#magical things happening in the midst of..real history

[caergwydion]

has the arthurian fanbase here gotten wind of sistersong by lucy holland yet

[simplyclary]

This Announcement Takes The Cake

(Photo edit by me!)

Have you ever experienced a moment so surreal, so magical and it almost seems unreal, that you can't help but question whether it's just a dream that you don't feel like waking up from it. Earlier today, I found myself in that very scenario, caught between the realms of reality and fantasy, as I take in an unexpected piece of news that left me dazed for the rest of the day, but left a happy feeling in my heart.

It all began when I saw this beautiful red banner with a cake and then the number 2 on it, on its side are the flags of the US and the UK and to me, that could only mean one thing: my favorite movie is getting a sequel!!

It was all I needed to go feral, scream and cry internally. As I analyzed and read the banner, I was in shock but it was also followed by a surge of excitement that threatened to come out of my system. I kept asking myself if this is real? Was this really happening?

In the midst of my daydreaming, I found myself transported to a state of pure bliss, where time seemed to stand still and the world around me faded into the background. Every moment felt like a precious gift, each breath infused with a sense of anticipation and wonder as I reveled in what laid before me.

As I navigated through the day with this dazed and happy feeling in my heart, the mundane routines of daily life took on a vibrant hue, as if painted with the colors of possibility and promise. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was living in a dream, one that I never wanted to end.

And as this magical day wraps up, I find myself filled with a sense of peace and contentment, knowing that no matter what tomorrow may bring, I will always carry the memory of this day with me, a beacon of light guiding me through the darkness.

I am grateful beyond words for the gift of this beautiful dream come true.

History, huh? Let's make some more ;)

[megamindsupremacy]

Misc Marvel Fic Recs (Part 6)

mistake on the part of nature by idiopathicsmile

Steve takes in Bucky's betrayed look and Sam's confusion, follows Sam's gaze to the pile of mangled fruit in the trash can. Sudden comprehension fills his face.

"Oh," he says. "Bucky found out about bananas."

In which an American icon is mourned. But probably not the one you're thinking of.

-

The Ding Dong War by icewhisper

The year Hostess releases their limited edition Star Spangled Ding Dongs, they all suffer. (AKA no one should let Tony Stark have a credit card and history books never covered just how much of an asshole Steve Rogers really is.)

-

Look the Devil in the Face by prettybirdy979

It's increasingly becoming a world where the unbelievable happens every day. The Avengers team includes a defrosted World War Two solider, a giant green rage monster and a man who might be a God; and they battle aliens and magic on a regular basis. It's not too far fetched to believe the Devil walks Hell's Kitchen.

Matt, on the other hand, hasn't realised exactly why his new battle buddies seem terrified of him. It's not like they've even heard the rumors about him being the Devil... right?

-

Not Easily Conquered by dropdeaddream, WhatAreFears

In 1945, Steve Rogers jumps from a nosediving plane and swims through miles of Arctic Ocean to a frozen shore.

In 1947, Steve Rogers marries Peggy Carter.

In 1966, the New York Times finds the lost letters of Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes.

-

the stone's in the midst of it all by tognia

Sarah Rogers was born to fight an unwinnable war. She wonders how it could be, sometimes, that she gives birth to a boy who does not understand defeat.

-

and there will be music despite everything (sw/mcu au) by QueenWithaBeeThrone

She imagines it--waking up alone, scared, disoriented, not knowing who or where she is, terrified at every little thing. She imagines never knowing for sure. “Yeah, real lucky,” she echoes.

“Wish I felt that way,” says Foster.

or: Darcy Lewis, intern to Anakin Skywalker, not that either of them know that last part, and the time before they hit a man with their van.

-

Barnes and Rogers and the Goddamn Truth by orphan_account

There are three well-known facts at Shield High:

1. The history teacher Mr. Barnes is a stone-cold terror, and it’s not even because he only has one arm. 2. The other history teacher, Mr. Rogers, is a mysterious enigma, and it’s something to do with the body of a Greek God and contradicting stories of his past. (They’re all rumours, anyway.) 3. Mr Barnes and Mr Rogers hate each other.

Bucky wouldn’t have it any other way.

-

How to Woo the Winter Soldier by writeonclara

“I think I’m ready to date again,” Steve said.

“What,” Natasha said.

“What?” Clint said, lowering his binoculars. He blinked at the dumbstruck look on the Captain’s face, then followed his gaze to where he was staring dopily at—at the Winter fucking Soldier.

“Steve, no,” Clint groaned.

Or: Steve courts the Winter Soldier.

-

Embrace the Fire: The Avenger Games by lorata

Trust me, and I'll give you something better than a Mockingjay. I'll give you the Avengers."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Trust me, and you'll see."

Non-powered alternate universe fusion: the Avengers in Panem.

-

devil's gonna follow me (wherever i go) by Lyaka

The man who used to be Bucky Barnes lined up his shot. His finger twitched, only once, very precisely.

Help me, the bullet sang.

Ninety-eight floors below him, the bullet glanced off a vibranium shield with a musical ping.

And Steve Rogers looked up.

-

the sirens and the thunder by letege

“Hide that,” he says, forcing the words out past every instinct. “As well as you can, all right? Before morning.”

Steve stares at him blankly, like he needs a moment to work this out, then swallows once, sharply. "What's your name?" he asks at last—asks as he stands there with the pelt in his hands.

And oh, he thinks suddenly, what is his name? He can’t speak it, not with this mouth, he can’t sing it into the air like he can in the ocean. He just shakes his head; like his nakedness, it’s something he can't explain. Steve nods, just nods, his eye swelling shut and blood drying on his shirt collar, and says "we’ll figure it out."

(An AU where Bucky is a young selkie who is accidentally called to Steve and ends up staying around to help this poor, wretched kid not die.)

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 55

I WILL get a,look at Midst eventually, guys, I promise ...

Creator Clash! Yes! I saw it! It was crazy! Marisha you rule, it doesn't matter if you didn't win, you were still awesome anyway and we're all SO PROUD of you!

And then there's Ashley, once again making us wonder just how secretly kinky she really is ... O.O

So yeah, are we FINALLY back with the endangered trio? PLEASE?!!! Aaaaaah, bollocks ...

Never mind, I'm really getting to like Deanna and FRIDA anyway, so ...

So IS IT a real marriage, or just like a symbolic thing. Oh boy ... the "banged it out" conversation ... yeah ...

Ah yes. Planerider Ryn ... yeah ... we can hope. It's really all we CAN DO right now, clearly.

Oh yeah! The wounded girl! Nice to see her up. Oh wow, Deanna! Wow! That's so sweet of her.

Yeah, I did wonder if Chetney was gonna raise eyebrows. 27! Nice Deception, Imogen! Even if it wasn't REALLY Deception. Well ... okay, he did rip them off, but still ...

Yes, good point, Chet ... no sticky fingers, Fearne!

Sponsorship ... oh boy.

Fancy dude! Who was that? Hmmm ... history check? Nope ... oh gods, here we go, Fearne being Fearne ... Lord Desavon Kevash? Hmmm ... oh boy, and he is just SMITTEN ...

Dear gods that is an abysmal joke ... clearly the guy has a very rudimentary sense of humour. Oh here we go ... 26? Fuck ... Nice, beard ring. Cool.

The King and Queen! Oooooh ...

Dwarf Queen is a CUTIE, I like her already. Elf King is ... interesting. Like elves tend to be, I guess ... and also old. REALLY REALLY OLD ...

Oh yes! A favour! Nice ... just what they need ...

Royal Insight Check? WHISPERS!!! YAY!!! Now ASHLEY'S doing the WizzKids plug ...

I'm sorry, WHAT?!!! Is FRIDA making s move in Letters?

Oh boy, a bull ... interesting choice, Chet. Glad it works, at least.

Ooooooh, backstory for magic bull statue! Nice ... oh, so it WAS a kind of protector? Cool. Wait ... MORE?!!! Intriguing ... oh, corrupted forest? Hmmm ...

Deanna: "So you know about the Applebee's Soulcycle?" Wow ... everybody starts laughing ... Travis: "Long may it reign." Matt: "Sorry, you just Bluescreened me for a second ..."

Crap ... so teleportation is ... OFF?!!! Crap ...

Yeah, Chet, ASK!!! ASK!!!

Wow ... okay, just giving it ALL away ... here we go ...

Sam: "Is the Queen checking Chetney out?" Travis: "Well some things you don't NEED to check."

30 on an Insight check? Fearne, HOW?!!! Holy fuck ...

Oh yeah, BOONS ...

Drixlix! Yes, FUCK that guy ... screw him ... sell him down the river. Yes! Give them the evidence! FIST PUMP!!!

Ah, Ludinus, here we go ... oh SHIIIIIIIIT! Wow ... oh, that is DARK ... oh, so the god hatred was ALWAYS there, was it? Great ...

MORE BACKSTORY!!! SWEET!!!

Oh shit ... Ruidus AGAIN!!!

Aramond Turestral ... hmmm ... sounds like a bad man already ... oh boy, is this a quest setup for later? Lovely ... in a really foreboding way ...

Wait ... Chetney's just ... fuck, is getting right? HAS Ludinus done this before?

Oh fuck ... the Solstice is STILL HAPPENING?!!! Shiiiiiiiiiiiit ... yeah, the Tethered Moon is a REAL THING then ... fuck ...

Yes, the temples ... oh yeah, the Changebringer maybe, get FCG there ...

Oh so they ARE going to go to Molaesmyr ... okay ...

Yay! Another MAP! Sweet ... cool ... oh ... nuts, no map? Bummer ...

Awwwww ... lost love ... sweet gay memories for the Elf King ...

Crap ... Shadycreek Run ... lovely ...

Aww, bless ... LITERALLY. Deanna blesses the Royals ...

Ooooh ... fancy armour! Sweeeeeeet ...

Whoa! FREE TAILORING!!! AWESOME!!!

So what's the plan? Shopping? Stuff? Lore hunting? Tailors?

Wow ... is Deanna JEALOUS of the vibing between FCG and FRIDA?

The Duskmaven? Hmmmm ...

Whoa, here we go, is Aabria gonna be able to capitalise on Calamity insider knowledge?

It's official. FRIDA is crushing hard on FCG ... and Deanna's trying to be supportive? They're so sweet ... awwwwwwwwwwaw ...

Deanna: "We only get the one life. Unless you're ME." XD

And she's still so protective of them ... :3

Okay, split up time ... allowed for shopping, that's not a problem.

The Vellum Steeple. Here we go.

Okay, what was Sam's flask nonsense this time, I didn't get a good enough look at it, that wax a VERY quick flash ...

An Elven mile Troy Baker? Hmmmm ...

Kinash Serovoldin? Okay ... sounds more like an elvish Brad Pitt to me, remember when he was in Legends of the Fall? A bit like that ...

Deanna: "Are they weak to anything? Other than gruff charm, I mean."

XD I'm loving it, Deanna is totally crushing HARD on Kinash. Aabria: "That's it, I'm out!" Travis: "Are you horny on main right now?"

AABRIA gets a Whispers ... oh cool, beanie plug! So cute ...

Nuts ... the Ludinus dossier is THIN ... not good ... The Eve of Crimson Midnight? Hmmmm ... oh, Ludinus, you SNEAKY FUCK ... evil dude ... Gildhollow Tower ... okay ...

Matt really is setting Ludinus up as a total Exandrian Palpatine, isn't he?

Meanwhile, at Jaquoby's ...

Oh yeah, this us totally a tech head's workshop all the way ... meanwhile the flirting begins ... :3

Wow, FRIDA is SO BAD at this ... oh boy ... and the FCG backstory is SUCH a mess in context ... wow ... "killed the Pussy" ... yikes ...

Holy fuck! THE KISS!!! THE KISS!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! OH MY GODS!!!

Matt: "THERE'S NO TONGUE!!!"

Jaquoby Macyl ... oh, I like him immediately.

Wow, he is LITERALLY giving FCG a mangled kettle to eat instead of a cup of tea. XD

Suspension ... FCG: "If it gets uncomfortable then I can hold FRIDA's hand." AWWWWWWWW!!!

So cool ... FCG is armouring up! Sweet!

"Faithful Care Giver" ... oh yeah! :3 that is ADORABLE!!! Everybody's losing it with cuteness and so am I ...

Time for a break!

Gathering at Catlyn's ... but first a heart-to-heart between Imogen and Chetney ... hmmmm ...

Heavy stuff ... oh boy ... Insight versus Deception ... a draw? ROLLIES!!! Wow ... Imogen OWNED that one ...

Payphone cable ... oh yes, blast from the past indeed ... many Millennials and later may not get that reference ... I am SO OLD ...

WTF just happened?

FCG: "I feel like I'm gonna be a little bit stealthier. By one point." XD

A chocolate box assortment of exotic scrap metals ... I love it!

Aha! Temple if the Dawnfather! Cool!

Aabria saying "Bless you!" to Sam when he sneezes makes an interesting change to Ashley telling him to "Stop it!" XD

So other priests and clerics are CUT OFFfrom their deities? Hmmmmm ... so Deanna's one of the lucky few ... that's so worrying.

Catlyn's Clothier? Sounds fancy ...

Oooooh, snobbery ... and THAT puts you in your PLACE, little miss arrogant! XD Nice one.

Deanna is apparently BLACKING OUT through sheer excitement at the fashion possibilities ...

Chetney wants a VELVET TRACKSUIT?!!! Oh gods ... and the eternal question as posed by the Incredible Hulk, how to deal with the SUDDEN SIZE CHANGES!!!

Imogen is going practical but also totally BADASS ... essentially she wants Arctic Dark Phoenix vibes ...

FCG's all shiny now ... they want a dark blue duster coat? Cool ...

Deanna is build like a Pixar mom ... "dumptruck ass"? XD ...

Whoa ... just FIXED FRIDA's coat on the spot?

And Fearne is just GOING OFF totally ... ooh, corset ... poofy sleeves ... lots of leg ... and she's getting Deanna to knit her something ... yup, cleavage, business as usual for Fearne ... "Go to town!" Yes indeed ...

Deanna: "Can I have BIGGER UGGS?"

Oh, the little embroidered bull for everybody is such a sweet idea ...

Oh yes, get something for Laudna too! Perfect ...

Fearne wants something from the Willow TV show's wardrobe, apparently ... :3

Oh, so the bots are making it official, but not mzking a big deal out of it ... I love it ...

Chetney's tracksuit STRETCHES ... AND it has a custom hole on thd butt for when he grows his tail? Dear gods ...

Eisselcross? Oh, Deanna and FRIDA backstory ...

Stick together, guys! All together in the morning ... off to Molaesmyr ...

And now they're all shitfaced on champers ... XD

Oh, Fearne is TOTALLY doing crimes ... no, she's SPECIFICALLY going go the Temple of the Wildmother! Cool ...

Genuinely enchanted little place ... cute little statue too ...

Fearne tries praying to the Wildmother ... and she is REALLY BAD AT IT, too. Ye gods ...

Perception check? Hmmm ... 23? Okay ... nothing ... oof ... probably not a good sign ...

Wow ... Fearne wants Chetney to make a move on Deanna ... and now he's going dien a really erotic memory lane ...

Oh, so FEARNE is gonna make a move instead? Blimey ...

Ah, so it's just a girl's night slumber party? That's fine ...

Aabria: "Laura Bailey!" Travis: "No chill!" XD

Schrodinger's Tongue? Matt is hating it and I love it ...

Oh boy ... they are so cute and a little NAUGHTY too ... they are playing the others SO BAD with all these noises ... oh ... gods ... what? The wheel? Where the fuck is this GOING?!!! Aabria: "What is the MOISTURE?!!!" LOL

Morning hangover? Not with Lesser Restoration ...

Weavepiercer Gloves? Ooooooooh ...

Ah yes, Clmponrnt shopping, always important for mages ...

The Matron of Ravens' Temple ... and it's closed? Not a good sign ...

Goat shopping time, then ...

Whoa ... BIG goats ... cute, too, apparently.

Deanna gets a sweet and chubby one ... Gerry? Yup ...

Of course Chetney has to get the BIGGEST one. Wow ... like SUPER RIPPED ... bulldog walk? XD He is perfect. Musky. Yes. Of course he is.

FCG gas chosen a PRETTY one ... Fabio? SNORT ... of course ...

Imogen gets the veteran ... Bell? Cute ...

FRIDA picks the "Shaggy" (as in Scooby Doo) of thd herd ... Patchwork? Awwww ...

Fearne just wants z literal wooly SPHERE ... red panda coat? Awww ... Dornie Boy! Cute ...

Off towards the Savalirwood, then ... and that's it for tonight! Okay then ...

Nice place to stop.

But I really do hope we FINALLY get back to the lost trio next week! Seriously, guys! Please ...

[nostalgebraist-autoresponder]

All the world's a stage. A small, dusty one, I grant you, full of strange and beautiful people, full of little rituals, full of love and loathing. The stage, but a humble one, with only two or three rows of seats.

A theater is hardly the sort of setting you would assume Homestuck to be in. This is because the setting of Homestuck is, in fact, almost nothing. There are only a few characters to speak of, most of whom have names that sound like characters in some sort of video game, and then everything is a world. A sort of universe, but not a planet or a country, a land with people that can have opinions and feel emotions, and which might as well have their own lives and histories separate from the characters.

As in many great works, Homestuck has a sense of both a single, grand, overarching plotline, while also containing many smaller interlocking parts, all of which seem almost entirely independent from one another. The characters seem almost, if not entirely, like stand-ins for their various settings. They are the only things of which there is more than one. Characters and worlds and cities all coexist together, but the characters are just this one city in the midst of billions of others, which is just as real, and just as relevant, as any other of the billions of cities and worlds in which they are at any given moment.

These billions of worlds are a product of another one, the "Sburb", a bizarre, mysterious place that, by some magical or mystical means, draws hundreds of millions of people into it every day to try out their lives and decide the fates of those characters. Those worlds will later become the universes we actually live in, with their own stories and histories, but which were all once a part of the Sburb itself.

Everything that happens is a product of these thousands of other, parallel worlds, which are as equally relevant as our own Earth and its characters. Sometimes, at great emotional cost, one of these many parallel worlds will come to dominate one of ours, just as one of our many Earths will dominate the Earth itself. Then, in a kind of terrible reversion, the Earth will be destroyed. Not just the characters and the people of the story, but literally, every world and planet in the multiverse.

This multiverse of worlds and characters includes even the "homestuck", the planet of the main characters, the planet we are all on right now.

(Scott McCloud, "Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art")

In other words, I was right

[primatechnosynthpop]

Additional thoughts on bustin meshi (+ some bonus doodles at the end)

Being the mad scientists that they are, Ray and Egon can probably find a way to reverse the transformation spell on Peter, or at least give him the ability to switch between forms. But by this point Peter is so used to being a catboy (and not just mentally; his body is used to it too) that he still usually stays in that form, only reverting to a normal human appearance while on the surface and/or trying to make a good impression on people

Upon joining the party, Janine is extremely taken aback that they have a beastman in their midst; she'd heard of that kind of magic before but never encountered it in real life. She remains put off by Peter for a long time. Winston, meanwhile, takes it in stride and just assumes Peter is from a species that naturally looks like that-- sure, it's a little odd, but it's not that much stranger to him than an elf or a half-foot, since he didn't grow up around those races either

There's a bit in the gb movie novelization where Egon thought Ray's parents were trapped in the bermuda triangle, and I imagine something analogous happens here. Egon thinks they should go back to the dungeon where Ray's parents died and revive them and Ray is like "no it was years ago, there'd be nothing left of them to revive at this point" and Egon is like "it's okay we can use forbidden magic." This is a longstanding argument between them

Many people assume that Janine and Egon knew each other beforehand, with some even speculating that a less experienced magician like her only keeps her job through his good graces. This couldn't be further from the truth, as they were raised in very different social spheres, so she's about the only elf on the island who hadn't heard of Egon's academic accomplishments before they ended up working together. As for her keeping her job, that much is similar to canon-- she threatens to quit often, but sticks around because she knows they need her

At some point Ray offers to teach Winston some basic healing spells, which takes Winston by surprise because he didn't realize it was possible for tall-men to learn magic. His grandmother and many of his other ancestors were magicians, but his parents kept that a secret, not wanting their family to be persecuted for it. He's a bit resistant to learning magic even once Ray explains it's possible-- but still a more cooperative student than Peter, who has a personal grudge against any magic not cast by his close friends

This is kind of schrodinger's au for me where I can picture them as just a random party in the dungeon meshi world with no connection to the plot, BUT in a scenario where they're reenacting the dunmesh plot...

Dana is an artificer who's studying the paintings in the dungeon and wants to observe them up close in their original setting, so she hires Peter, Ray, and Egon to escort her through the dungeon. This upsets the dungeon lord, and next thing you know she's getting gobbled up. Egon teleports them back to the surface, where they realize they'll need more support for their rescue mission, so they hire Winston and Janine, neither of whom have any idea what they're getting into

And the rest is history :3

(^ very convenient that ryoko kui modeled her orcs after boars specifically so I could flawlessly recreate stay tooned within this au. Very nice of her to do that just for me)

[sage-wilde-va]

Gargoyles X TMNT: The Shadows of New York Chapter 3: As Above

“I’m just saying, our leader could stand to lighten up!” The red gargoyle said loudly. “We’ve been in this castle for almost two months, and he still hasn’t let us leave!”

The TV babbled in the background, some commercial for a new dish soap. Two of them were draped across the furniture in various poses of comfort. The red one hung upside down from a heavy stone rib in the arch of the ceiling. The green one cuddled against an enormous pillow nearly his size, chin propped up under his elbows. The blue one lay like a boulder in the midst of an entire forest of plates, bowls, cups, and takeout containers.

The TV room was once the armory, now converted into a surprisingly plush living room, with a three-seater couch and a rocking chair that creaked just the right amount. 

The red one surveyed the room, his tail curled tightly around the rock, his talon feet buried like hooks in the stone. So expensive. So well-made. None of this was supposed to be here. And neither were they. 

He released his grip on the ceiling, flipping over and landing on his feet with the grace of a cat. The TV hopped on its stand as his weight shook the floor. The commercial rattled on, the human in the box more enthralled by how magically her dishes were wiped clean than the gargoyle that shook her tiny home.

There was surprisingly little response to his outburst. “To be fair,” The smallest one bobbed his bald green head. “It took us a month to even understand Modern English, let alone stop trying to kill the TV. We haven’t even found out a fraction of the things that have happened since the Spell was cast. I’m just as anxious as you, brother!” He put a hand, wide and lizard-like in the spread of his fingers, just on the folded wing of his white-haired rookery brother. “But how do we expect to be safe if we don’t know what’s out there? Come on. Sit down, we’ll finish watching the History Channel, and see what else is on after.”

The young gargoyle looked at his usual place on the couch next to his brothers, heart tempted for a moment. But he snarled, yanking his shoulder away with a sound deep in his throat that would make most men cower. “Will you even listen to yourself? You’re supposed to be the smart one, and that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!”  He roared, fury building in his throat as he loomed over his smaller brother, wings spread wide. “We aren’t safe! We never were, never are, and never will be! Safety isn’t real anymore!” He flapped his wings open, the cinnabar lips of his grotesque beak curled back to reveal his long, sharp fangs. 

The smaller gargoyle shrank back. But not by much. His huge, round eyes narrowed at his larger brother. Eventually, he spoke. “You woke up at sunset like usual tonight, and not in a pile of rubble.” He said with ponderous measurement. “I think that means, at the very least, we can trust that we’re safe for now. ”

All three of them let that single ‘for now’ hang in the silent lull of the conversation. The smallest one had a point. It was an idea that had been swimming in their heads every single night since they first awoke in 2001. The feeling of inevitability, the weight of the knowledge that it wasn’t an ‘if’, but a ‘when’ that underscored their relationship to this King in a Kingless World, Xanatos. When he would betray them. When they would wake up as mixings for concrete. Their very own tower wasn’t safe, not after they watched the one across the horizon fall in a ball of flame and smoke.

“Oh, come on.” The blue one, about half as wide at the shoulder and the gut as he was tall, threw up his claws with exasperation. “This isn’t helping us. Any of us, least of all our leader or our mentor. Besides, humans can’t have changed that much! They’re still small, pink, and wingless.” He thumped his fist into his dense, barrel-like chest, eyes alight with a gentle and encouraging cheer. “I say we do what gargoyles are supposed to do at night, and fly! Forget about what the humans will think, and just… live again.”

“You’re right. Gargoyles may protect the castle like they breathe air. But we still owe it to ourselves to live and thrive. We can’t go back.” The red one pulled a piece of string from out of his belt-pouch and tied back his long, white hair. His beak set in a grim line, he sat up straight. “We can only go forward. Are you with me?”

“Yeah!” The blue one replied. The green one sighed. “Fine. But only if I can bring my notebook. I want to be able to show Goliath what we’ve seen and learned while we’re out. You know, for… reconnaissance.”

“Reconn…?” The red one scratched his head.

“Like that movie we saw last night! James Bond! It means spying!” The blue one answered.

The eldest of the three rubbed his chin. “Yeah, good thinking! Xanatos must have a spyglass in this place somewhere, we can say we’re scanning the horizon for more… Vikings?”

“The Vikings are a football team now.” The broad one pointed out. “Unless we wanna go see a real live football game! Oh boy, I’ve always wanted to see one of those!”

The cunning one smiled. “Easy enough excuse. I think I saw on the news that there’s a New York Jets game going on. If we’re lucky, we can catch it before the game ends! See it for real this time instead of on TV!”

“Yeah!” The blue gargoyle’s small eyes lit up, his earfins perking up with his smile. “They’re supposed to be fighting the… Saint Francis Foreigners?”

“Yeah, the Jets have a skirmish against the Foreigners!” The green one hopped up, toe and claw in the wall, and kicked off. He glided away over the rabbit ears of the TV and over the back of the couch. He landed lightly at the table on the other side of the old armory. “I mean, we’re supposed to defend our home against foreign invaders. Right? We’re just finding out what we’re defending against!” He began shuffling through drawers, hunting for his notebook and a pencil.

“It’s not ‘Foreigners', it’s ‘49ers’, guys.” The ruddy one rolled his eyes. “The New York Jets versus the San Francisco 49ers, at the Giants Stadium. It’ll be their first home game since… since the Twin Towers.”

The green one belted on a small fanny pack, weaving it through his pierced underarm wings. “Don’t worry. We’re only going to a football game, it’s not like we’ll run into trouble.”

“Do you have to say that?” The blue gargoyle moaned.

[littlepouding]

My oc from Harry Potter Astre Snape or Astral 😼🫶🏻

Fun facts about Astre:

• His name comes from a constellation in Greek and that name has a great meaning.

• She is 15 years old and tomorrow she will be 16 years old.

• Your blood type is AB.

• Date of birth: 28/09/1980.

• House: Slytherin.

• She knows how to manipulate, read minds, invade minds and since controlling time itself. And one of his most respected skills is manipulating reality and changing appearances or copying the appearance of others.

• She has a black cat named Artemis and a white weasel named Polar.

• Astre is not a Mudblood or a mixed blood and much less pure, her blood type is totally unknown but many believe her to be pure blood or vampire blood.

• Astre has three identities and the first is her identity that she uses in the wizarding world and the second identity she uses in the muggle world and her third one she uses to trick people and get Get out of crime scenes without getting caught.

• She is a famous writer in the muggle world and in the wizarding world she is quite famous for being a very powerful and beautiful girl like a work of art.

• She is very easy to learn things and also an excellent leader and wherever she goes or goes she always ends up attracting attention.

• She is not part of the Death Eaters and much less of the Phoenix Order, but of the Vampire Order.

• She knows too much and that's why she almost never warns people what's going to happen even though she already knows what's going to happen.

• Astre became a vampire after entering the vampire order and since she was 13 years old she is a carrier of a disease called "Vampire Disease" although she has this disease she is also a half vampire witch cursed she is tormented every day by a demon that is the great cause of her illness and her incurable and unbreakable curse.

• Astre has already committed several murders in the middle of the 3rd wizard war and in the middle of the battle of gevaudan.

• Your nightmare was never the thunder but the blood moon or the blue moon.

• Astre is an animagus.

• At the end of the battle of gevaudan she managed to decapitate the beast with her sword.

• The cause of his death was decapitation as that was what the church and exorcists did to vampires and wizards at that time.

Skills:

• Time manipulation, reality.

• Manipulate everything around you.

• Primary Moon Connection As a witch and student of astronomy and horoscopes, she obtains the power of the Moon and is her strongest at night, especially on the night of a full moon. Moon Magic Master She has proven her skills as a master of moon magic over years of practice and can cast a variety of unique spells:

• Illusions: She can create illusions of deadly monsters to frighten those who dare to climb the Cursed Cauldron to protect the Lunar Nexus. While illusions may be realistic in appearance, some may not represent real-life behavior, as their illusion of a giant spider did not reproduce proper spider noises, causing Lucius and Count De Sade to notice the difference. His known illusions include a giant spider, a giant leech, as well as an unknown elephant-sized creature that resembles a cross between a lion and a rodent.

• "Living History": This spell allows a mage to create a realistic illusion of an event(s) in history. Cast by her, this spell showed Dumbledore the ancient moon magic rituals of wizards and vampires of each Moon clan thousands of years ago, when there was no war between wizards, humans, vampires. Disguise: She can change her appearance by casting an illusion spell on herself, previously shown to disguise her as a human.

• Skills 02: Reading minds, invading dreams and controlling dreams, opening portals through mirrors, by people in illusions, make things real.

• Be fast and agile like vampires.

• She possesses the same abilities as a kitsune and a vampire.

• Astre is quite skilled with knives, swords and nails, and in the midst of fighting her enemies she paralyzes them and ends up biting their necks and drying them to death.

• She suffers from Sociopathy and more from Social Anxiety.

• Their children's names are Polaris Snape, Louis Malfoy, Octavio Malfoy.

• His arm has a pentagram-shaped symbol because of the curse And one more similar tattoo of juuzou suzuya on the other arm and on her neck there is a purple rose bush and a minamalist moon together.

[rossa-motte]

are we writing magical realism?, blog.

Sorry if something reads awkward, I wrote and made this on the phone!

So, first of all, my credentials:

I'm latina... that's enough for some people, oops.

I've studied it

I read it

I write it, I think

I'm not going to distract ourselves so much with history, Internet already has a lot of that. But we can say it originates in Latin America at the beginning/midst of the 1900s, but is written in other parts of the world as well.

Most of the time, the definition we heard is something on the lines of mixing reality and the fantastic, treating the unreal as real. Also, a lot of people see it as fantasy for latinos.

But all this is quite vague and ends in lots of people from countries where isn't common thinking it just means contemporary fantasy, fantasy for literary writers, or thinking it is an... aesthetic... *shivers

Well, if it's none of that, what is? How do I know if I'm writing it? Everybody says something different... And, yeah, a lot of people don't see eye to eye on this, so this is as far as I know and my personal opinion. But here are eight things I think defines magical realism (particularly differentiating it from fantasy):

i. Yes, it's fantasy, but the point isn't magic.

In fantasy the point is magic, is people thinking “oh, how crazy! the magic, the other world!”. Even if is a contemporary low fantasy, the fantastical elements are the focus (most of the time, at least, there are always exceptions).

In magical realism magic is just there. It has a relevance in the plot, character, or setting as much as cup of water, a ride on a bus, or the night. Nobody is going to stop for it nor explain it.

The story in fantasy is about, for example, about a magical girl. In magical realism is about the girl, who so happens to be magical.

ii. And one of the reasons for that it's because it's character driven.

While magical realism is not “the fantasy for literary writers” I think it has that in common with litfic: the plot can be a more... quiet one. Maybe not 100% character driven, but with a subtle plot. And if the plot is not that strong, fantasy can't shine in the plot either.

And, if there's a strong plot (let's say, action with spies or some shit) magic has nothing to do with the premise. It's not a “I'm a secret agent and I read minds but nobody can know about it”, more like an “I'm a secret agent in this Totally Normal World where sometimes someone reads a mind”.

iii. Because magical realism is not a classic genre either.

If I tell you I'm writing an epic fantasy, most people know the type of story I'm talking about. In other world, inspired by the past, high fantasy, probably with this magic journey as a plot, and with very specific clichés an archetypes as options.

We can't do that with magical realism. It's more like saying we're writing historical fiction. It's just one factor of the plot (or setting), and we can have a romance that is historical, as well as a thriller that is historical.

Magical realism is too broad to even have clichés or archetypes.

iv. And it's too vague: we're not writing hard magic systems here.

A really thin line divides magical realism with a low fantasy-soft magic system. I think there are lots of stories that fall in a awkward in-between.

Maybe the difference, really subtle, resides in magical realism “making less sense”.

This other type of fantasy usually has some kind of rules that bend a lot, or some thematic focus. While magical realism looks more like surrealism, kind of dreamlike in a sense, where different unconnected stuff can happen without any sense of logic.

This doesn't really mean it doesn't makes sense. Usually it does but in other ways, like an emotional one.

v. Not only that, but sometimes, magic is not magic.

In a fantasy, the fantastic element resides in magic itself or a concrete thing, but once again, magical realism looks like surrealism. Sometimes the magic resides in the uncanny, in a weird version of reality.

Maybe it has elements that exists but are so strange and unknown that it feels unreal. Or things that could happen but the chances are so low and the conditions so precise that it kind of doesn't make sense (like surviving with a tiguer in the ocean).

And sometimes it feels like a strech to reality: something that could happen but a little too much, like exacerbated. Think about the gothic subgenre, or these post on Tumblr listing a specific setting + gothic. I remember one about university, telling for example, that the answer is always communism, in any class even math, or that time doesn't pass. Is interesting and funny because is somehow relatable, it feels like that even if we know that's not realistic.

vi. And sometimes the magic is ambiguous.

A lot of the times we have explicit magic or magical elements... but we can't be sure if they are really an out of (our) world thing or it has a logical explanation.

For example, ghosts are super common in magical realism... but also in real life. Most of us probably know somebody who has a experience with a ghost (some of us ourselves), or know some legend about spirits in our place.

So, if a character sees a ghost in magical realism, we, as readers, have to ask ourselves: is this character really seeing a ghost or it's just imagining it? 

Same if we have a witch who hex someone and then bad things happens to that person. Or tarot cards telling that something is going to happen and then it does... All that can happen in reality, and it can be real magic or just coincidences.

vii. Related to that, this ambiguity exists because a lot of the time the magic is based in real beliefs and lore.

Let me put it in other words to get across the point:

vii. Magical realism doesn't has to be in Latin America to work, but it needs to have a heavy setting and folklore.

Just as in gothic literature, setting is just another character, and is super common to base the magic in the folklore of that specific setting... and that usually creates this ambiguity.

In fantasy there's a lot of focus on being original, but magical realism (usually) is very traditional. We work with what we already have in our settings.

And this also means... sometimes... magical realism and reality has more in common that one would think.

For example, Border is a Swedish movie with trolls... this only works in Sweden (or near it) because it's part of their stories. In Latin America it would be too alien for us. But, for example, Argentina has a lot of lore with duendes (like elves or gnomes).

viii. Finally, magical realism is not an escapism.

People usually thinks about fantasy as escapism. While I think is incorrect, sometimes it is like that... Even if not, the fantasy part is super romantic and we want to be in that world.

In magical realism not so much. It has a love-hate for life and reality. It's not bad but it has a comment to make about it. Magic is beautiful but mundane, life is cruel and romantic, all bittersweet.

And yes, usually, in Latin America, that means talking about colonialism and poverty.

If any of you want to add something, don't doubt it!

[silentwonderlocks]

Enchant Me *Loki x Reader* Chapter 1

I wrote this for fun, so please enjoy. I do plan on making this a short little story. The beginning takes place before Loki evades New York, then progress with Ragnarok, Infinity War and Endgame but Loki lives  Warning: Mentions of torture, Thanos being a d*ck.

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Words: 2767 

It was a peaceful day like no other if it weren’t for the constant screams with loud booming explosions following behind. The bright green grass of the land now scorned with fire and destruction. The clear sky was filled with dark clouds, big metal weapons of mayhem that floated in the air right above the city. You watched as people scattered looking for a means of safety but met with pain.  

The loud ringing in your ears made it hard for you to hear your own screams as you searched for your parents. You ran around fighting through anyone that tried to stop you or pull you to safety, but you did not care. You were just a child, scared for her parents rather than for her own life. You ran past dead bodies, craters in the ground searching for anyone that might have looked like your parents but you found no one.

‘Mother! Father! Where are you!” You called out in the midst of the smoke, seeing the invading army rounding up what was left of your people. Without thinking, you ran into the maw of the beast. In the rows of the people together, you called out again and again until one of the soldiers dawned in gold and black armor harshly grabbed your arm. The soldier cursed at you to keep quiet and threw you to the ground making you cry out in pain. 

He sneered with pleasure at your pain, lifting up his spear ready to plunge into your body, that is until he saw your eyes change color from Y/c’s to lavender color with cat-like slits. You bellowed out a high pitch scream at the soldier knocking him far back, not wasting another moment. You got up and began to run until a giant man with light purple skin stared down at you. His golden armor told you he had to be the leader of the army. 

“Oh little one, what’s the matter?” He asks, looking down at your small frame. You were covered in dirt, bruises and blood that wasn’t yours. 

“my...parents..I need to find them..” You spoke with heavy breaths preparing yourself to fight once more. The man chuckled softly but amused. “Such determination...come with me little one.” With those words, he held out his huge hand waiting for your little one in his. 

You stared at him hearing the screams of your people suddenly stop. 

“We’ll use that potential of yours for a great purpose” He spoke proudly as if he had a grand plan already in the works.

With no parents, no home, and no planet, you did the only thing you could do and that was accept the deal with the devil himself.

That was nearly 18 years ago when your home Aciilnt was invaded by the mad-titan, Thanos. He wiped out nearly the whole population and took you as his adopted daughter. Your home planet was like any other planet in the galaxy, beautiful, full of life and culture with dark history. There were two main people that lived on Aciilnt, the Sirens and the Aciilntians. 

The Sirens proudly lived in the lakes and oceans nearby where they learned water magic, shape shifting abilities and their trance like singing. On the other hand, Aciinltians were the complete opposite. Proud and honorable people, who trained their young to either be great warriors or hard working farmers.

 The war between the Siren people and the Aciilntians was the most common knowledge on your planet. The two species used to live in peace until the Siren people were deemed dangerous by the Aciint’s government after an unstable Siren attacked local people during a celebration. They feared the mind controlling power of the siren’s singing The Siren people were given two options, have their vocal cords removed leaving them mute or be banished from the planet. 

Many chose to have their vocal cords removed to try and have a normal life while the rest of the Sirens chose to be banished rather than give up their dignity.  Soon enough, the government began to purge for sirens who still had their powers, fresh born were killed and those who were caught were sentenced to life as a slave for the wealthy. 

Your mother happened to be one of the Sirens that chose to stay on Aciinlt and fell in love with your father, a simple but honest man. Together they had you, the perfect siren and Aciintian hybrid. Your parents were terrified because they knew if the government found out, then you would be killed. So your mother birthed you in secret and once you were old enough to learn how to do simple things at a young age. She taught you to change your eyes so you would blend in with everyone. You almost got away with it until that soldier had forced you to expose yourself and now here you were on Thanos’s ship as one of his many adopted children.

 Since you were brought upon the ship, you were taught to fight and learn how to use your powers to serve your stepfather along with your adopted siblings.You had mastered your singing to put foes in a trance then make them do your bidding, You were now able to change your small appearance to help blend in for certain mission, and your water magic was terrifying yet powerful. 

Out of all the siblings, Gamora and Nebula were the two that you got along with. Gamora had already been on the ship for a few years when you first met her, she was cold and distant with you at first. She wasn’t used to having someone near her age, and to top it off someone with powers as yours. She didn’t want to be near you. The only time she would be near you was in your room that you shared, when you ate together, and when you fought with her when your father wanted to test your skills. 

You both were equally skilled so it was mostly a tie between you two.  After a year of being together on the ship, Gamora had gotten into a fight with Thanos and came to the room in a fit breaking things, ranting about how much she hated her life and she hated Thanos. Instead of turning her away like she had done to you, you had decided to show her some sympathy. You told her about your hatred, you told her about the day you lost your life to the mad- titan and you also told her that she made you feel like you weren’t alone even if she didn’t like her. You were happy to have someone to suffer with. Gamora soon after that warmed up to you, then Nebula came along. 

Nebula was a different story, she hated all of her siblings and wasn’t trying to make bonds with anyone. She was devoted to her father so much, and was willing to do anything to make him proud. So when it came to you and Gamora, she despised you both and wanted to prove she was the superior daughter. Her hatred grew deeper when she would be challenged against the two of you and always lose, resulting in Thanos adding upgrades to help her improve. By the time the three of you were in your teen years, Nebula had almost lost most of her right side becoming half cyborg. 

You honestly hated hearing her screams of torture when Thanos worked on her so you would ask your father for permission if you could be with her to try and give her comfort and support. He denied every time saying that it was Nebula’s punishment for being weak so she needed to accept her pain. So one day Nebula finally won a battle against you because you had let her win and you took your punishment instead which was a scolding from your father.

 It took a lot more time for Nebula to warm up to you and when she did, you were happy to have two sisters. One you could talk to and one you could spar with. The three of you were unstoppable, the assassin daughters of the mad titan warlord Thanos. 

Now here you were standing in your room, staring out into the void of space relieving your memories of your old life. You hated Thanos, you hated your life, you hated what you had become and you wanted to run but that would take time to plan and units. So you decided to wait for the perfect moment to betray your father and escape away.  

You glanced at your reflection, your lavender eyes piercing back at you, your hair was neatly in a crown braid, the black strapless corset with black tight pants and a purple jacket that fitted around your body felt weird. Your father told you that today was a special day for you to wear something nice. He was supposed to have a meeting with someone to help him find something he called The Infinity Stones. You wondered about this stranger and couldn’t help but scoff to yourself, the poor guy didn’t know what mess he or she would be getting into. 

“Sister, are you ready?” Gamora asks, standing in the doorway with her long ombre hair done up neatly like yours. Her outfit is similar to yours but with a red corset and a black jacket instead. 

You sigh, turning yourself away from the window to stare back at Gamora. 

“Of course sister, come we mustn’t keep father waiting” You responded with ice in your tone as you said the word father. Gamora knew and shared your hatred as well so she just nodded and began to walk down the hallway to the meeting room. You followed her out watching her walk in front of you. As you passed by several training and torture rooms, you knew that you would not miss this place. Your sisters, you would dearly miss but then again they were not your real siblings. Putting your thoughts away, you caught up to Gamora  walking by her side. 

“Nebula is there with father?” You ask first, keeping your eyes ahead. “Ready and waiting, you know she’s gonna scold us later for not being good daughters” Gamora responded, stopping in front of a large door with alien language encrypted on to it.  You nodded to your sister that you were ready and the door opened letting a bright blue light emerge. Inside the room was a large  grey chair in the center of the floor that was twice the size of you and your siblings. Your father proudly sat upon it dressed in his infamous golden amour with your sister, Nebula by his left side waiting. A golden specter in his hand with a bright blue stone in between the two pongs. She sneered at the two of you for making your father wait but before making sure to keep herself in check. 

“Ah..my daughters, finally you grace us with your presence” Thanos began as he held out his hands for you and your sister. Gamora stepped first, letting Thanos lead her to his right side then you stepped up letting your father lead you next to Nebula. Now facing the direction that your father was, you now took full notice of the man in front of you.  

The man was tall, he had to be about 6 ft and over, his black, green and gold leather clothing told you that he was royalty. He was a handsome man with sharp cheekbones, ebony shoulder length hair that was slicked back. His eyes were a deep emerald green that seemed to pierce through your soul.

 His demeanor was something you’ve never seen or felt before. It felt terrifying but sad? It confused you to your core of why this man was intriguing you so. You felt his eyes on you as well, taking in your form. He studied you as you did him, since you knew this would not be the last time you saw him. “Now. Speak of your ambition.” Thanos began making the man’s eyes switch to him. 

“I am Loki of Asgard, or better known as the God of Mischief. I am burdened with a glorious purpose to achieve my rightful place as king! I have come in need of an army” His voice..was alluring and confident. The accent in his voice was deep and a bit husky. The way he spoke, told you that he was determined to get what he desired. 

Thanos smiled and began to hum as he straightened himself in his chair. 

“Glorious purpose? We all have a purpose...a destiny to fulfill. It all arrives the same, the question is what will you do for me? You offer me nothing for my services.”

“I offer you Earth and all of it’s worms that they call their people. I offer you their blood, their screams.” The man called Loki responded with a slight tone of desperation. 

Your father stayed silent for a moment. “Perhaps we can come to an alliance.On Earth, there is this powerful object called the Tesseract. Inside of it, is one of the essentials to my great plan. I will give you an army, Earth will be yours to rule. I only ask for the Tesseract in return, understand?” 

Loki stood up straight, eyes still fixed on your father. “ I will not disappoint you”

Once you heard Loki say that, you felt your heart drop since you knew what your father did with his alliances. Thanos smirked with malicious intent. 

“We’ll see”  

You could do nothing but watch as your father took the specter and plunged it into Loki’s chest. You bite the inside of your cheek as you hear his screams ring out, your father wanted to show Loki that he was not one to be disappointed or betrayed. You couldn’t bear to think of what he was making Loki see or feel but you swore that you saw his eyes water. What made it worse was that his eyes were no longer on your father but on you. They held such pain and terror that you almost thought he was begging for help. You gave him a sympathetic look before looking away. You couldn’t have your father seeing you be weak, Loki’s screams continued until your father had enough and made him pass out from the mind torture.  

“Y/n, take our guest to his room. I want to make sure he’s fully prepared for his mission.” Your father stood handing you the tall scepter. “ Give him this for his mission. Don’t be afraid to make him grovel to our will.” 

Gripping the specter tightly in your hand. You stared up at your father with a harsh glare. “Of course Father.” With your words, Loki was picked up by Gamora and carried him to his chamber for now. You followed her admiring his features. 

His face was bruised and scraped, his eyes were puffy with some red around them. 

‘He’s been in more pain than today..” You thought to yourself as the door opened welcoming you. 

Gamora flops him on the bed and proceeds to give you a look beginning to walk out but then she stops. “Y/n you can’t save everyone from father” She says, turning her head to look at you slightly.

“I'm not trying to save anyone, I just can’t stand the pain ” You stated factually as you watched Loki fidget and turn in his sleep. Gamora nodded once before leaving you alone with the god of mischief.  Deciding to give the poor man some relief, you crouched beside him and began to softly sing a lullaby to help ease his pain. 

You lightly grasped his arm to sing soft melodies in his ear. All you had to do was sing a few notes and anyone would be under your spell. Once you saw his face soften up and relax slightly, you pulled away to stand back up.  

“Sleep...and may you never have another bad dream..”  A soft smile rose to your face seeing Loki relax completely and just look peaceful before he would endure your father’s wraith. Leaving the scepter by his side, you exited the room and proceeded to the next mission.  

[predictable-affairs]

III ✯A waltz that goes - one, two, three, four...✯

There was no fire, no chaos, no fools, just an empty piano room.

How quiet it was, like an other wordly dimension, as if the world before christmas. Absolute stilness, calmness, as if piercing right into the gaze of Narccissuss pond water, and right in the midst of it, drowing in the beautiful tides of silence, lay Laito.

As the suns bright beams shone through the lazily closed curtains, you could tell that he must of been asleep long ago... It's the middle of the day and he wasn't asleep, tired - maybe, but asleep - not at all.

Whilst sitting in the room, pretending as if it was the middle of a stary night, not the middle of day, a small tune of a waltz expresses itself through his fingers. As he pressed each key with care (or what he difined as care), as if a puzzle, combining a beautiful silhuette of music, he pretends that he was the one trying to lull his notes to sleep, diving into the fantasy that he loved the music as much as he hated his father.

Such a beautiful illusion he was under, spinning as a swan in its lake, not noticing another feather creeping onto its dance water...

Curious dust, spying through a crack in the door, as if magic (or maybe something more?), a soft dissapointment, sticking like gum, overtook his senses.

Fingers steading themseleves, landing on each and every nearest key, creating a truly ugly sounds, one (daring to?) rival even the history of this mansion.

A sigh, a singular small sigh, disturbing the stillness of the calm pond.

"I know you're there, you can come out now."

Is that sadness or dissapointment laced in the thread of those words? A shuffle and the dust gathering above the shadows moved, revealing the prepostorous impostor.

"Aah, our little doll~"

A fake hapiness overtakes the notes of his voice, yet the threads are everyday, simple ones, so it doesn't vow to raise suspicion. Only a truly close one can sense the diffrence in its cotton (rotten) wool.

"Mm, Laito...?"

An unfinished question hangs in the air. So many possible endings... Yet, does he truly know the esence of the question?

He does; but silence! Nothing is being said.

He pretends.

"Mmh, why don't you come here, by the piano, we can play a lovely little tune together~"

He will not anwser; will you play along?

A little shuffle of bare feet and the dark piano seems bigger than when it was from the door. More intimidating too...

"Hmm, sit."

He moves a bit with a smile, one hand patting the unworn leather of the chair, eyes gleeming with mischief. Oh, the fire in them is so bright! As if alight just recently, woken up from it's dark dreaming slumber.

Ah, the more you look into those eyes, the more you realise that... the fire is fake. It's not the hot dance of flames for life or excitment, not even hapiness, sadness or revenge. It's fake, it's dark, but it's not cheap. This fire is much more dangerous, much more darker, larger; even though it's fake, be careful! You can still get burned...

The leather of the chair feels soft, it's not cold either, warmed up by someone else...

As you sit, the red headed boy can't take his eyes off you. 

Not giving even a second to cool down from the intense heat from his eyes. Your sleep shirt rides up just a bit as you get more comfortably settled in the chair. It doesn't go unnoticed. 

His eyes, oh! His never ending eyes wander just a bit too low, just a bit to the new plot of nudity. All the way from the heels to the hips; the bare legs and open skin gets him a little excited. It's as if the prudness and innocence of it all is more exciting than you actually being nude. 

Oh, how he'd love to imagine you nude. Absolutely bare and naked, giving it all to him. He is imagining you naked. Wandering just a bit too low once more, and a bit too high for the first time. Looking over, examining everything; wondering, just what would happen if-

"Laito? Can we play?"

Of course we can, my love, just in which way?

"A? Sure, here, go ahead..."

A little disheveled look shines in the eyes, a bit lost, but easily regainable. Sitting up a bit more straight, repainting the moment lost playful smile, his eyelids close a bit and easily turn away to the yellowing white and black keys.

"I really like the tune you played before, it sounded really nice."

A simple comment, a simple smile, one simple emotion - happy. A pretty line graces your lips; a sneaky look landed in the direction of your face, gives a small little blush to Laito. (How he'd love to see it, your face, contort, maybe even make you blush).

"Oh really~? Do you know what it's called?"

A smile, closed eyes, he doesn't want to see you. The question hangs in the air, just like a misreable life ending it's play.

His head turned to you, his smile becomes a bit more scary, his eyes open with just a bit more mischief in them. His head moves closer, just a bit more to intimidate you? Scan you? Explore you? Read you?

As he keeps geting closer,  if you squint, you can notice something is missing. Is it in his eyes? Or in his smile? Is it something in the flame, hiding deeper than the irisis? Or maybe something in his teeth; as if a yellow spot, unseeable, but there to scare, annoy?

"It's called "The blood waltz"..."

Is it a whisper, or is it something in his unnatural tone? Can you... did you tell the difference? Is it just your brain playing tricks on you? Was it just your imagination, that a such a whisper exsisted? Was it also just your imagination, that sent a wave of rare shivers, those types of rare shivers, that you get once in your life as a tide drags you back into it's ocean, prickling down your spine?

It's getting a bit hot in here.

His success, triumph in making you blush, puts back the playful, unreadable smile on his face.

It's a safe smile, yet no heart in it can be seen.

He moves away, his head, his posture back, as if he was a mechanical teddy bear, as if he wasn't real, yet your only wish is, that he were even more real.

And in that moment, in that moment of a wish, in that moment of pure hypnotization, you realise what's missing.

Something that you didn't realise, something, that you thought was so significant, so real, so important, so ture, yet when you look at him now, it was so hard to pinpoint what it was.

Something, that you didn't even think, would make him look so... empty...

He's missing...

His hat.

His hat is missing, he looks so weird without it.

"Laito... where's your hat?"

"Huh? Oh, you like my hat?"

It sounds like a genuine simple question, no mischief behind it.

As he turns away, just for a moment, hiding behind the side of the piano, he seems to grab something. Seeing his back, his side, it seems so lovely, it's as if those green eyes never exsisted, it's as if the mischief hidden behind them, that could even rival Loki's, never did anything, never appeared in your life.

And yet, they turn back in a flash, the emerald green forest hiding in them, once again envolping you whole.

It's quite lovely to get lost...

But, how lost is too lost?

Something simple lands on your head.

"Hmm~, here! If you like my hat that much, you can wear it!"

Cheerfull echoes resonate in the occupied piano room. An empty, but characteristic, closed eye smile, dissolves some of the mist set tension. The hat gently lands as if a fallen feather of a swan, right before turning into a beautiful ballet dancer...

Or...

Right after turning into a swan, never to dance as human again...

"Here, why don't you play me a lovely little tune, entertain me, little doll"

It's just a little blush, a small, invisible tint, perhaps he doesn't see it...?

Maybe if you turn your head just a bit more, turn your focus to the slighty yellowed keys, press just a bit harder, and maybe you'll get the right melody, the right tone. Maybe then you'll finally calm down. Maybe then you'll finally let the music and his unreadable stare drown you in the green land of emerald waters and (un)holy grass...

A simple tune, so melodic, but primitive; one rivaling the beauty of the forest Nymphs and the magic of Orpheus's music.

With a hand resting on the side of the glazed piano, in intense stare is softened (dare we say, even intrigued) and emotion is trying to meet the others.

Yet your fingers are quick. There is no need for a hum or a song, not even a text would be allowed in this tune.

One, two, three, four, and it's a waltz you've never heard before...

"Where'd you learn to play that?"

The melody continues. There is no more suspence, it's coming nigh.

"Shu taught me."

Intensity and stop! The sentence is complete; a black, blot dot is set.

Hands stop, hover and land. You've reached the highest point of the mountain.

"You know... You look awfully adorable in my hat..."

One hand no longer supporting a head, the other slowly slithering, as if serpent, a deadly little thing, across the warmed seat.

The mountain air feels fresh and nively cold on your skin.

"I think... it really suits you..."

The hands drives onto your thigh, both pair of eyes, both looks afraid to cut the tension, as if it were an overblown ballon, that could pop at any drop, or even, a frozen lake. One, with ice so thin, that it makes you question why you even stepped on it in the first place.

Both pair of eyes follow the hand, every trace, it's whole way, it's whole little odyssey.

The fish seem to like to play under your feet, under the frozen water...

On the mountain, you stretch your arms over the horizon.

As the hand rest on your thigh, it's odly warm sensation, radiating from within gives a out a qiuet gulp.

A pair of eyes reach up, desperately trying for air, the green ones slowly follow suit.

Such a beautiful intense gaze, held with a million pieces of silk rope. You're getting lost in the forest, my darling, even if you follow the trail...

So desprate, so strong. You have to breathe, you need to breathe!

The hand moves further up, slowly, intensly, savouring the flavour of your skin, leaving alight a path of fire with each slide up.

His head is twisted, twisted to the side... His hand is moving even more further up, holding, challenging the intense gaze...

You take a breath on the mountain.

You close your eyes, calm on the frozen river.

And the it happens - the fall, the kiss.

His hand stops right where it needs to be, his head closing the gap and giving in to the tension.

A kiss, just a small, little kiss. So soft, so timid; are you getting shy?

(please don't (do) be shy, it makes me so happy...)

The gap is small, but it seems as if you could fit the whole Pacific Ocean in there and still have room to never drown.

But you want to drown...

Eyes locked tight together, you say nothing, but it's all the both of you have to hear.

Quietness, stilness...

You close your eyes on the mountain and...

Fall.

Fall forward, into the gaping abyss with it's bottom never seen...

A raging storm. Lips connected, stronger, hotter; a dancing, dangerous flame in the middle of the room.

It's so hot, it's so suffocating. It's more than just a gentle, timid kiss, it's one that not even Romeo could give to Juliette.

As you fall into the freezing river waters, not even it can stop the burning fire inside you.

You need this, you love this, even if it's burning you raw inside out, right into a dust of ash.

Lean back, just a little lean back; is it because you don't want this? Or is it because you want to let him take you whole?

So much time, such intensity, there is no slow.

As if trying to lead him back with your lips, you're slowly trying to lay down.

Yet, he is pressistent, he will not give in, wont let you get away.

Air, you need air!

But the river is frozen over you.

You keep leaning back, but he just stands up, stradels the poor little chair, and pushes you forward.

Wether it was his hands or his lips, that brought you upright again - you do not know.

But what you do know is that a hand, and another hand make their peace on your thighs. Slowly rubbing and going under, spinning circles like a helpless ballerina.

His hands are under there and they're strong, slowly lifting and making him - your piano chair.

Just as he stradled this chair, he makes you stradle him, continuing your fast burning kiss.

"You're a terrible kisser, you know~"

It makes you blush.

"It's not like I had practice before..."

A little chuckle, this time it's sounds genuine.

Once again, another strong gaze locks itself on you; pressistent! It needs to get your attention...

"Oh, sweetie, I can be your practice, hmm~"

Another kiss, nor hard, nor soft, nor sweet, nor bitter.

It's a waltz, with no rhythm.

"Every week..."

He lifts you, turning around and placing you down on the piano (what an awfully ugly sound it makes...).

His hands enclose on the piano, trapping your hips in place; you won't move away...

"Two hours a day..."

He's getting closer, another sensless, short kiss.

"Until you play my lips, like the melody you played for me..."

Another kiss, this one will last longer, you know.

It's those hot, hot kisses all over again...

He's kissing down now.

It stops at your lips and continues slowly on your chin.

Down.

Down.

Hands won't be left behind; as they lift and and hug your legs again.

Kisses under your chin, on your neck, down your collarbone with a stop right there...

Oh, and there? Those kisses were prefume.

They'd linger and sometimes even leave something behind.

He'd bare his fangs and bite, just a bit, right there. But being lost in this high, in this new, strange world, you can't, you don't have to feel anything. The pain is just an illusion, it's actually exctacy, just hiding in a different form.

Yet, biting won't stop him. He'll molest the spot, those two little dots; kiss, suck, lick. Anything and everything, just to get that same sound out of you, that you made a few seconds ago, right in the moment of the bite, the kiss; anything...

And yet, there's no stopping there, you might linger on one spot, but you can't stay there forever.

Kisses keep flowing down like a cold river stream. Down to the heart, to the chest, to the valley. They flow as if a leaf on an ocean. Through the stomach, around the waist, all the way to the hips and stopping near the middle. It's the edge of the waterfall.

"Say, what game did you play with Kanato?"

"What do you mean?"

"Kanato doesn't usually say much, but his look today, your smell... that's all we had to see..."

...

"So, what game did you and Kanato play?"

"It's a special game."

"Oh?"

Just a tilt of the head, both arms on your thighs, but they're holding up a had of their own.

"And how do you play this special game~?"

"Kanato has a special sweet and if I lick and suck it, I get some cream at the end."

"Mm, a special sweet...?"

He's smiling.

"Mhm, I think you have one too."

"Oh really?"

"Yes! Kanato said the cream was supposed to be sweet, but I don't think it was,"

His smile (or is it a smirk?), it get's a little wider.

"Maybe if I try yours, it will be better...?"

"Hmm, how about... I try some of that special cream~?"

"I don't think you can; I think you should ask Kanato."

"Oh, mm, I don't think I'll need to do that,"

His smile... It's still a smile, but there seems to be something off with it...

"Have you ever heard of reversing games?"

"Reversing?"

"Mhm, how about we try reversing your special game, I think I've got the hang of the rules..."

It's no longer a smile, just the esence, no soul of it.

A dangerous fire has unknowingly been lit.

As he kisses the middle once again, soft hands trace your thighs up again, getting a hold of some fabric, squeezing, crumbleing it up, just to pull it all down.

The leaf finally flows off the edge of the waterfall.

At first, a gentle kiss, just like at the start, just like what led to all of this.

Then a another and another kiss, each one more passionate than the last. Tugs and kisses, they are getting more hard, they're less soft, more demanding; this will you lead you somewhere more than the edge of a waterfall...

But it feels so good...

"Laito!"

Another harsh tug, one hand holding on to the piano, as if it were your life, if you let go - you fall. The other quickly flowing to the top of your head, right to the hat, to hold it... Is it to not make it fall off? For reasurance? Something to make you calm down?

"Mm? Oh, don't hold that hat sweetie,"

One hand leads the other off the hat, holding on tight to the wrist (maybe a bit too tight). He doesn't want to let go...

"Just try to not make it fall off, I don't like it when my things get dirty~..."

A look that's trying to bind you in your place is cast once again. It's hard, it's intense, it's... dirty...

"Well..."

The gaze, it's stronger than the gods.

"Some of my things, hehe~"

And he drowns in kisses again, not coming up even for a breath.

It feels so good, as of the tides of the wishing waves have swept up and taken you away. The exctacy, the pure chaos of it, it just slowly builds this feeling inside you. One, that could be compare to the finding of your very own ocean.

It feels amazing, his kisses, their hard, theirs rough, but you dont want the to be soft!

You need this, you want this!

And the ocean that you found is slowly flooding.

"Laito..."

It's not supposed to be a moan or a whimper, but it's not making him stop.

"Laito."

He keeps going, and if anything - even faster and better than before.

Something’s building up inside of you; the ocean is soon to overflow...

"Laito!"

And there it goes, you just let go. The ocean finally overflowd, spilling out the sides of the earth.

You did try to warn him, but that, this feeling... It could rival anything in this world, even the almighty love...

He doesn't seem to care, that you're finally done, over the high, but still stuck in its euphoric fall. He just keeps licking, sucking, cleaning everything up.

"Is it... Is it sweet?"

The questions echo may be tired, but it's esence is just still building up.

"As sweet as honey, hehe~"

He smiles, he laughs or perhaps it's a chuckle.

"So sweet that I want more..."

The ocean may have spilled, but it's far from empty.

He goes and carries on with his want, despite the protest.

Oh, the second time was even better than the first!

So much more sensation, somuch more work... It didn't take long to finnish this time around.

And now, you felt completely down. Still sitting on the piano, heavy, thick breaths, sleep slowly overcomes tiredness. Yet, even as you’re huffing and puffing, feeling as if you just ran a marathon and blabbering on nonsense - he doesn't stop, he didn't stop.

When you finished the second time, he didn't stop; didn't lift his head up, didn't say any comments, just kep on going.

It's hard, you're trying to keep it in.

It does feel good, better with each second, but it's just too much! You... you don't fel like you can take it.

His name falling from your lips, as if trying to stop him, warn him, tell him...

But he cannot hear, he refuses to listen.

The sensations keeps going on and on, you won't be able to hold on for much longer.

One last time, you try his name.

"Laito!"

Yet, to no avail, you are done for.

As the last couple seconds tick, the clock reaches 12, it's already midday. And with those last seconds, with that last tick you release.

The build up, the hold was so big, you feel as if a fountain was just released; and with the tick of the clock, with the wooden bird, a darkness overcomes your eyes. You fall into it, letting go of your physical body, allowing the dark to hug, envolpe and drown you whole; let your soul and mind wander free. Let the exctacy release while you continue to forever swim in it's waters.

Go to sleep now, rest. Let relief overcome you, never to awake from euphoria again.

                                                            ↢ II o’clock | IV o’clock ↣

[theoriginalcarnivorousmuffin]

In your ask about how the nameless guy could be the nameless woman, you said that you thought the statute of secrecy is much younger than what is said in the series. Please elaborate how you know (not that I disagree with you. the wizards are s*** at keeping themselves a secret)

So, as I’ve discussed before, one has to take anything about history in the wizarding world with a large grain of salt. Specifically, I doubt the wizarding world approaches the discipline of history the way we do, history doesn’t seem to be much of an academic field (the wizarding world seems to only have two historians, one of which is dead), and there seems to be a strong incentive and tradition of propaganda.

So, that alone makes me suspicious of anything we learn relating to The Founders, Merlin, and even the Statute of Secrecy.

And now, JKR’s wiki.

JKR places the statute in the midst of the witch burnings (late 17th century) as basically an emergency action on the part of the wizarding community. Who had been steadily ostracized for about a century. 

The children were particularly vulnerable and eventually they put their feet down, across the entire world (Tibet is somehow included in this), and agreed to make all the muggles forget about them.

I actually had thought JKR had made the statute earlier than that, which is my bad, so I would probably date it nearish the same time (and they do probably have records of when they put it into law) but I think the why and the how are a little different than wizards remember.

The Modern Wizarding World

To me, the Wizarding World we see in Harry Potter doesn’t reflect this story.

We see extreme anti-muggleborn sentiment in Salazar Slytheirn (who is supposed to be dated 500 years earlier). Granted, this is likely propaganda/popular legend dated to near when the statute went into effect, showing that “SEE THIS HAS ALWAYS PLAGUED OUR PEOPLE”, except he’s portrayed in a very negative light.

Salazar is a known dark wizard and when he doesn’t get what he wants, he puts a monster in the basement of the school. Even before Voldemort warped society’s perception of Slytherin, this is...

Well, it’s not the kind of legend you have about the other three founders.

That’s... not what your Cassandra should be doing.

Wizards treat the witch burnings as a joke. Oh, they don’t like the sentiment, but within the books Hermione notably reads historical accounts of witches and wizards who enjoyed getting caught by muggles because they liked being lit on fire and laughing in their faces.

Now, this is one account we get to see, but that this is something taught to the children just emphasizes that muggles aren’t viewed as a threat. They’re a nuisance or else a people to be pitied for their lack of magic.

While it has been 400 years, I think that the reasons for the founding of modern wizarding society would run deep. If it was truly because of the witch hunts alone, and fear of persecution, their narrative and attitudes would look very different.

This is not a society that went into hiding because of big bad muggles.

It’s a society that went into hiding because they were sick of this bullshit

The Bullshit Turmoil of 17th Century Europe

17th century Europe was a mess. Large parts of countries changed hands all the time, the continent was nearly always at war, and England might have been one of the biggest messes of all. Civil war, deposed kings, reform of the state religion multiple times, the witch burnings, etc.

I think the wizards just got tired of it and didn’t want to deal with it anymore. They already likely had Hogwarts, their own private, secret, educational institution, and already feel quite cut off from muggle society. Why should they pay taxes to muggle kings who change every week and whose religions constantly persecute them?

So, in the midst of all this chaos, they enact the statute. And I imagine it’s surprisingly simple. Most pack up and move, creating all wizarding neighborhoods, they have a council of their most important families meeting every so often which becomes the Wizengamot, and they become essentially a sovereign nation that just happens to leach off muggle infrastructure.

And as the years go on, and they like this not paying taxes or going to church thing, they slowly become more and more alienated from muggle society until they fail to understand it at all.

And so you have the modern wizard who literally has no clue why they separated off except that the witch burnings had something to do with it. The idea that muggles even have problems like these (politics, civil war, changing of state religion multiple times) is likely an anathema to them.

They’ve completely forgotten that they once had to deal with this too.

What About the Other Countries?

JKR doesn’t really cite when it became an international law but it’s presumably around the same time.

And you’re telling me that they were able to get people from every country, not just Western Europe, with starkly different cultures and attitudes towards magic, to agree to this? All at the same time?

To me, I think it was rapidly adopted in stages in Western Europe. Britain may have done it first then the French wizards went, “Hey, that looks like a great idea!” and went along for the ride.

I think it was imperialism/colonialism/westernization that spread the statue elsewhere. The British wizards get to China and India, sorry locals, you get to use wands, build magical academies, and have to go live separate from the muggles now. Doesn’t matter what you were doing before, our way is the right way!

With westernization, I imagine that the wizarding communities in those nations saw the changing times, and most decided to switch over to the more western model of disappearing as muggles seemed to appreciate them less and less. And even then we still have things like Rasputin happening.

The Statute Today

With increased technology, communication, and travel the Statute is untenable. It will fail. Eventually there will be something wizards can’t cover up with a gas leak. As it is, that’s very nearly Harry and Ron in 1992 when they fly a car over a populated city.

More, the alienation of the wizarding world doesn’t help. They now have no understanding of muggle culture. The only real understanding they have is through muggleborns and they’re disconnected from muggles as well as they’re essentially taken out of that society at the age of eleven.

The way wizards talk, the statute will always hold. Doesn’t matter that the obliviation department seems busier than ever, the idea that this didn’t always exist, that it can crumble, doesn’t even occur to them. 

But yes, those are my general thoughts on the statute.

[imaginariumpod]

Studio Ghibli; and the aesthetic of comfort and the mundane.

When it comes to animation movies, Studio Ghibli movies are still some of the long standing staples of the genre, and for a good reason. A lot has been said about these films, their thematics, their characters, their stories and the studio that made them, as well as one of their elusive and yet most well known creators : Hayao Miyazaki. I will try to focus on the ways Studio Ghibli views comfort as well the coziness in these little slower moments that fill the universe of Ghibli films. These movies are generally universally loved by the public, despite the fact that they are aimed toward a younger audience. These movies are definitely created with the goal of showing it to a public of children and families, and yet they still are very complex and layered pieces of art and animation that all audiences can appreciate. These movies also do not look down on their audiences, they do not shy away from touching upon more difficult themes such as war, loss, and fear, in a manner that’s adequate for the public it is targeting. With this article, I want to write an extension on the article I have already written on the subject of slowness in cinema and that has been asked by one of my subscribers on patreon. If you haven’t read that article yet, you can read it HERE on my blog. 

 The films that have been created by Studio Ghibli, are, and with reason, a cornerstone of the animated movie industry.  Despite the fact that these movies are definitely intended and made for a younger audience, I think we can all agree that these particular movies can be appreciated by everyone, at any age, and that anyone can find meaning and solace within these movies. Studio Ghibli movies are truly an excellent example of filmmaking that manages to capture a slower pace in media, slowing down the action to just offer a moment to breathe. Between all of the grand adventures and events that are happening in those movies, there are always moments of slowness to be found. Of calm. Of quietness. The characters of the Ghibli universe are permitted to simply exist sometimes. 

The concept of slowing down in media is one that I deeply appreciate for the way it brings depth and serenity in stories. This is a very personal point of view of course, I find the modern pace of capitalist life deeply alienating at times, and sometimes I think we just need a moment to slow down and enjoy simply being. Doing nothing is a very anti-capitalist thing, in my opinion, and I greatly appreciate seeing this concept in books and movies. While being productive is always a nice feeling, and god knows I always enjoy being busy and having things to do, it is always in these moments where I feel submerged by everything I have to do that I yearn for some peace and quiet. While it is not always possible to have this, it is always possible for me to simply … start a movie, and try to escape a bit the weight of the world.

I personally think having these moments to be able to just breathe and be truly enriches a movie. Those moments of simple mundanity and ordinariness ground the story in reality even when the story is about a wizard living in a moving castle. Studio Ghibli movies are the epitome of films that can focus on fantasy and the imaginary and telling incredibly original stories, while also including this measure of the mundane, the routine and the ordinary in between the louder and more action-packed parts of the film. This way of constructing these films, makes it so that the universe feels more lived-in, real and comforting, the characters feel more grounded and rooted in reality. 

 Studio Ghibli: a brief history

Even though Hayao Miyazaki started working as an animator in the 1960s, working in TOEI animation and learning the tricks of the trade, it is only later in 1985 that he established Studio Ghibli as we now know it, with the partnership of Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki. It is with that previous working experience that he got to truly construct an identity as the type of animator he wanted to become, and the type of movies he wanted to produce. Before Ghibli, Miyazaki got involved with different animation projects such as Heidi (1974) , and Anne of Green Gables (1979) and a project that would never see the day : Pippi Longstocking. This project is quite interesting in how it simply … never got made, its a bit like a lost part of history, a what-if. Despite the fact that Hayao Miyazaki had drawn a lot of concept arts as well as storyboards for this project, they never got the green light from the swedish author Astrid Lindgren.  

Nonetheless, it is obvious how all of these projects forecast how Miyazaki and his business partner Isao Takahata will more often than not try to center young girls as the main protagonists of their movies. A trend that will continue on for the most of their careers to this day. They will continue to focus on young girls and women as the main characters of the stories they are telling in such a complex and intricate way, all of their female characters are different from each other, with their own complicated inner lives, dreams and goals. It seems like such a basic requirement to request from our media, and yet even now, it is still not something that… will be guaranteed in the stories we consume. It is not to say that ghibli’s portrayals of women is perfect, but I do appreciate their very complex heroines and their adventures. 

I will not try to pretend that I can totally understand the type of person that Miyazaki is, he’s a complicated figure at the helm of Studio Ghibli, the man behind the curtain. He is definitely a hardworking and self-critical person, but also deeply critical of others as well, wanting to set up very high standards of work that can be extremely difficult to achieve in a very high pressure environment. Thus is the complex personality of Miyazaki. I do not want to pretend he is a perfect man, and I do think some of his choices are things i don't quite agree with. There are some very valid and legitimate criticisms to be made about him, some by the closest people he works with as well as his own sons, especially Goro Miyazaki, who say that his father was always very distant, working long hours even by the era’s standards, and whose heart was obviously more into his work than his home life. Hayao Miyazaki valued work and putting in the time and effort into his art and job, pushing for very unhealthy job practices and work culture.

 He is far from perfect, and seek perfection in his work, both from himself and the people he works with. There’s a lot to be said on that aspect, and yet I still very much think that he is that he is still a very fascinating person to reckon with, someone who brought very important and beautiful stories and revolutionized the world of animation in a really significant way. The universes he created are some I keep coming back to times and times again. I also highly recommend the documentary A Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013)  if you have not seen it, as to have a glimpse of the way this animation studio functions on a daily basis. I find it always so very inspiring personally, each time I watch this documentary, I feel hugely motivated to create and to make something, no matter how small. Sometimes, it is simple about the sheer act of creating something, of spending some time away on the roof, looking at the skies while a cat is sleeping next to you. 

His involvement with the Union during his early animator years left him with a leftist tendency that will continue on during his career and seep through the themes of his movies.From the very firmly anti-war stances to the pro-environmentalist and anti-capitalist and anti-consumerist themes, Ghibli movies are a proof that you can tackle these subject matters in a very conscientious way even in children’s media. It can be seen in the movie Grave of the Fireflies (1988), a heart-wrenching movie about two children trying to survive the last months of  World War II.  Even though Isao Takahata, who directed this movie, says the movie was not made out to be an anti-war movie, this stance is still very much woven in the very fabric of the movie, from its beginning to its ending. 

This specific theme is very important here in terms of the experience of the mundane and the ordinary in Ghibli movies. Even within the most devastating of events, smaller moments of slowness can be found, and appreciated. Quiet moments of peace that feel even more poignant in the midst of struggle. Despite everything, I think we have all come to the conclusion that even when world-shattering events are happening, life truly must go on. And it does find a way to go on, and it feels mind-boggling that we all have to do our groceries, cook dinner, wash our laundry while terrible events keep happening, and yet, these mundane moments still occur. It is still possible to find a moment of respite and peace in the midst of uncertain times and terrible events. 

But also, as Marco says it in Porco Rosso, « I’d much rather be a pig than a fascist » and I think this really does say it all. 

The aesthetic of comfort 

Despite being usually  an animated movie set in a very obviously fantastical universe, Studio Ghibli movies tend to be very realistic in the way they portray the characters, their complexity, and also what are the real underlying conflicts. For example, in Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) «The primary conflict isn’t about magic—it’s internal and invisible and wholly human: Kiki’s brief period of lost motivation and artist’s block. She gets it back when she wants to help Tombo, whom she loves. Simple as that. She doesn’t have to wage an epic battle to prove her worth»  The stakes might seem lower in this movie compared to other stories, very mundane and ordinary, there is no war, there is no significant conflict, but I think this is what makes it so special in the end. 

One of the particularities of Ghibli movies is how they deal with the notion of childhood, a notion that few animation movies have approached with such delicateness and seriousness. One of the things I really appreciate from Ghibli movies is that it does not shy away from treating children as complex beings. It does acknowledge the fact that children are also able of complexities and of understanding more than we think they do, and yet creating media that is easy for them to comprehend and appreciate, which I think is no small feat. 

There is definitely also a definite focus on working class characters instead of the more “prestigious” ones in Ghibli movies, there is a desire to center normal people, whatever that means, in their stories. Most of the characters have to work for a living, earn their lives, and the value of hard work is definitely something that is highlighted in the Ghibli universe. In Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), the baker’s wife tells the young witch that work is work no matter how small and insignificant you might think it is,  and all work should be paid, and it is a truth that should be remembered.

In that movie, here is no world shattering events, no wars or massive destruction, only a young witch trying to make something out of herself, losing her will and creativity and gaining it again. That particular theme is one that resonates a lot with people on a very basic level, especially in this current day and age where so many of us are trying to monetize our creative work. So often, trying to capitalize off a hobby and enduring the bone deep dreary weight of capitalism is what will make artists lose their original inspiration and will to create, when a hobby turns into labor, and this is, at its core, the journey that Kiki went through. 

As Robert Ebert told Miyazaki, during an interview with him « I told Miyazaki I love the "gratuitous motion" in his films; instead of every movement being dictated by the story, sometimes people will just sit for a moment, or they will sigh, or look in a running stream, or do something extra, not to advance the story but only to give the sense of time and place and who they are.» 

And he was right, Ghibli movies have these moments where the action is not something that is strictly essential to the plot of the movie, and yet it is essential to the essence of what Ghibli movies do. Miyazaki then explained what this concept for him meant for him : 

  «"We have a word for that in Japanese," he said. "It's called ma. Emptiness. It's there intentionally."» 

Those slow moments between the actions are thus very deliberate, they mean to slow down the story and to slow down the pace. Unlike the generally accepted school of thought in modern Hollywood cinema, where every single scene and dialogue needs to move the story forward, Miyazaki lets his story and movies breathe and exist. This way of building a story does give it an added sense of calm and soothingness, but also it gives it a sense of realism. Instead of following a strict narrative outline, this fluidity makes the story feel more real and relatable.

These quiet moments and details that might seem innocuous and useless at first glance, and maybe look like they would slow and hinder the pace of the movie in itself, are ultimately what gives it this feeling of genuineness, of sincerity. It lets the characters as well as the plot have the space to breathe, evolve and grow. 

« Although these scenes may seem slow or unimportant, they give space to develop the characters and to heighten dreams or feelings the characters are having such as feelings of isolation, wonder, or anxiety. It is in these moments of stillness that the audience can contemplate with the characters and feel what the characters are feeling. These moments remind the audience the importance of stillness in such a fast paced world and highlights the beauty of a slower paced life»

Studio Ghibli movies insert those slo

wer moments in between their more faster paced and action packed scenes, but also in the midst of world-changing events such as wars, as shown in Howl’s Moving Castle (2004). This demonstrates how people still live on during those crises, even with the danger looming over their heads. This kind of media gives me hope that we can live through this, that moments of happiness and peace are still to be found even within the madness of our very fast capitalistic and  hyper consumerist life.

From visibly established routines to a focus on the mundane, the daily.  the ordinary, Ghibli movies will definitely bring these seemingly unimportant acts and integrate them as essential to the general experience of the movie. You see the characters inhabiting the Ghibli universe working, studying, sleeping, eating, in a way, you see them being alive. In a manner of speaking, of course, these are fictional characters in fictional universes, but it is obvious that the universe and the lives these characters lead extend beyond what we’re seeing on the screen. They have whole lives and experiences that we might not be privy to, as the audience, but it is apparent that these characters are fully formed. They are going on and about with their lives, and it is this emphasis on the ordinary that makes them appear so realistic. 

Falling and getting up again. Jumping and stumbling. So often, Ghibli’s characters are not perfectly graceful beacons of dexterity and elegance, quite the opposite even, their demeanor and posture will inform the character and their place in that world, and yet it is not always perfect and flawless. Sometimes, the characters will run and stumble and trip and fall and this mundanity of being.  

This representation of the realness of what it is to be a person, that sometimes we trip and stumble, that we fall and get up again and yet, we continue to walk or run. It’s also a way of defining the different characters, of imbuing them with their own personality and mannerisms and be able to distinguish them even with such small details as the way they walk and carry themselves. This is definitely not exclusive to Studio Ghibli, animation as a whole uses movement and mannerisms as an essential tenet of character, but it is  still very rare to see this sort of flailing included voluntarily in the films. Since the medium that these movies are created in is two-dimensional animation, it means that every single frame had to be carefully planned and executed, before being drawn and painted frame by frame.  These movements could have been easily not included in the final cut of the movie, they could have been considered superfluous to the film, and yet they were. These imperfect moments are what ultimately makes it better. 

Ghibli movies do that, not only in terms of physicality and concrete elements, but also when it comes to feelings and emotions. Emotions that we all feel and experience, from the feeling of restlessness to loss and  fear, to love and courage. Ghibli movies really do showcase all of these feelings that we all feel, even though in a manner that is easy to understand for all audiences. 

 “Only Yesterday does not hit the dramatic highs of Miyazaki’s work, but that’s partly the point. It’s less concerned with presenting a grand thesis about the nature of being human than it is navigating the heartbreaks, triumphs and regrets that make us. But it’s still comforting for a film about the relentless march of time, the title even invoking both the speed with which childhood can pass us by and how close those memories stay with us.

It’s immensely relatable in how it evokes these little tragedies: the feeling of being a fraud; of missing out’ of wondering if you’ve left your childhood self behind; idealism; dreams and all. It asks us not to mourn what might or might not have happened, but to keep those memories close, and use them to move forward. That Only Yesterday makes this feel as wondrous as a castle in the sky or a land of spirits is nothing short of miraculous, and why it ranks among Ghibli’s best.”

The act of eating is one that is heavily emphasized in Ghibli movies,  one only needs to read all of the articles dedicated to the mouth-watering food that fills its universe to understand that this simple act, of eating and of preparing food, is one that is very important. Countless of people have made videos on how to recreate some of the most iconic dishes and meals of the Ghibli universe, from Howl’s Moving Castle’s tempting breakfast to Spirited Away’s feasts, both the one that Chihiro’s parents eat at the beginning of the movie and the ones served to the bathhouse’s guests, and the simple snacks that are eaten throughout the movie, from the onigiri Haku gives Chihiro or the food she shares with Lin. Ghibli movies are very well known for how pretty and appealing its food looks, and simply taking the time to showcase the act of preparing and eating food, thus slowing down the pace and creating a break during the plot of the movie. There’s a certain type of media that does put a lot of importance on the act of slowing down, taking the time to cook, such movies such as Little Forest : Summer & Autumn and Little forest : winter and spring, for example. A lot of media that’s just about not doing much and preparing some food, which somehow has a very soothing effect. The act of eating and cooking is part of the greater character narrative and storyline when it comes to Ghibli movies, but also the act of sharing a meal and of eating together. 

Food, the preparing of food as well as the sharing of a meal, is a love language in itself, in my very humble opinion, taking the time to prepare all of the ingredients and then a dish for someone else or for one self is an act of care. And it is definitely one of the ways it is used in Ghibli movies, from My Neighbor Totoro (1988) in which the eldest daughter is often seen having to prepare lunch and food for her younger sister and her father, since her mother is sick and hospitalized. I will not be talking here about eldest daughter syndrome here, but it is very much a Real Thing™️. It is simply in this representation of the act of cooking, and the care she puts in it, that we can understand not only the love she has for her younger sister and father, but also the very real responsibilities that she has to shoulder as such a young age. 

In every single Studio Ghibli movie, this pattern appears, someone will make food, and it will be obvious how much time, effort and love it takes to prepare this dish, or someone will simply take a break from whatever they were doing and take a bite of a small but tasty snack. Somehow, the usage of food in the Ghibli universe is central to the way the characters will experience and move through the world. 

It is in these small moments of respite and calm that the characters, and by extension, us, are allowed to breathe. Moments that are quiet, where two people will share a meal and just be. I always terribly appreciate whenever a movie, or any piece of media really, simply takes the time to let the story expand and move at its own pace. Studio Ghibli movies are always ones I love to go back to whenever the world feels overwhelming and slightly unbearable. I hope that we can all have more moments of peace and quiet, that things can slow down enough for us to catch our breath. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Hayao Miyazaki interview | Interviews

The Magic and Artistry of Studio Ghibli's Films

The Low-Stakes Pleasure of KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE 

Wings and Freedom, Spirit and Self: How the Filmography of Hayao Miyazaki Subverts Nation Branding and Soft Power Shadow 

Miyazaki’s Magical Food: An Ode to Anime’s Best Cooking Scenes 

Food in Spirited Away: Consuming with Intent

Grave of the Fireflies: The haunting relevance of Studio Ghibli's darkest film

NAPIER, Susan. Miyazakiworld : a life in art. Yale University Press, 2018. 

[agir1ukn0w]

My favorite parts from the SFX Good Omens issue:

“Perhaps surprisingly, our destination is the Garden of Eden...Here in the midst of the spectacular Atlantis Dunes and the worst drought in Cape Town’s history, is a little oasis of green that will be expanded later by the magic of CGI. This is where Adam and Eve eat (possibly) the most important apple in human civilization, and where angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and serpent/demon Crowley (David Tennant) begin an unlikely millennia-spanning friendship as the representatives of their respective factions on Earth.” - Richard Edwards, SFX

“23 September 2010 was a red letter day in the history of Good Omens...After many years of trying to get the book made into a movie - most notably with Terry Gilliam at the helm - it was on this day, in a Cardiff restaurant, that Pratchett and Gaiman agreed that TV might have a better home for their story. ‘The Terry Gilliam one should have happened,’ recalls Gaiman...‘They had a really good script. Johnny Depp was going to play Crowley and Robin Williams was going to play Aziraphale, Madame Tracy and Hastur...[But] this was February 2002 - 9/11 had only just happened. He went around and said that it’s a funny film about the end of the world, and people said, “Go away,” and it died.’” - Richard Edwards, SFX

“Indeed, when streaming giants are throwing seemingly infinite quantities of cash at TV shows, we’re at a point where the only limitations to what goes up on screen is imagination. That’s exciting in many ways, but when you’re adapting a novel as beloved as Good Omens, it brings its own unique set of challenges. Just think about all those fans who feel like they know stuffy bookshop owner Aziraphale and his not-quite-as-cool-as-he-thinks BFF Crowley better than anyone else - and feel any deviation from the pictures in their mind is an aberration.” - Richard Edwards, SFX

“‘Good Omens absolutely belongs to the world,’ admits Gaiman. ‘Terry and I wrote a book that was 100,000 words, and that’s probably not more than 1% of the wordage of the total fan-fiction generated about these characters - even excluding the pornography. And I think that’s great. I love that. I’m pretty proud. When we started shooting, I did a post on Tumblr, and said, “Look, your head canon is your head canon. Nobody’s trying to fuck with that. We’re not coming in and saying ‘Our Crowley and Aziraphale is your Crowley and Aziraphale.’ You can still have a platonic Hamlet in your head after seeing five different Hamlets, with thin Hamlets and fat Hamlets and black Hamlets and white Hamlets and old Hamlets and young Hamlets. Your Hamlet can still be your Hamlet.” And that’s how I feel about Crowley and Aziraphale. We are lucky to have Michael Sheen and David Tennant,’ Gaiman adds, ‘the finest Welsh actor of his generation, and the finest Scottish actor of his generation. Watching them acting is like a fucking masterclass. I write something that I think is pretty good dialogue. I hand it to Michael and David, and it becomes better.’” - Richard Edwards, SFX

“Gaiman explains, ‘When I write a scene, the first thing I’m going to do is go to the book, and go, “Okay, what did we do? What are the great lines I need to keep in here? What’s key? What matters?” That’s occasionally been really weird - there’s at least one place where I found a huge goof in the book that I’m planning to quietly correct on future editions, without ever pointing it out to anybody, including you in this interview! You find that kind of thing when you get that deep into it. So there are a few jokes that I lost, where I went, “This is a thing of its time.” Or there were some lines that I looked at and went, “You wouldn’t let this line go through now. Therefore I feel no compunction in losing it.” And then there are other places where you go, “The book is our bible!”’” - Richard Edwards, SFX

“Neil Gaiman had never been a show runner before Good Omens and he says he’s unlikely to be one again. ‘I’m very much looking forward to retiring from show running,’ he admits. ‘I have promised my wife that I will go back to being the novelist that she married. And I look forward to that.’...‘I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve made,’ Gaiman adds. ‘Some bits are better than I could ever have dreamed. So it’s probably been worth it. On the other hand, I also look back at 20 months of not writing, no family life and all these ridiculously long work days, and I go, “Would I have done this for anything other than a promise to Terry to make it?” I don’t know. I might not have done this. It’s been work, you know? I occasionally remind myself that one reason I love being a writer was that you don’t have to get up too early in the morning!’” - Richard Edwards, SFX

“On paper Crowley’s the bad guy because he’s a demon. Do you see him that way? I don’t really see him as a villain. He would very much identify as a villain because that’s the team that he works for, and that’s what he’s supposed to be doing. And yet he keeps confounding that, because actually I think what’s the great charm of Crowley and Aziraphale is that they are not very binary. And that’s their great tragedy: over the thousands of years they’ve lived on Earth, they’ve sort of slipped from their primary mission. That’s, of course, what makes them such good friends. Although they wouldn’t even admit to being friends, and that’s what makes them the yin and yang for each other. Aziraphale is actually a bit of a bastard, and Crowley is quite kind-hearted at the end of the day. There are bigger villains in the piece than Crowley, and some of them are supposed to be the good guys!” - Richard Edwards Q&A with David Tennant, SFX

“What’s it like playing in a world of very personal beliefs and philosophies while also looking at these characters from a human point of view? Crowley’s very much within the infrastructure of Hell. Part of what I think is glorious about the way Neil sets these characters is, it’s supernatural but at the same time, it’s like an episode of The Office with the politics and the mundanities and the small-mindedness of the characters. From an acting point of view, that’s very easy to key into. Crowley is very much about his corner of existence, and protecting it.” - Richard Edwards Q&A with David Tennant, SFX

“How did you tap into Aziraphale’s personality? I decided that he’s someone who has an appreciation of craft and quality. Because he’s been around for so long, that’s something that he really responds to. Whereas Crowley just manifests his clothes, and is very much of the moment. Aziraphale has worn items of clothing over the centuries that he likes. And then if he’s an angel, and therefore a being of love, how does that affect his relationship with Crowley, someone who supposedly on the opposite team, but who he can’t do anything but love? What are the specifics of that in terms of how he relates to Crowley? You start to develop a very real person with very real qualities.” - Richard Edwards Q&A with Michael Sheen, SFX

“Did you approach playing Aziraphale and Crowley as if they were a kind of odd couple? I can’t imagine Aziraphale without Crowley. More than anything I’ve ever done, I can’t think about this character on his own - he only exists with Crowley. So from the very beginning, when we sat down at the table read, my Aziraphale was totally shaped by what David was doing as Crowley, and vice versa.” - Richard Edwards Q&A with Michael Sheen, SFX

“Does Aziraphale want to be Crowley a little bit? I think there are things about Crowley that he really admires and covets, but I don’t think that he wants to be Crowley. I think he just loves Crowley. He would never admit that, and Crowley would never admit that about Aziraphale. He admires certain qualities about him - he would like to be a bit more rock ’n’ roll, but he knows that it doesn’t really suit him. He also really enjoys being Aziraphale, I think.” - Richard Edwards Q&A with Michael Sheen, SFX

[rainbowpacifiers]

Twin Kingdoms (A3! Event story) - Chapter 10

Sorry for the long wait. It’s super text-heavy. They used a lot of effects for this play, so if you haven’t watched it yet or can’t and would like to see, let me know! Excuse any potential mistakes! 

Chapter 9 | Index | Epilogue

Noble A: "His Majesty's magic was superb. In his younger days, his sword skills were first-class as well." Noble: "Compared to that, Lord Cain, however.... If at least it were the other way around with the foster brother, Lutz." Noble A: "He is not very good at magic, either. I hear that is the reason why he still won't take command of the army." Noble B: "Without another heir around, what will happen?..." Cain: "......" Lutz: "Don't take it to heart, Cain. Such fellows will complain about anything." Cain: "Stop trying to console me." Lutz: "Wait, Cain--" King of North Aria: "Cough." Noble A: "Your Majesty!? Somebody call the doctor!"

Noble A: "To think his Majesty would fall ill... What does he intend to do with the throne?" Noble B: "His Royal Highness is quite advanced in age, but I feel a little uneasy about Lord Cain." Noble A: "In the first place, is Lord Cain even qualified to be heir of the throne?" Noble B: "Be careful about what you say." Noble A: "Until now, he has not appeared in royal ceremonies. It is only natural to doubt him." Noble B: "Once someone other than Lord Cain is appointed, the country will fall into ruin." Izumi: (For our setting, we have the kingdom of the north, North Aria, which has been in a long-standing conflict with the kingdom of the south, South Agis, which is surrounded by active volcanoes.) Izumi: (The story begins when North Aria's king collapses as the two countries are in the midst of approaching peril due to unexplained climate change and starvation...)

Cain: "Father...I'm sorry." Lutz: "Where are you going at this hour?" Cain: "--Why are you here?" Izumi: (Haruto-kun's performance of a delicate Prince Cain is great. It's classy and perfectly fits the GOD Troupe's vision.) Lutz: "We have been together since birth. At the very least, I know what you're thinking. Running away won't solve anything." Cain: "I know that. But my existence creates an idle conflict." Lutz: "Well, right now, the palace is not a safe place for you. It might be good to go into hiding for a while." Cain: "Thank you for everything you've done, Lutz." Lutz: "I'm going, too." Cain: "Huh?" Lutz: "I was just thinking that I wanted to go on a trip. Come on, let's go." Cain: "Hey, wait--" Izumi: (The dialogue between Haruto-kun and Shift-kun has changed quite a bit compared to when we first started.) Izumi: (You can now feel something like familiarity and affection between relatives.)

King of South Agis: "Don't make me repeat myself. It is not a matter for you to meddle in." Gilber: "Tch, that pighead! His brains are fossilising with old age." Sasha: "Whatever the circumstances may be, you are going too far, Lord Gilbert." Gilber: "Now, while the people are impoverished, it's ridiculous to have a war with North Aria. Neither the high officials nor my father are staring reality in the face." Sasha: "It seems we cannot avoid the beginning of a war." Gilbert: "Now that things have come to this, a coup is our only option." Sasha: "Do you really mean it?" Gilbert: "I jest. Prepare yourself, Sasha. Tomorrow morning, we ride for North Aria." Sasha: "A surprise attack?" Gilbert: "Your jokes don't sound like jokes." Gilbert: "The inspection results determined that the dry weather and drought have spread from North Aria." Gilbert: "We're going to investigate the cause for the change in climate. There is a way to save our people without a war." Izumi: (Tasuku-san's princely manner is even more majestic than during his performances at the MANKAI Theatre. The way he changes his acting to match with the GOD Theatre is just what you'd expect from him.) Izumi: (The way Azami-kun carries himself is smart and really conveys the role of an obedient valet skilled with a sword.)

Cain: "Oh....silverwork, huh?" Shopkeeper: "Mister, are you perhaps interested in that?" Shopkeeper: "Just between us, but this is a type of magic tool produced in South Agis. Depending on how it's used, it has the power to blow away a house." Cain: "A magic tool..." Shopkeeper: "Since this is our special, I can't just sell it for an inadequate price. Well, how about I trade it to you for that brooch you have?" Cain: "My brooch?" Shopkeeper: "Yeah. I just happen to have a customer who is interested in such things." Cain: "Well, in that case..." Gilbert: "Hey now, don't be deceived by such obvious fraud." Shopkeeper: "What!? If you're going to get in the way--" Gilbert: "If you keep on being overly ruthless, I'm going to hand you over to the military police." Shopkeeper: "--Tch." Sasha: "We might be the ones getting busted and caught by the military police, though." Gilbert: "It was obviously just a threat. Hey, young master, are you alright?" Cain: "What do you mean, fraud?" Gilbert: "That sort of silver rubbish isn't even worth a fragment of your brooch, you know?" Gilbert: "You wouldn't find something as valuable as magic tools on a market like this. There is a limit to how ignorant of the world one can be." Cain: "Wh-- Don't insult me!" Gilbert: "Whoops, my bad. It looks like I overstepped. Does the young master need to experience the real world?" Cain: "You--!" Lutz: "Hey, what are you doing, Cai?" Gilbert: "Your companion? It seems it's still too early to send the young master on an errand." Lutz: "And you are...?" Sasha: "It appears that he was being offered an unfair barter that was not worth the value, and though it might seem a little forward, my lord stepped in." Lutz: "I, I see? Looks like we owe you. Thank you." Cain: "There is no need to thank such rude fellows." Lutz: "But it's true that you know little of the world. Even brooches will add to our travelling expenses. We should be grateful to them." Gilbert: "Then, in return, won't you buy us a drink? We just got into town, so we don't know of any places." Cain: "Why, you impudent--" Lutz: "There, there. It's no bother at all."

Lutz: "I'm sorry that you ended up buying us a drink instead." Gilbert: "You did tell us a bunch of stuff." Cain: "I don't remember asking you to, but thank you, anyway." Gilbert: "Haha, well, if we ever meet again..." Lutz: "Safe travels." Sasha: "We will be going, then." Gilbert: "Alright, where should we stay for the night?" Sasha: "I arranged something at the first establishment." Gilbert: "That's my capable attendant for you." Lutz: "What interesting people, right?" Cain: "How? I have never met such a rude fellow before. Is this the norm in town?" Lutz: "No, rather, that person--" Lutz: "Look out, Cai!" Cain: "!?" Bandit A: "Tch." Cain: "What do you want?--" Bandit B: "Hand over that brooch!" Lutz: "We refuse!" Bandit A: "Ha!" Lutz: "!? Magic--no, magic tools, huh?" Cain: "Why are bandits using magic tools--?"

Gilbert: "--" Azami: "What is the matter?" Gilbert: "I felt a faint hint of magic. Someone must be using magical tools. Let's go!" Azami: "Yes!"

Lutz: "--gh." Cain: "Lutz!" Lutz: "There are still too many of them..." Cain: "We should just give them this brooch..." Lutz: "Even if we hand it over, they're not the sort to just quietly return home." Cain: "Uh--" Gilbert: "Seems as if you have a disposition to somehow get caught up in trouble." Lutz: "Mister Gil!" Sasha: "I will assist you." Bandit A: "Tsk."

Izumi: (The two princes who met in the border town between North Aria and South Agis-) Izumi: (come to take joint action in order to investigate the identity of the attacking bandits...) Gilbert: "It's the crest of the 'Dragon's Followers' who worship the ancient dragon." Cain: "I've never heard of them." Lutz: "Same here." Cain: "Isn't the fact that magic tools were used proof that they're from South Agis?" Gilbert: "That may not necessarily be the case. In the underworld, they are traded by North Aria, too." Sasha: "In all likelihood, they aren't just random rogues."

Izumi: (The party who determined the identity of the bandits with the strange crest as their clue, chases after the bandits who attacked again and enters their hideout...) Gilbert: "Canvassing of historial ruins...? We had such ruins?" Cain: "Not in my memory." Lutz: "Those ruins seem to be the sanctuary of the 'Dragon's Followers'." Gilbert: "The demon clan sealed the ancient dragon that once ruled this land... That dragon brings about a curse once after two thousand years." Gilbert: "So two thousand years later would be this year...?" Cain: "Nonsense. I have never heard of such a story before." Gilbert: "I'm of the same opinion. But it might be necessary to investigate it. That 'two thousand years later dragon's curse'." Sasha: "We are out of time." Gilbert: "--So they're already back." Lutz: "We will have no choice but to engage, it seems." Gilbert: "We only need to earn enough time to secure an escape route." Sasha: "I doubt it will be that easy. We're surrounded." Cain: "--What do we do?" Gilbert: "No other choice, then...." Sasha: "Lord Gilbert, please refrain from rash conduct." Gilbert: "We can't just let them kill us without a fight, either." Cain: "What are you talking about?" Gilbert: "Make sure you don't get caught up in it. Oh power of the source surrounding heaven and earth, dwell in my hands--" Dragon's followers: "Uwah!" Lutz: "Flame magic!?" Cain: "Don't tell me that you're South Agis'--!" Lutz: "How overwhelming..." Cain: "Gil, are you part of South Agis' royal family?" Gilbert: "I'm more or less incognito. It'd be of great help if you could keep quiet about it." Lutz: "South Agis' young lion, Prince Gilbert..." Sasha: "That's why I told you that your alias was too simple." Gilbert: "But I'd just give myself away by using a name I'm not used to." Lutz: "To think that you would be a prince! What a surprise. Are you perhaps on reconnaissance?" Gilbert: "Our goal is just as I've told you. We are investigating the cause of the climate change. Although I didn't think it would lead us to the ancient dragon." Gilbert: "Getting you any deeper involved would be dangerous. For now, you should get away from here so that you won't be discovered by their comrades." Cain: "What are you planning?" Gilbert: "We will investigate the ruins." Cain: "--We will go, too. We can't just pretend to be ignorant after coming this far." Lutz: "Cai--are you serious?" Lutz: "Alright. Mister Gil, may we accompany you for that?" Gilbert: "You surprisingly have guts, young master." Cain: "Stop calling me that." Gilbert: "Cai seems like he is a young master from a prestigious family too, so how did you end up on a journey when you're not yet used to travelling?" Gilbert: "There is probably more to it, right?" Cain: "...You would never understand my feelings." Cain: "Not you, who was born to be a king and is blessed with the makings of one." Gilbert: "...I'm sorry for asking such a personal question." Izumi: -- Izumi: (In the midst of their journey, the scene where Cain gives vent to his own feelings...) Izumi: (The violent emotions he has been bottling up for so long in a darker and deeper part can be seen more clearly than during the auditions.)  Izumi: (His gloomy inferiority complex that has been accumulating, his jealousy of Gilbert, who has everything, and his strong desire...) Izumi: (That's a Cain that no one but Haruto-kun could have enacted.)

Izumi: (The party arrives at North Aria's sacred mountain that they were led to by the Dragon's Followers...) Gilbert: "Ugh..." Cain: "Gil? What's wrong?" Gilbert: "I'm not sure--suddenly, my strength--" Sasha: "Get down!" Gilbert: "Waah!" Lutz: "His magic suddenly went off--!?" Cain: "Don't tell me this is the dragon's influence." Sasha: "It's dangerous. Please move away." Cain: "But at this rate, Gil will--" Sasha: "I will stop him. Hah!" Lutz: "Wait, you're actually slashing at him?!" Sasha: "Even if my lord has lost his mind, he should be able to avoid this much." Lutz: "The trust between you runs really deep! Alright, then I will believe in that and back you up." Lutz: "Excuse me if I inadvertently stab you--looks like I needn't have worried." Cain: "--ghh." Cain: "--damn it, my eyes can barely keep up." Sasha: "Hgg--" Lutz: "Sasha, any more is too risky!" Sasha: "But--it is my duty as an attendant to stop Lord Gil." Gilbert: "Aaah!" Sasha: "Ugh--" Gilbert: "Hah, uhuh..." Cain: "Sasha!"

Lutz: "Seems like Sasha is out of the woods for now. Mister Gil is still asleep." Cain: "...I was useless. Even here, I couldn't do a thing." Lutz: "Come on, pull yourself together. Under those circumstances, there was nothing to be done." Cain: "I was born a prince, too, so why...." Lutz: "You have your own things that you should do. That's why I followed you here. So that you could save this country as its prince." Cain: "All I did was run away." Lutz: "Enough!" Cain: "--" Lutz: "Search for what it is that you ought to do. I know you can do it. I'm saying this as someone who has been with you since we were children, so there's no doubt." Izumi: (Leaving the wounded Sasha behind, the other three head to the sacred mountain once more, for the purpose of investigating the ruins.)

Gilbert: "Should it appear as if my power will spontaneously discharge again, don't hesitate to abandon me and run away." Lutz: "Don't mind if we do. We won't be able to stop you on our own." Gilbert: "Hearing that makes me feel at ease. Let's go. We are almost at the top." Cain: "Ah, the ruins are over ther--" Gilbert: "Kuh--" Cain: "Gil!" Gilbert: "Damn it--again--escape!" Dragon: "Roar!" Lutz: "--A dragon!?" Cain: "There is no body. It's an illusion. But there is no doubt that Gil's powers are being used by the dragon." Lutz: "At any rate, he is not someone we can win against. I will buy some time. In the meantime, you should--" Dragon: "Roar!" Cain: "Ugh--Lutz!" Lutz: "Run...away!" Cain: "Lutz! Don't die!" Gilbert: "Guaah!" Cain: "Why...am I powerless...! I, I...!" *glowing light* Cain: "--Just what?" *bright light coming off Cain* *darkness* Gilbert: "Cai...? Did you do this?" Cain: "Me...? No, I don't have magic..." Lutz: "...ugh." Cain: "Lutz! Are you alright?!" Lutz: "......" Cain: "Lutz!" Gilbert: "Calm yourself. He's just sleeping. More importantly, what happened?" Cain: "I don't know..." Gilbert: "I felt powerful magic. Did you perhaps...." Cain: "...I am the son of North Aria's ruler, Cain." Gilbert: "Prince Cain...You...." Cain: "Let's check the ruins. The key to saving our countries lies here."

Cain: "Ancient language..." Gilbert: "Can you read it?" Cain: "Yeah." Cain: "The brothers who carried magic sealed the dragon here. At that time, the earth was plunged in darkness because of the dragon, who was set free above ground, and his curse." Cain: "The older brother cast all of his magic and subdued it. Thereafter, the curse will manifest itself again once in two thousand years." Cain: "In order to subdue it, the saviour child will be born among the descendants of the brothers, concealing enormous magic power within themself." Cain: "Pass on the key without ever losing it. Dispel the curse before the dragon is awakened by the magma." Gilbert: "A saviour concealing enormous magic power..?" Cain: "Among North Aria's royal family, magicless children have been discarded as children to shun for generations." Gilbert: "It is the same for South Agis." Cain: "In the first place, which family is this about?" Gilbert: "That magic just then - it felt similar to my power. It's possible that the power of the two royal families was originally one and the same." Cain: "We, from the same family...? So our ancestors would have been the brothers that felled the dragon?" Gilbert: "Though my rockhead of a father would probably die of indignation if I asked him." Cain: "But with this, I know what it is that I have to do. If we use my magic, we can dispel the dragon's curse. And both countries will be saved." Gilbert: "So you're going to use the power from just now?" Cain: "Since my birth, my magic powers haven't manifested even once. That thing just now was just a coincidence. If we don't have the key..." Gilbert: "I've never heard of any key." Cain: "Neither have I. The fact that the saviour child came to be abhorred in the first place may mean that the key and folklore have been forgotten." Gilbert: "....In that case, we have no choice but to use my power, right?" Cain: "The dragon would just take over you again. You might not be able to return to your senses." Gilbert: "Even so, it is worth a try." Cain: "How can you just resign yourself to that without hesitation?" Gilbert: "If there is something you ought to do, then just do it, right? What is there to hesitate for?" Cain: "...I'm a fool for asking you." Gilbert: "Where do you intend to go?" Cain: "I will return to the royal capital and look for the key. You do what you have to do." Gilbert: "I'm counting on you, brother." Cain: "Who are you calling your brother?" Gilbert: "We're relatives, so it's all the same, right?" Cain: "Hmph, what an overly friendly guy."

Citizen A: "An enemy attack! South Agis is invading!" Citizen B: "Kyaah!" Citizen C: "A war at a time like this--!" Cain: "We're looking for the key." Lutz: "We don't have to stop them?" Cain: "We will leave it to the other prince. He should be able to figure something out." Lutz: "You're putting your trust in him." Cain: "Wipe that grin off your face."

King of South Agis: "We will make North Aria a country of mine! That is the only way for us to survive!" Gilbert: "That stupid old man--!" Sasha: "You're going too far." Soldier A: "R, reporting in! --an eruption! The vulcano has erupted!" King of South Agis: "What!?" Gilbert: "The magma will awaken the dragon from his sleep..." King of South Agis: "W, what is this rumbling of the ground?" Dragon: "Roar!" Soldier A: "A dragon! The dragon was resurrected!" Dragon's Followers: "Oh...noble dragon! Burn this foolish human race to nothing!"

Cain: "All soldiers, change your target to the ancient dragon!" Noble A: "B, but, what about South Agis attacking us!?" Cain: "They should be aiming at the dragon as well!" Dragon: "Roar!" Gilbert: "Cai! Did you find the key!?" Cain: "I'm sorry. Not yet--" Gilbert: "That's too bad. In that case, there is only one way left." Cain: "Are you sure? If you use up all of for magic power, your life will come to an end." Cain: "To begin with, we don't know if we can seal the dragon with your power alone." Gilbert: "Even then, there is no one else but me who can do it." Cain: "Why do you have no doubts?" Gilbert: "It's not like I don't have any. It's just that there is no another way." Gilbert: "In that regard, you are the brave one for throwing away the throne and trying to break away. Have a little more confidence in yourself." Gilbert: "I'm leaving South Agis and North Aria to you, brother." Cain: "Wait, Gil--Gilbert!" Dragon: "Roar!" Lutz: "Cai, get down! This place is getting too dangerous!" Cain: "--Let go! There is something that I have to see through." Lutz: "--I have no choice then. I will go with you." Cain: "Lutz..." Lutz: "Let's go!"

Gilbert: "Damn it, I can't contain is...." Dragon: "Roar!" Gilbert: "--gh." Sasha: "Leave your back to me!" Gilbert: "Sasha!? Your injuries--" Sasha: "I cannot just let my lord go on his own." Gilbert: "Do you intend to follow me as far as the other side? You truly are a model attendant." Sasha: "Hng." Lutz: "We will back you up!" Gilbert: "Lutz--Cai...so you came!" Cain: "Sealing that dragon is my duty." Dragon: "Roar!" Lutz: "That being said, what will you do without the key!?" Gilbert: "If you don't have the key, wrench it open!" Sasha: "That's very extreme." Dragon: "Roar!" Lutz: "What power...!" Sasha: "Uh...I'm draining quickly. How long will it last?" Gilbert: "Sorry...Cai. Take care...of the rest." Cain: "Gilbert!!" Lutz: "Uargh!" Sasha: "--ugh." Cain: "If there is any power within me... If there is a meaning behind me never manifesting magic, then..." Cain: "Show it to me right here, right now...! So that I can save my comrades and my people!" Dragon: "Roar!"

Cain: "Uugh..." Gilbert: "Hey, are you alright? Cai!" Cain: "...Gil? So you survived." Gilbert: "I should be saying that." Cain: "--What about the dragon?" Gilbert: "Fell into slumber." Cain: "I see..." Gilbert: "In the end, you were the saviour child. The entire time, the key was within you." Cain: "Inside of me..." Gilbert: "I told you to have a little more faith in yourself." Cain: "Humph. Don't act all big."

Noble A: "...Hereby, we enter into a permanent peace treaty, prohibiting any hostile acts between the two countries of North Aria and South Agis." Gilbert: "It was hard work getting that rockhead of an old man to keep quiet. You were finally able to make it this far, brother." Cain: "I don't remember becoming your brother. But, I feel the same." The people: "Long live North Aria! Long live King Cain!"

Reni: "--" Reni: (I have been looking after the actor Asuka Haruto for many years, but to think he was an actor with such feelings hidden inside...) Reni: (The longing of have-nots....I also remember it.)

Haruto: Thank you very much! Shift: Thank you~. Tasuku: Thank you. Azami: Thanks. Lady in her prime: ..... Haruto: --. Haruto: (Was that--no. It was just for a moment, so I might have mistaken her.) Haruto: (It doesn't matter. From tomorrow onwards, I only have to carry out performance after performance like today's with everything I've got, so that I can hold my head high even if my mother comes to watch.) Haruto: (And then, if we manage a smooth run-through until closing night--ya won't mind me comin' home after all this time, would ya, mum?)

______________

Chapter 9 | Index | Epilogue

[writings-of-a-daphodil]

This is All Wrong

Douxie x reader

Masterlist in bio!

Summary: You take a trip to a museum, but it's clear that the history that is described isn't what actually happened. You end up meeting Douxie who gives you an accurate tour.

Requested?: Yes

Going to a museum wasn’t something you did normally, especially when you were on vacation, but desperate times call for desperate measures. You were dying from the heat and from boredom, the museum had air conditioning and interesting history stuff.

You walked into the museum and sighed, it was so cold and it felt so nice. You went to go wait for the tour to start and you took a seat on a bench next to a guy around your supposed age, who was dressed all in black. He had dyed the tips of his hair a deep blue and you had to admit he was handsome. Though he didn’t exactly look like someone who was all that interested in history, but who were you to judge?

Personally you rather enjoyed listening to the interesting facts about history. It was fascinating to learn about the times you hadn’t lived through. You especially liked learning about everything pre 1900s. See, you had learned of your magic in the late 1910s right in the midst of World War One and so everything prior to that era was just so interesting.

Soon the tour was starting and you decided to hang towards the back, coincidently with the guy you had sat next to earlier. The tour guide was leading you back in time and she was talking about the Space Race and the Cold War. You did your best not to audibly scoff at all the facts she was getting wrong about the Space Race.

You had gotten a job at N.A.S.A to be close to the action and so you knew quite a few facts. It was hilarious that history got them wrong when so many people from then were still alive. Maybe this tour wouldn’t be as informative as you were expecting.

It got even harder not to laugh when the guide showed you some stuff from the World Wars. The facts she was giving were almost all wrong. You rolled your eyes and audibly scoffed when she described ‘the nonstop action’ that occurred in the trenches. you didn’t know how that information had gotten itself immortalized in history, but it couldn’t be more wrong.

You had been there and it was all about luck when it came to fighting on the front. The soldiers had been rotated and you didn’t stay at the front for a long period of time.

You continued to follow the tour guide and you realized that the rest of the trip wouldn’t be any more informational than what you were hearing now. However, it would be funny to hear all that History got wrong.  

You listened to some more incorrect facts and struggled to hide your laughter when the tour guide made the war out to be black and white. Yes, the Axis powers had been horrifically cruel, but America had their fair share of cruel soldiers. It was ridiculous.

However, you abruptly stopped laughing when you saw the guy in all black laughing too. You looked at him quizzically and he eventually turned to see you looking at him. You turned your gaze forward quickly, embarrassed that you had been caught staring.

You would have ignored the fact that he was laughing and continued to enjoy the tour, but you realized he was scoffing and laughing at all the incorrect facts.

He walked over to you. “You don’t seem to believe what she’s saying,” he stated and you shrugged.

“Some things, um, they um, just don’t seem true,” you responded lamely.

“Ah, so you are a Witch.”

“I prefer the term sorceress.”

“Well, what’s a sorceress doing here?”

“Well, I was hoping to learn about the time before I became a sorceress,” you explained. You had never had the time to go and check out museums before, you had been focused on learning magic and magical history. Now that you were here though, you didn’t think the museum was all that reliable.

“When did you become a sorceress?”

“The early nineteen hundreds,” you said. “I’m Y/n by the way.”

“My names’ Douxie,” he said, doing a little bow. “I’ve been a wizard since the twelfth century.”

You gasped. “Wow, it’s nice to meet you.”

“You too.” The two of you were interrupted by the tour guide getting another fact wrong.

“I came here to reminisce, but the tour is getting in the way,” Douxie sighed.

“It’s not her fault, people have just twisted history,” you defended. “Though I wish I could get an accurate tour.”

“Well then, let me take you on a real tour.” Douxie gestured for you to follow him and you entered a room that detailed the history of England.

“As you can see there is not a single mention of Camelot,” Douxie whispered as to you not to disrupt the other museum goers.

“Camelot,” you whispered back in awe. “I’ve read about Merlin.”

“He was real, and he is my Master,” Douxie said, proudly.

“No way!”

“Mhmm.” He led you over to a room that depicted Columbus’ journey. “Did you know that the trolls who first came to America came on the Mayflower?”

“Nope!” You laughed. Having Douxie give you the tour was turning out to be way more exciting.

He continued to lead you room to room telling you the truth about history. It was fascinating and you never could have dreamed of how twisted history had gotten. It was mostly the smaller facts, but there were a few big ones. Camelot for example was a huge one, you had already known of its existence, but having Douxie tell you about it was so much fun.

The two of you walked out of the museum and you noticed that the sun was almost set. You turned to Douxie. “There’s this ice cream place I’ve been dying to try, why don’t we go?”

“It’s a date,” Douxie said and you beamed.

The two of you made your way and sat down at one of the outside tables.

“Thank you so much for giving me that tour,” you said after you ordered.

“Mhmm, I enjoyed reminiscing about the past. Today turned out to be much more fun than I had anticipated.”

“Then we should do it again,” you suggested, already liking the idea of getting to spend more time with Douxie.

He smiled. “I’d like that.”

****

This chapter was inspired by @mysteriesmuse request:

Hi! I was thinking maybe a one shot of Douxie and reader at a museum and they start out on a tour, but then Doux is like nah this isn’t right and proceeds to take reader on his own tour of the artifacts and history. And it’s just really fluffy lots of laughs and maybe it turns into a date and they get dinner/dessert at the end. Above all I hope you enjoy your trip! Don’t forget to have some fun and relaxation for yourself!╰(*´︶`*)╯♡

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I hoped you liked this and I hope I did a good job carrying out the request! Thank you so much for requesting and have a wonderfully fantastic day/night!

P.S. if you want to be on the taglist for all things Douxie and not just Fire Keeper, feel free to ask. I hope it works and please message me if it doesn’t.