#Isle of White Festival

[undergroundrockpress]

Isle of White Festival, 1970. Photos : Sheelagh Hunter.

[seamusicpoetry]

Leonard Cohen performing in 1970 Isle of Wight Festival

[21-roses-a-day]

SABRINA CARPENTER via her Instagram stories (18th, June, 2023). 📷 Alfredo Flores

[srndpt2024]

Wight is Wight Dylan is Dylan Wight is Wight Viva Donovan C'est comme un soleil Dans le gris du ciel Wight is Wight et Hippie, hippie, pie Hippie, pie Hippie, pie

Ils sont arrivés dans l'île nue Sans un bagage et les pieds nus Comme un cyclone inattendu Comme une fleur avant la saison Comme une pluie de papillons A laquelle on a jamais cru

Wight is Wight Dylan is Dylan Wight is Wight Viva Donovan C'est comme un soleil Dans le gris du ciel Wight is Wight et Hippie, hippie, pie Hippie, pie Hippie, pie

Toi qui as voulu t'emprisonner As-tu le droit de condamner Celui qui cherche à s'évader Chacun mène sa vie comme il veut Tu ne peux plus baisser les yeux Car aussi vrai que tu es né

Wight is Wight Dylan is Dylan Wight is Wight Viva Donovan C'est comme un soleil Dans le gris du ciel Wight is Wight et Hippie, hippie, pie Hippie, pie

Wight is Wight Dylan is Dylan Wight is Wight Viva Donovan C'est comme un soleil Dans le gris du ciel Wight is Wight et Hippie, hippie, pie

Wight is Wight Dylan is Dylan Wight is Wight Viva Donovan

[evilios]

Thargelia (θαργήλια) is an Athenian and Ionian festival celebrated in the city of Athens and on the isle of Delos on the 6th and 7th of month Thargelion, which corresponds with late May. This year, Thargelia falls onto the 26th and 27th days of the month.

Traditionally thought to celebrate the birth of Artemis and Apollo Patroos, or, in some versions, venerate Helios and the Horae, this festival is a two-day long celebratory occasion focused on a cult sacrifice, rich offering, and devotional games given to the Gods in hopes of appeasing Them.

Thargelia, like many other celebrations of the Ancient times, is an agricultural festival. At the beginning of this celebration, Demeter was praised by the people, and the name of the festival itself, Thargelia, according to grammarians, translates into “fruits/grains of the earth”: Θαργήλια εισί πάντες οι από γης καρποί.

The specific harvest given attention to during this celebration was that of the first fruits of the earth, symbolically connected to the heat of the sun. Due to the connection between Demeter’s celebration and that of the Twins, it was customary to annually send an offering of fresh corn to Delos.

The festival of Thargelia has ritualistic sacrifice of two individuals as its nucleus. The individuals, called pharmakoi (φαρμακοὶ) are sometimes said to be picked from the “ugliest and vilest” of the citizens, as to associate with all that is negative, unhealthy, and plague-ridden. After an extensive ritual, the pharmakoi would be either driven out of the city or, if the festival happened to fall onto a plague year, thrown into the sea or burned alive.

There are two possible origins of that tradition. According to Istrus, there was a man named Φάρμακος who had stolen the sacred vials of Apollo and was later discovered by Achilles’ men. He was, allegedly, stoned to death for the theft, and the sacrifice of Thargelia is meant to commemorate that happening.

According to Helladius, expiatory (made to offer atonement) offerings were a common custom of offering to the Deities in order to purify the city of diseases, such as plagues. Epimenides, for example, attested a different pair of sacrificial youths, Cratinus and Ctesibius, who were allegedly put to death to stop the plague that overtook the Athenian army earlier.

The origins of Thargelia are as Ancient and unclear as the origins of the ritual sacrifice given to the Twins during the celebration. We can only assume that this is a very old festival celebrated with the aim of both asking the Divine for rich harvest of ripe fruits - and safety during the times of contagious diseases.

The ritual of Thargelia starts on the 6th with an offering of a sheep to Demeter Chloe (Δημήτηρ Χλόη) followed by a large purifying sacrifice when two people are put to death or exiled.

The rites of this particular ritual are definitely old, as all human sacrifice goes deep back into the earliest civilizations of the world. One of the pharmakoi (sometimes called σύβακχοι), sacrificial humans, was to represent the women of Athens, the other - the men. They were either both men or a man and a woman, as accounts differ. According to the Ancient writers, on the day of the sacrifice these two, picked from the most unpleasant parts of the society, were led to the temples of Apollo Patroos, Apollo Delphinius, and Apollo Pythius, and then - towards the seaside, followed by a flute melody called κραδίης νόμος.

The pharmakoi were richly dressed in garlands of black and white figs, and as they walked through the city they were whipped with rods made out of fig-wood; some account that the citizens would throw objects at them. They were given honey cakes, cheese, and figs before being burned on a ritualistic funeral pile made of fig-wood. Their ashes were scattered to the winds or thrown into the sea. Some writers state they were thrown into the sea alive while some argue that they were in fact exiled to never return.

Is it possible that an actual sacrifice only took place in the years of calamity where appeasing the Gods with a bloody offering was necessary. It’s hard to say who the pharmakoi were: some say convicted criminals, some call them τὸν πάντων ἀμορφότερον (the ugliest), some say they were φαύλους καὶ παρὰ τῆς φύσεως ἐπιβουλευομένους (or simply physically deformed).

The second day of the festival was meant to be devoted to offerings of thanks given to the Sun God, that is, Apollo or Helios. Children took part in the celebration, carrying εἰρεσιῶναι - olive branches wrapped in wool that were hung up before the doors of houses. One of the best sources on the occasion, Porphyrius, lists a large number of offerings given to the Gods on that day, including ἰλύς - moist soil from which all is born.

A choral procession of men and boys (agon) performed solemnly during the second day of the celebration. This supposedly involved some sort of competitive air to it, as two masters of chorus were given two different tribes, which they were then to supply a chorus from. Whoever succeeded was given a tripod meant to be dedicated at the temple of Apollo. Chorus of women and young girls was also present.

Adoptive parents could properly register their children into the gens and phatria during Thargelia.

Solemn sacrifice was not the only focus of the festival, as it also included the so-called Delia (δήλια), which is the name of festivals and games held at the great panegyrics at the island of Delos. Initially it seems that there was a religious center formed around Delos for the sole purpose of worshiping and securing the worship of Apollo, θεὸς πατρῷος (Father-God) of Ionians. The Delia were held every five years and were supposedly happening during the birth of Artemis and Apollo.

This celebration included gymnastic and musical contests, choruses, and dances. Men, women, and children participated in the festival in equal measure, and the members of the religious assembly of Delos and neighboring islands were welcome. Athenians took part in the celebration from the very early times, as suggested by historical records; they also sent out a “sacred vessel” (θεωρίς) to Delos annually, claiming it was the same as legendary Theseus sent out after returning from Crete. These celebrations were stopped at some point, having been reignited by Athens later on. After Athens took control over the Ionian confederacy, the leader of the Delia became a picked Athenian, and the superintendence of Athenians at the local sanctuary became prominent.

Sources and further reading: 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞

[bun-lapin]

The Gingerbread Gauntlet (part 1)

Summary: The housewardens have a gingerbread house competition

A/N: I meant to have this ready for before Christmas but of course, life had other plans lol The good news though is that I have a whole bunch of new writing ideas and I'm hoping to bust out of my little creative slump once the holiday chaos dies down a bit <3 The overall fic is a bit long so I decided to break it into smaller parts for readability. I'll be posting one part per day and will add links for the other parts after they post <3

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4/END - AO3 (whole fic)

Word Count: 1.6k CW: crack, silly, shouting, insults, mild swearing, candy/gingerbread

Winter at Night Raven College was a time even more magical than usual. Although the cafeteria was mostly empty, the sight of festive winter garlands draped elegantly along the walls, combined with the soft sounds of crackling flames in the grand fireplace, brought a cozy sense of winter cheer to the room. The alluring scents of sugary treats and winter spices wafted through the warm air from the kitchen nearby and from a long, solitary table set up by the doors to the kitchen. Already covered with an assortment of candies and plates of oddly shaped gingerbread cookies, the table was the very picture of a sweet and festive feast. Around the table, seven striking figures were seated an equal distance from each other and, as the snow softly began to fall from the sky outside, they quietly worked with the bounty of sugary confections before them.

~

“I swear on the Noble Rulebook of the Queen of Hearts, if I find out someone has been hoarding all of the rose-shaped peppermints, it’s off with everyone’s heads!”

Leona drowsily raises an eyebrow at Riddle and smirks, “What’s the matter, housewarden? We just started. You losing your temper already?”

Riddle scoffs and wrinkles his nose at Leona’s slouching posture, “I’m not losing my temper! I’m trying to make sure there is an equitable distribution of candy decorations for everyone present to construct their gingerbread houses!” He picks up a paper that looks like an architectural blueprint and angrily jabs a finger at a particular section of the diagram. “I am building a gingerbread model of the Heartslabyul rose maze–to scale, I might add–and I require exactly 68 rose-shaped peppermints to construct it.”

Leona slowly blinks at the intricately detailed design in Riddle’s hands and then shakes his head with a soft chuckle. Reaching under his seat, he pulls out a large, glass bowl of rose-shaped candies and passes it to the Heartslabyul housewarden. Ignoring the death glare from Riddle, he turns to the other housewardens seated around the table and asks, ”Can someone remind me again why we’re doing this stupid gingerbread house competition? This seriously feels like a waste of my precious free time.”

Vil looks up from his gingerbread construction with an expression of withering scorn on his face, “We just went over everything not even a moment ago. Did you actually forget or were you just not paying attention in the first place?”

Kalim lets out a bright and hearty laugh from his seat at the table, “I think this is going to be a really fun activity!” He holds up a small gingerbread cookie decorated with dark colored icing and licorice in the image of Dire Crowley, “Plus, we have to do this because the headmaster asked us to!”  Waving the Crowley cookie in the air, he speaks in a surprisingly accurate impression of the headmaster, “I’ll be damned if I let those fools at RSA take home the trophy for the Isle of Sage’s gingerbread house competition another year in a row!”

Leona shakes his head with a slightly aggravated sigh, “I’m still failing to see why I, or any of us for that matter, should care about this useless endeavor.”

With a piping bag of white icing in one hand, Azul laughs softly and adjusts his glasses with the other hand, “There’s also the fact that whoever makes the best gingerbread house here today will receive a free PE class credit.”

Leona’s eyebrows rise in mild surprise and then he smirks. “Is that so? Well I suppose that explains why that guy over there is actually here in person for once,” he says as he points down towards the other end of the table.

Idia peers up from his work, the expression on his face equal parts gloomy and irritated, “Listen, I will do anything if it means I can miss any amount of PE.” Turning back to his geometric gingerbread design with a pout, he mutters under his breath, “Although, the main reason I’m actually here is because Ortho literally shot down my gingerbread construction drone.”

With a softly amused smile on his face, Malleus turns in his seat next to the Ignihyde housewarden and says, “Do try to cheer up, Idia. I’ve always felt that festive occasions such as these should be attended in person. A contraption built for the sole purpose of constructing with gingerbread could never replace someone special like you.”

“Oh-! Uh-! Th-thanks Malleus-shi! Th-that’s really nice of you to say,” Idia replies with a nervous grin. While keeping his gaze pinned to his work on the table, he then smoothly reaches into his pocket and rapid-fire taps out a message into his smartphone: AAGGGHH!!! WHYYY IS THE HEIR APPARENT OF BRIAR VALLEY SITTING NEXT TO ME?? SO DISTRACTING  (╥﹏╥)

A message notification chimes out from the phone in Azul’s front jacket pocket. After checking to make sure his hands are clean of icing, he takes out his phone and reads the message. With a playful smirk on his face, he taps out his reply: Honestly, I’m more surprised by the fact that Crowley actually remembered to invite Malleus this time. What a rare event!

Idia’s phone buzzes quietly in his pocket and he looks down to swiftly check the message. He glares over at Azul with a small frown and quickly types: yo speaking of rare events! are you wearing the glasses i made for you?? the ones with the built-in camera and mic?? because i deffo remember you saying that they were useless and not your style (¬､¬)

The sound of the cafeteria door loudly creaking open suddenly cuts off Idia and Azul’s silent conversation. All of the assembled housewardens turn to see two fluffy ears atop a head of messy, sandy-brown hair enter the room. With a mischievous grin and a hissing-kind of chuckle, Ruggie waves to the group, “Heya, everyone! I’m here for the gingerbread house competition.”

Riddle frowns at Ruggie while balancing two pieces of messily frosted gingerbread in his hands, “No, you certainly are not! This competition is for housewardens only!”

Leona lets out a loud yawn as he waves Ruggie over to the table. Turning to the rest of the group he explains, “It’s alright, I’m the one who called him here.” Handing Ruggie a piping bag of icing, Leona adds, “He’s gonna build my gingerbread house for me while I take a nap under the table.” Cries of outrage erupt from around the table and Leona’s ears twitch angrily as he raises his eyebrows at the grumbling housewardens.

While carefully setting down a slanted piece of gingerbread atop his elegantly constructed house, Vil states bluntly, “Ruggie is not allowed to build your house for you, Leona. Crowley explicitly instructed us to build these gingerbread houses without any magic or outside assistance.” Raising one perfectly shaped eyebrow, he smirks and adds, “If you want this free class credit, you’re going to have to put in some amount of work for once in your life.”

Leona directs a questioning look towards Ruggie who, in turn, raises his shoulders and shakes his head in resignation. Leona waves a hand dismissively at Ruggie, effectively shooing him out of the room, and clicks his tongue with annoyance, “Fine, fine. I got it. You don’t have to be such a bitch about it, though.” Grabbing a handful of candies and pieces of gingerbread, he then quickly and expertly begins assembling them together.

Without looking up from his work, Vil smoothly pipes extra icing on the corners of his house and replies in an even tone, “Call me by that word again and I’ll shave off all of your hair to weave into a throw rug for the Pomefiore common room.”

“Hey Vil,” Leona chirps out a soft whistle to catch the Pomefiore housewarden’s attention.

Letting out a short, aggravated sigh, Vil rolls his eyes and then looks over at Leona. “What,” he flatly asks.

With a heavy thud, Leona sets the end result of his hard work for the last few minutes on the table in front of him. Made from rounded pieces of gingerbread and decorated with brightly colored candies, is a large replica of a hand with a raised middle finger. Standing up from his seat, Leona flashes everyone a triumphant little smirk and then saunters out of the room without another word. 

The remaining housewardens silently watch him leave and, as the cafeteria door creaks shut, they return to their work with a softly murmured chorus of disapproval. An uncharacteristic silence settles over the group as everyone focuses on their individual gingerbread designs for the next few minutes.

Kalim finally breaks into the quiet with a bright laugh, “It's too bad Leona decided to leave early! I just finished making his cookie counterpart!” He holds up a Leona-shaped gingerbread cookie decorated with chocolate candies and a tiny feline scowl drawn in icing.

Looking up from his work, Vil studies the little cookie with an irritated glare. Wordlessly, he reaches across the table to pluck the Leona cookie from Kalim’s hand and then snaps the head off of the gingerbread figure. Handing the beheaded cookie back to Kalim, Vil flatly states, “My apologies.”

After carefully laying the broken pieces of Leona on a plate, Kalim holds up two additional gingerbread figures. One is decorated with marshmallow pieces and little wolf ears. The other is decorated with fluffy peanut butter frosting and hyena ears. Waving the wolf-eared cookie through the air, Kalim yells in a low, gruff voice, “Oh no! Housewarden Leona! I'll find out who did this to you and avenge the honor of our dorm!” Wiggling the hyena-eared cookie, Kalim says in a smoother, teasing voice, “Shyeheehee! Does this mean I get the rest of the day off?”

-continued in part 2-

[hearthandheathenry]

All About Beltane

Beltane, also known as Bealtaine in Irish, is a Gaelic holiday traditionally held on May 1st or the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It is believed to be named after the Celtic sun god Belenus. It was widely observed in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle Of Man, and is one of the 4 major Celtic fire festivals. It is mentioned in even the earliest Irish literature and marked the beginning of summer and used as the marker to drive cattle into their summer pastures. Although public celebrations have mostly fallen out after the 20th century and many traditions have been mixed with other cultural holidays (such as the Roman holiday May Day), many Celtic Neopagans and Wiccans still celebrate, and many local traditions still continue, causing it to now get a cultural revival.

Traditionally, rituals were held to protect the livestock that moved pastures, along with crops, dairy products, and people, and to encourage growth. It was also important to appease the Aos Sí, or nature spirits/fairies, which were believed to be more active then.

According to early medieval texts in 908, druids would make two bonfires and drive cattle between them to protect them from disease. In the 18th and 19th centuries, bonfires continued to be an important part of the celebrations. Before the bonfires were lit, all hearth fires were put out, and then relit using the fire from the Beltane bonfires after the celebration.

Continuing into the 19th century, cattle were still driven over or between flames, or sometimes around the fires or made to leap over. The people themselves did as well for good luck and protection. Once the fires died down, people would dab themselves with the ashes and sprinkle them over their crops and livestock. Torches from the bonfires would also be brought home and carried around the home or boundaries, and also used to relight the hearth.

Food was also an important part of the Beltane festival, and usually included a feast of lamb, which, historically, was sacrificed. In 1769, it was written that a hot drink, called a caudle, made of eggs, butter, oatmeal, and milk was served, along with tossing a bit on the ground as an offering. A Beltane Bannock, a type of oatmeal cake, was also written to be important and had a few traditions around it.

In one tradition, the Beltane Bannock had nine knobs on it and each person would take the bannock and face the fire, proceeding to break off the knobs of bannock one at a time and tossing them behind their shoulder as an offering to the spirits for protection over their livestock and from predators (one for the cow, one for the sheep, one for the fox, etc). Afterwards, they would drink the caudle.

According to other 18th century writers, there was another Beltane Bannock tradition where the bannock would be cut into slices and one was marked with charcoal. The slices were then thrown into a bonnet and everyone would take one out while blindfolded. According to one writer, whoever pulled the marked bannock slice had to leap through the fire 3 times. According to another, the person would instead be pretend-thrown into the fire and for some time afterward people would talk about the person as if they were dead. This may have always been symbolic, or it may have been a tradition from a time where actual human sacrifice was used. This tradition was also near identical to May Day traditions that occurred in Wales and other parts of Europe, however.

Other traditions including flowers and plants were also observed, especially ones that evoked fire. Documents from the 19th century cite that yellow and white flowers, such as primrose, rowan, hawthorn, gorse, hazel, and marsh marigold was used and placed at doorways and windows. Sometimes they were strewn into garland, and other times they were made into bouquets, made into crosses, or fastened to them. They were also fastened to cows and milking/butter equipment.

Decorating a May Bush or May Bough was also a widespread tradition, and it usually consisted of a small tree or branch (typically hawthorn, rowan, holly, or sycamore) decorated with bright flowers, ribbons, candles, painted shells or egg shells from Easter, and more. In some traditions they also decorated it with gold and silver May Balls, which were hurling balls, that were then either given out to children or gifted to winners of a hurling match. It was also known as the only acceptable time to cut a thorn tree, as they were associated with fairies and may have also been a relic of worshipping tree spirits. It would either be decorated where it grew, or branches hung over windows, doors, roofs, and barns either inside or outside. Traditionally, it was the responsibility of the eldest of the house to decorate it.

The tree was usually left up until May 31st, but in some traditions it would be burned in the festival bonfire after singing and dancing around it. In Dublin and Belfast, May Bushes were brought into town and decorated by the whole neighborhood, with each neighborhood competing for the most beautiful bush. These competitions could also lead to neighborhoods attempting to steal others May Bushes, which eventually led to the May Bush being outlawed in Victorian times.

Appeasing the fairies was also a big part in Beltane celebrations, with many traditions revolving around offerings to the fairies and also warding them off, as there were many fears around them stealing dairy. One protection tradition was to leave 3 black coals under the butter churn. Another was to hang May Boughs on the milk pails. And yet another was to hang cattle tails in the barns. Flowers were also used to decorate the cattle's horns for good luck.

Farmers would also lead a procession around the boundaries of the farm and would "carry with them seeds of grain, implements of husbandry, the first well water, and the herb vervain (or rowan)", stopping at the four cardinal points of direction starting at the east, and performing rituals towards each direction at each stop. These processions were said to bring protection of their farm produce and encourage fertility. Some people also made the sign of the cross using milk on the backside of cattle for good luck.

As for fairy offerings, one tradition was to pour milk or leave food at places associated with the fairies such as "fairy trees". In Ireland, cattle were brought to "fairy forts" where a small amount of their blood was poured into the earth with prayers of the herd's safety. Sometimes, the blood would be left to dry and then be burnt.

Visiting holy wells was also a popular way to celebrate Beltane. Visitors would walk sunwise, moving from east to west, around the well while praying for health. They would then leave offerings of coins or cloth. The first water drawn from the well on Beltane was thought to be especially potent, and would bring good luck to the person who drew it.

Morning dew on Beltane was also thought to bring goodluck and health, and maidens would wash their face with it or roll in it at dawn or before sunrise on Beltane. It was also collected in a jar, left in sunlight, and then filtered. The dew was said to increase sexual attractiveness, maintain youthfulness, protect from sun damage, and ensure skin health during the ensuing year.

Modern day celebrations may vary from these more traditional festival activities, but many choose to incorporate or take inspiration from the traditions at least. Popular traditions still revolve around bonfires, feasts, decorating a May Bush, and focusing on protection and growth.

Beltane Associations

Colors - yellow, white, red, green

Food - lamb, milk and dairy, beef, bannocks, caudle, cakes

Animals - cattle, sheep, other herd animals

Items - primrose, rowan, hawthorn, gorse, hazel, marsh marigold, holly, sycamore, yellow and white flowers, flower garland, greenery, morning dew, dairy products

Crystals - citrine, fire agate, fire opal, carnelian, red and yellow jasper

Other - protection, fertility, good luck, fire, smoke, ash, sun, bonfires, farming

Ways To Celebrate

light a bonfire

jump over or dance around a bonfire

decorate a May Bush or May Bough

craft and hang flower garland

bake Beltane Bannocks

collect morning dew

create some caudle

ward and protect your home or property

leave offerings for the fairies

focus on protection, growth, and luck magic

enjoy time in the sun

have a feast

create a bouquet out of yellow and white flowers

visit a farm or petting zoo

[princesssarisa]

I've still been reading Heidi Ann Heiner's Cinderella Tales From Around the World. I've just finished reading all the variants from Ireland, Scotland, and England.

Here are the patterns:

*In Gaelic variants (e.g. two Irish versions and one Scottish), the heroine and her two sisters typically have names that describe their appearance or demeanor, with the sisters' names implying that one is blonde and the other brunette. For example, Fair, Brown, and Trembling, or Fair-Hair, Brown-Hair, and Mangy-Hair, or the Fair Maid, the Swarthy Maid, and the Snow-White Maid.

*As usual, it varies whether the heroine is abused by a stepmother and stepsister(s) or by her own mother (or both parents) and sister(s), or just by her sisters alone, and whether there are two (step)sisters or just one. In the three Gaelic versions with hair-themed naming, the girls are biological sisters, though in The Snow-White Maid, the Fair Maid, the Swarthy Maid, and Bald Pate Their Mother, they're half-sisters and Balt Pate is the Snow-White Maid's stepmother.

*It seems far more common in these versions for the heroine and her (step)sister(s) to be princesses. This has sometimes turned up in other countries' variants so far, most notably in Finette Cendron, but so far the British Isles seem to have the biggest number of Cinderellas who are princesses by birth.

**In the Irish Fair, Brown, and Trembling, not only is Trembling seen by her own prince at church, but the fame of her beauty spreads throughout the world, and all the princes of Ireland come to see her, as do princes from other countries like Spain and Greece. They all want to marry her and agree to duel for her hand after the slipper fits her, but after four days of fighting they all concede to the prince who first fell in love with her.

*The heroine's magical helper is either an old woman or an animal in these variants, and if it's an animal, it's almost always either a black sheep or a red calf. The beginning of one Irish version explains that black ewes were considered good luck.

**In almost all the versions with an animal, as in the Grimms' One-Eye, Two-Eyes, Three-Eyes or French tale of The Blue Bull, the (step)mother sends the heroine out to pasture each day with barely anything to eat, hoping to slowly starve her, but the animal magically provides her with good food.

**As usual, the animal companion tends to be killed by the (step)mother, but unusually, it doesn't stay dead in these variants. Instead, after the heroine gathers up the bones, the animal comes back to life, limping because the heroine lost one shank bone, but otherwise none the worse for wear. There are also some variants where the animal doesn't die at all. In one Scottish version, the heroine is ordered to behead the calf herself, but instead she kills her sister (!), takes the calf and runs away.

*In both Irish and Scottish versions, the special event the heroine attends is always church, not a festival or party. Several versions take place at Christmas and have her attend the special Yuletide Masses.

*The old woman or animal typically not only provides the girl with finery and a horse to ride, but cooks the family's dinner for her by the time she gets back. In one Scottish version, Ashpitel, the black lamb doesn't even give her finery – she just dresses herself in her own fine clothes that she rarely gets to wear, while the magic the lamb provides is just to cook the dinner for her.

*In the Gaelic versions, the prince rides after the heroine the third time she rides away from church, and grabs her by the foot, but only succeeds in pulling off her shoe. Whereas in the Scots versions, she just loses her shoe by accident.

*In Scotland, the story (and the heroine) is most often called Rashin Coatie (a.k.a. Rashie Coat, or Rushen Coatie), because the heroine wears a coat made of rushes, or "rashes" in Scots dialect.

** It varies whether Rashin Coatie is simply forced to serve her (step)mother and (step)sister(s) at home, or whether she runs away, to escape either from a cruel family or from an arranged marriage, and becomes a servant at the prince's castle, a la Donkeyskin.

*Both Irish and Scottish versions tend to include the motif of foot-cutting to make the slipper fit, just like the German versions do. A bird alerts the prince, typically in a rhyme which says that "nipped foot and clipped foot" is riding with him while "pretty foot and bonny foot" is elsewhere. But it's not always the (step)sisters who do it. In the Donkeyskin-like versions of Rashin Coatie, where the heroine runs away and becomes a servant at the prince's castle, the rival who tries to trick the prince is a henwife's daughter instead.

**Henwives are ubiquitous in these variants. But in the Gaelic versions (both Irish and Scottish), the henwife is benevolent, often serving as the heroine's magical helper, while in the Scots-dialect Rashin Coatie variants, she's a secondary villain, with the above-mentioned daughter who aspires to marry the prince.

*The Gaelic versions usually continue the story after the heroine's marriage, and have her eldest sister (the blonde one) throw her into the sea or a lake, then take her place. But either the princess's bed stays afloat so she doesn't drown, or she's captured by a whale or a water monster that keeps her a prisoner in the deep, yet briefly lets her onto the shore now and then. A cowherd sees her and alerts her royal husband, who rescues her, slaying the whale or monster if there is one, and the sister is executed.

*There doesn't seem to be a strong tradition of localized, oral Cinderella stories in England the way there is in Ireland and Scotland. But this book does include an English literary version: The Cinder-Maid by Joseph Jacobs, the folklorist who gave us the best-known versions of Jack and the Beanstalk and The Three Little Pigs.

**As usual in Jacobs' retellings of folktales, he borrows motifs from various different oral versions in an attempt to write down the "definitive" version of the tale. So The Cinder-Maid is basically the Grimms' Aschenputtel, with the three-day royal festival, the heroine getting her finery from a hazel tree on her mother's grave, the prince smearing the palace steps with tar to catch her golden slipper, and the stepsisters cutting off parts of their feet. But Jacobs also includes the motifs of "finery from a nutshell" and "hollow tree opens to reveal gifts" from other versions – each dress and pair of shoes comes from inside a hazelnut from the tree, and then the trunk opens to produce a coach and horses. And the bird in the tree instructs Cinder-Maid to leave by midnight, as in Perrault. (The midnight deadline is a rare motif in international Cindrellas, despite the fame Perrault gave it; in most versions she just leaves early to ensure that she gets home before her family does.)

**In his footnotes to The Cinder-Maid, Jacobs notes the existence of Rhodopis, but he argues that the entire Cinderella story (the persecuted heroine, magical help to attend an event, etc.) most likely originated in Germany, because it was a German betrothal tradition for a man to put a shoe on his fiancée's foot. He makes no mention of Ye Xian, or the more common belief that the story was born in China from the Chinese view of tiny feet as the height of feminine beauty. This reminds me of a hypothesis I once read that maybe Ye Xian isn't really as ancient a tale as it's believed to be – that maybe the story originated in Germany, then spread to China by way of the Silk Road, and that the name "Ye Xian" may derive from the similar-sounding "aschen," the German word for "ashes" that starts every German form of Cinderella's name (Aschenputtel, Aschenbrödel, etc.). Personally, though, I don't see why the reverse can't be true: couldn't the story just as easily have travelled from China to Germany? Maybe the heroine's association with ashes started when Germans heard the name "Ye Xian" and thought it sounded similar to "aschen"!

But I'm getting ahead of myself talking about China. The next several Cinderellas I'll be reading come from Scandinavia.

@adarkrainbow, @ariel-seagull-wings, @themousefromfantasyland

[slink-a-dink]

Vonu - She/Her - Young Adult

[0] The Fool - [XXI] The World

Associated Realms: Isle, Eden

Associated Seasons: Gratitude, Prophecy, Passage

Vonu is one of the first skyfolk, having descended alongside 7 others. Vonu has seen a lot in the years skykids have resided, she holds a lot of interest in the previous civilization. Conversation, research, theories and more, Vonu asks a lot of questions, and doesn't get many answers. She's a tenacious person despite the mystery. Vonu has made strong connections with skykids who also have an interest in the past.

However the reasonings for her interest were unknown to the others until recently. Feeling divided between 2 different worlds, Vonu was originally an ancestor who's death did not result them rejoining the light cycle or becoming a spirit. Her memory is absent, making her feel guilty for forgetting people and places she loved. She was hesitant to share despite her trust. She seeks to learn more about what she has forgotten, come to terms with her lost past, and help the realms flourish once again.

Notable Relationships

Ilosu: With a shared past, Ilosu has helped Vonu with her grief around her lost memories, sympathizing with her. Vonu feels like she can tell Ilosu anything. Despite the original aloofness, they had crossed paths many times and begun leaving notes for eachother. Eventually talking more in person, and now doing most things together. She has a great trust in them, and is forever grateful for how they've helped eachother, they can unravel the past, together.

Acodi: Was Vonu's first friend, and who expressed interest in her research, Vonu still cares for them dearly even if their shared passion has branched off into different paths as of late. While Acodi recognizes Vonu as one of the prophecy students, the same can't be said in return. Vonu adores Acodi for who they are now, and is glad star has encouraged their interests and was the skyfolk who got them going to eden, solidifying her resolve more.

She shares a similar fondness for all her group!

Gratitude Troupe + Amazed Artist (OC): Guardians and teachers, Artist created Vonu's shell in their image, and The Elder of The Isle had blessed the shell with life. The rest of the troupe raised Vonu like their own. Vonu holds a lot of guilt for forgetting them, and it took much later for the Vonu and the group to recognize eachother; As the earlier days were a haze for Vonu, her fear and unceretainty made her avoid most things for a while. However during the recent festivities of fortune, she has been able to reconnect with her family, especially the one who adorns the white rabbit mask, it’s helped her memory a lot too.

Fire Prophet: Vonu's teacher during the sunset years of the kingdom. The troupe wanted to spread light in the darker parts of the kingdom, and thus intrusted Vonu to the prophets, for fear of her safety; Especially since she was lacking rites of passage. Vonu admired Fire Prophet out of the most, hoping to one day be as brave as them. The prophets were like guardians to her.

[whbtheories]

Character Preview: Satan

Domain: Gehenna

Sin: Wrath

Birthday: July 14 (Cancer)

Idiosyncrasy: spanking

Mental condition: depression

Ability: shapes the blood of those who love him

Theme colours: red, white

~

Interest

Of all the demons in What In Hell Is Bad? seen thus far, Satan's proclivities are perhaps the most tame of all, with only spanking highlighted as sparking his interest.

That said, his subjects are apparently big fans of being hit on the regular by their ruler, and his depression makes him quite the slapper.

Depression and Satan often go hand in hand, whether he is being blamed for it afflicting mortal beings, or portrayed as conquered antagonist or tragic figure.

And of course, his love of violence fits his sin to a tee.

We are told he is a lover of being both the spanker and spankee, but that anyone who gets with him on that level will soon be used to the submissive role 👀

(NB - the usage of S and M as personality traits in this context don't fully translate to sadist and masochist, but rather to dominant and submissive, or assertive and passive personality types.)

July is not a month associated with Satan, however the 14th is apparently Pandemonium Day - with Pandæmonium also being Milton's name for the capital of Hell, ruled by Satan, in Paradise Lost.

If we turn to the lunar calendar then July is also home to the Hungry Ghosts Festival, in which the ghost door opens and allows spirits to walk among us 👀

(The 15th of the 7th lunar month is when Dìguān, the Earthly Official of Taoism, visits this realm to absolve people of sins... And perhaps Satan seeks to beat him to the punch with his tempting deals.)

~

Personality

The ruler of Wrath is unsurprisingly said to be the most violent of all seven kings of hell, but despite this he is friends with all his subjects, an interesting feat.

It helps that the residents of Gehenna actively enjoy being the target of his wrath, with even Ppyong enjoying being slapped on his lil booty.

Satan spends his nights drinking with lesser demons in back alley taverns, suggesting a more casual approach to his conduct. Not so prim or proper.

He is also the first demon we meet in-game, and he is depicted as intense, knowledgeable, and tactically smart. And of course, exceedingly horny. He has a lot of ego but seemingly the skills and wisdom to back it up.

In this respect he is similar to Obey Me Satan in having a strategical mind and a flair for the dramatic, but unlike that Satan, WHB Satan seems confident in expressing multiple emotions without losing his head in his passion.

In tandem with Lucifer - and including Beelzebub who is often conflated with both - Satan is the demon most frequently portrayed in our media, historical and contemporary, and generally appears as one of two archetypes: the odious and not terribly bright monster of Dante's Inferno, often gifted with red skin and pitchfork; or the charming tragic figure of Paradise Lost, who may or may not bring ruination to us all.

This Satan is definitely in the latter camp, though just how charming he can be is yet to be revealed...

~

Aesthetics, symbolism, and my rating in the cut! ↓

Aesthetics

Satan is very much the pretty boy of the demon kings we've seen thus far, with long flowing locks, elegantly long horns, and an innocent looking face - well, other than the glowing red eyes, black cross pupils, and inverted cross mid-forehead.

His long black horns are tipped with blood red to match his eyes, and this colour also highlights his jumpsuit with a Seal of Solomon on each arm.

That seal is repeated in silver as his belt buckle, giving us a demon that is marked by Solomon three times - quite the statement. And in case it wasn't clear, he has the number 666 on him twice, as well as 'Gehenna'.

A full view of his outfit also reveals some katakana but it's beyond my translation abilities - I get something similar to boom/explosion isle which feels half correct at best. Although actually...

I wonder if it's a nod to Bakuon Rettou itself, which would certainly explain Satan's bōsōzoku style outfit 🤔 It's a subculture look from the 80s in Japan, consisting mostly of jumpsuits and bad biker boy aesthetic, with a dose of pseudo-nationalism to a greater or lesser extent - very problematic for irl nationalism, but fitting for a king of hell. They also put slogans on their jumpsuits that were translations of "cool sounding English" (eg "boom island", the literal translation of Bakuon Rettou.)

Bōsōzoku are an old fad now, but as a fashion type they are still popular in surrounding countries, thanks to popular media like the Bakuon Rettou manga.

(And on an even bigger tangent, they were heavily associated with nameneko merchandising, which as you can probably guess is cat related! OM Satan would approve of that part.)

If we see Satan on a motorbike, consider that one solved!

The inverted cross is also repeated - on his boots, his pants, and in the negative space of his heart pendant. This is a far more modern symbol of the occult, as until recent decades it was a holy symbol representing St. Peter.

In modern pop culture though the inverted cross is synonymous with Satan, hence its appearance here.

The placement on the forehead is also notable, as this is where the ash cross is placed on those repenting their sins - the inversion of that would suggest pride and relish of one's sins. Again, fitting for Satan himself.

And he has a final inverted cross on a long cord trailing from his hips to his knees - in this case one that is remiscent of Celtic high and Anglo-Saxon crosses of old.

This cord, along with his many belts and those boots, also ties in with the bōsōzoku vibe.

His thematic colours of white and red are a very provocative choice. White is a colour mostly associated - in this context - with angels and beings of celestial origin, as well as the concepts of purity, divinity, and origin.

For Satan himself to sport the holiest of colours is deliberately bold, not least with it accented by the colour of blood, of violence, and of passion.

His outfit is casual to the extreme but styled expertly. He very much gives the vibes of a delinquent king who is down to drink with his subjects, and he is also the leader whose outfit has least in common with the other residents of his realm.

In some ways this could suggest a demon who is careless about his throne, but imo Satan's look more strongly suggests supreme confidence in his reign.

A (pink-toned) blonde Satan reminds me of Lucifer from DC/Vertigo comics, who unlike Tom Ellis is platinum blonde and fed up of hell, as well as Satan from Ao no Exorcist who is the king of, wait for it, Gehenna.

[I'll dig into Gehenna in another blog ( ಠ▿▿ಠ)و ̑̑]

The only portrayal that comes to mind that has both blonde hair and red eyes though is Lucifer in Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis - who also sports long black horns tipped with red. Personality wise though, they are completely different.

Overall his look is quite becoming, youthful with a knowing smirk, and absolutely made to tempt with large eyes, and teasing tongue behind a fanged grin.

~

My Rating

Firstly I should admit my own bias - after Mammon, Satan was always going to be the demon I would judge most harshly as I am a big fan of how he is portrayed in Obey Me.

That take on Satan, and the intricacies involved in his origin from Lucifer and subsequent strained relationship and burgeoning personality, are admittedly undercut by later in-game writing that reduced him to a far flatter interpretation. But still, the juice was there!

So, bear in mind that this is a harsh personal eye I am casting upon this Satan.

Satan and Lucifer both have the biggest challenge in being portrayed in a new and unique fashion, having been done so many times before, and in my opinion this Satan does an excellent job of establishing himself with an iconic new look.

The long pastel hair and large eyes give great contrast to massive horns and slit pupils, while his outfit is impressively modern and stylish.

Only one very minor criticism would be the lack of tail, but considering none of the WHB demons have yet been shown with one, that is either a deliberate stylistic choice for the whole game, or we simply haven't yet been granted permission to see them. Either way, as it applies to all, it can be disregarded.

This Satan stands as very distinct from OM Satan, and really from any other Satan I can think of. The long hair is a really nice touch, especially given his overall contemporary vibes.

One of the prettiest Satans I've seen, and one of the most intriguing.

10/10.

[berryblooo]

Mona, Albedo, and Wanderer: Truth-Seekers & Defiers of Fate

Cross-posting from HoYoLAB.

What do an alchemist, an astrologist, and a wanderer have in common?

A lot, as it turns out, in terms of design, literary themes, and lore implications.

Allow me to connect seemingly unrelated dots between these three characters. Perhaps by the end of this you too will be eagerly anticipating an event or quest that features all three some day.

Scholars

Albedo is a genius alchemist, working for the Knights of Favonius as Mondstadt's Chief Alchemist. His knowledge in alchemy goes beyond what even the Sumeru Akademiya possesses, the Art of Khemia from Khaenri'ah.

Mona is a genius astrologist and one of the few practitioners of Hydromancy. Her reputation as an astrologer led to her being asked to take on the All Things Astrological column in Fontaine's newsletter, The Steambird. Her work is revered in the Rtawahist Darshan at the Sumeru Akademiya.

Wanderer, known as ‘Hat Guy’ among the students of the Vahumana Darshan, has become an ad-hoc student of theirs after his papers refuting the popular academic theories surrounding the Tartarsuna incident became popular. He later wrote pieces about Inazuman politics that garnered acclaim. Apparently having a knack for academia, he’s been invited to Vahumana lectures and was able to serve as its representative in the Akademiya Showdown.

Appreciators of the Arts

Albedo is an artist, who has illustrated A Legend of Sword books under the pseudonym Calx and was invited to Inazuma during the Irodori Festival held after the nation opened its borders to illustrate the Five Kasen paintings.

Mona enjoys singing and does so while stargazing. During the 2.8 Summertime Odyssey event, she accepts Xinyan's offer to give her voice lessons.

During his time as Kabukimono living at the Mikage Furnace, he learned how to sword dance and would perform alongside the other blacksmiths. His talents and their excerpts, constellation, and namecard reference theater and poetry, which may indicate his interest in those arts.

The Sun, Moon, and Stars

The Geo construct Albedo creates is called the Solar Isotoma, and his 3rd Constellation is titled "Grace of Helios".

Albedo's namecard is titled "Sun Blossom".

Albedo's splash art and Solar Isotoma design features flower and sun-like imagery.

The name, Mona, means "Moon" in Old English.

Her redesigned outfit is titled "Pact of Stars and Moon" and features crescent moon pendants on her hat and leg.

The eight-pointed star on the pendants has likely influence from the Star of Ishtar, the inspiration for Teyvat's Istaroth, who may have some connection to the three moon sisters.

Her 2nd constellation is titled "Lunar Chain".

Mona's namecard is titled "Starry Sky".

Naturally, as an astrologist, she also has countless star-related symbolism which are fairly obvious.

Two of Wanderer's constellations have moon-related names. His 2nd constellation is "Niban: Moonlit Isle Amidst White Waves" and his 3rd constellation is "Sanban: Moonflower Kusemai".

Interestingly, Wanderer's splash art is different from most other Anemo characters in that the elements surrounding him are more black and navy than turquoise, and features a galaxy and star design.

What defines a human?

Albedo and Scaramouche are both artificial beings, homunculus and puppet respectively.

Albedo was created by his mother, Rhinedottir, using an ancient technique from Khaenri'ah called Khemia. He was part of her Primordial Human project and was the last of her (known) creations, considered her magnum opus. The only evidence of his being a creation is the pontil mark she left on the front of his throat, his one "imperfection" that makes him human. Rhinedottir considers him her son and only child left.

Wanderer was created by his mother, Ei, using an ancient technique now lost. It's implied Irminsul was used in his creation. He was the prototype puppet made for the purpose of storing the Electro Gnosis, but was deemed too weak when he cried while storing it and was thus left to sleep in Shakkei Pavilion with only a plume to signify his connection to the Shogun. He bears the Electro symbol on the back of his neck, the complement to Ei's.

It's unknown whether Albedo is immortal or ages differently than humans, while Wanderer has lived for nearly 500 years, created just after Makoto's death during the Cataclysm. He has always appeared as a beautiful young man, never aging.

In Mona's voicelines about other characters, she almost always references their constellations and interprets parts of their fate from them. The only exception is her voiceline about Albedo. It's speculated that the reason Mona doesn't comment on it is that she's aware of him being a homunculus and purposefully does not reveal his secret.

In the same vein, when Mona first meets Scaramouche during Unreconciled Stars, she is immediately able to see through his facade and tell that he is both a Fatui Harbinger and that he had killing intent towards the Traveler. After Mona teleports the group away, Scaramouche himself wonders if she was able to figure out his true identity—which, during 1.1, players take to mean him being a Harbinger. Looking back, it's likely he meant him being a puppet with powers close to Archon level.

Albedo and Wanderer both represent questions about what makes one human, on both a physical and spiritual level.

"The difference between synthetic and natural life lies in the directional flow of the life force. The energy of a natural life form flows out from within. That's why flower buds bloom and curled leaves unfold. It is the very reason we watch in wonder at blossoming flowers. Creating life artificially, on the other hand, involves — to a certain extent — the introduction of an external source of energy into the embryonic life form. When the hole where the life force was infused is sealed at the end, it leaves a mark not dissimilar to the pontil mark in blown glass wares. The alchemical substance drips and spreads out in all directions, resulting in this rather ingenious diamond shape. This mark is a sign of my artificial origins, and proof of my imperfection as a human."

Albedo, Shadows Amidst Snowstorms, Act II: The Shadow Deepens

"But Subject Two wanted to become a perfected human. So, he erased the mark on both his and Subject Three's necks, for these marks were a symbol of imperfection... He so desperately craved to become a perfect human being that he forgot something: Human beings are defined by their flaws."

Albedo, Shadows Amidst Snowstorms, Act III: A Secret Born From Ashes

"As beings who set foot in this world, how arrogant are we in desiring to control our destiny, and in desiring to create?"

Albedo, Shadows Amidst Snowstorms, Act III: A Secret Born From Ashes

Wanderer: In your eyes, are there any differences between humans and puppets? Nahida: Do you think there are any differences between your present self and your previous and future incarnations? If not, then what are the differences between humans and puppets? Whoever has tasted the joys and sorrows of life in the human realm is human. Whoever has loved and lost, cried with grief, howled with rage at the tragedy of death that eclipses the miracle of life... they are human, too. Wanderer: I've always believed that human lives follow a set of rules, with each person being a collection of past experiences. As a puppet living in the human world, my life is subject to the same rules. I've lived with a void in my chest my whole life. My creator didn't need me, and ever since I awoke, I've just drifted from one place to the next. But then I met you, and I finally realized that reclaiming my missing sins might be my one opportunity to become my true self. I've always felt I have an innate tendency to yearn for something more, in a way that goes deeper than for most people... But for all my soul-searching as a shugenja, I've never fully understood it. Looking at it now, it seems that I brought this curse upon myself. So I beg you... grant me this opportunity to gain a purpose. To change my destiny and end my wandering.

Wanderer and Nahida, Interlude Chapter: Act III: Inversion of Genesis - The Kabukimono's Finale

Nahida: To be human is to live with imperfections. You can choose whether or not you want to be human. Wanderer: ...But humans can't live without a heart, can they? Anyway, I gave up trying to become a human a long time ago. Nahida: You understand what pain is perfectly well, even without a heart. You're just burying your feelings. The past is set in stone, but you can keep moving on. And the longer your future lasts, the shorter your past will become, until one day it is but a tiny fraction of your life.

Wanderer and Nahida, Interlude Chapter: Act III: Inversion of Genesis - As Though Morning Dew

We can see the similar themes of questioning what it means to be human, of recognizing and accepting imperfections as a part of their humanity for Albedo and Scaramouche.

How does Mona tie into all this? She isn't an artificial being. (As far as we know.)

Mona's Character Story 5 talks about similar themes, namely human hearts and the laws that (supposedly) govern them.

During her apprenticeship, Mona found that the subtle abstractions of her master's teachings could explain the laws that governed the existence of all things. Human hearts were guided by these laws, and if one had great enough powers of calculation, all the mysteries of the world could be understood. Mona once believed this to be true. But when she had to strike out on her own and live day-to-day, she found herself doubting. Not everyone lived wealthy and comfortable lives. Some neither had food nor warm clothes, living no differently from beggars. And it was just such an adventurer who, when meeting Mona while she was out looking for fruits and vegetables to fill her stomach, shared half their food with her. "Out here, we've gotta have each other's backs." This was not something inscribed on these so-called principles of the world. And many other such things she encountered on her journey — the honesty of a thief, a robber's change of heart, a coward's courage, the good deeds of a wicked person... Mona began to have some doubts, but she also felt like she finally had her feet on solid ground. When she was again alone with her thoughts under the stars, she marveled that her research had been so full of holes. Perhaps she would have to continue researching the world's principles for the rest of her life.

We see these same questions brought up by Wanderer at the start of his journey of repentance.

This story of the adventurer she meets is the same one that Mona references during her mirage in the Summer Odyssey event. She divined that if he continued adventuring, he would meet his death within two years. Despite this, the adventurer continued on. Mona believes him to be dead now, since fate is immutable and that encounter was over three years ago.

It's speculated that this adventurer is none other than Joserf, who gets lost on Dragonspine and does indeed meet his death. Except that during the Shadows Amidst Snowstorms events, Albedo uses a whopperflower to bring new life to "Joserf" and reunite "him" with his son, Joel.

In doing so, is Albedo rewriting fate?

Irminsul, Fate, and the Truth of the World

We know that Irminsul is tied to the fate and truth of Teyvat, and all three characters have ties to these themes.

Mona and Albedo are both apprentices/inheritors of knowledge of Hexenzirkel members: Barbeloth and Rhinedottir. The Hexenzirkel is known to embark on Irminsul explorations (which Albedo accompanied Gold on) and at least two members, Alice and Nicole, are implied to be immune or able to know when Irminsul tampering occurs.

Mona and Albedo share a common goal: to uncover the truth of this world. Albedo was tasked with this by Rhinedottir before her abrupt disappearance after discovering the Heart of Naberius, while it's currently unknown if Mona inherited this goal from Barbeloth or if it's her own.

Both are foreshadowed to incur a dark fate in their pursuit of the truth. In Mona's Collected Miscellany, Dainsleif says, "But beware, O young seeker. You must sacrifice your all to unravel the world's secrets," while Albedo is foreshadowed to lose control of his power or be susceptible to corruption and endanger Mondstadt.

As a student of the Vahumana Darshan, Wanderer studies the truth of history.

During his time as a Fatui Harbinger, Scaramouche was sent on missions to the Abyss by the Fatui, implied to be because of his ability to withstand and recovering from damage/attacks. We know that truly ancient Irminsul is located in the Abyss.

He is implied to be created from Irminsul and can navigate the memories stored within, as seen in Inversion of Genesis.

He tried to rewrite the past/fate by erasing himself from Irminsul but learns that fate cannot be changed. This is a line we hear often in game from none other that Astrologist Mona Megistus.

In the confrontation between Dottore and Nahida in the Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises, we learn that Irminsul hides the secret "truth" that "the sky and stars of Teyvat are fake".

This corroborates what Scaramouche said in Unreconciled Stars: that the stars, the sky are all a gigantic hoax. A lie.

Mona also corroborates what Scaramouche revealed: she said she was taught to talk about the false sky in her readings.

This means both the Fatui and the Hexenzirkel are aware of the false sky.

In Conclusion

Coincidentally (or perhaps not) all three were sent to Mondstadt.

Albedo was instructed by Rhinedottir to seek out Alice in Mondstadt and take up residence there.

Mona ends up in Mondstadt after being sent to retrieve something of Barbeloth's from Alice's successor (Klee) and when she accidentally reads her 50 year old diary, she feels forced to hide in the city lest she incur her master's wrath.

Scaramouche was chosen by Pierro to investigate the meteorites in Unreconciled Stars, and he speculates that the Jester not only knew what he would discover about the false sky, but that he wanted to frighten him with this information.

I believe all of this is building up the three of them meeting, whether as allies or rivals, in connection with the false sky/truth of the world plot. I feel there are too many connections between them for it not to be intentional.

Or it's all copium!

Bonus

Additional tidbits that didn't fit in with the rest.

According to Mona and Klee's voicelines, Albedo and Mona are friends/colleagues and meet regularly for meals and to play with Klee.

In the Irodori Festival, Albedo paints Kuronushi of the Five Kasen based on Scaramouche's likeness, which was only revealed when Hydro was applied to the canvas. Similar to the concept of Hydromany, which divines truth in the reflection of water.

The forging technique passed down from the Raiden Shogun to the Raiden Gokaden incorporates astrology into its process.

Barbeloth, Mona's master, likes hats and helps pick them out for people. (Like Klee, and maybe Mona as well.) She would probably appreciate Wanderer's taste in hats.

[torhues]

kita shinshuke.

w. bittersweet, yet still sweet, dare i say

kita thinks he has lived enough.

it's december of twenty-twenty-two, almost new year, almost twenty-twenty-three, the numbers which felt like distant future around forty years ago. he has seen decades change, he's far too familiar with seasons, a little too well versed with minute climate changes to assume the weathers. things are new and unfamiliar and yet, oddly comforting. there are wrinkles on his body, white hair shining like silver on his head under the sunlight; kita is old, he's seventy-two, the younger you wouldn't believe.

time flows like water because it feels like just yesterday, kita had met you. as if it has only been a day since he accidently took his english notebook before test, just a day since you asked him for an answer during the exam, just a day since he cheated for the first time in his life; and it wouldn't be an overstatement to say, he felt like a criminal. even though it was you who poked his back with your fingers, whispering the question you needed the answer to, kita felt equally responsible.

things took a turn when he met you because you bought him taiyaki as a thank you gift for helping you during the test and for some odd reason, kita felt content. the second first thing he did with you was skipping school to attend music festival at a local stadium; the third one was going to the rooftop which was prohibited by the school premises; fourth one being, stealing flowers from a nursery because it was your birthday and he forgot to buy gifts, neither did he have money; and the fifth, kissing you in the classroom after the classes were empty.

kita had shared his firsts with you, from good things to bad, breaking rules, reforming them according to his preferences, in a way that made him feel better, told him that it was okay to let loose at times.

it feels like just yesterday, he asked you out for a date after saving up money for two months, not because his family was financially unstable, but because he didn't tell anyone about his relationship since he didn't know if it's okay to do so, because he wanted to buy tickets to meiko hirota's concert that you'd been dying to attend, because he wanted to take your responsibility from the very first day. it's as if just yesterday, you both were given extra home-work for passing chits in class, just yesterday since his eyes had started diverting to you during lessons instead of the board, just yesterday when kita cried the night you left for college and just yesterday, he felt like he could breathe again when you came back to him, saying studies didn't feel right.

it feels like just yesterday, kita married you at twenty-five.

he didn't believe the moment when you walked down the isle, when he slipped a ring onto your finger, when you looked like the prettiest version of yourself. kita didn't believe what has happening until he got home with his hands in yours, and yours lips against his, and his heart in your hand, with nothing to worry about. he dreamt about spending his entire life with you, and his dream was in front of him, in his hands. kita didn't believe in anything except the moment you said i love you in front of the moon peeping through your curtains and spirits of old lovers dancing in the air.

life felt like the romance novels he read to you on afternoon that were laced with laziness. walks through the sunflower fields resonated of a fever dream, where his hands were intertwined with yours, and the world would reduced to nothing. tiny dates, bunch of flowers— the first thing in the morning, a kiss shared on the benches by the bus stops, long walks up the town, picking grapes, sunsets by the bridges, names carved in the barks of trees, it felt as if you both never grew out of your old highschool love story.

time flows like water, because it feels like just yesterday, he held his son in his arms for the first time and today, kita is a grandfather to two daughters. years passed, the pace of your lives changed, but he still loves you like the very first day. pictures from his golden days that hung up on the wall never let him feel like he has grown old and is no longer able to go on day-long dates with you, because it feels like just yesterday, kita met you, and he has his whole life in from on him to spend with you, even with an IV, even next to a heart monitor, even when he has you next to him 'round the clock, telling him that you love him and having him say it back until when you couldn't hear it back anymore.

kita once asked you if it was fair for him to leave first, if you felt alright because he is leaving you alone, and you said there was nothing unfair about it because you promised to stay with him for his entire life, and you are living up to it. and it feels like just yesterday, you both celebrated your first wedding anniversary.

he would've stayed longer but kita has lived enough. he doesn't have anything left to do, no undone tasks, no loose ends. you're sitting next to him with your hands still intertwined with his because they don't want to let go. kita doesn't have any regrets because it feels like just yesterday, he fell in love with you and tomorrow, in some other life, he would fall for you all over again.

[harper-hook]

Best Gift Ever | Carlos De Vil

Song: All I Want For Christmas Is You | Mariah Carey 

Author’s Note: I got this request 3 years ago and here it is finally. 

"It's not that I don't believe you but..." You trailed off, rubbing your face tiredly. "You think we don't know who our best friend has a crush on." Mal raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. You flushed, a bit embarrassed. They didn't have a reason to lie, you supposed.

According to her and Evie, Carlos had the biggest crush on you and they were more than delighted to see that you felt the same. "You should tell him." Evie spoke softly to you, rubbing your arm comfortingly. "Yeah. And then we can count you as his Christmas present." Mal snickered.

Your heart felt like it was going to blow up and the butterflies in your stomach were rioting but nonetheless, you were all smiles and red, warm cheeks. “I want it to be special.” You declared. This was the first Christmas the VKs had spent in Auradon and they had all be amazed and wonderstruck by the festivities in some way or another.

You had heard only bits and snippets of their childhood on the Isle and from what you understood, Carlos had it the very worst. This broke your heart and you wanted to make him feel as loved and wanted to make up for all the years missed out on.

“Just call him on Christmas and tell him to meet you. And to get the point across, wear a bow. Just a bow.” Mal cackled as Evie smacked her shoulder. “Stop! He would faint.” Evie giggled.

As Mal and Evie continued with their shenanigans, you racked your brain for ideas when it hit you. Next week was the yearly Christmas fundraiser put on by Auradon Prep. Any talent was welcome and encouraged to join. 

“Guys!” Evie and Mal went quiet. Your eyes were filled with excitement and determination. “I’m gonna sing a song for him. At the show.” You nodded, becoming more and more excited at the idea.

Evie gasped. “And I can make you a special outfit! He won’t be able to keep his eyes off of you!” She squealed, quickly pulling out a sewing tape measure. “As long as he waits to put his hands on you until later.” Mal snickered, leaning against the wall. 

You smiled, allowing Evie to begin taking your measurements. You knew exactly what to sing. 

---

That was last week and you would never be able to repay Evie. She had put all other projects on hold, sewing your dress and making sure that it was perfect. And boy, you felt perfect. 

You focused on taking deep calming breaths, not even watching the talent going on stage before you. “(Y/N)!” Mal whispered, coming from the stairs that led to the audience, Evie right on her heels. “Ooh girl! You look so good!” Evie praised even though she had seen you everyday for the last week. 

Evie had sewn you a red dress that hugged your body in the right ways and stopped mid thigh. It was off the shoulder with sleeves that covered above your elbow to your wrist and a classic fuzzy white trim on the top of the bodice. It screamed sexy Christmas.

“We got him here, right there.” Mal pointed through the curtains, leading you to peak through the folds, quickly spotting the familiar white haired boy in the audience next to Jay. Mal put her hand on your shoulder, grabbing your attention. “All we had to do was tell him you’re performing and he nearly knocked us over trying to get here.” She winked at you, making you flush and match your dress.

The sound of applause from the audience and Fairy Godmother on the mic, thanking the performer, made you all turn your heads. “Up next, (Y/N)!” Evie and Mal whispered good lucks behind you before darting back into the audience the way they came.

You smoothed down your dress and walked out onstage, nearly being blinded by the lights. You reached center stage and adjusted the mic stand to your height. Once ready, you took a shaky breath and nodded to the audio guy in the wings who began the track.

Gazing over the audience, you met Carlos’s eyes and held his gaze as your cue for the first verse came.

I don't want a lot for Christmas There is just one thing I need I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true All I want for Christmas is you

You sang loud and clear, carrying notes flawlessly all while holding eye contact with Carlos, desperately hoping your message would come across clearly.

Yeah I don't want a lot for Christmas There is just one thing I need (and I) Don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree I don't need to hang my stocking there upon the fireplace Santa Claus won't make me happy with a toy on Christmas Day

The beat picked up and you got lost in the rhythm, allowing yourself to smile and sway to the beat. You broke eye contact with Carlos and focused on the rest of the crowd, putting every bit of emotion behind your performance.

I just want you for my own More than you could ever know Make my wish come true All I want for Christmas is you You, baby

You glanced at Carlos who was focused on you, cheeks flushed. You shot him a wink, flushing yourself as a smile spread across his face. In return, a wide victorious smile crossed yours.

You continued with the song, getting lost in the lyrics and emotions. So lost, in fact, you didn’t notice Mal, Evie, and Jay shoving their way through the crowd, dragging Carlos to where he would be right in front of the stage. He didn’t resist, not wanting to miss a single second of your song.

Soon the song was coming to an end and you met Carlos’s gaze again, him being closer than he was before. You took a leap of faith and pulled the mic off the stand and strutted to the end of the stage, easing yourself down gracefully.

You looked and met Carlos’s eyes again and suddenly felt more shy face to face. 

All I want for Christmas (all I really want) is you, baby All I want (I want) for Christmas (all I really want) is you, baby

You were barely singing, your voice being carried softly by the mic. You stopped in front of Carlos as the music ended, the crowd clapping and whistling louder than before.

You squeaked as Carlos pulled you in for a tight but gentle hug. You hugged him back before pulling away and placing a hand on his jaw. “Merry Christmas, Carlos.” You murmured, feeling like you two were the only people in the world.

You closed your eyes and leaned in, his lips finally meeting yours. This gift for Carlos was also a gift to you.

[valaenatargaryensdragon]

What would happen to Baelon and his mother after Maegor dies?

Baelon spent his entire life watching his mother suffer and attempting to save her. Maegor was the main reason for her suffering and he hated him for it but he was still his father.

Baelon would do everything in his power to keep the throne for himself because then his mother would be the Queen mother and no other woman would suppress her power. Baelon is no idiot though and knows his cousins would try to take the thrones.

Maegor’s wish did come true and Baelon does claim Balerion the black dread and that was his biggest advantage to the throne. Baelon’s first move was to win the people over by throwing festivities and doing charities. Even going as far as letting peasants into the Red Keep to meet him personally. Baelon knows that power comes with respect not fear.

Then his next move is to end the feud with his cousins and that ensues with his marriage to Alysanne, this way he unites the family once more, his uncle’s blood will be on the throne, his uncle’s wife will not be able to harm him seeing as he is her son in law and also his mother would accept the marriage since marrying cousins was not seen as incest.

Baelon is not cruel and knows that Alysanne is still a child so he vows in their private quarters that he will not touch her before she is of age and ready. Baelon however made it very clear that he plans on resuming the blood line and having children and Alysanne was on board considering the fact that I vision her mother convincing her to bring heirs to the throne so their blood would rise to the throne.

Baelon is a strong king, however he is both brains and muscle, he uses strategy to ensure wining the Dornish war instead of battle like Maegor. The second his firstborn was confirmed to be a daughter who named Vaenora he travels to Dorne to make a marriage pact later on known as the sun and moon marriage alliance for Vaenora’s hair was compared to the moon in color once she married the Dornish prince and moved to live in Dorne.

Baelon is a traditional man so his three daughter Vaenora, Saelys and Elaenerys were pushed back in line for the throne in favor of their younger brother Rhaelor. Baelon and Alysanne were blessss with seven children, after their three daughter and son they were blessed with twin daughters named Lucenya and Daegelle followed by a son named Aelyx. After they had the heir and spare they ceased having anymore children.

Baelon was the king to unite the seven kingdoms by ensuring to marry his five daughter to five different kingdoms, Vaenora to Dorne, Saelys to the Stormlands, Elaenerys to the North, Lucenya to the mountain and the Vale, and Daegelle to the Reach. His eldest son and heir married from the rock and his youngest for the isles and rivers. Baelon was a smart kind yet a strong one, not one to shy from a fight or a war, always joining the tourneys until his age betrayed him and winning almost every time and never failing to crown his lady wife Queen Alysanne his Queen of love and beauty never once embarrassing her in public or private.

Baelon’s mother’s wish if him falling in love never came true but Baelon was content with his wife and children. He never complained and he never once disrespected them or made them feel less than Queen and Princesses and princes.

His mother passed away during his tenth year as king failing to meet his five youngest children. Baelon gave his mother a funeral that will be remembered for centuries to come. Her body was dressed in the purest of whites, silks and laces. A crown of winter flowers upon her head and a bouquet of roses in her hands. Every finger adorned with rings of all shapes and sizes that were hiring with her.

Her corpse was paraded around the streets for people to pay respect with him in the lead with his crown on his head. A crown she had designed herself for him and placed on his head during his wedding as a gift. Alysanne flew her dragon above their heads before meeting Baelon at the Sept and witnessing the funeral. Baelon never truly recovered from her death. He build a statue of his mother in the gardens of the keep and was usually found their during hard times. Some servants swore they heard him talk to the statue, asking for advise.

Baelon went on to be loved and respected as a son, husband, father and king.

[sailtomarina]

The Well-Traveled Sage

Hermione x Draco | @hp-yuletide-bliss Day 19: “Oh. Hey. What are you doing here?” | WC 2523 | Rating: M

Hermione pivoted in a slow spiral, beaming at her holiday decorations and patting herself on the back. They’d been up for a couple of weeks now, but she’d gone for a little more effort the day before Christmas for last-minute shoppers that were bound to come scrambling in the door as they usually did.

It wasn’t much, but it was hers: a new and used bookshop she’d dubbed The Well-Traveled Sage. While Hermione did adore new books, there wasn’t quite anything like cracking open an aged tome and inhaling its memories and experiences.

She’d even snagged a delightful older witch by the name of Marina Birchen to spot the kiosk Hermione had built into the front corner of the store overlooking Diagon Alley. Offering coffee, tea, and simple sandwiches, Sage enticed readers and peckish passers-by alike.

Her Christmas decorations had done the same; the numbers from the past month were a testament to that. She’d charmed her wrought-iron sign with multi-coloured lights that caught the eye all the way from the Leaky’s brick entrance. As they drew closer, people were treated to more lights bordering a window display that not only featured those within reading their books and drinking their tea, but added a filter that cast them in a different festive setting each day. Today, it would be one of her childhood favorites, the Isle of Misfit Toys. Those looking in would see patrons dressed up like nutcrackers, plush toys, and elves. Yesterday, it had been an Ice Kingdom with frozen flooring and furniture, each patron seemingly adorned in layers of frost, their hair and eyelashes sparkling white.

Subtle festive instrumentals played in the background upon entering. While Hermione loved carols, it would not do for overly loud music to distract customers from what mattered most. She wanted them to browse uninterrupted, to come up to her with questions that she could easily discuss without having to project her voice over another one of Celestina Warbeck’s hits.

Her extra touch today would be Patronus-like apparitions shaped like her otter playfully rolling and jumping over one another just outside her storefront before tucking tail and running for the door, only to vanish and repeat their performance. So focused was she on admiring her charmwork that she didn’t notice she now had an audience.

“Fancy.”

“Oh!” Hermione spun so quickly at the familiar voice that she found herself slipping on the patch of ice she hadn’t yet gotten to removing.

She braced herself for impact, eyes squeezing shut.

Warm arms wrapped around her and hoisted her back onto her feet. She opened her eyes to stare straight up into the bemused face of Draco Malfoy.

He didn’t let go of her straight away, as she would have expected. They stood there puffing out clouds and noses pink in the chill morning air. Without even thinking, her fingers curled where the rested against his chest in search for heat in the thick wool.

“You alright there, Granger?” he asked, his voice low and lilting in amusement.

It was one thing for her childhood nemesis to save her from falling flat on her arse, but quite another for him to hold onto her and check on her wellbeing. She was tempted to scoff and shove him away for the sheer cheek of hugging her so closely.

Except he smelled really, really good.

She couldn’t stop her eyes from fluttering shut once more and taking a deep inhale.

Pine needles. Cedarwood. Some kind of combination of vanilla and cinnamon.

“How dare you smell so good, Malfoy.” She said it without opening her eyes, still luxuriating in the olfactory embrace.

It was his huff that coaxed them open. One white blond eyebrow arched along with the slanted smile on his lips. “I apologize for offending you so.”

Still the absence of any sort of malice or distaste. If anything, he looked amused.

How odd.

“Right then.” She finally stepped back and he slowly let go, almost as if he were worried she would slip yet again. “Thank you for catching me.”

He eyeballed the ground at their feet. “We should probably get rid of this, don’t you think?”

Without even being asked to, he pulled out his wand and began swirling it around in the familiar strokes of vanishing the instrument of her near-demise. She joined in and, together, they cleared the entire section of cobblestone mere minutes.

“Don’t worry about the rest; cleaners will come by and take care of it before most of the shoppers arrive. I just like to get a head start,” Hermione instructed. She turned to look at him now that their work was complete.

The wizard just had to go and look just as fine as he smelled.

The wool cloak to which she’d clung barely even scratched the surface of his devastating masculinity. Draco Malfoy had grown up.

Gone was the youth of her more recent memories. While he’d never suffered the half-starved look she and the boys had gotten over the year on the run, she distinctly remembered Malfoy’s slender frame and how he looked like he could have been blown over by a gust of wind. He’d looked even worse when she testified for him before the Wizengamot, chained as he was to the chair in the center of the room. She’d been pleasantly surprised at the thank you letter she’d received from him not a month later when he’d been released to one year of house arrest followed by three in service to the Ministry.

Now he towered above her with broad shoulders and a distinctly solid look to him.

“My, you are tall.”

The sound that spilled from his lips was so thoroughly unexpected that it took a moment for Hermione to realize that he was chuckling. It wasn’t that she hadn’t ever heard him laugh in all their years as students, but the delightful sound had certainly never been directed at her in such a warm tone that made her feel a part of the experience rather than its victim.

“It helps that I don’t have a reason to slouch anymore. Also, you are short.”

She must have made some expression of indignation because that chuckle was back in more force and if they hadn’t just cleared all the ice she might have been concerned he’d lose his balance.

“I’ll have you know that I am of average height for the average British woman. You are far above the average for the average British man. What are you even doing here this early in the morning, anyway?”

He raised a brow, whether that was at her vehement defense of her (average) height, or due to her swift transition, she couldn’t say. Perhaps, it was both.

“Well,” he said in a measured pace, “I suppose I’m here aiming to do exactly what a business owner like yourself would hope for on Christmas Eve.”

Before he could continue, she grinned. “Who’d you forget to get a gift for, Malfoy?”

This time, it was his turn to look chagrined. It brought her a strange modicum of comfort in its familiarity to that tone he’d get as a kid when someone didn’t acknowledge his family name. He was still Malfoy, no matter how attractive she now found him.

“I did not forget so much as I was forcefully put into a position of obligatory exchange.”

He almost growled at the explanation, teeth snapping shut and withholding the name of his ire.

“Well, in that case, follow me. You look like you could use a cuppa.”

She spun on her heel, smugly noting that this time there was no chance of her falling, and walked through her door without looking back.

He followed her, of course.

Once he’d been served a cup of Earl Grey, he stared at her rather than sip from the perfectly-brewed beverage. “Hm. Theo was right.”

“What about Theo?” She looked back at him curiously.

Unlike with Malfoy, Hermione had remained in touch with Theo Nott, or, more accurately, she had finally gotten to know him. Because, unlike when they were students and had ignored one another for still unknown reasons, they finally had occasion to speak. Gone were the House divides and meddling peers. There was simply her shop, the books, and a shared passion for literature.

Theo, it turned out, was a man of impeccable and varied tastes.

The first time he’d come around, Hermione had been justifiably suspicious. He’d never given her undue grief, that was for certain, but he certainly had never bothered to stop Malfoy and his cronies from bullying her. On occasion, he’d even joined in on the laughter.

Perhaps the changes in his attitude were signs of her current predicament with Draco Malfoy. Then, like now, she’d been completely thrown off course when the curly-haired swot (because yes, as a swot, herself, she was allowed to call out one of her own) marched up to the check-out desk to demand audience with the “owner of this establishment.”

Once he realized that he was already speaking with her, he tore into Hermione with a ferocity that would have had Madam Pince glowing with pride.

The grievance?

She’d slotted Widdle’s Modern Applications of Ancient Arithmancy next to Wideman’s Ancient Applications of Misunderstood Arithmancy.

Alphabetical organization aside, her error had been in assuming that the two belonged in the same section of Arithmancy—according to Theo, the latter was obviously a Divination text.

Upon further inspection, she’d been forced to agree with him.

Thus began a mutually beneficial friendship based on a shared fascination in far more fields of interest than Hermione would have ever expected from the former Slytherin. She’d always known Theo was intelligent, but he must’ve gone to some lengths to hide the full extent of their commonalities for unknown reasons.

Might Malfoy intrigue her in a different way?

“He told me I’d find what I needed here. With you.”

He stared unblinking at her, grey eyes bright in curiosity. Hermione willed herself not to look away.

What did that even mean, that he’d find whatever he needed from her? What was Theo up to?

Drawing herself up as tall as her stature would allow, Hermione endeavored to discover just that.

“What is it that you’re looking for?”

“I was hoping you could tell me.”

“Surely you have some idea already? This is a bookstore, with books.” Circe, did she sound as annoying as she felt? Damn, Theo, and his mysterious intentions.

“Well, I already have a lot of books, an entire library of them, in fact.”

Ah, yes, she knew of the Malfoy Library. It was legendary among booksellers and readers alike. Untold numbers of priceless volumes supposedly filled its shelves and most would give an organ, or perhaps their first-born child, to spend even fifteen minutes in the esteemed collection.

“But you’re not shopping for yourself, are you? Isn’t this a last-minute gift? What if they want books?”

He nodded slowly, still staring down at her, his expression unreadable. “That’s true,” he mused, “though I would think they’d be more delighted in a first edition.”

Now she was annoyed.

“Alright, Malfoy, spill. Who is it? Maybe if I know them I can help pinpoint where we can start looking.”

He hesitated for a moment, which only served to burn her curiosity even brighter.

“It’s for Millicent Bulstrode.”

Hermione’s first instinct was disappointment. His gifttee was a witch. Then, she was forced to confront that feeling. Why was she disappointed? Surely she hadn’t hoped his reasoning some ploy to capture her attentions…had she?

Her second instinct was a direct result of the witch’s name. Millicent. Bulstrode. Another former bully, but, thanks to Theo, another connection that was quickly becoming frightening in its fast familiarity. The signs had been there all along with Hermione’s unfortunate introduction sans Millicent’s knowledge to their love for cats. Not only did they hold fast to their feline companions, but they were coincidentally both active writers in the Gilderoy Lockhart Fanfic Forums.

Oh, how they’d squealed in filthy glee once they learned each others’ handles and gushed on about how much they loved the others’ works. Sure, the genuine article of man was a hankerchief stain on humanity and currently waxing poetic to anyone who would listen to him in St. Mungo’s. But! His works, lies, yes, thoroughly exaggerated, yes, but ripe with opportunity for elaboration and extrapolation and whatever other ‘e’ word (dare she say it?) they could concoct together.

“I’m afraid to ask now.”

Malfoy looked at her warily, almost leaning backwards from the look on her face. She didn’t have a mirror anywhere nearby, but she suspected she looked some combination of gleeful and debauched.

“Mills, huh? I know just what she’ll like.”

They had, in fact, talked about inspirational material earlier that week.

The sound that emerged from Malfoy’s throat when she turned down the Poetry aisle and stopped in front of one specific shelf defied description.

Sod it.

It came somewhat close to the pathetic noise he’d made when he’d been righteously scratched by Buckbeak all those years ago. She peeked furtively through the corner of her eye, but didn’t see any blood. So, emotional distress, it was.

“I, uh, still don’t see why Theo sent me here. We do have poetry in our library…” his voice trailed off as he brought his face close to one particular shelf, eyes nearly bugging out of his head. “This cover shouldn’t be displayed openly.”

He gestured towards a copy of Kim Adinnizio’s “What Is This Thing Called Love?” Hermione thought the teal sepia photo cover tasteful.

“What? Do you have something against women in knickers?” Face hidden, the woman lingered in a bedroom next to a reclining man, the implications clear. It really was modest considering the contents.

“No, but,” his face bloomed as he continued to look on, “I don’t think I can look Millie in the face and give this to her.”

“Oh, now you have to buy this, along with this one, and this one, ooh! This, as well.”

He looked comical holding a tower of books. She didn’t bother telling him she normally made sure patrons had baskets with feather-light charms; she found she liked seeing the way his arms naturally bulged beneath his sleeves.

“Well, if you’re certain…” Malfoy craned his neck to peek at the spines.

“There’s a healthy mixture of poets there that will have Mills crowing with pleasure for the veritable future. Trust me, she’ll love it.”

His attention back on her, she warmed at the way his hooded gaze dropped to her lips, then scanned boldly down her figure before flicking back up to her eyes.

“I take it that if you know her preferences, that you share some of them?”

Oh, Theo. You damnable, lovable darling.

“Witches never tell.”

He cocked his head and stepped closer. “What if I ask very nicely? Perhaps, over a bottle of my finest in the company of an exceedingly rare book collection?”

Well, there went her knickers.

“Let me ring you up. I get off at 6.”

And maybe, just maybe, she’d get off again Christmas morning.

Cross-posted on Tumblr and AO3.

I wrote this on the plane between WA and NY in a fit of inspiration and ended up finishing it up while we waited in Newark Airport waiting for our ride that was stuck in the Holland Tunnel for about 2 hours due to an earlier collision. Who knew I had it in me to write with so many distractions! There was a woman yelling into her phone about her dastardly family staying at the Waldorf and where the hell was her private jet, and then there as an elderly lady who had mistakenly called two different car services and trying to figure out how to cancel the second after the first found her wearing a sign with her name. Chaos!

I’ll be on vacation for the next week so my updates will likely be spotty, but DO enjoy yourself this holiday :) I’ll still try to update whenever I can!