#the first ones remind me of the wizard of oz I love it I love it

[studebakerhearse]

Interesting glasses frames I found

[amuseoffyre]

With all the loving pastiches and tributes to films and media that Douglas and Neil threaded in through so much of Good Omens, it got me thinking about the way the Metatron has been presented.

The first time we encounter him in S1 is when Aziraphale contacts heaven through the summoning circle and the Metatron appears as a giant floating head:

In season 2, we get the same thing when Crowley is in Heaven, seeing the evidence of Gabriel's trial, but when he shows up in a human form, none of the angels recognise him and Crowley is the one to say he was "a big floating head".

But first time he showed up, my very very first thought back in 2019 was of this bozo:

Oz, the Great and Powerful, from the Wizard of Oz. aka a fraud, someone pretending to have all the power but actually having none of it. The big floating head is a trick, an illusion, an impression of power for the man behind the curtain.

When the Metatron came back in S2 and threw a spanner in the works, I was abruptly reminded of the Wizard getting Dorothy and her friends to go off on a mission to get him the thing he wants. He manipulates them, preying on their deepest wishes, to get them to do dangerous things on his behalf.

And then we have the Metatron coming to Aziraphale and saying "I can give you the power to protect and restore your friend if you just come back to Heaven and do this little job for Almighty..."

Given that God's voice has not been heard by any of Her angels in the canon of the show, except in passing when Crowley and Aziraphale heard Her talking to Job in 2500BC is HMMM. This is allegedly God's Great Plan, but the fact that this shady fella is the one handling everything - and everyone - makes me suspicious.

[a-dauntless-daffodil]

Charlie: “Whhhew...! That was-”

Vaggie: “A lot?”

Charlie: “-better than expected!”

Vaggie: “No kidding. If I’d known inviting your dad here would get Alastor looking like a wet cat, I’d’ve pushed for it sooner.”

Charlie: “I’m just glad you pushed when you did.” (smooch) “Thank you. I’ve missed him.”

Vaggie: “Looks like he’s really missed you too, babe.”

Charlie: “Mm. Not enough to call, though.”

Vaggie: “Ehh, calling can be scary. Good thing you’re plenty brave.”

Charlie: “Only when you’re holding my hand!”

Vaggie: “Husk would say that’s an act of fucking bravery all on it’s own, letting yourself get grabbed by the small, mean, grumpy lady. Remind me not to help him out at the bar again ever. I think there’s vodka in my hair.”

Charlie: “I’ll try, but you know you’re gonna help anyway.” (second smooch) “Can I get a ‘you’re welcome’?”

Vaggie: (chuckling) “Charlie, I didn’t do anything.”

Charlie: “You do lots.”

Vaggie: “And thank hell Angel Dust isn’t around to hear that…”

Charlie: “I’m serious! You got me to call dad in the first place!”

Vaggie: “I just suggested it, you’re the one who did it, and you two worked things out together like a real father-daughter team.”

Charlie: “And we’re a great team too.”

Vaggie: “Well I’m definitely a pretty big fan of us. Although…. Sir Pentious and Keekee are giving us a run for our money. And the Niffty plus a lock of Lucifer’s hair combo might just have us beat.”

Charlie: “Blegh! She actually got that in the end? I thought her scissors couldn’t even cut it!”

Vaggie: “They didn’t. She used my spear.”

Charlie: “She WHAT-”

Vaggie: “And asked your dad very nicely to please take off his hat so she could trim off a piece without ruining the rest of his hair.”

Charlie: (sigh) “I guess as long as she ASKED…”

Vaggie: “D’you think her whole room is just a shrine to quote unquote bad boys?”

Charlie: “Oh don’t say that. We need to introduce her to some boybands or something.”

Vaggie: “We?”

Charlie: “Yes ‘we’, little miss likes making lesbian covers of the songs normally sung by teenage boys while you’re in the shower and think the sound of running water can in any way drown out your beautiful, heart stopping voice-”

Vaggie: “I- you- You’ve been listening!?”

Charlie: “Eeeev-er-y morning yep! Heheh~”

Vaggie: “Diablo mio… I need a drink.”

Charlie: (giggling) “To go with the vodka hair?” (nibbles Vaggie’s fringe) “Nom nom nom. Delicious~”

Vaggie: “Scratch that- clearly WE need some SLEEP.”

Charlie: “How can I sleep at all tonight, though? Vaggie- we’re gonna get a meeting with the top angels of creation! We’re gonna be on cloud nine! Literally! In HEAVEN!!”

Vaggie: “And sleep won’t be enough to prepare me for that but you definitely need it.”

Charlie: “It’s impossible! I need to SING!!!!!”

Vaggie: “You need to go shuck off those shoes and get in your ruby slippers while I put in your fav movie so we can get some rest.”

Charlie: “If you put in the Wizard of Oz you know I’m 100% gonna sing anyway right.”

Vaggie: “Yeah, but you’ll be singing in bed so you can keep watching the movie, and that’s good enough for me.”

Charlie: “I love youuuu~”

Vaggie: “Love you too sweetie. Slippers. Bed. Z’s. Now.”

Charlie: (kicks off shoes) “Ta da! There’s no place like home!"

Charlie: (clicks hooves together)

Charlie: "Heheheheh...!”

Vaggie: “I meant on the bed in your pajamas and under the actual covers- vaya, whatever. Scoot. Don’t go running off to Oz without me.”

Charlie: (snuggling vaggie in a hug instead) “I’m never going anywhere without you, Vaggie. Including heaven.”

Vaggie: (awkward laugh) “Great…”

Charlie: “Wanna know whyyyy?”

Vaggie: (smiles) “I make a great hand-holder, apparently.”

Charlie: “Yes. And, you’re home.”

Vaggie: “….yeah? I’m here? This is our room?”

Charlie: (snorting) “Vaggie-”

Vaggie: “In our hotel??”

Charlie: “Vaggie nooo- Anywhere else would be home too, with you there.”

Vaggie: “…..”

Vaggie: (deep breath)

Vaggie: “…... Charlie-”

Charlie: “You gonna press play?”

Vaggie: “-huh? Oh. Yeah.”

Charlie: (snuggling her) “This has been an amazing day. Wish every day could be like this, forever.”

Vaggie: “Yeah.” (hoarse) (curling up as close to charlie as she can) "Me too.”

-101 minutes of Oz later-

Vaggie: "Charlie?"

Charlie: "... nnnoooo..."

Vaggie: "Charlie, c'mon, at least let's get your coat off."

Charlie: "Mmrrr... mi mi mi..."

Vaggie: "You can go 'snork mi mi mi' afterwards. Work with me here, Dorothy- I can't get you settled into Oz without help."

Charlie: "Hmmheheheh... so im Dorothy..?"

Vaggie: "Definitely. You've got the ruby slippers on and everything."

Charlie: "I love that you call my hooves that~ Thats so silly. You're so silly, Vaggie."

Vaggie: "And you're already half asleep. Suspenders next, okay?"

Charlie: "Remove the suspenders... delete the suspenders..."

Vaggie: "Get your horns tangled in the suspenders somehow, wait, hold on-"

Charlie: "SUSPEND the SUSPEDERS!"

Vaggie: "Alright, good enough. That's all the annoying stuff gone anyway. You should be good like that, right?"

Charlie: "Sleeeeeepy. Snuggles?"

Vaggie: "Snuggles right after I change, give me one sec okay."

Charlie: "Mmm."

Charlie: "...vaggie."

Vaggie: "That was half a second."

Charlie: "Vaggiiiiie."

Vaggie: "I'm right over here, stop making grabby hands."

Charlie: "Vaggggiiiiiiiee...!"

Vaggie: (huffs) "Fine, fine..." (snuggles) "Not like my nightie would cover much anyway. But if we end up having to get up in the middle of the night for something exploding again, you're going out first, and I'm stealing your jacket."

Charlie: "You look good in my clothes."

Vaggie: "I look like a ten year old. The sleeves have to be rolled back to the elbow just so I have hands."

Charlie: "I like your hands..."

Vaggie: "Thanks." (kiss) "Go to sleep, Charlie."

Charlie: "Wait- heheheh- wait, Vaggie-"

Vaggie: "What?"

Charlie: "Vaggie, Vaggieeee~!"

Vaggie: "Giggling into my boobs isn't helping me understand what you're saying, babe."

Charlie: "Vaggie. If I'm Dorothy, and youuuu are GAY, then.."

Vaggie: "Little scared to see where this is going, not gonna lie."

Charlie: "Does that make-" (snickers) "Does that make you a girlfriend of Dorothy's?"

Vaggie: "............."

Charlie: "Vaggie~?"

Vaggie: "...Charlie. Please."

Vaggie: "Go the fuck to sleep."

Charlie: "HEH!"

[prismatic-bell]

So @hejeksbs saw that post about fandom olds freaking out about IWTV stuff being posted on the AO3, and said they’re new to fandom and fandom culture and don’t understand. So congrats, Hejek, you’re one of today’s lucky 10,000. This is going to be a basic primer, but I encourage others to chime in with details. (Also, thanks for reminding me I need an Interview exhibit in the museum. I had that written down somewhere.)

So if you go back to the 1990s and early 2000s—the pre-AO3 digital years—you’re going to see an official disclaimer on just about every fic. These basically said “I don’t own anything here, please don’t sue me.” Some were quoted elaborate.

These started because of Anne Rice.

See, Anne Rice was, how can I say this nicely…an asshole? The day she died there were literally people posting crab rave and “Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead” from The Wizard of Oz on Tumblr. Because before Harry Potter fanfiction was pretty frowned upon and you might get a C&D if you didn’t keep your head down properly, but Anne Rice.

ANNE RICE.

Anne Rice literally recruited her “loyal fans” to harass people who made fanworks. At least one person was doxxed to her workplace by rabid Ricers, and at the time fanfiction was taboo enough you could absolutely get fired for that. I was eleven and friends with someone who was 13 who’d just read Interview and drew this wonky I-am-a-kid-who-can’t-really-draw-yet-but-I-loved-this-SO-MUCH piece of fanart of Louis and Lestat, and she literally dipped off the internet because she got an extremely nasty “I’m suing you” threat from Rice. (Are you out there, Mercury000? It’s me, sailorsharon0722.)

Anne Rice did everything in her power to ensure there was no IWTV fandom at all. I’ve heard from people older than me that she used to host a “vampire’s ball” every year in New Orleans for her “loyal fans” but if you showed up and she felt your costume outshone her own, she’d make you leave. People didn’t dare so much as put “Lestat” and “fanfiction” in the same sentence.

And then, irony of ironies, when her reputation got so bad she was struggling to sell books, she…became a Christian and started writing Bible fanfiction to sell.

Yeah.

Over the years there were claims she’d changed her mind about fanfiction, but nobody ever had evidence to back this up. I even saw a dude on Quora claiming to be a close friend of hers saying we were all lying, and he got absolutely ratioed by fans going “I still have my C&D letter, you wanna fucking try again?”

Incidentally, I would like to point out that her attitude wasn’t uniform. It’s easy to say “that’s just how it was,” but Neil Gaiman has been around since the 1980s and has always appreciated fanfiction. Stephen King’s approach is “please tell me, to my face, that me explicitly writing about Cthulhu isn’t fanfiction” and otherwise pretty lassez-faire (he has no interest in knowing you’re writing fanfiction of his stuff, he just genuinely doesn’t care), and his first book was published in the early 1970s. Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, actually accepted submissions of fanfiction scripts DURING THE SHOW’S ORIGINAL RUN, at least according to popular lore. (@dduane, can you check me on this?) Mercedes Lackey—who’s 1980s-and-1990s fantasy royalty—has been asked on Quora about why she “changed her mind about fanfiction” and her response was “I never changed my mind, I just had to talk my publisher into accepting it. I’ve always been okay with it but I had to say no because of my contract.” Sure, Diana Galbaldon was out there comparing fanfiction to rape(????), but even among those who disapproved of fanfiction, Rice’s attitude and actions were extreme. And they persisted into the 2000s, too, with her egging on fans who harassed and sent death threats to a YouTube reviewer who didn’t like one of her books.

AO3 changed ALL of that.

AO3 said “here is our well-researched legal claim that fanfiction is legal, and if someone gives you shit about works you have posted on our website, our lawyers will represent you. You can post safely here. It’s okay. We got your back.”

Even so, the fear about Anne Rice continued. And can you blame people? This woman’s name held the same power in fannish conversations as “Voldemort.” (A moniker by which I’ve actually heard her called.) She all but destroyed the old guard, on purpose.

….and then a new generation of fans happened. A new generation that didn’t remember life before AO3, had never known anyone who literally had to move house to get away from Rice’s minions’ threats and harassment. I know we use “nature is healing” as a joke on this website, but really truly, that’s what happened here. She left charred tree trunks and bushes that were old-school fans and from their ashes tiny little 2010s-fans seedlings began to grow.

The thousand-odd fics you saw in those screenshots (which I feel I should clarify are from before the new show came out—a show that must have her turning in her grave, because she was absolutely adamant that all her vampires were STRAIGHT and if you thought otherwise you were DISGUSTING, and I hope she spins so hard her corpse combusts) are absolutely shocking to us older fans because it’s like staggering out of a nuclear wasteland and spotting a little garden with signs saying “free nuclear-illness medical services” and realizing it’s real. What the fuck, what the fuck, but also, holy shit y’all we’re so proud of you. YES. Keep going. Don’t let the witch get you down.

EDIT: I’ve been informed by someone in the notes that IT ACTUALLY GETS WORSE:

I’m not going to transcribe the whole thing because I’m on mobile and most of it is just bog-standard post notes, but what’s relevant is @theoriginalvelocipastor saying “OP forgot the part where she [Anne Rice] would take ideas from fanfiction.”

Like holy motherFUCKER this woman’s hypocrisy.

[itsclydebitches]

I'm preparing myself for the personal disappointment of Ted going back home to Kansas (even though I don't believe that's his home anymore) and that Trent will see him off in a ruby slippers shirt, especially since Lance has worn one before and we now know a lot of Trent's shirts are coming from his closet:

But in writing another meta I've been thinking a lot about Ted Lasso's clothing, particularly how it is used to connect with others and showcase growth. Sometimes that attempt is a failure and the growth is a detriment to the character, such as Nate trying to copy Roy's all black suit, and sometimes it's a success and the growth is something to celebrate, like Roy finding a compromise between his and Phoebe's tastes with his dark-colored, tie-die t-shirt. Beyond the issue that I don't want Ted to go back to Kansas at all (not unless the intention is to have him realize that Richmond is his true home now), a Dorothy shirt would fall flat for me because there's no in-universe connection to Ted. We as the audience understand the allusion because we've been picking up on hints since Season 1: Ted makes a quip about not being in Kansas anymore, he holds high scores on a Wizard of Oz pinball machine, he's surrounded by other allusions such as an emotionless man in need of a heart (Roy), a scared lion who rejects being a panda (Rebecca), and the comedic, presumed idiot who does in fact have a brain (Jamie). But all of that exists on an analytical level. In-world, Ted hasn't identified with Dorothy and what few connections there are -- such as that acknowledgement that he feels out of his depth in a new world -- are no longer accurate three seasons later, after a hell of a lot of growth. Unlike the suit and the shirts that exist overtly on screen as a way to say, "These characters are sharing a connection," Trent talking to Ted in a Dorothy shirt would feel too removed from textual!Ted and textual!Trent to have the same impact. This shirt totally sums up his story!... provided you've done the work to interpret all the easily missed hints and ignored the ways in which a Wizard of Oz ending would (imo) be a regression for Ted.

With an acknowledgment that I'm playing with all this through the assumption that Trent's shirt will have something to do with Ted, rather than us just getting an Overtly Queer shirt to show that Trent has fully embraced who he is, I've been hemming and hawing over what I'd give him instead. In some ways, Ted is notable for his lack of distinct fashion. He wears Richmond gear 70% of the time and the rest is plain colored long-sleeved shirts and collared shirts with polos. It's a distinctly Ted look to be sure (passionate and athletic vs. soft, comfortable, and mildly professional while still feeling approachable), but there's less material to work with than, say, Keeley's vibrate, quirky wardrobe; or Rebecca's preference towards outfits that emphasize her power as a kind of shield: wealth, beauty, her height; or -- of course -- Trent's move from buttoned-up journalist to queer bracelet, queer mug, queer style icon t-shirts. I can't think of anything Trent could wear off the top of my head that would a) be within his "vibe" and b) scream "I'M DECLARING MY SUPPORT AND/OR ROMANTIC LOVE FOR TED FUCKING LASSO."

Except, of course, for a "BELIEVE" shirt.

While I love and fully agree with Ted's speech about how belief needs to come from within and, thus, their sign is not actually necessary, a part of me is still disappointed that "BELIEVE" is no longer a visual part of the club. I'd be more willing to accept letting it go if we hadn't seen that Ted himself still relies on those visual reminders. Not only does he choose to put the sign up in the first place rather than simply telling the boys to believe in themselves, but back when Nate was doubting their chances in Ted's apartment, Ted sprints to his bathroom to retrieve one of mini signs he, obviously, keeps on hand and presumably sees every morning, soon as he gets up. It's important to him, not just the message, but the physicality of the reminder itself, so I've been expecting/hoping for the message to return in a new form by the end of the season.

Granted, that little moment was a while ago and it's possible that the writers didn't realize the implications it would have when Ted later ripped up the sign. However, another reason why I don't think my expectation is completely hopeless is because of the Season 3 promo, wherein all the Richmond family make their own BELIEVE signs. Forgetting a small gag back in Season 1 or 2 is understandable, but the promotion for the latest season? Why in the world would our advertising emphasize -- and celebrate! -- all the characters creating signs of their own if the message was meant to be, "Let the sign go. It's no longer needed"?

We didn't get this scene in the show proper, but it still speaks volumes that they filmed a moment where every character puts their own spin on the BELIEVE sign, using it to highlight their personality. Then, we end with a shot of Ted's touched approval as he talks about feeling seen.

Chronologically, Trent would have been around for all this. There's no need for the team to make their own signs until they realize the original has been torn and, obviously, Trent had become a part of the family by then. He's the one who discovered how the sign was torn in the first place. So if we read the promo as canonical, even if it didn't end up in an episode, why wouldn't Trent have joined in with everyone else? Thing is, he doesn't have a locker to hang a sign on, or even an office to put it in, and given that he's worn the same two bracelets and consistently used the same mug, there's really only one way that Trent shows his personality:

Shirts.

Some of which are notably brightly colored with blocky text referencing American-style learning.

I don't want Trent to walk into the finale with a Dorothy shirt whose importance only exists on a subtexual level and heralds Ted leaving the actual home he's worked to build. I want Trent to strut out in a bright yellow shirt with BELIEVE across the front, announcing to the world that, yes, he believes in the Lasso Way. Give me the implication that he had this made when everyone was personalizing their signs. Give me a fully confident "dork" who's willing to excitedly proclaim his love and support without fear of censor. Give me a BELIEVE reminder that's now tailored to the individual and can be worn or safely tucked away as needed. Give me the possibility (because it's not gonna be canon😭) that Trent is in love with Ted and he's going to display that in the most overt but-not-actually-saying-it way possible.

He sees Ted and he loves what he sees.

Dorothy and her allusion don't exist in the textual show proper and they're definitely not connected to Trent's relationship with Ted. What is though? The very first words Trent said about Ted that weren't an insult, accusation, snide remark, or disbelieving question:

"I can't help but root for him."

What better way to take Trent full circle than to let him literally wear his heart on his sleeve, shouting in bright colors and with a noticeable vibe that yes, he does believe in Ted Lasso.

[clovermarigold]

Smoke & Ice Headcannons- Happy edition

Ok so doubling down might not have been the best idea. I am writing this at gun point now. So, enjoy I guess.

pt.1 pt.2

Being the middle child, he had the most free time to himself, his father doting on Tomas, and his mother on Bi han. This is what led him to become such great friends with Harumi.

Was made fun of endlessly by Bi han for his obvious crush on Harumi. Tomas said it was sweet and that she would make an amazing sister.... He preferred Bi han's teasing.

In the past two head cannons I've stressed that he was not his parents' priority, but they still loved him and spent time with him. After Harumi had expressed her love of tea, Kuai Liang tried to adopt this love, so, he turned to his father, who could never be seen relaxing without a good cup.

He bonded with his mom by cooking, contrary to what everyone else would think, he is a very good cook. The majority of the clans moon cakes are his mother's recipe, and a good half were made by him.

Though the brothers are different and tend to get into arguments regularly, that is standard brother behavior. And up until the betrayal they had their good moments. So here are some sibling style antics they've gotten into.

Bi han makes an unhealthy amount of 'milk' jokes to Tomas. Both in the sense of Tomas being super white, but also... his father didn't come back with the milk.

Both Bi han and Tomas make fun of how Kuai Liang sits.

Kuai Liang got fed up with how one sided the fights were between his two brothers, so he taught Tomas the art of, "I'm not in your room" (standing in the doorway).

What he did not account for was Bi han beating the absolute shit out of his brother for it. The three of them ended up cleaning the dojo for a month after their dad found Tomas on the floor crying, while Kuai Liang and Bi han tried to shut him up and tell him he was ok.

Bi han lunging at Kuai Liang after he walked in on him confessing that he did care for Tomas to their mother.

The three of them getting grounded after getting caught trying to sneak out because Tomas told them about a honey cake, he grew up with in Prague called a meldovnik.

Bi han will head lock Kuai Liang and force him to take back saying he was a pushover.

Kuai Liang will make Tomas feel so guilty and tell him he definitely hit Madam Bo WAY to hard.

(Dressing the brothers in matching clothes)

Mom: aww you look just like your brother

Kuai Liang: shit

Bi han: ew

Tomas: 😢

His first roll was a middle school play rendition of the wizard of oz... he was a tree.

He's a huge cat person, but after he found out Kenshi was allergic to them, he bought a pet rabbit saying it 'reminds me of you'.

At first Kenshi didn't care for it but after waking up to a warm fluffy lump on his chest he caved. Johnny gave him the power to name it... he regrets that decision every day of his life.

And so may I introduce the mascot of the mkcu, the rabbit that can be found sleeping on the director's chair in-between takes of every shoot, Kris.... (Ex wife's name with a 'k')

He's starting to regret dating this asshole.

[mcdonaldsnumberone]

SKIN-DEEP COMEDY!

the symbolism of the wizards' crests and their journeys with you, their beloved master sage.

gender neutral reader

OZ!

—right collarbone: fragility, visibility, shattering of deep belief

Even the strongest wizard in the world has his weaknesses, even if it may be hard to believe. Maybe that’s why it’s so fitting for a man like him to have his crest placed in such a vulnerable place. The collarbone is infamous for being the most fractured bone, the right moreso being weaker than the left. Under the demonic guise, the facade of a wizard so powerful that he can bury his emotions, is a man whose heart is still thawing under love. Emotions are new, they’re fickle, and yet it’s enough to make him hesitate and reveal parts of himself that even he had never faced. Whether it be Arthur’s guidance or the wholehearted trust he puts in you to restore his world back to what it was, the shimmering black lily branded onto his right collarbone is the only telltale symbol on his body of the man behind the magic.

“Remember your duty, Master Sage. The moon does not forgive. Only the strong can survive in this world. Mind your place, and stay by my side.”

ARTHUR!

—right hand: ownership, power, a place of honor and status in biblical text

Sworn to the throne by birthright, Arthur is a man meant to grow into power and grace. His crest speaks to this responsibility, hovering over him more imposingly than any uncle or throne could. He carries out the will of the Central country, second to only the citizens of the people he rules over. His destiny is to inherit and enact blessings, and the constant visibility of his crest is an undeniable reminder of his fealty to you and that he must always use his place as both a wizard and a prince for nothing but good. You have faith that he won’t waver, not when he has such clear eyes for the future and comrades that believe in him without a shadow of doubt. Arthur is someone that’ll seek the light even when the odds are stacked against him, and his outstretched hand, bearing the black lily, will herald his bright tomorrows.

“Please trust me. So long as you are with me, I won’t allow any harm to befall on you. Not only are you the Master Sage, but you are someone important to me above all.”

CAIN!

—right forearm: strength, action, the capacity to start anew

Cain is a man of the sword first and foremost. Even now, with his secret as a wizard out on full display, he defines himself as a knight before anything else. His crest is representative of his strength and his will, as someone who has vowed to keep his liege safe but to also bear the safety of those around him. He’s determined not to make enemies with anyone that might stand in his way, whether it be human or wizard alike. Cain knows there’s more to the world than the small sliver he’s seen, and he knows holding onto his courageous heart will be the key to paving a way for those to follow. Despite having his status, his humanity, and his eye robbed of him, he wants you to help him stand strong in what he believes in. The black lily on his right forearm brandishes his sword literally and figuratively: a living embodiment of his justice.

“Let me protect you. I want to be someone you can lean on, Master Sage. It’s okay to depend on me. As long as I’m standing, I’ll be someone who fights for your honor.”

RIQUET!

—forehead: intellect, intelligence, heavenly love with the good

The world is an anomaly to Riquet just as much as Riquet is an anomaly to the world. After being withheld so much, Riquet’s only now learning what it means to exist apart from his days locked away in a cult. The line between curiosity and hedonism is a thin one: the one between morality and cruelty even thinner. His crest is a reminder of everything he has yet to learn and the importance of utilizing what he already has. Riquet has to discern between what will help others, what will help him, and what will betray everything he’s built up until now. You’re a stranger from another world who holds nothing but kindness towards him, so isn’t it only natural that he looks to you with reverence in his eyes? The black lily on his forehead is a manifestation of his hunger for intelligence, but also a newfound devotion to do good, for the universe and for himself. 

“Let us step away from sin. Guide me to the light, and I will do the same for you. There are so many things wrong with this world, so let’s work hard together to make everything right again.”

SNOW!

—right neck: anger, hazardous, desolate to truth

Blood stains Snow’s hands. There’s no wizard that doesn’t eventually end up succumbing to the chaotic roar nestled inside their chest, but it’s one thing to kill others for power or glory and another to kill your very own kindred out of desperation. He claims it was love that brought White back from the dead, tethering his own soul and sharing it with his twin, but the dead swirls in his golden eyes hint at something a bit obsessive instead. But all’s well that ends well, and your worries should be less about him and more about yourself instead. This world is a lot scarier than you think, and it’s only right that a wizard as wise and skilled as he is ought to guide you through its pitfalls. The right side of his neck is adorned with a black half lily: an eternal reminder of his mistake and his rage, and everything he has to do in order to rectify his sins.

“Have you ever loved someone to the point of death? No? It's an indescribably heartbreaking experience. Master Sage, I hope this world will be kinder to you than it was to me.”

WHITE!

—left neck: strain, the past, implementation of the soul’s will

White is a remnant of what he once was. With no being of his own, his borrowed corporeal form is just an extension of Snow’s longing. He knows his time here is borrowed and yet he can’t even find solace in having died once. He shares his convoluted and twisted truth with the rest of the wizards, even extending a hand towards you when you’re willing to listen to whatever sick advice he might whisper into your ears. It’s hard to believe that his familial love for his brother isn’t as warped as he is, not when the hand that strokes yours feels so real. His half crest is a reminder that White is truly no longer and that he’s practically a ghost wandering in the shadow of Snow’s rage. The black half lily on his left neck is a mark of taboo, not fully intact but refusing to disappear altogether. 

“Has someone ever loved you to the point of death? No? It’s a truly beautiful thing, Master Sage. Perhaps I can show you, if your curiosity demands it.”

MITHRA!

—pelvis: sexuality, old memories and trauma, issues of control

The pursuit of strength might be Mithra’s own way of keeping those he loves safe. He once had no one he could call his, at least, not until Tiletta took him as his student and made him a part of her family. Despite him being rough around the edges, you know that his obsession with becoming the strongest is only so that no one can question him and his desire to be loved. There’s no other reason as to why he holds your hand so tightly as he sleeps, or why he refuses to let any other wizard wager any influence over you. He bares himself wholly to you and you only, trusting that you understand his brusque words. The black lily nestled by his hips is proof of his love, and it’s a mark that he would only show to you. It’s an honor he won’t give to anyone else, so cherish it closely.

“...Don’t go anywhere, Master Sage. What, is that something you wouldn’t expect from me? Does it matter? You’re going to be with me. Nothing more to it.”

OWEN!

—tongue: the devil, the voice of the gods, shame

Owen shrouds himself in mystery, and he takes pleasure only in his hedonistic ways. Whether it be sneaking sweets when no one is looking or thinking up of new ways to torment those around him, everything he does remains inexplicable to anybody else in the Wizards’ Manor. No matter how thorny he is to you or how much he threatens to rip you from limb to limb, you refuse to back down in your attempts to wiggle into his heart. He’ll spew curses and keep you at bay, but he can’t deny your warm heart and the time you’ve spent with him. Maybe his distance is not because of maliciousness but out of his own loneliness, with large swathes of his memory missing. Can anything else come close to your sincerity? There’s no telling. His mouth will always say one thing, but the black lily engraved onto his tongue speaks of a devoted truth. 

“Say, Master Sage, I wonder what taking your heart as a trophy would be like. A gruesome, bloody heart, ripped straight from your broken ribs. All mine… Won’t you give it to me? 

BRADLEY!

—right abdomen: dysfunctionality, things unresolved and unprocessed, authenticity

The spitting image of the North, Bradley always holds his head high despite how much his situations have changed. A once-proud bandit leader of a powerful group, Bradley’s power lies not in his magical strength but in the keen mind that he sharpens with each year that he puts under his belt. He’s experienced his fair share of victories, but he’s experienced even more heartbreaks. He’s cognizant that nothing lasts forever, more than anyone else, but at the same time, could you blame him for not knowing when to let something so sweet go? Fate dangles regret right in front of his face, and it’s up to you to unravel the tangled threads. Sometimes he’ll indulge parts of his past with you, weaving tales of biting cold Northern winds and his stellar glory days, but the glimpses of the black lily on his right abdomen remind you of everything else he’s left unshared and unsaid. 

“I got your back, so don’t slouch. A real leader worth their salt has to hold their head up straight, you hear? You’ve got the great Bradley Bain as your right hand man, Master Sage.”

FAUST!

—left shoulder blade: connection to the heart, guilt, vulnerability

Faust’s crest spreads like a shadow on his back, bearing the guilt and altruism of his past. It’s bigger than any other wizards’ crest for a reason, and it covers him as if it were the same embrace that he yearned for for so many years. His heart is jaded yet still soft, wanting assurance that his actions are the right decisions yet unsure if his goodwill is enough to save the crumbling world around him. His faith has been tested time and time again, and he’s sure it’s going to be tested once more, as the moon descends to take everything he’s cared for. Your clear eyes and unwavering loyalty to him might seem overbearing, but this devotion is what he needs to find the courage to stand up once more. The black lily on his left shoulder blade is his fealty to you and his choice to believe in goodness once more.

“There’s no need to praise me. I’m only doing what’s right. I’m no hero, no great leader, nor am I the Faust of the legends. Please, Master Sage, I’m nothing but a wizard that believes in you.”

HEATHCLIFF!

—lower left back: acceptance, generosity, crossroads at life

Many wizards of different walks of life are called to duty, but Heathcliff stands unique as the heir to a noble family. If being a wizard wasn’t difficult on its own, he’s had to balance the responsibility of his birthright and position for his entire life. Despite the doubts that gnaw like gnats in his mind, Heathcliff strives to be gracious and clement, vowing never to use his position for evil. And yet with his position as an heir growing heavier and the world demanding even more of his sensibility, the insecurity that plagues him becomes harder to wipe away. It’s only the love and care of those around him that can prop him back up, and one day, he hopes that he can extend a helping hand to you just as much as you’ve done for him. His lower left back sparkles with the black petals of a lily, his wizard’s crest, with his gratitude towards you.

“There’s a lot of times when I feel inadequate for all the titles I hold… And yet, you never admonish me for my mistakes, Master Sage. Thank you, and I’ll do my best for you.”

SHINO!

—right shoulder: masculinity, bearing burdens, imbalance

Rash but smart, strong yet inexperienced, Shino’s eager to take on the world and prove himself as a worthy retainer of Heathcliff. He’s hyperaware of everything he owes to the Blanchett family, and for him, becoming a Sage’s Wizard is his way of paying back the debt that saved him from a life of misery. He has little to call his own, not even his own last name, but what bonds he does have, he treasures above all else. The intensity and fear in his eyes are a testament to everything he has to put on the line so he can hold true to his promise of eternal loyalty. You’re the only one that can hope to understand him, the only one to help him digest the danger and the perils around him. The black lily on his right shoulder is the power you give him, to lead him to glory, to lead him to the refuge that he’s sought after all this time. 

“Worry about yourself, Master Sage. I know how to hold my own ground. Things will fall apart if anything happens to you. You’re someone I can’t afford to lose yet.”

NERO!

—left bicep: to nurture, receiving support, intuition

For every shining protagonist on the stage, there’s someone hidden in the curtains to pull the strings. Nero wonders how long he’s been the one in the back. He has an intelligent mind and an even harsher tongue at times, his Northern birth betraying the Eastern mask he puts on. If he closes his mind and lets himself dream, he can conjure up distant memories of snowy nights spent drinking, boisterous laughter, the indulgence of stolen goods and a gruff voice praising his wits. But when he opens his eyes back up, he’s reminded of his betrayal. It’s hard to swallow back the lump in his throat when you console him and tell him he’s more than his past mistakes, but how many more can he make before his act is up? The black lily that appeared on his left bicep betrayed his facade once, and only so many parts can disintegrate before the entire whole crumbles.

“You can’t trust a man like me. But you’re going to do it anyway? You’re such a hassle at times, Master Sage. No, it’s okay. Being stubborn is a good thing too.”

SHYLOCK!

—left collarbone: shock, union, enthusiasm of a full heart

The beauty of being the one pursued means that Shylock has seen the rarest and the most desperate parts of the human psyche. It doesn’t mean he himself is above falling victim to love’s incessant ways, but it’s given him a seduction and a charm that’s increasingly difficult to read. You’re lucky that you have a special place in his heart, with his penchant for treating his loved ones like a pet. He claims Western wizards are free spirits who hate being tied down, but somewhere in his soul, perhaps he’s also grown tired of the cat-and-mouse game he plays with his admirers. He wants the permanence of something fickle, and is there anyone better for that role than the Sage from another world? He doesn’t want to trap you per se, but he wants to see how far he can go with this borrowed time. The black lily branded onto his left collarbone is his permanent reminder of a temporary bond. 

“What a beautiful face you’re making, Master Sage. Fufu, am I getting too close to you? Won’t you allow me, just this once? I want to be spoiled by you today.”

MURR!

—right palm: good luck, encouragement to work hard, impending loss

Is there anything in this world that Murr hasn’t taken an interest in? Undone by his own pursuit of knowledge combined with just the right amount of hubris, even in his shattered form, Murr walks to the beat of his own drum and explores to the tune of his heart. It’s an impossible task to turn him back into the fickle man he was before he ventured too close to the moon, but when he pulls you in for a dance in the courtyard or whisks you away on his broom, it’s hard to stomach the dread that settles in your stomach as you realize his current form is an apparition of smoke and mirrors. Murr doesn’t mind—there’s still plenty out there for him to squander his foolishness on. He’ll happily invite you to fall with him, and the black lily weeping in the middle of his right palm is the proof of the only ending the two of you can have.

“Why the long face? Dance with me, Master Sage! Look at how lovely the moon is and how bright it makes everything down here! Why don’t we fly up and say hello too?”

CHLOE!

—right chest: dissatisfaction in relationships, physical connection, personal power

Optimism and a desire to be loved is what Chloe cares most about. After having his entire world flipped upside down by Rustica’s mistake, he’s learned what it means to be a human and a wizard. He vows to use his talents to spread happiness and always to help others, but each corner of the world seems to be tainted with insecurity and doubt the more he aims to spread goodness and truth. Even his own bond with his teacher seems shaky at times, and Chloe wants to find the courage to break free of his mold to reach through to Rustica’s frozen heart. You’re the only one to know the conflict in his heart, torn between both what’s good and what’s truthful. You appreciate him for who he is: a reflection of all the good wishes he’s kept inside, and the black lily hidden away on his right chest is only the beginning to what you hope will be nothing but a flowery path for him. 

“Do you have faith in me? Then… I’ll do what I can so that I won’t let you down! You always see the good in everyone and in me, so I’ll do my part to repay the favor, Master Sage!”

RUSTICA!

—throat: truth, purification, clarity in responsibility

Rustica desires to love. His entire time as a wizard has been in chase of a bride from memory. The smiling nobleman wants the warm embrace of a lover, their soft whispers, even a quick kiss stolen in between honeyed glances. But that dream has long fluttered away, and only remnants of feathers remain at the floor of his birdcage. He doesn’t mind; his eyes have been opened thanks to his diligent apprentice and you. You’ve never denied his romantic streak, not when everyone else ridiculed him, not when even the universe seemed to condemn him from love. It’s no wonder that he clings so desperately to the dregs of love that he can catch from the end of your words or your touches. The black lily on his throat is his duty to uncover the reality of his past and to fulfill his duty of devoting himself to love, be it something old or something new. 

“Ah, you look as lovely as ever, Master Sage. Your presence never fails to stir something in my heart. Come, let me adore you even more. You deserve nothing less.”

FIGARO!

—right rib cage: crookedness, need to protect the heart, longing for reunion

A man of self-inflicted ephemerality, Figaro struggles to see the permanence of the world. His idea of love is so tilted, so permanently warped, that he develops an inhuman craving for being desired that he refuses to fulfill. He wants to reach out and to be brave, and yet some cowardly vices keep him entrapped in a web of his own making. Even behind all of his empty, slack eyes and perfectly poised smiles, you keep probing far deeper than he expected or wanted you too. Though simultaneously, he wants you to keep pushing, wants you to understand his soul-crushing loneliness and save him from it. Surely, you can see past the “ordinary” wizard doctor to see the broken man underneath; you’re the only one that can save him now. Hidden away like his heart is the black lily on his right rib cage, forever yearning, forever begging for one more chance from cruel fate. 

“You’re staring at me so intently. Could it be that you’ve fallen for Dr. Figaro? Haha, I’m only teasing you. You deserve a far finer man, Master Sage.”

RUTILE!

—right wrist: misalignment of purpose, sentimentality, movement

Rutile straddles the difficult line between the past, the present, and the future. He plays the precarious game of balancing his mother’s legacy and his younger brother’s unrelenting desire to unleash his full potential, all while tending to his own needs and the responsibility of being appointed a Sage’s Wizard. It’s all too easy for him to get lost in the memories of the simpler days in the South Country, with a baby Mitile clinging to his side and his students surrounding him. But he has to find courage and to place his trust in you, praying that you have the proper vision to use his magic for good. You’re both a cherished friend and a leader to Rutile, and it would shatter him to lose you too. He doesn’t need grandeur or glory, only your guaranteed safety. The black lily carved onto his right wrist is his constant wish for your well-being.  

“Would you like a ride on my broom, Master Sage? Ah, you don’t need to look so scared! Would you like me to hold your hand too? No? C’mon, it’ll be fun!”

LENNOX!

—nape: freedom of the soul, deeper truths, connection

Lennox has lived honestly and faithfully, dedicating himself wholly to what he believes to be right. He spent centuries in search of the lost leader he considered to be his master, and he spent even more time pondering what his place in this world was. While he knows he’s no magical genius like Faust might be or even a figure of legend like Oz, his genuine desire to help others and to protect those he’s placed his devotion towards runs far deeper than any magic could even fathom. His true strength lies in aligning his life with yours, the same love he tends to his herd with becoming the same love he needs in order to save the world with nothing but his bare hands. The black lily that blooms on the nape of his neck is a reminder of the delicacy in his fortitude, the gentile nature that will render him as a true savior. 

“Is anything troubling you? No? That’s good. I’m not the best talker, but… I’m always willing to listen to your words, Master Sage. I will be strong for you.”

MITILE!

—left wrist: divinity, receiving energy and protection, healing

The youngest of the Sage’s Wizards and the youngest son of the great witch, Mitile’s entire soul itches to live up the shoes that his mother left for him. He knows he’s capable of doing amazing and unearthly things with his magic, gifted by his older brother in order to keep him alive. No amount of patience is enough to quell his curiosity, so as the Sage, you’re tasked with the impossible duty of giving him the experience he needs all while being cognizant of the ambitions of those around him. Will you let him run free, to become the terrifying wizard he dreams of? Or will you let him be snuffed out, a sacrificial lamb in order to save the entirety of South Country. There has to be a middle ground, and when the black lily on his left wrist glitters cruelly, you have to believe that you’ve made the right choice. 

“Master Sage, look what I can do! Magic sure is amazing. One day, I’ll be a wizard as great as my mother, and I’ll be sure to wow you even more!”

x

[mudefrau]

sooo against everyone's advice i watched oz: the great and powerful, and tbh it was on par with harem anime (unlikeable protag who gets all girls who have little going on except being into unlikeable protag).

it made me sad what they did to wicked witch of the west and glinda :( witch of the east ate as usual but it reminds me why i never go full evil with nessa, although it might seem cunty at first, and it's because it removes depth. there was no love between any of these women and even the conflict felt superficial, and all the chichéness felt really against the spirit of 1939 oz / the original books. also i get now why no one has done a wicked au of this - nothing falls in place lmao (maybe this movie was actively trying to differentiate itself from wicked).

the only thing i agree with the movie (hope i don't get hate for this, its not the worst thing i've posted on my blog) is that i would also make the wizard/oscar attractive in my version. i'm sorry but this is the only way i can make myself like *this specific character* (this requirement doesn't apply to the others), and i want to like everyone in wicked. here is my tentative design (+ elphie and nessa because i felt like it, nessa is trying on evanora's outfit). soon i'll also post my design of frexspar, younger and old age (as in the books), melena (whom i don't want to look identical to nessarose bc i dislike that trope), the lion, and with that i think i'd have covered all the main musical characters.

[kingofmyborrowedheart]

My The Tortured Poets Department Initial Impressions

Fortnight: oh baby :(, quiet treason, okay!, oof, okay post harmony!, nice little beat, as you should!

The Tortured Poets Department: Very 80s-ish, that end of the chorus reminds me of Silver Springs a bit, me too honestly, 👀, ooh that tone is so pretty, urgh oof, bringing back the writing style of the early days

My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys: ooh her voice that lower range!, ooh that’s fun, don’t make me mad, puzzle motif!!!!, really like this metaphor of her as a doll especially given how she’s compared fame to being a doll, why must men have commitment issues go get some help boys!, ken!, like the build and spiral

Down Bad: why does that first bit remind me of tinker bell?, :( oh baby :(, same old town motif!!, ooh that effect is cool, she’s catchy, ooh New Romantics parallel!!, we’re gonna burst, okay not as a big of a burst as I expected

So Long, London: oooh very pretty, very haunting reminds me of church bells and my tears ricochet, okay switch up!!!, oof, I like the driving beat, oof, not the cpr, she sounds so angry and hurt, ship again!, I like this build up out of the bridge, not the color motif…, this is so sad, that end is very hypnotizing

But Daddy I Love Him: ooh this is interesting, cages!!, feels old timey, ooh alliteration, precocious!, like the storytelling aspect, not the burning…, oooh oh alliteration!, little twang, nice switch up! classic swift, ooh nice in my right ear, okay papa don’t preach!

Fresh Out The Slammer: yee haw??? Let’s go!!, okay this is interesting, not the colors again, okay vocals, very melancholy end

Florida!!!: fun driving beat, ooh that vocal, ooh that’s fun, oh we’re letting Florence sing yay!, yeah that’s fun, I like this back and forth, I like the production reflecting the hit of the drug

Guilty As Sin?: Not the cage again, wolves!, oooh I like that little vocal bit, vault!, okay breathless tease!, *bonk* go to horny jail, okay ma’am 👀, I like that isolation, maze makes me think of Alice in Wonderland, why would you do that to me

Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me?: ooh, fun vocals, oh this fun and dramatic, production kinda reminds me of “Blown Away” by Carrie Underwood, good name again, not the tame reference, this is like an even more unhinged “mad woman”

I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can): very hypnotic, reminds me of “White Rabbit,” this is got a fun feel to it, very sultry, like the twist

loml: Piano!!!, ooh fire motif, stitch and youth again, she sings that so softly, not the quick love schemes and the why she disappeared of it all, ooof that’s a doozy of lyrics, not the counterfeit lyric, wizard of oz reference!, the fire is back again, there’s that switch, okay that one hurt

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart: okay mirrorball!!, like that it sounds like she’s getting ready to go on stage, me too honestly, ouch, evidence reminds me of hits different, I like the camera clicks in the production, :/

The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived: not the sigh…, oof, get his ass, okay I like the build up as a reflection of her anger, that reminds me of betty

The Alchemy: funky beat, interesting child/youth theme, like the sports references, come on now, that was sweet

Clara Bow: ooh the roses are back!, ooh like the way she sings dazzling, Stevie!!, again the town reference, very the lucky one, so intrigued by the queen popping up throughout the album, beauty and the beast!!!, not the self name drop!!!

[cainluvr69]

Cain MaHoPa SSR Card Story: Because You’re You

thank you to @amoresviesse on twitter for the raws!

Chapter 1

Akira: Cain, is this it? The magic fountain you mentioned.

Cain: It's a nice view, isn't it? The locals say it can grant wishes.

I was investigating a magical fountain located in the Town of Glory along with the Central wizards.

Riquet: I didn't see anything particularly suspicious. In fact, all I can see is a beautiful fountain.

Arthur: But according to Cain's friend, every morning, there's something that reminds him of Cain floating in this fountain.

Cain: Yeah. A toy sword, a pair of boots, a doll that looks like me, that sort of thing. But each one had some hair tied around it, and that was so freaky they got worried and sent me a letter about it.

Oz: Using a part of the caster's body as a medium is a common method of spellcasting. It is having no effect due to not being a properly executed ritual, but all the same it is obvious that someone is trying to cast a curse over Cain.

Cain: A curse...?

I shuddered at those distinctly unpeaceful words. But at the same time, I just felt like I couldn't believe it, and shook my head.

Akira: ...But I don't think there's anyone who'd want to do something like that to Cain. He's always kind and considerate to everyone, no matter who he's talking to.

Riquet: That's true. Cain can certainly be a bit careless, and he sometimes he pats my head a bit too roughly, but I always feel so upbeat when I'm with him. Certainly, he is not the type of wizard to be hated and begrudged against.

Arthur: I also don't believe Cain is being cursed. If anything, it must be the opposite. It's not that they hate Cain, but rather that they love him. Their wish is to be loved and adored by him, and that's why they're trying to place a curse on him.

Cain: Hey, c'mon, all three of you need to knock it off. If you go and praise me that much I'll start blushing. Anyways, regardless of if there’s a grudge or a crush at the heart of it, the point is that someone's been trying to use the magic fountain to grant a wish, and it's turned into a curse instead. We should put a stop to this fast for their sake, too.

Arthur: Regarding this spell, I believe we should talk to the residents. It's entirely possible they might know something.

Akira: Good idea. The first step will be collecting information.

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur: You can't think of anything in particular... Well, that's also valuable information. Thank you for your time.

Cain: We'll be sticking around in town for a while, so if you think of anything, be sure to tell us.

Resident: Hey, wait. Isn't that Cain over there?

Resident: Wait, really?! Cain, when did you come back?

Akira: (As always, he's so popular... No matter who they are, young or old, male or female...)

Even as we were gathering information, people kept calling out to Cain or throwing passionate glances at him everywhere we went. And the way he responded to them, you couldn't even tell he couldn't see a single one of the people he was talking to.

Townsperson: Cain! You need to drop by my shop, even just for a minute or two!

Cain: Sorry, I'm in the middle of an investigation right now. I'll drop by with my friends some other time.

Fortuneteller: Oh? You, aren't you that ladykiller from last time?

Chapter 2

Fortuneteller: It's been a while. Perhaps this time you'll let me divine who you'll be spending tonight with?

Riquet: Wouldn't you be the fortuneteller we met at the serpent festival? You said you'd divine the whereabouts of my true love...

Cain: Oh, from back then! Sorry, but I already know who I'm spending tonight with. Once we deal with this curse thing, I'm gonna be throwing a party with these guys. Actually, we should ask you about it, too. Do you know anything about the weird stuff that's been showing up in the magic fountain lately?

Fortuneteller: Oh, that love spell.

Arthur & Riquet & Akira: What.

Oz: Love spell...?

Fortuneteller: You tie a strand of your hair around something belonging to the person you like and then offer it up to the fountain, and boom, your love will get returned. That's the spell. Well, it says something belonging to the person you like, but it doesn't actually have to belong to them. The spell'll still work even if you just use something that reminds you of them. It's super popular around town because it's so simple. Someone said their friend's crush got reciprocated, gossip turns into rumors, and now everyone's trying it out.

Arthur: I see. It seems I was right about the spell being cast by someone pining for Cain.

Riquet: Just like you thought, Lord Arthur, it really isn't a curse!

Now that the scary possibility had vanished, I put a hand to my chest, sighing with relief. At the same time, Cain's super-popular aura was revived.

Akira: (...It seems our candidate list just got a lot longer...)

Cain: Now we know the spell's purpose and how it's done. Now we just need to find the person trying to cast it and stop them. If we split into two groups, we can ask more people faster. I'll go check out the marketplace. Master Sage, would you like to come with me?

Akira: Yes, of course.

Arthur: We'll leave that side of town to you. Let's meet up later.

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: We'll start on the main boulevard. There's a lot of youngsters around there, so I think we'll probably find a lead. But a love spell, huh... This is my hometown, but I've never heard about it.

Akira: It seems like it's had a quiet sort of popularity, since it sounds like if the person you're trying to put the spell on finds out about it, it fails.

Cain: I guess that could be it. I feel like I haven't been able to stay up to date with local rumors since I started living full-time at the manor.

Cain barely had time to shrug his shoulders before new passersby started calling out to him. Watching him cordially wave back, I wanted to ask him something.

Akira: ...When we find the person trying to cast the spell, are you going to accept their feelings?

Cain: No, I'm going to be politely turning them down. Right now, I want to deepen my bonds with my new comrades for the sake of fighting against the Calamity. That feeling's stronger for me at the moment.

Cain said it without even a moment of hesitation, and then turned and looked at me while we kept walking.

Cain: So in a way, I can kind of understand where the person casting that spell is coming from. Back when we first met, if I'd known of a spell that let us become friends in the space of a second, I would've wanted to try it out too.

Akira: Ahaha. Cain, you don't need a spell for that. You already get along with everyone in a snap, don't you?

Cain: Well then, what about you?

Akira: Huh?

Cain: If there was a spell that magically let us get along better, would you use it?

Cain gazed into my eyes, a teasing grin on his face.

Chapter 3

Akira: Hmm~mm... I don't think I would. I think if I fell in love with you at first sight, I'd want to put my own time and effort into getting to know you better.

Cain: ...

For some reason Cain's eyes widened a little bit, and then a pair of girls who were hugging a toy sword tightly to their chests passed by us. The tips of both girls' hair were suspiciously uneven.

Akira: Cain, I think the people two just passed by us are the ones casting the spell...! The two of them were holding onto a toy sword.

Cain: Two of them?! What does that...no, right now we need to catch up to them!

Akira: R-right!

✦✧☾✧✦

In the end, we were able to settle the mystery of the love spell without incident. We were catching out breath at a cafe in the Town of Glory.

Arthur: So in the end, the people behind the spell were the flower seller's daughter, the daughter of the nobleman who lives at the crossroads, the three sisters that run the bakery, and who else was it...

Riquet: There was the grandchild of the head of that large cannery boat, and the fruit seller's...um... I can't do it. I ran out of fingers to count on.

Akira: I wasn't expecting that every single day, someone different was casting the spell...

Oz: Why did so many go forth to commit the same offense.

Cain: Ahaha. Because knights are popular, I guess.

Akira: (I really think that's not the only reason...)

Cain: Anyways, you guys really helped me out today. I'll cover it, so get whatever you want.

Riquet: Yay! Let's go pick out cakes from the display case. Lord Arthur and Oz, you two come too.

Arthur: Yes!

Oz: I am fine.

Riquet: Don't worry, I'm sure you can pick something delicious, too!

Cain: You sure you don't want to go too? You don't need to hold back just because it's a nice place. Although I do hope you'll go easy on my wallet.

Akira: Ahaha. I'll get myself some cake later. Right now, I'm more thirsty...

I got some tea to drink, since my throat hurt after talking so much while we were collecting information. That was when I remembered how startled Cain had looked right before we'd run into those two girls.

Akira: Right, I wanted to ask... Why did you look so surprised when I answered your question about a spell for getting along better with people?

Cain: Oh, that? I was just thinking that you must be pretty popular, Master Sage.

Akira: I see...huh?! Me?!

Cain: I mean, you can say things that make people happy sincerely like that, without having to try and plan it out beforehand. You caught me by surprise, or...maybe I just got embarrassed and couldn't figure out what to say. It's because you have that kind of allure that every one of the Sage's wizards love you.

This time, it was my turn to be so startled I didn't know what to say.

Akira: ...

Cain: Akira?

Akira: If you can say something like that about me, then I think the same goes for you... Since right now, I'm really embarrassed... My face feels like it's going to burn up...

Cain: Oh, and just like that, the ball’s back in my court. I'll make it up to you by getting you some more iced tea.

I'm not sure when he realized my cup was empty, but he raised his hand and called over a waiter. That casual kindness of his was exactly why I didn't think he'd ever need a magic spell to get other people to like him.

Akira: (It's because he's like this that everyone loves Cain, too...)

Training Episode - The Destination Of Many Thoughts

Akira: Oh, hello, Cain. I see you're back from the castle.

Cain: Oh, Master Sage. I'm home.

Akira: Wah, that's so many sweets... Um, what's the occasion?

Cain: I was asked to deliver these to the Central wizards from ladies at the castle. I was just about to start sorting them. Let's see, this one says "To someone elegant, handsome, and taciturn" so that's for Oz... This one that's labeled "To the cute boy with the straight back" must be for Riquet. Which means that all of these ones are for Prince Arthur...

Akira: That's so many?! He's like an idol on Valentine's Day...!

Cain: It means there's more people out there than just the ones who hate the Sage's wizards. Well, it seems like some of them are still too nervous to actually talk to the ever-dignified Oz and always-virtuous Riquet. And Arthur is a member of the royal family before he's a wizard.

Akira: I see. So they gave everything to you since you're easier to talk to, like a sort of go-between. (There's still a wide gap between wizards and humans, but seeing how there's this many people who've fallen for them... It makes me happy.)

Cain: Alright, we're done here. I already checked to make sure none of them are poisoned, so it's time to deliver them.

Akira: I'll help you!

Cain: Are you sure? That'll really help. Then, can you take these two piles?

Akira: Got it. By the way, who is the biggest pile there addressed to?

Cain: Hm? Oh, those are for me.

Akira: (Absolutely no hesitation...! How Cain of him...)

[did-i-do-this-write]

What little things/habits do your OTP like about each other, that would be a reminder of loss if they ever separated?

Thank you so much for all the OTP questions XD I wanted to answer this one first because it actually helped me figure out my plot problem 😆 I also loved this question in general!

(For Oz x Qrow in my RWBY AU)

For Qrow, he would not be able to see or hear or think about hot cocoa or certain types of sweets without thinking of Oz. He always thought it was cute and always knew Oz was around if he saw his mug sitting out, so that would hit hard if they ever broke up.

For Oz, he would miss his teasing and use of silly nicknames and such. Qrow calls Oz any variation of "King" or "Wizard" all the time, so much that it rubbed off and the kids now call him that, too, when they want to tease him. He usually doesn't mind and thinks it's funny, but if they broke up it would probably start to hurt.

(For my plot problem) The nickname thing jogged a memory of a name that Qrow uses exactly one (1) time, and I had completely forgotten about it until I tried to answer this question 😂 so thank you again for that haha

This ask motivated me to write 205 words for Home is Where Your Light Shines Brightest.

Experiment Total: 76,297

[jamiegeode]

Friendly reminder/possibly informing that after the events of the well known Wizard of Oz story, the scarecrow is overthrown and ends up living with the tin woodman.

Later on a boy named Kip turns out to be the lost princess of Oz and basically magically transitions into her “right” body(biologically female) and says something along the lines of “I promise I’m still myself” to her friends somewhat panicked, and when she’s having trouble saying what she wants to her friend says “only you’re different” and it’s broadly agreed upon as a wise way to put it, because yes she’s the same person as Tip through and through, she’s just seen as a girl instead of a boy now.

In a later book we discover that the cowardly lion has moved out of the forest where he was the king and had previously felt a degree of obligation to be the king of, and moved out with the hungry tiger, another who is considered an outcast because he thinks it’s immoral to eat meat and therefore doesn’t consider himself a ‘good’ tiger similarly to how the cowardly lion says he’s a coward simply because he has fears, so they basically leave their typical societies where the feel misplaced to be misfits together, hanging out between the flamboyant Tinman and shabby Scarecrow’s palace and Ozma’s capitol of Oz. This is the same book in which Dorothy and Ozma meet, before Dorothy goes home to Kansas yet again.

Later on in the books, Dorothy’s family is in debt and Dorothy uses the magical mirror Ozma gave her so that they could talk anytime (and which Ozma spends an allotted time of every day sitting at and watching her counterpart of for Dorothy to facetime her even though Dorothy doesn’t have the time to call Ozma most days) to inform Ozma of this, and Ozma gets Glinda to magically transport Dorothy’s whole family into Oz.

After this, Dorothy and her family live comfortably and are essentially treated as part of the royal family. Dorothy and Ozma are often referred ‘good friends’ and other such terms that might be familiar to y’all. They go on a tour of the country together, visiting old friends and introducing the royal’s in laws- I mean Dorothy’s parents- to various towns and prominent people in Oz.

Anyways, that was a comprehensive list of the characters who I can remember off the top of my head who seem really queer and somewhat openly so-Ozma’s transition was a major plot point and other relationships are discussed somewhat throughout the books I’d read.

Ozma’s character was something I never talked about when I was younger, but whenever I saw my Wizard of Oz books, I’d think of her first and foremost. She’s uncertain about the spell to change her into a girl, especially since unlike the spell from her infancy that made her a boy, this one will be permanent. But she agrees to it in less than twenty minutes, and was totally fine with the idea of helping an all-girl army when, as the boy tip, he was swept up in their midst. She’s eventually quite comfortable with her femininity and her rulership. As someone who never felt comfortable being called a girl, I wondered a few times if someone cast that spell on me as a baby, but I knew that couldn’t be the case because ‘boy’ wasn’t the right word either. Now with a little help from Ozma and a ton of support from a few wonderful people who I’m insanely lucky to know, I’m comfortable with the knowns and unknowns of my identity.

And this is a book series from the 1900s-1910s, guys. I love the way old books are written, and to get that paired with what seems like decent queer rep that my parents will miss if they ever read it, I have to say I love these books. I’m rereading them and it’s giving me assurance that we’ve always been here from a children’s book plus a buttload of those nostalgic childhood feels from when I wasn’t even aware that there are people in the world who might try to knock me down.

Anyways I highly recommend these books to anyone looking for a good comfy fairytale to read, it really is a great story

On the other hand, I forgot about the wheelers. Oh gods oh no please erase them they are so freaking cursed why did he do that nah nu-uh nopity no no I don’t care if they’re harmless there is no greater boogeyman than these I’m scared of the monsters under my bed again.

But other than that it’s a great series, 10 outta 10, 100% do recommend. Just don’t look up a picture of the wheelers trust me here.

[carewyncromwell]

Carey Bear, what are your favorite movies?

Carewyn: "Well, my favorite film of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird. I only saw it as an adult, after Mum recommended the book to me, but I just found it so powerful. There have been times, working my own cases, where I tried very hard to evoke Atticus Finch while making my closing arguments."

[Carewyn giggles a bit behind her hand.]

Carewyn: "Most often, though, when it comes to films, I tend to lean toward musicals. I loved Mary Poppins most when I was little -- I loved the idea of a witch who flew all over and helped families with their problems."

I wanted to be like that too one day.

Carewyn: "(shrugs) But I like others too. Labyrinth has always been one of my favorites. And The Wizard of Oz -- I even dressed as Glinda for my first real Halloween. Elton John's worked on some wonderful animated movies too, in recent years...The Lion King, The Road to El Dorado? Both fantastic. Diego tends to go with me to see most live-action movie musicals...especially the ones with good dance choreography. When Moulin Rouge! came out, Diego had already seen it twice by the time he asked me if I wanted to go see it."

[Cue a very broad, amused, but still rather fond grin peeking out behind Carewyn's hand.]

Carewyn: "I also really liked the How to Train Your Dragon films -- Charlie begged me to take him to see the first one, and then the other two right after, and even if the dragons in those films are nothing like actual dragons, we both really liked them a lot. I even ended up giving Charlie a Toothless plush one Christmas."

[Her eyes sparkle remembering just how happy Charlie was, unwrapping that gift.]

Carewyn: "When Orion comes over to spend the night at my place, sometimes we'll sit on the couch under some blankets and watch some TV, before heading to bed. That's how we came across The Fellowship of the Ring, one time. We both liked it so much that I went ahead and rented its two sequels so we could finish the series, after Orion came back from the World Cup..."

[Carewyn's favorite character in the series had been Aragorn -- she loved how much the film's portrayal reminded her of her partner.]

Carewyn: "And thanks to Erik, I've now watched both the original Star Wars trilogy and its prequel trilogy!"

Not really my thing...but I love how passionate Erik gets about it.

Character Ask!

[bumblebee-is-best-boi]

I have to rant rn but I was just reminded of this. In my old school we had this little film class elective class that I loved! But after a while i have to rant about some things:

They weren’t originally going to show the old cartoons so I asked them to show Fantasmagorie (if that’s how you spell the oldest cartoon), an Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon, and Steamboat Willie. They showed everything except the Oswald short… AND SAID THAT MICKEY WAS ORIGINALLY A RABBIT.

NO.

next thing… so they told us that we were going to be watching The Wizard of Oz movie, which was a good movie! THEY ONLY SHOWED US CLIPS. Like I understand you can’t show us the whole movie due to time constraints, but I didn’t like we were basically tricked.

oh and this last one, oh oh, this wasn’t mostly the class’s fault but more my classmate’s fault.

ok so first our teacher was showing us when the first Star Wars movie came out. I was surprised at the lack of mention of Star Trek.

I pointed it out.

My classmates groaned.

“I don’t like Star Trek!” Ok I respect your opinion.

“Star Wars is better!” Uh… I’ll respect your opinion.

“Star Trek is so bad quality!” Ok ok not all was bad but yes some were… iffy.

But there was one phrase that really infuriated me:

“Star Trek is the stupid crappy Walmart version of Star Wars!”

NO. I’m sorry but that’s bullshit. STAR TREK IS FUCKING OLDER THAN STAR WARS. why am i so mad? Maybe because i hate when people do this to support their own interests.

I know the Star Trek vs Star Wars battlefront is heated sometimes… but I just- I’m done. We have to agree that Star Trek is older than Star Wars.

sorry I have to dunk on some of- wait I just remembered that in that school most of my classmates were TikToker and Instagram posters. I forget that they weren’t interested in such stuff like me. But I could see how pissed some of them were when I tried to correct.

[purplesigebert]

Tagged by @galvanizedfriend and @garglyswoof (thank you lovely friends!)

Top 10 Comfort Movies (no particular order)

Edited because @garglyswoof wanted to know my reasonings, the darling.

Ever After (1998): A kickass Cinderella, Drew Barrymore, Angelica Huston, and it's semi-historically accurate???

National Treasure: I love this movie so much, I can quote every line from it, I went to Philly partly because of this movie. The sequel is still good but it doesn't have the same charm as the og.

Prince of Egypt: The music, the cast, the animation, need I say more?

Wizard of Oz: One of my first movies I ever watched, I think of it fondly every time I click my heels together.

Anastasia: This movie always reminds me of the time I faked having PMS and my dad picked me up from school, took me to Blockbuster to rent it, as well as buying me Twizzlers.

Air Force One: This movie is never long enough, I always want more of this movie. Harrison Ford was hot in this, loved Gary Oldman as a villain!

Swan Princess: Two quotes I constantly say to @wethelostboygirls "You should write a book: How To Offend Women In Five Syllables or Less." And "Not you Wesley, you're a rrrabit!"

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: My introduction to Ben Barnes, and shipping, I loved (and continue to love) Suspian. Plus the music

The Devil Wears Prada: "How do you spell Gabbana?"

Tarzan: The first Disney movie that I loved, apparently there is a videotape with me singing You'll Be in My Heart to my baby brother, somewhere in the garage.

Tagging: @wethelostboygirls, @morningstargirl666, @stars-and-darkness, @kirythestitchwitch, @clonemaster-general, @hexenfleur, @princess-of-the-worlds, @helpless-in-sleep

[rockinlibrarian]

For the fanfic ask game: E, M, P, and R. :)

That would be THIS Fanfic Ask Game. Thanks for asking! I love answering! (You, too, non-Assaily Reader, can Ask as well!)

E: If you wrote a sequel to [insert fic], what would it be about?

I don't know, what fic? I think if I HAVE any sequel ideas, they're in process at least. A lot of my fics take place within the same timeline, like, so they're in series, like The Loudermilk Chronicles; or how I thought I'd write just one Fiktor fic to get it out of my system and ended up adding not just chapters to that one but several sequels because apparently I can't stop. A lot of my fics, on the other hand, are outright prequels-- the sequel to them is the source material itself!-- because one of my favorite ways to conceive of fanfiction is by saying "I wonder how THAT happened?"-- how characters met* or how certain situations at the start of canon came to be.

*I just reread this one recently for the first time in awhile and it's a dang good little slow burn romance-based-on-friendship if I do say so myself.

Actually I'm not sure I actually answered that question. Oh, but here's an example that might fit better in the next answer:

M: Got any premises on the back burner that you'd care to share?

I thought of doing a series-- or maybe just a bunch of excerpts-- jumping off of the Viktor Tells the Show to His Therapist fic: if I was feeling REALLY ambitious I'd do the Show in Therapy Form from every individual sibling's POV. But that might be TOO ambitious. I started writing that fic in the first place because I was thinking of a Fiktor-related spin on the therapy fic, and that original idea does still come out and haunt me sometimes.

But I also have a bunch of Works in Not-Progress that EXIST more than a premise, actual files in Scrivener, but are still pretty much on the back burner. Like the story of Cary and Kerry at college, and several crack Legion pieces based on dreams; there are a few DWJ scenes; my Ghosts I Have Been ship; and the rest of poor poor "Tesseract" which I PROMISE has not been abandoned no matter what it looks like. And I've got the Riordanverse study "Child of Hypnos" which is almost done even though I haven't worked on it in awhile, but I've also since read The Sun and the Star in which Hypnos actually appears as a character and is almost nothing like Hypnos in my story, which annoys me, because mine is better, but I don't know if that makes him non-canonical now or what.

I was actually having a "who even cares about my stories" moment in the past couple of days, so getting to talk about upcoming ideas is sort of helping to counteract it?

I'm waiting to hear back from a beta on my Legion meets the Wizard of Oz fic, which will hopefully then be the next thing posted, then after that-- well, I guess deciding what to write after that was giving me the "nobody cares" moment, because I couldn't decide what to work on next. I might do the next chapter of "Captain with Seven Children" actually, although I'm still not QUITE sure how to make a certain plot element happen. But maybe I'll figure that out by working on it, which leads us to the next question:

P: Are you what George R. R. Martin would call an "architect" or a "gardener"? (How much do you plan in advance, versus letting the story unfold as you go?)

I am most definitely a gardener, but I don't know how Mr. Martin does HIS gardening, but I DO spend a good deal of time in February and March planning out on paper what I'm going to try to put where, and when I need to do each step, and what I need to buy. So the story's growing and unfolding and I prune and shape it, but I also sometimes take a step back to plan a bit, for longer stories/ multichapter things, mostly. But the planning is certainly not architectural.

R: Are there any writers (fanfic or otherwise) you consider an influence?

I feel like Diana Wynne Jones is possibly my biggest writer influence, if only as like a motivational speaker, in a sense. She reminds me to let my imagination go wild-- just reading her words makes my brain open up, like. I can't begin to imply I can write as WELL as her, but her existence helps me write. It's weird but true. Madeleine L'Engle was an extreme influence on me over the course of my life, but not so much in writing style as in Big Picture stuff-- the weaving of the mundane and the spiritual and the universal and the specific all together. My actual voice doesn't sound very much like her at all. I'm not sure where my particular writerly voice comes from, specifically-- I feel like my tone may have picked up a lot of Rick Riordan, but I also feel like my basic fictional voice got established long before him, too. It's basically a lifetime of middle-grade story intake.

As for fanfic writers, my biggest influence is Versaphile, who got me posting on AO3 in the first place!