#SPFF

[rosainta]

La Vilaine Telle Que J’Apparais - LIVE PERFORMANCE (x2)

French Interprétation of « The Villain I Appear to Be » by Connor Spiotto and Molly Pease. Written and performed by Rosain « Rain » Quivan 🌹

Hey all!

At a talent show for French pride / spirit week, I was able to perform my French interpretation of the wonderful « The Villain I Appear to Be » live… twice!

Left ear is my first performance of « La Vilaine Telle Que J’Apparaise », and right ear is my second performance. Spliced together to hear the best of both 💃🏻 I’m so incredibly grateful to all who made this possible - thank you all, it is one of the highlights of my week! :)

Some notes:

- The audio syncs up after the second note of singing (artistic direction, I suppose 😂 or just me not counting beats)

- Audio cuts out on right ear during the long instrumental break but comes back after a beat and a half (technical issue)

- No video, I would but… privacy. But it would explain some of the screaming in some parts due to the choreography, lol.

Special thanks to:

- Stella and Joseph, for recording me and for being amazing presenters

- My family, for inspiring me and helping me find confidence

- My friends, for their support (and for making this week special and bearable!! ILY ALL <3)

- The wonderful audience who made this so fun to do!

- The tech team and council for making this possible.

- You, for listening!!

Single Version

Here is an isolated version with lyrics of « La Vilaine Telle Que J’Apparais » that I made separately for a project, in case you ever want to sing it in French, too! :

https://www.bandlab.com/post/1ee4022e-5a01-f011-90c9-00224848fea7

Lyrics:

Parfois quand je

Veux s’enfuir et me cacher,

Quand il n’y a personne à mon côté

Et j’ai perdu toute ma fierté…

Je remets dans la passée,

Et je me laisse aller—

Rien à faire sauf essayer de sauter et continuer…

Que je vais faire sans plus tarder!

Je sais pour toi je ne semble pas très forte,

Mais si tu pense m’attraper, et bien, toi, t’aurais tort.

Alors, allez-y, go, quand ce n’est pas trop tard!

[INSTRUMENTAL]

Mais pas pour long!

Je cours plus vite comme le vent.

Je n’arrête pas, juste comme l’avant—

Même si j’ai p’t-être croisé la ligne

Pas d’temps de perdre sur toi!

Je sais que j’y vais lentement,

Non, je continuerai

Même si tu pense que je suis dans la mauvaise!

Savoir que:

Même si parfois je sais pas c’que je fais,

Je ne pas regretter, et je n’arrêterais jamais.

Et je sais que d’autres gens resteront à leurs plans,

Mais si tu la laisse à moi, je ferais n’importe quoi!

Donc!

Je connaît ma raison d’être ici;

Mon attente pour toi est fini!

Même si tu ne vois pas

Le bon dedans moi;

Je n’ai pas le temps de dire pourquoi

Je fais les choses que je fais,

Mais si t’enquête, là, tu saurait:

Que j’en suis pas la vilaine telle que j’apparais…

[INSTRUMENTAL]

[CHANGEMENT DE CLÉ]

Continuer,

Non, je n’arrêterais pas!

Jusqu’à j’suis dans une cellule et je vie ‘vec des rats.

Et tu peux continuer de courir après moi,

Mais tu ne pourrais jamais m’attraper!

[INSTRUMENTAL]

Je sais que tu

Pense que j’suis folle,

Mais, si tu lis ces paroles,

Tu saurais pourquoi:

J’ai fait tout ça!

[INSTRUMENTAL]

{Fin.}

Credits:

- Connor Spiotto and Molly Pease https://youtu.be/CZkZRzqYHrw?si=bBAtaom7yg0U1K0E

[geekpopnews]

São Paulo Film Festival acontece no fim de semana

Festival de cinema em São Paulo acontece neste fim de semana, no Petra Belas Artes! #sãopaulofilmfestival #cinemaindependente

Na próxima sexta-feira (9), dá-se início ao São Paulo Film Festival, festival de cinema independente que acontecerá em um dos cinemas de rua mais famosos do Brasil, o Petra Belas Artes, em São Paulo. O festival chega a sua 6ª edição com uma variedade de categorias e filmes concorrentes a prêmios. Os longas foram inscritos na premiação pelos próprios cineastas independentes de todo o Brasil.…

[phoenixlionme]

Three mlm couples in different styles

1. High school, European, based off popular webcomic/book series, and contemporary romance

2. Animated short film with minor fantastical element, American (with one being half Latino), and either in middle school or beginnings of high school

3. Adult, Asian, animated SPFF setting, have a “lovers to complicated enemies who still have strong feelings with each other to back to lovers again” dynamic, and knights

[cocodixie]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: NWT Navy & White Sunhat SPFf 50.

[fictionkinfessions]

mm. miss das. virvn. ararara. clau too.. tery here !!!! but . framily :{ -ser spff (ps ok. mayb not avarava. …👎🏼

[“i miss my dads. viren and aaravos. claudia too… terry’s here! but what about the rest of our family :( -ser sparklepuff ps. okay, maybe not aaravos. he… wasn’t nice.)” i think i got that last part right.]

🐸

[askthespffcrew]

updated spff damien's ref

[melody-personal-antunesofc]

#minhaluz . . . . #champs #spff #foto @ferdinandomm . . . 📸🙏💃🥰🔥🏋️😎 (em Meu Mundo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8q_Lx7ACN-lAJNRLOQEFJGsO66gjti90qJ0so0/?igshid=1ampcfdtd2z5i

[willcardosomartins]

Estamos melhorando, buscando uma melhor versão , corrigindo os pontos fracos, e fortalecendo os pontos forte , menos de 4 semanas para o Valquíria e barbaros @spff_fisiculturismo Mais vamos chegar em um nível melhor mais cheio mais denso ! @teamdancruzz . . . . . . . . #spff #bodybuildingmotivation #bodybuilderbrasil #bodybuilder #bodyfitness #fisiculturismoclássico #fisiculturismobrasileiro #fisiculturismo #academia #fitnnes #maromba #vidamaromba #classic #vshape #shape #shapeemconstrução #13memo #vemmonstro https://www.instagram.com/p/CVAjC2zrTsb/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mimiktales]

[geekpopnews]

São Paulo Film Festival exibe filmes online gratuitamente

Produções exibidas no São Paulo Film Festival estão disponíveis online gratuitamente até esta terça-feira (17)

O São Paulo Film Festival de 2024 chegou em sua última fase de exibição e todos as produções semifinalistas e finalistas estão disponíveis para assistir online gratuitamente. As produções estão disponíveis desde domingo (15) e se encerram nesta terça-feira (17). LEIA MAIS: Sequência de “Wicked” ganha nome oficial “Wicked For Good” O SPFF 2024 é um festival independente com exibições de…

[dreaminginsteadofsleeping42]

“like is it a Canadian thing?” is killing me 💀

[marthaemma96]

Hear hear, Skulduggery Pleasant fans! I'm looking for a Beta-Reader/Editor/Co-Writer for my SPff series "Triskelion".

You can English and have read at least 1st Phase? Congrats, you qualify for this extremely serious job. Responsibilities include; doing English. Telling me when I'm wrong. It's fun, I promise.

Oh, and the link; https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13600006/0

[100yearoldcomics]

March 20, 1922 Barney Google by Billy De Beck: "Barney Takes Cream in His Coffee. Oh, My, Yes!"

[ID: Barney stands beside his bed in his nightshirt and socks, yawning and stretching. /end] Barney: YOW, I hate this business of getting up in the mm... YOW.

[ID: Barney, half-awake, blearily brushes his teeth. Mrs. Google stands behind him, frustrated. /end] Mrs. Google: Open up your eyes and try to show a little ambition in the morning. Barney: Aww, waw.

[ID: Barney sits down at the dining table with a cup of coffee. Mrs. Google watches behind him, angered. /end] Barney: PHOOY. This coffee tastes soapy this morning. Mrs. Google: I'm not at all surprised.

Mrs. Google: Hereafter, see that you're using tooth paste instead of shaving cream on your tooth-brush. [ID: Barney begins gagging. /end] Barney: SPFF, SPFFF, PFF

[ultimate-cinephile]

more stuff that no one asked for! keep in mind that the ask box is open so feel free to request!

JOKER FLUFF ALPHABET

he deserves more love!

A- Attractive (What do they find attractive about the other?)

Okay, let’s be honest, you fell for Joker because of the hair or because of his eye.

He fell for you because he admired your bravery and kindness (doesn’t matter if you’re part of the SPFF, helping him and Licht, or just a plain ol civilian). You two met because he had showed up in your apartment one night, bleeding out, and your first instinct was to patch him up, and as soon as you were done, you pulled a knife on him.

B- Baby (Do they want a family? Why or why not?)

I think Joker wouldn’t really want kids. He lives a dangerous life, and so far, you’ve been the closest thing to normal that he’s been able to keep without it being taken away from him. If he did decide he wanted kids, he would have to have finished his work and he would have to be sure that no one would be coming for him or his future family.

C- Cuddle (How do they cuddle?)

Despite appearances, Joker is most definitely a cuddler. He loves wrapping his arms around you or having your arms wrapped around him because he likes that security. He loves the assurance that you’re there. 

With that being said, his go to cuddling position is probably the Honeymoon Hug. It gives him access to feel your arms wrapped around him and the security that gives him, and it allows him to wrap his arms around you. It makes him feel like both the protectee and the protector.

D- Dates (What are dates with them like?)

Joker…. doesn’t really plan dates. If you help him on his mission, that’s probably the closest to a date you get with him. Well, you two do order take-out and cuddle while binging some movies too. If you really want to go out though, just tell him and he’ll plan a most extravagant evening out.

It doesn’t really matter what you two do as a date though. Joker just loves spending time with you. You two could literally be watching paint dry and he’d be content with it, as long as it’s with you.

E- Everything (You are my ___; eg: my life, my world)

You are my only hope in this godforsaken world.

F- Feelings (When did they know they were in love?)

After a long night of helping Joker decipher some clue he picked up on his latest expedition. You were mumbling to yourself and tossing out guesses. Joker took a moment and looked at you. Your eyebrows were furrowed, eyes squinted yet somehow glaring at the clue, biting your lip in frustration. You caught his gaze and asked if something was wrong and he tossed out a witty remark. You laughed and in that moment Joker realized that if this was normal, he wanted it, and he wanted it with you.

G- Gentle (Are they gentle? If so, how?)

Joker is not a gentle man. However, with you, he is the most gentle person to ever walk the face of the planet. He knows that you’re more than capable of handling yourself, but he’s so terrified of losing the best thing to ever happen to him that he sometimes treats you like the slightest touch would break you.

H- Hands (How do they like to hold hands?)

Joker likes to slip his hand into yours and then you intertwine your fingers. Depending on his mood, he might lightly swing them. If you two are cuddling and you lace your hands together, they’re probably laying on his chest.

I- Impression (What was their first impression?)

Your first impression was probably somewhere along the lines of: “Man, I can’t wait to eat my rame- HOLY SOL, THERE’S A GUY BLEEDING OUT ON MY COUCH!” When you were able to think rationally, and after Joker had managed to talk you out of removing the knife from his throat, you thought he was weird and a little creepy, but you guys managed to bond anyways.

His first impression of you was that you were incredibly kind. I mean, you patched him up without a second thought. His second thought was, “Okay, this chick/dude might slit my throat. They’re awesome.”

J- Jealousy (Do they get jealous?)

He absolutely does not. 

How can you be jealous of someone who never existed in the first place?

Okay, so he does get jealous, and he might not go to the extent of murdering someone (although I wouldn’t say he’s above it). Usually if he gets jealous, Joker just materializes at your side and the guy almost immediately makes up an excuse to leave. It’s not that he doesn’t trust you, he doesn’t trust the other guys.

K- Kiss (How do they kiss? Who initiated the first kiss?)

He probably did. The first time he kissed you was impulsive and quick and neither of you realized what was going on until you pulled away. He got embarrassed so you dived back in to kiss him again.

Kisses with Joker start off soft and slow and almost timid if you’re really looking for it, but eventually get more passionate. He always drags it out for as long as possible and they always tell you just how much you mean to him without him ever having to say it. Needless to say, when the both of you pull away, you’re usually breathless.

L- Love (Who says ‘I love you’ first?)

Honestly, probably you.

You and Joker were kissing one night and when you pulled away you breathlessly sighed, “I love you.”

When you looked at him, he was tearing up, and he moved to hug you, quickly repeating the phrase. He loves you so much, and he was scared to say it in case you didn’t feel the same.

He can’t thank you enough for loving him and giving him the normal life he’s always wanted.

M- Memory (What’s their favorite memory together?)

His favorite memory involving the two of you is simple. You two were cuddling. He had woken up first and you were still sleeping. Your hair was beautifully splayed out behind you. You looked so peaceful while you slept that he dared not move for fear of waking you. The light from the window highlighted your face perfectly and it was just perfect.

N- Nickel (Do they spoil? Do they buy the person that they love everything?)

Joker doesn’t buy you everything. If he sees you eyeing something a lot, he will buy it for you with no hesitation, but he isn’t the guy that goes out and buys you a teddy bear for no reason either.

O- Orange (What color reminds them of their other half?)

Green. You had an ivy plant in your bathroom so anytime he sees that magnificent shade of green, he thinks back to how you two first met and he goes full sap mode.

P- Pet Names (What pet names do they use?)

Doll is his go to. I don’t know why. It's just is. He’s also rather fond of love, dove, and baby.

Q- Quaint (What is their favorite non-modern thing?)

The watch. He keeps it, even broken, and it is still one of his greatest treasures.

R- Rainy Day (What do they like to do on a rainy day?)

On a rainy day, he loves to make some type of hot drink and then curl up on the couch with you in his arms while you watch westerns (like The Magnificent Seven, Tombstone, or Quigley Down Under).

S- Sad (How do they cheer themselves/others up?)

Joker doesn’t cheer himself up. He bottles up his emotions and distracts himself.

DO NOT CRY AROUND THIS MAN!!! He has no idea how to console a person and he gets extremely awkward. He’s torn between joking and hugging you so he settles for rubbing your back. He’ll let you talk and offer to help the best he can.

T- Talking (What do they talk about?)

With you? Anything and everything. His goals, his mission, whatever movie you managed to get him into.

U- Unencumbered (What helps them relax?)

Cuddles. Cuddles help him relax. Please cuddle this man. Any sort of physical contact from you makes all of his worries and stress from the day melt away, and it’s just what he needs after a long day.

V- Vaunt (What do they like to show off? What are they proud of?)

Well, he is proud of you and shows you off to his associates as much as he can.

Aside from you, his hair. Like, have you seen it? hOW DOES HE GET THAT VOLUME???

W- Wedding (When, how, and where do they propose?)

Joker bought a ring two weeks before he proposed to you.

Where and how he proposed is kinda funny. Both of you were exhausted. You had either accompanied he and Benimaru on their mission or spent the entire night worrying about him, and he had done cool fighting stuff all night. So when he got home, you both crashed onto the bed and he immediately pulled you into his arms.

He thought you were asleep, and in truth, he almost was too, when he popped the question. “(Y/N), you mean a lot to me, more than I’m capable of expressing. You’ve given me the closest thing to a life that I’ll ever have and you make life suck a little less. Marry me?”

Imagine his shock when you mumbled out a sleepy, “Yes.” Nevertheless, you woke up with a ring on your finger in the arms of your fiancee.

X- Xylophone (What’s their song?)

I have absolutely no idea why but the Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan reminds me of Joker.

For your relationship song, I’d say it’s most definitely James Dean and Audrey Hepburn by Sleeping With Sirens.

Y- Yes (Do they ever think of getting married/proposing?)

He absolutely would love to marry you, and he thinks about it all of the time. He buys a ring on a whim and carries it around for two weeks and constantly thinks about when would be the right time to do it.

Z- Zebra (If they wanted a pet, what would they get?)

He wants a dog. Having a fluff ball around would be fun to him. Plus, he’s always wanted one.

[crane-dance]

One of the stranger things that happened as I listened to more of The Magnus Archives is that the stories became less scary.

There’s suddenly a door in your house that shouldn’t be there? That’s terrifying. A completely valid, rational fear of something that could happen to anyone.

The door’s name is Michael and it has a posh British giggle? Spff. Clearly fictional. Get out of here with your imaginary boogeymen.

[waeziverse]

Royal Punch: The Minotaur and the Goblin.

Biff the Dwarf pushed the ten year old cow girl, resulting in her falling to the ground. The minotaur with brown fur and red hair looked horrified. “I told you to bring me coronets I could buy cake for, not to bring me cake!” The dwarf boy yelled at Clarabelle the Minotaur. “Or are you too stoopid to get that?”

Clara sat up and looked at her hand that she had scratched when she fell. “Ah... ah... I-”

“Look me in the eyes when I talk to you, stupid!” Biff kicked dirt in Clara’s face.

Clara  rubbed her face clean and then did as she was told. “I caah... I... Mah... Mmm... Mmm-”

“Mmm?“ Angel the Satyr smiled mockingly. “Moo? Is that all you can say, Clara? Moo!“ Angel laughed at her own impression of Clara’s failed attempt to speak, and so did Angle’s brother Ben.

Clara stood up as she tried to spot an adult who could help her. But there normally weren’t any around the harbor during the afternoons. That’s probably why Biff and his friends had told her to meet them at the harbor to begin with.

Biff grabbed Clara by the sleeve of her dress. “Guys, know what I think? I think Clara here got hay stuck in her ears.” The dwarf boy grinned triumphantly as the satyr twins laughed. “I think she needs to go for a swim to clean her ears-”

“OY! What’s goin’ on here?”

Clara and her tormentors turned their attention toward an old goblin who had arrived. He was bald, had an eye-patch that covered his left eye, a scar on his forehead and was using a walking stick.

“None of your business, gramps!“ The twelve year old dwarf looked annoyed at the goblin who was not that much taller than him. “We are just playing.”

The goblin glared at Biff and the satyr twins. “Kid, I seen playin’ like that before. Get outta here before ya get a spankin’, you brat.”

“Sod off, you old fart.” Angel marched toward the goblin. “Or maybe you wanna swim as-”

Angel didn’t get to finish her sentence as the goblin tripped her over with his stick.

“Hey! Don’t mess with my sister!” Ben charged toward the old goblin with lowered head as he intended to ram him. But the goblin was quicker on his feet than he looked and not only stepped aside but also lightly kicked the goat boy on the behind, resulting in him tripping as well.

“Well?” The goblin looked at Biff who still held Clara by her sleeve. “Ya wanna dance as well, boyo?”

Biff narrowed his eyes as he looked at the old man and then at Clara. “Screw this. Guys, let’s go home.” The satyr twins got up from the ground, and looked embarrassed as they walked away with Biff. The dwarf boy looked at Clara one more time. “I will see you later, Clara.”

Once the little gang was gone, the goblin gave Clara her attention. “Are ya okay?”

“Aaa... I...” Clara looked at the one-eyed goblin, then at the small wound on her hand. “I... aaah... Ah-” She sighed, annoyed at herself. “I’m... fffeh-fine.”

The goblin looked concerned. “Ya hurt yer mouth or somethin’?”

Clara shook her head. “Nnnnno. I Spff... I spffe-speak a llleh-” Clara grind her teeth. “I... don’t speak so... good.”

The old goblin looked confused. But he quickly understood and was relieved. “Oh! Ya just have one of those... whatcha call it... speech dissordas?”

Clara looked at her hoofs as she blushed. “Yhii-yes.”

“Hey, what’s with that face?! Ya ashamed or somethin’? Young lady, that ain’t somethin’ to be ashamed of.”

Clara looked up. “Beh-but I-”

“You recon I should be ashamed of usin’ this stick for walkin’, eh?” The goblin pointed at his cane. Then he noticed the wound on Clara’s hand. “Hey, ya got yerself a scratch. Come with me, I don’t live far from here.”

“Ah... I-” Clara was about to protest.

“That boy said yer name was Clara, right? I'm Burgess.” The goblin smiled at her. “Come, let me patch ya up.”

***

“There.“ Burgess had washed Clara’s hand and tied an bandage around the wound. “Thirsty? Want some water?“

As Burgess left her, Clara sat at a chair at the dinner table and took a glance around the goblin’s home. It was a one-room house. On the walls hang big pieces of paper with drawings of ships and a lot of notes. Different tools were attached to the walls as well and there were small pieces of woods on the floor. There was also a big sack hanging from the ceiling. It was a couple of inches above the floor and looked like it had been hit a couple of times.

Burgess came from the front door again after he had been outside to get water from the pump. “Thanks.” Clara took a sip from the cup. “Are you a kei-kei-carpenter?”

“A shipwright.” Burgess sat at the other end of the table.

“So you beh-beh-build sssh-ships?” clara took another sip.

“Well, yes and no.” Burgess shrugged. “I don’t know how to make a ship, as in designin’ it, makin’ the drawings and such. Ain’t got the smarts for that. But I know how to build a ship by followin’ the plans, I have the skills to build it. And I know how to repair a ship.” Burgess looked proudly at the plans on the walls.

“Cool.” Clara looked impressed even though she didn’t completely get the difference between designing and building a ship.

Burgess smiled, but then he looked rather serious. “That bearded boy. He knew yer name. Means this ain’t the first time he knocked ya around. Ain’t that so?”

Clara considered protesting, but she just sighed and nodded.

"Hmm...” Burgess took a big sip from his cup, then stood up. “Come, up on yer hooves. I’m gonna show ya how to throw a punch.”

Clara almost chocked on her water. “Wwwf-wwf-wha... punch!?”

“Yeah, I will show ya how to defend yerself. Then he won’t pick on ya. His sort only pick on those who does not push back I recon.”

Clara blinked. “Buh-buh-but girls keh-can’t... can’t fff-fight. It’s unlaah... laah... Un... lady-like.”

Burgess looked at the minotaur girl with disbelieve in his one eye. “Who in the blazes told ya that?”

Clara shrugged. “My mom and dah-dah-dad. They ssss-say it’s nnn-not lady-like to fffh... to fight.”

Burgess went to a drawer and seemingly looked for something. “Well, I mean no offence to yer folks, but they are full of it. AHA!” Burgess had found what he looked for. it was a torn-out page from a newspaper that had been yellowed by age. Burges handed the paper to Clara. On the page was an illustration of a satyr woman with massive horns. She was wearing what looked like a pair of giant mittens and she smiled triumphantly. Her arms were raised above her head, and at her feet lied an orc. The orc was on his back with his arms and legs spread out. “Ya know who this is?” Burges pointed at the satyr woman.

Clara shook her head.

Burgess tapped at the paper with her finger. “This here is Devil Daisy. She was the champion boxer of Nesredna. She defended her title for twelve years before she got beat by Hammerhand Ivan. She kept her title longer than anyone ever did. I once got to watch her fight, she had the best footwork I ever seen. She could beat ya silly before ya could notice she had raised her fists. AND she was very much a lady.”

Clara looked impressed at the illustration of the muscular goat-woman.

“And look at me!” Burgess held up his hands as he punched the air. “I used to box meself when I was young. And I’m shorter than a dwarf.”

Clara looked even more impressed. “Whe-were you good?”

Burgess smile toned down. “Ah, well... yes and no.” He coughed. “Now, my point is there is no one who should or should not fight. Yer gender ain’t no reason for ya not being able to stan’ up for yerself. Wait, got an idea.” Burgess took a piece of paper and a pencil. He made a drawing of a round head with a poorly drawn beard. The eyes on the drawing pointed in different directions and the head also had a silly wide, toothy grin. “Looks like yer dwarf friend, eh?”

Clara snickered at the not exactly flattering drawing of Biff. Burgess went to his punching bag and attached the drawing to the bag with needles.

“That should help motivatin’ ya. Come now.“ Burgess looked at Clara and he patted the bag. “Hit him in the kisser.”

Clara stood up and walked awkwardly toward the punching bag. She hesitated as she stood in front of the bad, but then she made a fist and was about to hit the crude drawing of her bully.

“WAIT” Burgess grabbed her hand. “What are ya doin’? Don’t tuck yer thumb in, you gonna break it. Look.” Burgess showed her how he made a fist with his thumb under the knuckles on his index and middle finger. “Like this, always thumb out. Got that?”

Clara nodded and made a new fist with her thumb out.

“Good. Now, raise your fists to eye height. And when ya hit the bag, do it in a straight line.”

Clara nodded again and looked at the bag, then at Burgess who nodded encouraging. And then she hit the drawing attached to the bag with all her might. The bag didn’t move, but the drawing got grumbled. The cartoon dwarf’s smile got twisted.

“Haha! Look at him! He looks like he is in pain, eh?“

Clara didn’t answer but snickered awkwardly.

“Okay, do like I do.” Burgess bended his knee on his left leg that he had stepped forward. “Step forward and then twist your hips and chest towards the bag when ya punch. And remember, keep yer arm straight when ya hit.”

Clara nodded and tried to mimic Burgess’ movements. She landed another hit on the bag and she could feel more power being placed in the punch.

“Hmm, close.” Burgess patted Clara on the shoulder. “Look, I think we should wrap up yer hands or I say you will get a bruise. Then you can try hit the bag some more till ya get it right... if ya like?”

Clara smiled and nodded.

The next day...

Clara was petrified. Biff and the satyr twins had dragged her behind the Highway Hippogryph tavern and had pushed her up against a wall.

“So, you got money for cake this time, stupid?” Biff pulled Clara in one of her braids.

“Mmmh... MmmMMMMH!” Clara desperately tried to protest, but her lips betrayed her, like they usually did.

“Moo! Moo!” Ben mocked the poor girl. “She only speaks cow! Moo!”

“What are you gonna do, cow baby? Cry for mommy?” Angel pushed Clara, making her fall. “Or that old fart from the docks?”

Clara gasped after her breath as she was about to get back on her feet and tried to remember what she were suppose to do with her knees and... what was it Burgess had called it, her hips?

“Who was that goblin anyways?” Biff made a big grin, one almost as dumb as the one from Burgess less than flattering drawing of him. “Is he your grandpa? Are you half goblin, stupid?”

Clara took in a deep breath as she tightened her fist.

Biff laughed. “That would explain why you are so ug-”

Ben and Angel dropped their jaws as Clara’s fist connected to Biff’s face. The dwarf boy landed on his rear-end. Clara looked just as surprised as her bullies. She first looked at the dwarf boy, then at her own fist, and then back at Biff who kinda looked like the grumbled version of Burgess’ drawing.

But none of them were more shocked than Biff, especially after he noticed that his mouth was bleeding.

Ben and Angel blinked. They looked at Biff, then at Clara, and then at each other as they they both yelled; “GET HER!”

***

Amerigo the Human looked annoyed at Burgess as he packed his tools back in his sack. “They told me you were the best shipwright in town!”

“I recon I may be, so trust me when I tell ya I can’t fix yer boat.” Burgess sighed. “It’s the keel that’s the problem, it’s the boat's backbone. Once that part is broken, there’s nothin’ I can do. Ya have to get another boat.”

“But I’m a human, I’m not even suppose to be in Onyxville. I have to get out of here as fast as possible, I can’t just go boat shopping. You have to at least try and repair it. Name your price.”

“Lad, I ain’t takin’ yer money, that would not be right. See, I could patch yer boat up, no problem. But chances are ya will sink before getting anywhere close to shore.” Burges shrugged. “Sorry, lad.”

Amerigo narrowed his eyes at Burgess and then walked away while he mumbled useless pip-squeak.

Burgess was disappointed as well since he couldn’t help Amerigo who was one of the many human costumers he had recently gotten since they had to leave the kingdom after the orcs had taken over Nesredna. Burgess decided to go home and study the plans for the Soul Sailor he had been hired to build so he could make a list of material he needed.

But as he reached his humble home, he was met by a unpleasant surprise.

Clara was waiting for him. And she had gotten a black eye.

Burgess dropped his sack. “Kiddo, are ya alright?! What happened?!”

“I pfff-punched Biff. Buh-buh... I feel-”

“Clara, I’m so sorry!” Burgess dropped his stick as he went to look at the little girl’s eye. “I don’t know what I was thinkin’, getting you in this condition.”

“Buh-but Mr Boh-Burgess, I-”

“I should just have asked ya if ya knew their parents. I shouldn’t-”

“MMMMEH-MMMEH-MISTER!” Clara yelled in order to stop the old goblin from interrupting her. It worked as Burgess looked at the child with surprise in his one eye. Clara smiled. “Mr. Burgess... I feh... I feel... great.”

Burgess was confused. “Sorry, what?”

Clara smiled proudly as she raised her fists at eye height. “I deeh... I did just as you ty-ty-told me. I bbeh-bended my knee and maaa-made a... straight line. And I hit Biff right in... in the face!” Clara grinned. “I thin... I think I made him... cry.”

Burgess still looked ashamed. “And then he gave you a shiner?”

Clara shook her head. “Nnnn-no! Ben did. Him and Angel pff-pffunched me. But I... punched them back. But then, then, then I... had to run away from them.”

“What the... wait a minute!” Burgess took Clara on the chin and studied her face. “Ya telling me ya got in a fight with three kids and all ya got to show for it is a black eye? That’s it?”

Clara smiled as she nodded. “It was the... best day of maah... of my life!”

Burgess was stunned. Then he laughed. “Kiddo, ya must have explosives in yer little fists!”

Clara blushed. She hadn’t been praised this much for a long time. Not even by her own parents. Then she noticed that Burgess had dropped his walking stick, so she went and bent down to fetch it for him. Burgess thanked her as she gave it to him. Clara got a bit shy as she looked at her feet and asked; “Mmm-mister? Do yeh... do yeh-you think could help me be like... like Deh-Devil Daisy? And you? Would you th-th-teach me to... boxing?”

Burgess opened up the door to his house. “Kiddo, I think the two of us should get a piece of meat pie and discuss it.”