#and she would be such a cute doll in her disguise outfit | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

marwhoa · 2 years

Text

request: none!

🝮 “ cherrypie ”

rise!raph x villain!female!reader

author’s note: hello, hello! this fic is a special one that i actually co-wrote with my beloved, @tmntxthings !! We were both tasked with writing as much of a scene for 20 minutes and going back and forth until the fic felt finished 😎 they will be posting this to their account in the following days, so keep a look out to give them lovin’!!

word count: 4.2k

Emerald green hues gazed back at Raph, soaking up the humanoid figure he had once more with a nervous—but excited!— exhale. Today would be one more of the many dates he went on with a special girl he met topside, and hopefully he could make it the most memorable date yet! After all, this gentleman might have had a nice little itinerary tucked away in his suit’s pocket.

Today’s plan was to meet up right outside of a ball that his dearest friend, April’s college was hosting! April and Y/N would be there, and Raph was Y/N’s choice as her plus-one. Thoughts of dancing across the floor with Y/N’s smaller hand in his, her dazzling smile flashing brightly as he whirled them to and fro! Gosh, just imagining it now had his feet thumping rhythmically upon the floor.

Alright, one last tug of your cute tie and you’re ready to go out! His back turned to the mirror, eyes fixating on the doorway. Don’t worry, big dog, you’ve got this.

———

Elsewhere, a dolled-up Y/N paced across the linoleum with her heels clicking intimidatingly.

“ They really think I was joking? Do they? Am I a joke to them? “

Some particular floor plans and interventions had not gone too well—it was as if nobody truly wanted to escape the Hidden City and go topside! Had so much time passed that everyone was complacent with being moles, deep under ground, without a single sight of the moon big in the sky at night? Had they all become completely okay with never seeing the sun again? Y/N took—no, snatched!— a towel from its position on the wall and grit her teeth while trying to rub clean the irritation vivid upon her features. Her eyes glared at the reflection in the mirror, but just for a second as they then trailed down to the form-fitting Ruby dress that draped her body. It was much too flattering, causing a blush to dust Y/N’s features and her nervous habit of spinning the wooden ring upon her ring finger—the signature ring banded with an arcanic red crystal that was poured into it.—had kicked in. There was a heavy inhale as the thought of today's date resurfaced. She was going to be seeing him again today, her dearest Raph.

“ Oh, please like my dress… “

Y/N whispered, turning and posing to check all the angles. It was deserving of a gentle silence, the dress. As you soaked in the you in the mirror, so many thoughts whisked past.

That’s me?

I’m so beautiful.

Will he be just as impressed?

I could stare at myself forever.

There was a shy warmth whirling in your chest, so much so that the previous thoughts in your mind had been subsided. The operation had been all but forgotten from your mind, cleared by the thoughts of how tonight would go. You were in love with how you looked right now. Not a doubt in your mind, you were truly gorgeous for tonight’s date to the ball. Had your past self said, “ hey, you’ll be attending the hall with the kindest man ever ” then surely you would have called her a liar, but here you were.

Y/N L/N, otherwise infamously known as Cherrypie to both witches and humans alike for her fiery villainous deeds, dressed in a shimmery red dress with a split up the thighs, accentuating all the best parts. For a second, you felt less like a villain in disguise and more like a regular girl ready for her date.

But…

Would anyone blame you if that’s what you truly wanted? Y/N bit her lip, trying to imagine for a second that she was exactly that—just a regular girl getting ready for her regular date. There was a bittersweet smile that subsided just as a ding came from her phone—Raphael!

———

Raph had entered the building, slipping his phone back into his pants pocket. He was taking in the crowd that was before him as he took tentative steps forward. He blew out a breath, eyes scanning for the most beautiful girl in the world. He had messaged you to let you know he arrived, but sadly his searching was to no avail. He did spot April though!

He made a beeline for the only other person he knew there. Raph couldn’t lie, he was definitely nervous. He’d never been to a fancy ball before, the only other time he had dressed up in black tie attire was for the magic show that Leo had begged them all to attend. His brothers weren’t here this time, but his nerves subsided as April turned recognizing Raph’s green eyes.

“ Look at you!! I’m so happy you could make it! ”

April was all smiles, giving Raph a crushing hug.

“You haven’t seen Y/n yet have you?”

Her eyebrows waggled with a promising look and Raph shook his head, looking around as if you would suddenly appear since your name had been said. No luck!

“ Do you know where she is? ”

Raph asked, a small smile forming on his face as he looked back down to April.

“ I don’t but you’re in for a treat, she’s wearing your favorite color. ”

April winked and Raph’s imagination went wild. You were wearing red? He felt his cheeks flush, head whipping back and forth now honing in on all the different dresses that showcased hues of his favorite color. He was disappointed, huffing slightly at the fact that he still hadn’t spotted you. April couldn’t help but laugh at him. April loved how smitten Raph was, and April knew you felt the same way. She was so happy for the two of you. It warmed her heart to see Raph so happy, he deserved it. So she decided to help out, looking around the crowd wondering where you had wandered off to.

Maybe it was just pure luck, but it only took a few seconds, and April tapped on Raph’s arm. He immediately looked down to see April pointing to her left. His eyes followed, and he sucked in his breath. It was as if the crowd parted and he could see you, walking towards him. Stealing his breath away. You were drop dead gorgeous. Hair swishing back and forth in slow motion as if the world revolved around you.

“ Breathe Raph. ”

April teased, elbowing him in the side. His cheeks burned as he took in deep breaths.

Y/N held her phone in her hand, checking it over and over again while waiting for Raph to arrive. She had seen April already and received the most dramatic positive response for her attire EVER. All the whistles and shouts as her friend took photos from every angle had left you fidgeting embarrassedly.

She hadn’t seen Raph yet either, so you settled for roaming the floor in hopes that fate would bring you both together!

And, as luck would have it, you both did encounter each other after only a few minutes of search. The sensation of a burning gaze on you had your attention. Turning on your heel quickly, your eyes locked with the warmest emerald pools ever, of which were currently taking in your silhouette in its entirety. In your chest, your heart was performing somersaults and leaving you out of breath. Why, he did dress up nicely. The suit just seemed so right on him!

From your pocket ( after all, what witch-villain wears a pocketless dress? ), you pull a small square matching your dress and tick-tack-tick’d on up to your love.

“ Raphie, you made it—eek! “

Once Y/N was close enough, Raph wasted no time in scooping her up and giving an affectionate twirl.

“ I gotta be dreaming, there’s no way the world’s prettiest Angel is smiling at me right now. “

He gave a toothy grin, his signature snaggletooth pressing upon his bottom lip in that captivating way it always did. You melted as his hand brushed strands of hair from your face carefully. He leaned in, planting a satisfying kiss upon your forehead before pulling back to see what the handkerchief you held was for.

“ This, this is to show we’re a pair! “

Y/N cooed as her hands pushed it into his suit’s chest-pocket, smoothing it out neatly. Her hand patted it, lingering on his broad chest for some seconds until his bashful throat-clearing had stirred her out of the trance.

“ Um, right, I hope you don’t mind that I planned out the night for us. Af-After being together so long , I was… I… “

His train of thought seemed to leave without him as his gaze fixated on your dress. You could’ve sworn tears welled up in his eyes as his hands reached to rest on your hips, rubbing slow circles against the fabric. One of his hands lifted to take your hand, lacing together your fingers. He had noticed that even dressed as you were—fancy for a ball—there was still that special wooden ring sitting snug upon your dominant hand’s ring finger. It’s red band glimmered in the light just as your dress did, causing his gaze to just soften with all the love in the world.

“ Sorry, red just looks …. Breathtaking on you, Y/N. “

As the lights were dimming and music was beginning to play, Raph’s attention was brought to the couples forming on the floor’s center. His hold on your hips tightened snuggly as his eyes returned to yours.

“ Raph…? “

You breathed out, captivated in his burning gaze.

“ Can I have this dance? “

His hand rose, its open palm extended as a comfortable place for your smaller hand. Not wanting to miss a single second with him, you were eager to oblige. Your hand slid into his as you both joined the floor with almost literal hearts bobbing within your irises, pure love as the two of you swam through the sea of dancers, rocking with the flow almost as if it were second nature.

Y/N wasn’t some villain from the Hidden City and Raph wasn’t some mutant ninja from the sewers. For now, the two of you were the most ordinary couple swaying across the ballroom door with sweeping steps that almost traced hearts with each pat of a toe-tip. A shared welling-up in each other's chests, identical breath-holding, and just the same amount of tears glowing your eyes. Raph and Y/N were in perfect harmony, almost the stars of the dance so far as others would catch sight of your mesmerizing dance.

It would have continued being the most romantic song ever played by two bodies, had the record not been scratched by a distant explosion. Easily overlooked, if not for the second that followed.

Then a third, fourth—hell, even a fifth. All inching closer and closer.

In that moment, both your hearts plummeted in your chests, but for different reasons. Raph, fearing what those sounds meant for your safety, and you, fearing for having even dared try to pretend you were anyone other than Cherrypie, the villain to bring this city to its knees. Tonight’s attack has completely slipped your mind.

The last explosion rumbled the entire building and Raph’s hold on your hips moved to encase your whole body. Pulling you right to his chest, ready for if the entire room collapsed, he’d protect. This was bad, Raph thought, he didn’t know what the hell was going on, but he needed to get you to safety and then he could figure out the rest. He was a hero after all.

“ Y/N. “

The reverie of the dance and music was broken. Screaming started to sound around them as bodies were rushing this way and that, to get out of the building. Running towards the various exit signs in the room.

“ I need you to run and get to safety, find April and stick together. “

His tone was serious and authoritative, his arms holding you put to look into your eyes before squeezing your arms and letting go.

“ Raphael! Where do you think you're going?! “

Your hand shot out as soon as he turned to leave. In your mind, he was just a human. The safest place for him would be at your side, even if you were the villain of this story. Even though the surrounding explosions were your doing, you didn’t want Raph to get hurt.

“ I’ve gotta go help, baby! What if someone was caught in those explosions? I’m sure they are scared, no need to worry about me. ”

He gave you a rugged smile, sounding confident. So when your hand slipped away from his arm, watching as he ran to the front doors, leaving the ballroom, heading for the chaos that was ensuing outside, you knew you had to get back to business. After a few moments of cornering your resolve you booked it to the back doors. Pushing them open and immediately found yourself swarmed by the scent of smoke.

“ Ready or not New York, here comes Cherrypie. “

You mumbled a spell under your breath, your dazzling dress disappearing.

As it vanished, the dress was replaced with a maroon wide brim hat, polished off with a green ribbon with long tails that would whisk through the hair behind you. Your clothes became green bell-bottom pants, flaring out to frame smooth red Mary Jane’s that made a familiarly intimidating click-clack with each step. Red magic crackled at your eyes as they embraced a deeper green hue. A sinister smirk found its rightful place upon your lips as the magic placed a finishing touch of a red blouse with a deep v-neck and flounce sleeves.

“ Now, now, people of New York! “

Your voice boomed, amplified by magic as your hat’s brim hid your eyes and only revealed the villainous smile you held.

With their spiel, Y/N found themselves working far too hard to feel the strength, the power—the fear-striking twinge. It had been a thought on the back of their head, especially since meeting Raph. A thought of, “ hey, what if we were a normal resident? someone better, not villainous? ”

Their smirk faltered at a passing memory, one of their younger self. See, you hadn’t always wanted to be a villain. Once upon a time you dreamt of being the hero of the topside. You dreamt of being someone that the people were so happy to see, someone they cheered for.

You dreamt of being the person that struck hope in everyone, not fear.

But, you know what they say about villains.

A villain is simply a hero that everyone failed. And the first to fail you was your own mother, ingraining her hatred for the humans and their having sent everyone underground, all into you. You became her conduit for revenge, and had long since accepted that as your fate. You just weren’t meant to be a hero, right? Especially not with the magic you had. You were just a tragic villain, simple as that.

But when you met Raph? Why, he awoke something within. He had made you remember what it felt like to be the reason for someone’s smile, for their happiness. He reminded you how much you longed to be good. For a second, you almost thought… maybe… Could you—

“ Swooping in LIKE A BOSS! “

Y/N lifted her head to see a surge of red magic crackling towards them, forming a humanoid—no, turtle-like?— figure. Their fist was focused right towards them. Bracing themselves for the sudden impact, Cherrypie tried to hold her ground against the force but found themselves toppling over, plunging downwards.

Thankfully, she was rescued by her magic softening the fall, but still she rolled across the ground.

“ What the—? “

You looked up from where you had fallen, dazed and confused by just what hit you—or, WHO, dared to hit you. Standing on the edge above you was the large frame of what seemed to be a … turtle? Is that a turtle yokai? No, you didn’t recognize their magic signature, it seemed something more… mutated?

“ A mutant? But you seem different from the others… “

Muttered Y/N under her breath before reflexively rolling out of the way of the second punch coming straight down as the red-banded mutant pursued her once again. It was almost as if this one hadn’t been a human originally—or even mutated recently. Almost like he was… born from it? Born as a mutant?

“ Whoa! What’s with you?! We’re on the same team—against the humans! “

There was a pang in your chest as that last part slipped your lips, just as a thought crossed your mind, “ but raphael's a human, too. “ For a second, you found your balance to be put off a bit as you narrowly dodged the tonfas lunging towards you.

“ Against humans? No, I PROTECT the humans, against villains like you. “

Raph jabbed a single tonfa in your direction, pointing accusingly with black eyes glaring daggers at you.

You almost felt like those eyes were familiar, but just on the tip of your tongue. Shaking that away, Y/N flicked her fingers to envelope them in her signature magic. Eating away at her was a quiet little voice in the back of her head, going, “ hey, his magic is kind of like ours. red, fiery—looks and feels destructive.. but, he’s a hero! `` Your eyes looked at your magic simmering, just a second’s look. “ maybe we can still be a hero, don’t you think? “

His voice… Y/N shook their head and let out a frustrated yell before lunging towards the mutant.

For a big fellow he sure was fast. With each swipe you made striking out violently, your magic resembled streaks of red lightning as they crackled around you both. But the mutant dodged each, and thus a dance began. While you tried to maintain the offensive, the turtle would gain enough momentum with each of your misses and parry back with his own weapons.

The fight was destructive too, each missed strike would ricochet off into a nearby building or car—resonating a loud crack of lightning around the two of you. Y/N gritted her teeth, growing tired of the endless dodging,

“ You’re good, I’ll give you that, turtle, but you are no match for me. “

Your eyes shone brighter as you called forth a powerful surge of your magic. It would take a lot out of you, but you needed to end this fight quickly. The longer it went on, the more favor swept to his side.

“ I am sorry it has to end this way, “

Your tone was teasing and condescending. As if your victory was all but assured now. The mutant watched as you powered up, his own stance becoming one of defense, his body turning into red and the red version of himself growing in size. But just at the last second, as if he had suddenly changed his mind, he lunged forward attacking you.

Your eyes widened as his massive figure barreled towards you at a speed that shouldn’t be possible. You yelled, throwing all the power that you had accumulated, though premature. Your magic burst from your hands—sparks, lightning, and flames alike shooting out in madness. You had your target locked in and just as the first met the mutant's skin, he apparated.

“ NO! “

Y/N screamed as the mutant disappeared from her line of fire. Most of the magic colliding into a university building, demolishing it entirely. You were seething, breathing heavily as the power drain hit you like a truck. It would take time for your magic to recuperate. You had to get out of there, not wanting to retreat but not wanting to get caught in such circumstances!

“ You’re not so bad yourself. ”

A deep voice rumbled from behind you. And you cursed under your breath. Already feeling one of his weapons graze the back of your neck.

“ Don’t you even think about movin'. “

He warned, and you rolled your eyes. It would be so easy to get away, if only you had enough magic to do so. Why had you used so much?! Was it the anger? Was it because of your past? Because your head wasn’t in the game?

With your magic starting to dwindle and cave in on itself, your disguise was starting to fall with it. Raph had swept your feet during this, watching you fall and moving to press his leg just enough against you that you were unable to escape. Your hand reached out, as if it could put a distance between you and your enemy. There was a fear bubbling under the surface as you watched your clothes slowly fizzle and fade, gradually revealing the human “ you ” underneath it.

Raph’s expression contorted into one of an emotion you couldn’t recognize, though a nagging voice clawed its way through your mind, saying it was pity. You had lost, and he must have been all too aware of that! He would finish you off—or worse, throw you to the humans to determine your fate. Here would be where Cherrypie ended, right at the peak of her villainy. It would be here that your mother’s disappointment would fester. Would she even retrieve you or leave you behind, turning to someone else to train into her vessel of revenge?

Those thoughts never met their end, instead vanishing at his leg loosened on you.

“ Wha—? “

Y/N breathed out in confusion, barely able to raise her voice as Raph’s lips tugged downwards in what might have been a pained frown. He swiped his arm, pointing away.

“ Get out of here. “

“ What? “

“ GO! “

He roared, enough that it shook you to your core. Away you went, not wasting a chance to return to the Hidden City. Your heels clicked on the ground as tears welled up in your eyes. Were you afraid? Sad? Relieved? Whatever it was, no matter how badly your legs wished you would stop running, no matter how your throat stung, you never stopped running until you got back.

———

As Y/N ran, her ruby-red dress flowing in the wind, glimmering as the moon’s light illuminated its glittery fabric, Raph watched with a heartbroken disbelief. Upon the hand that shakily held out as if to be a puny boundary, protecting the villain from the hero, shaky black eyes rested upon a painstakingly familiar wooden ring around their hand. A suspicion rose in his head, and before it could ever be denied, the villain’s disguise dropped and revealed the worst plot-twist of this hero’s life.

Cherrypie was none other than the girl he had fallen head over heels for. The girl who filled him with so many amazing emotions and feelings was the very same villain who had done almost irreversible damage to the city.

The twisting in his chest, the clawing in his throat, and the stinging in his eyes as tears welled up.

He didn’t know how to feel. For the first time in a long time, since Shredder, the Kraang, or Big Mama, Raphael Hamato was left out of breath and without a plan.

An unknown amount of time passed as he stood there, Y/N long since vanishing in the distance. All that was left in the air now was distant cries, shouts, and alarms from cars and buildings alike. That, and a sheet of paper that was stuck under a rock, fluttering violently in the wind. Raph stared at it for a few seconds before wiping his tears and reaching down to pick it up.

Raph & Y/N’s Date!

Ballroom dancing! (make sure to practice your moves once more. It has to knock her socks off!)

Walk to Star’s Pointe at the park (there are shooting stars tonight, and we know Y/N would love them.)

Listen to the Bellman Fairy’s performance (they’re doing an impromptu concert at the same park at midnight! It’s Y/N’s favorite band, I don’t think even she knows it’s happening!)

Finish the night off with Lou, Mike Tony, Tony's Pizzeria (We always told her we’d take her to my new favorite pizza place. Hopefully she doesn’t question DIGG.)

Optional: Maybe walk her home and give her a kiss..

The paper ended up crumpled in the red-banded turtle’s hands as he turned on his heel and slid into the shadows, heading home after such a night.

Later, he would receive a message from Y/N.

NOTIFICATION

You have seven new messages!

———————————————————

♡︎ Y/N L/N 11m ago

Raphie! Are you okay? Did you get home okay? I was so worried about you the entire time.

♡︎ Y/N L/N 10m ago

Raph?

♡︎ Y/N L/N 10m ago

Please tell me you’re okay…

♡︎ Y/N L/N 5m ago

I…

♡︎ Y/N L/N 5m ago

Can I tell you something?

♡︎ Y/N L/N sent now

Never mind that last message.

♡︎ Y/N L/N sent now

Please be safe..

#raph x reader #raphael x reader #tmnt Raph x reader #tmnt raphael x reader #rise raph x reader #rise raphael x reader #tmnt x reader #Rise tmnt x reader

167 notes · View notes

tmntxthings · 2 years

Text

The Villainess, AKA: Cherrypie

author’s note: this wonderful fic idea was a collaboration effort including myself and @marwhoa (go check them out, lovely page even lovelier person) 20 min rounds of writing back and forth and boom!! I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and I hope you guys enjoy~~

warnings: rise!raph x villain!reader , established relationship , fluff , angst , cliffhanger

prequel one → 〔 you’re here 〕

There was a friendly hum in the air as Raph stood in the mirror and tried on outfits for his special day! Upon his suit’s collar was a chained pin. A ruby gem shimmered on the left side, twinkling with a mystic charm. Emerald green hues gazed back at Raph, soaking up the humanoid figure he had once more with a nervous—but excited!— exhale. Today would be one more of the many dates he went on with a special girl he met topside, and hopefully he could make it the most memorable date yet! After all, this gentleman might have had a nice little itinerary tucked away in his suit’s pocket.

Today’s plan was to meet up right outside of a ball that his dearest friend, April’s college was hosting! April and Y/n would be there, and Raph was Y/n’s choice as her plus-one. Thoughts of dancing across the floor with Y/n’s smaller hand in his, her dazzling smile flashing brightly as he whirled them to and fro! Gosh, just imagining it now had his feet thumping rhythmically upon the floor. Alright, one last tug of your cute tie and you’re ready to go out! His back turned to the mirror, eyes fixating on the doorway. Don’t worry, big dog, you’ve got this.

。・゜・( pov change: y/n )・゜・。

Elsewhere, a dolled-up Y/n paced across the linoleum with her heels clicking intimidatingly.

“They really think I was joking? Do they? Am I a joke to them?” Some particular floor plans and interventions had not gone too well—it was as if nobody truly wanted to escape the Hidden City and go topside! Had so much time passed that everyone was complacent with being moles, deep under ground, without a single sight of the moon big in the sky at night? Had they all become completely okay with never seeing the sun again? Y/n took—no, snatched!— a towel from its position on the wall and grit her teeth while trying to rub clean the irritation vivid upon her features. Her eyes glared at the reflection in the mirror, but just for a second as they then trailed down to the form-fitting ruby dress that draped her body. It was much too flattering, causing a blush to dust Y/n’s features and her nervous habit of spinning the wooden ring upon her ring finger—the signature ring banded with an arcanic red crystal that was poured into it.—to kick in. There was a heavy inhale as the thought of today's date resurfaced. She was going to be seeing him again today, her dearest Raph.

“Oh, please like my dress…” Y/n whispered, turning and posing to check all the angles. It was deserving of a gentle silence, the dress. As you soaked in the you in the mirror, so many thoughts whisked past. That’s me? I’m so beautiful. Will he be just as impressed? I could stare at myself forever.

There was a shy warmth whirling in your chest, so much so that the previous thoughts in your mind had been subsided. The operation had been all but forgotten from your mind, cleared by the thoughts of how tonight would go. You were in love with how you looked right now. Not a doubt in your mind, you were truly gorgeous for tonight’s date to the ball. Had your past self said, “Hey, you’ll be attending the ball with the kindest man ever,“ then surely you would have called her a liar, but here you were.

Y/n, otherwise infamously known as Cherrypie to both witches and humans alike for her fiery villainous deeds, dressed in a shimmery red dress with a split up the thighs, accentuating all the best parts. For a second, you felt less like a villain in disguise and more like a regular girl ready for her date. But…

Would anyone blame you if that’s what you truly wanted? Y/n bit her lip, trying to imagine for a second that she was exactly that—just a regular girl getting ready for her regular date. There was a bittersweet smile that subsided just as a ding came from her phone—Raphael!

。・゜・( pov change: raph )・゜・。

“Look at you!! I’m so happy you could make it!” April was all smiles, giving Raph a crushing hug. “You haven’t seen Y/n yet have you?” Her eyebrows waggled with a promising look and Raph shook his head, looking around as if you would suddenly appear since your name had been said. No luck! “Do you know where she is?” Raph asked, a small smile forming on his face as he looked back down to April. “I don’t but you’re in for a treat, she’s wearing your favorite color,” April winked and Raph’s imagination went wild.

You were wearing red? He felt his cheeks flush, head whipping back and forth now honing in on all the different dresses that showcased hues of his favorite color. He was disappointed, huffing slightly at the fact that he still hadn’t spotted you. April couldn’t help but laugh at him. April loved how smitten Raph was, and April knew you felt the same way. She was so happy for the two of you. It warmed her heart to see Raph so happy, he deserved it. So she decided to help out, looking around the crowd wondering where you had wandered off to.

。・゜・( pov change: both )・゜・。

Y/n held her phone in her hand, checking it over and over again while waiting for Raph to arrive. She had seen April already and received the most dramatic positive response for her attire EVER. All the whistles and shouts as her friend took photos from every angle had left you fidgeting embarrassedly. She hadn’t seen Raph yet either, so you settled for roaming the floor in hopes that fate would bring you both together!

From your pocket (after all, what witch-villain wears a pocketless dress?), you pull a small square matching your dress and tick-tack-tick’d on up to your love. “Raphie, you made it—eek!”Once Y/n was close enough, Raph wasted no time in scooping her up and giving an affectionate twirl.

“I gotta be dreaming, there’s no way the world’s prettiest Angel is smiling at me right now.” He gave a toothy grin, his signature snaggletooth pressing upon his bottom lip in that captivating way it always did. You melted as his hand brushed strands of hair from your face carefully. He leaned in, planting a satisfying kiss upon your forehead before pulling back to see what the handkerchief you held was for.

“This, this is to show we’re a pair!” Y/n cooed as her hands pushed it into his suit’s chest-pocket, smoothing it out neatly. Her hand patted it, lingering on his broad chest for some seconds until his bashful throat-clearing had stirred her out of the trance.

“Um, right, I hope you don’t mind that I planned out the night for us. Af-After being together so long , I was… I…” His train of thought seemed to leave without him as his gaze fixated on your dress. You could’ve sworn tears welled up in his eyes as his hands reached to rest on your hips, rubbing slow circles against the fabric. One of his hands lifted to take your hand, lacing together your fingers. He had noticed that even dressed as you were—fancy for a ball—there was still that special wooden ring sitting snug upon your dominant hand’s ring finger. It’s red band glimmered in the light just as your dress did, causing his gaze to just soften with all the love in the world. “Sorry, red just looks… breathtaking on you, Y/n.”

“Raph…?” You breathed out, captivated in his burning gaze.

“Can I have this dance?” His hand rose, its open palm extended as a comfortable place for your smaller hand. Not wanting to miss a single second with him, you were eager to oblige. Your hand slid into his as you both joined the floor with almost literal hearts bobbing within your irises, pure love as the two of you swam through the sea of dancers, rocking with the flow almost as if it were second nature.

Y/n wasn’t some villain from the Hidden City and Raph wasn’t some mutant ninja from the sewers. For now, the two of you were the most ordinary couple swaying across the ballroom door with sweeping steps that almost traced hearts with each pat of a toe-tip. A shared welling-up in each other's chests, identical breath-holding, and just the same amount of tears glowing your eyes. Raph and Y/n were in perfect harmony, almost the stars of the dance so far as others would catch sight of your mesmerizing dance.

It would have continued being the most romantic song ever played by two bodies, had the record not been scratched by a distant explosion. Easily overlooked, if not for the second that followed. Then a third, fourth—hell, even a fifth. All inching closer and closer. In that moment, both your hearts plummeted in your chests, but for different reasons. Raph, fearing what those sounds meant for your safety, and you, fearing for having even dared try to pretend you were anyone other than Cherrypie, the villain to bring this city to its knees. Tonight’s attack had completely slipped your mind.

The last explosion rumbled the entire building and Raph’s hold on your hips moved to encase your whole body. Pulling you right to his chest, ready for if the entire room collapsed, he’d protect you. This was bad, Raph thought, he didn’t know what the hell was going on, but he needed to get you to safety and then he could figure out the rest. He was a hero after all.

“Y/n” the reverie of the dance and music was broken. Screaming started to sound around them as bodies were rushing this way and that, to get out of the building. Running towards the various exit signs in the room. “I need you to run and get to safety, find April and stick together.” His tone was serious and authoritative, his arms holding you at arms length to look into your eyes before squeezing your arms and letting go.

“Raphael! Where do you think you're going?!” Your hand shot out as soon as he turned to leave. In your mind, he was just a human. The safest place for him would be at your side, even if you were the villain of this story. Even though the surrounding explosions were your doing, you didn’t want Raph to get hurt.

“I’ve gotta go help baby! What if someone was caught in those explosions? I’m sure they are scared, no need to worry about me,” He gave you a rugged smile, sounding confident. So when your hand slipped away from his arm, watching as he ran to the front doors, leaving the ballroom, heading for the chaos that was ensuing outside, you knew you had to get back to business. After a few moments of cornering your resolve you booked it to the back doors. Pushing them open and immediately found yourself swarmed by the scent of smoke.

“Ready or not New York, here comes Cherrypie.” You mumbled a spell under your breath, your dazzling dress disappearing. As your dress vanished, it was replaced with a maroon wide brim hat, polished off with a green ribbon with long tails that would whisk through the hair behind you. Your clothes became green bell-bottom pants, flaring out to frame smooth red Mary Jane’s that made a familiarly intimidating click-clack with each step. Red magic crackled at your eyes as they embraced a deeper green hue. A sinister smirk found its rightful place upon your lips as the magic placed a finishing touch of a red blouse with a deep v-neck and flounce sleeves.

The wind danced through you, Cherrypie, swaying your clothes in an all-too perfect way. The crackling red magic enveloped your body, snapping to make your stature disappear and reappear at the scene of the explosion, right upon an elevated surface—just for that extra bit of power imbalanced in your favor. “Now, now, people of New York!” Your voice boomed, amplified by magic as your hat’s brim hid your eyes and only revealed the villainous smile you held.

“You couldn’t have possibly expected I was gone, could you? No, no, never would I have gone without such a flamboyant exit. And say, what would be the best of exits than a series of explosions to leave you all trembling at my feet?”With their spiel, Y/n found themselves working far too hard to feel the strength, the power—the fear-striking twinge. It had been a thought on the back of their head, especially since meeting Raph. A thought of, “ hey, what if we /were/ a normal resident? someone better, not villainous? “

But, you know what they say about villains. A villain is simply a hero that everyone failed. And the first to fail you was your own mother, ingraining her hatred for the humans and their having sent everyone underground, all into you. You became her conduit for revenge, and had long since accepted that as your fate. You just weren’t meant to be a hero, right? Especially not with the magic you had. You were just a tragic villain, simple as that.

“Swooping in LIKE A BOSS!”

Y/n lifted her head to see a surge of red magic crackling towards them, forming a humanoid—no, turtle-like?— figure. Their fist was focused right towards them. Bracing themselves for the sudden impact, Cherrypie tried to hold her ground against the force but found themselves toppling over, plunging downwards. Thankfully, she was rescued by her magic softening the fall, but still she rolled across the ground.

“What the—?”

You looked up from where you had fallen, dazed and confused by just what hit you—or, WHO, dared to hit you. Standing on thé edge above you was the large frame of what seemed to be a … turtle? Is that a turtle yokai? No, you didn’t recognize their magic signature, it seemed something more… mutated?

“A mutant? But you seem different from the others…” Muttered Y/n under her breath before reflexively rolling out of the way of the second punch coming straight down as the red-banded mutant pursued her once again. It was almost as if this one hadn’t been a human originally—or even mutated recently. Almost like he was… born from it? Born as a mutant?

“Whoa! What’s with you?! We’re on the same team—against the humans!” There was a pang in your chest as that last part slipped your lips, just as a thought crossed your mind, “ but raphael's a human, too. “ For a second, you found your balance to be put off a bit as you narrowly dodged the tonfas lunging towards you.

“Against humans? No, I PROTECT the humans, against villains like you.” Raph jabbed a single tonfa in your direction, pointing accusingly with black eyes glaring daggers at you.

You almost felt like those eyes were familiar, but just on the tip of your tongue. Shaking that away, Y/n flicked her fingers to envelope them in her signature magic. Eating away at her was a quiet little voice in the back of her head, going, “ hey, his magic is kind of like ours. red, fiery—looks and feels destructive.. but, he’s a hero! `` Your eyes looked at your magic simmering, just a second’s look. “ maybe we can still be a hero, don’t you think? “

That voice… Y/n shook their head and let out a frustrated yell before lunging towards the mutant.

“You’re good, I’ll give you that, turtle, but you are no match for me.” Your eyes shone brighter as you called forth a powerful surge of your magic. It would take a lot out of you, but you needed to end this fight quickly. The longer it went on, the more favor swept to his side.

“I am sorry it has to end this way,” your tone teasing and condescending. As if your victory was all but assured now. The mutant watched as you powered up, his own stance becoming one of defense, his body turning into red and the red version of himself growing in size. But just at the last second, as if he had suddenly changed his mind, he lunged forward attacking you.

“NO!” Y/n screamed as the mutant disappeared from her line of fire. Most of the magic colliding into a university building, demolishing it entirely. You were seething, breathing heavily as the power drain hit you like a truck. It would take time for your magic to recuperate. You had to get out of there, not wanting to retreat but not wanting to get caught in such circumstances!

“You’re not so bad yourself,” A deep voice rumbled from behind you. And you cursed under your breath. Already feeling one of his weapons graze the back of your neck. “Don’t you even think about movin'.” He warned and you rolled your eyes, it would be so easy to get away, if only you had enough magic to do so. Why had you used so much?! Was it the anger? Was it because of your past? Because your head wasn’t in the game?

With your magic starting to dwindle and cave in on itself, your disguise was starting to fall with it. Raph had swept your feet during this, watching you fall and moving to press his leg just enough against you that you were unable to escape. There was a fear bubbling under the surface as you watched your clothes slowly fizzle and fade, gradually revealing the human “you” underneath it.

Those thoughts never met their end, instead vanishing as his leg loosened on you. “Wha-?”

Y/n breathed out in confusion, barely able to raise her voice as Raph’s lips tugged downwards in what might have been a pained frown. He swiped his arm, pointing away. “Get out of here.”

“What?”

“GO!” He roared, enough that it shook you to your core. Away you went, not wasting a chance to return to the Hidden City. Your heels clicked on the ground as tears welled up in your eyes. Were you afraid? Sad? Relieved? Whatever it was, no matter how badly your legs wished you would stop running, no matter how your throat stung, you never stopped running until you got back.

As Y/N ran, her ruby-red dress flowing in the wind, glimmering as the moon’s light illuminated its glittery fabric, Raph watched with heartbroken disbelief. Upon the hand that shakily held out as if to be a puny boundary, protecting the villain from the hero, shaky black eyes rested upon a painstakingly familiar wooden ring around their hand. A suspicion rose in his head, and before it could ever be denied, the villain’s disguise dropped and revealed the worst plot-twist of this hero’s life.

The twisting in his chest, the clawing in his throat, and the stinging in his eyes as tears welled up. He didn’t know how to feel. For the first time in a long time, since Shredder, the Kraang, or Big Mama, Raphael Hamato was left out of breath and without a plan.

An unknown amount of time passed as he stood there, Y/n long since vanishing in the distance. All that was left in the air now was distant cries, shouts, and alarms from cars and buildings alike. That, and a sheet of paper that was stuck under a rock, fluttering violently in the wind. Raph stared at it for a few seconds before wiping his tears and reaching down to pick it up.

Raph & Y/N’s Date!

* Ballroom dancing! (make sure to practice your moves once more. It has to knock her socks off!)

* Walk to Star’s Pointe at the park (there are shooting stars tonight, and we know Y/N would love them.)

* Listen to the Bellman Fairy’s performance (they’re doing an impromptu concert at the same park at midnight! It’s Y/N’s favorite band, I don’t think even she knows it’s happening!)

* Finish the night off with Lou, Mike Tony, Tony's Pizzeria (We always told her we’d take her to my new favorite pizza place. Hopefully she doesn’t question DIGG.)

* Optional: Maybe walk her home and give her a kiss..

The paper ended up crumpled in the red-banded turtle’s hands as he turned on his heel and slid into the shadows, heading home after such a night. Later, he would receive a message from Y/n

NOTIFICATION

You have seven new messages!

♡︎ Y/N L/N 11m ago

Raphie! Are you okay? Did you get home okay? I was so worried about you the entire time.

♡︎ Y/N L/N 10m ago

Raph?

♡︎ Y/N L/N 10m ago

Please tell me you’re okay…

♡︎ Y/N L/N 5m ago

I…

♡︎ Y/N L/N 5m ago

Can I tell you something?

♡︎ Y/N L/N sent now

Never mind that last message.

♡︎ Y/N L/N sent now

Please be safe..

163 notes · View notes

zoeysdamn · 1 year

Text

Headcanon (crack): Wednesday’s characters being drunk

Don’t ask me why. @beggingforxavierthorpe and I talked and boom -- crack thoughts, you know the drill

Wednesday:

Doesn’t get drunk easily, is used to fancy wines from family dinners; it takes around a whole bottle to get her tipsy.

Prefers old age whisky (or nail polish remover)

Blunt af – even more than usual it is

But it also means blunting compliments

“Your dress is nicely complimenting your body, Enid”

“....I’m sorry wHAT– “

“I said what I said”

0 sense of danger

Like, none

Would accept any dare, I swear to god

“Hey Wednesday, bet you can’t walk barefoot on that electric line”

“Hold my beer–”

Probably confessed a hella lot of personal stuff to Thing without realizing it

(he’ll keep it to himself, he’s not suicidal)

If she tolerates a hug more than 5 seconds, she’s wasted

Enid:

Can hold her liquor for like three cups top – after that she’s a goner

Will deny she gets drunk

Switch between sad drunk, happy drunk, and cuddly drunk

Also will fight God in a fistfight on her 6th drink

Sad drunk Enid will cry her heart out and cuddle you over any random subject. Last episode of her favorite show? Yep. The caramel dessert at the cafeteria at lunch? Absolutely. Yoko wearing the same outfit as her at the last party? She’ll cry on your shoulder. Mommy issues? bOI bring the tissues.

Karaoke is a must do; don’t tempt her with a mic, you’ll have the full Taylor Swift discography blasted ‘til daylight

Came become suspicious of everyone on her top drunk state: she’ll be sure one of the guest is actually principal Weems in disguise

Probably had show her boobs on top of a table for fun (sober Wednesday had to pull her down)

Gets whiny when the alcohol starts to wear off

Already ended up asleep upside down in a bathtub – somehow always wakes up in her bed

Ajax:

Mildly light weight; can hold his beer as much as he wants, but anything stronger and he’s gone.

At 3 drinks he thinks he’s a good singer; at 5 he’ll demonstrate it (he’s not)

Definitely an affectionate drunk

Will hug anyone – anyone

The only person who had tackled Bianca Barclay into a surprise hug and lived

Bc drunk Ajax is a gentle giant too cute for his own good

Actually managed to get away after being busted by Ms Thornhill as he stumbled drunk in the school’s corridor

Asks the dumbest yet most legit questions

“So snakes are basically walking on their bellies?”

“D’you think Weems can have a baby with herself? I mean theoretically–”

“If I stone someone during sex and pull out, do I pull the sword out of the stone?”

Loves everyone, will die for everyone if you ask enough (just ask him)

Saw a bearded man once and hugged him while crying “Dumbledore, you’re alive!!”

Xavier and Yoko filmed the scene; it’s an official meme of Nevermore now

Harder drunker, so somehow the best at knowing all the tricks how to handle hangovers

Will leave ibuprofen and bottles of water in the bathroom every time the party’s in his room

Xavier:

Also familiar with fancy drinks (family dinners and all)

Ajax definitely made fun of him during their first time drinking together because of that

Will defy anyone in a drinking contest – will most likely win but at what cost

Knows when he’s drunk, will have another drink to celebrate it

Needs no more than 3 drinks to dramatically turn to Ajax singing like he’s a judge in The Voice

Hair has no rule anymore: past 5 drinks, Xavier will let anyone try any hair style on him – should he end up with a palm tree hairstyle (he definitely did. Multiple time.)

Instaured a socks race with Enid to establish a winner in beer pong in case it ends in a tie

The scale of drunken Xavier can be established by the corny nicknames he uses: babe, sweetheart? Getting tipsy. Muffin, baby doll? Drunk. Sexy cake, pudding, honeybun? Definitely drunk. Baby boo, Sugar pie? Bro you’re wasted af, drop this drink right now and stop trying to hit on the coat hanger.

Emotional drunk; the daddy issues WILL show and the emo playlist will be brought up.

Also somehow a bitchy drunk. Will make a gossip club with Yoko and Wednesday on the spot to bitch about every single guest while sipping mojitos and margaritas.

Bianca:

Will drown a bottle of tequila without blinking an eye and then recite an entire Shakespeare sonnet without stuttering

Slightly emotional drunk, but also a loud drunk

Like, legit sounds like Cardi B laughing while drunk – a hyena

Brutally honest with you, but more prone to help you after a few drinks

Dance monster on her 4th drink; don’t try to stop her getting on the dancefloor

Taster of every new mix by Yoko; she has excellent cocktail tastes

Will cry watching ‘Monsters Inc.’ on her 5th drink, will absolutely trash talk the little mermaid tho

The strongest drinker – it takes a lot to actually get her drunk

So she always end up being the referee to all drinking games (which she’s most likely to have instigated)

Have tons of pics of her friends during their drunken antics – goldmine.

Mama bear taking care of the drunk crew

Tyler:

No filter whatsoever

Will either broke down into tears or unleash anger

Would fight anyone too

Not a lightweight but doesn’t know how to handle the amount of liquor he’s drinking

Conspiracy theories after the 5th drink. So. much. theories.

Had improvised a drunk strip tease once; will not do that again (for free)

Actually received a lot of compliments after that

The official coffee supplier of the crew on hangovers

“Give me a pint of that coffee, Galpin”

Around 4am, he’s usually taken by the urge to stress/hangover clean everything. Will do all the dishes to sleep off the alcohol.

Will alternatively flirt or try to fight everyone, no middle ground

He’ll actually defend any of his drunk friends being harassed

High chances he’d join the bitch club too; Enid once photoshopped his, Xavier, and Yoko’s faces on the ‘Mean girls’ poster

(every one of them had secretly that printed in their locker)

Also a mother hen – at least he tries

Bonus: Principal Weems

Did indeed transform herself into a student to attend a party

Quickly understood why she preferred a glass of Chardonnay in her cozy office

The sole time she threw up after a party thanks to cheap vodka

Also had to purposefully ignore some students after that – some pictures can’t be erased

#wednesday #wednesday series #wednesday netflix #headcanon #crack headcanons #wednesday addams #enid sinclair #ajax petropolus #xavier thorpe #bianca barclay #tyler galpin #larissa weems

54 notes · View notes

summercreolefanfictioner · 2 years

Text

maya sakamaki fashion headcanons

So here's the thing, I thought this headcanon thing is talking abt Maya's freaking closet (turns out I am wrong 😭). But I still wanna add the wardrobe thingy 'cause I just don't want my writing to go to waste.

As I've mentioned in Maya's random facts post, her main outfits are her long-sleeved maid outfit and the Ryoutei Academy school uniform. However, during summer, she switches to her short-sleeved maid uniform to cater to the season

The reason behind this is that, her other outfits are solely dependent on who her master is.

So yeah, during her time at the Feinze mansion, she was always wearing kimono/yukata and pairs them with dark boots. She also ensures it has a blade underneath so ppl who decide to mess with her won't stand a chance.

But now that she's a Sakamaki doll, Maya has more freedom to express her personality with her clothing.

In fact, she actually likes her clothes now better than the kimono lolita dresses bcos it makes her look more like a teenager instead of a priestess child at a temple

She actually leans on modern pastel grunge + soft girl + dark academia aesthetic outfits with a spring/winter-cool color range to match her pale skin, red eyes, and long dark hair.

So yeah, it's no secret that all her clothes are given by Kanato. In fact, some of them were handmade by him (especially the dresses) and Kanato even takes his time to style her before going out.

And since they were all handmade or given by him, you would notice attention to detail factors like ruffles, ribbons, etc.

Kanato actually has a hard time styling Maya because she has a soft classic body style and slightly large breasts. This forces Kanato to make dresses of larger sizes and accommodate her bust.

And yes, Kanato knows if Maya doesn't like the outfit he makes her wear by observing her for a good minute and if she doesn't stand in front of the mirror for too long, that's when he knows

He'll just make up an excuse that her frowning face made the dress ugly so he would think he styles her really well this sore loser

And yes, Maya never wears a pencil or body-hugging skirts. Not because Kanato doesn't like her emphasizing her womanly assets, but because it will be hard for her to fight in them

In the fake human AU series, Maya's wardrobe definitely got a drastic change. Since she was hired by Shuu to work as his secretary, Maya donned office-friendly outfits to match her work position and make her look more like an adult.

Kanato even commented Maya looked like a different person in the secretary get-up

Most of them are dresses or outfits with skirts. Square pants are a big no since it only makes her look smaller, so she opted for skinny dress pants or jeans.

When it comes to shoes, most of Maya's shoes are Mary Jane's, platforms, black boots, sneakers, doll shoes, and sandals. (all of them have blades hidden underneath)

And she loves wearing socks and stockings; it's like she loves covering her legs most of the time hence why she still uses black stockings despite her maid outfit

Kanato always gives her socks with cute patterns to give her edgy outfits a soft hint

Fun fact: Maya has never worn heels (as per the fake human series fic) because Karlheinz and Gilbert Feinze thought she has no need for them. Plus you can't insert a blade in heels.

That's why most of Maya's shoes don't have heels in them. And if they do, they're still a bit flat with mininalist design, just like this:

So yeah, she had to practice walking in heels thanks to Shuu and Kanato's meddling since she was disguised in the fake human AU series as Shuu's secretary.

Maya is actually not big on accessories.

After all, she's a maid and she can end up ruining them while doing household chores, especially laundry

However, being Kanato's exclusive doll wife has made her wear them since Kanato believes that her outfit is incomplete without them.

But she's still on the minimalist side of things, like a good pair with earrings will do and a necklace or choker. Sometimes she'll add a bracelet.

And yes, she never forgets her wedding ring.

Should a situation arise where she has to remove her ring for protection (cooking, laundry, washing hands), she turns the ring into a pendant on her necklace.

Maya is also a fan of cute beaded necklaces and bracelets. Kanato even made her so many of them so she can pair them all with her outfits

Other accessories she dons are the ones for her hair. Maya is fascinated by cute hair clips and ties and she thinks putting them on her elevates her look. Of course, aside from anything with cherry designs, she likes those ones with cute animals and girly patterns.

A/N: I kind of enjoyed writing this content. Maybe I should do others like this in the future

37 notes · View notes

itsaboutspies · 3 years

Text

im actually really disappointed with the big city big dreams dolls (like, more than usual) youre telling me that the only rafa doll comes in a set with daisy and teresa??? AND the fact that theres even dolls for daisy and teresa, who are probably in the film for all of 30 seconds and are not at all relevant to the plot, and not a single doll for emmie, a major character in the film???? i cannot respect these choices

#like obviously this is disappointment separate from the general disappointment in mattel and their dolls #and the modern barbie movie dolls #which i will not start ranting about now in these tags #but yeah so disappointed that the only rafa doll is in a set #esp because there are presumably so many other daisy and teresa dolls #and i dont think its even available in the uk #and also why no emmie doll :(#barbie big city big dreams spoilers #i will tag as a just in case for like the 3 other people on this site who care about the film #and might not have seen it yet.idk just a just in case spoiler tag #barbie movies #barbie big city big dreams #but like i love emmie shes so cute #and she would be such a cute doll in her disguise outfit #this was a thought i was having throughout the film as well

22 notes · View notes

theveryworstthing · 4 years

Photo

So over on patreon Trevor asked for my take on the Addams Family and I grew up LOVING the Addams family movies so here we are. Instead of doing a straight up style interpretation, I decided to do a full on design challenge, using the characters as bases to make a black southern gothic Addams au. I actually drew the kids first, using the character bases of Wednesday and Pugsley to create some delightful kiddos I'm calling Sunday and Blanche. I of course then redesigned Gomez and Morticia into Carlisle and Mortesha.

The Addams have a very specific high aristocratic goth aesthetic (they've got a butler and nobody really works among other things) so in this re-imagining I wanted to go with vibes that run a little more middle class/upper middle class. I thought it would be interesting to think about what would be considered weird and off-putting in an entirely different culture, and how being a big ol' goth is way less controversial than it used to be.

I tried to keep this short (HAHAHAHAHAHA) so I didn't spin off into an essay about villain coded families, black people in the horror genre, and normalcy as it pertains to social survival, but just...bits of that are in these designs and lore. Keep that in mind.

Also I made the kids twins because they've flip flopped in age so much in different media and also twins run in my family (i'm the daughter of one). And let's face it, I'm pulling a lot of their southern gothic traits from living as a southern goth so *shrug*.

10 thousand pounds of lore incoming loooooooooool.

The Parents

From the moment he saw her he knew that there was a 50/50 chance of him either never making it out of that swamp alive or marrying the figure that was creeping out from under the distant willow tree in a black cocktail dress. The third time she found him trussed up in one of her traps, he complimented her rope work and asked if she'd like to go out sometime after his head wound stopped bleeding.

Or while it was still bleeding.

If she was into that.

Some kids and a mysteriously burnt down Piggly Wiggly later, their love is still as strong and inescapable as a bear trap in a sink hole.

Carlisle Guillermo (now Addams through marriage but I wanted to give him two first names for a name since Gomez has two last names) makes a vaguely described living practicing ‘law’ around town. A loophole king, people come to him from miles around with contracts signed in blood, fights over chunks of hair buried in their rivals’ yard, dehydrated primate hands, memories that seemed like dreams until the evidence of their happenings became too real, and other regular Legal Items asking for counsel which he is all too happy to give. For a price. Sometimes that price is a homemade pie and sometimes it’s a million dollars, depends on who you are. Whatever you’re asked to pay it’s worth that price, and if you try to scam him out of work or he just plain doesn’t like you? Well. He knows how to twist a contract better than anything at the crossroads.

And he always gets his due.

He doesn’t just serve the local (living)humans though, there are many things that need proper legal representation in this day and age. You wouldn’t believe how many city councils try to build on sacred burial grounds even after he lets them know that his ghostly clients are totally gonna haunt the FUCK out of the ensuing shitty condos and curse their families for all eternity. At least 50% of his energy goes towards dealing with real estate bullshit.

Carl is an excitable and good natured(?) man who loves his family, cigars, dancing, and his many knife-based hobbies. People find him very charming once they get past the feeling that they’re talking to a sultry gator badly disguising itself as a human. I didn’t put a ton of deep thought into designing him, mostly I wanted to make a middle aged dude who looked like he would have been voted ‘most likely to smooch the literal devil’ in high school. Tbh he probably has, but no demonic ex’s can compare to his lovely wife~

Mortesha Addams(her name was already perfect so I just tweaked it)is a woman of many talents. A self proclaimed homemaker, she prides herself on a greenhouse full of Concerning Foliage, a beautiful wasp apiary, and a coop full of what are probably chickens that she keeps for what are probably eggs. She’s also an avid creator of the outsider art that can be seen around the estate. She has taken on the family business of selling her homemade goods in a little stall by the road just outside the swamp with her mom, and makes pretty good money doing so. A surprising amount of poison gets bought in quaint southern towns.

Speaking of poison, people who come out to the edge of the swamp to buy it are usually carrying a lot of secrets around, and Mortesha knows most of them. It’s not like she pries the truth out of people, it just so happens that many nervous hellos eventually turn into the tragic backstory power hour if she’s alone with a client for long enough. She supposes that’s just how people are. Despite the fact that the Addams are very active in the community (whether the community likes it or not) she especially, as a direct descendant of the first Addams matriarch, is seen as…Well not an outsider because the community feels A Certain Way about outsiders and despite it all the Addams are their people, but maybe something like an exception. They feel like whatever weirdness they’re hiding can’t be weirder than any given Addams, so they get a little loose with their words.

This is amusing to her, since Addams’ don’t naturally keep the kind dramatic secrets that their surface level prim and proper neighbors do. It’s much more fun to openly talk about those things.

Do they have a sadly decrepit yet terrifying grandma up in the attic? Yeah, like three. They got a tv, all the creepy porcelain dolls they could want, and they’re close to family. Where do you keep your gram-grams?

Any bodies buried on the property? Yeah some, but most are thrown to the gators.

Any creeping through the balmy summer night with ill intentions? Yeah dude, everyone loves a nice family stroll.

What about dangerous forbidden love? If an adult Addams isn’t incorporeal then they’re either queer or in a torrid romance with some person/thing mysteriously drawn to that awful swamp. Sometimes both at the same time. Most times actually.

Mortesha would know.

The current head of the Addams family is just as outgoing as her husband but a lot quieter and harder to read. She never really seems to get mad about much and always has a genteel smile for everyone whether they deserve it or not. A seven foot tall human shaped “Oh, bless your heart”. A perfectly composed Lady even when she’s, oh I dunno, burning down a Piggly Wiggly. You know. A regular southern mom. Chat her up at the hair salon for 50% off a jar of wasp honey with your next purchase of a mysterious but foreboding packet of herbs.

Designing her was pretty easy because I just drew a lankier Grace Jones and called it a day. I had some problems with her outfit simply because if we were going HARD southern gothic then she’d probably be wearing a white/cream dress with a fuller skirt but I thought keeping the silhouette and the black was more important. She’s supposed to be an anti southern gothic southern gothic character anyway. A woman who looks like she has a million secrets who is actually the most open person you could meet. For better or worse. The red hair came from a coloring error that I really ended up liking (my mom had red hair her whole childhood that only darkened up in high school so I can buy that an Addams can be naturally fire engine red) and the veil was to get more of that classic Morticia silhouette in there.

The Children

Sunday and Blanche are the twin children of Carlisle and Mortesha Addams. Some say the Addams clan got their cursed homestead when a wealthy local businessman made a deal with the devil and lost, leaving his grand mansion to his least favorite maid and cutting his losses once he realized that the swamp would do everything it could to drag the house into the water and take what was owed with its horrible curse. Others say that the family has just always squatted there and no one really cares because man, fuck that particular swamp. Have you been in there? Absolute horror show.

Anyway.

Blanche is the more outgoing sibling and quite the engineer/mad scientist in the making. He started going grey at 2 weeks old but considering he was also rocking some extra fingers, toes, and a tiny tail (he takes after his dad), his parents just put it on the 'not life threatening' pile and decided not to worry about it. He's the kind of smart that teachers find utterly infuriating, less a dog eagerly learning and obeying commands and more a hyena who keeps teaching itself how to pick locks. He has a few friends in his school's robotics club (which they honestly allowed him to make so the school could contain his... creations) but mostly hangs out with his sister exploring the swamp. They find all sorts of neat things in there! wedding rings, suspiciously lumpy garbage bags, cloaked cultists who can't read private property signs, it's an adventure every day!

Blanche is all about experimentation with his creations, his look, and his tether to this mortal coil. Is lipstick a cool thing to try? Let's find out. Can he get out of a strait jacket fast enough after being pushed into the depths of the swamp by his sister? let's find out. He's not dead yet and confused local doctors can attest to the fact that he's rarely attained more than a bad bruise so he's pretty set on continuing to kiss rattlesnakes on their cute little heads and have his sister practice her knife throwing at him until that fact changes.

Blanche is very much a country goth. Cowboy boots (customized by his mom), knife, and lighter are daily accessories. He likes to wear the crusty swamp jewelry they find (the rust adds a splash of color!) and despite appearances he does try to keep himself neat. He's just got natural Grunge Colors and a tendency to wear clothes he likes until they fall apart. Pugsley always seemed the most modernly styled to me (which might just be because little boys clothes have been the same for a long time) so I wanted Blanche to be the most purposely fashionable Addams. Everyone else is goth by nature, but he's the only one truly familiar with goth as an alternative fashion.

I got really into designing Blanche because honestly, I find Pugsley to be the most boring member of the family. And he was hard to design! I had to mess with his vibe a lot to get him looking how I wanted. I know he's supposed to evoke an " 'evil' little boy next door who's parents never reign him in", but that's just goth Dennis The Menace. I's 2020. We can at least go queer goth Calvin.

Sunday was much easier to design. Wednesday was my favorite as a child (of course) and I really wanted to keep the spirit of her look while adding things like billowy sleeves (it gets HOT down here), big poofy twists instead of braids, and a nice tie. She's a professional after all, been running the local pet cemetery since she was 6 and the previous groundskeeper met with an unfortunate accident after telling her that tarantulas don't have souls. Her specialty is creating beautiful naturalistic animal funerals similar to those that Maquenda (https://linktr.ee/artofmaquenda) makes, and she takes pride in creating miniature dioramas of her subjects after each burial which she uses as a kind of 3D catalog for future clients.

She really wants to try out her skills on humans one day. Well. Publicly try out her skills. Lotta random bodies float into the swamp. None of them have turned down her requests for diorama models so far. Most seem downright flattered. Plus, she usually figures out which graveyard/crime scene they floated over from and gets her parents to give them a lift back. She'll even help enact terrifying revenge from beyond the grave on whoever put them there if she's not, y'know, busy.

Besides arts, crafts, and pet based funerary arrangements, Sunday is an avid lover of archery (any ranged weapon really), books where little fantasy adventure animals die dramatic deaths, and history. She is That Kid who eagerly raises her hand when asked who Christopher Columbus was and ends up being sent out of class after 15 minutes for making 'a scene'. Her favorite party trick is just picking an item in the room and talking about how it relates to either some obscure historical figure with a buck wild life or a horrible disaster. At least one charity pancake breakfast ended with children in tears after her vivid description of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919.

Social-wise, while Wednesday is the girl that people ask to smile because they think she'd, "look so pretty", Sunday is rarely asked anything at all. People just kind of assume from her quiet nature (in between horrible history facts) that she's angry all the time and that she hates everyone. This is untrue. She hates some people but she's ambivalent to most everyone else and even downright friendly if you bother to talk to her like a person instead of a terrifying cryptid. Like, she IS a terrifying cryptid but she's also a little girl.

That’s about it for now. One day I might do the other family members but for now I’m happy with the four I’ve redesigned. Making an au! Lurch in a family that doesn’t do butlers could be interesting. Over on patreon I put forth that he could just be Motesha’s mute little brother (similar bone structure) but Amy Crook had the nice idea of quote: “ a mysterious "cousin" that "helps around the house" whose origins are both long in the past and faintly unsettling. He's good for lifting heavy things, like that tank of propane you're about to throw into the burning Piggly Wiggly... “ which i now consider canon. Who's kid is he? How old is he? Not important. Anyone willing to commit arson with you is family.

Annnnyway. This challenge was a lot of fun! I love indulging in AU’s.

#long post #the addams family #Character Design #au #design challenge #i am incapable of doing a design challenge like a normal person #oh god i forgot the cut lol

15K notes · View notes

howlingday · 2 years

Note

tragic backstory (tm) au) there's a betting pool as to who jaune will date first. it would be utterly wrong of nora to rig such a thing if she found out welp time to trick the others into harem girl outfits and see if she can't break her fearless leader's iron will

Bet Fool

They say money is the root of all evil. It creates a false sense of superiority when it is in great supply, and makes one an invalid when it's gone. Perhaps that is why so many flock to gambling? The thrill of teetering between standing among gods or sleeping on a street corner. For there is always a part of us who enjoys the fear of the unknown.

Cardin: Thirty on Red!

Neptune: Thirty on Black!

Sun: Dude?! Thirty on White!

Neptune: Bro?!

Sun: You started it!

Coco: Fifty on Yellow!

Velvet: Coco?!

Coco: What? Mama needs new shoes, and we all know how bad she wants her dragon slain.

???: A hundred on pink! (Everyone quiets, Everyone stares at him) What? Like I'm the only one?

Neo, dolled up in her favorite bookie disguise, sat behind the desk in the Beacon basement. Now long abandoned since the transference of Cinder's maiden powers, it had become her own little hideout. A home away from home, if you will. Today's fun activity was the Jaune Arc dating pool.

Behind Neo was a large board. Colored circles lined with probabilities of their win. Red was, obviously, Red, and popular among Beacon students familiar with the two team leader's dynamics. White was the princess. Black was the cat girl. Yellow was the big-boobed, blonde, bimbo, bombshell who Neo laid the smack down on, and the most popular in recent weeks.

Neo would hold the money for one week, and if the heroic knight managed to take a girl on a date that week, she'd pay out to the lucky winners, and made the losers pay out. By force, if necessary.

What happens between is no business of hers.

---------------------------------------------------

Jaune: And, uh, that concludes today's meeting. Are there any questions? (Waits a few seconds) Alright, uh, meeting adjourned! (Leaders disperse, Ruby walks up to him) How'd I do?

Ruby: Well, you said "uh" about twenty times in a minute, so you didn't win any confidence points there.

Jaune: (Sighs) Anything good?

Ruby: Uh, you're less sweaty than last time? (Jaune slumps) Hey, you'll get it. At least you're a great team leader with your team.

Jaune: What about your team?

Ruby: Oh, my team listens to me!

Jaune: No, I mean, what about your team listening to me?

Ruby: Oh, uh, well, Weiss isn't as mean, I guess?

Jaune: (Sighs) I'm really nervous about this whole super team we have right now. I mean, we don't even have a team name yet! And I still need to go over team combos, and birthdays coming up, and, and-

Ruby: Jaune! Deep. Breath. Deep. Breath.

Jaune: (Exhales) Thanks, Ruby. I'm just... I'm worried about our team excursion as... well, Super Team JMNPERRWBEY.

Ruby: "Jumper Ruby"? (Laughs) That's terrible!

Jaune: (Chuckles) I know, but... It's the best I've got.

Ruby: No, it's not. (Touches his arm) You're the best you've got.

Jaune: (Softly smiles) Ruby...

Ruby: (Softly smiles) Jaune... (THUNK!) Huh?

Cardin: Shit! Uh, don't mind me! I'm just, uh, cleaning under the table!

Jaune: Uh huh, sure... I'm gonna head back to the room. You coming, Ruby?

Ruby: I'll meet you up there. I need to take care of something first.

Jaune: Alright, I'll see you there. (Walks out)

Ruby: ...Cardin?

Cardin: (Gulps)

Ruby: Ten...

Cardin: Uh...

Ruby: Seven...

Cardin: Uh...!

Ruby: Four... Three... Two... One! (Leaps under the table) GET OVER HERE!

Cardin: (Manly high-pitched squeal of terror)

---------------------------------------------------

Sun: Hey, Jaune! Wait up, man!

Jaune: Hm? Oh, hey, Sun, Neptune! What's up?

Neptune: Hey, man, we were just thinking about some of the girls on your team, and we had some questions.

Jaune: Uh, okay, kind of weird, but sure. I'll answer what I can.

Sun: Cool, cool, so, uh, how about that Weiss, huh? She's pretty cute, right?

Jaune: Huh?!

Neptune: Nah, she's nothing compared to Blake. You think so, too, right, Jaune?

Jaune: Uh, I...

Sun: Come on, man. Weiss has got that grace and charm, and all that money~!

Jaune: I don't think-

Neptune: But Blake has the more tender heart, and she reads, uh, books!

Sun: Yeah, cuz' books are the only defining part of her character.

Neptune: So, at least Blake has TnA!

Sun: So does Weiss, and she isn't likely to run away from her best friends like Blake is!

Neptune: You wanna go, bro?!

Sun: (Grabs Neptune's collar) I already went, bro!

Jaune: Uh, guys?

Sun: Face it! You don't want to admit that Weiss is a flat-chested, haughty, rich girl with daddy issues nobody wants to unpack!

Neptune: Only when you realize Blake is a back-stabbing traitor who would rather join up with terrorists than stick by her friends!

Jaune: Guys!

Neptune + Sun: WHAT?!

???: Ahem!

Sun + Neptune: (Slowly turn, See Weiss and Blake glaring at them) Bro...

Weiss: You take Neptune, I take Sun?

Blake: You read my mind.

Neptune: Jaune! Help us!

Weiss: He already left.

Sun: BROOOOOOOOOOO!

---------------------------------------------------

Jaune: Just a sec! (Opens the door) Coco? What's up?

Coco: (Holding a box) Nothing much. Just had some leftover outfits I thought Yang'd want to try out.

Jaune: Oh, sure. Come on in. (Steps aside) Why's Velvet's mouth taped shut?

Coco: Because she was annoying me. You do the same to your team, right?

Jaune: ...No.

Coco: Huh. Eh, you will, eventually. Usually happens in second year.

Jaune: (Pulls off the tape)

Velvet: OW! Thank you.

Jaune: No problem. Are you okay?

Velvet: I'm fine. Coco just goes mad with power sometimes.

Coco: Have you ever gone made without power?

Jaune: I think my uncle did once, but I haven't seen him since, so who knows what he's up to.

Coco: Ooh! Another mystery chapter for Jaune Arc, huh?

Jaune: No, not a mystery chapter. Just a weird guy in my family. We all have those, right?

Yang: Nah, not really. 'Sup, Coco?

Coco: Yang! Glad you're here! I got some outfits you might want to try out. Interested?

Yang: (Sees Velvet shaking her head) Eh, sure, why not? Whatcha got?

Coco: Oh, just a few outfits that'll look great on you. Come on, we'll try them out, and Jaune can be the judge.

Jaune: Huh? Why me?

Coco: Because you're a guy, and a guy's opinion is just as valid as a girl's. Now sit down while we walk the runway!

Jaune: Oh boy...

Velvet: (Pulls out her scroll, Dials)

---------------------------------------------------

Ruby: Oh, Cardin~! Where are you~?

Cardin: (Hiding in a closet, Scroll buzzes)

Ruby: Hmm~? There you are~!

Cardin: (Screams)

---------------------------------------------------

Velvet: Hm, no answer.

Jaune: Trying to call for help?

Belvet: Is it bad if I say yes?

Jaune: No.

Coco: Alright, lady and gent! Get ready for Yang the Bounty Hunter!

Yang: (Steps out in skintight suit, Wearing a leather jacket) Your kiss is on my list, stud~! (Finger guns at Jaune)

Jaune: (Blushes, Chuckling) Nice look, Yang! (Thinking) This isn't so bad. Wish I wasn't the only guy, though. Wonder if Sun and Neptune are okay. Ah, they're probably fine.

---------------------------------------------------

Neptune: (On the window ledge) Are they gone?

Sun: I think so. It's just Blake inside.

Neptune: Where's Weiss?

Weiss: Down here, boys! (They look down, See Beowolf summon) You have a choice, boys! Me...?

Blake: (At the window, Gambol Shroud ready) Or me?

Neptune: Bro!

Sun: I know, Bro. I know.

#rwby #rwby au #tragic backstory (tm) au #cardin winchester #neptune vasilias #sun wukong #coco adel #velvet scarletina #jaune arc #ruby rose #weiss schnee #blake belladonna #yang xiao long

77 notes · View notes

hollyhomburg · 2 years

Note

all of the outifit ideas are so cute for the mc!! they made me think of some more possible outfit ideas and how they came to be(in my mind). but mc is as we know nervous abt the date w tae and minnie and what she should even wear, so she talks w yoonie while they’re going to bed a few nights before the date and obviously he thinks she’s so cute being nervous bc minnie and tae already like her a lot a lot. but he talks to jin abt it while they’re in the kitchen the next morning while mc is still sleeping and then jin tells minnie and tae bc she’s such a cute pup! so tae takes it upon herself to buy mc some long skirts/dresses that she could choose from bc mc likes to wear her extra large pjs and just comfy clothes all the time and geumjae(🤢) dressed her in tight clothes like a doll w no choice of what to wear. but this way tae gives her the opportunity to make a decision for herself, but on a smaller scale as to not overwhelm her. i thought of longer skirts bc they’re super cute, but she can still have that coverage that she seeks in her oversized comfy clothes she wears regularly. but that was just what my head thought up when i saw the outfit ideas :) i’m super excited for the next chapter and am really looking forward to the date!! i love your writing so much and this is probably my favorite series that i keep up with everything for lol but yea i hope you’re doing well and i appreciate you and your writing very much <3

oh my god i don't know why but i think that like- namjoon would go a little feral for these? hobi too? i just get the image of them running their hands over her wasit and like, bunching up the fabric, or maybe the m/c takes namjoon lunch one spring afternoon and they eat it in the park near the hospital and he just has to reign in all his alpha instincts because

maybe he has a little bit of a slight thing for outfits like this- but the idea of like- fucking the m/c in them, (nsfw but-) i get the image of them sitting in a secluded part of the park, her long skirt all around them and disguising the fact that he has his hands knuckle deep in her. him leaning in close and saying "see- i knew you where wet for me baby, should i leave the others with a little suprise?"

and just- yeah- namjoon having a thing for the m/c and her cute little mori-esque outfits- mostly because he likes to see her comfortable and happy like- that more than everything gives namjoon a heart boner and an actual boner.

58 notes · View notes

villainousshakespeare · 3 years

Text

Bobby’s Playdate Part 2

Part 1

The pandemic is keeping Tom idling in London by himself. One positive is that wearing the mask helps him avoid recognition, allowing him to wander in the park with his dog, Bobby. On one of their walks, Bobby becomes smitten with a dog named Lulu and Tom is equally enchanted by her human. Can the Hiddleston men manage to find a way to see the lovely ladies again?

Tom Hiddleston/OFC

Chapter 2 of4

Rated M - Pandemic, Fluff, Quarantine, Masks, Adorable Puppies, Meet Cute, Second Part May (will) Contain Smut

@yespolkadotkitty @just-the-hiddles @hopelessromanticspoonie @wine-and-whines @arch-venus25 @caffiend-queen @devilish–doll @enchantedbyhiddles @hiddlesholic @i-do-not-fangirl-i-fanwoman @kellatron55 @ladyoftheteaandblood @latent-thoughts @gorgeous1974 @maryxglz @myoxisbroken @nuggsmum @nildespirandum @pedeka @redfoxwritesstuff @sinfully-lustful-darling @vodka-and-some-sass @wrathkitty @kingtwhiddleston @wolfsmom1 @poetic-fiasco @shiningloki @dangertoozmanykids101 @bookworm-christina @thecutestlittlebunbunfairy @amwolowicz @delightfulheartdream @frostbitten-written @what-a-flammable-heart @tom-hlover @nonsensicalobsessions @myraiswack @loki-yoursaviourishere, from-hel-i-with-love, @sweetsigyn, @fictiondoesitbetter, @ms-cellanies @evieplease @viviennes-tears @turniptitaness @cynic-spirit @spooky1980 @ghostypau @viviennes-tears @lady-loki-ren

I am so sorry I took so long to update this! First I was distracted by a super busy week, and then I decided to rework what I had in store for it. It took a while to redo, but I have decided to make it a 4 part story. Hope you enjoy, and that the wait was worth it!

The day had started out like every other since the lock down began. Leia had slept late, having no where to go. A cold, wet kiss on her nose from Lulu woke her up when the pup could no longer wait to be let out and grumbling she had taken her out for a quick walk up and down the block. After two cups of coffee and some melon, Leia had realized that after three months of enforced solitude, both she and her dog had gotten decidedly surly. It was time to get out, even if it was only to the local park.

Lulu’s excitement when she took out the little pink and white checked dress had been enough to put a smile on Leia’s face. Really, the small dog was a ridiculous creature, but she could be such a bundle of sunshine. After they were both outfitted – Lulu in her dress and Leia in a comfy outfit and mask, they made their way to the nearby park, enjoying a leisurely stroll around the newly green paths. She wished that Lulu was not too timid to play in the dog run, but after spending a year in the shelter the poor thing was terrified of other dogs.

That was why she was so surprised when Lulu’s tale began to wag excitedly. Normally she would have been cowering and whimpering in fear at the sound of another dog approaching, but for once her reaction was completely different. She jumped up from where she had been snuggling on Leia’s lap and perked up her ears, tongue lolling out happily. When the chocolate spaniel came trotting around the bend, she even jumped of Leia and strained at the leash to meet him.

Keeping a tight hold on Lulu’s leash, Leia let her eyes travel up the lead attached to the strange dog. It was quite a long trip, as it happened, past a pair of long legs in torn jogging pants, a faded shirt that would once have been bright blue, and a plain black mask until she got to a set of smiling blue eyes that made her heart stop.

“I’m sorry,” the man said, “I promise he is completely friendly.”

She had known who he was instantly, of course. No face mask could disguise those cheek bones, the copper curls that brushed his collar, or the baby blues that had sent a million fan girls swooning. If she had had any doubts, one word from that sinful voice, a verbal caress of polite friendliness, would have stamped it out. She had seen almost all of his movies, after all, and quite a number of his promotional appearances as well.

“It’s okay, so is she,” she replied struggling to keep her voice normal and grateful for the mask that hid her stunned initial gape. “You know, she’s usually quite shy, but she seems to like him! May I pet him?”

And then Tom Hiddleston – The Tom Hiddleston! – had sat down on the bench next to her while she petted Bobby and struck up a casual conversation! She had kept her eyes on the pups at first, afraid that if she looked at him, he would see the excitement and intimidation in her eyes. He introduced himself, needlessly, of course, and she gave him her name in a kind of daze. She realized that he had only provided his first name and had the quick flash of insight that he might be enjoying the idea of anonymity. If that were the case, she would not want to spoil it for him by gushing. Uncertain of what to do, she let the obvious joke about her name lead her to mentioning Marvel characters. That way, she decided, he would have a segue to talking about his career should he want to. When he let it slide and quickly changed the subject, she decided that her assumption must have been correct.

Which was absolutely fine with her! She was sitting and talking to Tom Hiddleston! While she would, of course, love to pick his brain about Loki, or Shakespeare, or any of a dozen projects, she was more than happy to listen to him discuss his dog in that proud pappa voice. By the time she had told him the story behind Lulu’s dress excitement she was reasonably settled and could actually manage to look him in the eye without blushing.

She had met a few famous people in her time as a London tour guide, and many of them had been a colossal let down. Tom was not one of them. He was everything she had ever imagined or hoped he would be. Kind, funny, clever, a little prone to talk on about any subject he happened on, but in all a delightful conversation partner. She was disappointed but not surprised when he had to leave, but she didn’t want to be too greedy; it was already one of the most magical afternoons of his life. When he mentioned running into them again, she almost squealed with excitement, just barely managing to keep her face impassive.

Thus began a fairy tale of month for Leia and Lulu. After two days of rain, during which she was certain he would forget all about her, they had found the boys again at the same spot. Leia half wondered if she were simply dreaming, but if so, she had no desire to wake up. They met up with Tom and Bobby most days, walking for hours sometimes as they discussed London, their childhoods, school. She learned quickly that he changed the subject instinctively whenever anything came up that might lead to his career. She could respect that. It must be hard, she thought, being always in the public eye. For her own part, Leia tacitly decided to keep the subject of her book a secret. After all, a fantasy story based on Norse Mythology, with Loki playing a leading role, was bound to bring up the sort of conversation he obviously wished to avoid.

As time went on, she began to forget he was a movie star and just think of him as her friend, insane as that struck her when she stopped to look at it. Oh, she was still absurdly attracted to him, but it was no longer for his stunning character portrayals or teasing banter with interviewers. No, the teasing banter she was interested in now was much more personal for her. He was delightful company, unfailingly polite, quick with a wickedly funny comment or a profound musing on life. In short, Leia was well and truly smitten. Hopelessly, she thought with a sigh.

When he invited her to his home, she could barely believe it. A casual acquaintance in the park was one thing, a dinner chez Hiddleston was completely different. She knew it was in large part for the sake of the puppies, and that was fine. Lulu was as besotted with Bobby as Leia was with Tom, only in this case it was obviously mutual. Leia would just have to be careful to guard her heart. She was not a part of his real life, and she needed to remember that, even if they never discussed it.

***

Bobby started barking seconds before the buzzer rang, his tail wagging back and forth at a frantic pace. Tom, scarcely less excited, gave a quick glance in the mirror before slipping on his mask and opening the door.

Leia stood on his doorstep looking even more lovely than usual. Her simple leggings and long tee had been replaced by a pretty, floral sundress in shades of red and yellow and her hair, usually tied up or back, was long and curling about her shoulders. Tom swallowed and tried to keep his eyes from doing too obvious an up and down of her body. It was difficult, considering the shape of her legs and amount of them showing. Lulu’s yip drew his eyes down to her, and he saw that she was dressed in a purple polka dotted number for the evening, her hair sporting several sparkly clips to keep her braids from coming undone.

“Hi, welcome!” he greeted them, straining to keep Bobby from leaping out the door. “Won’t you come in?”

“Thanks,” she smiled with her eyes as he ushered her inside.

“You found the place alright?”

“Your directions were perfect,” she assured him, glancing around at his newly bare entryway. “It’s quite the posh street you live on! I don’t think I’ve ever been into one of these houses.”

“Oh, it’s just like any other home,” he said modestly, feeling stupid as he did. His house had an electronic gate (that he had left unlocked for her) and a private surveillance system. He knew it was not the usual home. “I can give you a tour later if you like.”

“I’d love that. Whatever you have cooking smells delicious!”

“Thanks. I’ll have to check on it in a bit. For now, though, why don’t we go out back? I have some drinks chilling.”

He gestured for her to proceed him and subtly steered her past the kitchen and living room and out the sliding glass doors into the back. The yard was pretty, a nice square plot with flowers growing along the fence on three sides and one large tree giving shade. A table with four chairs and a grill stood on a little stone area, and Tom had set it up with a selection of glasses for beer, wine, and mixed drinks. A pitcher of iced water stood next to a bottle of dry rose in an ice bucket, and another small bucket contained iced beers.

“Here you go, Bobby,” he unleashed the spaniel who instantly tore off around the yard, looking for his favorite toy. “Why don’t you two have a nice frolic.”

“Oh Lulu, this will be fun!” Leia cooed to her pup, also removing her dog’s leash.

As the little dog scampered off after Bobby, Tom took a deep breath and turned to her owner. Now was the moment he had been waiting for.

“I suppose since we are alone and outside and all… as long as we stay six feet apart… would you mind?” he gestured towards his mask.

“Not at all. Oh, and I got my negative test results back. I have a copy on my phone if you want to see them!” she offered.

“No need, I trust you,” he was quick to assure her. “I got mine as well.”

It was strange – until a few months ago he would have felt tremendously awkward wearing a mask around another person. Even when he had needed to wear one for a few scenes in Only Lovers Left Alive it had seemed tremendously cumbersome and rather silly. Now though, Tom realized that he could not remember the last time he had been around another person without one. There was something shockingly intimate in the act of taking it off in front of Leia, and he found himself feeling almost shy. Blushing a bit, he unhooked the straps from around his ears and took the fabric from in front of his mouth, setting it on one of the chairs.

His eyes fastened on her as she reached up to do the same, the red mask peeling away to reveal a small bow of a mouth, pink lips curved in a slight smile. Her chin was slightly pointed and had a cute little half dimple to one side. Smile lines were just barely visible and added to the appeal of her face. It was a very kissable mouth, he decided.

“Hi,” he said, rather fatuously, face breaking into a sheepish grin. “I’m Tom.”

“Hi Tom,” she smiled back, and his heart skipped a beat. “I’m Leia.”

They stood there for a moment, staring at each other, until he cleared his throat and pointed to a chair.

“Please, have a seat,” he managed to say. “As you see, I have wine, beer, water, or I could make you a cocktail if you’d rather. Or lemonade if you prefer a soft drink…” he realized he was babbling and cut himself off.

“Wine would be nice,” she said, sitting down and crossing one long leg over the other, giving him a lovely glimpse of her thigh.

“Right, wine it is,” he said, uncorking the bottle and grabbing a glass. “I hope it’s alright. My sister loves this brand, she brought it when she was here last, and it is better than anything I would have known to get.”

“Not a wine guy?” she asked, accepting the glass from him.

“Oh, I like a good hearty red with a steak now and then, and I will definitely have some with dinner tonight – I hope you like Italian, by the way – but for casual drinking, I’m more of a beer or scotch fan myself.”

While he prattled on Tom opened up one of the beers and poured it into a pint glass. When the foam had gone down a bit, he raised the glass and tilted it towards her.

“To deepening new friendships,” he dared to say, eyes finding hers.

They clinked their glasses, and he took a long sip of the hoppy beverage, hoping he hadn’t over stepped.

“To embracing human interaction!” she added. “Selectively, of course.”

Well, she obviously didn’t recognize him. That was a relief. He had been half worried that she would shriek, or become tongue tied, or worse. It was remarkable to him how many women seemed to have extreme reactions to meeting him. He was so ordinary! Just an overgrown ginger kid from Wimbledon. It wasn’t like they were meet Daniel Day Lewis for god’s sake. On the other hand, he couldn’t help feeling the tiniest twinge of disappointment. He worked hard at his job, after all, and was proud of the reputation he had developed and of the work he had done. It was strange, with how up on everything Leia always seemed, that she didn’t have any knowledge of Marvel at least, or The Night Manager. Still, some people didn’t watch a lot of movies and TV, or if they did it was more intellectual fare.

They both leaned back in their chairs and watched the dogs play chase back and forth. Tom found his eyes drifting back to her, staring at her mouth. He had never realized just how much a person’s mouth said about them. Leia’s smiled as a default, giving her a more youthful look than she had when it was covered. There was something fresh and approachable about her that he was drawn to.

The conversation was light and easy. Neither of them had been doing much of anything lately, so they resorted to telling older stories from their childhoods. Tom was amused to think of Leia playing with her friends, insisting that no, she wanted to be Han Solo despite what her thoughtless parents had named her. Tom, of course, had wanted to play all of the characters, and delighted her with his spot-on Darth Vadar and Grand Moff Tarkin impressions.

“You were a terror, weren’t you?” she laughed as he described bossing his sister about the correct way to make the light saber noises.

“A bit, yeah,” he admitted. “Emma and Sarah would probably say more than a bit. They had it coming though.”

“I’m sure they would agree with that, too,” she said sarcastically.

“It’s not my fault they couldn’t take direction,” he grinned. “I’m sure you would have made an excellent Han Solo. With the proper lessons.”

“Perhaps you can make me your student after dinner, if we have enough wine,” she suggested.

He knew she meant it innocently enough, but he felt a blush creep up his cheeks at the image her words planted in his mind. Leia in a schoolgirl outfit, bent over his desk flashing through his brain was enough to make him reach for his beer and gulp down more than was advisable. She seemed to realize after a moment, as she too reached for her glass and took a long swallow.

Lulu chose that moment to break away from where they had been digging around the tree and came running over to them, something grimy hanging from her mouth.

“What have you got there, peanut?” Leia sked, sounding a bit relieved.

“She seems to have unearthed one of Bobby’s treasures,” Tom smiled, glad of the distraction himself.

“Here, princess, you want me to throw it for you?”

Leia held out her hand and she happily dropped the toy into it. Tom looked at the toy and felt his jaw go slack and his eyes frantic. It was Loki. Of course it was. One of Bobby’s favorite toys, naturally, given to him during the lead up to one of the movies, the thick ropes of green and gold formed a long God of Mischief chew toy/tug of war combo, complete with horns. Tom licked his lips, glancing quickly at Leia, only to see that she was smiling down at her fluffy pup.

“Oh, Lulu, Look! It’s just like yours, only a bit more loved,” she said with a laugh. “Good girl, saving the handsome prince from a shallow grave. Loki never stays dead for long!”

With another laugh she took the toy and threw it across the yard, Lulu and Bobby both quickly scampering off after it. Tom gaped at her, uncertain what to say.

“You must have a lot of those,” she commented off handedly.

“You… you know?” he stammered.

“Know what?”

“Who I am?” it sounded stupid and conceited to his own ears.

“Well, I hope so since I’m in your home.”

“No, I mean you know what I do for a living,” he ground out, feeling like an utter ass.

“Of course,” she told him, quirking her lips.

“Since when?” he choked out.

“Since the first day. You’re not exactly easy to mistake, Tom.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You didn’t seem to want to talk about it. I figured it must get old, people falling all over themselves around you, treating you like you’re not even human.”

“Yeah. Yeah it does.”

“So I took my cue from you.”

“I see,” he was completely flummoxed. “And you have a Loki toy? For Lulu, I mean?”

“Of course, he’s our favorite! Poor, misunderstood boy. You know, I am glad I have the opportunity to tell you now how good you are. And not just as Loki. You were breath taking in Betrayal.”

“You saw Betrayal?”

“Twice. Stunning work.”

He knew his mouth was opening and closing stupidly, but he couldn’t seem to stop it. She had known, all this time. She had been humoring him by not talking about it. He was not entirely sure how to feel about that.

“Tom is everything alright?” she asked, sounding concerned.

“Was that why you talked to me?” he heard himself asking. “Why you agreed to come over? Because I am famous?”

“No,” she said slowly. “I came over because you asked, and because I like you. Yes, I was a bit star struck at first, but I got past it. Are you angry? I just assumed you realized.”

“No. No, I didn’t. I… I should go check on dinner.”

“Tom, really, are you okay?”

“Yeah, absolutely. Be right back.”

Turning tail, he fled into the house, mind in complete turmoil at the new turn of events.

#Tom Hiddleston #Bobby Hiddleston #tom hiddleston fanfiction #Fanfic #rpf fanfic #rpf #tom hiddleston rpf #Tom Hiddleston/OFC #Fluff #Lock Down #slight angst #romance #dating in quarantine #future smut #flirting #puppy love #Bobby gets a girlfriend too!#adorable #Bobby's Playdate

129 notes · View notes

blackbutlerfandomnerddomain · 3 years

Note

what do you think black butler characters should dress up as for Halloween

🥺

I love this ask already! Since I love Halloween, I'm going full out on this!

First's up: Sebastian. I feel like based off past Halloween dress ups he would rarely take off his suit and tie. Like ever. I would like to think he would use this time to let his true self show with his human disguise. Like let his horns and heels out and let his teeth grow longer and sharper.

Ciel: I can see him dressing up as a special spook. He was already a demon in the manga, how about a vampire ghoul or maybe something from a German and French creepy folklore since family stories ya know.

The Phantomhive Servants: They totally would do costumes related to each other. Proven in Yana's Halloween drawing and in Season 2's episode where Alois has a Halloween party. So how about costumes based off each other's nationality horrors? Snake as a German Lindworm for Finny, Finny as a Baku for Mey-Rin, Mey-Rin as a Jersey Devil for Bard, and Bard as a Nixie for Snake and Tanaka.

Lizzy: Normally I think we would assume a couple costume for our Ciels or something like that or maybe a fairy princess like costume, but what about a knight or witch.

Edward: I believe he would've been a prince for Lizzy but if Lizzy was the knight then maybe he'll be the Prince. I can also see him doing a group costume with the other band members

Soma: I can see him dressed as a quote "typical English Gentlemen" as a joke. That picture Yana drew with him and Ciel wearing each other's clothes was so-OMG!

Agni: I... actually don't know. Unless Soma would recommend it, I can't picture what Agni could be for Halloween

Undertaker: Mummy Pharaoh! Of course he would need help with the wrappings and his hair

R!Ciel: . . . Mini Undertaker. FINAL OFFER! (Of possibly a angel if O!Ciel would be a demon)

Alois: I love his vampire costume in that costume party I mentioned before, but I like the idea of him as a mini Claude. With his changes as well! This child would literally make it so hard to look at him normally with his straight face and shorts, even Claude would most likely crack a giggle fit.

Claude: Same for Sebastian unless Alois ask otherwise

Hannah: I would've said like Sebastian and Claude but I think she would hate that, so how about a fairy Queen of sorts?? Glitter wings, a large flower pastel and white gown, her hair lose and tangled with small wild flowers weaved in small braids, her smile ever so welcoming.

The Triplets: I can see each dressing as a Alois, a Claude, and a Hannah lmao

Grelle: As much as I loved that nurse outfit, how about a vampire. Black lace gloves, blood droplets on her lips, black and red jewels admiring her neck, wrists, and waist.

William: . . . That circus suit XD

Ronald: He could be a vampire too but maybe a more modern take on it than Grelle's kind of traditional look

Othello: Mad scientist every year!

Joker: Mad Hatter!!

Beast: Queen of Hearts. I have nothing else to say

Dagger: Cheshire Cat. Like how Grelle's was in Ciel in Wonderland

Peter and Wendy: Tweedledee and Tweedledum. I would make them Peter Pan and Wendy Darling but I want to stick to the Alice in Wonderland theme

Jumbo: Tough one but I'm gonna say the Sleepy Doormouse. I just think it would be so cute!

Doll: Alice. For sure. If not than the maybe the Caterpillar

P4: Each other's House animals. Like Herman being a fox and Violet being a tired lion

Sieglinde: I would say, since maybe dressing as a media witch would be hard for her, how about a popular English Ghost; Queen Anne Bowline.

Wolfram: A guard dog or maybe a Hellhound

#black butler #black butler headcanon

13 notes · View notes

jj-ktae · 5 years

Text

All I want for Christmas is : A Picture with Santa [Mark]

Pairing : Mark x Fem!Reader Words : 3326 Genre : Fluff, Romance,

Summary : Mark is the Market’s Santa Claus and it’s in the middle of endless pictures with kids that he ends up finding the one person he longed for all his life.

[All I Want For Christmas: is a GOT7 collab]

All I want for Christmas is : A picture with Santa

“Are you going to give me the present I asked for, Santa?”

“I was so nice to mommy, please tell me I’ll get presents!”

“Did you receive my letter?”

Kids are cute. They ask for the weirdest things but still, their eyes shine with the brightest hope of a great present as they stop in front of a not so well disguised Mark.

And all he can do is nod, his voice not as convincing as he’d like it to be as he promises the kids they will get what they asked for.

Some parents look done with their kids, others play along, whispering soft thanking words because obviously, that did the trick.

Mark still doesn’t understand how anyone can believe he is the real Santa Claus but then again, kids are gullible.

When the line dies, he groans, stretching his sore limbs because he is way too thin to carry kids all day long on his lap.

Who knew they could be so heavy.

“How about you get something to drink, Santa.” The voice pulls him out of his stretching session as he lifts a tired hand to grab the little cup of hot chocolate.

“Thanks, I don’t know if I can’t feel my legs because of the kids or the cold.” Mark sighs, his face hidden behind a huge white beard and head under a deep red hood. “It’s the last time I’m helping the parents.”

His sister giggles, head shaking before shrugging. “Think about the kids.”

Mark snorts. “They just want the presents. I’m merely used as a bait so their parents can threaten them. That little girl earlier was crying and begging me to forgive her because she cut her dolls’ hair and her parents told her I wouldn’t give her the presents she wants.”

How cruel.

“That’s how it is. Without Santa I wouldn’t have any reason for my kids to be good. Think about the community, Mark.” She mocks, her laugh dying when another round of kids rush toward a drinking Mark who almost stains his beard with the hot beverage.

She zips her mouth and escapes before Mark can complain some more and he barely has the time to take another sip before one of them grabs his hand and pulls on it.

“Santa!” The little boy yells into his ear before blinking cutely. “I love you sooooo much!”

Mark laughs, his Ho Ho Ho not even close to sound like what the real Santa would say.

It goes on for two hours. Two hours of smiling for proud parents, hug tiny human beings and deal with crying kids because yes, some of them fear Santa.

Mark couldn’t agree more. He looks disgusting.

The market is full of life and oh how he envies the others because at least they don’t have to wear that old smelly outfit.

He sighs between each picture, the fake presents too shiny and his Christmas throne not as comfortable as it’s supposed to be.

What a long day.

But as he puts the last kid down and bows to their parents, he finds a cute little girl.

She is smiling.

“Hello Santa!” Her hands are folded in front of her long fluffy coat. Her ears are hidden behind huge earmuffs and her big eyes stare at him with such intensity.

She is way too calm.

“Hi little girl.” Mark kneels, his back cracking in the process. “Do you want to take a picture with Santa?” he says, his mouth partly hidden by his gloved hand like it’s a big secret.

She shakes her head, her dark hair moving along as her smile widens. “I have a request.”

Mark stops, head now tilted to the side. Why is this girl alone?

When she doesn’t hear a response, she continues. “I do not wish for a present because I have plenty of toys at home, but there is something I wish you’d do for me.”

Wait, why does she sound so clever? How old is she?

Mark looks up, scanning the area in case someone would play yet another joke on him. Might as well be Jackson who paid a kid to make fun of him.

“I wish for mommy to be happy. Can you do that for me?”

Mark freezes, the probability of a kid asking for such an improbable thing too much to handle.

“I could try, but-”

“Nicole!” The kid yelps, her hand now on her mouth as she appears to be caught red-handed by a woman who stops behind her. “I told you to stay next to me, you scared me!”

You can’t believe she escaped. A minute earlier you were paying for her candies and as you were about to give it to her she was gone – not far- but still, she had left.

The little girl turns around, apologising and explaining that she saw Santa and had something to ask.

You grab her hand softly, more relieved than angry as your face finds its initial colour back. Nicole looks at you before her hand points toward a big red man.

He doesn’t look like Santa at all.

“I’m sorry….Santa. Nicole can be cheeky but she is nice. Whatever she asked for, she deserves it.” You say with a short nod, making your daughter laugh and hide her face into your coat. “She just needs to learn how not to leave my side when we’re outside.”

Mark could have reacted. He could have chuckled; he could have laughed – this is what Santa would do – and he could have played along while holding his belly but he is paralysed.

You didn’t change one bit.

He does remember when was the last time he saw you. High school had turned into a mess when the rumour of a student being pregnant echoed into its walls. He remembers precisely how the whole school went on a hunt to punish the filthy student.

He mostly remembers how no one bothered the guy, his promising future as a player in the football team making it hard for his reputation to get stained by such a scandal. You disappeared and no one cared, no one thought it was a pity that you’d drop out of school to raise a kid when you were so young. No one tried except him.

Suddenly everything makes sense. From the kid’s age to how witty she is. He gets it.

Your beauty stays untouched on Nicole’s face.

Mark didn’t care about the scandal. Mark was living like an outcast, his sociability level high enough to hang around Jackson and offering invitations to parties.

But nothing compared to his love for you.

He was ready to fight; he would have beaten that smile off that jerk’s face who acted like he was innocent when you had to deal with the aftermath of a mistake that had broken your whole life.

Jackson told him it was normal, that is was love, that Mark would be great as a substitute father.

He had tried to be friends with you, only to understand he would never bear the weight of such a doomed status. Friends wasn’t what he longed for back then and he had been more heartbroken by the idea of you leaving than having to take care of you and your kid even if it meant raising a human who wasn’t his.

Life didn’t give him the chance even after he graduated. You disappeared and took all the answers with you, leaving Mark and everything he had to offer.

Jackson told him to keep looking, not to give up because if he was willing to do this much then he had to make it happen. He had to find you and hide you close, whispering words he had repeated at least a thousand times.

Life didn’t grant him that one request, leaving him thinking about you until it faded and he admitted it was over for good. He moved on naturally, finding shelter into his study and life as it continued.

Still, never did he stop thinking about what you had become.

And now you’re here, with your kid. You’re holding the reason behind such pain like it’s the most precious thing and Mark wants to cry.

I wish for mommy to be happy. Can you do that for me?

He wants to speak, but a part of him fears your answer, or maybe he is scared because you probably won’t recognise him.

“She does look like she deserves what she asked for…” Mark breathes out, his fake Santa voice gone.

“Really?” You ask, amused and all worry is gone as you look at your kid’s happy face. “What did you ask for?”

Nicole shakes her head, eyes scanning Mark’s hidden face before she looks at her mother again. “I can’t say.”

“Why?”

Mark coughs, deciding he must help that kid and of course he would have made you happy if life didn’t decide to mess with him. “It’s a secret between Santa and little Nicole.” He puts a hand on his fake beard, playing with its ends and making the kid laugh, glad to be able to count on Santa like she knew she could.

“…Alright…”

And like that you’re gone.

Mark stays right on the spot, not in the best attire to chase a woman and definitively not able to go away as another kid start pulling on his hand again.

He doesn’t hear the little boy speak, his eyes too busy scanning the people to find you.

Mark doesn’t know what to do. He can only rush to his sister and beg for a break, just so he can find you and speak properly. He takes more pictures, his mind off in another world where he hugs you and tells you everything will be okay.

He just hopes he won’t find you attached to another man’s arm. That would be too awkward but not surprising.

You’re too precious to be left alone.

So as soon as he can, he hides and removes his costume, uncaring of how cold it is. He rushes between the stalls, slaloming bodies and looking around. He finds nothing, nothing but happy families and smiley faces.

Until he sees you.

You’re about to leave, your kid munching on her candies and you searching for something into your bag.

Mark sprints.

He almost trips but catches himself and runs faster, the wind icy on his cheekbones. His hair is a mess of sweat and he probably is already catching a cold but who cares.

Who cares when you’re right in front of him.

You don’t expect someone to stop in front of you. It catches you off guard but Nicole is too busy to notice your astonishment.

Mark Tuan is standing right here.

How did he find you? Did he see you in the Christmas market? Why is he here?

Your mind is blurry, torn between relief and pain as it reminds you of a time you wish to forget.

“Hi.” Mark gets blunt. A greeting is supposed to be how you start a conversation so he jumps before he can think too much and chicken out.

He is so glad you recognized him. He can see it, right from the way your eyes shift from him to your daughter.

“Hi.” Is all you answer but he doesn’t need more, he has enough to say for the both of you and god knows Mark saves his words for the important times only.

He smiles at the kid who is waiting for something to happen, sugar plastered on her lips and eyes expectant.

“I saw you earlier.” He explains like you’re supposed to know he was the super realistic Santa Claus you talked to earlier. “It’s been so long. I’m glad you’re doing well and- wait- scrap that bullshit. I don’t have enough time because I’ll have to go back soon but just- just- I’ve been in love with you for the longest time and I know a lot happened but I never cared. I never cared about all the drama and regret everything they did to you. I was willing to do anything it takes to ease the pain and…I still am. If you’re free we can- oh yeah, there’s a kid, my sister- she has kids, just give me thirty minutes. Thirty minutes.”

Mark never spoke that much. You never heard Mark speak this much, either.

He was the quiet teen, the kid no one pays attention to but everyone knows. He was always so sweet, always ready to give you his notes and his friend Jackson, even though he was the loudest guy, was equally sweet.

One day he found you crying behind a tree and sat next to you. He stayed for an hour and said nothing. He patted your back and didn’t look at your crying face. He offered a tissue and watched you leave without asking for anything.

He was the kind of person you wouldn’t call a friend but who you knew would still be around.

Until you left.

Now he is standing here, confessing in front of your kid who doesn’t seem surprised. He looks even more handsome but what strikes you is not that.

He looks like he cares. No one cares about a single-mother.

You stammer, words caught in your throat. Nicole pulls on your hand and gets your attention before you can answer.

“I can play with the other kids, mommy!”

“What?”

“While you talk. I’ll be good and I won’t escape, I promise!”

Mark loves that kid already.

“You can talk to mommy!” Nicole offers Mark her best v sign, making him answer with the same ridiculous face and hand gesture.

You snort.

Mark’s eyes find your face after a minute, waiting for your answer as much as your kid who seems to be enjoying the situation way too much.

“I guess it’s settled.”

Mark leaves, signalling you to wait for him near this area so he can find you as soon as he is done.

You do as he says.

Nicole doesn’t speak, her mind too busy thinking about the events unfolding before her.

Your brain turns off. It turns off until Mark comes back, a coat now covering his body. He brings you toward a stall where a woman is waiting with two little girls.

“Here is my sister.” Mark looks in a hurry because you barely have the time to introduce yourself before he waves at everyone. You hear Nicole laugh with the kids like she is best friend with them and you’re gone. Mark is holding your hand like you’re both escaping from hell and it does look like it.

He stops in front of a wall where numerous lights paint figures, illuminating the darkness of the night and complimenting the Christmas trees.

“Too much is happening.” You confess when he makes you sit on a stone bench.

Mark nods, agreeing for different reasons.

“Too much happened. Too much happened without me and shit- I was ready to throw everything away for you. Jackson told me to keep on looking for you and I did, but you were out of my reach.” He pours everything he has and dares complaining, even.

You smile, the sadness back on your features and Mark understands he will never like that kind of look on your face.

“I didn’t have a choice. I had to go. My parents threw my out, the whole school was treating me like a bitch and that guy…well, I didn’t expect anything from him but still, I thought he’d help? Or at least I thought he wouldn’t crush me like the others. There was nothing I could have done. Don’t blame me for leaving when I was locked in hell.” It’s normal. Who would have stayed? No one.

Mark looks offended. “I’m not blaming you for leaving. I wouldn’t have been able to handle a hundredth of what you went through. I’m just being selfish. You left me.”

“You never made it obvious that you had such deep feelings. Even if you did, I would have never ruined your life. You were too nice to be put into that mess.” It’s true. Mark was always around but never did you think about involving him. He deserved nothing but peace and you couldn’t ruin that for him.

“I wanted you to mess me. I want you to mess me even now.”

You frown. “You don’t even know if I feel the same, Mark.”

The way you say his name makes his heart skip a beat. It’s been so long and it still sounds as beautiful as it used to.

Mark is far too gone to care about rejection. He waited for so damn long. “It’s true, but you’re not happy. You’re not happy and whatever is making you sad, give it to me. I can deal with anything- heck, I’ve been dealing with Jackson for so long!”

His remark makes you chuckle tiredly, the probability of being around Mark too overwhelming to make you laugh for real.

“What if I accept and you understand you made a mistake later? I’m not alone and even though I could deal with another heartbreak, I can’t be selfish and think about me only. If you’re taking me, you have to take Nicole too.” Maybe you’re trying to scare him. Maybe you’re using all your cards so he would back off.

Because you’re too close to cry, you’re too close to accept and rush into his arms because you need help and comfort more than you’d like to admit. You’re so close to admit you’d actually entrust your life to him because Mark is nothing but the memory of someone you regret leaving.

It’s just that you never thought he was caring because of such reasons.

But Mark stays strong, his face unmoving, his motive unwavering and arms limp by his side.

And it’s like he had been ready to say this all his life as he whispers. “I take you both, and I would have back then if you had given me the chance to. You don’t have to love me right away but I’ll make sure you do, believe me.”

You become a mess in a matter of second. The tears fall, painting relief on your face and making you get up to walk toward a now worried Mark.

“Are you okay?” His tone is shaky, unsteady even, as you stop right in front of him.

You can only nod, hands wiping your cheeks hastily. “It’s just….you might think I’m stupid for saying this but…it feels like this thing they call the Christmas Miracle.”

Mark laughs, now fully relieved. “Finding you again is the real miracle.”

You become a mess again.

Nicole loses track of time. She thinks about you in the middle of her playing session, hoping that something good happened, that you’ll finally smile for real.

This man looked pretty serious as he confessed.

When she sees you come back, your hand into the man’s hand, she breathes out.

“Did you wait for long?” You ask, parting from Mark. You kneel softly, hugging your kid and feeling like everything will be okay from now.

“No mommy, the girls are really sweet!” She giggles, showing her mother a bracelet she apparently got as a present for being so nice.

You get up, walking away to properly greet Mark’s sister and proceed to thank her.

Mark is staring, eyes shiny and totally beaming as you already seem engrossed into a conversation about hyperactive kids.

“Santa is not joke.”

He looks down at Nicole who is watching, equally delighted.

“Why?” he asks, surprised by how natural the conversation seems to be between him and the cute little girl.

“Earlier, I asked Santa to make mommy happy for Christmas. She looks the happiest, now.”

Mark smirks, doing his best to hide his growing smile.

“Really? I’m sure you’ll definitely get what you asked for.”

335 notes · View notes

chiseler · 3 years

Text

Ginger Rogers: Curse of the Working Class

A natural-born mimic, ham, tease, hard worker, stoic follower and out-of-reach babe, Ginger Rogers has proven one of the most difficult to define of all the 1930s Hollywood stars. At her best she was a synonym for fun and high spirits while also conveying a dignified and skeptical kind of resistance to other people, and these contradictory impulses made her one of the most special and ambiguous performers of her time. Rogers excelled in her first seven musicals with Fred Astaire and in several of her comedy vehicles and even in some of the programmers she churned out in the early 1930s. She was beloved, and rightly so.

In Stage Door (1937), Rogers gives one of the most distinctive, most suggestive, and most perfectly judged performances of the period, molding every one of her bone-dry, wisecracking line readings (and what lines she has in that movie!) into something pleasurable, something unexpected, even something profound, delivering them all with her guarded, in-transit sort of face.

I’ve seen Stage Door probably more times than I’ve seen any other movie, but I always notice something new in it, some new line, some new angle. As a kid, I didn’t really understand the source of Rogers’s misgivings here, which is the same source that animates her outrageously and inventively bitchy yet somehow tender and worldly fights with Linda (Gail Patrick), her high-falutin’ former roommate. Linda is the mistress of Anthony Powell (Adolphe Menjou), a powerful Broadway producer. When Powell sees Rogers’s Jean Maitland rehearsing a dance routine, his little weasel eyes light up with lust. He thinks she’s just playing hard to get when she makes her habitual mordant jokes at him, but she is really just trying to delay the inevitable. She wants no part of sleeping with a man for his money not because she thinks it’s morally wrong, per se, but because she’s basically too tired-out to go through those motions.

Jean is so disenchanted that the disenchantment seems to be leading her to some kind of drastic change. She talks herself into going out with Powell but gets out of sleeping with him by getting, or pretending to get, disruptively yet vaguely drunk. Jean gets drunk the way she does everything else, at some very unusual kind of steady and wary behavioral half-mast. She cracks wise as a matter of course, but she sleeps with a doll and she plays a ukulele. These cute details don’t seem to fit her character, but they do express the divided character of the woman who was playing her.

Jean stumbles home from Powell’s penthouse to her new roommate Terry (Katharine Hepburn), a rich girl with airily la-di-da attitudes about life and the theater. Hepburn had not endeared herself to Rogers with her much-repeated remark about Rogers’s partnership with Astaire: “He gives her class and she gives him sex.” The competitive rivalry between Hepburn’s upper-class pretension and Rogers’s low-burning common sense is the heart of their conflict in Stage Door, and this conflict and mutual dislike reads as pure chemistry on screen, just as it did for Rogers with Astaire.

There is such chemistry between Jean and Terry that Stage Door has always been a kind of closeted lesbian classic just waiting to burst into full-on Sapphic love. Terry has no love interest and shows zero interest in acquiring one, while Jean looks more than ready to give up on poor, unreliable young men and rich, sexually demanding older men like Powell. Jean and Terry, in fact, are perfect for each other and wind up with each other, and in the last scene Rogers reaches a kind of epiphany as she reacts to their friend Judy (Lucille Ball) leaving New York to get married. “At least she’ll have a couple of kids to keep her company in her old age, and what’ll we have?” she asks. “Some broken-down memories and an old scrapbook that nobody’ll look at.”

I first saw Stage Door when I was eight years old. Now that I’m well into adulthood, these last few lines that Rogers tosses off with such face-the-facts casualness have the force of revelation, as if she has finally washed up on the shores of some final philosophy. They predict the real lives of both Hepburn and Rogers (though some people still do want to leaf through those particular scrapbooks) and Terry and Jean, and everybody else for whom the easy way and the conventional way of living will never fit or will never be acceptable.

Rogers was capable of that tough-minded and frank and bleak attitude on screen, but in life and in general she was actually, and alarmingly, one of the most clueless of stars, never quite knowing what it was that people liked about her. Starting as early 1938, the year she made Vivacious Lady and Carefree, something peculiar started to happen to Rogers. After years of the most unlikely and enormous success in her Astaire films, where she was up to any dance challenge he gave her and where her timing in both musical and comic and dramatic scenes was magically sharp, her timing started to go horribly awry. Rogers began to be afflicted by self-consciousness, miscalculation, cutesiness, self-infatuated archness and flashes of deep-rooted mean-mindedness. She slipped back into her best controlled star mode in several films after that year, but she started to deteriorate more and more by the mid-1940s, almost as if someone had put a curse on her.

Rogers was born Virginia McMath in Independence, Missouri in 1911. Her formidable mother Lela Rogers was a writer for silent films and a journalist, and she was seemingly joined at the hip to her daughter. It was Rogers who wanted a career as an actress, and Lela resisted this at first, but when Ginger won a Charleston contest Mama Lela knew which way the wind was blowing. She poured all of her own considerable energy and ambition into making Ginger a star and keeping her one (that first name supposedly came about because a cousin couldn’t pronounce the name Virginia).

At the height of her stardom, when Rogers was sent the script of The Hard Way (1943), she wonderingly said, “This is the story of my life,” and turned it down. In that movie, Ida Lupino works like a demon to get her malleable kid sister (Joan Leslie) into show business, and the comparison is not flattering to Lela, who made a fool of herself testifying before HUAC as an expert on Communist infiltration of Hollywood, citing particularly the time when Rogers had to say Dalton Trumbo’s line, “Share and share alike, that’s democracy” in Tender Comrade (1943). Lela herself actually turns up playing Ginger’s mother in Billy Wilder’s The Major and the Minor (1942), and she’s a rather low-key presence, but she talks and moves like a woman who has power and feels no need to make any outward show of it.

In that Wilder movie, Rogers spends most of her time pretending to be a twelve-year old, and this uneasy reversion to little-girlhood was one of her most troubling fallback modes. She had made her first successes on stage with “baby talk monologues” written by Lela, and her early style, as seen in films like Young Man of Manhattan (1930) and Honor Among Lovers (1931), was very much a hold-over from the 1920s, a Betty Boop baby vamp persona that was more suited to cameo roles than to leads (Claudette Colbert, the star of Young Man of Manhattan, gently mocks these baby affectations after meeting Rogers’s character).

She churned out lots of low-budget programmers in 1932, and in 1933 she made ten films. In two of those, 42nd Street and Gold Diggers of 1933, Rogers nearly steals the show in fairly small parts. As Anytime Annie, a notoriously obliging chorus girl in 42nd Street, Rogers is first seen wearing a monocle and affecting a grand manner accent, and this was the first sign of her aptitude for two-faced disguise. As Manuel Puig once said of Ann-Margret, Rogers is anything but reassuring.

She’s close to surreal in her gold-coin outfit singing “We’re in the Money” with pig Latin verse in Gold Diggers of 1933, looking directly into the camera and not flinching as it travels all the way up to her face. Rogers gobbled up attention like that, and she had what it took, but she needed something or someone to stabilize her. When she strips down to her slip and stockings and gyrates in Professional Sweetheart (1933), an outraged Norman Foster spanks and then punches her, the first in an increasingly ominous series of punishments that would shadow her later career.

In the very horny Pre-Code musical Flying Down to Rio (1933), her first film with Astaire, Rogers is a hot mama, singing and swaying to “Music Makes Me” in a vagina power dress that even Marilyn Monroe might have rejected as too overt. When they dance “The Carioca,” Astaire starts out holding his head slightly away from Rogers, as if she might be diseased, but by the end their electric chemistry has fully kicked in.

Astaire had spent his youth dancing with his sister Adele and didn’t want to get stuck with another steady partner. Rogers had her eye on dramatic parts, announcing to an incredulous press that she wanted to play Joan of Arc. She was an ambitious and competitive person, and she knew that she was not even close to Astaire’s Olympian league as a dancer. But that’s part of the magic of their series of films, in which Rogers improves as a dancer bit by bit until she is fully capable of following his every step.

Astaire objected that no one would believe Rogers as an English girl in The Gay Divorcee (1934), and surely no one could mistake her for English, but this part gave her the reserve that she intriguingly used and toyed with for her best years as a star. Like most first sexual experiences between two people, their first real romantic dance together in that film, “Night and Day,” is both exciting and a little awkward. In their follow-up Roberta (1935), Rogers looks tense during their slow “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” routine, but she comes wonderfully alive when they casually tap to “Hard to Handle,” their first really great dance together.

She was always at her best in the lively comic numbers, where her wacky energy seems to warm Astaire, but she worked hard at the dramatic routines, so that when they do “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” in Follow the Fleet (1936), Rogers has somehow ascended up to Astaire’s level as a dancer. It must have taken nearly super-human will, but she did it, and audiences saw and felt her progress, and they loved it because it meant that anything was possible if you worked hard enough, even dancing like or with Fred Astaire.

Astaire didn’t like her feather dress for the “Cheek to Cheek” dance in Top Hat (1935), and you can see why he didn’t: it’s a little tacky. Costumer Walter Plunkett said Rogers always wanted to “add a crepe paper orchid or a string of beads or some goddamned feathered thing. She just never could resist little improvements.” But her feather dress in Top Hat does move beautifully when she dances, even if we do see some of the feathers floating away from them, as if she’s molting.

A more characteristic and winning image of her comes in the way she hikes up her skirt in the “Pick Yourself Up” number in Swing Time, which has a deeply charming kind of put-on nonchalance, or in the soldier-like way she executes a series of brutally exacting turns at the end of the “Never Gonna Dance” finale toward the end of that movie (while she shot this scene, her feet started to bleed in her shoes). One of the real pleasures of American moviegoing is watching Rogers as Astaire sings a love song to her: she would listen so intently, with barely any change of expression, but with such sensitive receptivity behind her eyes and in the set of her mouth.

People like to wonder if Astaire and Rogers hated each other. Maybe there were moments when they did, but mainly they just resented being tied together as a team, and those misgivings are part of what give their partnership and their best dances such impact, such crackle. Rogers reported in her autobiography that Astaire had taken her out on dates in New York when they were both working in theater, and at the end of one such date he gave her “a kiss that would never have passed the Hays Office Code!” But when they worked together in films, Astaire was married to a woman he adored, and he was a distant taskmaster in the killer rehearsal sessions for their dance routines. His friends, cultivated when he played on stage in London in the 1920s, were the English gentry. Rogers was not his cup of tea, and he made that known to her in subtle ways. She said either, and he said eye-ther, and they wanted to call the whole thing off, but no one else ever did.

In the many years after their partnership ended, they were still stuck with each other, and they both still resented that. Rogers would sometimes make friendly overtures to Astaire, and he would politely but firmly put her off, and this led to hurt feelings for her, so much so that she didn’t even go to his American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony. Film scholar Joseph McBride helped to put together that evening, and when I asked him about it, he remembered Astaire saying, “I suppose we’ll have to have Ginger,” in an irritated voice. When she didn’t come to the ceremony, it seemed like sour grapes on her part, but it had been made clear to Rogers that Astaire only wanted the bare minimum to do with her, and so she withdrew. It would do well to remember, of course, just how obnoxious Rogers could be. If you want to feel the full force of that, just look at any number of the films she made from 1944 to 1964 and you’ll see one garishly misplayed, mistimed performance after another, including the last one she did with Astaire, The Barkleys of Broadway (1949), where her dramatic aspirations were mocked and then the mockery was unintentionally confirmed when she did a goggle-eyed recreation of Sarah Bernhardt reciting the Marseillaise.

So what happened to Rogers? Why did she lose all of the qualities that had made her a star right after her stardom was confirmed? Many writers have tried to explain it. Analyzing Astaire and Rogers in The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Book (1972), Arlene Croce says, “She’s an American classic, just as he is: common clay that we prize above exotic marble. The difference between them is that he knew it and she didn’t. Rogers always wanted to be something more. Probably no other major star has so severely tried the loyalty of her public by constantly changing her appearance and her style.” In his book Romantic Comedy (1987), James Harvey writes, “Can there be any other major star who was so variable, even from film to film, as she was?”

Harvey blames George Stevens, who directed maybe the finest Astaire/Rogers film, Swing Time (1936). He sees a softening of her character in the straight scenes in Swing Time, but the rot really sets in with Vivacious Lady, a romantic comedy that has all the elements for success but perversely ruins them with its taffy-pull pacing, its willful lack of coordination, its leaning on jags and cutesiness and bizarre sequences like the fight scene between Rogers and a rival that devolves into a series of unmoving tableaus broken only by a coy laugh from Rogers, as if Stevens wanted to turn her into Frank McHugh. In the same year, in Carefree with Astaire, Rogers exhibits such unpleasant sadism when her character is under hypnosis that it feels like a revelation of some inner nastiness that had always been prudently hidden from view.

The damage was reversed in Bachelor Mother (1939), a working girl comedy that has no right to be as charming as it is, where Rogers added a kind of moony dreaminess to her repertoire of personas. She then made two films for Stage Door director Gregory La Cava, 5th Avenue Girl (1939) and Primrose Path (1940). In her second La Cava film, Rogers is so deadpan that it reads as a lack of basic vitality, a first in her career; it’s as if La Cava is unearthing the suicidal or even homicidal side of Jean Maitland. “People annoy me,” she says in that movie, and boy does she mean it. In Stage Door, when Powell tells Jean he wants to put her name in big electric lights, she says, “Gotta be big enough to keep people away.” La Cava is the director who understood Rogers the most, discerning something anti-social and solitary behind her sunny audience-pleasing looks and manner. In Primrose Path, he cast her as a teenager who breaks away from her family before she joins their prostitution racket, and her work in that movie is stark, clean, unsentimental.

Rogers won an Oscar for Kitty Foyle (1940), and many have dated her decline from that point, even if she is modestly touching in what is a modest working girl soap opera. She was close to unbearable in Tom, Dick and Harry (1941), where director Garson Kanin seems to dote on every moment of her self-indulgent performance as a dumb and narcissistic telephone operator who must choose between three suitors. Something about playing dumb here makes Rogers’s style seem laborious and throws her timing all out of whack, yet the following year, in Roxie Hart (1942), she certainly gets her laughs with her broad playing of a very dumb murderess who lives for publicity and likes to do the Black Bottom for reporters. In her segment in Tales of Manhattan (1942), you want to say to her, “OK, you can have all that hair on the top of your head or you can have all that hair fanning over your back, but you can’t have both, Ginger.”

Leo McCarey’s Once Upon a Honeymoon (1942) did her no favors, but most writers agree that the real coup de grâce in her career was Lady in the Dark (1944), a Technicolor movie of the psychoanalytical stage musical that had starred Gertrude Lawrence. Rogers insisted on playing it, and she was at loggerheads with director Mitchell Leisen and Paramount studio chief Buddy DeSylva, who vengefully cut most of the Kurt Weill songs from the film. All in all, the mercifully little-seen Lady in the Dark looks now almost as if it had been made in a spirit of deliberate sabotage. It is has to be the most nastily misogynist of any major studio production of this time, constantly hammering home the idea that Rogers’s Liza Elliott is an unnatural woman unhealthily attached to her work, and her leading man Ray Milland warrants particular scorn here for the gleefulness he brings to the scenes where he humiliates Rogers’s character. In the one extended musical number Rogers has, “The Saga of Jenny,” she doesn’t seem to have been given any choreography or direction and she can barely move in the outfit Leisen designed for her. “After Lady in the Dark there was nothing left of the Rogers character,” wrote Croce. “She died on the analyst’s couch.”

Rogers’s career proceeded only through sheer determination on her part (and on Lela’s part). She floundered in an updated remake of Grand Hotel (1932) called Week-end at the Waldorf (1945), and the next twenty years of her career were a real trial for her fans from the 1930s. Howard Hawks’s Monkey Business (1952) was supposed to be about scientist Cary Grant reverting to childhood when he drinks an elixir of youth, but Rogers insisted that she “wanted to do the kid thing too,” and so she ripped into scene after scene of coarse-grained youthful impersonation, the wise child of her early ‘30s character bearing rotten and poisonously un-watchable fruit. Cast as a hardened gangster’s moll in Phil Karlson’s Tight Spot (1955), Rogers is so heavy-handed and slow and cutesey with her dialogue that the effect is ghastly. If I were to make a simple diagnosis of her problems in the last half of her film career, I’d say that she caught a bad case of George Stevens-itis and never got over it (she had an affair with the married director during Vivacious Lady, which had Lela up in arms).

When she worked with a fine and sensitive director, as she did with Frank Borzage for Magnificent Doll (1946) and with Edmund Goulding for Teenage Rebel (1956), Rogers was still capable of restrained and acceptable if somewhat colorless work. But hateful things kept happening to her. In something like Storm Warning (1951), where she does battle with the Ku Klux Klan while also doing a transposed version of A Streetcar Named Desire, it seemed as if someone behind the scenes wanted to see Rogers punished. When Steve Cochran attacks her in Storm Warning, the scene is so prolonged that finally it is Rogers being humiliated and hurt, not the character she is playing.

Rogers went through five husbands, including the pacifistic and beautiful Lew Ayres, and most of them lasted for a couple of years, but Lela was her real partner for life. The last husband, William Marshall, got her to play a madam in a dire film shot in Jamaica, variously known as The Confession and Quick, Let’s Get Married (1964), and after that low point she made only Harlow (1965), where she was intriguingly cast as Jean Harlow’s mother, before retaining her star status in long-running stage stints in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway and Mame in London. After that came a little TV and nightclub work, where she ended most of her songs with a corny wink to the audience. A Christian Scientist like her beloved or at least inescapable mother, Rogers refused medical treatment after having a stroke, and she was ill for several years before dying in 1995.

The last forty-five or so years of Rogers’s long career basically ran on fumes of good will from her first twelve years in movies, and particularly those Fred Astaire musicals that she preferred to forget. Like many actors, Rogers had no real center or base that was really her, and this lack of center meant that she was able to in effect be something she wasn’t with Astaire, and transcendently so, but it also meant that bad habits and instincts were ready to rush in and overwhelm her when her guard was down.

“May I rescue you?” Astaire asks her in Top Hat, to which she snaps, “No, I prefer being in distress.” The Astaire/Rogers films are so romantic because part of her resistance is that she is suspicious of romance, and maybe she doesn’t believe in it at all. That lack of belief was what made her so sexy beyond her God-given but worked-on perfect figure (“Women weren’t born with silk stockings on, you know,” she says in Follow the Fleet). Look at how cool and unreachable she is when Fred is singing his heart out to her during “Never Gonna Dance” in Swing Time. She preached that God is Love and soda fountains were forever, but in her best work with Astaire and in Stage Door, she let darker and more movingly yearning things cloud her almost cartoonishly pretty brow, and those things are what should define her and what should be remembered.

by Dan Callahan

#Dan Callahan #The Chiseler #Ginger Rogers

6 notes · View notes

summercreolefanfictioner · 2 years

Note

How did they meet? What is their love language? For me and Maya. Bye

Well, there's already a post about their first meeting so we'll get on the love language

the female off-duty experience || aleksi x maya love language headcanons

okay I'm gonna be honest

while aleksi and maya worked really well together during missions and such

they actually didn't bond at first???

bcos it dawned on aleksi that maya is the type of person that separates work and personal life altogether

like she doesn't hang out with ppl she work with before or after missions

and since maya is actually the nicest sakamaki out there (let's be real, she's not but it's okay rather than being with the six bros)

aleksi actually took the time to get to know her

and after a few months?? aleksi deduced that their love language to each other was shopping and going on a long-week vacation

no srsly it is

they might even bring cyra (@mariicake) along

most of the time they're just throwing a mini party at a yacht (courtesy of aleksi) and they serve milk chocolate drink on maya's wine glass cause vampire doll pukes at the taste and smell of alcohol

so aleksi and cyra gets drunk on champagne and maya is happily drinking her milk chocolate

yay 🥺😍🥰

maya actually helps cook there (it's actually kind of a routine for her lol)

the three of them actually dance all night long

maya would prob carry these two girls to bed cause they're drunk (istg how did she even manage when she's freaking smaller than them)

sometimes aleksi just sends out a snake familiar and tells maya to go shopping with her like no preamble

actually they started getting along through shopping

like aleksi needed a set of clothes for her next disguise and she told maya to join her so their outfits would be coordinated

ya know maya is friggin' rich but bcos she doesn't often go to the luxury parts of the mall (eg. chanel, louis vitton, dior, balenciaga, gucci), she's all sparkly-eyed and like "woooooow"

aleksi actually took pics of her cute surprised face

fun fact: aleksi was the one who helped maya with her makeup kit

but it was just a minimalist makeup kit cause maya's still going to school and excessive makeup is not allowed (pls guys this is japan we're talking abt)

and another love language they share is when aleksi gives an advice when maya got bullied in school one time

like kanato had a discreet group of fans (like why) and they decided to target maya during PE

so when aleksi found out abt it, she taught her how to play volleyball

uhh tbh there was this one girl who really aimed her spike at maya and vampire doll just ran out of the court line, making the ball hit the bully standing behind her lol

the downside of aleksi's relationship with maya is that she can't take her anywhere like nightclubs or something similar cause maya doesn't drink

and she looks like maya's mother

imagine aleksi asking herself mentally if she really looks old or being with maya just makes her look like an old woman

"but I still look young so I am not surely that old"

she says it in her head lol

12 notes · View notes

afterspark-podcast · 3 years

Text

My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise, Part 1 Transcript

[This can also be found on AO3!]

[Stinger]

O: So I'm like, “No, I'm just fine with pretending this never happened, honestly.”

[Intro Music]

O: Welcome to our April Fool’s Special!

S: The Transformers/My Little Pony: Friendship in Disguise crossover.

O: Specifically, issues 1 and 2 here. An episode covering issues 3 and 4 will be released in a few weeks. Um, so obviously our podcast doesn't normally talk about ponies.

S: For all that it too was a popular Hasbro franchise in the 80’s- I mean, still is.

O: Yes. I will attempt to give a short blip about My Little Pony characters that show up, but we're gonna kind of assume that you know the mane six. Which is Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. Ah, Specs has seen some of the My Little Pony episodes, whereas I have seen... all of it at this point. Um, so I'm reasonably familiar with most of the characters. And uh, for the record, Twilight Sparkle is my favorite, but that's because she's basically me. [laughs]

S: This was a crossover comic that was released in 2020 (for your information).

O: Uh, most of the Transformers characters in here are part of kind of the regular G1 cast that you're all probably used to seeing in various things. Most of them we've talked about. There's a few we haven't um, because they just haven't popped up in the series yet. [Like Arcee.] The exceptions being Gauge who's from IDW2, and Windblade who's from IDW1, Cyberverse, and several other things.

S: Mm-hm. They did some fun things with the fonts and some of the other visuals in this.

O: Such as using the Transformers font for ‘Equestria’ and the My Little Pony font for ‘Cybertron’.

S: Mm-hm. And the character’s speech bubbles use the fonts from their respective series.

O: Some of the issues are done by who I think is the current artist for the My Little Pony comic series. While the rest are done by Transformers comic artists- like, plural, several of them.

S: And with that we begin.

O: Part 1: Transformation Is Magic!

S: In Equestria, a pony by the name of Quibble Pants is standing in front of a newsstand complaining about some very applicable meta issues.

O: Quibble's a side character. His whole shtick is that he picks apart plot and whatnot.

S: He's a bit of a nitpicker.

O: The newsstand pony tells Quibble (and by extension us) that this is all for fun. So don't worry too much about continuity here, guys.

S: Mm-hm, a loud clap of thunder transitions us to a nearby mountaintop where Queen Chrysalis is up to nefarious plots

O: She [Chrysalis] is villain. She is the queen of the changelings. She can transform into different creatures, basically, or different ponies. I think, judging by some of the background characters in some scenes later, that this is after she's lost control of most of the other changelings? Though she does have a small group working with her here.

S: She plans to bring forth other changelings from other worlds to take over Equestria.

O: I'm sure you can see where- where this is going. [laughs]

S: Mm-hm, and now, on cybertron.

O: The Autobots and Decepticons are fighting, shocker.

S: The Decepticons are clearly trying to take control of a malfunctioning space bridge.

O: A space bridge that Shockwave is convinced is breaching other dimensions.

S: Suddenly, all of the Autobots and Decepticons are zapped away through a portal.

O: Leaving only poor Grimlock to smash into view a few seconds later... thinking they have all ditched him.

S: Poor Grimlock.

O: Poor Grimlock. [laughs]

S: Back in Equestria, Twilight shows up with several royal guards to stop Chrysalis but it's too late and a portal opens, sending the Cybertronians zooming past through the air.

O: Twilight is horrified to see that Chrysalis has summoned living things that are about to go ‘splat’ onto the ground, or more likely ‘crunch’! [laughs]

S: Or possibly clank, if someone slows them down-

O: [laughs]

S: But I mean, who knows? Twilight speeds off to try and save the newly arrived Cybertronians. While Chrysalis stays behind to acquaint herself with Megatron.

O: Bee is both surprised and resigned to see himself falling to a colorful death.

S: But Optimus grabs Bee's hand, and intends to break his fall with his own body.

O: Optimus, are you okay? Do you need to talk? I feel like you need to talk. We need- we need to get you into therapy, dude.

S: It's all the self-sacrificing, but yes.

O: [laughs]

S: Yes, he needs some therapy. The two are saved by Twilight’s a very timely arrival and magical powers.

O: The Cybertronians are just as surprised by the ponies, as the ponies are of them.

S: Bee attempts to blend in by transforming into vehicle mode, to Twilight's consternation. But Twilight says that doesn't really help him blend in, but it's okay if they're different!

O: She comments on their ‘shape-shifting magic’ and that Chrysalis will be disappointed that they're friendly.

S: To which Optimus says... unfortunately, they are not all friendly.

O: And then we are given the most amazing image. [laughs]

S: Queen Chrysalis, as happy as a kid in a candy store, on top of a tank, aka Megatron.

O: Seriously, it's one of the best images in the comic. [dissolves into laughter] And one that was shared I think, pretty frequently after the comic came out? So it's very funny.

S: Mm-hm.

O: And we begin part 2 of issue 1: Shine Like A Diamond.

S: Rarity and her staff at her Manehattan boutique have been volun-told to get Starscream all dolled up for his coronation.

O: You know, the outfit he's in in the G1 movie, the purple cape and the crown get up.

S: Rarity attempts to calm him down, because he is being a snippy asshole during all of this.

O: Yes, with vague, implied threats throughout.

S: Mm-hm, so Rarity says, “Happy, healthy subjects show just how good their king is, don't they?”

O: A car is heard in the distance, much to Starscream's surprise, as he didn't think the ponies had cars. Which, he is correct!

S: Mm-hm, Arcee barrels into him with a flying kick.

O: And Starscream retreats.

S: Leaving Arcee and Rarity to introduce themselves.

O: They seem to become fast friends as Rarity thanks Arcee, and Arcee tries to help clean up the mess Starscream has made.

S: Unfortunately, Starscream returns with the rest of his trine in tow.

O: Arcee intends to fight them alone, but Rarity generates a magic shield to help protect Arcee while she fires on the jets.

S: Thundercracker takes a direct hit, while Starscream and Skywarp are herded closer together by Arcee's fire.

O: Once they're close enough, Rarity uses her magic to wrap the fabric from Starscream's cape, that she was helping make earlier, around the two of them.

S: Skywarp says, “This is stupid! I'm out,” and teleports away.

O: Leaving Starscream to nosedive to the ground with a boom.

S: Arcee compliments an exhausted Rarity on her help.

O: While they both agree they would do anything for their friends, and for each other! Now, you may notice that none of the My Little Pony characters have been shown in the Transformers universe, but that is about to change.

S: In issue 2, part 1: Inspiring.

O: It would seem that Twilight's assistant, Spike (the dragon) is wandering around the Ark writing a letter to Twilight.

S: Of course, with Grimlock being the only one left behind, he's presumably found Spike and brought him to the Ark.

O: Spike is of course very enamored with the big old Dinobot.

S: And Grimlock seems to like Spike quite a bit too. Even holding him in his open palm while they get an alert from Teletraan about an attack.

O: Said attack, by way of the Constructicons, who have come to destroy the Ark while everyone else is away.

S: Grimlock transforms into dino mode and meets them.

O: Grimlock makes the mistake of saying, “Puny Decepticons, even together you no match for Grimlock!”

S: To which, they respond by forming Devastator, and stomping the absolute crap out of him. “Grimlock and Grimlock's big mouth.”

O: Spike shouts words of encouragement to Grimlock, but quickly sees that the Dinobot is losing.

S: So he thinks, looks at the Ark, comes to a realization, and then runs inside to make his realization happen.

O: Inside, Spike flips through two large books. ‘Modern Cybertronian For Everyday Conversations’ and ‘Teletraan I For Dummies’.

S: He then climbs onto Teletraan’s console and starts the main engine cycle countdown.

O: Spike yells at Grimlock to get down.

S: Which is, you know, not that hard as Devastator is still stomping on him.

O: Devastator is then blasted by the bit of the Ark that's still sticking out of the ground, causing Devastator to fall to pieces.

S: The Constructicons flee, and Spike checks on Grimlock. Spike still feels pretty down about himself, because all he did was press some buttons. But Grimlock says Spike did even more than he did.

O: “Spike learned new language, and operations system in short time! Spike think of using busted engine as canon! Spike use pronouns!”

S: Grimlock tells Spike that Spike inspires him, and that he's full of potential.

O: Spike collapses into a happy little puddle of dragon that Grimlock called him, “Inspiring.” Their friendship is so cute! [laughs]

S: And now it's time for part 2 of issue 2: They Eat Ponies, Don't They?

O: We are brought onto the stage of a cooking show, “Prepping With Pinkie,” hosted by Pinkie Pie.

S: And a special guest, Gauge!

O: And all I can think is- Arcee she still one of her parents in this continuity? Is Arcee worried about her child!? [laugh]

S: And in the spirit of cultural exchange, Pinkie and Gauge will be sharing some of their favorite recipes in today's program. I never thought about giant robots having recipes before this, and I didn't want to think about it.

O: [laughs] Pinkie is, of course, making cupcakes. While Gauge has brought iron filing casserole.

S: Poor Pinkie and ah, several audience members are questioning their decision based on their facial expressions.

O: Pinkie goes to start her cupcakes, but suddenly everything starts shaking.

S: [singing] Dun, dun, dunnnn!

O: [snorts]

S: A space bridge appears with Shockwave stepping out of it.

O: He has, by his own admission, come to ‘spice things up.’

S: Ah, time for some puns. Unfortunately, his recipes require a bit more audience participation.

O: Shockwave’s apparently come to discover how much pony it takes to fuel one Decepticon.

S: [sighs]

O: [laughs]

S: He transforms his hands into a grater and a whisk, respectively.

O: Pinkie and Gauge evade him, causing him to demand that they stay still so he can finish his experiments.

S: Oh god, by attempting to whisk them!?

O: [laughs] I know, I know! I'm not saying it's sane!

S: I know, I mean, I read it too.

O: [laughs]

S: It’s just, now I have vivid mental images of this being attempted and everyone being very…

O: Confused? [laughs]

S: Yes. Gauge whacks him in the head with a cookie sheet, completely bending it out of shape, and tries to get Pinkie to flee.

O: Pinkie refuses, but in the background the show's audience is running through the exit door- at least part of their audience is running through the exit- exit door.

S: Mm-hm. Shockwave transforms his hands again, this time to a spork and spatula. Sporking them to death is not gonna work, dude!

O: Tell him that! [laughs]

S: Mm-hm, again, with the mental images. Gauge rips off the spork and spatula, sending Shockwave falling backwards, where Pinkie trips him.

O: Pinkie and Gauge grab some frying pans and bean Shockwave's face in between them.

S: Shockwave, thoroughly beaten by a small Cybertronian child and a pony, is kicked back into the space bridge and disappears.

O: The remaining audience claps.

S: And 47 minutes later, the duo tries the other's culinary... contributions.

O: Pinkie declares it as success, though her face implies she didn't enjoy the iron filing casserole.

S: In the background, Gauge is clearly trying to politely spit out the cupcake in a towel. [laughs]

O: And that ends issue 2. So, join us next time for issues 3 and 4 where we will finish this mini-series.

S: And that just about wraps it up for us today. Remember to check us out on Tumblr or Pillowfort as Afterspark-Podcast for any additional information, show notes, or links we may have mentioned. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter at AftersparkPod (all one word), and various other locations by searching for Afterspark Podcast, such as AO3, iTunes, Spotify, and Youtube, just to name a few. And feel free to send us questions on Tumblr, Youtube, or AO3. Till next time, I’m Specs.

O: And I’m Owls!

S: Toodles.

[Outro Music Plays]

#transcript #afterspark #afterspark podcast #friendship in disguise 1 #friendship in disguise 2

4 notes · View notes