#by we i mean me and the wiki

[bereft-of-frogs]

I am so full of pride when I look at my final word count, just squeaking over 70k, which is great because I've always wanted to write longer fics and felt like I'd gotten stuck with shorter, the 20-40k range, I finally feel like I have the patience, discipline, and skill to focus on the more novel-like works I've always had in my head--

this lasts until I start tabbing through comments I've left myself like [ come up with something clever here ] / [ need a punny name for this thing ] and then I think....ah. fuck.

[infernal-scales]

the beginning of the end to your sanity starter :) || @fellandfeathers

WHEN IN ROME do as the Romans do, and Crowley has discovered Romans do a lot of fucking. End of story.

Nudity and sex weren’t really anything looked down upon yet in most civilizations. Well, if you overlook the instances of Sodom and Gomorrah, or any other time humanity has been far too indulgent in their “sinful ways” that called for their untimely destruction.

There was a carefree attitude for all things pleasurable with the Romans, though, that Crowley quite liked, and with a flourishing nation came a want for indulgence within all its people.

It was A BREEDING GROUND for on-the-job demons, of course.

The knowledge that Aziraphale was stationed in the city alongside him put a damper on his mood. DON’T GET HIM WRONG: seeing that familiar face did wonders for his mood usually. However, this would be the first time Crowley was actively working when the angel was nearby. Most of the time, he stumbled upon or sniffed the other out—keeping his reputation clean of actions that would otherwise have Aziraphale turning his nose up at him.

Not this time, and it made him itchy, irritable, more so than he already was with the whole Emperor gig.

Speaking of the devil, the public bathhouse is filled with nothing but Caligula’s court, all mingling with each other in a manner of… INDECENT WAYS. Crowley’s mainly kept himself separated from the more involved circles—doing his best to enjoy a goblet of the finest wine in the country—but it’s not long before a curly blonde soldier swims in between his legs.

❝ How can one seem SO ALONE in a room full of people? ❞

Was that suppose to be romantic? Rude, but okay.

Crowley smirks instead of letting a biting remark fly, aware of the eyes on him from the powerful parties nearby. A hand cups the man’s jaw, forcing his neck to crane up.

❝ NOT ALONE NOW, am I? ❞

The blonde beams at him, but it lacks the radiance and dimples that never fail to warm him.

[fisheito]

@idololivine replied to your post “@misty-the-mysterious !!!!!!!!!!! what an...”:

ok now I need to know what you think of Sacabambaspis as another potential form

​oh no!! i don't think i was built to evolve this fast!!!!

[ssruis]

A good sekai can’t be made alone.

The wonderland sekai was obviously manifested by Tsukasa alone, there’s no arguing against that. However I think a lot of people understate the connection the rest of WxS has on it - whether it’s due to Tsukasa’s strong bonds with emu/nene/rui or them actually influencing the sekai, they do have an impact on it. After all:

Rui: (For Tsukasa-kun, his friends’ happiness is his own happiness.)

(Pandemonium - TL Tsukasa’s #3 fan)

Additionally, the first time Tsukasa experiences anything to do with the sekai (that we know of), Miku appears to already know of emu/nene/rui despite Tsukasa having never met any of them before.

KAITO: Also, if you ever find this SEKAI somewhat nostalgic, please...hold on to those feelings.

Tsukasa: Nostalgic? Why would I find it nostalgic?

Miku: Come with everyone else next time, Tsukasa! Let's all sing and dance in a show together☆

Miku: I'm sure everyone else has the same feelings as you too!

(WxS Main story - Opening)

Rui:

Rui’s impact is probably the easiest to see, given that the wonderlands sekai has to spoonfeed him his own emotions in the form of an easily digestible conflict one of the plushies is experiencing.

There’s the disagreement between the kitty and doggie plushie in Wonder Halloween:

Len: I organized a show for the plushies, but they all started fighting again!

Doggie Plushie: I want to make the show better! Why aren’t you letting me?!

Kitty Plushie: But you’ll get hurt if you do something like that!

(Wonder Halloween)

Kitty Plushie: I want to be friends, but I'm worried that I'll say something weird and end up being an outcast... That would hurt me more than being alone...

Kitty Plushie: That's why I...I just can't bring myself to speak my mind...

KAITO: Ah… you’re afraid of being alone.

KAITO: But you shouldn’t worry, because you already have a friend right here, don’t you?

Kitty Plushie: I do?

Doggie Plushie: …

KAITO: Doggie's always trying to get you to speak up because it wants to know what's on your mind. This means that doggie is concerned about you.

KAITO: That also means that it wants to get to know you better, don't you agree?

(Wonder Halloween)

The fact that Tsukasa had no idea why Rui was holding back in Wonder Halloween but the concerns of the kitty plushie mirror emotions Rui himself wasn’t even aware he was feeling is probably the strongest case for “yes wxs themselves impact the sekai as opposed to it being a result of their impact on Tsukasa and his feelings about it. KAITO even mentions this connection:

KAITO: Yes. At the time, I felt like Rui’s solitude was somewhat connected to the kitty plushie.

KAITO: That’s why I wanted kitty to realize that it had a friend who was concerned about it.

(Kaito’s Wonder Halloween 4*)

The situation with the birdie plushie could have just been a coincidence, given that its struggles aren’t too similar to Rui’s, but I think that with the context of Wonder Halloween you could make the case that it’s another instance of Rui influencing the sekai.

Birdie Plushie: But I can do it!

Birdie Plushie: I don’t care if no one else can! I’ll do it by myself!

[…]

Rui: As much as they want to do a show, no one else is willing to participate…

Rui: That sounds like the old me. I wish I could help out somehow…

(Curtain Call)

On the surface that doesn’t seem to have much to do with Rui + the Arkland offer, however:

Birdie Plushie: *Sob* If only someone would help me...

Miku: Bird…

Birdie Plushie: No! Now's not the time for that!!

Miku: …!

Birdie Plushie: I said I'm gonna do this show! And only I can do it because it's too dangerous for the others!

Birdie Plushie: I have to do it! I have to show everyone just how much fun it is to fly!

Birdie Plushie: It's so sad that only I know what it's like to fly. So, I'm gonna show everyone how great it is!

Birdie Plushie: I wanna show them how great it feels to rip through the air! I wanna tell them about how fun it is when you become so light as you fly really high into the air!

(Miku’s Curtain Call 2*)

I think there’s probably some parallels that can be drawn between the birdie plushie’s mindset and Rui’s mindset as a kid in RMD and the mindset he probably carried with him when he began doing solo shows.

Little Rui: Everyone, what’s the matter?

Classmate A: Rui, doing such dangerous things all of a sudden is really strange, you know…

Little Rui: Eh?

Classmate B: That’s right! We can’t do those kind of things!

Little Rui: B-but…!

[flashback]

Nene’s Mom: H…hold on, what are the two of you doing!? You’re dripping wet!

Rui’s Mom: Just when I was wondering what you wanted to do with a vinyl pool… Hey, Rui! Don’t put Nene in danger!

[end flashback]

Little Rui: (Certainly, it might be dangerous, but…!)

[flashback]

Little Nene: It’s fine! I want to do it!

Little Nene: I’m the little mermaid, so in order to meet the prince, I have to swim!

[end flashback]

Little Rui: (The scene I came up with that time, it really improved because of that… and Nene was super pleased too!)

Little Rui: (Together, with everyone, just like that—)

Classmate A: Rui, why do you want to do something that dangerous?

Little Rui: — I want to create an interesting show!

Little Rui: If we made an interesting show together, I’m sure everyone will—!

Classmate A: I can’t do that just because it looks interesting!

(RMD - TL Arvon Oven)

Regardless of how connected the birdie plushie’s issues and Rui’s issues in Curtain Call are, the birdie plushie’s situation still leads to him having a realization:

Birdie Plushie: And… it was kinda lonely.

Rui: What?

Miku: Yeah, I bet…

Miku: Putting on fun shows is a really wonderful thing…

Miku: But it’s gotta feel so lonely when the people you care about aren’t there with you.

Rui: Oh.

Rui: (That’s it…)

Rui: (Despite already having an answer ready, the reason I’m still dwelling on this is because…)

Rui: (I still want to…)

Rui: (I still want to keep doing shows with them.)

(Curtain Call)

Also, for a lack of anywhere better to put it, Luka is sleepiest when everyone around her is happy:

MEIKO: This is somewhat unrelated, but I think I've figured out when Luka tends to fall asleep...!

KAITO: You have?

MEIKO: I think so. She seems to feel sleepiest when everyone around her is smiling.

MEIKO: When they're having fun or enjoying themselves, she starts falling asleep.

Rui: I see...

MEIKO: The opposite seems to be true as well since she's almost never sleepy when something is bothering someone.

MEIKO: She'll attentively listen to what someone has to say.

(Luka’s doll festival 3*)

And one of the first instances we see that confirms this is when Rui is struggling in the cheer squad event.

Luka: The thing is... I haven't been able to sleep much lately.

Luka: Zzz... See? I just can't seem to fall asleep.

MEIKO: What?! But you've always been able to fall into a deep slumber given ten seconds!

MEIKO: Why didn't you tell me this sooner? Are you okay? Do you not feel well?

Luka: No, I don't think I'm sick or anything.

Luka: However... I've been getting this strange feeling in my chest whenever I try to fall asleep.

MEIKO: A strange feeling...? Hmm... You certainly don't seem sick or unwell…

MEIKO: Is something on your mind by chance?

Luka: On my mind?

Luka: Oh…

[flashback]

Luka: Hmm... Something you want to say, but can't... That's a tricky one...

Luka: But you told us about it, didn't you, Rui...?

Rui: Well…

[End flashback]

MEIKO: I see… You’re worried about Rui.

(Luka’s Cheer Squad 4*)

& then after everything goes well and Rui has a good time:

Luka: <Zzz...♪ Zzz...♪>

MEIKO: <Hey, Luka! Wake up!>

Luka: <Mhm?>

MEIKO: <Don't give me that... We were definitely about to lose you there. What happened to you having trouble falling asleep?>

Luka: <Hehe. But it looks like everyone’s having so much fun.>

[…]

KAITO: <Hehe. You have that look on your face, Rui. I'm looking forward to what you have in store for us during the cheering competition.>

MEIKO: <Hehe. You seem just as happy, Luka.>

Luka: <Yes, that's because...>

Luka: <It looks like Rui found a way to break that spell.>

(Luka’s Cheer Squad 4*)

Off the top of my head, Luka is also the one to speak to Nene when she’s thinking about having to leave WxS behind one day (Mermaid Admiration) and she helps Meiko comfort Rui during his gleaming stars card story - both instances occur at night (prime sleeping hours).

& then of course there’s his chapters in the WxS WLE, which includes a bunch of Zombie Plushies that mirror Rui’s conflicts in Wonder Halloween and RMD.

Zombie Plushies: We can tell you’re just pretending to be friends! Deep down, you’re probably scared and disgusted by us too!

[…]

Zombie Plushies: We’ll never fit in with them anyway…

Rui: …! (Never fit in with them, huh…)

[…]

Rui: When I look at them… I remember how things used to be.

(WxS WLE, Rui’s section - TL Haruka’s penguin)

Rui: I was the same a long time ago... I gave up on fitting in with anyone.

[...]

Rui: If they don't understand me, that just can't be helped, if they disagree with the way I think, that just can't be helped... I would think like that.

Rin: Rui-kun...

Rui: - in reality, I really did want to put on a show with someone else. But people didn't understand the shows I was making. On a subconscious level, I convinced myself it wasn't going to work out and gave up on the idea.

(WxS WLE, Rui’s section - TL Haruka’s penguin)

Nene:

As a disclaimer, emu and nene’s sections will be shorter because they have self awareness wrt their emotions & therefore don’t need the wxs sekai’s help to puzzle things out with plushies. said fondly. there are less examples to pull for them. For no specific reason.

The virtual singers all adore emu/nene/rui and I dislike the implication that they show blatant favoritism to Tsukasa just because he made the sekai (which is a take I’ve seen quite a few times.) Just look at Emu’s relationship with Miku, Nene’s relationship with Rin, or Rui’s relationship with Len.

One of the best examples that proves my point is this conversation between Nene and Miku:

Nene: Okay, well... I've been wondering about this for some time...

Nene: This world was created based on Tsukasa's feelings, right?

Nene: You and KAITO have been inviting us here to see your shows, so that Tsukasa would remember what his true feelings were, I guess...?

Miku: Yup, that’s correct.

Nene: So this is what I don't get...

Nene: Tsukasa's already discovered his true feelings, and I'm just performing in the same troupe as him so...

Nene: Why do you and KAITO care about me at all?

Miku: Hehe, that's simple! It's because we want to see you blossom as an actress!

Nene: Huh… that’s it?

Nene: But you do so much for me and encourage me every time I visit...

Nene: It's not that I'm worried about Tsukasa getting annoyed with me getting so much support from you, but I feel like you're spoiling me with this being his SEKAI and all...

Miku: We’re absolutely not, Nene!

Miku: And besides, you have a connection to SEKAI too!

Miku: Tsukasa's wish of bringing joy to everyone with your shows is also your wish!

Nene: Oh…

Miku: Tsukasa also needs you, Emu and Rui to create the shows he dreams about!

Miku: You can't make great shows alone after all!

Miku: Don't you think so too, Nene? Don't you need your friends to create really special performances?

(Miku’s On This Holy Night I Sing 4*)

Miku specifically points out that the rest of WxS *are* connected to the Wonderlands sekai, not just because of their relationship with Tsukasa, but also because they share the same dreams.

Her chapters in the WxS WLE have a Turtle Plushie that reflects her previous issues with stage fright, so there’s also a case to be made that Nene’s struggles are capable of being reflected in the plushies like Rui’s are:

Turtle plushie B: … That one’s always over there. Even though it’s afraid to get in the water… I guess it can’t seem to give up.

Nene: Can’t seem to give up… What do you mean?

Turtle plushie B: it always used to say “my dream is to carry someone on my back, but —

Turtle plushie B: A while ago, there was a terrible storm, and this river flooded over. After seeing that, it became completely terrified of going in the water.

Luka: Is that right…

Nene: (… It became terrified…)

[…]

Nenerobo: … Is something the matter, Nene?

Nene: Um… I was just thinking about that turtle.

Nene: Somehow, I can understand how it feels…

Nene: When I was too scared to do anything, I also had that feeling of being unable to give up.

(WxS WLE event, Nene’s section - TL haruka’s penguin)

Emu:

Notably, Emu has a lot of similarities to WxS Miku in both personality and speech. There’s also something to be said about the Wonderland’s Sekai being an amusement park - something Emu has always big connection with, but Tsukasa didn’t until he began working at PXL. I think that’s fitting. Emu was present when Tsukasa discovered Untitled on his phone, and she was also the one to actually press play.

In a grander sense, without Emu pulling him for the wonder stage after he flopped in his audition, Tsukasa not only would not have remembered his true feelings but also would not have had the many opportunities to grow closer to achieving his dream he’s had as a part of WxS.

Just like Nene and Rui, some of her issues are reflected in a plushie during the WxS WLE:

Emu: What’s the matter?

Leon: Ah, um… you might laugh at me, but…

Leon: One day… I’d like to fly in the sky with Phoenix.

[…]

Emu: That’s… a suuuuper wonderful dream!

Leon: Eh?

Emu: Flying in the sky with Phoenix… somehow, even listening about it makes me excited too!

Miku: Miku too, Miku too!

Leon: T… thank you very much.

Leon: But… a dream like that, it wouldn’t ever come true, huh

Emu: Eh? Why?

Leon: I mean, Phoenix is rarely seen… and I’m not a soft toy bird, so flying in the sky is impossible.

Leon: And besides — everyone around me tells me I can’t ever accomplish it.

Emu: Ah…

Leon: …Even I myself know that it won’t come true. I’m sorry, please forget everything I just said!

Emu: Leon-kun…

Emu: (…There was a time where I, too, thought “maybe it won’t come true,” huh)

[flashback]

Shousuke: Emu, if you want to look at dreams that much, then look at them yourself. Don’t involve us any further!

[end flashback]

Emu: (My big brothers, too, had said “don’t just keep spouting on about dreams”…)

(WxS WLE, Emu’s section - TL Arvon Oven)

But I think it’s especially interesting that the plushie that parallels her is the same plushie that parallels Tsukasa. Her importance to WxS is inarguable:

Rui: Indeed. If it weren't for you, Emu, none of us would be here today.

(SOAD)

Tsukasa: Emu, listen!

Tsukasa: Your “ability to dream” is an absolutely essential part of Wonderlands×Showtime!

Emu: huh?

Nene: H-He's right...! We've been able to do what we have because you never stop dreaming.

Rui: If anything, we wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for big dreamer, Emu.

Rui: Even when it was all run down, weren't you the one who wanted to bring smiles and laughter back to the Wonder Stage more than anybody else?

Rui: Your dream gave us a place where we could belong.

[…]

Rui: Simply put, Emu, you're the engine that drives us all. You have this remarkable ability to turn reality on its head...

(Popping in My Heart)

So I don’t think it would be a stretch to say she also had a massive impact on the way the Wonderlands Sekai.

Tsukasa*:

*Well. This part is sort of about Tsukasa. More so about his bond with his friends.

I think Tsukasa would be the first to say that Emu, Nene, and Rui are very connected to the Wonderlands sekai. Tsukasa even considers the sekai’s song as WxS’s song, not his own.

Tsukasa: That's why, Kaito, would you let us sing the song [The World Hasn’t Even Started Yet] that was born from our feelings once more?

Rui: Oh? I heard that song and Wonderland SEKAl were born from your feelings, though...

Tsukasa: Well, in truth, it seems to be that way, but...

Tsukasa: Even with the help of Miku, KAITO, and the others, I would not have been able to face SEKAl or remember my true feelings if I had not met all of you.

Tsukasa: That's why I think that song was born from our feelings and not just my own!

(JP sekai anniversary live show)

And it’s true that he wouldn’t have remembered his true feelings without WxS, although KAITO suggests that he was aware of them somewhere deep down.

Nene: This place is made from Tsukasa's feelings, right?

Nene: I would have expected a place like that to have a loud and conspicuous self-proclaimed star who's just like him...

Nene: Everyone here takes part in shows, but nobody tries to claim to be a star the way he does. I wonder why?

Emu: It must be because everyone in this SEKAI is a star♪

Nene: Everyone is a star? How does that work?

Nene: Remember how he was like before? Back then, it felt like he always wanted to be the one to stand out the most.

KAITO: Well... I would say that Emu's thinking is actually quite accurate.

[…]

KAITO: I'm sure that somewhere deep inside, Tsukasa always knew a lone star couldn't shine brightly or do a show by himself.

KAITO: A good show is the product of many people who work hard to fill different roles.

KAITO: Each one of them has to shine in their given positions.

KAITO: A real star can only shine brightly when his companions do the same with a smile. He must have felt that somehow.

(KAITO initial 3*)

Even if he was aware of his true feelings subconsciously, up until he actually remembers the origin of his dream, the only people who are consciously following something aligned with his true feelings are the rest of WxS.

Tsukasa: I only decided to become a star because I wanted to be like the stars there, who made me and Saki so happy.

Tsukasa: But at some point I forgot about all that, and all I cared about was making successful shows and becoming a star...

Tsukasa: How could I have…

[flashbacks]

[Nene through nenerobo]: I hope our audience enjoys the play.

Rui: Well then. Let's work together to put on some unbeatable shows!

Emu: It's my dream to have people come to see a show here at this stage and love it!

[End flashbacks]

Tsukasa: …

Tsukasa: They’re the real stars, not me…

(WxS Main story - the feeling that day)

You know how Tsukasa had to understand Torpe and Rio to recognize parts of himself? The main story is sort of like that, but instead of a character in a play it’s Emu/Nene/Rui, and instead of having a breakthrough that improves his acting it’s Tsukasa recognizing that he was being a huge dick. Anyways.

The sekai’s expansion in the WxS WLE is stated by KAITO to have some relation to Tsukasa’s own feelings:

Tsukasa: For sure. I mean, how is it even possible for such place to even show up here?

KAITO: … Indeed, I can't say for sure myself either.

KAITO: But I think it's somehow connected with Tsukasa-kun's feelings.

[…]

KAITO: That's right. This SEKAI is born from your feelings, right?

KAITO: That's why, if there is a change in those feelings, it's possible for the SEKAl to be influenced and changed as well.

(WxS WLE, Opening - TL Tsukasa’s #3 fan)

And I think it’s pretty clear that this shift in feelings involves the rest of WxS as well, given that

1) Their signature colors are all over the boat

2) Their quest to get to find the Phoenix (to get the map. so they can go to star island.) required WxS to encounter Plushies that were reflections of themselves. He needed the rest of WxS to find the Phoenix, just like he needs the rest of WxS with him to chase his dream.

Rui: I can't help but think there seems be a connection between that island and the show we were a part of.

Luka: That does seem to be the case~ But I wonder what all of that means~...?

KAITO: …This is just my guess, but...

KAITO: It's possible that this ship has made progress on its own journey as well.

KAITO: Just like Tsukasa-kun and everyone, navigating through each island, to steadily make your way towards Star Island.

Tsukasa: This ship...... is just like us?

KAITO: Yes. Perhaps this ship itself is a manifestation of Tsukasa-kun's current feelings and thoughts.

Tsukasa: My feelings…

Tsukasa: (This ship has traveled to numerous islands, forging its path towards the stars..... And surely, its journey will only continue from here on out.)

Tsukasa: (Indeed, it is just like me. I've come this far, and have been non-stop pursuing my dream of becoming a star.)

Tsukasa: (Has my desire to pursue my dream taken the form of a ship....?)

Tsukasa: (No, that's not quite right.... I couldn't have made it this far solely on my own)

Tsukasa: (It was thanks to meeting Emu and everyone, and putting on countless shows together. It's because everyone was by my side that I was able to make it this far)

Tsukasa: (If that’s the case…)

Tsukasa: … That’s it!

Emu: Wassup, Wassup!? Tsukasa-kun, did you figure something out?

Tsukasa: Yeah, this place is probably…

Tsukasa: It is my … "Aim for Stardom, and together with my friends, we will embark on our journey of growth to many places" aspiration.

(WxS WLE, Ending - TL Tsukasa’s #3 fan)

In conclusion:

[hanzajesthanza]

it really does matter so much that fringilla vigo is nilfgaardian, beauclairoise, for many reasons, but let's start here:

her entire role is that of an illusionist; one which she would not be were it not for her family lineage, rooted in beauclair:

There was a corridor in Beauclair Palace, and at the end a chamber, the existence of which no one knew about. (...) The corridor and the chamber, disguised by a powerful illusion, were known only to the palace’s original elven builders. And later–when the elves had gone, and Toussaint became a duchy–to the small number of sorcerers linked to the ducal house. Including Artorius Vigo, a master of magical arcana and great specialist in illusions. And his young niece, Fringilla, who had a special talent for illusions.

and since her talent in illusions is well-defined in the series, as it is her who grants geralt the very silver-mounted chrysoprase amulet which saves his life in the final fight against vilgefortz:

Geralt clenched Fringilla’s medallion in his fist. The bar fell with a clang, striking the floor a foot from the Witcher’s head. Geralt rolled away and quickly got up on one knee. Vilgefortz leaped forward and struck. The bar missed the target again by a few inches. The sorcerer shook his head in disbelief and hesitated for a second. (...) ‘I didn’t know …’ Yennefer said at last, scrambling out of a pile of rubble. She looked terrible. The blood trickling from her nose had poured all over her chin and cleavage. ‘I didn’t know you could cast illusory spells,’ she repeated, seeing Geralt’s uncomprehending gaze, ‘capable even of deceiving Vilgefortz.’ ‘It’s my medallion.’ ‘Aha.’ She looked suspicious. ‘A curious thing...’

that talent is something which cannot, by far, be separated from her character. and returning back to her lineage, it is again her familial relations which place her in beauclair.

she was positioned there, ready to intercept geralt, as early as the autumnal equinox in september, by which time geralt had barely just left the town of riedbrune:

The world over, the autumn Equinox was a night of spectres, nightmares and apparitions, a night of sudden, suffocating awakenings, fraught with menace, among sweat-soaked and rumpled sheets. Neither did the most illustrious escape the apparitions and awakenings; (...) In the huge castle of Montecalvo the sorceress Philippa Eilhart leaped from damask sheets, without waking the Comte de Noailles’ wife. The dwarf Yarpen Zigrin in Mahakam, the old witcher Vesemir in the mountain stronghold of Kaer Morhen, the bank clerk Fabio Sachs in the city of Gors Velen and Yarl Crach an Craite on board the longboat Ringhorn all awoke more or less abruptly. The sorceress Fringilla Vigo came awake in Beauclair Castle*, as did the priestess Sigrdrifa of the temple of the goddess Freyja on the island of Hindarsfjall.

* Slight correction - As explained in Chapter 3 of Lady of the Lake, Beauclair is not a castle, but a palace.

and she's only invited to beauclair in such a capacity because she is a relative of the duchess:

‘I’m in Beauclair because the largest, best-stocked library in the known world is here. Apart from university libraries, naturally. But universities are jealous of giving access to their shelves, and here I’m a relation and good friend of Anarietta and can do as I wish.’

(whom, you may note, she stands by and jointly receives geralt with at their first meeting, and participates in the festival of the vat with)

and therefore, she was in a perfectly strategic position to delay geralt, keep him captive:

‘(...) Please at least tell us … has the Witcher calmed down now? Are you capable of keeping him in Toussaint at least until May?’ (…) ‘No,’ she answered at last. ‘Probably not until May. But I’ll do everything in my power to keep him here as long as possible.’

because fringilla is not just an illusionist literally, as in the magic she is naturally gifted at, but 'illusionist' is her entire identity as a character.

and as her family hails from beauclair, this specific identity is compounded with the fact that beauclair itself is the center of illusions, a dreamland, a fairytale:

‘There’s something bewitched about this place, this fucking Toussaint. Some kind of charm hangs over the whole valley. Especially over the palace (...) no two ways about it, there’s something bewitched about this bloody Toussaint.’

fringilla is an illusionist because she is beauclairoise. she not only hails from a long line of illusionists, but hails from, is related to the ruler of, the very city of illusions and dreams.

she is the illusionist not just in a literal sense, but in the entire narrative role of casting an illusion over our hero, because it is the illusion of love which keeps her and geralt in beauclair. (the tricky trick is that geralt, taking a page out of yennefer's playbook of seduction, cleverness, patience, was able to cast an illusion upon the mistress of illusions herself, free himself from the witch's spell, awake from a pleasant dream to face the harsh reality).

(sighs) and even if you want to forget fringilla's beauclairoise identity and erase her entire positioning as the illusionist which poses a threat to our heroes, entices them to complacency, her role as nilfgaardian in the sense of her academic identity and imperial service also defines her.

because it is also fringilla, the illusionist who casts the wool over people's eyes... who blinded yennefer at sodden hill.

‘We’ve already met,’ Yennefer spoke again. ‘I don’t recall,’ Fringilla said without looking away. ‘I’m not surprised. But I have a good memory for faces and figures. I saw you from Sodden Hill.’ ‘In which case there can be no mistake,’ Fringilla Vigo said and raised her head proudly, sweeping her eyes over all those present. ‘I was at the Battle of Sodden.’ (...) ‘Occasionally one happens to see another person for only a split second, right before going blind, and one takes a dislike to them instantly.’ ‘Oh, enmity is considerably more complicated,’ Fringilla said, squinting. ‘Imagine someone you don’t know at all standing at the top of a hill, and ripping a friend of yours to shreds in front of your eyes. You neither saw them nor know them at all, but you still don’t like them.’ ‘So it goes,’ Yennefer said, shrugging. (...)

fringilla's (proud!) participation at the battle of sodden is a crux of the lodge, because she alongside her good friend, the scholarly assire, they are nilfgaardians who, owing to their nationality, find challenges meshing with the northern sorcereresses. the lodge brought together representatives of magic across nationalities in the midst of a raging, bloody war between them all.

and it's so integral to fringilla's character that she has imperial biases, that she approaches even the international lodge with an imperialist view.

with no factual basis, she initially exotifies and sexualizes the northern sorceresses, despite her own prior denial of these base stereotypes:

Fringilla Vigo was putting on a brave face, but she was anxious and stressed. She herself had often reprimanded young Nilfgaardian mages for uncritically yielding to stereotypical opinions and notions. She herself had regularly ridiculed the crude image painted by gossip and propaganda of the typical sorceress from the North: artificially beautiful, arrogant, vain and spoiled to the limits of perversion, and often beyond them. (...) Her untrammelled imagination offered up images of impossibly gorgeous women with diamond necklaces resting on naked breasts with rouged nipples, women with moist lips and eyes glistening from the effects of alcohol and narcotics. In her mind’s eye Fringilla could already see the gathering becoming a wild and depraved orgy accompanied by frenzied music, aphrodisiacs, and slaves of both sexes using exotic accessories.

she even has a difficult time understanding why the northern sorceresses are upset about the nilfgaardian invasion, believing it to be a boon to their society. only through their discussion does she just barely begin to grasp the meaning of "invasion" and why she wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of it:

Some were clearly anxious about the close proximity of Nilfgaard. Fringilla had mixed feelings. She had assumed that such educated people would understand that the Empire was bringing culture, prosperity, order and political stability to the North. On the other hand, though, she didn’t know how she would have reacted herself, were foreign armies approaching her home.

all of this indoctrination into imperial beliefs, at the same time that she is an educated woman, and herself, as an imperial sorceress, known for being rebellious and an upstart within her own culture:

‘Stop staring,’ Assire said, touching her bouffant and glistening curls. ‘I decided to make a few changes. Why, I just took your lead.’ ‘I was always taken as an oddball and a rebel,’ Fringilla Vigo chuckled. ‘But when they see you in the academy or at court…’

this is such a chaotic rambling post, but all i want to say is that fringilla's character, like most of the minor characters in the witcher series, was not invented through random generation, a roll of the dice, a spin of the wheel. her specific traits - such as her nationality, lineage, talents - all relate back thematically. everything is relevant, specifically chosen to create a specific character.

if once changes her backstory (e.g., to place her at aretuza... though i don't know who would do such a thing for no reason) they would change her entire character, the series' commentary on imperialism, and because of her role she takes later on, even the entire ending of the story.

[youngyoo-apologist]

Background information:

Choi Han’s mother: Shin Haneul

Choi Han’s father: Choi Sujin

Some scrapped scenes with the Choi family that I couldn’t include in the main fic(at least not yet)

She remembered the day a bundle of joy was placed into her arms very well. Despite Shin Haneul’s awful memory, she could never forget her little boy,

.

.

.

Choi Sujin sat outside the hospital room, shaking his leg out of nervousness.

“Hyung, don’t worry so much, Haneul-noona will be fine.”

Choi Sujin turned to look at his little brother, who had come straight to the hospital after studying to meet his nephew. Choi Jung-gun was way than himself, but he was much more composed at this moment than Choi Sujin was.

“I-I’m not nervous, Jung-gun!”

Choi Jung-gun looked at his brother with a blank, clearly unimpressed expression. It seemed like Choi Jung-gun had taken it upon himself to be more responsible than normal today.

Normally, it would be Jung-gun getting anxious, but looking at his older brother who was nervously waiting to hear the news about his wife and son made him feel like for one day he needed to be the calm one.

He reached into his pocket, and tapped his brother’s shoulder. “Hyung, do you want candy?”

“Yeah, thanks.” Choi Sujin took the candy from his brother, and opened the package. It was a coffee flavored candy, one that Jung-gun didn’t like, but he knew their mom did.

Today was Choi Jung-gun’s birthday, and it would also become this kid’s birthday as well. Choi Jung-gun didn’t mind sharing, especially if it was with his nephew.

He was an uncle at twelve years old, that wasn’t something that happened everyday! If anything, his nephew being born today felt a little bit like a gift for himself too, as much as it was a gift for his brother, Shin Haneul, and the baby.

The two brothers sat outside the hospital room. At Shin Haneul’s request, it would only be them, her parents, and their parents to see the baby when he was born. The hospital staff had said that it was ideal for the health of both the baby, and the mother as well.

“Sir, everything went alright.” The nurse stepped out of the hospital room, and Choi Sujin stood up fast enough that he would have stumbled if not for Jung-gun’s hand on his arm to catch him. “…I understand you wish to see your wife and child, but please be careful to not injure yourself.”

“Yeah, Hyung. You need to calm yourself down, don’t trouble Haneul-noona.” Choi Jung-gun let go of his brother, who nodded and sighed.

“Thank you, nurse. Is it alright if my brother and I go in to see my wife or do we have to wait longer?”

“No, now would be the perfect time to see her. We’ve already done everything needed for now.”

At the nurse’s words, Choi Sujin’s face lit up and he went inside the hospital room with Choi Jung-gun following behind him.

.

.

.

“Haneul-noona, are you okay?”

Shin Haneul’s smiled wide, and ruffled Choi Jung-gun’s hair. “Better than ever, lil’ bro!”

Currently, the baby who had yet to be named was being held in his father’s arms. The father in question would have been crying louder than a baby ever would if not for the fact that it would startle the child.

“Haneul… he’s so cute….he looks just like you!” Choi Sujin said, voice shaking with emotion.

Choi Jung-gun looked over his brother’s shoulders and frowned slightly. Now, he wasn’t going to be mean to a baby. This baby had just been born and he was his nephew, but new born babies were a little….ugly.

“He’s going to look even more like you when he grows up.” Choi Jung-gun smiled as he said this, instead of voicing his inner thoughts. It was clear that Shin Haneul already knew what he was thinking based on the amused expression on her face.

“It’s okay, Jung-gun, he just looks funny cause he's like one hour old.” Shin Haneul said, and Choi Jung-gun angled away his face so she could not see his embarrassed expression.

“Have you picked a name yet, Haneul?” Choi Sujin asked, handing the baby back to his wife, who nodded.

“Yeah, I was thinking of Han.”

“Han?” Choi Sujin looked at Choi Jung-gun who nodded in agreement,

“”It’s perfect.””

Shin Haneul smiled, and looked down at the baby in her arms, who from this day forward, would be named Choi Han.

“What do you think, Han? Do you like it?”

As if responding to her words, Choi Han began to cry and Haneul laughed. He had just been born and yet he was so lively.

That was good, because Shin Haneul wanted nothing more than for her son to live well.

.

.

.

“Han, can you say uncle?” Choi Jung-gun sat in front of Choi Han, who blatantly ignored him in favor of swinging his toy sword at the toy monsters in front of him. “Hannnn, please! I’ll buy you candy forever if you say uncle.”

Shin Haneul watched her brother in law try and coax the ten month old Choi Han into saying ‘uncle’ as his first word. Of course, she wouldn’t let that happen so easily.

“Han, it’s me, mom!” Shin Haneul picked Choi Han up, and placed her on her lap. “Mom.”

She pointed at herself.

“Mom’s brother in law.”

She pointed at Choi Jung-gun, who grumbled. “Not fair, noona!”

Shin Haneul stuck her tongue out at the boy, who did the same in return. At their childish actions, Choi Sujin could only sigh.

“C’mon you two, don’t argue in front of the baby.”

“He’s not even sentient yet!” Choi Jung-gun argued back, which made Choi Sujin poke his cheek.

“So what? What if you guys subconsciously influence him to be as ridiculous as you both are.”

“Wow, is that any way to speak to your dear, kind, beautiful, lovely, amazing, strong, incredibly intelligent, cunning, fantastic, wife?” Shin Haneul looked down at Choi Han, “Han, can you believe this! Yell at your father for me, he deserves it.”

Logically, there was no way Choi Han completely understood her, but he looked at his father with his big, round innocent baby eyes, and seemed to glare at him. Babbling baby like nonsense while waving his fist in Choi Sujin’s direction.

Choi Sujin put a hand to his heart, and pretended to fall to the floor like he had been struck by a sword. “My son, you’re so cruel!”

Choi Han, the mischievous little boy, laughed at him alongside his equally mischievous mother.

Shin Haneul pointed at Choi Sujin, “Han, you see this man? This man is mom’s husband.”

“Don’t sabotage us, Haneul! C’mon, Han. Can’t you call me dad? Please!” Choi Sujin crawled over so he was in front of Choi Han, but the baby looked at him with expressionless eyes.

“Bleh.” Choi Han stuck his tongue out, and both Shin Haneul and Choi Jung-gun began to cackle.

.

.

.

“Uncle.”

Choi Jung-gun paused, and looked away from his homework. For the time being, Shin Haneul and Choi Sujin had left Choi Han with him to take care of while they made a quick grocery run.

“Han, can you say that again, please?” Choi Jung-gun pointed at himself, “Who am I?”

Choi Han puffed his cheeks, and with a slightly frustrated tone he exclaimed, “Uncle! Un-cle. Uncle.”

He repeated the word over and over, like he was getting used to the ability of speech. The more Choi Han spoke, the wider Choi Jung-gun’s smile became.

Gently, he scooped Choi Han up and placed him in his lap. “Yeah! I’m your uncle.”

This was Choi Han’s first word. Choi Jung-gun had never actually thought samchon would be his first word. Sure, he did want it to be the case, but he’d be happy no matter what Choi Han’s first word was.

Although, Choi Jung-gun couldn’t help but think of his Shin Haneul, and his older brother who had really wanted mom or dad to be his first word.

“Hm… Han, you love your mom and dad a lot, right?”

Choi Han nodded slowly, and looked at Choi Jung-gun with curious eyes.

“Let’s keep this a secret from your mom and dad, kay’? Next time you see your mom, try and say ‘mom’ instead.”

Choi Jung-gun wasn’t sure if Choi Han would listen to him, but with how much attention he was paying to Choi Jung-gun’s words he figured it was worth a shot.

“Mo-m.” Choi Han sounded out, and Choi Jung-gun nodded.

“That’s it, Han! If you say that, your mom and dad will smile real wide.” Choi Jung-gun pat Choi Han’s head, and carried him in his arms as he walked downstairs. Shin Haneul and Choi Sujin should be home by now.

As expected, Shin Haneul and Choi Sujin stood in the kitchen with the grocery bags on the table.

“Ah, there’s my sweet baby and silly little brother!” Shin Haneul exclaimed, whisking Choi Han away from Choi Jung-gun’s arms and pointing at the grocery bags. “I got some chocolate for you, Jung-gun. Don’t tell your father.”

Choi Jung-gun cheered and threw his arms up in the air, digging into the grocery bag enthusiastically until he found the chocolate,

Choi Sujin smiled, and went to the stove to make the pancakes he had promised the family earlier today.

“Han, did you miss mom and dad while we were away?” Shin Haneul kissed the top of Choi Han’s head, who giggled. “I’m sure you were good for your uncle.”

“Mom!”

Choi Sujin almost dropped the pan he held in his hands, and Choi Jung-gun gaped at Choi Han in shock. Man, maybe it was just Choi Han, but babies were straight to the point!

“Han! D-did you say mom? Is this your first word?!” Shin Haneul looked around, as if there was anyone else who would be called mom by Choi Han.

Choi Jung-gun walked over to the stove to cook the pancakes Choi Sujin had been making, but abandoned it in favor of running over to his son and wife.

While Choi Sujin and Shin Haneul fussed over Choi Han, Choi Jung-gun gave Choi Han a very discreet thumbs up when the baby was staring at him with his wide black eyes.

Sometimes, when Choi Jung-gun looked into his nephew’s eyes, it felt like there was a whole universe of stars growing inside of them.

.

.

.

Shin Haneul sat up in her bed, looking around the room as to where the sound of crying could be coming from.

She had been a light sleeper ever since Choi Han was born, not because he caused a lot of trouble, but sometimes she couldn’t get rid of the overwhelming dread that took over her at night.

Shin Haneul had no idea where this feeling came from. She had always been overjoyed at being with her son, in fact, she couldn’t be happier! But there were days when it felt like Choi Han would disappear if she didn’t pay enough attention, like he’d be gone before she even knew it.

She had spoken about it to her own mother before, asking if it was a normal feeling. Mother nodded, looking at her own daughter with sad eyes.

“I was scared I would lose you too. You were a very active child, and sometimes I’d get scared that if I looked away you’d injure yourself. Thankfully, when I was busy your father was always there so you were always safe.”

Shin Haneul sighed in relief, thank god it was just a normal thing and not some weird premonition of the future.

She wouldn’t know what to do with herself if that was the case.

Even with the reassurance she got from her mother, Shin Haneul couldn’t help the unease that was in her mind at night. Choi Sujin was fast asleep, like he was a Victorian child who was suffering from the plague, so it could not be her husband who was crying.

The only other option was Choi Han, who she found sobbing into his pillow.

Shin Haneul felt her eyebrows twist, and she put a hand on Choi Han’s head, wiping away the tears that fell from his eyes.

“Oh, my star, what’s wrong?”

Choi Han did not respond, could not respond, for his mind was overtaken by the terrors of the night.

Shin Haneul laid back down, and pulled Choi Han closer to her. While he was still crying, he had stopped shaking.

She wondered just what kind of things had happened for a five year old boy to be crying so much.

Had Choi Han remembered Jung-gun, who had gone missing two years earlier?

…Ah, perhaps that was where her fear came from.

Ever since Choi Jung-gun went missing, Shin Haneul had never gotten a full night's sleep. The only times she could sleep were the short naps she took in the morning.

Choi Jung-gun had gone missing just like that, no warning, no nothing.

It was like a god had taken him to another world, with no trace of him left to be found at his home where everyone cried out for him.

Shin Haneul didn’t let herself cry, because to her it felt like if she cried it would be admitting Choi Jung-gun had died.

She knew that boy wasn’t dead, he had to be alive, no matter what. One day he would come home, and they would all be there to welcome him again.

Shin Haneul looked down at her son, who was still crying, and kissed his hair. She caressed the top of his head, and began to hum a lullaby her own mother had sung for her when she was young.

The terrors of the night were strong, but against a mother’s love, even they would fall as well.

Slowly, Choi Han’s sobs died out, the only other sound left in the quiet night being that of Shin Haneul’s comforting hums, and the gentle sounds of her husband and son’s breathing.

.

.

.

Choi Sujin watched Choi Han hold up a cat plush to the baby in front of him.

Choi Jungsoo, the baby, had been born two months ago, but this was Choi Han’s first time seeing him. Despite only being six years old, Choi Han was technically an uncle, and Choi Sujin was a grand uncle.

“Jungsoo, call me hyung!”

“Han, he’s only two months old, so he can’t really talk yet.” Choi Sujin said, sitting down next to his son who continued gave the cat plush to Choi Jungsoo.

“Oh, was I like that too?”

“Mhm, you were just as small as he was too.”

Choi Sujin smiled at his son’s shocked expression, like he couldn’t even fathom being as small as Choi Jungsoo was.

“But I don’t remember that!”

“You don’t remember, but mom and dad remember.” Choi Sujin picked Choi Jungsoo up, and held him in his arms. “I can show you the photos.”

Choi Jung-gun would have said he remembered too, if he was here. Jung-gun had loved taking photos, especially of Choi Han since he was his favorite nephew.

The photo album they had consisted of many photos, but a good chunk of the later half of the album was filled with photos Choi Jung-gun had taken. Choi Jung-gun took photos and notes of almost everything he liked.

In the album, there were photos of the family, and Choi Jung-gun’s notes about them under it. Choi Han was no exception, and had multiple pictures of himself from when he was zero to three years old.

“I wanna see!”

Choi Han stood up, and followed his father upstairs who still carried Choi Jungsoo in his arms. After looking through a shelf, Choi Sujin found the album, and handed it to Choi Han.

He wasn’t worried about Choi Han damaging the album, because Choi Han had always handled books and albums with a lot of care. It seemed that even though he couldn’t remember most things, he still cherished the memories that he held in his hands.

Choi Han opened the album, and flipped through each page. Pointing out the people he recognized, and asking if he didn’t recognize someone. He flipped through the pages until he found a page labeled ‘November Eighth’.

They had dedicated an entire page to that day, because three people had been born on that day. Choi Jung-gun, Choi Han, and now, Choi Jungsoo.

“It’s me!” Choi Han pointed at the picture of him from when he was a baby. The hat he wore had rabbit ears on it, something Shin Haneul had found absolutely adorable when she saw it at the store.

Underneath the picture was a note, no name on it, and Choi Han did not recognize the handwriting, but he read it anyway.

‘On November Eighth, Han was born! He was a little ugly, but he’s cute now. He looks a lot like Haneul-noona, but his eyes are the same as hyung’s. He pulls my hair a lot, and he’s stupid strong for a baby. Maybe I’ll cut my hair so he has nothing to grab on when I carry him.’

“I’m not ugly! Whoever wrote this is the king of ugly.” Choi Han grumbled when he saw the second sentence.

Choi Sujin laughed, “But didn’t they call you cute after?”

“Hm… well, they’re still wrong! Mom says I’ve been cute forever, and mom is never wrong.” Choi Jungsoo yelled in agreement, and Choi Han nodded. “That’s right, Jungsoo! Moms are never wrong so you should always listen. And you should listen to your dad too, and my dad. My dad is cool too!”

Choi Sujin smiled proudly, “I’m the coolest, aren’t I?”

Choi Jungsoo only looked at him with such unimpressed eyes that Choi Sujin felt like his ego was being stabbed directly in the heart.

[rocketbirdie]

i would love to enjoy everything that stardew valley has to offer but unfortunately i approach this game the same way i approach real life: avoid all social interaction and tend to my garden in belligerent silence

[front-facing-pokemon]

[im-still-a-robot]

When you get to spend 3 hours helping someone build a farm in minecraft :D

[clownsnake]

okay nonbinary character in Orv alert. slay

[chameleon8]

The fablehaven wiki is like Navarog

you think you can trust it at first, and nothing seems to be wrong

but then you read the series

[leafy-m]

So I hit my 700th edit for the WHA wiki today, because I am a totally normal person

[unironicallytes]

I don't think they accounted for accidentally sequence-breaking a city-wide quest in an open world where you could teleport to any wayshrine 😔

[moonsworndandelion]

does anyone have a good ressource for the bnha timeline ? Especially Hawks interactions with Lov.

It's driving me crazy.

[bxtonpxss]

Spirit Box || Headcanon || Reishi

Opacho is constantly and unwillingly bombarded by other people's thoughts and due to her being so young, she is unable to block them out. She does however, know how to ignore them.

The only time a person's thought's really bother her is when they think extremely loudly or tend to ramble on and on about useless unnecessary things. Also if they happen to think too loud and wake her up from sleep.

A person's thoughts are not always clear to Opacho, even though she can hear them. If a person is having a tough time trying to get their thoughts together or having a rough time mentally, it makes it harder for her to understand. So it helps out greatly when the person actually speaks their mind about whatever it is they're thinking or feeling at the time for her to get an even clearer picture.

Despite the heavy burden placed upon her, Opacho isn't really bothered that often by her ability. She'll have her moments where she gets headaches or hears something that would upset her or make her uncomfortable but for the most part she remains unbothered.

As revealed to Hao, she actually doesn't like it when other people read her mind.

Unless explicitly asked, stated, or she feels comfortable enough around the person to tell them. Opacho doesn't let others know she can read minds, aware of the repercussions she could potentially face.

[hunsa-jars]

I'm sorry maybe I'm just a humongous fake Penguins of Madagascar fan BUT WAS IT EVER ACTUALLY MENTIONED THAT SKIPPER, RICO AND KOWALSKI ARE BROTHERS?? HELLO??? LIKE ARE THEY ACTUALLY I'M LOSING MY MIND