireplace, COLOMBUS' head would make for a lovely lamp, and Petunia, PETUNIA-!

RISKY: ENOUGH! Ignoring your...incredibly disturbing home decoration plans for the moment - what do you want with Giga Mermaid!?

HUNTRESS BARON: Huh?

RISKY: Your demands. For the hostage situation with her.

HUNTRESS BARON: Who?

RISKY: The mermaid queen.

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

RISKY: The giant mermaid you have tied up right behind you!?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, is that who she is? I hadn't noticed!

RISKY: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

RISKY: ...are you going to say anything, or-

HUNTRESS BARON: Wait. Who said anything about a hostage? I never said anything about a hostage. WHO TOLD YOU THAT!?

RISKY: The locals. The mermaids. Literally everyone with eyes.

HUNTRESS BARON: Hmph! Well, I never told THEM I had a hostage. So rude of them to assume. Where'd they even get that ridiculous idea?

RISKY: I don't know, maybe it has to do with the fact that you have Giga Mermaid BOUND AND GAGGED?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, that's not because I'm holding her hostage.

RISKY: It isn't?

HUNTRESS BARON: Mhm. I have a completely justified reason for tying her up.

HUNTRESS BARON: It's very personal.

HUNTRESS BARON: And very private.

RISKY: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

RISKY: And that reason would be...?

HUNTRESS BARON: I'm cooking her.

RISKY: You're WHAT!?

HUNTRESS BARON: I KNOW! This firewood is FAR too damp to get anything close to the proper size I'd need to cook her fully! I thought the pelt of that strange blue exploding creature would make a good firestarter, but it didn't have any nitroglycerine like I expected. Must have been faking the explosions somehow-

RISKY: That is a PERSON! She may be bigger than a house and an entirely different species, but that is still a PERSON, with her own thoughts, and dreams, and RIGHTS!

RISKY: What you're doing may not be cannibalism, but it's STILL morally and objectively wrong on every level!

HUNTRESS BARON: Well, of course it isn't cannibalism, I'm only eating the FISH half. I'm not a monster.

RISKY: THAT'S STILL! HALF! OF HER! ENTIRE! BODY! YOU! UTTER! NITWIT! You can't just pop off the fish tail and get human legs inside; that's not how mermaids work!

HUNTRESS BARON: Huh...you know, I never thought about it that way! In that case, I'll just eat all of her, then! No need to waste perfectly good food! You know, little mouse, you really aren't that bad after all!

RISKY: HUNTRESS BARON. By my authority as a (former) Genie Guardian, I AM PLACING YOU UNDER ARREST!

HUNTRESS BARON: WHAT!? I can't go back, I've made too many enemies! WHO WILL POLISH THEIR PLACES IN THE TROPHY ROOM IF I'M NOT THERE!? You'll never take me alive!

RISKY: ...haven't you never been caught in your entire career?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh yeah, I forgot! You're still not taking me alive though. Or leaving here alive, for that matter.

[The screen shakes a few times immediately after HUNTRESS BARON says that]

RISKY: ...what was that?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, did you never meet Wobble Bell? How silly of me to forget! Here, let me introduce you two!

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, WOBBLE BELL~!

[HUNTRESS BARON whistles, and a few moments later, the massive form of WOBBLE BELL leaps onto the screen with a loud bark]

RISKY: You call that THING Wobble Bell!?

HUNTRESS BARON: Wobble Bell is not a thing! Wobble Bell is the greatest and goodest boy in the whole wide world! Aren't you, boy? Yes you are, oh yes you are!

[WOBBLE BELL barks in affirmation]

HUNTRESS BARON: And look! Since you've been such a good boy, I even got you a new toy!

RISKY: "New toy?" Where...oh no.

[WOBBLE BELL starts barking in excitement]

RISKY: Not a toy, not a toy, NOT A TOY!

HUNTRESS BARON: Well, SOMEONE'S excited to play! And who am I to deny you? Now, Wobble Bell...

HUNTRESS BARON: GO FETCH.

[Cue the boss fight]

~~~~

[After the obligatory boss fight explosions]

HUNTRESS BARON: WOBBLE BELL! NOOOOOOOOO! You were too young for this world! How dare you, you MONSTER!

RISKY: Oh, quit being so dramatic! He's just knocked out.

HUNTRESS BARON: YOOOOOUUUUUUUU...you know, little mouse, I. Have had. Just about ENOUGH of YOU-

[At that moment, GIGA MERMAID manages to snap the ropes binding her, and tears off her gag to growl menacingly at HUNTRESS BARON]

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: On second thought, I'm going to go home. Have a nice day!

[HUNTRESS BARON starts to walk away. RISKY loads an automated crossbolt launcher, aims, and fires, sending HUNTRESS BARON flying off-screen]

RISKY: Hmph! It'll take more than an overgrown mutt to handle me.

RISKY: I see you managed to free yourself, your highness. I'm sure you want to take time to reassure your subjects and catch up on the goings-on of Mermaid Falls while you were captured here. I'll be back in a few hours to-

[GIGA MERMAID makes a noise, and RISKY looks shocked]

RISKY: Oh. Meet up by the docks as soon as possible? That's...certainly doable. I won't be one to turn down a royal invitation.

[The screen fades out to black]

~~~~

[The screen fades back in to the docks. RISKY, BLAST, and RATTLE walk in, and GIGA MERMAID comes out of the water with a gentle smile along with several other mermaids]

BLAST: So what's this all about?

[GIGA MERMAID makes a noise and gestures]

RISKY: From my understanding, this is all to...personally thank me for my efforts?

RATTLE: Wow, really! That's impressive! You must have done a great job! Maybe I shouldn't have been so worried after all.

RISKY: ...er.

[GIGA MERMAID makes some more noises, then dips down into the waters]

RISKY: "For your passion for life and bravery in the face of death, I present to you one of the sacred marine royal treasures..."

[GIGA MERMAID comes back up and presents a massive ball made of white bubbles]

RISKY: It's- An ENTIRE BALL of Eternal Seafoam! More than enough for Mimic's Dynamo!

RISKY: I...I don't know what to say. I-

BLAST: Oh, just take it already! You really should get some self-confidence!

RISKY: You're right, I should. I can't let you have FOUR valid points in a row, then we might actually have problems.

RATTLE: ...What on earth happened while I was benched?

RISKY: Don't worry about it. Your highness, I humbly and gladly accept your gift. I'll make sure to put it to good use.

[GIGA MERMAID hands over the ball of eternal seafoam over, causing RISKY to briefly play the item get animation before the scene resumes]

BLAST: You know, I wouldn't mind a gift myself...

RISKY: Blast DID provide a surprising amount of moral support today, even if all he did physically was get caught in a net.

[GIGA MERMAID and the other mermaids dive down. After a few moments, they resurface, and GIGA MERMAID makes a noise]

BLAST: Well, come on! Don't wait for me to go TICK TICK, BOOM! What'd she say!?

RISKY: ...she said she'll allow you to slip on a fish as a mermaid tail and swim around for a few hours.

BLAST: SHABAM! HECK YEAH! I am DOWN for being a mermaid! Where are the nearest seashells, I need to get ready!

[BLAST runs off-screen, presumably in search of seashells, while RATTLE stares on after him]

RATTLE: Again. What on EARTH happened while I was benched?

RISKY: Actually, unless something happened to Blast while I was fighting the giant dog, I'm fairly certain this is all him. I guess he just really likes the idea of being a mermaid.

RATTLE: ...run that first part by me again?

RISKY: Later. Back in Scuttle Town, so I don't have to be embarrassed in public when you inevitably become insufferable.

RATTLE: Hmmm...sounds promising. I guess we all managed to get a gift here!

RISKY: Oh no, it's already starting...is it too late to switch rewards with Blast?

[STAGE CLEAR]

[cozy-the-overlord]

Kiss the Girl

Summary: A night of roller-coastering has left you without a voice, Little Mermaid-style. If only you had a dark haired prince of your own to kiss it better ...

Word Count: 1,181

Pairing: Loki x Gender Neutral Reader

A/N: I know what you're thinking. What is Cozy doing writing self indulgent plotless fluff from a second person perspective in the present tense when she had repeatedly stated that she hates writing all of those things? Because peer pressure, that's why. This is all Discord's fault. Also I may or may not have lost my voice screaming on roller coasters two days ago and have been fantasizing about a certain dark-haired prince swooping in to kiss it better but that's besides the point. 

Anyways. I usually don't write stuff like this, so please don't judge me too harshly. Thanks for reading!

Warnings: None

Tags: @lucywrites02 @silver-lupines @whatafuckingdumbass @the-emo-asgardian @imnotrevealingmyname @electroma89 @lokislittlesigyn @moumouton4

If you want to be tagged, feel free to send an ask/message :)

Read it on Ao3!

“You’ve been unusually quiet today.”

You freeze behind the microwave door. Normally, you’re pretty good at noticing when people are sneaking up on you—in this line of work, it’s practically a prerequisite—but Loki is a different breed. Literally.

Besides, you’re not exactly on you’re a-game this morning.

He’s lurking in the back, watching you with that hushed gaze of his, the type that feels like he’s seeing past your corporal form and studying your very soul. Maybe he is. You don’t really know how his space-god-magic thing works. The thought sends shivers down your spine.

You give him a smile and a quick little shrug before turning back to your mug. He’s right, of course—you had barely said a word to anyone since you dragged yourself out of your bedroom at noon. You almost hadn’t gone to your high school reunion last night—there were two, maybe three people you were vaguely interested in seeing again, with your opinions on the rest ranging from mild indifference to please-God-bury-them-in-the-ground-and-don’t-ever-let-them-out-again—but the party was being held at a roller coaster park, and ultimately your inner adrenaline junkie had overrun your lackluster memories of adolescence.

You (surprisingly) had a wonderful time. Those two, maybe three people were actually quite lovely to see again, and you were only too happy to spend the night screaming your lungs out on various death-defying marvels of engineering.

Although it seemed your lungs weren’t the only thing you screamed out.

Loki is still watching as you mix a spoonful of honey into your tea, grimacing when you took a sip. You aren’t really a honey person. You aren’t really a tea person either, but everyone and their mother seem to agree that it was the best treatment for laryngitis, and you’re not about to argue.

He frowns. “Are you ill?”

Blushing, you shake your head. “I lost my voice.” Such a silly thing to have to explain, especially to a literal immortal being, and your hoarse whisper doesn’t make it any better.

“You lost it?” Loki raises his eyebrows. “Like the fish cartoon?”

You snort despite yourself, your laugh dying in your injured throat. The team had been on a bit of a Disney binge these past few weeks (the good, hand-drawn animated Disney, not whatever nonsense they had been putting out as of late), and The Little Mermaid had been the most recent addition to the repertoire. Loki had been in attendance at each and every movie night, lounging next to you on the love seat, but you hadn’t thought he had been paying any particular attention to the films—his presence was silent and aloof, seemingly more in line with an attempt to appease his brother than the result of genuine interest. He’d spend the runtime picking at his nails and staring off into space—not exactly the most engaged audience member.

Not that you had been … watching him or anything …

“Not like that.” You really shouldn’t be talking—your throat seems to tighten up with every word. You take another gulp of the too-sweet tea before continuing. “I yelled too much last night. Now my vocal cords are …” You pause to search for the right word and give up almost immediately. “Fucked.”

“Is that the clinical term for it?” Loki drawls, and you curse yourself as you swallow another laugh. Of course Loki had to show up and make you all giggly when it already hurt to talk—

But then he’s walking over to your side, and all at once you’ve forgotten how to breathe. Loki … he’s tall and polished and … well … attractive, and you’d be lying if you said you hadn’t been harboring the tiniest of crushes on him since you were assigned to the Tower, and now here he is standing over you so close you can almost hear his heartbeat.

You hope he can’t hear yours.

“May I?” he asks, reaching out towards your face, and you nod even though you have no idea what he’s asking. His fingers brush against the side of your neck, a touch so featherlight you’d barely be aware of it if not for the rash of goosebumps that erupted in its wake.

If Loki notices, he doesn’t comment. “Your larynx is inflamed” he says. “Not badly though. I can heal it, if you’d like.”

“Really?” you whisper. Yes please. Your tea’s gone cold, and you’re not exactly eager to make another cup. Although you’re also not entirely sure what goes into a magic healing. You wouldn’t want him to strain himself for something as minor as a case of  self-inflicted laryngitis.

You frown. “What would you have to do?”

For a moment, he just looks confused, but soon a mischievous glint sparks in his eye.

“Nothing too strenuous,” he says, and you’re acutely aware of his hand drifting from your neck to the back of your head. “But I’d have to get rather close for it to work.”

You swallow. He already seems so close, mere inches away from your face. Your poor heart is threatening to burst from your chest.

Loki trails his fingers down your chin, gently tilting your head up so you have nowhere to look but his sea green eyes.

“What was it the octopus-woman said?” he asks with a smirk. “About breaking the curse?”

Maybe you’re crazy, but you’re pretty sure he’s talking about kissing you.

Actually, you’re positive he is, because in the next moment his lips are gliding over yours and your entire brain short-circuits.

He’s soft and smooth, slowly drinking you in as if he has all the time in the world. When he cups your cheek, your eyes drift closed without really noticing it. He’s just so sweet, sweeter even than the honey in your tea, but in the best way possible.

It’s over far too soon. Only when he pulls away do you realize how desperately in need of air you are.

He leans back to regard you, cool and composed, the perfect dichotomy to your breathless mess. “Well?”

“What?” Your voice comes out crystal clear, without even the slightest hint of the soreness that had been plaguing you since you woke up. “Oh. Thank you.” You inhale. Get ahold of yourself. “That’s-that’s a neat trick. Do you always have to—you know—”

Loki laughs. It catches you off guard—you’re not sure you’ve ever heard him laugh before. But it’s a beautiful sound, so bright and melodic that you can’t help your smile. You don’t want him to ever stop.

“Of course not,” he says. “But I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity I’ve been waiting so long for.” He grins. “Especially not when it was so befitting to the situation.”

It takes a moment for his words to register. Once they do, you find yourself at a loss for your own. Wait—

“You—”

He cuts you off with another laugh, reaching around you to snatch your mug before dumping its contents in the sink. “Come. I’ll make you a proper cup of tea.”

[fairymermaidfloor]

the little mermaid pt. 1

❁ featuring —> xiao x gn!mer!reader 🎐:;

❁ warnings —none 🎐:;

❁ notes —> first writing post woo!! i hope y’all enjoy and sorry if this is bad omg, also I made xiaos s/o have a prettyyyy decent personality for a char?? I could have still worked on it, but I didn’t (;´༎ຶٹ༎ຶ`) anyways hope this was good!! And I’ll try and make a part twoooo 🎐:;

part 2 || part 3

You were in your human form when Xiao first saw you, and to take it lightly, you were stared at. A lot.

You weren’t used to your legs.. so you just walked all wobbly and weird, every step you took could have ended with you falling face first into the road.

Xiao didn’t want to do anything with you. But you just so happened to get into the Washu Inn.

Verr Goldet asked Xiao to look over you, because obviously, she was worried for you..

Xiao recutanly did so.

“Hey. You. What are you doing?”

He isn’t the nicest. But, he was also wary of you. You look completely different from anybody here. And you might even turn out to be apart of the Fatui.. after all they came here not long after you. He could not allow somebody to wreak havoc any longer.

“Oh.. uhh.. walking? Or at least.. trying too.. first time in a while..” you answered sheepishly.

Odd. He continued the enquiries. “And what business do you have?”

“Um… nothing much.. I’m looking for my sisters.. and something else..” You tried to peer away from he’s pernicious gaze.

Xiao then started to become more blunt. “Are you with the Fatui?”

“Uh- no?? Who’s that??” You were getting even more fretful, and annoyed.

It went silent for a while and before you could speak up, he did. “Great. Then I’m done here.” And just like that the gaze was gone and so would he.

Xiao turned to leave until he heard your voice again.

“Hey wait!!” You tugged at his long sleeve, quickly getting a glare yet again. You felt a shiver down your spine, but you tried to fix your posture. “Now you answer me. Who are you and why are you questioning me?”

He continued to glare at you once more, “Xiao. And I’m just here to check up on you-“

“Meaning small?”

“What.”

“Your name. Xi-“

“Don’t. Say it.”

“I was just gonna say your name! Not your height or anything!”

“I didn’t say you were gonna mention my HEIGHT.” He pulled away he’s sleeve.

“Well.. sorry.. but your it is indeed quite iron-“

“Tch. Shut up you Mortal.”

“... Mortal!?!?”

“Yes. You mortals are getting even more and more nee-“

You snapped. How can this guy just come up and dare to try and insult you! And even ASSUME. “H-How dare you!! I am NOT a mere mortal!! I’m one of the most powerful hydromancy mages in history!! My sisters are uhh… ohh..” You quieted down

“...”

“... uhh..”

“Who are you exactly?” He was piercing dangers at you.

“I am.. a mermaid adepti.. Y/N, and my sisters are Sonnet, and Canon. And those are the only adepti I know,, but I’m guessing you're one as well?”

“... Yes.”

You were immediately intrigued, you never met another adepti besides your family! You kept on pestering and pestering him, no matter how scary he may seem, you were just so very excited..

In the end, Xiao ended up helping you, because he’s one of the only ones who knows he's way all around Liyue, and you desperately need the help.

They couldn’t find your sisters, but you found clues that they may be in Inazuma or Fontaine.

Despite how bratty, arrogant, and stubborn you can be.. you're actually fairly nice, thoughtful, and expetenatiolly loyal. He liked that in you. And even.. more than liking you as a friend.

He fell in love with you

At first he denied it, he doubted you were merely a dream. A hallucination. But all the times when the sun went down, and half-awake you sang to him that oceanic melody. Or how you blubbered at him to be more attentive and nice to others because saying that idiotic reason that ‘they are your people too’. Or when your bombastic plans kept getting them in trouble which made the nations eyes glance at them. It was not a dream. But a wish came true.

You made he’s heartbeat, a rhythm that he had never felt before.

Like a rock stopping down a lake.. and then falling deeper, and deeper, in to the water that was his heart.

And for a few minutes, the karmic bind became loose threads dancing with the wind.

You were crossing over to Sumeru on a boat, after a few people told you guys how the oldest sister was staying there to do some business.

“Hey so.. Xiao..” You were in where your mermaid form.. swimming next to a boat that Xiao was occupied in.

“Yes?” He looked over at you, with a much different tone he’s eyes put on when you first met him.

“I feel like I’m being pretty dishonest to you..”

He’s heart stopped. Oh no. Would you be gone? Did you betray him? What’s going on. “What is it.” The tone of his eyes changed again.

“I haven’t actually told you the truth..” Ashamed, you turned your head and tried to face him. “I didn’t tell you why I’m looking for them…”

He looked over at you, confused. “What? What do you mean?”

“Well.. to be honest I’m not so sure, but, this necklace is a curse.” You touched that suffocating thing. “I can’t take it off, and I need my sisters to. Because well, if I or somebody falls in love with me, or just.. KISSES me, either them, or me, are forever doomed for damnation. And I..” Tears streamed through your face, tears of anguish. “I love you Xiao!! So PLEASE, if this doesn’t work then you’ll have to leave.. far.. far, away..”

He’s eyes widened. What. “You're cursed. WHY!?”

“Wish I can tell you.” You sighed. “If I tell you, you’ll get in trouble. And even than I don’t exactly know half of it.. and I just.. I want you to be safe.”

“Even if your stuck with a curse, I’m still gonna be by your side.”

You blinked. “What!? No!! That’s st-“

“Well I’m cursed too. Didn't I tell you that? Tch. For somebody who bickers a lot you don’t listen.” He sighed. “I stole the lives of people, and held a hand at eons of suffering, I bring calamity to those who are close to me. But you still decided to stick by my side, and besides… I..” He turned away. “I love you too..” He’s words barely even counted as a whisper, and not even a hum.

“Ah.. AAAAAA-” You screamed of astonishment, and fainted, sinking into the ocean floor.

“Y/N..? Y/N!?!!”

[thewickedmerman]

My Redesigns of The Specialists

Well, since I finished with the Winx Club girls and The Trix, I figured it was time to do my redesigns of The Specialists. However, not all of them are going to be just powerless fighters. I felt it would be more fun to make their team be made up of fighters, fairies, and sorcerers. Plus, they get to have their own transformations too. The fighters get transformations similar to the Power Rangers/superheroes (Because it makes no sense for there to be an emergency and they just rush off to change clothes, which is an INSANELY dangerous time waster), the fairies will have transformations similar to the Winx Club themselves, and the sorcerers will have transformations similar to the ones from Miraculous Ladybug (Honestly, I don't know what to think for the sorcerers). Why? Because it's so much more fun that way.

Sky

Well, I got the most BORING of the boys out of the way, so that's something. For his design I used Eric's body from The Little Mermaid, the face of Derek from The Swan Princess (Or at least from a specific poster), used his second hairstyle from the show because it suits him better and look less like a surfer dude, and I used the uniforms The Specialists get in the later seasons because it's BADASS. Plus, considering that Eraklyon is related to geology, it makes sense to have some armor that looks like stones. I did change the shade of blue to match his signature color, which is sky blue (I mean, it's in his name). He is the prince of Eraklyon and the son of a sorcerer and a fairy, but they still loved him despite that he had no magic. However, that made them even more protective of him since he was a child and there was a threat of him being kidnapped and held for ransom by Yoshinoya. So Sky's best friend/squire, Brandon (Who is a fairy and has magic to protect himself and Sky) was to switch places with Sky for public appearances and in school, so that no one would know who Sky really is. The only ones who knew the truth were the royal family, the castle staff, members of the royal court, and Diaspro & her parents (Who Sky was betrothed to since they were babies). Despite having no powers, Sky refused to be helpless and studied fighting hand-to-hand combat and weaponry. Sky is a boring character but could be good if put in the right hands. Give him flaws, have him held more accountable for his actions, none of the bullshit conflict that happens with him and Bloom from seasons 4-8.

Brandon

For his design, I used the face of Edward from Enchanted, the nose of Rameses from The Prince of Egypt, the eyes of Joseph from Joseph: King of Dreams, and the body of Bolin from The Legend of Korra. I've always questioned what race Brandon was supposed to be coded as because he seemed pretty ambiguous. Was he just white but with a tan? Was he Middle Eastern? Was he Filipino? Was he Hispanic or Latino? I saw someone say he was Middle Eastern and pointed out some areas in the Middle East where they have lighter tan complexions, dark brown hair, and similar features to him. So I thought for some representation, I would go with the Middle Eastern coded option. I made him a little darker than he was in the original show by giving him Flora's skin color from the original show (Since I gave her a darker skin-tone in my redesign of her), sharper eyes, and more Middle Eastern looking nose. I didn't want to use Aladdin's nose because the noses of Aladdin and Jasmine were a little too exaggerated the same way that the noses in Lilo and Stitch were too exaggerated (Polynesians don't have potato noses). I also wanted to show some body diversity by giving him a plus-sized body. NO, Bolin's body isn't fat but it's very much plus-sized. Brandon was a fat little boy growing up because he was just built differently. However, as he got older and started training, he bulked up. He's still plus-sized but is also muscular. You're probably wondering why I decided to make Brandon a fairy. I don't know but it just works. He is the fairy of geodes! I got that idea from Diaspro's fairy form and powers. They come from Eraklyon, so the magic in that world must be related to geology. So he's basically an Earthbender lol. But his powers are rooted on rocks, stones, gems, ect. so it's no wonder his body is so solid like a rock. I also modeled his wings after Diaspro's, which I noticed are solid instead of transparent like other fairy wings. I figured that must be part of the geology themed powers. As for his costume, I based it on one of the background fairies that were seen during the destruction of Bloom's home planet, Sparx. It just looked like it suited him. He and Sky have been friends since they were little and he is Sky's squire. He's the son of one of the palace guards. Since Sky was in danger of being abducted since he was a little kid, Brandon was made to pretend he was the prince for Sky's protection. Brandon's parents were dead against it, but the king demanded it. However, it was ultimately Brandon who decided to do it, even if his parents disapproved of putting their son in danger. You may ask, how would people believe that two white parents had a brown son? No idea! I guess they just said he was naturally tan lol.

Riven

For Riven's design, I gave him the face/head of Proteus from Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas, the body of Shang from Mulan, and the eyes of Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. For his outfit, I didn't want to just give him the same outfit as Sky but with a different color because I wanted more individuality. So I gave him the outfits that were worn by Nex and Thoren (Sky's cousin). They looked less heroic and epic as the outfit I gave Sky, which suits Riven's more roughish nature and how he hasn't had an easy life compared to Sky (More on that later). It also has a bit of a low-key bad boy vibe to it. I still stayed true to his signature color, magenta, while making sure it didn't clash with his magenta hair, and giving him some purple to match his eyes. And I just had to give him an angry look on his face because it's Riven, so of course. Riven is my absolute LEAST favorite of the specialists. Sky may be boring as hell but Riven is ANNOYING as hell. He's poorly written, has terrible development, is always an asshole for no reason, has no backstory to justify the way he is, doesn't really change, and his relationship with Musa is absolutely toxic. In my version, I give him a backstory and better character development. His backstory is that he was born to a father that was a sorcerer and a mother that was a fairy while he was born without the ability to perform magic, which was a MASSIVE disappointment to his parents. They neglected him, emotionally abused him, and on occasion physically. This makes his actions and attitude all the more understandable. He's a show off because of how he never really got attention growing up from his own parents and is trying to make up for it, as well as prove that he is capable of great things and isn't useless just because he doesn't have powers. He's angry and a hothead but has more of a secret gentle side that he sometimes shows, MUCH MORE than the original Riven, which helps make it more understandable why Musa would have a crush on him. His emotional baggage also made it easier for Darcy to manipulate him, even giving him some magic (But takes it away when she dumps him). His backstory also gives him a reason for why he lashes out at his fellow teammates. In my version, Brandon is a fairy and Timmy is a sorcerer, so they can perform magic while he can't. He especially resents Sky because of how he was also born with parents that could perform magic while he couldn't but was still given love and attention despite this. It made him VERY angry and jealous because of how Sky manage to have parents that adore him, despite being born unable to do magic, while Riven had neglectful and abusive parents because of his inability to perform magic.

Timmy

For his face/head I used some old concept design of Milo from Atlantis: The Lost Empire and the smile, eyes, and body of Aladdin. I went with Aladdin's body because of how Timmy wouldn't be as masculine as the others but wouldn't be lanky. Aladdin has some muscles on him but he's not super built. I also gave him freckles because it's just too perfect for him. His outfit was tricky because of how I had to find a way of making him look like a sorcerer but also incorporate it with technology to go with his powers because of how he is the Sorcerer of Technology. For his scepter, I went with Tecna's Mythix wand, with some adjustments. Redheads look surprisingly really good in the color yellow. I decided to make Timmy a sorcerer because of how I feel it suits his personality. He's not as action-oriented as the other guys but more intellectual, even though he still fights. Imagine how amazing he'd be with technology with magic. He'd excel! No, I don't have him being from Zenith like Tecna but from another technology planet, though one that isn't considered as high up as Zenith. So this makes him feel a little intimidated by Tecna, that and him having a MASSIVE crush on her. He always is trying to prove that he is capable and isn't just some weak nerd. Out of all of the specialists, he's one of my favorite, if not my number one favorite. He's just absolutely awesome with how much of a dork he is.

Helia

Helia was the one that I was looking the most forward to doing a redesign of because of how I made him a fairy. Out of all of the Specialists, he's the one that really benefits the best from being made a fairy, especially when I got to his Believix and Enchantix. He has more of a feminine personality while still proving he isn't a wuss but rather a badass, despite being a pacifist. This gives him layers and depth beyond just being a typical good looking hero. Plus, his hair is just AMAZING! I used the body of Mako from The Legend of Korra, the eyes and nose of Shang from Mulan, and the head/face of Little Creek from Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. I also gave him Brandon's skin tone to make him look more brown instead of just a light Asian. His outfit is very feminine but also clearly meant for a man because of how it's kind of toga looking. But I did his toga in a way that looks more Asian inspired instead of Greek inspired. Plus, this look suits his chill and relaxed personality. I made his outfit salmon pink with some orange because those colors just look so good on him and just suit his character. I made him the fairy of art, the same way that Musa is the fairy of music. So he can make art literally come to life, turn things like paint into ropes, can control paper (Particularly when in an origami shape), create portals, can jump into paintings to hide, and you get the point. Basically, his powers are awesome!

Nabu

And now we've come to my favorite of The Specialists, Prince Nabu. First of all, I want to make VERY CLEAR that in my version, Nabu DOESN'T die! That was a bunch of BULL CRAP! I mean, he's introduced in season 3 and then close to the end of season 4 they kill him off? Not to mention that out of all the boys, they chose the darkest one, who was also the love interest of black woman! She ended up having to suffer more than any of the other girls because of this. Not to mention that in season 5 they tried to replace him with a brown (But much lighter) man with terrible blonde hair and a terribly bland and boring personality to match, Roy. Then when that didn't work, they did a dumb love triangle in season 6 where the white man that has a personality mixture of Riven and Brandon, Nex. Yeah, all of this is TOTALLY not racist! And that's coming from a white man. Also, I wanna also point out that Nabu is NOT black! He is Indian, so he is coded as South Asian. Now that we got my rant out of the way, for his design I used the face/head of Naveen from The Princess and the Frog, the body of Flynn Rider from Tangled (I wanted to use Naveen but there wasn't a base of him to use or a tasteful nude picture of him), and the eyes of Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I also chose to keep his super long single braid instead of the two shoulder blade length braids he had in season 4. Why? Because it just looks SO MUCH better and is more badass. Non-white men just look amazing with long hair. He is still a prince but he doesn't come from Layla's planet, Andros. Why? Because that planet is water themed and his powers aren't related to water. His powers are illusions and healing, so it only makes sense that he comes from another planet, especially when the rules of Andros are black while Nabu and his family are Indian. He and Layla are in an arranged marriage, which she refuses and their relationship still goes the same way it did in season 3. Except, I'm having them meet during my Sirenix story line because that season would be about Layla, due to it being water themed. He still went by a disguised name, Ophir before revealing his true identity once they fell in love. So I'm giving true respect to the Sorcerer of Healing and Illusions.

And now for Brandon and Helia's Believix!

Just like the girls, Brandon and Helia are getting Believix and Enchantix forms. For the Believix forms I took inspiration from @teawithlemonacid, who did some fanart of The Specialists as fairies. I did make some adjustments of my own but still did take inspiration from that artist, so credit where credit is due. As I said when I did the girls with their Believix, the way they earn their Believix is pretty much the same way they earned their Charmix in season 2. They have to believe in themselves and overcome a personal struggle. I also took liberties with the Believix aesthetic because of how I want the fairy looks to be more timeless rather than dated-looking.

Brandon's Believix

For Brandon's design, I gave him a new hairstyle because if the girls get new hairstyles for each new fairy form, so do the boys. I gave him Nex's hair, apart from those dumb looking sideburns. I embroidered some stoned onto his outfit because of how he's the fairy of geodes. Since I also decided to have his race be Middle Eastern, I decided to incorporate some of that into his look as well. I gave him some curled toed shoes and some Middle Eastern inspired accessories. That was hard because of how most Middle Eastern jewelry are women's jewelry. I gave him Tecna's Mythix wings because they just really suit him for some reason. As for how he earned his Believix, well he had to overcome some hidden resentment he had for Sky that was starting to show during a trust exercise. He resented that he had to put his life on the line for Sky ever since they were kids. That really effects a child when they are having their lives in danger in order to protect someone else. Yes, Brandon did agree to do it in order to protect his friend but he also knew that if he didn't do it that he and his parents would be in trouble with the King and Queen. Sky's parents didn't really show much concern for Brandon's safety and that caused more resentment because Sky didn't really say anything to his parents about their poor treatment of his friend. Sky could tell something was up and it was only when Brandon stopped bottling up his feelings that things started to get better. It was emotional and difficult but Brandon felt better when he finally let it all out. It was then that he earned his Believix.

Helia's Enchantix

homeworldHelia's Believix was A LOT of fun to do. I loved getting to have his hair loose because it looks amazing. I didn't make too many changes to the outfit I modeled this after. I love how the gold has a paint-like feel to it. It really adds to his powers being art based. I used Flora's prototype Bloomix wings for his Believix wings because they just seemed to suit him. I also had the magic coming from his hand looking even bigger and more powerful than it was during his Magic Winx form. The way he earns his Believix was different from how others earned their Believix. instead of mainly being an emotional struggle, it was also a physical struggle because he had to overcome his passive nature. He has a lot of power but he holds himself back because of an accident that happened when he was a kid. Because he didn't restrain himself, a friend of his got badly hurt. The friend lived but his parents wouldn't allow him to be friends with Helia anymore. After that, Helia kept to himself, chose not to be aggressive, and wouldn't live up to his true abilities because of that accident. His grandfather, Saladin (The headmaster at Red Fountain), has been trying to break him out of it and live up to his true potential. It was only when his friends, specifically Flora, were in danger that he finally overcame his passive nature and started using his full power. This caused him to earn his Believix.

And finally for Helia and Brandon's Enchantix

We have come to Helia and Brandon's final transformations, Enchantix. Just like the girls, they must earn theirs by saving someone from their homeworld by making a big sacrifice. The boys were hard to do, due to how there wasn't really anything for me to go off of. However, I think I managed to do a pretty good job. I also wanted to have them be in revealing outfits just like the girls. I mean, fair is fair, after all. Let me know what you think.

Helia's Enchantix

For Helia, I wanted to do something that had an Asian influence to it that also showed his art powers being influenced. I gave him something that was very flowing to go with his sensitive and feminine personality while also having a rainbow theme to go with his powers. I didn't use the colors of the rainbow because I didn't want him to just look like a Pride themed look, which ended up looking awkward and busy when I first attempted it. So I limited the colors to the ones in his wings to make it look better. I still wanted to include his two main colors, salmon pink and gold while still making the rainbow colors pop. I went with a very Asian inspired hairstyle, which actually shows both of his eyes. The eye that is usually covered is actually blind, which goes with the childhood backstory I gave him that helped him earn his Believix, which will also play a part in earning his Enchantix, which I will get to in a little bit. I felt it would show him embracing himself while also showing the Asian culture. I took some liberties with the jewelry because of how most jewelry is meant for women, which is why most male looks are boring. I tried to butch up his shoes to make them look less girly and making the gems resemble a paintbrush. For his wings, I used Stella's Mythix wings because they look like a rainbow, which really suits Helia. I made his powers in his hand the biggest and strongest they've looked out of all his fairy forms. As for how he earns his Enchantix, I had him save his old childhood friend, who Helia had accidentally caused to become permanently blind because of his powers, which also caused Helia to become blind in his right eye. He had seen him but was avoiding him because of his guilt, despite his old friend trying to reach out to him during this time. He saves his old friend from an avalanche that was caused by The Trix, specifically Stormy. Helia not only almost died but his wings were crushed, so he wouldn't be able to fly. He said that he lost his friend once because of something he did and wasn't going to lose his friend again when he could do something about it. However, it was due to this sacrifice that he was able to earn his Enchantix and gain a new and MUCH stronger pair of wings. Not only that, but he had his old friend back after all this time. Helia apologized for what he did to his friend when they were kids, but his friend forgave him and said he missed Helia.

Brandon's Enchantix

Brandon's Enchantix was even more difficult than Helia's because of how Brandon's not as feminine as Helia. I took some inspiration from Tynix because of how Brandon's powers are related to geodes. I made his vest and best/waist thing look like diamonds. I even incorporated gems into his sash. I took major liberties with jewelry because Middle Eastern (Which is the race I decided Brandon is) jewelry is very limited in jewelry for men, at least from the google search I did. I love the one sleeve look I gave him with his emerald vest/armor. I even gave him some gems on the bottom of his pants. I gave him very Aladdin looking pants, only without the crotch being so low lol. I gave him the hairstyle of the character Thoren from Winx Club and Stella's Tynix wings. The way he earns his Enchantix was by saving Sky from being eaten by one of Valtor's minions, causing Brandon to be eaten instead. This cause Brandon to earn his Enchantix and his powers were enhanced to where he could destroy the creature from the inside. This earned him not only his Enchantix, but also finally getting respect from Sky's parents, who, AT LAST, apologize for how they treated him. Yeah, this is simple but you get the point.

ENJOY!

Credit for the character bases goes to SelenaEde, Credit for the backgrounds goes to SparxGuardian, credit for Helia's Believix wings goes to darkfairyofmadness, and credit for the Enchantix wings and Brandon's Believix wings goes to AstralBlu. All of whom are on DeviantArt.

[buck-nialled]

Undertow - S. Mendes (V)

Chapter 1 // Chapter 2 // Chapter 3 // Chapter 4

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CH V: Working Woman

“Okay, your turn.” Shawn hands the pair of dice over to Y/N. “Just like I showed you, yeah?” The dotted cubes landed in her warm palm as she nodded. Curling the hand into a fist, like Shawn had done moments earlier, she rattled the dice around furiously in her clutch and even blew into the tiny hole at the top of her fist for, as Shawn deemed, “good luck”. 

They clattered onto the game board moments later, revealing a collective five. She moved the metal ship that many spaces, as directed by Connor, and landed on the respective cube. 

“Ooh, you get to draw a card,” Shawn said, gesturing to the neatly stacked pile of paper on the game board. With an equally excited grin, Y/N swiped the card at the very top and peered at it for a few seconds. 

Tilting her head, she read off of the paper, “Go directly to jail.” Connor made a sound similar to a pathetic trombone and guided her piece to one of the corners holding an illustration of cell bars. 

“Just like home,” the girl sighs, placing her chin on her hand. Connor’s head snaps up immediately at the comment, eyes wide. 

“What?” Realizing her slip-up, Y/N’s head also stiffened and directed itself at Shawn, who was also staring at her with saucers for pupils. Then, the two looked back at Connor, still frozen with shock in his chair. 

“What?” The two echoed together. “I was just joking--” Y/N tried excusing.

“Two days ago you didn’t know the meaning of joking,” Connor retorts. “You said being in jail was ‘just like home.’ Shawn, do not tell me we are harboring a criminal.” Connor growled, aiming a desperate look at his roommate. Shawn is a terrible liar to the average stranger. To blabber a fib to his closest friend about their new houseguest would surely result in further interrogation. 

“Uh…um…” 

“Dear God,” the boy moaned, smothering his face with his hand. 

“I’m not a criminal,” Y/N piped up. Separating two fingers, Connor spared a hesitant look at the girl through his hand. “Well, not on land at least.” This urged Connor’s hand to fully remove itself from his face and clutch the edge of the dining table for support. 

“Huh?” A sigh is released from Y/N, who shares a look of sorrow with Shawn. There was nothing she could tell Connor that was more believable than the truth. Nevertheless, guilt swelled her insides with every word of her explanation she shared at the table. 

“So, I’m basically a fugitive of the sea...surprise.” She sang the last word, tossing her hands in the air.

"Wait so...you--she's a--" lifting an accusing finger, Connor's eyes flicker to Shawn momentarily. Then, they go back to Y/N again, "you're a--a mermaid?" 

"No, good grouper!" she bellows. "What is your land-walkers' obsession with having a fishtail? Is that attractive to you guys, or something?" she sputters in revulsion, looking back and forth between the two boys. Shawn and Connor only exchange a look before shrugging. 

"It was in the movie," Connor murmurs, lifting his shoulders in a shrug.

"Well, we are called the Atlanteans. Physically, we have all human parts with the exception that our lungs are capable of treating water as oxygen, our blood can range from warm to cold, our eyes fluctuate to perceive different lightings and--"

"Yeah, yeah you're basically a walking mermaid, we get it." Y/N crosses her arms at Connor's superficial retort. Shawn gulps as her glare directs itself at him and she huffs.

"And you wonder why we despise humans so much." 

"Woah woah, you despise us?" Connor leans up in his seat with a newfound interest in the conversation. "Why?" At first, Y/N held concern to share such vital information with her new caretakers. But considering Shawn has grown somewhat used to her unearthly routines of living and Connor's reaction to her true identity was less than startled, she figured now to be an opportune time to answer the question. 

"Every day, you land-walkers throw garbage around like it's sand or surfing trophies...where do you think it all ends up?" Shawn and Connor tilted their heads down, shameful. 

"Not to mention the oil spills and the fact that you catch half of our creatures for sport for no reason. It'd be different if you used them for vital resources like food, but you land-walkers see them as nothing but points to a game. Like this," she spits, knocking over the tiny, silver ship still sat in the jail square. 

"If you all treated our world with some decency, you might have known about Atlanteans much sooner." 

"Atlanteans are coming up to land?" Shawn arched a brow, earning a snort.

"Were," Y/N corrected. "Hundreds of years ago, that was the plan. That we would make an appearance and find a way to co-exist with humans. If there was a way to form bonds and relations with them...Atlanteans would bring the evolution of land-walkers to entirely new levels physically. You all would be able to swim to depths unimaginable, learn how to control holding your breath easier...but then, you dedicated your lives to destroying our home, our families...”

"Families?" Shawn questions meekly.

"Your best friends are other land-walkers. My best friend is a dolphin." 

"Really?" Connor's mouth dropped. She nods in response. 

"Yeah...well, and I guess you guys now, too." 

"We're so sorry, Y/N. We had no idea how bad it was,” Connor says.

"That's alright, now you do."

"Do you think if more people knew about you, they would stop?" Shawn offers.

"That's what I'm hoping but as long as the royal family of Atlantis continues resenting humans, there's no way for you all to know we exist. Then again, if land-walkers do find out about us...” 

"You could be put in danger," Shawn concludes in a whisper. Y/N nods, sparing a glance down at her hands. 

She offers a pitiful chuckle. “My father always told me, ‘If they don’t care about life down here now, why bother going up?’”

"But being on land for a few days," she begins, "way better than life down there."

"Well, you're welcome to live up here as long as you'd like." Shawn reaches an arm over the table to lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. Once again, her body was donning his hoodie, and it became flush under his heartfelt gaze. 

"Yeah, your secret is safe with us. Well, with me at least." Connor places a flat palm to his chest. "Shawn isn't the best at keeping things quiet." He whispers towards Y/N, who lets out a few giggles at the man's nervous look. Shawn only growls and kicks Connor lightly in his shin below the table. 

"I'll take this secret to my grave. I can promise you that," he swears, looking back to Y/N with nothing other than sincerity. 

"I appreciate it." She blinks before blurting. “Your eyes are pretty, too.” 

Her comment leaves Shawn flustered and Connor confused, but both boys have smirks on their faces after composing themselves and returning to the board game in front of them. 

“How do you apply for a job?” 

Her question caught Shawn off guard and he froze in his spot in the kitchen. 

“You want a job? What for?” 

“I can’t leech off of you and Connor forever. Gotta make money one way or another and it looks like I need a job for that.” She stood up, bringing her empty bowl of cereal to the sink and washing it out before placing it inside the dishwasher. 

“Do you have a particular place in mind?” He snapped back to reality. Was she already sick of him?

“No. That’s why I need your help. Where do I look and what do I do?” She turned to face him, arms crossed over her chest. He smiled at her disheveled appearance, hair in a messy ponytail and baggy pajamas that swallowed her frame. She still chose to use his hoodie, even with her own clothes to wear. 

“What kinds of things are you good at?” 

“Swimming and eating cheese balls.” Shawn laughed but Y/N looked dead serious. “Don’t laugh at me,” she scoffed. “Eating cheese balls is a real skill, okay?” 

“You’d be a good-” He stopped himself, hesitant to suggest what was on the tip of his tongue. 

“Hmm?” 

“Lifeguard. You’d make a good lifeguard.” 

“What do lifeguards do?” 

“Remember when you saved me at the cove?” She nodded her head. “Basically that with some variations.” 

Speaking of the cove, his foot had gotten a lot better in the days after getting stitches. He was able to walk without too much pain but he still couldn’t surf. According to the doctor, it could be a while before that happened again. If Shawn was being honest, getting back to surfing had gone to the back of his mind as he spent more time with Y/N. 

“So you mean there’s more helpless people like you out there?” She looked at him with disbelief. “You land walkers need to get it together. Save yourselves every once a while why don’t you?” 

“Not all of us are mermaids.” 

“For the last time, I am not a mermaid.” She nudged him in the shin with her barefoot. “I have legs and feet, not a tail.” 

“Same difference.” 

“You're impossible.” She turned around to go to his room and get ready for the day. She looked back once she stood in the doorway, seeing that Shawn was still staring at her. “What?” 

“Nothing.” 

“Mmm hmm.” She stepped further into the room to close the door. 

Shawn cleaned up the rest of the kitchen, putting the remaining dishes into the dishwasher and cleaning some crumbs off the counter. He sat down at the table while he waited for Y/N to finish up. 

She emerged minutes later, not bothering to close the door behind her. “So, how would I get this ‘saving helpless humans’ job?” 

“You could probably talk to one of them. I don’t know how they would feel about hiring you though since you don’t exactly exist as a person in the human world.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She sat down next to him, propping her elbows on the table and resting her head on her palms. 

“You don’t have official documentation in the human world. No birth certificate, no ID, nothing that proves you are who you say you are. Especially since you ‘don’t remember’ anything before you ended up in the cove, people are going to be hesitant to hire you.” 

“Well, then how am I supposed to get a job?” She rested her hands in front of herself, tapping her fingers on the wood. 

Shawn sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. “You might be able to get one at the market.” He noticed her look of disdain, remembering how last time didn’t go so well. “Or you could talk to Wesley about lifeguarding.” He grimaced as he said it, hating that he was even suggesting such a thing. 

“That’s not a bad idea. Thanks, Shawn.” She offered him a genuine smile and he melted at the gesture. “I might ask around while you’re at work.” 

“Just be careful, yeah?” He reached a hand to lay over hers, concern laced in his eyes. “We don’t know who’s lurking around.” 

She turned her hand over to grab and squeeze his. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m a scary sea woman. People tremble in my presence.” 

“Okay,” he laughed. “But still, keep an eye out. For me, please?” 

“You know I will.” 

“So let me get this straight,” Tertis brings a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose, “you know a human who is watching after her?” His eyes land directly on the middle of the pile of knights, where Ripley was standing. The Atlantean delivered a firm nod and a confident, “yes, sire.” 

“Then why is she not down here in shackles yet?” he barks, slamming the butt of his trident down onto the sea stone with a firm grip. The large clang reverberated through the walls of the throne room the king had recently gifted him but was now threatening to reap Tertis if the search for the runaway princess is left unsuccessful. “I have given you a job gentleman. Unless you’d like a new one polishing my feet, I suggest you do what I have asked of you.” 

Murmurs of “yes, sire” all warp together before many knights are swimming off in their armor to complete the task. Ripley prepared to do the same, before Tertis bellowed a deep, “stop.” Ripley did as commanded, and approached Tertis with fretful eyes. 

“What is your name?” The knight gulped. 

“Ripley, sire.”

“You are going to be the first of the knights kneeling by my feet if that fugitive is not brought to me soon. Understand?” The growl made Ripley’s insides begin tangling themselves in knots. While catching the runaway princess should be his top priority, the safety of his son surpassed it greatly. What kind of father figure could he label himself to wreak havoc on Wesley’s home, as well as his own wife’s? 

He nods anyway. “Yes, sire.”

“Good. And just to make things crystal clear...I want her back down here in two days’ time. No longer. You have wasted plenty of sun piddling on the land-walkers' territory,” he spits in revulsion. The knots within Ripley tighten. Flashes of Wesley overcome his mind, and he feels his heart and throat begin constricting simultaneously. His response is a feeble squeak. 

“Yes, sire.” 

“Do you know if he lives around here?” Y/N tilts her head, eyeing Shawn from the passenger seat of his Jeep. Her eyes subtly transfixed themselves on his muscled arm, which connected to the hand comfortably holding the steering wheel. His other forearm occupied the small center cubby, separating the two, fingers dancing in anticipation for what this “lifeguard lesson” Wesley (eagerly) agreed to would entail. 

“Who?” 

“Him,” She points a finger to the radio, currently blasting the top-charting single, Watermelon Sugar, throughout the vehicle.

“Harry Styles?” He scoffs, “I doubt he’s anywhere near here...why?”

Slumping down in the leather seat, Y/N blows out a breath and folds her arms against her chest. “I promised Douglas an autograph from him.”

“Wait—you—you know who Harry Styles is? The dolphin,” Shawn pauses, “knows who Harry Styles is?” 

“Of course. Sea people aren’t entirely uncultured, you know? We have music down there,” she remarks with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. The gleam of them blinds Shawn more than the rays tickling the sea at dawn, but he accepted the white glares in their every wake. 

“You’re doing it again.” Y/N points out.

“Uh-what?”

“Staring at me. Is something wrong with my clothes?” Her pale hands flew to the straps of the vibrant sundress Shawn now regrets suggesting her to wear. Beneath it lies a swimsuit even more promiscuous and the thought of Wesley earning perks of her body under the afternoon sun for the following hours set an envious fire ablaze within the depths of Shawn’s stomach. 

“No, you look great,” Shawn muttered while his eyes flicked back onto the road. You’d look better in my hoodie though, he thinks to himself. Y/N, now observing his profile, saw the subtle shifting of his jaw from her seat. 

“That didn’t sound too convincing,” she replies, a smirk barely tugging one corner of her lips up. “Shawn…what’s the issue?” Her query has the driver’s body tensing within seconds and the vicious grip his hand was clutching the steering wheel with was fading into a ghostly white.

“Nothing.”

“Shawn…”

“I swear I’m fine.” But at this point, he didn’t know who he was trying to convince. 

“You’re sweating!” she argues, aiming one of her hands beside Shawn’s face. Slowly, he endured a tickling sensation over his forehead as the droplets of moisture were plucked, one by one by Y/N’s magical forces. Her gaze remained concentrated as she worked to form a reasonable bubble of the water she had gathered from him and dangled it before his apprehensive gaze. “See?”

“Please don’t do that. Like, ever again.” His body shifts uncomfortably in the seat, as he feels the moisture reaching his palms. Y/N throws what little she had collected from his damp skin out of the open window to the jeep, disregarding the small splash it made upon landing on the pavement. 

“Just tell me what’s wrong--” 

“Fine. I think it’s a dumb idea for you to be getting close to the water,” he blurts, chest beginning to heave in irritation. 

“You’re the one who said I should try getting a job as a life—“

“I know and I regretted it as soon as I said it. Y/N, what’s gonna happen when they find you back in the water again? Do you think they’re just gonna let you carry on living life on land?” The parking lot was bumpy with sand but his Jeep managed to climb over any humps. As much as he wanted to put the gear of his vehicle in reverse, he switched it to the parking setting instead. 

“I-I don’t know but...but I haven’t seen any sign of them here so far, so--” 

“Don’t you think that’s because you’ve been doing a good job hiding out, away from water? One trace of you and they’ll drag you right back down to where you don’t want to be.” His snippy tone acted like weights to the corners of Y/N’s mouth. Each harsh word he directed at her further encouraged her frown to deepen. “I’m sorry Y/N, I can’t let you do this.” As his hand went back to the gear shift, hers landed on top of it. Shawn froze at the feeling of her skin cloaking his own while internally, the man became hypnotized with this indescribable warmth. 

“No, Shawn. I want this job.” 

“I can get you a job in the market,” Shawn offers, earning a sharp glare from the girl sitting across from him. “It’ll draw even more confusion once they ask for proof you are human, Y/N. It’s dangerous either way. I don’t want you to take that risk...c’mon let’s go--”

“I’m not leaving, Shawn.” She shakes her head furiously, catching sight of a few beachgoers running past them through the windows. Screams of all pitches faded in and out during the stampede occurring outside but Shawn took it as nothing out of the ordinary. The weather was nice and teenagers were always excited to end the school week with their friends in the crystal blue waters. 

“Why not?” The growl laced in his voice catches her off guard but does not halt her outcry seconds after. 

“Because you’re trying to take away the one thing I might actually have a chance at, here! You might not see it as a good idea but you know deep down I’d be way better at saving lives here than at the market selling--” 

She inhales a piercing breath; one that makes Shawn’s eyes expand in fear and unknowing. The hand atop of his clenches but Shawn barely feels the fingernails leaving patterned crescents on the tan skin. “Y/N...what is it? What’s wrong?” 

But her jaw was locked and unmoving as her eyes continued blinking at the sight behind Shawn’s shoulder. Through the glass of his window, she peered at the menacing waves, which continued crashing high and mighty, washing pedestrians in the opposite direction as they screamed and flailed in desperation on their way to safety. 

“Tsunami,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. Shawn’s head snapped back to where her stare was trained, observing the damage for himself. In a moment, his neck was twisting back to see Y/N clambering out of her seat and out of the Jeep. 

“What are you doing?” demands a flabbergasted Shawn when he sees Y/N begin sprinting towards the oncoming waves, against the traffic of the crowd. He exits his side of the car, repeating himself even louder atop of the shrieks of terror emitting from the stampede. Through the swarm of bodies and sand, he spots waves he has only dreamed of being able to ride forming and expanding in their travel to shore. 

“Showing you that I’m responsible enough to save people! Go!” 

“No!” he refuses, shoving his way past bodies as he tries nearing her. She is far past him at this point, though, and getting harder to see through the ever-darkening sky, swirling with clouds. “I’m not leaving you!” She cannot slip away from me this easy, he thinks to himself.

“Then you have a death wish!” Another harsh wave breaks and slams with a large boom, reaching up to the lower portion of Y/N’s calves, and Shawn’s ankles. “Just go somewhere safe! I need to find Wesley!” 

“Wesley?” Shawn whispers to himself, halting his stomping feet. Simultaneously, he feels his heart drop, as well as his body. Something vicious jostles him to the ground and the bitter saltwater meets his tongue, bringing him back to the horrid wipeout he suffered a bit over a week prior. The waves continue their harsh entrance onto land and enter his eyes, allowing him to shut them in a hiss while a brutal, unknowing force keeps him sessile. 

His heartbeat was erratic but all he could feel was it sinking in his chest like a rock from Y/N’s frantic running away from him. Maybe Connor was right, he thinks to himself, becoming attached to her could only end badly. 

Why Shawn decided to call her name after and endure gargling salt water through every scream is unbeknownst to him. Why he continued doing it until his voice reached a murmur and his vision morphed into something spotted is even more of a mystery. The screaming winds hardly catch the broken whisper he lets slip through his lips until the forces surrounding him finally render him unconscious. 

“I love you.” 

Look out for the next part of Undertow coming 3/5/21!

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[etlunainmorte]

"WHAT THE FFFUUUCCCKKK?!"

Christopher wailed helplessly for seemingly the sixtieth time that evening. He has been brought by an unknown force to many places he hasn't even seen, and in a space of only thirty minutes, it was safe to say that he has traveled all four or so corners, and nooks and crannies, of the planet Earth.

And now, he found himself standing at the edge of the cliff, staring down from a height where he could fall down, down, down into the deep, vast ocean where the waves crashed wildly, with no hope of coming back up alive.

"WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!" Christopher was truly about to stumble down when a strong hand grabbed his already wrinkled coat, saving him from his demise.

"I GIVE UP!" The doctor finally cried in defeat. "I GIVE UP!"

"Come again?" Came the threatening voice of the man behind him. The man who was responsible for all of these unwanted travels.

"I GIVE UP! I'M SORRY! I WILL NEVER INTERFERE AGAIN!"

"Ah, I can't quite hear you." Vergil simply answered. "The waves are too loud. But, where shall we go next? The Himalayas? The Amazon? Or perhaps the - ?"

"STOP! PLEASE! NOT THE HIMALAYAS AGAIN! I'M SORRY!" Christopher cried helplessly. "I'LL,... I'LL GIVE THE NECKLACE BACK. JUST,... PLEASE! BRING ME BACK HOME!"

"And you swear it?"

"YES! YES!"

"Very well." Vergil replied, and after another slash of the Yamato, Christopher and him were back to Swan Lane in mere seconds.

Christopher collapsed on the ground, almost worshipping the dirty asphalt for seeing and feeling it once more. Then, fishing the necklace from his pocket, he turned around to see the eldest son of Sparda looking down at him.

"Here, man, take it!" Christopher said as he handed the trinket back to Vergil.

"And I hope you learned your lesson." Vergil spoke as calmly as he could as he took the thing from Christopher's hand. He knew that the man would have no reason to lie now, and should he find him doing it again, he'll take it upon himself to make him face even greater consequences than ever before ( he was strongly debating whether to leave the doctor on an indigenous island tribe who still used poison darts to assault invaders but, he took mercy upon him and avoided the place altogether ).

"Yes! Yes! I swear I will be good!"

"Very well, then." Vergil nodded, then turned on his heel.

Christopher waited for Vergil to disappear and only then did he finally try to get up. Thinking with gusto on what to have for breakfast ( for it was, indeed, almost morning ), he simply walked back home without calling for a taxi ( luckily, he didn't drop his cellphone on the way to Nairobi ). Opening the door and going straight to his kitchen, he opened his fridge and found,... nothing.

Thinking that his eyes might only be tired from seeing too much within a single night, he closed the fridge and blinked several times. Then, he opened the fridge once more. Still nothing.

"What,... the hell?" Christopher muttered under his breath.

His hunger almost consuming him, he began ransacking the shelves for anything to eat, anything at all. But, it was useless.

Someone stole all of his food!

Collapsing on the chair, he tried to stifle his screams of frustration as he grabbed fistfuls of his hair when he saw a piece of paper on the table right in front of him.

Curious, he grabbed the paper and read the words written on it.

Kittee an I ate all yer foods

It was yummee

Bydawei (Y/N)'s pupels tot me da alfebet last kreesmas and I learnt how ta wraite

Thankz fer da meal!

Yum yum yum

- Griffin

Can we go bak next time? Da mufens r hella delishas! Will bring Nitemerr too! He sez he wants ta see ya!

And at the bottom of the letter was a drawing of a frazzled - looking bird, with fierce - looking red eyes, in different shades of blue. And beside it, an illustration of a black cat with red eyes with the words, haha! Kittee gos mrreow! written next to it.

That damned poet's pets,... ate all of his damned food!

"FFFUUUCCCKKK!"

***

🌸 Three Wishes 🌸

***

The start of the new year proved to be very fruitful for you. First of all, Christopher Lancaster has moved to a different city that was very far from Swan Lane ( you found it strange that Griffon and Shadow seemed to be saddened by this fact ). Avery and Roman finally shared the good news to everyone ( you were not that surprised, actually, but all of you were very happy for the couple, nonetheless ). Your grandmother and Fleminger started seeing each other more and more and they both looked very happy ( once, Fleminger even visited the kindergarten you were working at and gave a musical instrument to each child, not to mention the more than generous sum he donated a week prior ). Dante left alone for Gaoltown on a mysterious gig he didn't want to share with others ( he didn't divulge the full details of the commission but, Morrison did spill that the client this time needed more than an Exorcist, and because of that, you have a strong feeling of what the Devil Hunter would be facing there ). Lady and Trish took turns watching over Dante's shop at Morrison's behest ( said they have this ladies' night thing going on and that they were working so hard because of this ). Nero went on more Devil Hunting missions with Nico ( Kyrie started tagging along, cooking foods for them and assisting Nico with Breaker repairs ). And Vergil? Let's just say he was busy with something,...

What about you and V?

For one, you have witnessed how V's demeanor changed for the better. As a matter of fact, he felt so different now compared to how he was the first time you've met him. Now, he smiled a lot, ate more than ever before, and most importantly, he finally allowed himself to loosen up a bit and have fun. 

Also, you're very happy to see how well he has gotten along with your students ( he insisted on visiting there every once in a while, either to play the violin or to read fairy tales ), that, over time, the children has gotten attached to him. So, he finally made the decision to apply there as a substitute teacher ( he can't focus on a full time teaching job because he was still active as a Devil Hunter ), and, honestly? You were beyond thrilled and excited. You even began looking forward to the days when it was his turn to teach because, every time he whips up fun tales for the children to listen to, he would always ask Griffon and Shadow to act out as the main characters ( the demonic bird was already asked to play as an astronaut who got lost in space, a pirate who can't swim, and a Genie who can't cook barbecue, and the demonic feline was already made to play a mermaid who turned into a hair brush, a warrior who came out of a durian, and a witch who turn swine into fish ). On some rare cases, the generous poet, along with his pet demons, would play tirelessly with the children for hours on end until the familiars got so tired, they turned into their stalemate states a few times.

And what about outside your work? Honestly, you couldn't ask for anything else, for you felt so content and satisfied with V by your side. He has even taken a vast interest with your full - time occupation as a pianist ( being a surprisingly talented musician, himself ). He never missed any of your concours and he has become your biggest fan ( he would always kindly ask to play something with you if you're not busy ). 

At times, you didn't know, or couldn't figure out, what you did to deserve such a very loving, thoughtful, and wonderful person. Your wounds of your past has now fully healed, thanks to V, and everyday, you look forward to seeing him and spending the rest of the day with him. You never stopped thanking the Heavens for granting you this wonderful opportunity of being together with the most loving, caring, and gentle man you have ever met.

Indeed, with V by your side, you have become the happiest woman on earth.

*

February 14, 2020

*

" ... and we can handle the rest. No worries!"

You still couldn't understand. Your partner's back! And what's more, she's with Vergil!

Vergil Sparda, of all people!

The two were graciously asking you to take a rest from teaching, taking over as teachers for the day to make up for the lost time ( your partner has been absent for quite a while ). And honestly? The two were doing a pretty good job ( you were a bit scared of what the students would think of Vergil, turned out he was fond of children deep beneath his stoic and intimidating shell, and they easily fell in love with him ) that you instantly felt confident of their skills.

But, work matters aside: Vergil was, indeed, the man who has been visiting your partner since last year! The man has been trying so hard to win her affections over the holidays, hence his absence from Devil hunting missions! And you saw that he has finally succeeded! The smile on his face said so!

And your partner? She looked positively radiant! And she should be! She's finally together with someone who deserved her love and kindness!

Finally, she would no longer feel heartbroken and lonely, and she could focus more on her violin now!

"It's alright, (Y/N)." Vergil reiterated as he handed a stuffed tiger to a little girl. "We can take it from here."

"Thank you, Vergil." You said, smiling at him and feeling so grateful for his initiative and generosity.

"No. Thank you. For taking care of my brother." The eldest son of Sparda answered. "I have never seen V so happy. And content. And full of life. He has changed, and for the better. I'm sure mother would be so proud of you, and she would feel honored to have you as a new member of the Sparda family,... little sister."

"Oh! I," you mumbled, suddenly feeling the heat creep up your cheeks and ears at the thought of marrying into the Sparda family. " ... thank you so much, Vergil."

"Come on, (Y/N), it's the fourteenth of February!" Your partner playfully told you as she held onto your arm. "You know what it means, don't you?"

"I don't know about that!" You lied with a shy smile, already feeling excited for this wonderful day.

"Go on! I'm sure he's waiting for you outside." Your partner let you go and practically pushed you out of the room with a mischievous look.

Giving the couple one last look before going out, you waved at them and said, "Thanks, guys!"

"You're welcome, (Y/N)."

"No problem, partner!"

Wearing a smile that could only be described as full of love and happiness, you went outside the colorful kindergarten building and, indeed, saw V waiting for you outside. And what's more, he was atop a jet black motorcycle that made your eyes widen in awe.

With a devilish smirk, V gestured for you to join him and said, "Nero persuaded me to get my own vehicle, since we would not be getting Nico's services for the next couple of months."

"That,... looks positively badass!" You admitted as you received your helmet from him. "Is this what you're trying to learn last month? How to ride a motorcycle?"

"Indeed." V answered as he felt your arms wrapping around his mid section. "Surprised?"

"Yeah!" You answered as you watched him wear his own helmet.

"Where to, my sweet lady?" V asked, his deep voice laced with mischief and excitement.

And with a little smirk of your own, you said, leaning onto him, "Wherever your heart desires, my dear poet."

***

🐦 Griffon's love letter is brought to you by my one and only little chicken, @lilttlechicken . Thank you so much for the help and support! 🐦

🌸 Thank you so much for the love and support, guys! By the way, there is a running joke / trend in every chapter of this fic. Let me know in the comments section if you noticed it, and I might give you a little gift. ;) 🌸

🌸 @la-vita , @dreaming-gamer , @birdgirl69 , and @v-vic . 🌸

***

...

...

...

"V,..." The poet heard Dante's voice from a distance. "V! Wake up!"

V opened his eyes and saw the worried look on Dante and Griffon's faces.

"V," Dante muttered as he grabbed the poet's shoulders, helping him sit and trying to wake him up by shaking him a bit. " ... are you okay? What happened?"

"I thought you're done for, V!" Griffon, who gently landed on his leg, sounded like he was crying in despair.

V felt his eyes getting heavy and hot with unshed tears, and there was a growing pain in his chest that was beginning to feel more and more like a massive inconvenience. His hand reached up and clutched it, feeling emptier and lonelier than ever before.

"I saw her." The poet began, his voice hoarse and raw with emotion after such a shocking and harrowing experience. "As a dancer, a musician, a teacher, a patient, a partner, a lover,... " Looking into Dante's eyes, he let out those words that nagged and gnawed on his conscience, begging to be freed after such a long time. "It has always been her, Dante."

"What do you mean by that, V?"

"It was (Y/N). We were always together. It has always been her. And her alone." Taking a deep breath, he finally set those tears of his free from their deep, jade prison and declared, with a clear voice, "(Y/N),... is, indeed, my soulmate."

Leaving the poet for a while, Dante stood and marched directly towards the one who caused V all this misery.

The one woman, dressed from head to toe in black, who mourned for the lost of her love.

For many centuries.

"Azalea," Dante began, looking down at her and trying to get through her intimidating shell one more time. But, he still couldn't. " ... what happened to V? What did you do to him?"

The woman named Azalea returned Dante's worried gazr, her pair of gold rose eyes that shed so many tears seemingly penetrating the depths of his own soul.

And with a look that made the Legendary Devil Hunter realize how weak he really was before her, she spoke,...

"I opened,... his eyes."

***

V and Dante will return.

***

🌸🌸🌸

***

[peggingtaron]

Belle & Edward

Pairing: Edward x Belle (Edward Scissorhands x Beauty & The Beast crossover)

Summary: Belle, with a dreamy far off look and a nose stuck in a book, is isolated from the common folk that judge her, and dissatisfied with her life in the small suburban town. Upon exploring the old abandoned castle, far off from the town, she discovers a boy with scissors as hands, living his life all these years in the ancient shadows of the castle. A scissor-handed boy named Edward.

•

Word Count: 2.6K

A/N: I started writing this on wattpad when I was 16 so excuse the occasional cringe

Chapter 1 — Little Town

Once upon a time, by a little town, there was a mansion. In that mansion lived an Inventor. The Great Inventor made many odd contraptions, spectacular devices and wonderful gadgets. But none so odd, none so spectacular and none so wonderful than his creation of a man. He gave him inside, a heart, a brain, everything. Well, almost everything...

The Inventor was old, so very old. He died before he got to finish the man he invented. So the man was left by himself with scissors as hands...Incomplete and all alone.

His name was Edward.

Edward had spent years, alone, isolated in the shadows of the deserted castle as dust and cobwebs collected around him. He knew, in his unfinished state that he would spend all his days without anyone's company. Forever in solitude. Forever desolate.

For who could ever learn to love a beast?

><><

This little town was never an exciting place during the morning. In fact, this little town wasn't the least bit exciting at all for Belle. Belle spent her mornings on strolls around the neighbourhood. She did this everyday, perhaps in hopes to spot even the slightest moments of routines to change. But no, this was never the case. Belle would find men coming out their houses at the exact same time, driving their cars out their driveways in a practised, perfect pattern, children playing on their lawn with the exact same games, women keeping up their gardens in the exact same fashion of their neighbours.

In disappointment of the unchanging cycle, Belle would bury her nose behind a book and everything around her would seem to blur. She didn't regard her surroundings as all she would see were the visions of princes and princesses, pirates and sword fights, fairies and mermaids, all brought to life by the words of her books. The more impossible the story, the better.

Belle would find herself so enraptured by the premise of her story, she never regarded the conspicuous whispers of townsfolk as she passed them. Not that it would effect her at all. You would think by Belle living in this town for most her life, her neighbours would think of something else to sneer at. Though, it was only Belle, and with the exact same whispers as the day before.

"Look, there's that strange girl." "Dazed and distracted as always." "That girl's always got her head in the clouds!" "No denying, she's a funny girl that Belle!" "Shame that such a beauty is so odd." "What an odd child."

Not one comment could faze her. Nothing could make her look up from her book.

It was because of this, that she was rather surprised when she found path blocked by a boy. She looked up from her book with a sigh, rather expectant to see what would be in front of her.

"Bonjour, Belle!" The boy flashed a handsome grin at her.

"Hello, Gaston." Belle mumbled.

Belle was often greeted in French since moving to town, from a small French provincial village. She had no idea why this tickled and amused Gaston and her classmates so much. She was after all, immaculate in her English.

Gaston always held a confident demeanour with him, all too proud of his tall, slender, handsome figure. Many girls of Belle's age envied that Gaston favoured her attention, being that she was such an outcast to people of Gaston's supposed calibre. Belle was not at all pleased with the attention she got from Gaston either. Beneath his superficial pearly white smile surfaced a spoiled, egotistical, empty-headed boy much too pretentious to believe that Belle genuinely had no interest in him.

Gaston smiled down at her, grabbing the book from her hands. He smiled at Belle amused as she tried to reach for it, but Gaston being a great deal taller than her held the book high from her.

"Gaston, may I have my book back, please?" Belle mustered a polite expression as much as she could, while she grew concerned when Gaston fumbled through the pages carelessly and left creases of the book's spine.

"What are you reading this time?" Gaston flicked through the pages of the book and squinted at it. "How can you read this? There are no pictures."

"I know." Belle made a grab for the book unsuccessfully. "But why should that mean it's any less wonderful? You see, some people use their imagination."

Gaston gave a momentary judgemental glance at Belle, before tossing the book aside. With a gasp from Belle, the book landed on the lawn beside them, it's pages sprawled amongst the dirt of the grass.

Belle was quick to gather her book and smooth out the crinkled pages and had barely comprehended what Gaston was saying, as she nurtured the book in her arms like a newborn baby.

"Belle, I think it's time I should see you without a book covering your pretty face." Gaston gave a confident stride beside Belle who had continued walking. He put an arm around Belle, which she immediately shrugged off. "Movies are the new books, Belle. I don't suppose you're busy tonight. How 'bout it?"

Belle rummaged her mind for a response to help her escape. To her saviour, Gaston's little brother, Dirk called after him, running towards them.

Dirk arrived, panting and backed away slightly when he saw that Gaston had given him an annoyed glare for interrupting them.

"What? Did I interrupt something?" Dirk glared back at Gaston.

As quickly as she could, Belle briskly began walking her way back home.

"Wait!" Gaston called after her. "What about the movie?"

Belle continued walking and replied over her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Gaston, maybe some other time, I can't. I have to go home and help my father."

Dirk spitted a loud scoff. "Yeah that crazy old man will need all the help he can get!"

Both Gaston and Dirk bursted into a hearty fit of laughter, Gaston giving Dirk a slamming high five. Belle stopped dead in her tracks, turning her heel back to face them, fuming.

"Do not talk about my father that way!" Belle exclaimed furiously.

Gaston choked on his laughter as he attempted to stifle it, clearing his throat and hitting his little brother in the shoulder. "Yeah! Don't talk about her dad that way." He tried to scold, but a smirk was still visible across his face.

"My father is just as sane as anybody else here." Belle asserted. "Just because he's inventive and creative does not mean he's insane, it means he's a genius! He is not crazy!"

At the moment, a piercingly loud squeal of an explosion bursted from afar. Sounds of crumbling crashes and thunderous eruptions echoed across the street, causing Belle, Gaston and Dirk to flinch. Many people had come out of their homes to look at the source of the noise, but their eyes immediately travelled to Belle.

This was unfortunately a regular occurrence, courtesy of her Inventor of a father, Maurice. Belle did not regard the grimacing looks she got from her neighbours or the return of Gaston and Dirk's giggling fit as she immediately ran home, worried for her father.

Belle ran frantically back to her home. She gasped as she saw the door, leading to the basement, seeping out smoke. She quickly opened the door, violently coughing as a suffocating cloud of black smoke puffed into her face. "Papa?" She managed to call out through the smoke.

Belle sprinted down the stairs as she saw her father groan in pain. "Are you alright, Papa?"

"Merde!" He cursed. "I give up!" Maurice kicked onto the device that was bursting out smoke.

Maurice coughed, wheezing through the smoke as Belle helped guide him upstairs, away from it. "Papa, you can't give up now. You always say that." Belle encouraged as she went to fetch him a glass of water.

Maurice sighed. "No. This time I mean it. Series of failures - one right after another...Who am I kidding? No one will ever need my boneheaded contraptions!"

"Don't talk like that!" Belle sat beside him. 

"Well it's true! Just ask everyone else out there." He gestured to their neighbours.

"Papa, you will succeed, you'll become a world renowned inventor and all those who spoke ill of you here will bow down to you." Belle was beaming with a radiating smile that never failed to warm Maurice's heart. The girl's purity was always something for him to lift his spirits after hours of failed work.

Maurice gave a hearty chuckle. "Well, my dear. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but thank you."

Belle's smile eventually began to fade, her eyes softening and Maurice's spirits were soon depreciated. "What's wrong?"

"Papa...do you think I'm odd?" Belle had a quiver of worry in her tone.

"Odd? My Belle?" Maurice thought the idea was absurd. "Who would ever think that?"

"Everyone." Belle exasperated. "And they're right! I don't fit in here - there's no one to talk to - no one that doesn't look at me strangely."

"What about Gaston? He's a looker." Maurice chuckled. Maurice got up, brought out his tool box and began to fumble around with them.

Belle muttered. "Oh yes, he's a looker - but he's also conceited, selfish, rude, vain and — ugh! Let's just say that, that's one friendship best avoided."

"Well, what about Kim? You seemed to get on with her well." Maurice was still engaged in conversation with Belle despite being absorbed in his mechanical work.

"Yes, I do like Kim. But she hangs out with the wrong crowd, is always with her boyfriend who seems just as irritating as Gaston and...she really doesn't seem like she wants to be seen with me."

"Now what makes you say that?"

Belle slouched tiresomely, feeling slightly relieved that she was venting out all her troubles. "Oh mon dieu, Papa, why did we have to move here?"

"Hey, I rather like it here." Maurice said defensively. "It just takes some getting used to."

Belle groaned throwing herself on the sofa. "There must be something more to this small suburban life!"

Maurice tutted. "That's your books talking -- all those stories about far off kingdoms have gotten to your head. There are no princes and castles here, Belle."

Belle raised her eyebrows as she looked out the window and stared at the marvel of a castle-like mansion far off on top of the hill. "I beg to differ, Papa." She muttered almost to herself.

The castle had always intrigued Belle. It was a magnificent view, that was also seen from the window of her bedroom. The very sight of it from her bedroom window would lull her into a dreaming sleep of fantastically impossible worlds. Whether it be a world where teapots and teacups greeted you for morning breakfast, or a world where magic portraits could come to life.

In school, she'd heard the castle was an abandoned one, untouched since an old inventor had passed away there, though there is still some speculation that his ghost haunts the manor. Although this was a ridiculous rumour, the more time she spent in the dreary suburban neighbourhood, the more she hoped something so ridiculous was true - ridiculous was fascinating.

"I'll be right back, Papa. I think I'll go out for another stroll..." She said as she eyed the castle.

><><

Belle was careful to make sure she wasn't seen going off to the mansion. She couldn't imagine the rumours that would circulate after neighbours seeing a strange girl voluntarily wander into the only bizarre place in this perfect town. It puzzled Belle completely, as to how people had never thought of exploring there before - how nobody had a good sense of curiosity to be fascinated with a house that wasn't plain and identical as every other house in the neighbourhood.

Belle creaked open the gates, wincing at the loud yelps the rustiness of the untouched gates made. The path leading up to the castle was eerie with dark trees hanging over, though eerie in a way that fascinated Belle. Belle was boiling in anticipation, as she observed her surroundings.

She stopped in her tracks as she spotted a light pink car parked in the pathway. She observed the track tyres and noticed that they were fresh and someone had just come here. This was only perplexing as Belle could not think of anyone who would dare visit here.

She briskly walked up the path, growing more eager.

Belle widened her eyes as she saw Peg Boggs, dressed in a light pink outfit with her Avon suitcase in hand. Peg was Kim's mother, and was one of the very few people that treated Belle with kindness. Peg was admiring the splendour of the garden in front of the castle, and eventually Belle's eyes drifted towards the garden as well.

Belle felt an ecstatic grin creep across her face from ear to ear as she marvelled at the sight before her. Bright flowers organised in colourful bunches, topiary plants shaped perfectly into animals some of which were imaginative much like the ones in the stories she'd read and beautiful stems of vines framed around the castle. 

Belle felt the fairytales she'd dream about come to life before her.

"Belle?" 

Belle gasped as she snapped out of her marvelling gaze at the sight. Peg was just as surprised to see Belle there as well.

"Mrs. Boggs, hello." Belle smiled.

"Hello. What are you doing here?" Peg greeted her with a warm smile.

"I-I'm...I...Well, I've always wanted to come up here...The castle, it's...it's..."

"It's wonderful, isn't it?" Peg chuckled as she looked back at the view.

Belle's smile returned to its radiant beam. "'Wonderful' is an understatement, it's epic, it's incandiferous, it's...magical."

Belle grew red in the cheeks at her excitement. These sorts of remarks are what labelled her as odd to everyone in her neighbourhood. Belle's smile faltered and her head bowed sheepishly.

Peg chuckled. "There's no need to feel embarrassed, Belle. I find your enthusiasm endearing."

Belle gave a modest grin before returning to her initial confused state. "What are you doing up here, Mrs. Boggs?"

Peg gave a tired sigh, gesturing to her suitcase. "Avon calling. I've had doors slammed in my face all morning, and I'm simply tired of it. I thought it was time that I tried something different, or rather, go somewhere else."

Belle nodded. "Well, this sure is a change of scene." She mused as she looked back through the garden.

Belle's eye was caught by a single red rose, standing out amongst a patch of white flowers. She knelt down to the rose, bringing her nose to it and inhaling it, fluttering with delight at its smell. As she was marvelling at the flower, she felt a strange sensation that she was being watched.

Almost instinctively, her head jerked up to the one of the windows high up on the castle. In a flash of a glimpse she spotted a face staring down at her curiously, though the face disappeared as quickly as she saw it. "There is someone here..." Belle gasped in delight.

"Really?" Peg asked. She began to clutch onto her Avon suitcase and make her way towards the door. Belle wasn't sure why, but she followed Peg. 

"Perhaps I'll join you on this Avon calling." Belle smiled. Her eyes tore away from the window that she fixated on. Little did she know that the face that she saw reappeared at the window, eyeing her in enchantment, as she made her way inside with Peg.