#saba sabino

[rascalentertainments]

"Wish Granted" AU: Asha

All right, you voted for Asha and her family first, so here we go! (Above concept Art by Bill Schwab. I was really drawn to this one, so I'm gonna use thus as her design.

So for this Wish AU, Asha was raised partially in Rosas as a kid, but then after father passed, and some of the citizens learned of Magnifico's true intentions, her family and other citizens quietly moved to the Hamlet known as "The Enchanted Forest". (Basically reached age 12 in Rosas, and then 13-18 in the Hamlet.)

As a kid, she was full of curiosity about the world around her, especially wildlife. She learned about how the stars guided people from her father Tomás, which inspired to want to see more of the world outside the Kingdom. When her father grew ill for seemingly unknown reasons, Asha's mother Sakina pleaded with the King to heal him. The man promised her this, but time went on and eventually Tomás passed. Maginifico had never intended to help.

Because of this, Asha grew to be more pessimistic as she got older. She no longer believed in the impossible or anything good to happen relying on magic, or anyone else to solve her problems for that matter. Even so, part of her desire for excitement still lingered, and nobody knew this better than her grandfather Sabino, whom she grew closer with over the years and became a second father to her.

With her wonder all but gone, she would end up getting help to save her family from the most unexpected source. For she wished on a Star, and the Star answered.

Now since Asha got along with other kids when she was little, part of that still stays with her, as she does read to the other kids there from time to time. (Think of this as a reference to Belle, who also loved to read) Even though she lost part of her childhood, didn't mean they had to lose theirs. So she enjoyed reading stories to them.

As for my choice of a Voice Actress, surprisingly my mother suggested Diamond White. Right now she's mainly known for being Lunella in "Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur" She's already a talented singer and play a range of emotions while still acting in character for her.

For Sakina, I'm still planning her story out, but I can say that she does have a wish herself. It is in fact is similar to Asha's, but I'll reveal more in the story.

Sabino.....he was so underutilized in the movie, its criminal. Victor Garber deserved better. While he's not 100 years old, he is in his late 80's. Normally, he's a spry old man and actually still carries a lot of youth in his personality. However, with his wish never being granted, its started to affect his health. He does his best to stay active and gives advice to Asha during that "Wishing Tree" Scene. When his health starts to deteriorate faster and renders him nearly bedridden, this starts Asha drive to return to Rosas and save everyone's wishes

And lastly: Valentino!

No, Valentino doesn't speak in this version. 😅 That'll be saved for the end, and he'll be voiced by an actual kid. (Disney, we didn't need a Donkey knock off, you do realize he was a parody right?) He might be only be three weeks old, but he's very attached to Asha from the start. He was a gift to her by Sabino as an early 18th birthday present in case his declining kept him from celebrating it with her.

The little goat is the runt of the litter, but has the heart the size of the forest itself. Always sticking by Asha's side and cheering her up when she really needs it.

Valentino is also very trusting of new people, but when Star comes down he does freak the heck out and doesn't him for a while. I mean he's not even human!

Oh and just as an extra character addition, I'm also having Flazino in this AU, since many people pointed out he was originally part of the film and had a bigger role. He's closest to a human friend Asha has in the Hamlet, as he gives them supplies and updates about the kingdom as Magnifico's apprentice.

That wraps up my first character list! Next up will be Star and then the King and Queen. Hope you enjoyed reading this preview to the story, or have any suggestions in the comments! 🌟

[xandriagreat]

Wishes to Reality

Chapter 1: Welcome to Rosas!

Prologue | Last chapter | Next chapter

Author’s note: Just want everyone to know that the song’s lyrics are going to be bold and italic. Some lyrics are color coded: Asha’s purple, the woman is orange, the young man and little boy is blue, and everyone is green. Plus we made some changes to the song so it would make sense to the story. Also the assistant/secretary that are mentioned are based on Louis the alligator from Princess and the frog, Cassandra from Tangled the series, and Walter is a reference to Walt Disney. River is the only name that we thought would be just fun to add.

Notice/warnings: food/eating, slapping, sass, rude, death mention

▪︎▪︎▪︎

In the suburbs area of Rosas, there was Asha, a young biracial 17-year-old Afro-Hispanic teenage woman with freckles across her cheeks, nose, and neck, was shoring and drooling a little on her pillow in her sleep with her arm around her head when she felt fur rubbing her face. She groaned a bit as she woke up to see her pet goat smiling down at her.

“Hehe. Good morning, Valentino.” said Asha, petting him before getting out of bed.

She begins checking her calendar on her phone.

She smiled big as she thought, ‘Today is the day!’

Then Asha begins getting ready for the day.

She got her purple headwrap with yellow stars off of her head and took her light pink calf-length nightgown in the bathroom and took a quick shower.

☆

Asha begins humming a song and brushes her teeth when she finishes showering and drying off with a towel.

She began doing and fixing her hair into one of her favorites, a braided hair that has been swooped to her right side, with the left part of her scalp possessing cornrows, with a mix of soft mini passion hair twists.

After getting dry and her hair done, she started putting on her matching lavender adjustable racerback sport bra and brief boy shorts with a gold-colored diamond pattern, she got on her favorite outfit, a magenta tank top over a beautiful amethyst tunic, embodied with light pink rose-like patterns on the sleeves that sparkles, dark lilac legging pants, and violet knee-length flounce skirt over it.

After Asha got her outfit on, she started putting on her ankle-length hot pink socks with a light blue rose pattern on the left and light yellow diamond pattern on the right before slipping on and buckling her ankles with rose shaped buckles on her beautiful medium purple ballet flats.

Before leaving she got something that belonged to her father. 

It was some sort of a green coat. It once belonged to him but she kept it in his memory.

She began tying it around her waist.

She begins getting her bed done and opening her curtains while Valentino plays around her feet.

When she was done getting those done, she left her room with Valentino running after her.

Then Asha went down the hallway, and greeted a picture of her late father, “Hi papa.”

She twirls around the stairway and slides the stair rail for breakfast with Valentino running after her.

Asha and Valentino saw Saba Sabino when they got to the kitchen, getting some eggs and yogurt with blueberries 

“Morning, Saba.” Asha said, before kissing her grandfather on the cheek, “Happy birthday!”

“Good morning and thank you, Asha.” Sabino said with a soft chuckle.

Asha smiled as she got Valentino his usual food in his food bowl before getting herself breakfast. She began getting out some cereal, a banana and some orange juice in a cup.

She couldn't hold the excitement, knowing today was the day that her Saba was turning 100. Not only that, another special day is happening on that same day… but for now she had to act cool.

“After breakfast, I want to give you something.” Asha said in a singly tone.

“Oh, really?” Sabino asked as he walked over to the table with his food.

Asha nodded as she placed her food on the table. 

The two start to eat their breakfast.

“So, how did you sleep?” Asha ask with a softly smile

“I slept alright.” Sabino said, chuckling softly. “How about you?”

“Well, I slept pretty great.” Asha said, trying to hold her excitement. Early around 8:30 last night, but she couldn't contain her excitement as she tossed and turned about his birthday until she finally jumped into sleep around an hour later.

“Really? What did you dream about?” Saba Sabino asked after swallowing some food.

“I was having a dream last night of me floating with the Stars, and there was a beam of light around me as I was playing happily like a child.” Asha said, smiling softly. “I think that was it but it felt so real.”

Saba Sabino hummed and ate.

“What did you dreamt last night, Saba?” she asked before eating more. 

“Well… it's the same one that I’ve had every once in a while… I dreamed that I had my wish back, I felt whole again.” Saba Sabino said, smiling softly while a longing look was in his eyes.

Asha hummed and nodded in understanding.

They continued to eat.

Asha smiled softly when she finished the last bite of her breakfast and got to go to wash her plate and cup.

She was very excited that she washed her plate and cup quickly and then put them on the dish rack. 

Then she turned around to look at Saba Sabino. “I’ll get the gift for you.” Asha said to Sabino before she then ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs to get the gift.

Saba Sabino chuckled softly as he finished eating, he waited for her. 

When Asha laughed as she came back from getting the gift.

“Ta-da!” Asha exclaimed, handing the gift to Sabino.

It was wrapped in almost messy but perfect purple wrapping with a pink bow and ribbon.

“Thank you, Asha.” Sabino chuckled softly as he took it from her. 

“Open it.” Asha said, excited to see his reaction.

Sabino chuckled softly as he opened it.

It was revealed to be a journal along with a beautiful mandolin.

Sabino was surprised as he touched the mandolin. “This feels familiar but l… I don't know why.”  he said as he felt something familiar about this gift.

Then they heard the front door open.

It was Asha's mother, Sakina, a middle-aged North African woman with dark skin, brown eyes, and black curly hair tied in a bun. She was wearing a warmer purple shirt with yellow trims, beige cropped pants, dark dark purple flats with lighter trims and yellow soles, and was wearing a seamstress apron. 

She was carrying a basket of bread.

“Hey, guess what?! There’s a wish ceremony tonight!” Sakina said excitedly.

Asha begins to realize something as she gaps excitedly. “Saba! This might be it!” she said to Sabino.

Sabino still smiled but he looked worried. “Oh, knock on wood.” he said as he knocked on the table wood.

Asha smiled and chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, I have a feeling that your wish will be granted.” she reassured him.

Then Asha looks at the clock and gasps in a panic. “Oh no, I'm going to be late!” Asha exclaimed, getting her bag.

“Woah, woah, sweetheart.” her mother said as she stopped her daughter.

“Don't worry, mama, I got my lunch in my bag!” Asha said, still trying to run out.

Sakina stopped Asha from running and gently held her hand. “No, no not that…” Sakina said, rubbing gently Asha's hand. “It's his birthday, we can make a cake.”

“Oh… no… can't today.” Asha said, rubbing her mother's hand before letting go. “I have a busy schedule today, I have to give a tour and help my friends.”

“Anything else you need to tell us?” her mother asked sternly, knowing her daughter.

Asha was quiet for a moment before saying, “Nope!”

“Asha, you did your pauses. There's something up.” Sakina said, eyeing her to see if she could find a clue on her.

“No, I'm just excited. Now I need to go.” Asha said as she ran out with her goat following her. “See you at the ceremony!”

As Asha slammed the door closed, Sabino and his daughter-in-law sighed together.

“That girl is something, is she?” Sakina said before looking at the photos of her late husband and her late parents. 

“Just like her father.” Sabino said, walking over to Sakina.

Sakina nodded, still looking at the photos.

She married a Jewish white man named Tomás because she loved him and was there for her. He took her in after she immigrated from Northern Africa, specifically from Nigeria as a teenager, shortly after her parents passed away, to live with her aunt, but accidentally stumbled into what is now her home with her father-in-law and now late husband. After marriage, they had Asha, whose personality reminds her of Tomás almost every day.

“If they were here, just to see how Asha… well have grown. They would be proud.” Sakina said, smiling softly.

Sabino nodded with a smile.

Sakina sighed softly and looked at Sabino. “Let’s start making a cake.” she said, smiling softly.

☆

Asha drove to the docks with Valentino in the back, baaing happily.

When Asha got to the parking lot near the docks, she parked and turned off the car. She got her tour flag as she and Valentino got out of the car. After locking the car, Asha and Valentino ran to welcome the guests.

“Hi! I'm- I’m here!” Asha said out of breath as she almost clumsily tripped in front of the newcomers but thankfully she caught herself. “Sorry that I'm a bit late… just… let me catch my breath.”

The new arrivals smile at her as Asha catches her breath, just arriving from their ship along with their bags.

When she finally caught her breath, Asha began looking at the newcomers, fixing her hair and outfit, as she began welcoming them with a hello in several languages, as it was acquired for most of the tours guide to have.

“Hola! Shalom! Salam! Hello!” Asha greeted, waving her tour flag.

She begins leading them to the opening of the whole city.

The town was like a futuristic utopia but it was also a combination of each building from medieval, Renaissance, colonial, and even modern buildings as if they're walking through history with beautiful diverse flowers all around them. 

“Welcome to Rosas! Come on to this amazing place! Where different wishes comes alive!”

Asha begins showing them the town and the possibilities, even showing some of the people who had their wish granted.

“There's no other place just as full of surprise where you are safe here in this wonderful city!”

She begins showing people the things that are her favorite part of Rosas, from showing a view of the sea to showing the bakery that had wonderful smells from its opened windows.

“You wanna dance on beat? Or to have hair touch down to your feet? Go to outer space?”

She begins showing a dancing couple who were just exiting a dance studio to another man bowing down with his hat open revealing to have very long hair reaching to his feet and then to the children who were playing on a rocket ship kiddie ride that was in front of the astronomy place.

“Well, hey, you've come to the right place! 'Cause here in the city of Rosas, You can turn all your wanting to wishing! It's all possible when you believe it!”

“Oh, here in the city of Rosas!  It's unlikely that you'll be unhappy with so much to discover! A home for me! For you! And all of us. The city of Rosas!”

She then began showing a statue of its mayor, with him acting all powerful and a plaid saying; ‘We all have dreams and wishes, which become real here- Mayor Magnifico’.

“So like, we have this Mayor named Magnifico and he built Rosas many years ago.”

Asha began playing around with the children of the group by acting as Magnifico.

“With lightning for hands and eyes that can glow-”

Asha noticed that the kids were getting scared, so she stopped acting as Magnifico and went back to herself.

“No, no, no, I'm totally kidding! But he is powerful.”

Asha sat down on the base of the statue as she explained, “He's just like us, but no one knows where he got them.”

Asha frowns for a moment as she looks at the statue, a bit worried and curious. Then she looked at the tour and smiled at them as she held Valentino.

“But he’s someone that I'd like to kiss!” a woman said, who wasn’t listening, before pretending to kiss the statue as if she has a crush on him already.

“Oh, dear!” Asha exclaimed as she covered her goat's eyes.

“A magic swish And there you have it, poof, there's your wish!”

Then Asha shows the newcomers murals, tapestries, and paintings of the mayor and even a puppet show of how the wish ceremony works. 

“Ooh hey fun fact! Did you know when you turn eighteen, You get to give your wish in a ceremony. He keeps them safe, every wish he acquires. And once a month he grants someone's greatest desire!” 

The tour starts to follow Asha again as she takes out her sketchbook.

“It could be you someday or even someone special as my Saba Sabino! Ooh, I can't wait!”

She looks at her own drawing of her grandpa, begins hugging it and spinning around for a moment. Asha put her drawing away and looked back at the group.

“Does it hurt?” one of the men asked with concern.

“Do you cry?” a little boy asked, worried.

Asha looked at them, understanding their concern and worry but she smiled reassuringly at them.

“Oh, no, and you won't even miss it when you say ‘goodbye’." Asha reassured them as she picked up a dandelion and blew it, making the fuzz fly in the wind as if it was magic.

After that, she began taking them to the best for last, and that is the grand finale where the other tour guides and some other citizens each took a place, with a planned choreography and everything as they began taking out the carpet riding to the stairs while rose petals were tossed into the air and slowly fell.

The tourists looked at the carpet landing on their feet before looking at the tour guides and citizens with big smiles.

Asha began going down the stairs as more rose petals began falling and flying everywhere and led the tour up the stairs.

“'Cause here in the city of Rosas! You can turn all your wanting to wishing! It's all possible if you believe it!”

“Oh, here in the city of Rosas! It's unlikely that you'll be unhappy with so much to discover! A home for me. For you. And all of us. The city of Rosas!”

Asha danced and danced with flamingo music with the people around and they began to dance until the very last beat.

Everyone took a breath as the performance came to an end.

Asha took a deep breath after all that dancing and touring. She looked at the arrivals as they got back to being a group and as everyone, including the tour guides, got back to the usual businesses.

“I’ll give my wish!” one of the young men said excitedly.

“I have a question. Is it true that you forget your wish?” one of the arrivals asked, raising their hand.

“You forget without regret.” Asha answered as she said one of the city’s catchphrases/slogans.

Everyone in the tour group smiled at each other, thinking it’s a good thing.

“Well, I want to meet the mayor.” one of the women said excitedly.

“Well, you are in luck,” Asha said with a smile, “there’s a wishing ceremony starting tonight!”

The guests were excited while Asha took them to a buffet table as she added, “You’re happy to stay and watch.”

Then she heard the city bell ring twelve times, making her gasp. “That’s all from me! See you tonight!” Asha said before running to her car and shouting to her goat, “Come on Valentino!”

Valentino quickly got an apple from the buffet table and ran after Asha while the arrivals started to eat.

“I want to live here.” one of the arrivals said to another.

“Hm! The food here is delicious!” another exclaimed after eating a bite of food.

☆

Asha drove to the Mayor's Manor for an interview. She parked outside of the gate before she and Valentino got out.

The Mansion is quite big. Of course outside it, The only thing around here that isn't filled with color like the rest of the Town, apparently it was marble with the colors being of white gold server and blue.

The young woman took in a shaking breath as she quickly went to the gate.

“Good afternoon, Ashy.” said a voice, in a teasing tone with her nickname.

It was one of the entrance guards to the mayor's office and one of her friends, Samantha Winters.

Samantha Winters was a year older than her. She has medium brown skin with white spots all over, curly black hair reaching to her shoulders, tied up in a ponytail, and beautiful eyes, yellow on her left and brown on her right. 

She was about to start her shift after her mom finished her shift.

“How are you, kiddo?” she said with a smirk. “Trying to get by just to keep on schedule again?”

Asha nodded. “I’m… ok? No and I need to go inside… for an interview.”

“Well, then I wish you luck, because I have seen each and every interview walk down the moment they try to be his secretary or assistant.”

Samantha knew the history of people who tried to interview or even tried to be a secretary or assistant to the mayor which did not go well. Of course she had a secret. She didn't tell anyone yet, besides her brother, but she still has her wish that she didn't want to give up on it because of some device and a bad feeling she had. But that also means she has to work harder than everyone else.

Samantha steps to the side, letting Asha and Valentino in.

“Thanks, Sam.” Asha said before running with her goat. She was huffing and puffing as she ran inside.

☆

Asha got to the kitchen, where she met up with Dahlia, one of her many friends that work at the manor, who was stirring the cookie batter.

Of course, all the teens of Asha's friend group are all working summer jobs at the mayor's manor.

Dahlia is the same age as Asha and has a chubby body with medium light skin, dark brown eyes, short black hair with bangs, and a pair of overall spectacles with gold framing.  

Dahlia was wearing a short-sleeved ruby red T-shirt with a drop-shaped keyhole and matching cropped jeans with a brownish pink flower and dark purple and yellow diamond pattern on the bottom of the jeans. She also had her chef outfit and cook apron over her clothes.

Dahlia happened to be born with a disability called Phocomelia ever since birth, due to that she had to use a robotic prosthetic leg with two gold-trimmed purple bandages and a crutch to help her walk.

“Good afternoon-” Dahlia started when Asha and Valentino came in. 

“I need help, doc!” Asha interrupted as she ran in and started to pace back and forth, clearly nervous.

“Oh? What is it?” Dahlia asked in a sarcastic and teasing tone, before guessing correctly, “Is it about your interview with the mayor to become his assistant and secretary?” 

Asha stopped pacing and looked at her, nodding nervously. “Yes… but please! Help! Oh quick! Give me a possible question!”

Dahlia rolled her eyes and chuckled softly as she stopped with what she was doing, turning around to look at her. “Ok, ok. Could you tell me about yourself and describe your background in a brief summary?” she said, giving a possible question.

“Okay… Um…” Asha started, thinking for a moment before answering. “I’m from a mixed race. My mom is African and my dad…” 

Asha tried to continue with her answer but she couldn’t. Her breathing became heavy and tears peaked at her eyes as she felt like she was back in the past for a moment; back in the morning when she realized that her dad was gone…

Dahlia noticed as she stopped what she was working on again. She walked over to Asha, comforting her.

“Hey, look at me.” Dahlia said, her voice soft and comforting.

Asha looks at her, getting back to the present time.

A timer went off.

“You will be great!” Dahlia said before turning the timer off and getting a batch of cookies out of the oven.

“I don't know what to do…” Asha said, playing and stroking her braids to calm down. “I feel like a mess… Do I look ok? Is my mouth drooping? I feel like my mouth is drooping.” Then Asha did some raspberry with her mouth so she could have some feeling back in her mouth.

Dahlia rolled her eyes as she walked back with a pan. “Asha, you're my best friend and you are very smart. Do I have to remind you that you graduated high school early? You're that smart. Also, you're kind and you have friends here to support you.”

The sense of smell alerted everyone.

“Cookies?” said Simon, who was woken up by the sweet sugary smell. 

“Cookies!” the other four friends exclaimed as they ran to the table.

They all begin rushing over and getting each of the cookies shaped in the face of Mayor Magnifico. 

“Cookies!” Dario shouted, running past everyone and the cookies.

Everyone looked at where Dario ran off before taking a cookie off the pan.

It's very clear that Asha, Samantha, and Simon are the only ones in the friend group that graduated high school, with one of them graduating early while the other two graduated with the rest of their class. 

One for Asha because she had excelled in her classes and the most important part was the project of her astronomy class which ultimately got recognition from all the teachers and the principal who noticed her extreme intelligence which ultimately led to now. Samantha and Simon were already in graduating class after they did very well in their training.

As each of the friends got the cookies, Gabo, the shortest in all of them, tried to grab a cookie while everyone got one. “Come on, come on! Hey move over!” Gabo growled as he reached, as he finally got the cookie.

Safi, a young teen with tan skin, curly light brown hair, brown eyes and a big nose, begins smelling a cookie to smell the smell before eating.

“Wait, no Safi, there's lemons in there!” Dahlia exclaimed to try to warn him, knowing his allergies but it was too late.

“Oh no…” Safi said, feeling a sneeze coming.

Gabo did a victory laugh when he got a cookie. But it was short-lived when Safi sneezed on it, along with the other cookies in the pan.

Gabo was disgusted by the now slimy cookie and he dropped it back on the pan. “Life’s so unfair.” he grumbled, wiping the leftover snot on his hand on his red hoodie with a picture of a dog sewn into it.

“Here. You can have my cookie.” said a soft voice coming from Bazeema. A teenage girl with olive skin, brown eyes, and brown hair in a low braided bun with a flower hair clip, along with gold diamond-shaped earrings with red gems. She wears an orange-yellowish plaid shirt with some sun designs over a black undershirt, a light blue caragein around her shoulders, an ankle length skirt with flower patterns, and blue sneakers with white socks underneath.

Everyone jumps at the suddenness of Bazeema appearing as she hands Gabo her cookie.

“Oh hi!... Bazeema.” Gabo said, slowly taking it. “Where did you come from?”

“Hi.” Bazeema said sheepishly, waving and backing away.

Of course, like Asha, Bazeema had Autism. It was different from hers but still they were different from others.

Gabo watched her for a moment before eating the cookie. 

Then Asha hands Gabo her cookie. “Here, you can also have mine. I don’t feel hungry for it.” she said as Gabo got her’s.

Gabo nodded and took it. “Oh right! Your interview with the mayor!” the short young man said to Asha before eating it. “Hey, look at me. We will be here when you fail.”

“Gabo!” Hal said, a young black woman wearing a blue jumper with yellow lining, giving him a look. 

Then on cue Dario, a tall young blonde man wearing green clothes and a purple beanie, went to the table. Dario had come from a happier and hippie family, so sometimes he’s a bit out of it.

“Ah! There are cookies!” Dario exclaimed happily, reaching for a cookie from the pan.

“Dario, Safi sneezed on those.” Dahlia warned him.

“Oh. Thanks.” Dario said but then ate it anyway, leading everyone to get gross out by the action.

“Anyway…” Gabo started, looking at Asha again. “I wouldn’t blame you for cheating the system.”

Asha was taken back by that. “Cheating? I’m not cheating on anything.” she said, her arms crossed her chest.

“Gabo, cut it out.” Hal hissed at him. She's the more tomboyish to the group. ”Don't make it worse for Asha.”

“What? I’m just telling the truth!” Gabo explained in his fast and slow tone. “The Mayor’s assistant and secretary normally get their wishes granted, along with their family’s wishes getting granted too.”

“That’s not always true.” Dailha starts but stops when she remembers if it was true or not. “Oh wait… true. Louis and his family, Cassandra and her family, River, Walter and his family as well. Almost everyone who has been the assistant and secretary.”

Everyone, except for Asha (who was now very worried) and Simon (who was now asleep again, now on the table), nodded in agreement.

“Wait, isn’t your Saba turning 100 today and still waiting?” Gabo asked, a smug look on his face when seeing that he hit a nerve point on Asha.

Then Samantha, who was having a quick break, came into the kitchen. “Hey, here to check on-” Samantha starts but stops when seeing what’s going on. “If it’s about Asha’s interview, we’re done talking about it.”

Samantha was often considered the older sister of the group, aside Asha.

Gabo stops what he was doing to make Asha worried and takes a few steps away from her as Samantha walks over.

The guard sniffed the air and could smell some cookies as she walked over. “The cookies smell good. At least save one cookie for me.” she said with a smile.

“Safi sneezed on this batch.” Dahlia said, picking up the pan with an oven mitt and walking over to the trash.

“Oh, I think I'll pass until the next batch.” Samantha said, nodding before walking over to Asha. “Is Gabo bothering you again, kiddo?” 

Asha did not look too good as her worry started to take over her. Before Asha could say anything about the situation, she looked around and asked, “Wait… Where’s Valentino?”

Then out of the blue, Valentino fell from the banister and onto the flour that was on the table, surprising everyone, except for Simon (who was still asleep).

Everyone dusted off the flour off of themselves while looking at Valentino, who baaed happy at them.

“Not again.” Samantha sighed with a groan. “I'll go get the broom before the maids find out.” She can be very helpful with the other servants and workers.

As Samantha went to get a broom from the cleaning closet, the rest of the gang looked at the sleeping Simon.

Simon is a big red-haired man who is wearing a long sleeve teal shirt, a matching teal knitted cap, brown pants, and black boots.

By the looks of it, he should be threatening but he doesn’t look threatening because of him always falling asleep. It’s one of the side effects of giving up your wish.

“Now that’s just sad.” Gabo sighs, shaking his head before looking at Asha, who just got her goat off the table and finished dusting the flour off of her. “You better do good in the interview, Asha. Or you’ll probably end up like Simon or like your Saba.”

Then Simon woke up, yawning a bit. “What about Simon?” he asked, rubbing his eyes before looking confused about the flour that was almost everywhere.

“Oh, you know. You’re more, well, boring now.” Gabo said honestly.

Everyone got quiet as their eyes widened in fear, noticing that Samantha was walking back with a broom and it looked like she heard what was said.

“Gabo!” Samantha said, slapping some sense into him.

“Ow! What?! He is!” Gabo shouted, rubbing where she just slapped and pointing at Simon.

Samantha facepalmed and growled as Simon got worried. 

“Wait… You all think I’m boring now?” Simon asked, worried on his face as he looked at the friends.

“You’re not boring.” Samantha reassured him. Then she looked at the others with a glare and asked, “Isn’t that right?”

Almost everyone just stayed quiet, unsure what to say to him.

“Um… Yeah! You're not boring, you just…” Asha said, trying to think of a word to describe him.

“Calmer.” Dahlia and Bazeema added together.

Asha nodded and pointed at them. “Yes, that.”

Samantha’s glare became a smile at them. “Thank you, guys.” Samantha said, nodding to them and setting the broom next to the table before looking at Simon and holding his hand gently. “Don’t worry, little brother. You’ll get your wish back soon, we promise.”

Samantha's actually Simon's older twin sister by 19 minutes. She has been protective of her brother and her friends since childhood.

Simon smiled a bit at Samantha.

Just then came the assistant mayor, Amaya, a tan-skinned woman with hazel eyes, and long dark brown hair, tied in French braid, along with a beauty mark on the right side of her face near her lips and wearing a white dress shirt, matching khaki pants, and blue high heels.

“Oh, goodness! It’s Amaya!” Bazeema said in her soft voice.

Everyone quickly got in a line and bowed to Amaya.

The assistant mayor smiled softly at them before looking at Asha. 

“Asha, the mayor is ready to see you.” Amaya said, a soft smile on her face.

“What?! Now?!” Asha asked nervously, getting out of the bow.

Amaya nodded. “Well, yes. You see, the last appointment-” the assistant mayor started but was interrupted by a crying man running out, screaming, “IT WAS A DISASTER!”

Everyone watches the crying man run out, slamming the door on his way out. 

Then the teens look at the assistant mayor again as Amaya looks at Asha again.

“-Finished early.” the assistant mayor finished with an awkward smile.

Asha nodded and hummed, still nervous. “Um… ok.”

“Come along.” Amaya said, signaling Asha to follow her.

Asha started to walk with Amaya when she looked back at her friends. 

Everyone waved at her as Samantha gave her thumbs up to Asha and mouthing ‘you got this!’

Asha smiled softly as she walked to her interview.

‘I got this… hopefully.’ Asha thought, feeling excited and nervous as she followed Amaya.

[artist-issues]

Actually, no, I’m just going to talk about Sabino.

I was going to talk about the deleted song “A Wish Worth Keeping,” but suffice to say: that song would not have made the movie better because that song had the same terrible point as the movie: “The power to make your wishes come true is in you, so keep wishing.”

No. Bad. Bad point, therefore bad movie.

The deleted song wouldn’t have saved it. Stop saying “Why This Song Matters” and “The Deleted Song That Could’ve Fixed Wish.” Figure out what was wrong with the movie first. Then you can properly figure out what should and shouldn’t have been cut from the movie.

Now let’s talk about Sabino.

I already said several times that the character is terrible in the actual movie. The idea of him could’ve been good, especially when you’re trying to say something about the concept of wishing, though.

In Wish, he’s an old man who’s tangible wish-trapped-in-a-bubble has never been granted. You’re supposed to feel bad for him; his life has been so long and he’s never gotten what he really wanted. But, even if you accept what the movie is telling you (the main point I referenced up there) he doesn’t do a good job supporting it.

Sabino can’t remember his wish. (Stupid.) So you don’t feel that bad for him. He gave it up when he was eighteen. He’s lived more of his life with no wish to miss than he did with one that didn’t come true. So what if it never comes true? He’ll just keep living as a vaguely cheerful guy with people who love him. He’s never that sad. We don’t care.

Also, when the idea that his wish will never come true is presented to him, he just… accepts it. On the one hand, that’s logical because of what I just said. But on the other hand, what a wasted opportunity to say something about your lousy “keep on wishing” main theme.

He’s 100 Years Old. He could have been the character that watches and waits, no matter how much time passes, and genuinely has faith like Cinderella or Geppetto or Snow White or Ray the Firefly or Ariel, and hangs on to his wish.

But they couldn’t do that. They couldn’t have an old character who is an example to a young woman. Because they had to have Asha be the one to “teach” everyone the “you have the power, so keep on wishing” message. You have to have her be the spirited child who proves the naysayers wrong—and therefore, you have to have Sabino be the naysayer. He doesn’t get to be the wise old man who teaches her something. He has to be the guy who says “you’re young, sit down and give up.”

Of course, they can’t even really commit to that either, because they’re still halfway-trying to make Sabino sympathetic, they’re trying to convince you that Asha really loves him and everybody does because he’s a sweet old man with a dream. But they half-do everything, and the base is rotten for all of it, so we don’t care.

Here’s what they should’ve done:

If you’re sticking with that terrible main theme: Give Sabino a wish that he never gives up on. Don’t let him give it to Magnifico. Let him keep it for himself and spend a hundred years working toward it, and he comes close several times, and it keeps blowing up in his face, and everyone (including Asha) thinks he’s crazy for keeping it, but he gets up and tries again over and over. That would’ve at least been interesting and had a shot at being impactful.

Get RID of that terrible main theme. Switch it to “have faith” and then make Sabino the one with the faith. And again, his age highlights that it is hard. It takes a long time. He spends most of his life yearning and wishing, but he never gives up or stops acting on faith. He becomes a source of inspiration for the people around him—except Asha, who loves him but needs to find her own faith before she can understand him—and then eventually joins him in faith. Like Jane from Return to Neverland. (Yes I said it.)

[fantasygerard2000]

After addressing numerous times that Magnifico has always been a shady ruler at best and straight up power hungry narcissist at worst, to which few refused to acknowledge, it's best to focus on the other person in the room and the "supposed" scapegoat to Magnifico's actions into villainy, Asha.

Like with Magnifico, Asha's character gets a lot of misreadings and unlike with Magnifico, she gets most of this mischaracterization which is flat out unfair to borderline accusatory. A blatant example of this is from post I saw on Twitter about her "pushing away the wishes during At All Costs to get her grandfather's" which apparently shows that she's selfish. However, like in my previous post about Amaya, I wanted to discuss more about the Asha we have and less about comparing the version detractors made up.

Asha grew up in a loving community, having being taught by her father, Tomas about how the stars are there to remind her to always have hope and are there guide her when she struggles. As stated in a previous post, Asha knew what grief felt. She dreamed for her father to get better but when he died, that dream was crushed. However, she held what her father taught her, to always have hope in the darkest times and support those who been in her position.

She applied for the position to be Magnifico's apprentice, as she has heard from her community that he built her home to be a place where wishes and dreams can come true through kindness and generosity. I like to think that her father's death, despite her grief and loss her experience has encouraged her to pursue in helping others who are going through the same. So, what better help she can do than be the apprentice of the man he built this kingdom on, so she can encourage him to pursue in helping his subjects.

When Magnifico interviewed her, she felt like a failure after embarrassing herself before him til she reminds him about her father, to which Magnifico knew and was familiar at some point, so it's likely he has heard that one of his known subjects, a philosopher has passed and that Asha is his daughter. They connected by expressing their desire to make their kingdom and community a place for those who experience loss and hardship to support each other. This discussion is what lead to Magnifico letting her in his private chamber where he kept the wishes.

Upon seeing her saba's wish, she kindly asks for Magnifico to consider granting it as it was his 100 birthday, to which Magnifico started to act oddly as if she offended him. She even apologizes when he reminds her that apprentices get their and their families wishes granted after months to a year after servicing him. When Magnifico tells her that her saba's wish to inspire others as "dangerous", she opposes this as having leaving with Sabino for all her life, she knows that he would never encourage to insight a rebellion that will destroy his own community.

Asha learns from Magnifico that he does not intend on granting most if not majority of the wishes for he considers it his duty to protect his kingdom. Asha considers that he could just return them and encourage his people to pursue to achieve their dreams, but he tells her that he believes achieving dreams are a struggle not worth chasing and so he makes his people forget what their dreams are so they have no aspirations to pursue them. To her, she sees this as something what Rosas is against. People forgetting their dreams and taking away their ability to pursue them.

At the ceremony, she now sees Magnifico differently and how the ceremony, an event that used to be a hopeful occasion now as a ritual where the people in her community have their dreams taken and locked away forever. Just when she has little hope of her saba's wish being granted on his birthday, Magnifico grants someone else's, much to her and her friends and family's dismay. After being told that he declines her application to be his apprentice and that he'll "protect her family's wishes forever", she felt hopeless about the future of her family and community. The future of her as an apprentice of a man she thought understands her and working with him to help their community is crushed.

Despite this, she has the courage to tell her saba about how unfair it is for his wish can be deemed dangerous to grant. However, upon hearing him dismiss her for telling so and asking her if she wants to break his heart, she apologizes and leaves. Presumably realizing that she unwillingly made him to feel the trauma of loss and hopelessness she experienced.

Remembering what her father taught her, the spark of hope reignited as she seeks to the stars and makes another wish, but for her family and her people to achieve their dreams. This "selfless" wish causes Star to come down from the heavens to the earth. Their light shines throughout the island as its inhabits that are illuminated in it felt a loving wondrous hope.

Upon meeting Star, she asks if they can grant wishes to which she quickly apologizes upon realizing that she came of as selfish. Upon explaining to Star about her family's wishes, Star agrees to help. When they retrieve Sabino's wish, he sees what he dreamed of. And upon putting in back what was his, Asha sees the saba she grew up with as whole and complete.

When Magnifico arrives to her home, he accuses her of stealing what was "his". With courage, she speaks up to him that he should not take people wishes and they deserve to have them back. However, he refuses to listen and punishes her by crushing her mother, Sakina's wish before them. In this bit, I interpret Asha reliving her trauma of loss as Sakina's reaction to her wish getting crush is similar to how a wife was informed of her husband's sudden passing.

On the boat, she breaks down, feeling responsible for her mother reliving that feeling of loss again as she knows that Magnifico will do the same to the rest of her community. When she looks at Star, she is encourage to return and save the wishes and stop Magnifico for good.

After managing to get her friends to help, as well as the Amaya the queen, she conducts a plan use herself as bait to lure Magnifico away from the wishes. Seeing how Asha puts herself into dangerous situations before and how they won't be with her this time, Star gives Asha a piece of them, their magic as they care about her safety.

When Magnifico successfully manages to capture Star and absorbs the remaining wishes, she succumbs to hopelessness again as Magnifico tosses her around as she is nothing to him, and knowing him, knows what his people are to him now. Finally remembering her father's advice and what Star taught her, she wished. Soon, her people also wished as together, their hope brought Star back and stopped Magnifico.

After freeing the wishes and returning them to their rightful owners, they start to do what they should've done when Rosas was built, encouraging each other to pursue and achieve their dreams. Seeing Asha selflessness and the struggles she faced to help her people, Star rewards her with a magic wand. She refuses, because she was terrible with magic but more so thinks she is unworthy. But after encouragement from her friends and family, she accepts the wand and the role of fairy godmother, to help others at their time of need and give them the tools to pursue their dreams.

Asha'a and Wish's moral resonates with people who dream of pursuing a career they dreamed of having but the struggles are too hard to overcome. With encouragement from their own fairy godfamily and support from each other, they are able to achieve their dreams.

My hypothesis about Asha having trauma of losing her father is something noteworthy as her losing her father is painful, but it's her hope that drives her to go through that pain and makes it so other won't go through what she had. And when they do, she's their to help them go through it.

Say what you will about the execution, but Asha's story will always be universal to those who want to pursue their dreams and inspiring others to do so.

[hopeyarts]

THE ONE CHANGE THAT COULD’VE MADE WISH BETTER AS A MOVIE (RANT POST)

✨———————————————————————

If Wish ended with King Magnifico getting true love’s kiss from Queen Amaya, then he and Asha actually talk about their views more and come to terms and forgive each other…

I wouldn’t find a single problem with the story.

Disney’s biggest mistake about this movie was making him turn into a ‘classic villain’ and locking him up by the end of it. I get that the audience wanted a true Disney villain, and the company tried to provide that but they also DIDN’T really provide that until the third half of the movie.

But in this case with the film that they gave us (take away all the concepts and deleted scenes), this guy was sympathetic at best. Now I’m not going to baby his character and treat him like an absolute angel, but what I will say is that he deserved to be redeemed.

He’s not a villain. At most, he was a douchebag (I mean that in the nicest way possible). But that doesn’t take away the fact that he was also a genuinely benevolent king. His paranoia and need for power got the better of him, but that doesn’t make him a bad person. The forbidden evil book only influenced the darkest parts of himself, and unfortunately it was his need for power. Originally it was to keep the kingdom safe from a false threat, then the book shifted it into a need for power to just… keep himself in full power over everyone, in the worst way possible. Kinda bland, but whatever.

With this redeemable ending, this would’ve given our main character Asha an arc. She could’ve learned that it’s okay to not get what you want and that you have the ability to MOVE ON. She can realize she doesn’t have to be chained to a lost desire, and can give herself the option to improve their lives and listen to others. Like with her father— Tomás died from an illness even after she wished for him to get better. That’s her lost desire. That moment in her life drove her to make sure that her family, for example her Saba, wouldn’t feel that hurt like she had. That’s why she wanted Sabino’s wish granted so much. Yes, it was selfish from an audience viewpoint when she simply asked for King Magnifico to grant Sabino’s wish. We cannot deny that. And for what it’s worth I actually like this scene, but not when it reaches the ending of the movie. I LIKE the idea that Asha is selfish from the beginning, and THEN turns into someone who is selfless. We see her focus on Sabino’s wish at first, because she wants him to be happy, then that focus turns towards the entire community. I like that idea, but the execution was not it BECAUSE Disney decided to not redeem King Magnifico. That’s how this whole thing backfires on Asha as a character. It makes her look selfish for the ENTIRE movie. I love her (honest to God I do), but I have to admit that she seemed a slight bit selfish and naive, even if her intentions were good. And no, this selfishness doesn’t make her a villain. We see Disney protagonists be selfish, but then they learn to be selfless. So I’d never demonize her. To do that, I’d have to throw away all understanding of this movie and the character motivations, and even my willingness to look at something in another person’s perspective. She’s only a teenager after all.

Sorry, that was a little bit of a rant there. Disney just makes me frustrated.

Asha’s not a bad person, and neither is King Magnifico. They just didn’t think their options through.

Now if we were to give King Magnifico this redemption, he can’t go without a lesson learnt as well. He could learn the same thing as Asha: that you can choose to move on and not let a lost desire keep you stuck in the past. What he did for his people was right, but the execution was not. Yes, he kept them safe and sound… but he took a part of their hearts.

Remember that a wish is the ‘one that drives your heart’ or according to Magnifico, ‘They are a part of your heart. The very BEST part.’ (I can make a post about how the wishes given up were good intentioned. Some were vague, but they were the BEST good of a person’s heart. Although one thing I find humorously stupid is how someone’s wish is to find a nanny for their kids. Like damn- are your kids that bad? 😭 I’m sorry, I find it a little funny.)

So what is living a life safely but without passion? The answer to that is that it’s NOT living.

“A life without passion isn’t living at all. It is merely existing.” - Leo Buscaglia

This shouldn’t villainize movie King Magnifico, because he did this to protect his people and his kingdom. And the reason behind this is because of his past. So he could’ve learned that not everything is out to get him and that he can choose to move on and IMPROVE. Especially the system with wish granting.

I feel like I made this too long. But all in all, the story would’ve been perfect (in my eyes) if King Magnifico was redeemed at the end, and he and Asha could’ve learnt a shared lesson about moving on. And even still, your dreams can come true in unexpected ways.

Again, I like both Asha and King Magnifico. They are quite similar in terms of motivations and being plagued by their past lost desires. They thought they had to take matters into their own hands, and they didn’t think their options through. One however was rewarded for this, meanwhile the other was villainized for it. And no, I don’t blame that on Asha.

Additionally, I’d like to add that I like Wish. So don’t think I’m saying any of this because I ‘hate the movie’. I really don’t. If I turn off my brain and distract myself with the songs and art, I can get through the movie just fine. I just recognize that the story isn’t portraying what Disney intended, and I can only blame the executives. Not the writers, not the artists or animators, and certainly not the cast members. They did what they could with what Disney executives gave them, and I can only appreciate their hard work into trying to create a story for a 100th anniversary.

Thanks for reading all the way through! 💖

[aevyk-ing]

Watching the making of Wish

-Patting their backs for reusing animation as an homage. Like yeah, it’s nice, there’s work behind that, but it’s the way they say it, like: “We’ve worked hard! Trust us!” We know animation is hard and the problem with Wish was never the animation.

-I didn’t know Sabino was based on Roger from The Aristocats. I love Roger, he’s delightful. Poor Sabino just looks bland in comparison.

-They say Asha has her good and bad traits (which isn’t true) and is so brave to go against what she has believed her whole life. I've seen that done way better and with actually compelling characters.

-“She has to balance being a good friend and family member to speaking the truth and I think we can all relate to that” Well… nope. All those things can be different things. And both your friends and family should help you or at least listen to you.

-Saying that the “I want” song explains how the character is, like… duh.

-Well, yes, Ariana DeBose did great with what she was given.

-So Asha has freckles because some people of North Africa and Southern Spain have freckles… what? Any skin color can have freckles. And I can’t talk about North African people but Andalusian aren’t quite freckled (yes, that’s the name of Southern Spain). Also, I never saw her as mixed. She totally follows more of her mother’s culture. That’s why I don’t like her calling her father’s father saba. Her mother’s father would be her saba and her father’s father her abuelo.

-I love Bill Schwab’s designs, he’s a great artist. But he was only told Asha’s age, race and height. Which yeah, it’s important, but for designing a character you should think about their personality too, because that also translates into their features, hairstyle, clothes and mannerisms. We still don’t know anything about Asha. Is she shy? Likes comfy clothes? No, wait, she’s adorkable.

-They talk about Disney Princess gowns using elements from the current period where they were made (something quite interesting) but they just put the Modern twist in Asha’s hairstyle. Like, what were you afraid of?

-Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but Schwab’s just did his job with a model sheet and that was the ONLY reference they had for animating Asha for a while. Then one of them used his daughter as inspiration and then Ariana came with lots of ideas. They didn’t know how Asha moved for the longest time! Their lead character!

-They say Asha is pure energy, which is… somehow correct? Like she’s just awkward and making those weird moves and trying to be cute and funny. The movie is done and nobody knows yet who the heck is Asha as a character.

-Apparently, Asha has details of pumpkin seeds all over her clothes and she’s wearing periwinkle because of the idea of making her THE Fairy Godmother. I still think she looks better in orange.

-Seeing the voice acting outtakes was good. But now I wish the Bland Dwarfs looked more like the actors. All of them have interesting features that could have been implemented in the designs instead of making them clones of the Encanto family and the mother from Strange World.

-The first deleted scene is after Sabino retrieves his wish and he sings a song. I would have put it in the end as a farewell song with everyone joining it.

-"The Wish equation" is to have a true wish, be responsible of it and… finding support? Fight for it? Exclude fear? Accept change? What are we even talking about? A dream career?

-They say the FG gave Cinderella the dress but couldn’t make the Prince fall in love with her, so she was supporting her! Like… Cinderella just wanted to go to the ball. BAM, there you go, a new dress, WISH GRANTED. Cinderella’s wish wasn’t to make the Prince fall in love with her, she didn’t even know him yet!

-“Music happens when you’re too overwhelmed with emotion.” This clip plays AFTER a snippet of "Welcome to Rosas". I guess Asha was too overwhelmed with being late. That shouldn’t have been a song, she should have told us about Rosas in the book opening.

-They wanted it to be like a fairytale and then hired a pop composer. Like the director says she grew up with the Disney Renaissance Era. Which used Broadway music!

-They talked about this earlier but “This wish” was the song that helped them write the movie, just like "Let it go" made them rewrite Frozen. So you can tell they didn’t have much to work on, maybe an idea: “Hey, just do a fairytale about wishes for our anniversary.”

-The songwriter was so overwhelmed with the commission she had to reach a friend to help her.  Maybe because nobody actually knew what the movie was about? But hey, she’s the youngest to ever write a Disney OST.

-You know? The more I hear “This wish” the more I’m sure it’s the best song of the entire soundtrack.

-Hey, I know that guy in the archive! I’ve seen this clip before!

-I’m just hearing they didn’t know what the heck to do and dived into the archive for inspiration. I like the idea that they studied the greatest artists for some scenes, but sadly, all that is lost in the movie. They scenes are too short to appreciate the animation, but A+ for effort.

-They thought doing a fairytale illustration style was difficult to do… in 3D. Just don’t do it in 3D! Also, I don’t think it’s that difficult, Blue Eyed Samurai did something great.

-The composition is interesting and the backgrounds too, but the characters look quite bad.

-The illustration style led to the backgrounds (and everything) being in focus, which I think it also makes the movie look weird. Look at any old painting: the background is less detailed than the main focus (less brush strokes). They could have gone that direction. The backgrounds of Wish are too detailed a lot of the times and always in focus, so it’s distracting.

-BTW, most of this is: “We did this like in this movie, that like in that movie…” but, what’s original? What makes Wish its own movie?

-They talk about lines like lineart in animation, which we’ve seen it masterfully in Spiderman. But here is so subdued it doesn’t add anything.

-“Wouldn’t it be great to have a warmer climate than the one we’re used in fairytales?” Yeah, because there’s snow in Encanto and Hercules. Also, nothing tells us that’s a warmer climate. Google “Andalusia”, please. There’s flowers in bright colors everywhere, white houses, narrow streets and people, just a lot of loud and happy people. That’s Southern Spain for you all.

-At least with Frozen we CAN TELL it’s Norway. Here, there’s nothing that says SPAIN. Give us people eating serrano ham or tortillas, maybe put a bull around there, have them drink wine from botijos and play guitars!

-Again with the “this was based on this”. Rosas was inspired by The Sleeping Beauty: Germany and France. That’s a whole different architectural design! There’s no verticality as main focus in Mozarab architecture, is all about curves.

-“So it’s your fault.” Yeah, that doesn’t sound fun. I have the feeling you’re not telling a lot of things.

-You know, another Fantasia would have been great. Maybe one with all the Disney characters.

-This is now about the story of Disney, so yeah, padding. Also, way to use “At all costs” in the background. We don’t want to remember what you’ve done in the past, we just want you to tell a good story again.

-This should have been the beginning, the “wish upon a star” that put Wish in motion.

-It was going to be about the origin of the wishing star?

-“Return of Disney villain” Hahahahahahah…

-They didn’t know how bad Magnífico could be and made him do mean stuff like smashing Sabino’s guitar (they called it a guitar here).

-Also, apparently he was going to be shirtless in a scene. Like, you know, a Disney villain.

-We don’t watch him BECOME a villain, we watch a magic book CONTROL him!

-“With "This is the thanks I get" I was like, oh, yeah, we have a narcissist.”, so they didn’t know anything about Magnífico until the song was written! That’s why he doesn’t act like a narcissist much until that song and why the mirror ending felt rushed.

-“When Chris Pine came in I was like: that’s it, that’s the character.” Because they didn’t even had designed it? Like, that’s literally him!

-He did give it all to that song.

-Magnífico was an alchemist?

-“We didn’t want people to know he was evil right away.” Every poster and article: “Disney’s new villain, everybody!”.

-“Makes him more dangerous the quieter he is.” Magnífico in the end battle: eyes fully open, screaming, laughing.

-Oh, Star, here we go. He was going to be pure energy as well… just like Asha! Yeah, we were robbed. BTW, he’s not like Genie or Maui. Maui and Genie aren’t even the same!

-He could have been a fantastic creature as well. And all those designs look crazily fun. But also that’s the kind of exploration you do at the beginning of the production, not in the middle. Unless someone meddles…

-Someone went out to design different sparkles for Star but I could only see it being adorkable. Focused on the face so the sparkles weren’t even noticeable.

-“…they put their personality on it (Star)” Yeah, because none of these characters had any personality… nor have it now that the movie is done.

-People being made of stardust is one of the most beautiful scientific facts. “You are a star” is the worst song in the movie. No wonder it took so long to write.

-Nope, Doc was a leader. Dalia is just there… talking. Of course she’s a way to get the medal of  “we put a disabled character” but at least she has more personality than Asha.

-BTW, just saw the Story Artist wearing a pin with a Pride flag in the shape of a Mickey.

-“She’s just a young woman, going with her life.” “And succeeding.” Yeah, representation is good, but it’s better if you’re not talking about how good you are for doing it.

-Also, we have mixed-race representation, older people with dreams representation, etc. but hey, that girl has a crutch, we’re cool.

-“Animals in Disney have to be smarter than people.” Why? Just why? And also, Valentino is no way smarter than any of the other characters. So why say that?

-“(Alan Tudyk) He pretty much made the whole character.” Yeah, because it looks like nobody had any idea of how these characters were.

-“Inspiration can came from anywhere.” You just COPY-PASTED the ideas of others.

-“Everybody has seen me crying in the studio.” For a good or bad reason?

-Ending with a Walt quote proclaiming they always do their best job… huh…

-“It served the story better to have Amaya as a good person.” Yeah, nope. It made no sense for her to switch sides so easily.

-Sabino dying would have been such a strong way to start the story. Him stealing Asha’s diary… yep, not good.

-Reinforcing my theory that Disney wanted to move away from shapeshifters after the Nimona fiasco.

-Looks like they gave the chaotic energy Star was going to have to Valentino.

-Making any other animal talking surely was a mistake. What’s with the sassiness?

-Dalia wasn’t called like that?! BTW, the writers were so proud of her clutch not being mentioned but, in the deleted scene, it’s the first thing they do. Twice.

-“When you’re underestimated, they don’t see your power coming until it changes the world.” Whoa, just whoa. Disney writers, everybody.

-LOL, the deleted scene with the animals is so bad. But Magnífico was going to transform into a Beast, so… kinda interesting?

Here's the link, BTW.

And congratulations if you read this all. If you're interested, here are my own Wish rewrites: 1, 2.

[ahomeinthestars-wishrewrite]

So! I finished Asha’s reference before I saw the poll results!

Since this is the case, I’m going to put a bunch of bonus info about Asha under a cut in this post- And since Cas came in second place I’ll give star an info post before I finish stars ref ^_^

Anywho, Meet Asha Lillian Luz! An introverted, but eccentric Inventor who lives in The City of Rosas! Asha spends most of her time trying to create new things using science in order to better help her community (even if her inventions don’t typically work).

Bonus Asha Info!

• Asha had ADHD, and particularly gets very bad hyperfixations on tasks. Poor girl would prob forget to eat and sleep if it weren’t for her mother and saba.

• The invention Asha is most proud of is a wooden, mechanical baby goat that she’s named Valentino. He’s not sentient (for now >:3), but is able to follow Asha around. He’s the Pinocchio to her Geppetto, the Figment to her Dreamfinder!

• When she isn’t working on a new invention, Asha occasionally helps out in the kitchen at the Rosas Castle! The seven other teens who work there consider Asha a good friend, but she’s a bit oblivious to this at the start of the story.

• The plot starts off on Asha’s birthday instead of Sabino’s, She’s just turned 18!

• Asha is inspired by Walt Disney’s passion for progress. She represents “Tomorrow” in the story. A bright eye imagineer who longs to improve her community through innovation and technological advancement. I’ve read that Asha’s shoes were supposed to be more modern looking to represent that she is ahead of her time, but I wanted to make that more apparent.

• Asha is also inspired specifically by Leonardo da Vinci- who was both an inventor AND an artist!

• Asha’s middle name is Lillian, as a reference to Lillian Disney. Asha’s last name is Luz, which means light! It’s also a reference to Luz Noceda from The Owl House

• Asha’s father was also an inventor, as well as a philosopher who was particularly close with King Magnifico and Queen Amaya.

• Asha can play the organ, which is a reference to Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

• Asha had a significant trait from each Disney Princess (as well as some bonus heroines) that she demonstrates throughout the story. She’s is heavily inspired particularly by Princess Sofia from Sofia The First. While she may not be physically learning lessons from the Princesses of The Past- She learns to encompass their traits in her actions. Some of the traits she starts with, but others she develops as the story goes on.

Asha’s Disney Princess Traits

Snow White: Kind Hearted.

Cinderella: Optimistic.

Alice: Curious.

Aurora: A Dreamer.

Ariel: A Collector.

Belle: Book Smart.

Jasmine: Assertive.

Pocahontas: Free Spirted.

Mulan: Ingenuity.

Tiana: Determined.

Rapunzel: A Hobbyist.

Merida: Rebellious.

Anna: Eccentric.

Elsa: Reserved.

Moana: Heroic.

Elena: Confident.

Raya: Adaptable.

Mirabel: Awkward.

(Note- I know a lot of these traits overlap between princesses! Like for example: I’m not saying that Mulan isn’t Determined because I labeled it as Tiana’s trait or that she isn’t Heroic because I labeled it as Moana’s. It’s just a matter of which princess specifically inspired which traits in Asha)

[whythobro]

So like, is no one gonna talk about the fact that Asha calls Sabino ‘Saba’ which is Hebrew for grandfather meaning either she or some part of her family is Jewish? And I mean when she greets those people at the start of the movie she says ‘hola’, ‘shalom’ and ‘Salam’ that’s Spanish, Hebrew and Arab. Which makes sense since the main religions in the area Rosas is set in is Christianity, Judaism and Islam. And it’s likely Asha could be Jewish.

Are we all just gonna skip over this?

[honeybeeinary]

Heya! So I’ve been lurking around the Wish fandom for a little bit and I’ve been enjoying ya’lls rewrites, so I decided to make my own!

I haven’t seen any Stargirls around, and Asha needs a girlfriend in at least one universe, so this is that! Introducing Cassiopeia, aka Casey, aka Stargirl!

So in this AU, stars don’t grant wishes any more because humans have been sort of greedy so the stars were like “peace” and left, and now the humans resent them. The one who made this decision was King Sabino of the North Star (the star kingdom) after his son and daughter-in-law were trying to grant too many wishes and… poof. Bye bye

It happened when Casey was young, so she doesn’t really remember it. All she knows is that the human world is super frikin cool, and she wants to go there! Too bad her saba won’t let her

Casey is a bit of a rebel, an explorer, a tinkerer, fascinated with the human world sort of like Ariel and Tinkerbell

Anyways, down in the human realm, there’s Rosas. Magnifico decided that since stars wouldn’t grant wishes anymore, he’d do it himself (enter that Thanos meme lol) and founded Rosas with his wife, Amaya. Everyone in Rosas therefore loves the couple!

All except for Asha.

She suspects that Magnifico has ulterior motives for taking people’s wishes. Why can’t they tell anyone their wish? Why do they forget it? Why is no one allowed magic in the kingdom except for Magnifico and Amaya?

She’s 17 and an investigator (she actually has a personally unlike SOMEONE I KNOW) and is sure that Magnifico is altering the wishes in some way or using them for his own gain. Her best friends don’t exactly think their king and queen are evil, but they support Asha’s passion.

I’m only keeping a few friends, btw. Seven is way too much. Dahlia represents Mickey, Hal represents Goofy, and Gabo represents Donald. There, Disney! Reference!

I am no writer (much like Asha myself) so I’ll just be posting little blurbs of my story.

I’ll maybe post color references for them and a redesign (maybe) of the royal couple if you guys seem to like this! Please be nice, I’ve never posted my art online before ashakdhakgaja

@annymation @signed-sapphire @oh-shtars @rascalentertainments @uva124 @tumblingdownthefoxden Hi! I hope you enjoy the beginnings of my rewrite!

[lazytitans-world]

Wish re watch thoughts

Having not watched Wish since it came out in theaters in November of 2023 and going down the rabbit hole of abandoned concepts and re-writes in the months leading up to Wish dropping on Disney+ I can now give Wish a re watch and share my thoughts on it. Now keep in mind I am coming at this movie from many angles. On one hand, I want to watch this with a new frame of mind to give it a chance to see if any of my thoughts on the movie have changed. On the other side is my inner "WE COULD HAVE HAD A STARBOY!" fandom side of me looking to see if any of the scrapped concepts could have worked in the movie we got and to see if any traces of those concepts were left behind. But no more waitng, no more writing fanfics, its time to re-watch Wish

• Starting off with the classic story book opening I felt was a great touch as it harkens back to classic Disney animated movies like Snow White, Pinnochio and Sword in the Stone.

• So why was Asha being so secretive to her family about her interview for Magnifico's apprenticeship? That feels like something major to tell your family. Even Asha's friends know about it. It could be Asha wanted to surprise them, I guess.

• Hot take: Welcome to Rosas is not that bad of a song, it's got a catchy beat and introduces us to the kingdom, Magnifico, and the wishes.

• The scene where Asha and her friends discuss her interview does have Asha doing typical "quirky Disney girl" behavior but at the same time she is a teen about to have an interview for what may be one of the most sought-after jobs in the kingdom, I'd be acting weird to if I was her age and in her position.

• We get some hints of Magnifico's jerk personality as he somewhat dismisses Asha's drawings when she shows it to him. The line is "Do we call that a talent?"

• Magnifico mentioning how he knew of Asha's father and how her dad talked about the stars is an interesting given how everything turns out but for one, this is NEVER BROUGHT UP AGAIN and two, this feels like a leftover of one of the deleted scenes from Wish where Magnifico wanted to harness a stars power but was never powerful enough to do so.

• Oh "At All Costs", how you sparked a fandom when you had no intention of doing so.

• In context of the movie, At All Costs does work as it shows that Magnifico's and Asha's feelings on the wishes. Magnifico holding on too his past trauma and feeling that HE and only HE can protect these sacred things while Asha is more drawn to the person AND their wishes, notably her Saba's wish.

• Opinion time: If we were to have Starboy and a romance, the demo version of At All Costs should have been a reprise, just with the word love instead of promise, showing how Star and Asha's relationship has grown and deepened. It would be a lot like "I See the Light" from Tangled, taking place before the climax.

• It makes a little sense why Magnifico rejected Asha's application since after singing "At All Costs" he sees her drawn to the Wishes and some even being drawn to her as the wish orbs now have a purple hew instead of blue hew like the color of Magnifico's cape to them to match Asha's dress. Magnifico has worries that someone will use the power for personal, and in his mind "selfish" reasons, plus his trauma from his village being destroyed makes him warry of who to trust.

• So what happens to a person's wish if they die? Does it just disappear?

• So that whole opinion of "Asha wants Magnifico to grant everyone's wish" WRONG! Asha wants Magnifico to give wishes back to those who have given theirs away long ago and let the people pursue their own wishes.

• Magnifico's tease that he might grant Sabino's wish is petty and I like it as he starts by saying a name starting with Sa before saying another person's name. That is petty stuff right there.

•If you are aware of the original concept art and the many changes Wish went through during production, it is obvious that Amaya, Star and Sabino got their characters changed, and in the case of some, completely neutered.

• I like Ariana Deboise and Chris Pine as Asha and Magnifico respectively.

• "This Wish" is ok and is mostly carried by Araina's strong vocal range.

• Star's arrival has where my inner fandom is screaming "honey get ready, you've got a big storm coming"

• "Can light be loving?" according to the many re-writes I've read, yes Asha, yes it can.

• Opinion time, again: I am in favor of the Starboy design seen in the concept art. Letting you know now since from this point on is about Star.

• I can totally see the human design of Star working in the introduction they have with Asha.

• I get why the creative team wanted Star to look that way, they wanted to do something different and that design screams "marketable plush"

• Once Valentino started talking and we go into "You're a Star", it all came back to me, that bad feeling. THIS IS WHAT I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT WISH. This part feels specifically aimed at children or at most feels too "cutesy". This, in my opinion, where people turned on Wish.

• Getting back to the Star Boy design, "You're a Star" could have worked as a way of Star showing off their powers, as well as them crushing on Asha. "You know you're a work of art" - Imagine Star Boy blushing as that is being said while looking at Asha, this writes itself.

• Look, I like Alan Tudyk, he can be funny if given witty and sarcastic dialogue and I know he has been a fixture in Disney movies for a while, but they gave him nothing to work with for this. This is not an obligation, more like a reward gone wrong. I am glad that Alan got a more prominent role, but I just thought it should have been something better.

• Another major criticism I've seen is that Magnifico's down fall is just him being controlled by a book when really it is more complicated than that. I akin it to Anakin Skywalker falling to the dark side as in it's not just the teachings that cause someone to go down the path of darkness, it's the feelings and desires of the one learning. Magnifico, at the point of the movie is paranoid and afraid that someone or something is here to take away his powers, threaten his power status, and destroy his kingdom that he works hard to protect in his own way. So it is not just the book doing it but the powers of the book mixed with his own fear, anger, trauma and other negative emotions that cause him to fall to darkness. Hate leads to anger, anger leads to

fear, fear leads to suffering.

•I totally forgot the Simon actually sees and interacts with Star before his betrayal. Star hands him a heart after he says he has forgotten what we wished for and when I first saw this I thought it meant that he had a crush on someone, maybe Asha but after seeing the movie it was just Star trying to be nice to Simon. Which in turn makes Simon's turn even more strange.

•I understand why people would think Asha was selfish in going for her family's wishes first when freeing them but my head cannon is that freeing all of them at once would be too big of scene and she wants to prove to Sabino that his wish is worth granting. However, Magnifico would notice that some wishes are missing and would put two and two together so this plan was not thought out to much but hey she is only 18 and she just met a magic star that can help her so I think her thinking clearly is not to much of an issue.

• "This is Thanks I Get" starts off odd as no one brought up the mirror thing in the scene where the citizens question Magnifico. But the song itself is to show that though Magnifico shows that he cares about the citizens of Rosas and their safety, he would rather have someone else help them then get involved himself and still wanting praise even though he does not really do much for the kingdom outside of granting wishes. The song also is to show that Magnifico is now going down the path of darkness due to his own insecurities and ego. Chris Pine does a great job with the song as he becomes more unhinged in every chorus.

• THERE IS NO SCENE WHERE SAKINA AND SABINO MEET STAR AND TALKING VALENTINO WTH!!! It jumps right to Asha giving Sabino his wish back, no lead in or setup.

•Then we go right to Magnifico breaking into Asha's house after being told she brought down the star. Again, there was no setup or lead in, it just happened.

•We don't even get to see Asha's mom's wish before Magnifico crushes it. It would have added more to the emotion of the scene to see what her wish was just as Magnifico destroyed it. This also shown to be the first time Magnifico has ever destroyed a wish. I chalk this up to his new powers influencing him to destroy it.

• Sabino mentions as they escape that Asha's father would be disheartened to see what Magnifico has done, implying that the father was a believer of Magnifico.

• Star holding Asha's chin as she blames herself for everything again makes me yearn for the Star Boy design.

• Magnifico having a hidden evil lair beneath his royal study is symbolism 101 but nice to see.

• Fun detail: When Magnifico grants Simon's wish, he uses the spear he made from forbidden magic and that in turns corrupts Simon's wish and thus Simon himself. We see instead of the usual blue, pink or other colors used to represent Magnifico's magic its is now the green evil magic, symbolizing that Simon's wish, though granted, is now corrupted as well.

• Simon turning on his friends is shown more as an effect of the forbidden magic Magnifico used.

• How do you have a wanted poster of Asha and not make a "they got my nose wrong" joke from Tangled.

• "My butt found it" - see this is why a lot of people thought this movie was written by AI.

•"Introverts need sanctuary too" - Hell yeah Bazeema

•"What I Know Now" is another decent song as I am a sucker for drum breaks and enjoy the revolutionary feel behind it.

• Apparently, to avoid corruption by the book of forbidden magic you have to wash your hands with obsidian oil before using the book. So to avoiding evil basically comes down to washing your hands, gee you think this movie was made during a pandemic or something. Overall, pretty lame way to defeat evil.

•The rule is "embrace forbidden magic once and you commit to it for eternity". I find it hard to believe that no one has tried to save someone corrupted by this forbidden magic before this.

• I notice that the more obvious Disney call backs happen at the last third of the movie. Before it was subtle but now it is super obvious.

• If we were not going to get a reprise of "At All Costs" then "This Wish" would make sense as it shows the kingdom getting behind Asha and standing up to Magnifico themselves. It is a decent song for what it needs to be.

•Again, I can't help thinking about Star's human design as they are sucked into Magnifico's staff. Imagine them taking one last glance at Asha before being sucked in to the staff, some good romantic build there.

• Simon's betrayal came down to him wanting to feel whole again after giving up his wish and essentially making a deal with the devil to make that happen. I get that people saw him differently and he would want to change that but how he acted with Asha and the others before Magnifico told the kingdom about the light and its apparent danger still made his turn feel off, we needed to see Simon struggle with how he feels and how others see him for it to make sense.

•So Star did not go back to the sky at the end, which does leave the door open for other adventures with Asha and others. Maybe star could turn human at the end (LOOK LET ME DREAM!)

Overall my thoughts on Wish have not really changed since I first viewed it. The movie is passable, a 6 or seven out of 10, a C+ to B grade. The animation is good, the story is fine and the characters do not bother me too much.

But for a movie that is supposed to represent 100 years of Disney animation, one of the most influential studios of all time, it is not wrong to say that we should have gotten more. This movie is missing one thing, that special sauce to put it over the top. It could've been a romance with a human looking Star, it could have been Amaya and Magnifico being a villainous couple, it could have been anything. Wish just needed that extra something to push past some of the pacing and story beats that drag it down such as the bad jokes and odd pacing. Maybe a better relationship between Asha and Star would be glue that held the movie together as most previous Disney film always had that main duo that kept you interested but Asha and this version of Star just don't click like a Moana and Maui or Anna and Elsa did.

I would give it a recommendation now that it is on streaming for an affordable price plus it does come with the deleted scenes and bonus materials. It's also clear to see that the team behind it was passionate about making this the best it could be and I applaud the team for that idea. I know others are going after them for not going through with certain concepts, but I think they did an okay job with what they had.

So yes I like Wish, it's not my favorite Disney movie but it's one I would not mind watching again and understand if it's someone's favorite. Hopefully the initial negativity towards the movie dies down and people actually give it a chance.

[myscalesofjustice]

If Wish had Renaissance Disney's bite, would Sabino have died?

He's hitting 100 and, although it was kind of joked about that he wouldn't see 101, him being appropriately bedridden really would've illustrated that time to get his wish was running out. The movie's Darkest Hour is when Asha's mother's wish gets absorbed, but Magnifico crushing Sabino's wish is a harder gut punch. Worse, what if it was too much for the old man? What if the emptiness from losing his wish killed him just like that? Asha's quest suddenly amounts to nothing. That's how a villain breaks a protagonist's spirit!

As she's crying over her departed Saba, it slowly dawns on Asha that his wish to inspire came true and he didn't even know it. He inspired her, after all! This is the final piece of evidence that fully turns Asha off from Magnifico's way of thinking. The people don't need magic, not the king's, not Star's, not even her's, to make their wishes come true. Now on her second wind, Asha goes to defeat Magnifico. Sabino gets his face on a tapestry hanging in the castle or something in the epilogue.

Just seems to be another thing Wish played too safe.

[rascalentertainments]

My Official Wish AU Title: 🌟🌟🌟

Not sure if this will be an entire full length story or just bits of ideas to accumulate yet. It'll depend how much people actually like the idea here. And I need some pics of Valentino's concept so I can come up with a better redesign idea for him, I just keep losing the post that had it. 😅 But, as for the story plot, I can give ya a synopsis: *clears throat*

In the beautiful kingdom of Rosas, the citizens happily live their lives without a care in the world. Thanks to their wonderful and magical rulers; King Magnifico and Queen Amaya, together they created a place where everyone's wishes can come true..... Or so they thought.

Behind the castle doors, the two rulers (and their proud lynx, ) have been taking control of people's wishes, choosing who really deserves happiness or misery. They feed on the hopes and dreams of their citizens, quietly gaining power that will soon become insufficient. Magnifico's true goal is to harness infinite power. To rule with such cosmic force that no one would dare defy him. To catch a Star.

Not all the citizens had the wool over their eyes, as a small group of them quietly fled from Rosas into what was nicknamed "The Enchanted Forest". There the people made their own lives away from Magnifico and his dangerous magic, but they know they could only hide for so long.

Asha, a young woman of 17 who grows restless in the village and wants to venture back out into the world, but still has fear of Magnifico finding her family. Especially with her saba, Sabino growing weaker everyday as a result of losing his wish.

So in an act of desperation, she wishes upon a star for a miracle, for her family and people to restore what was taken from them. Her wish is granted, but not in the way she ever imagined: A Star comes down to Earth, taking the form of an excited, shape shifting, glowing, teenage boy. Together, the duo (along with Asha's loveable and loyal pet goat, Valentino) travel to Rosas to restore the wishes to their rightful places. Only Star has no idea what he's doing....but he'll try. 😅

Its A bit long, and its inspired by the bits of the original movie we did get to see. I thought the hidden village idea was an intriguing idea, really. So if I did do a full on rewrite, I'd include those deleted scenes as sort of bridges to other scenes I write and add interactive fun.

My last addition for now is that Star and Asha's dynamic would be A little more akin to Hercules and Meg, since he's heard stories about Greek heroes and such that humans have recorded in books. Asha is a little more down to earth and Star helps her see the good and magic still in the world despite the looming threat.

That's all I got for now, and I hope its good. Fantasy is not my strongest thing to write, I'm really into Sci-fi/Superhero, p. But I'm willing to try new things. Its no "Kingdom of Wishes" level of excellence, but if this grows some more, I'd be happy about that and appreciate it.

Thanks so much for reading this!

[imagitory]

Yes, I know, I'm shocked too -- but once again, it seems, I have to talk about Disney's Wish. Truthfully, this entire analysis was one I never set out to write, but I felt like I had to after having a really good conversation with my mum about this deleted scene featuring Asha's grandpa, Sabino; the sentiment expressed by some Disney fans that its inclusion would've helped fix the film; and even the purported perspective that the development team was deeply unhappy about the corporate decision to cut it.

So first off -- do I think this scene is that magical missing piece that would've fixed Wish? Not exactly. I do think that Sabino putting the idea of wishes being worth fighting for into words for Asha that she even could've reprised later while fighting Magnifico could've been very powerful. Just imagine how much stronger the story would've been if Asha had used Sabino's song to rally the town against Magnifico -- not only creating the payoff of Asha making her dear Saba's wish of inspiring people as well as her own wish to make things in Rosas better come true, but ALSO bringing Magnifico's worst fears of rebellion against his rule to life in an ironic twist! But even if including this scene could've improved the film, I don't think it would've fixed everything wrong with its story and characters. It did, however, inspire that really fun conversation with my mum, and we realized together what this scene at least partially provides that the finished film didn't --

A reason to care about the wishes Magnifico hoards away.

When I was in college, I took a screenwriting class, and one of the most important lessons the professor taught us was to give your main character(s) a strong desire and then give your audience three strong, disparate reasons to root for your character in reaching their goal. This way, if one of the reasons doesn't resonate with a member of your audience, maybe another one will. The more reasons you give your character to want to succeed, the more people in your audience are likely to feel for your character's position and support them in their actions.

Let's use Disney-Pixar's absolute masterpiece Finding Nemo as an example, just for kicks. Marlin wants to save his son, Nemo, after he gets captured and taken away by human scuba divers. The audience wants Marlin to succeed because his reasons include --

Love. Marlin loves his son very much and is very protective of him, partly because Nemo has a disability that Marlin worries puts him at particular risk being on his own.

Past trauma. As seen in the prologue of the film, Marlin lost the entire rest of his family to a horrific barracuda attack that also resulted in injuring Nemo while he was still an egg, so Nemo is the only family Marlin has left.

Guilt. Marlin feels responsible for what happened to Nemo, because they were in the midst of a fight about Marlin's helicopter parenting when Nemo put himself so close to the human boat and got captured.

The thought process behind this writing trick is that you want your audience to care about what your character is working toward. This is how you get an audience really emotionally invested in their struggles and story, and it also helps define who the character is as a person, understanding not just what they want, but seeing the lengths they'll go to in order to chase that desire. And this is what Wish seems to understand symbolically, but not enough to use this knowledge while shaping its screenplay or characters.

In the finale of the film, all of the people in Rosas whose wishes were taken can still gather enough "stardust" or "magic" or "dreaming whatever" to defeat Magnifico without them. The magic is inside of them, even without the contents of the bubbles Magnifico took from them -- because our wishes, dreams, and ambitions come from who we are, as people. They're a piece of us -- they're informed by who we are -- our happy memories, our past scars, our personalities and hobbies and values. What makes dreams coming true so beautiful is seeing someone become a more complete version of themselves through it!

And yet...what do we learn about any of these characters that tie into these wishes and why it's so important their wishes be returned and/or granted? What visually communicates that these wishes are so integral to these people's personalities and souls that they're a pale shadow of who they used to be without them? What emotional justification is there for anyone to care if Rosas's citizens achieve these flights of fancy? Are there any real stakes or grave consequences if those wishes aren't granted?

Why do we care if this one lady wishes she could fly, or this other one wants to make dresses? What do we care if this one person wants to sail a ship and travel the world? This one guy wants to climb a mountain or something, but...so what? We don't know any of them from Adam! The film tells us that these wishes are really important to these people, but we don't get any emotional reasons to be invested in whether or not these people's individual wishes come true.

Even characters we do meet like Simon -- what about him made him want to be a knight? Where did that wish come from, in his character? Was it fueled by misguided patriotism? A desire for glory? Being bullied as a child and wanting to prevent others from going through the same thing? We have no idea! Imagine how much more Simon's "betrayal" scene would've hurt if we'd gotten to know Simon as this dreamy, idealistic person who grew up reading fairy tales about knights bravely protecting their kingdom and being heralded for it, only for that wish to be twisted by Magnifico to make Simon serve his king blindly with no free will of his own. Imagine how much more interesting of a character Simon would've been if there had been real context behind that wish he'd made and given up, and how much more interesting his relationships with his friends could've been as a result.

What about Asha's mother? Her wish is treated as incredibly important in the film, since Asha tries to steal it from Magnifico like she did Sabino's and Asha and her family react with such upset when Magnifico crushes it, and yet we never once learn what the wish even was. Even when the wish is reformed and returned to Asha's mother, we STILL never learn what it was and by extension what it meant to her mom and why it was a bad thing that it got crushed. Why should we believe this wish of Asha's mum's is so important if we never even learn what it is? Because the film said it's important? In the immortal words of Will Turner,

(source)

Just look at Joe Gardner in Pixar's Soul. Would you care so much about him wanting to get back to the world of the living if you didn't learn through the film that he'd been dreaming of playing jazz since he was a child and had finally landed this big gig with a jazz band after years of rejection and his own mother never supporting his dream right before dying? Would Joe have connected with 22 the way he had over the course of the story if it weren't for not only his goal, but the character, passions, and world view that fueled his pursuit of that goal in the first place?

My mum, while we had this discussion of ours, put forward her own experience. When she was a young woman, she dreamed of having a family of her own: a husband, 2.5 kids, a house with a white picket fence where people could gather together. Over time, though, Mum kind of resigned herself to the reality that it probably wasn't going to happen -- she was pretty solidly focused on her career, she hadn't had much luck in her long-term relationships, and she'd gotten to an age that having her own children was incredibly unlikely. This doesn't mean my mum lost that desire for family -- it's still a part of her, and it informs who she is as a person. She's always taken care of the many cats she's had over the years as if they were her children. She made and has kept life-long friendships with people who've become like siblings to her. She even ended up becoming something like a mother figure for her ex-boyfriend's daughter from a previous marriage, while she and that boyfriend were together. And when I was conceived (pretty miraculously too!), my mum never hesitated for a moment about whether or not she wanted me. Even if my father had chosen not to stand by her and me, she would've pursued that dream of motherhood she'd thought was lost to her all the same.

THIS is what the deleted Sabino scene has that the finished film doesn't, though still in a bite-size amount. The reason the filmmakers give us for why we should care about Sabino's wish (and, one could argue, the town's wishes) is that when his wish is returned to him, it allows Sabino to connect more deeply with his granddaughter and his daughter-in-law through the music he's so passionate about.

The reason we the audience should care about Sabino's wish is the connection he makes with others.

We still don't know where that wish came from in Sabino's character or back-story, and the theme of connection through one's dreams is something that certainly could've been explored more if it had been kept...but for the first time, through this deleted scene, the filmmakers gave us a reason to care about that little magic bubble besides just telling us that they represent a heart's deepest desire and we should want everyone's wishes to come true because wishes are good. (Which honestly has a lot of problems -- the film never even bothers to explore any scenarios where wishes could truly be dangerous or morally wrong to grant, such as a wish to rule this particular kingdom or that this one person will marry you, regardless of their opinion on the matter.)

The song Sabino sings in this scene says that if a wish is powerful enough to fill your heart and make it "close to breaking," then it's one "worth making." But to tell a story worth telling and create characters worth rooting for, you need to show -- not just verbally explain -- why your audience should care.

[tumblingdownthefoxden]

"The Assistant and The Star"

Chapter 1: Standard Routine

*11 years later

It was shortly after dawn and the sun was rising. Atop a grand hill stood Asha and another girl. Before them stood easels with canvases where they painted the sunrise.

Asha looked over at the other girl's painting. "Oh, Bazeema. That is an excellent shade of pink. How did you get it?"

Bazeema showed Asha her wooden palette. Using a clean brush, she took a dab of red paint, a dab of white and a touch of yellow before mixing it all in the center. "Oh, I see." Said Asha before she repeated the process. Asha places a few strokes of pink on her canvas before stepping back to admire her work. She thought it was grand. Asha looked around the forest and back to the sunrise before releasing a light sigh. "You were right Bazeema. I do feel better. I really needed this after last night."

The previous night, Bazeema and her mother were working late to finish tending the royal garden when they came across someone trespassing through the moss trees. When asked about their whereabouts, the person simply said they were looking for someone who owed them a favor and tried to push past them. The gardeners kicked out the heckler and would later find Asha hiding under a moss tree. She was hiding from a heckler that was chasing her near the castle. The same heckler that they just kicked out. Bazeema helped Asha get home and invited to take her uphill to paint the horizon before they went to work.

"Hmm. Do you want to leave now? We're a long way from the castle and I don't want to make you late for work." Asked Asha.

"It's still pretty early but we could leave if you want to. I'm finished with my painting anyway."

Asha added her signature onto her canvas before packing up her art supplies. They traveled for 30 minutes before reaching Asha's home. Outside the house, sat Mama Sakina brushing the fur of a baby goat. The goat noticed the two and bounced over to the pair. Excitedly braying as he pawed (hooved?) Asha's legs.

Asha giggled. "Good morning, Valentino. Happy you're awake as well."

"Good morning Asha. Hi Bazeema. How was the sunrise?" Greeted Sakina. "Good morning, mama. It was beautiful. I'm getting better at painting as well." She said as she lowered the canvas to Valentino's eye level. "What do you think buddy?"

Valentino cocked his head and paced side to side in critical thought before giving an approving bah. "Thank you very much." Replied Asha. She raised her canvas and looked back to Sakina. "We're just going to set these to dry and go to the castle." They placed their paintings against the wall of the house.

"You're going into the city now?" Sakina asked, concerned. "Can't you take the day off today? It's the middle of the Summer festival and there's a Wish Ceremony is today. It's going to be crowded in town square. It could be dangerous."

As she said this, Saba Sabino came outside. "Here's some food for thought. Why don't you celebrate your Saba's 100th birthday all afternoon and evening? Take a break from everything happening in the city."

Asha paused at the offer. Two years ago, she was interviewed and accepted to become the King's assistant. A role that allows her to help manage the wishes, prepare magic ingredients, and many other things. Rumor has it that the King's assistant will not only have their wish granted sooner than most, but can get other peoples' wishes granted.

Asha is quite famous in Rosas, but it is a perverted form of fame. Asha had more than her fair share of hecklers and fake friends. It only got worse during the solstice and equinox festivals. Today would be one of the few times that the King will grant wishes on the same night as a Wish Ceremony, and people will do whatever it takes to be sure that the "insurance" will deliver their wish that night.

"I know but this is the most demanding day and I have to help the King. He needs me to help choose the wishes to be granted and test the performance of his new spells." She began stroking her locs. "I know yesterday was… dramatic, but I can find another route and Bazeema can help me get home without anyone noticing."

Sabino sighed, a little sad. "Okay, if you must. But if I may suggest, that soldier fellow you know. The one near the castle. You can ask him to take you home as well."

"Simon? He's a castle guard, not a soldier. And he's on the night shift, I can't ask him to take me home."

"You get off of work near sundown. Simon's shift starts at midnight. He should have time." Bazeema rebutted.

"But he's asleep around that time. It's a long way to and from the castle and it would be rude to interrupt the little rest he gets to-"

"He will not mind." Sakina placed a firm hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Simon is one of your oldest and truest friends. He will not antagonize you for needing his help. He won't ask for anything in return." She smiled.

Asha sighed in defeat. "Okay. I'll ask him." She said before going inside the house. Entering her room and opening her closet, she searched through a set of 10 masquerade masks to wear on her trip. They were a gift from Magnifico to help her travel unrecognized. She picked a golden ibex mask and changed into her assistant's uniform. Asha grabbed her leather bag from a nearby chair and put on a dark hooded cloak over everything.

Walking out to the living room, she heard a gasp from Sabino.

"Oh, stars above! La muerte?! Oh, is it my grand daughter's time already?" He knelt down, trying not to smile. "Oh, please. Have mercy on her. Take me instead."

Asha laughed and rolled her eyes. "I'm not dead yet, Saba."

"You will be if you keep working yourself like a mule." He teased, standing up. "But if you're going into the city, maybe I can take advantage of crowd and play my music for them to hear." -He went to open a cabinet and pulled out a mandolin case- "Maybe, they will pay attention this time." He whispered to himself.

"You know, I could try to get your wish granted tonight." Asha offered. "Maybe find out what it was." Sabino chuckled. "No need to stress over finding it. I wrote it down before I gave it to the King. Now I wait for it and attempt to achieve."

"Oh." Went Asha. "What did you write?"

"It's a secret." He whispered with a smirk.

"Saba!"

Sabino just laughed at her frustration. "Well, what would like for a present?" Asha asked.

"If you find a little trinket in the market that I could add to my collection, that would a great bonus. But all I need is for you to come home in time for cake." He said with a smile.

Asha hugged her Saba goodbye and left the house. She hugged her mama and walked up to Bazeema. "Hey Valentino? Are you coming?" Asha called. Valentino hopped up to follow but Sakina picked up before he could approached. "Hold on there, mister. We can't have you go into that chilly castle without your pajamas, can we?" Sakina sat down on the grass criss crossed and positioned the little goat back on her lap. She pulled tiny pajamas from her pocket and fitted them over his head. "There you go." She chimed as Valentino ran over to Asha and Bazeema. "Watch over her, please. I love you all." She called to them. "We love you too. Goodbye." Asha called back as they made their way through the forest.

A while later and the trio made it to the outskirts of the forest, just outside the city. Asha stood in admiration of the festival decor around the area. Streamers of red and yellow. Banners for the rising and setting sun. Blue, unlit lanterns strung above the street. The streets weren't filled with people yet but enough to dissuade going through town square. They had not noticed a hunter at the edge of the forest looking their way in suspicion. Something about the cloaked figure seemed familiar but they weren't sure why. Then it hit them.

"Hey, are you the veiled assistant?" They called out. "I want to ask you something!" Valentino took notice and headbutted Bazeema's leg to see the hunter approaching. In a mild panic, Bazeema took Asha's hand and they bolted down the outskirts towards the docks. "Hey, where are you going?" The hunter cried after them.

After a short while, they made it to the docks. "Are... Are we... still being followed?" Asha panted, hanging onto her knees. Bazeema looked back and saw no sign of pursuit. "No, we're safe. But we need to find Dahlia and Hal. They can take us down a new route at the docks."

"Okay. Woo... Let me catch my breathe first."

After a good 7 seconds, Asha straightened her back. "Wait, you didn't tell Dahlia about last night, did you?" Bazeema was silent and only interlocked her fingers. "Oh no! Bazeema! She's going to be all over me!"

"But she can ensure you get in and out of the castle!" Bazeema beamed.

They approach the city where two other girls stood by. One with a crutch and anxious look. The other with a basket looking out at the nearby ships on the horizon. The anxious girl looked their way and squealed. 'Oh boy,' thought Asha. "Hi Dahlia. How are y-" Dahlia tackled Asha in a bear hug before she finish speaking. "Great Heavens! Great Heavens! Great Heavens! Please take off your mask!" Was all the girl said. Asha complied with the request and lifted the mask from her face. Dahlia spared no time before taking her face into hands, turning it side to side to check for any bruises. "You're not hurt? They didn't reach you? Oh, I should've been there with you!" Dahlia panicked.

"I'm alright, Dahlia." Asha reassured. "They grabbed my cloak but I got away." The last sentence did anything but reassure Dahlia. "THEY TOUCHED YOU!? Oh ho! No! Do you remember their face? What they wore? Do you have their name?"

Hal came up and tugged at Dahlia's dress with her free hand. "Go easy on the lady, Doc. We still need to take her to the door." Dahlia took a deep breathe and let go of Asha's face. "Sorry. Okay. It should be this way." Dahlia led them past the great bell tower to a large wooden door that she swiftly unlocked with a key hanging on her belt. "This is the delivery route. The cooks use it to quickly bring in new shipments of food and herbs into the royal pantry." She opened the door to a dark hallway. "There are wall windows further down but it's stained glass so people should only see your shadow."

Asha looked inside, worried. "What if I get lost in there?"

"It's a one way path. Wherever it's too dark to see, just feel for the wall and follow it."

The 5 of them jumped as the great bell tower rang out to announce new arrivals coming to Rosas. Hal looked out to the ships about dock. "It's time, Dahlia!" She said. "You'll be fine Asha. See you tonight! And remember, you're the Goat!" She praised with a finger gun. Valentino brayed annoyed. "Oh, right! You too Valentino!" She said, petting his head. Asha placed her mask back over her face and the two entered the hallway, closing the door behind them. Dahlia will lock it once they're inside the castle. The three remaining girls returned to the gate to meet the approaching newcomers.

"Good morning and welcome. Glad you could make it here. My name is Dahlia Akaboshi and I will be your tour guide for today. These are my friends, Bazeema and Hal." She took the basket from Hal's hand. "Would you care for a muffin. Gratuity from my parents, the royal bakers." The guests took a few muffins and looked around. "So, shall we begin? Come this way." Dahlia looked back at the now open gate and the three girls led the new comers into Rosas.

A/N: Tumblr freaked out on me and this got deleted 2 times but things came out better. The story became much more extra than I anticipated but I like how it's coming along. I'm giving my girl a major internal conflict. I'm hoping to draw out my rewrite of "Welcome to Rosas".

@annymation @signed-sapphire @wings-of-sapphire @chillwildwave @kstarsarts @rascalentertainments @emillyverse @uva124 @oh-shtars

[fantasygerard2000]

A lot of people seem to be confused about Magnifico's age based on the founding/creation of his kingdom and Saba's age.

From the story book in the beginning, we saw Magnifico with much darker hair, implying that he is obviously quite young at the time he studied magic before eventually finding an island to built his kingdom on. Presumably already having followers who came with him, because no way that he'd singularly built every building, even with magic and also be on point with his narcissistic personality that he created Rosas himself.

At some point, people from different kingdoms and countries have heard of Rosas and came to live there. Sabino is presumably one of them and came to live in Rosas with his son, Asha's father.

Currently, Magnifico's hair is white implying he's already reached his late 40's while Sabino is literally stated that he's 100.

"But it is said that only when you turned 18, you can give your wish to Magnifico." Well, yes but you just incorrectly assume that Sabino gave his wish on his 18th birthday while Magnifico is clearly an adult when he created the wish system.

Now, it'll be on brand for Magnifico to use some form of magic to remain young, but if this were the case, then the movie would have mentioned or even show us that.

Also, his line in his song where "He got his genes from out space" does not imply he's a magical being from space, he's a human who studied magic. The line is referring his self centeredness as he states numerous times in the film how handsome he is, so of course he'd say his genetics are gifted from the heavens.

Remember, Magnifico holds a wish granting ceremony every month, that doesn't mean that you give him your wish on your 18th birthday. Once you're above 18, you can give your wish on that month's ceremony. We see in the ceremony he takes the wishes of two adults, which confirms that.

So in conclusion, Sabino's family might have moved to Rosas after news spread of it. Sakina, Asha's mother might either have already married Tomas, Asha's father before they moved or they met after coming to Rosas, considering Sakina came from North Africa as many people in Rosas are from different countries.

[dani-luminae]

People really looking at Asha being proud as she leads a tour and always hyping up her home and it's genuine ideals,

generous, with "I care too much!" literally spoken aloud, as a perceived weakness (though it very much is not a weakness)

Selfless, she is willing to put herself on the line to rescue the wishes of not only her loved ones but all of Rosas,

Deeply trusting in her friends to rescue the wishes in the tower while she acts as decoy,

She is sentimental about her father's teachings and the tree where they used to go to talk about the stars,

She is determined and doesn't give up even when she's literally beaten to the stone floor,

She is perceptive enough to notice Queen Amaya's fear and daring enough to contact the queen for help, quite possibly the most perilous person to be involved in their rebellion,

She clearly values her family's approval, as Saba's argument about the wish he doesn't remember hurts her

(and yes! She is awkward, but show me a seventeen-year-old about to meet her kingdom's legendary protector / king / ultimate celebrity who's not at least a little awkward),

and people say "she has no personality"????

Make it make sense.

Sabino's wish was to create something that inspired people. And because of his influence on Asha's life and the rift that she discovered over the king's treatment of Saba's wish, Asha is that 'thing' that inspires people. Saba's wish was granted all along... and there's probably some commentary there about how merely living your life, even without aspirations that you know of, shapes what you want and who you are anyway.