#the epic hero and the beast

[otiksimr]

Do you all have anything for legends in the series. Now I don't mean Legends as in Darkstalker Legends I mean in book legends. Like stories dragons tell each other that have persisted throughout the years.

Little fairy tales parents tell their kids, bed time stories things like that.

[sambadecomboscribbles]

Boys night out

[magpiesbones]

the reason why anything that combines superheroes and fairytales is SO good is because these are two HEAVILY related genres that are at their base SO allegorical.

like they’re myths at the heart of it! This is the way you are talking about good and evil and the Political Topic Of Choice. You don’t get Power Structures that are Like That in any other genre because superheroes are effectively a modernization of knights errant. and if you GET this. You get to have FUN with it.

[enchantingepics]

Story Prompt 55

In a land where dragons roamed freely, there was a village nestled at the edge of a dense forest. The villagers had heard rumors about a dragon living nearby, but no one dared to venture close to its lair. That is, until one curious soul decided to check out the dragon's room.

One bright morning, a brave young villager, filled with a mix of fear and excitement, set out on a journey towards the dragon's lair. As he approached the entrance, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

Taking cautious steps, he entered the cavernous space, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. To his surprise, the room was not filled with treasures and gold as he had expected, but rather with books and scrolls scattered about.

"Hmm, this isn't what I expected," he muttered to himself, brows furrowed in confusion.

Just then, a deep rumbling voice echoed through the chamber. "Who dares to enter my domain?"

The young villager froze in place, fear gripping his heart. "Uh, I-I come in peace," he stammered, trying to sound brave.

The dragon emerged from the shadows, towering over him with its massive wings spread wide. Its scales shimmered in the dim light, and its eyes glowed with intelligence.

"What brings you to my lair, little one?" the dragon asked, its voice surprisingly gentle.

The villager gathered his courage and replied, "I-I wanted to see if the rumors were true. They said you hoarded treasures, but I see books instead."

The dragon chuckled, a deep rumble that reverberated through the room. "Ah, you are mistaken, young one. While I do appreciate the occasional shiny trinket, my true treasure lies in knowledge."

"Knowledge?" the villager repeated, intrigued.

"Yes, indeed," the dragon replied, nodding its massive head. "I have spent centuries collecting books and scrolls from far and wide, learning about the world beyond my cave. There is so much to discover, so much to learn."

The villager's fear began to ebb away, replaced by curiosity. "Do you mind if I take a look?" he asked tentatively.

The dragon smiled, revealing rows of sharp teeth. "Not at all, young one. Feel free to explore to your heart's content."

And so, the young villager spent hours poring over the dragon's collection, amazed by the wealth of knowledge contained within.

[joncronshawauthor]

The Influence of Mythology and Folklore on Modern High Fantasy

Today, we shall embark on an heroic journey through the realms of mythology and folklore, delving into their influence on the high fantasy genre. So, grab a cup of tea, settle into your favourite armchair, and prepare to be regaled with tales of dragons, wizards, and all manner of mythical beasts. A Brief History Lesson Before we dive headfirst into the fantastical world of high fantasy, let…

[rhythmicreverie]

In the land of dreams, where magic ruled the skies, a humble farmer found a shimmering artifact. His life transformed, he embarked on an epic quest, united by chance with unlikely heroes. Together, they fought monstrous beasts and conquered ancient curses, forging bonds that defied all odds. The artifact's power revealed their destiny - to save a world on the brink of darkness. United, they shattered the veil, and in the light of hope, a new era dawned.

[athena-xox]

Ever after high books + links

Link one (most books)

Link two (other books)

The Main Trilogy (& Other Shannon Hale Books)

The Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale

The Unfairest of Them All by Shannon Hale

A Wonderlandiful World by Shannon Hale

Once Upon a Time by Shannon Hale

The Legend of Shadow High by Shannon Hale

Ever After High School Series

Next Top Villain by Suzanne Selfors

Kiss and Spell by Suzanne Selfors

A Semi Charming Kinda Life by Suzanne Selfors

Fairies Got Talent by Suzanne Selfors

Truth or Hair by Suzanne Selfors

Fairy Tail Ending by Suzanne Selfors

Destiny Do-Over Diary companion books to the school series

General Villainy by Suzanne Selfors

Science & Sorcery by Suzanne Selfors

Hero Training by Suzanne Selfors

Once Upon a Pet

A Princely Present by Suzanne Selfors

Candy Wish Fish by Suzanne Selfors

Trouble with Jackalopes by Suzanne Selfors

Next Top Bird by Suzanne Selfors

Hedgehog’s Hexcellent Adventures by Suzanne Selfors

Horse of a Different Colour by Suzanne Selfors

Once Upon a Twist

When the Clock Strikes Cupid by Lisa Shea

Cerise and the Beast by Lisa Shea

Rosabella and the Three Bears by Perdita Finn

Duchess Lets Down Her Hair by Perdita Finn

The Kitty Mermaid by Perdita Finn

The Secret Diary of

The Secret Diary of Apple White by Heather Alexander

The Secret Diary of Raven Queen by Heather Alexander

Diary of an Evil Queen by Stacia Deutsch

Junior Novels

Dragon Games Stacia Deutsch

Epic Winter by Perdita Finn

Activity books

Yearbook

Royals and Rebels

The Sleepover Spellebration Party Planner by Kirsten Mayer

The Totally Tea-RRIFIC Hat-Tastic Book About YOU

Madeline Hatter’s Guide to Riddlish! A Topsy-Turvy Write-In Book by Elizabelle Castle

The Hat-Tastic Tea Party Planner by Melissa Yu

A Spelltacular Year

Plan Your Destiny

Ever After High Activity Book

Spellbinding Activities

Write Fableous Fairytales

Picture books

Welcome, Baby Dragons by Margaret Green

Let the Dragon Games Begin by Margaret Green

Royally Cool Adventure by Perdita Finn

Meet Crystal Winter by Perdita Finn

Colouring/Sticker books

Thronecoming Reusable Sticker Book by Melissa Yu

A Wonderlandiful Doodle Book by Jeanine Henderson

Draw Dream Create Sketchbook

An Enchanted Pop-Up Sketchbook



Other books

Five Minute Stories by Robert Rudman & Ellie Rose

Class of Classics by Leigh Dragoon & Jessi Sheron

The books that don’t have a link are ones I know exist but I couldn’t find on internet archive/other searching.

If you have any links to these missing books, or books that I don’t have PLEASE lmk. Or if you have higher quality or pdf links (since some of the books are just screenshots of pages that I put together on a doc…)

The last two books in the once upon a twist series don’t exist.. they were cancelled or only a few copies were made (and those who have them aren’t saying anything). But I’m hoping to find them somehow if I have to message perdita finn myself. I believe there are a few chapters up somewhere so I’ll try to compile all that’s available

Any title that is coloured with a link means I don’t have a pdf or full copy yet but I have a preview

Because this is getting so much attention make sure to check my pinned post that has more eah resources!!

There are also diaries that went along with the dolls that you can find on @everafterhigharchive’s page who is also responsible for most of the links here

(Also one of my interconnect libraries has meet Crystal Winter so I’ll upload that onto internet archive + add it on here once it ships)

[prokopetz]

Tabletop RPG about a band of epic heroes with full sentences for names on a quest to murder God and shatter His throne, as one does, except the epic heroes in question are a mob of foot-tall gremlinny critters who are not 100% sure what "God" actually is, and they're not about to let that stop them. The game features an elaborately statted-out bestiary of "divine beasts" to fight which the human reader will recognise as things that are neither divine nor beasts; the climactic battle of the example scenario involves the player characters going Shadow of the Colossus on what is clearly a windmill.

[yuomizuu]

♡ | open arms ── kinich x reader !

synopsis: a bit of kindness can go a long way. at least, that was what the elders in kinich’s clans would often say. though in a land where war with the abyss is at a constant, he finds it difficult to truly believe such a notion. perhaps meeting you simply had the sole purpose of erasing those doubts that shrouded his mind.

additional: w.c 899 ⸝⸝⸝ content includes . . .gn reader, implied friends to lovers, character study www

( 💌 ) yuomi’s note: slowly but surely reverting back to my musical kid phase ty mr. jorge for creating epic and what better way to commend that than doing some kinich brainrot ^w^

natlan — a nation of eternal oaths and converging fires. where the sacred flame burns brighter with each chant of the epic hymn that echoes from land to sea, bringing back valiant warriors, now deemed heroes, anew.

yet beyond those blazing flames of ardent also lies a resplendent nation full of color and life. made up of magnificent gorges and valleys that stretch as far as the eye can see, vibrant fields where the saurians roam free, and rejuvenating springs that ease the weary, you'll find a unique beauty reflected within it all.

for most of his life, kinich had often found it difficult to view his homeland through the lens of the latter. since a young age, misfortune has always seemed to follow him wherever he goes, like a relentless beast chasing down its prey that's slowly becoming more and more exhausted. where no matter how far he soars, the shackles of a brutal reality always drag him back down. eventually, such experiences would sometimes render the lone saurian hunter an austere individual, whether intended or not. in his eyes, the world was but a tapestry of unbridled battles.

it was only after meeting you that, slowly but surely, kinich would gradually learn to appreciate the more charming aspects of life and even gain a sense of tenderness towards it. however, that still doesn't cause him to lower his guard completely.

"kinich, you're doing it again," you mused, the lush grass below softening your footsteps as you and your companion tread through the forest. the occasional murmur of wild animals hidden within the trees or nestled away in burrows echoes throughout.

hearing this, the male ahead of you briefly stops in his tracks to glance back at you with a puzzled look. "doing.. what exactly?"

stopping beside him, you motion at the weapon held in his hand. "gripping onto your sword so tightly that the tips of your knuckles are turning white. i swear… it's like you're expecting us to get ambushed out here any minute."

in response to your sigh though, he simply shrugs. "perhaps we will be."

"kinich, we barely took on this commission not that long ago, and we aren't even at our intended destination yet. i doubt we'll find ourselves walking into trouble so soon."

"better to be prepared for catastrophe before it strikes when you least expect it."

an air of laughter escapes from you then. "catastrophe," you repeat to yourself, head shaking in slight amusement. "we aren't exactly tackling the abyss here you know."

"no, but if we were, your lack of attentiveness would surely lead us to such." in between his pause, you catch sight of the subtle curl of his lips. "not even ajaw would be so heedless, and that certainly says something."

"you little…!"

balling your hand up into a fist, you immediately go to throw a punch on his arm that ultimately does not land when the now chuckling male catches it effortlessly. not that such a punch would've hurt him in the first place, but kinich is all for finding the humor in evading your poor attempts at attacking him. plus, you've managed to land a good punch or two on him before, although he blames ajaw for distracting him during those moments.

before you can pull your hand away from his grasp and unwillingly accept defeat this time, kinich intertwines his fingers with yours, holding your hand firmly. without saying another word, he turns to continue walking along with you at his side now.

due to your good-natured sense of self, it's often left kinich to be roped up in more conflicts than he'd usually expect: said conflicts are getting you out of trouble.

but even in the face of danger, you never cease to look for the good in others. while many have considered this trait of yours to be a display of naive foolishness, it felt like a breath of fresh air for kinich. while he was also considered to be different from those of his tribe concerning certain viewpoints and beliefs, you were an oddity that transcended beyond his own novel ideals. if you had not been born and raised in natlan, kinich would've surely mistaken you for being an outlander. even you had once jokingly said that perhaps you were actually a child of the anemo god, barbatos, that the wind had accidentally blown too far from home.

because, unlike the fierce fires that dwelt within the spirit of every warrior in natlan, your flame was akin to that of a candle: a gentle yet comforting light that simply wished to share its warmth with the world around them and kinich would do anything to keep that light of yours burning for evermore.

he'll never admit to you aloud, but he secretly thanks the anemo archon every day for sending him a beautiful soul such as yourself. your presence alone was as calming as a gentle breeze, and his love for you a sweet, sweet melody.

"speaking of ajaw, where is the little rascal anyways?" you ask, breaking the silence as you look around to find the creature that has strangely gone quiet.

"i sent him to scout ahead for a bit. he'll be back soon enough."

a soft smile creeps onto your face. you spare the male one more glance before giving his hand a light squeeze.

"of course you did."

[disillusioneddanny]

For your random fun one shot

There's a fruit out there called Synsepalum dulcificum(aka miracle berry) that messes with the taste receptors(sour things taste sweet etc). Ectoplasm has a similar effect(for the purpose of the prompt that is, idk if it actually does).

So danny (either as Danny or as phantom)does shots of ectoplasm and tries a bunch of other heroes' favorite foods(starfire's cooking, red robin's and or oracle's caffeine abomination, random leftovers in the fridge, etc) and live streams it for charity while answering fan sent questions.

But then one of the flashes knocks over his shot glass while running by and all the food becomes animated and there's an epic food fight in whichever cafeteria he's in

enjoy a taste of chaos >:))))

Danny’s taste was a little fucked, he would be the first to tell you. There was this thing with ectoplasm that made his taste receptors just a bit different anytime he drank some. And because of this, his favorite thing was grossing out his Titans team mates any chance he could. The team had just as much fun as he did and it was technically Impulse’s idea to do this new tik tok series to introduce himself to the world as the newest member of the Titans. 

So, here he was, sitting at the break room table in the tower with vials of ectoplasm and the most fucked up foods his team could think of sitting before him. 

There was a cake baked by Miss Martian that Superboy had winced at. A veggie lasagna made by Beast Boy that Nightwing eyed warily. A strange coffee and energy drink combination courtesy of Red Robin.  Some kind of casserole that Stafire had excitedly made, and a random assortment of the weirdest snacks that Impulse could find. The entire team was now watching in horror as Danny took a shot of ectoplasm and looked over the terrifying arrangement of food in front of him. 

“This feels like a fucked up mukbang,” Danny said with an amused smile. 

Red Robin snickered from behind his phone. “What are you going to try first, Phantom? Everyone in the live are making bets on what you’re going to eat first.”

“Are we sure this isn’t going to kill him?” Superboy asked worriedly. 

“I’m already dead,” Danny said with a shrug. His teammates all gave him that same look of horror they did any time Danny reminded them all of his mortality. He supposed it was easy for them to forget that Danny was a ghost when the only other ghost they really knew about was Deadman and they were two completely different types of ghosts. 

Not only that, but Danny still hadn’t mentioned to any of his teammates that he was only half dead. He had yet to reveal his secret identity to any of them. He had only been a member of the team for about a month and none of them had shared their identities with him so it was only fair that he didn’t share that part of himself with them yet either. 

“Oh right,” Nightwing said faintly, that look of horror still on his face. 

Danny just gave them a sharp, fanged smile and grabbed the first thing on his tray. A small rock of kryptonite. He supposed it made sense to eat that first considering Superboy was looking sicker and sicker the longer they sat there. 

“Are you sure it’s fine for you to ingest kryptonite?” Wondergirl asked, looking a little uneasy. 

“Of course, my body breaks it down just like it does human food. It’s all just turned into ectoplasm and energy,” Danny said before popping the rock in his mouth and crunching on it like it was just a piece of bright green rock candy. 

He crinkled his nose at the taste, it was almost like eating pure sugar, it kinda made his teeth hurt. The same way it did when he was a kid and got his first cavity. 

“Well?” Impulse asked, practically vibrating with excitement. “Is it everything I imagine kryptonite tastes like?”

Danny snorted. “It tastes like I’m eating pure sugar,” he said before drinking another vial of ectoplasm. 

“That’s so crash!” Impulse shouted, slinging his hands out in excitement as he did. The following events were like slow motion. 

Impulse’s hand knocked straight into the tray of ectoplasm vials that seemed to scatter across the table, hitting each fucked up and questionable piece of food or drink on the small table.

From there chaos just simply erupted. Danny braced himself as the pieces of food started to slowly but surely float off of the table, the coffee-energy drink began to take form and create a small fizzy, coffee scented blob ghost that careened straight towards Impulse’s face. 

The veggie lasagna quickly grew pinsharp fangs that it gnashed and chomped at Beast Boy, loud screeches coming from its body. 

“Oh no,” Danny said, his face pale beyond belief. 

“Ph-phantom?” Nightwing stammered, his eyes wide with horror as the casserole that Starfire made started to slowly but surely inch its way towards the eldest hero. 

“Red Robin, end the livestream,” Danny hissed as an ectoblast started to form in his hand, his other hand inched towards the thermos that he kept at his hip.  

“But-” Red Robin let out a screech as Impulse tackled him just before a random giant pretzel launched itself at the vigilante. 

“End the livestream!” Superboy screeched as he shot lasers at the hurtling ball of cabbage that had launched itself at the hero like a cannonball.

“I’m not ending the livestream! We just got so many more viewers joining!” Red Robin shouted back as he started fighting back the chips that were now being flung his way. 

“Brace yourselves!” Wondergirl yelled as jello slung itself around the room. Danny just let out a groan as he started shooting ectoblasts, doing his best to subdue the ecto infused food. 

He was never letting his team convince him into bringing out the ectoplasm again. This was the worst idea they had ever had.

[saphronethaleph]

Destined Trials

Link frowned, concentrating ferociously, and considered all the information he had available to him.

There had to be a weakness…

He glanced to his side, at Zelda, then glowered at Ganondorf… and, suddenly, he saw it.

Time slowed for a moment.

“What time did this take place?” Link asked.

“Oh, ah…” the Rito said, frowning to herself. “I suppose it was… yes, it was the day after the solstice. I remember I was very pleased with the balalaika my wife had got me. The window was closed when I went into my room, then I was playing the balalaika, and when I went into the room the next time it had been broken – I don’t know when.”

“The day after the solstice,” Link reiterated, looking up at Ganondorf. “And yet the previous witness said that my client was present for every meal during the solstice day celebrations, and for the three days afterwards. There simply wasn’t time for him to get all the way there and back during the time the crime was committed.”

“There are, of course, high speed connections between the cities,” Ganondorf said.

“Not during the day after the solstice,” Zelda spoke up. “That day is a nationwide public holiday and public transit is on a volunteer only basis. All long distance train travel on those dates is stop to stop only, which doesn’t leave enough time for the crime to be committed.”

Ganondorf glowered at them.

“Then who do you suggest was responsible?” he asked.

“That isn’t something we have to prove,” Link replied. “This is a trial of a person. It’s not a trial to punish someone, it’s a trial to determine if a specific person should be punished.”

Later, after the decision had been reached, Zelda approached Ganondorf with Link a pace behind.

“You knew the person you were prosecuting hadn’t done it,” she said, without preamble.

“That’s quite an accusation,” Ganondorf replied, urbanely. “If you intend to sue me over it, I can identify a very good prosecutor I suggest you use… of course, I’d need to be assigned a public defender team.”

He smirked. “And, besides, I’m a lawyer. My job is to argue in favour of my side. That’s it. When you’re defending someone, do you defend them any less well if you think they’re guilty?”

“It’s a lot harder to defend someone who’s guilty, but mostly because they did it,” Link contributed.

“Our job is to make sure that justice is served, and that means making sure you have to work for everyone who gets punished,” Zelda declared, then frowned slightly. “But… why are you a lawyer, exactly?”

She indicated the seven-and-a-half-foot, immensely strong man facing her. “I know it’s a bit off topic, but… you look like someone who should be a prize winning athlete.”

“Destined combat,” Ganondorf replied, blandly. “Make no mistake – you, and I, and the twink over there are destined to battle down the ages, again and again. The Princess, the Hero, and the Beast of Despair.”

Zelda and Link exchanged confused glances.

“But this time… I wasn’t feeling it,” Ganondorf continued. “Being slain is extremely painful, you know, and I didn’t much fancy being stabbed to death with eleven hundred arrows made of magic superlaser this time. I’d much rather do all the epic prophesied battle, then settle down to a retirement somewhere in the upper slopes of a mountain range overlooking Gerudopolis… and enjoy some wine, once in a while.”

“...so… you became a lawyer?” Zelda asked.

“Of course,” Ganondorf agreed. “Being stabbed to death with eleven hundred arrows made of magic superlaser is extremely rare in a courtroom, and I figured you two would end up following me anyway so being a prosecuting attorney seemed like the profession with the highest salary while involved in combat. Though do let me know what you think of the alternatives… I was wondering about archaeology, but that seemed to have entirely too high a risk of accidentally uncovering a magical artefact that would need to be destroyed and an epic non-metaphorical battle.”

His voice became distant. “Perhaps I should try a band, one of these lives. Ganon and the Dorfs. It might catch on…”

“Do you have any idea what he’s talking about?” Zelda whispered to Link. “Because if he’s trying to get me to question my life choices and why a royal princess is working in a public defender’s office, it’s kind of working.”

[bloodyshadow1]

I'm really in a storm x wolverine mood. I don't normally care for m/f ships (because lets be real neither of them are straight) but I've loved the two of them together since I was a kid and first watched the animated eps One Man's Worth. It was just so refreshing to see from the played out love triangle that haunted the series and would never stop.

Storm and Wolverine were two people in love in the end of the world, and they were sweet with each other. I like them as friends, but they have one of the best relationships, platonic or romantic, in the history of X-men imo. I think what makes them work better than most is they're kind of the perfect version of friends to lovers, though they start out kind of antagonistic to each other.

But truthfully, I think that makes them work best is that they see each other completely for who they are. To Logan, she's not just storm the superhero, the goddess, or the most beautiful woman in the world. She all that and more because to him, she is Ororo. To Ororo it's the same thing, he's not just wolverine the edgy hero, the savage beast in man's skin, the heartbroken immortal. To her, he's also everything and more in Logan (or James depending on when, but I think to Ororo he is Logan).

They're a great contrast, that works to compliment each other in ways most x-men couples don't. It's not just about the big epic moments in their relationship. It's him jumping in front of her as a shield, be her side as a companion and partner, or behind her following her charge. It's about how gentle and kind she is to Laura, who is his daughter when no one else is. It's that he could be the angriest he's ever been and she could get him to stop with a word, that she's not afraid to stand in front of him with his claws drawn. It's when she is freaking out and letting her powers run wild, it's him tanking wind and lightning if it means being able to comfort her. It's him being willing to kill anyone that hurts her, that threatens her, that's rude to her, that makes her cry, but stopping short, both because he knows she wouldn't want that and also because he knows she can take care of her self and get her own justice. It's her never leaving him alone to wallow in his sorry when they lose someone, even when he tells her and everyone else to leave. It's the two of them having a slow gentle night together drinking and remembering.

Again I don't normally gush about m/f couples but I really love the two of them. And I hate that Marvel will never let the two of them be happy together, at least not for long. It genuinely bothers me how they'd be perfect for each other, but never get a chance to, while the same boring love triangle is still something after decades. I will ship these two in every form of x-men media no matter what marvel says because I'd rather have a few sweet moments with them being friends than most of their canon relationships. (not Romy, Rogue and Remy are also precious to me)

[hogwartslegacyreactions2]

Rrecently, I've found a mod that replaces the hippogriff models with dragons.

And it got me thinking. 👀 HLC reacting to MC chasing Hogwarts Express on a dragon at the start of their 6th or 7th year? :D (let's assume Fig survived and could see it ; ; Sharp's reaction will be golden and I can't even begin to think what Black would've said seeing this from atop of the tower!).

A/N: MORE DRAGONS!

HLC REACT TO SEEING MC RIDING A DRAGON

If everyone thought MCs arrival to Hogwarts was dramatic in their fifth year, it was nothing compared to their 7th. While most students arrived via the Hogwarts Express or private carriage, MC preferred a more...epic approach.

They had raised a Hebridean Black from an egg, and trained it to be their most loyal companion. MC flew over the Hogwarts Express. They waved at the students inside, and their dragon roared as it flew past.

SEBASTIAN SALLOW: He watches MC fly by with a smile on his face. You can't get any grander than arriving to school on the back of a dragon. He wonders if he can get a ride sometime.

OMINIS GAUNT: A first year nearly knocks the book he's holding out of his hand as they rush to the window to watch MC. He thought he had a room to himself, but kids on the other side of the train wanted to see whatever was out the window. He heard them 'ooo' and 'awe' over the dragon and the person atop it. He could take a wild guess who they were talking about.

ANNE SALLOW: She's right up against the window in awe of the site right along with the first years. She tells them that the person on the dragon is the hero of Hogwarts, guardian of the valley. They're legendary!

IMELDA REYES: Oh hell no! MC wasn't taking anymore flying credit than they already had. She gets her broom out of her trunk and jumps out the window. She flies out to MC and taunts them into a race to the castle.

NATSAI ONAI: That's her best friend. She's proud to be one of the few people that can say that. It's downright inspirational watching MC fly their dragon towards the castle as the sun falls below the horizon. Their last year at Hogwarts is bound to be their best.

GARRETH WEASLEY: He waves enthusiastically from the train at MC. He gloats to any passenger within earshot that he knows that dragon rider.

LEANDER PREWETT: MC this. MC that. He was sick to death of hearing about how great they were. No, he's not jealous. Stop asking.

AMIT THAKKAR: He takes out his pocket telescope to get a good look at the dragon and it's rider. He didn't even know MC had a dragon, let alone one they could tame.

EVERETT CLOPTON: Jaw slacked he watches MC until they're out of sight. In just 2 years, they went from barely surviving a dragon attack to raising and taming a dragon. Was there anything they couldn't do?

POPPY SWEETING: She gasps and plasters herself to the window. She didn't know MC's dragon training was ready for riding. Why didn't they invite her? She sad.

ELEAZAR FIG: He's at Hogsmeade station with a few of the other professors to help sort the students on arrival. MC has told him about the dragon but not about riding. He's astonished. He watches in awe and waves back when MC waves at him.

AESOP SHARP: The dragon roar makes him jump a little, but when he sees someone on its back, he knew it could only be one person. He rolls his eyes and pockets his wand. One more year. He only has to deal with them for one more year. He gives professor Fig a deadpan glare. Why does he encourage this?

PHINEAS NIGELLUS BLACK: He sips his tea and looks out his office window, seeing the white steam from the train arriving at Hogsmeade. Another year of dealing with underaged wizardry. Huzzah. If the status of being headmaster of Hogwarts wasn't so lucrative to his resume, he would- WHOOSH!

His inner thoughts are interrupted by a large flying beast zooming past so quickly that it nearly rattles the windows out of place. He fumbles his tea and spills it all down his front. His eye twitches. This job was going to be the death of him.

[keepingeahalive]

Miss Rosabella Beauty: The Queen of Wasted Potential

Okay, I'll admit it. I do ship her and Daring. I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast, and I couldn't help myself. That said, objectively, this ship and Rosabella's character.... yeah, it kinda sucks.

Maybe I didn't want to admit it because Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale. But the more I look into her character, the more I realize she embodies virtues that contradict her own story. Epic Winter was more about "fixing" Daring's supposed selfishness than addressing the real elephant in the room, and Rosabella was a plot device to push that narrative. I think she could have been an interesting character with flaws and a lot of depth. But she wasn't, and I am very very disappointed.

Her Character

The first time I saw her, I was really rooting for her. She's an animal rights and monster activist. She could have been great friends with Cerise for that reason. She could have even had interactions with Ramona in the past. But she comes off as self-righteous and preachy.

I get she's an activist and that's the joke; activists are inherently self-righteous. But this is Ever After High. Where's the nuance? She could be an animal and monster activist because she's experienced prejudice herself. She's the daughter of Beauty and The Beast. Look me in the eye and tell me she doesn't have any Beast genes. I dare you!

It's canon that Beauty and the Beast is considered a bad destiny story, with the stigma of the heroine falling in love with a creature most fairytales would pin as the villain, and a handsome prince carrying the stigma of being of being a beast even after the curse is gone. She should understand that better than anyone. And yet, this kindness and compassion she tries to convey comes off as condescending. She inserts herself into situations because she feels she's needed when nobody has asked for her help.

2. DARABELLA

Rosabella was only introduced in one minisode and suddenly gets a big role in Epic Winter? She and Daring hadn't had a meaningful conversation up until that point. Really, she barely knows Daring.

For the daughter of Beauty and the Beast, she's so .... judgmental. She's supposed to have the ability to see people's true intentions, but why does she get it so wrong? She immediately assumes Daring is self-centered and narcissistic. On the surface, I can see where she's coming from. But, that's only on the surface.

Daring is more complex than she made him out to be, and Epic Winter wanted the audience to think she was in the right. We know this isn't true. Daring loves being a hero and saving people. He loves his siblings and does what he thinks is best for them. He certainly cared about Lizzie enough to respect her wishes. He's chivalrous to a fault!

Daring is clearly going through some things, and it doesn't seem like anyone's paying attention to what's really bothering him: He has no purpose anymore. He's been brought up his whole life thinking he would be King of Ever After, and now his world is shattered. He's not coping well. And Rosabella thinks he's full of himself when she's barely met this guy.

Having him become the Beast from Beauty and the Beast felt natural to me in the story progression, but Rosabella's inclusion felt forced. She gives him the same old advice from her original story when she should be hinting at something greater. This should be the turning point in Daring that destiny is malarky, and he can break away from the expectations his family and peers put on him. But she doesn't understand that. She only sees that he's obsessed with his looks because his main form of coping is gone.

He's not really upset about his looks. He's upset that his destiny is gone, and either that's not as important to her as him getting over his looks or she doesn't know him well enough to know what's been put on him. Assuming it's the latter, why wouldn't she try to find the root of the problem instead of fixing what she thinks needs fixing?

Daring is the victim here, even if he has issues to work out. And it doesn't seem like she's really listening to him.

3. The Cousins No One Talks About

Yeah. Rosabella and Briar are cousins. And there is very. little. BACKSTORY!!

We know their dads don't get along. Briar's is a monster hunter. Rosa's is The Beast. Their moms are sisters. That's all we know. What's her relationship with Briar? Is it a tragic sisterly bond? Or did the two drift apart/fall out because of their family conflict? Rosa's mom is likely the black sheep of the family, so do she and Sleeping Beauty still talk anymore?

How does Briar feel about all this? Does she have time to feel anything about it at all? She has her own family and her own destiny to worry about. What kind of influence did Briar's parents have on her views on beasts? She hadn't even been to Rosa's home until they were both well into high school. How much do they even know about each other?

We know so little about their dynamic. Family conflict shapes a child, and both of them probably have some deep-seated trauma relating to their families. But did the writers forget that they're cousins?

4. How I Would Write Rosabella (and maybe Daring)

First, give her the ability to transform into a beast. It's not hard.

She's advocating for people like her to exist. She wants people to see both sides of her and those like her to be seen as more than monsters. But she's had her fair share of prejudice, even within her own family. Her uncle is a monster hunter, so a half-beast niece would be considered an abomination. Because of this, she suppresses her anger to better the image of beasts. She doesn't want to, but she feels like she has to, for her own safety and to make herself more palatable in society. However, the more anger she holds in, the less control she has over herself. Her judgment becomes clouded, and this makes her jump to conclusions about people's behavior. She wants things to be fair so much that she gets in trouble for it. She wants to be understanding and patient, but having a hair-trigger temper gets in the way of her goals.

Give her a backstory with Cerise and the Hood-Badwolf family. Her family would know more than anyone the hardships that a human-beast family goes through, and they should be very good friends because of that. Her growing up around Cerise and Ramona would give her more of a reason to protect the beast population.

If any sort of relationship with Daring were to work, they would both have to learn from each other. Daring would learn to let go of people's expectations of him, and Rosabella would learn to let her anger out in a healthy way and pick her battles. Daring can't be the only one learning from her, and Rosa shouldn't see anything to fix in him. She needs to accept him for who he really is, not just preaching about appearances.

She should be embodying both Beauty and the Beast, all the kindness and grief that comes with it. She's not meant to be a paragon, and the writers should not have portrayed her as such. She needed to be a character with her own development. She needed to be portrayed just as in the wrong as Daring was when they met, not about appearance but about each other. She needs to admit her mistakes and acknowledge she is not always right about everyone. Or, at the very least, have her see right through Daring's facade about looks and realize there's something deeper going on.

The writer's dropped the ball on this ship, and they did Daring so dirty here. But they also did Rosabella a disservice by making her so two-dimensional and preachy, almost not even her own character. There are so many routes they could have taken with her. She could have been great, but she wasn't.

[carnevol]

What are some of your favorite fics or authors for Clegan? I seem to recall you doing a few edits for fics you liked so I was wondering ❤️

oh yes, dear anon, I can rec a few awesome Clegan authors! I'll link a couple of their fics that I loved but basically EVERYTHING they write is phenomenal:

@avonne-writes Reverie is a masterpiece and the HS AU is my comfort fic. Oh and kitty Gale is the sweetest thing ever!

@rambleonwaywardson To the Moon and Back I'm obsessed with it, an epic love story ♥️ Sous Le Ciel de Paris Olympics AU is so beautiful, too.

@alienoresimagines I built a home and I'm On The Run With You, My Sweet Love such a gorgeous, poetic writing style!

@stereobone in our bedroom after the war, my man, my doll and after that beautiful BEAUTIFUL writing!

@anachilles i feel so high school and whiskey neat, coffee black obsessed with this one!

@joeyalohadream in this and every life, i'd choose us every time and A feeling I want to get used to lots of hurt/comfort and sweet fluff

@nicijones I Like A Bad Boy boys in college SO GOOD!

@hogans-heroes The Boy Who Lived and All the ways some angst but the boys are so in love

@swifty-fox Little Beasts ❤️‍🔥 and eudaimonia the sweetest outlaws!

Piece by Piece I don't know the author's tumblr but this story is SO good and so much fun to read

@brotherwtf writes lots of prompts and oneshots, SO much good stuff!

I feel like I'm forgetting some authors and there are many amazing ones I still haven't had the chance to read their fics yet so if anyone wants to add to this list please do! ❣️

[atalienart]

Controversial take but I will never understand people who won't try fantasy. I know some readers prefer contemporary stuff and that's fine but when someone sees a book with a premise that interests them, they read the blurb and it's up their alley, and they say "pity it's a fantasy book" then they're just weird to me. Why close yourself to the ideas and worlds that you could potentially like because the love interest is a vampire? There are so many kinds of fantasy these days, not just the epic ones set in medieval times but also cosy, romantic, dark ones that focus a lot on characters, explore different cultures, aren't just a hero's journey with big battles and smelly warriors. There are spicy or angsty love stories for romance lovers, there are dangerous, sexy beasts for dark romance freaks, terrifying creatures for horror enjoyers, old time settings for historical fiction enthusiasts, all kinds of plots for contemporary fiction fans if you only try it. Or try paranormal books if you really need starbucks and phones to exist. Don't just turn down a little bit of magic.