#wondrous journeys fireworks

[samsdisneydiary]

Wonderous Journeys Fireworks Extravaganza from Disneyland's It's a Small World

[johnychen]

Wondrous Journeys Fireworks Main Street USA View Full Show 4K Disneyland...

[disneysooner]

[dvzaiosamu]

I know some of you don't read Lyney's lore when you gain friendship with him, so I'm totally going to force you all into reading all of it. I'm begging you all. Look, if you're not going to read it ingame, then read it here and devour that lore.

Now, now, this might seem like something I did because I didn't knew what to post, it's true, it is, but I also want to spread around Lyney's lore for all my Lyney lovers, even if making this post is pointless.

Character details.

The people of Fontaine love their tales of mystery. The intricate case setups and unexpected twists and turns are captivating for all.

Magic recreates this experience under the converging spotlights. For the price of a ticket and some of your free time, you can embark on a wondrous journey amidst thunderous applause and astounded cries.

If you were to ask around as to which of Fontaine's "guides" is best at setting up such fantastical tours, most fans will tell you that it is Lyney.

Suave, romantic, and talented, he performs miracle after miracle with a casual air.

In this industry, one needs only a stable of staple tricks to ensure a renowned reputation and comfortable life.

However, Lyney's shows always feature some new trick. Some say that he was born into poverty, and the resultant burning hunger for fame and fortune drives his boundless desire to create.

In truth, he simply pursues novelty in his capacity as a performer — indeed, he feels that if he cannot put his whole heart into the show, his deep desire to perform cannot be fully satiated.

This is why, despite the applause rising to a fever pitch and beyond, he will rarely satisfy the crowd's calls for a reprise of his most well-known tricks. Some devoted fans consider this to be a bit of a shame...

...And for them, such regret will only continue to increase each time they purchase a ticket and go in to watch his show.

Friendship level 2.

While Lyney first began his journey in magic to fill his stomach, he has continued to perfect his art even after becoming a person of some renown in Fontaine.

Magic, after all, has been his benefactor. Not only has it allowed him and his sister to survive, but it has also allowed them to gain the "acknowledgment" that most children, growing up in a loving home, would have received from their parents.

Even from an early age, performance was something closely tied to Lyney's life. Each time he would go on stage, Lyney would have the audience whooping and clapping. And yet, he did not lose himself in their adulation — if anything, it often troubled him.

If audiences were simply drawn to the spectacle of magic, then who was to say that they wouldn't abandon Lyney's stage as soon as they caught wind of a more enthralling show in town?

In other words, just as an audience would be attracted by petals and cards, they would also be pulled away by grander fireworks and crackling gun salutes. What else did magicians have up their sleeves to capture the hearts of their audience, beyond enticing them with ever more grandiose impressions of shock and awe?

In all of Lyney's performances afterward, audiences would begin to notice a change — Lyney would add many segments between performances in which he would interact with them.

Indeed, this magician seemed without any airs, sharing various fascinating anecdotes about his life, not even minding if the audience should try to guess at the secret behind his tricks.

Of course, the sharper wits amongst them would notice that Lyney's tales were not truth, but instead a way to build up the atmosphere, a bedding laid for a greater magic trick to land upon.

Yet no one would quibble about these white lies. After all, truth and falsehoods were already inextricable in many parts of the performance — why, even the magician himself could be said to have become a part of the magic.

Thus does Lyney sometimes appear near and dear, and other times just out of the reach of his audience, balancing human affinity and magical mystery perfectly in the palm of his hand, his smile leaving the audiences' imaginations free to run wild.

No matter how rich or poor, sad or glad the audience member, imagination is the great equalizer, carrying the charm of magic to all.

Thus did the mystery and elegance of this magician spread far and wide, with people even opining that his skill at creating an atmosphere is itself as exquisite as magic.

"Is that so? Well, I'm just trying to invite everyone to take a brief break from reality, that's all."

Friendship level 3.

Lyney's new home was the Hotel Bouffes d'ete, located in a corner of the Court of Fontaine.

The place was home to many orphans who shared similar experiences with him and his sister. The people here helped each other like a family would, greeting the fallout and consequences of those tragic years together.

But the siblings, even with a recommendation from the manager of the Hotel, did not find it all that easy to fit in, nor was it easy for the children there to immediately accept these new "outsiders."

And in this environment, oppressive in its gloom, the water pumping equipment broke while Lynette was using it, right before everyone's eyes, deepening the distrust to the extreme.

Lyney could only step up and take responsibility, agreeing to fix the equipment so as not to affect everyone's daily lives.

In truth, he did not know all that much about repair work, but given Lynette's propensity for damaging various small devices, he had long gotten used to following his intuition to do some fixes here and there.

Unfortunately, he underestimated the complexity of the pumping equipment and difficulty of fixing it. While he succeeded in restoring it to normal operations, he remained at a complete loss as to whether he had solved the root problem or not, he could not tell.

But just as he was at his wit's end, a seemingly reticent young fellow stepped forth, examined, and restored the facilities, even expressing his apologies.

As it turned out, he was the one in charge of maintenance at the Hotel, and as he saw it, Lynette had been the unfortunate victim of his failure to detect and replace the aging components in the system in a timely manner.

Lyney, for his part, was far more impressed by the young fellow's skills than any talk of responsibility. He wanted to learn from the youth — if nothing else, this would make helping Lynette all the easier.

The youth was, for his part, no good at refusing, and thus did Lyney become his assistant in the Hotel's small workroom — and over time, he and this Freminet would become friends.

Lyney would prove unselfish in spending time on other Hotel residents, whether it be Freminet or others, but he would keep them company in comforting silence rather than ask them about their experiences.

In this he was guided by Lynette's succinct life advice: "No one needs self-satisfied concern."

In time, the residents became more willing to share some of their pasts with him, and Lyney would thus become better able to help them with their issues.

Freminet was somewhat perplexed by this, believing that Lyney, who was slowly becoming the core around which the Hotel spun, did not need to go this far.

Lyney joked that he had helped Freminet when they first met because he knew that his sister would cause further machine-related troubles down the line, and he was uncomfortable with that.

But at this point, there was no fooling Freminet with such words. Under his attentive gaze, Lyney could only tell him the truth.

"Because Lynette's my one and only family, I've learned from her how one should treat all members of their family."

Friendship level 4.

On the Hotel Bouffes d'ete's Founding Day, all the children were abustle, draping festive colors all over the place.

To the residents, outside festivals and events were cold and emotionless things, foreign elements in their lives, and only this dwelling could bring them true warmth.

Everyone worked in concert to execute Lyney's plan. Lynette had purchased large amounts of festive ornaments, and together with the other children, she strung up colored streamers and hung handwritten festive greetings.

Freminet was ensuring that the magical props would operate properly — Lyney had faith in his craftsmanship, so much so that Freminet was completely entrusted with all the magic props this time.

Lyney himself was the busiest of all — not only did he have to ascertain everyone's progress, but he was also laying the final groundwork for a grand, unique magic trick in secret.

And thus was the banquet successfully held with everyone's support. The children danced to the joyous music playing from the grand hall's phonograph and enjoyed delicious food — this was the birthday of no one in particular, but this was the day they all felt they had gained new lives.

The finale, of course, was Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet's Founding Day magic show. The magic box was at the center of the room, and all waited with bated breath.

To preserve the secret behind the magic trick, even Lynette and Freminet knew not what was within. But as the room darkened and all eyes turned to Lyney, standing as he was in front of the box, even the highly-experienced magician showed some rare signs of trepidation.

"Now, you might consider the following words an exaggeration, but the "present" I am about to present to you all is, without doubt, the most important one we have received in our lives."

The paper firecrackers burst, and the once-empty box suddenly opened by itself. The crowd cheered, amazed — then fell suddenly into stunned silence.

What stood onstage was no present — nay, this was the Hotel's manager, its owner, and their "Father."

Her image was one of unsmiling dignity, and thus, though she did not come by often, no one dared to horse around whenever she was around.

Surely, Lyney had gone completely mad to have her make her appearance in such a frivolous way.

Yet, upon seeing the crowd's reaction, "Father" did not snap at anyone, opining merely that Lyney had kept this secret perfectly, just as a magic show should, declaring it worthy of praise.

That night, the children and their "Father" delighted in the various desserts together, and she personally sliced a serving of cake for each of them, which she herself enjoyed some of as well.

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of Lyney's Founding Day magic show was its ability to have even "Father" lay down her heavy burden and enjoy a brief moment of familial love.

Friendship level 5.

Magic and secrets piled up at Lyney's feet, growing ever taller like a tower. Gazing down from the top at the people as they passed by in the world below, Lyney knew there was no going back.

Both the dazzling sleights of hand and the missions he would come to receive from Hotel Bouffes d'ete had made a habitual liar out of him.

And while lies could sometimes be useful for seizing an advantage, they were more often employed to keep more people from being dragged into trouble.

Lyney knew very well that once trust had collapsed, the scales of judgment would no longer remain impartial, and even noble goals would become twisted and thought of as evil.

As such, not revealing more than was absolutely necessary was prudent when working with others. More often than not, this makes things go more smoothly, with everyone getting the results they want.

But lies will not simply scatter on the wind, and Lyney must maintain this illusion with utmost care, all the while keeping his distance from those affected.

As so the tower extended towards the skies, until there would be no one to take his hand if he reached out, and even their visages blurred in his eyes.

Falsehood was Lyney's constant and only companion on the path that he walked, and this road was long and lonely — this he was always clear-minded about.

Everyone knew the brilliant "Great Magician Lyney," but they loved only the mystery, the romance, the unattainable nature. They knew no love for the heart that lay deeper within.

He felt he had no right to pour out his mind to others, and yet he must carry on with gritted teeth, for the price of a fall from such heights was more than he could bear.

Having played too many parts, even Lyney would sometimes find himself questioning who "he" really was.

His dreams often took him back to the tower, where his resting place at the pinnacle vantage would grow smaller and smaller, and with the fog of death they called "betrayal" extending all around, there was nowhere for him to go.

But just before he could plummet, a hand grabbed onto him — and from it, he felt a familiar warmth that drew his soul back into his body, steadying "him" within himself once more.

"Thank you, Lynette..."

The awakening youth mumbled to himself.

Friendship level 6.

While Hotel Bouffes d'ete's operations in Fontaine work toward a just cause, its methods can often be radical. Only the influence of "Father" and her control over the inner workings of the Court of Fontaine prevent any serious incidents from occurring.

There was once an official funded by Lyney who served in the Maison Gardiennage. This person provided both intel in support of the Hotel's operations and scrubbed clean the effects of some of the Hotel's clandestine actions.

These were actions that came with no small risk, but the official always performed them well, for he believed that the Fontaine of the present day needed someone like "Father" who could bypass the many layers of laws and regulations and take direct action.

Lyney once joked to him: "I'll be there if you ever need help, and if you're in danger, I'll come to rescue you... Well, don't expect too much of that last bit. Just stay on guard, alright?"

The official knew that this was Lyney's way of expressing concern, of course. Yet even words spoken in jest could prove prophetic later, and so they did — this official's deeds were eventually discovered, and on the brink of capture, he used an emergency communication device to send a message to Lyney.

Upon discovering the device, the Gardes who arrived at the scene mocked the official's naivete, claiming that the signal sent merely informed his compatriots to save themselves — no one would be stupid enough to try to save him.

The official's reply was also quite simple — even such an ending would have been fine for him, for he did not believe that his prior cooperation was the wrong decision.

But just as the Gardes were about to arrest the official, thick smoke began billowing forth from dispensers pre-planted nearby, and the official caught sight of a brilliant blaze—

The next moment, he was in the drink in the Fleuve Cendre, and was rescued by Freminet.

It was said that the Gardes spent a great deal of time chasing after the skyborne flame-trail, believing that the criminal must have used some flying machine to flee the scene, only to discover later naught but wood dressed in clothes, affixed to a glider.

In truth, Lyney had earlier used this device to draw the Gardes' attention away before getting the official out of his predicament.

The official admitted that he had not had high hopes when pressing the device. Magicians were untrustworthy, after all — but still, he had chosen to gamble on that tiny chance.

"Haha. Well, it is indeed a gamble to place your trust in others."

"But don't worry. Magicians might be full of hot air, but we will never betray the expectations of our audience."

Friendship level 4: Rosseland.

There is a special entity amongst the cats adopted by Lyney and Lynette, and its name is "Rosseland."

Every cat in the Hotel has its own territory, but Rosseland has a special affinity for Lyney's hat.

A hat is a magician's most important prop, and each time Lyney must use it, he must first chase Rosseland out — a difficult affair when its displeased meows in response are so heartrending, especially to siblings like Lyney and Lynette, who themselves once struggled to find a home.

Thus the siblings began their search for a replacement, only to be met by refusal each time, no matter how lovely the new home — indeed, Rosseland would not even give them a second glance.

Lyney even specially commissioned an identical hat, thinking that this might put an end to the cat's choosiness, only for Rosseland to lay claim that new hat also, becoming aggrieved no matter which was whisked away.

But this was no feline tyranny. Indeed, Rosseland's requests were not terribly excessive. After much thought, Lyney eventually came up with a solution — to incorporate the cat into his magic shows.

He and Lynette constructed a little puppet inside the hat that would normally serve as Rosseland's cushion. During performances, Rosseland would burrow inside the puppet, causing it to jink this way and that in a mischievous and adorable manner.

And as it turned out, Rosseland was not at all shy — indeed, it greatly enjoyed its new job. Perhaps the spotlight brought it much enjoyment indeed, for it would never prove quite so predisposed to exclusive ownership again, even when it had to temporarily leave its nest when off-stage.

During one of his shows, Lyney once made a rare error, having left a card he needed to produce on-stage backstage.

With all eyes on him, he had mere seconds to think of a way to save the situation while maintaining his easy-going demeanor.

But to his surprise, there was an unexpected weight in his hovering hat — it should have been empty, but Rosseland had somehow found its way inside.

Out came the puppet, and out with it came the card Lyney had needed, to the instantaneous applause of all. Lyney heaved a sigh of relief, but he was also quite shocked, in truth.

Some thought was put into this matter — but Lyney could only conclude that Rosseland had, influenced by the twins as it was, also mastered the art of the magical performance somehow.

Friendship level 6: vision.

After Lynette gained the favor of the gods, the missions she had to undertake grew more dangerous and difficult.

Only Vision-wielders like Lynette could fulfill the most dangerous missions while remaining completely anonymous, and the twins began to operate separately more often as a result.

Lyney found himself unable to adapt to this. Not only had the siblings been together since childhood, but he knew that he was not the only one who felt disturbed by this split.

He still desired to be beside her, lending her all the help he could — this was his non-negotiable desire.

Knowing his desire for power was no longer pure, Lyney concluded that he had become undeserving of divine favor. Yet he still desired a means to bridge the vast gulf in strength between him and his sister, which he did not possess. Unless...

To this end, he solemnly sought out "Father," expressing his belief that he needed the mysterious and perilous might of a Delusion to operate alongside his sister.

"Father" was silent for a long while, till at last two slanted crosses pinned him in place with a wrath rarely shown to the children of the Hotel, her gaze seeming to pierce his very soul.

"And would Lynette want you to do this?"

Her simple yet powerful question cut through the strings that bound his heart, and in a daze, his sister's words once more reverberated in his ears.

"No one needs self-satisfied concern."

Lyney did not need to ask his sister to know that she would never accept his desire to stay by her side with the use of a Delusion. It was only then that he realized the absurdity of his wish.

"Father" stood up and left, but not before reminding him that this was not the first time he had lacked power, but that he had found an answer before.

Lyney would lock himself in his room, trying to digest the reasoning behind the words "Father" had left him with. When he and his sister had been out on the streets, the answer he had found then had been "magic." What, then, would the answer be now?

Lyney found the dossiers for all the missions Lynette had taken up during this period, carefully analyzing the process of each one and modeling his sister's every action.

Was it really necessary to pass through this dangerous valley to get close to a target?

Was it really a must to leap into such a swift river to flee the scene?

No, this was just the Vision's light covering her.

Thus did Lyney start to make comprehensive plans for his sister's missions, using his understanding of her to design the most suitable routes, make the most practical tools, and choose the best rendezvous points.

The pure desire to protect one's family would not be moved, gods' favor or no.

But even the best laid plans of mice and men may go awry. After conducting dozens of successful missions, the children of the Hotel were caught up in a betrayal, and as a result, Lynette's movements were exposed.

Before the siblings was a towering cliff, just like the night when Lynette had gained her Vision — but this time, it was Lyney's turn to reverse their fortunes in a moment of crisis.

He opened his emergency paraglider, and grabbing her, threw himself off the edge. But their pursuers followed, raining gunfire down on them.

Lyney twisted this way and that, avoiding many a shot, but still the glider was punctured in several spots. Unable to maintain balance, they began to plummet downward towards the embrace of the ground below.

Still, Lyney grit his teeth and refused to despair — should fate itself conspire to refute the answer he had come up with to protect his family, he would defy it to the end.

Their pursuers began to snicker, knowing that a fall at such speeds would be fatal — only to have a flame light up the skies, pushing the stricken glider toward a fast-flowing river nearby.

The power of Pyro changed the direction of their fall, while Anemo defended them from harm — and thus did the twin lights intertwine and spread under the moonlight, fading slowly like the applause that fills the stage during a curtain call.

Lyney did not guess at the meaning of the shining Vision he saw in his hand. The answer was, after all, no longer important.

[xxaltalunettesxx]

Their unsent letters

they choose to leave their imprints of their lost love in ink

(Shenhe, Eula, Lisa, Yoimiya, gn reader)

Angst, major character death/ implied mentions of death, self hatred

Playing : Bishounen by Hikaru Station

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shenhe<

“[____],

     I want to thank you. For what? You may ask.

I’d like to thank you for “loving me”, as you phrased it. For letting me to love you back. I’m not familiar with human emotions, but you made me realize I could feel. I could feel beyond the restraints of the red ropes I was bound by for many years. I could feel my heart pounding, a lukewarm, soft, feeling that could never match the rhythm of my racing in battle when I faced Beisht or any other creature.

I don’t want to lose you. Yet here I am, letting tears fall, a sign of hopeless vulnerability, as my master would say. Yet here I am, aimlessly writing letters to an individual so dear to me, lost forever in the folds of time and everlasting frost. Yet here I am, weeping in the shade of the willow tree, piecing shattered fragments of my heart together.”

Goodbye forever,

Shenhe.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eula<

“Treasured,”

          “I am sorry. Sorry for all the times I was such a horrible partner I was to you, dearest. And yet now, here, I still thought I deserved to look into those gorgeous eyes every morning, was worthy of anything you gave me. I was such a fool. I was such a foolishly foolish fool for thinking I was good enough for you. I’m so sorry I dragged you into all this clan business, I’m so sorry for letting you go with me. I can never make up for what I’ve done.

Because if not for me, whose’s fault is it that you, the light of my life, the one who helped me cleanse my wounds with love and care that I never was worthy of, the only one that didn’t view me as a member of the Lawrence clan alone, is dead?

          Treasured, I will love you forever. Allow me to say this.

Vengeance is futile, as the last one who loved me has perished.

Forgive me,

Eula.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lisa<

“Darling,”

          “Life is like an hourglass. There is only so much we can do in this hourglassed fate, and before the last grain of sand left in me trickles away, I’d like to entrust my final words to you.

Darling, I wouldn’t miss this hourglassed life for anything. I met you. I’ve loved a great many people, but no other can compare to you. From the lust I saw from others, to the genuine, raw, love that you showed me, is a new insight of life. Even though I am invisible to you now, I am always still here. From the books we stacked together, the memories we made, the shade of violet I dressed in, me.

My soul will remain with you, accompanying your journey along the hourglass-paved road.  I can only hope that you remember me, little old Lisa Minci. I will forever love you to the moon and back, even after the cruel fate of death.

My final wish is to hope you,[____], do not cry. I’d like to hear your laugh for the last time.

Dearly betrothed,

Lisa.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Yoimiya<

“[_____],

I’m not that good at that kind of word stuff but…

Hey. Hi. Hello. I love you. I love you more than the delicious food I’ve been blessed to be able to eat every day, I love you more than the archery skills I’ve been granted. I love you more than the brightly-lit color of my vision. I love you more than the sparks of fireworks glistening in the fireworks in the night sky. I love you more than anything else in the world.

          There were many reasons to why I loved you. Well, you loved me for who I was and not just as “firework girl down the street”. Your smile. Your eyes. The amazing way you kissed me on that night, like the first touch of something magical, wondrous. A new spark of a flame that was supposed to never burn out. Everything about you seemed so perfect, so right. Like a puzzle piece falling into place.

But now, I can only hope to relive that beautiful experience in another life, as you are in my arms, blood pouring from your wounds, tears streaming down your face, the cold touch of your body that was once warm and inviting-

I cannot save you. The feeling is worse than failing a firework, more crestfallen than raining on testing day, more bitter than eating sour apples, the worst, most godforsakenly awful mix of sadness, regret, hurt, disappoint mixed into one giant mess of emotions.

I’m sorry I wasn’t always the happy Yoimiya that you loved, but I loved you more than hating myself. And that’s what caused all this. But I would always have loved you, even if it meant the world exploded into smithereens.

Because, what good is a world if the thing I loved most is gone?

I want you back,

Yoimiya.”

[ayakamizu]

FFXIV Write 2023 Day 21 - Grave

Grave: Noun. Any place that becomes the receptacle of what is dead, lost, or past OR Death. Characters: Ayaka Mizushima (WoL), Thancred Waters, Ryne Waters, Minfilia Warde Expansion: Shadowbringers Rating: G Notes: Major spoilers for Shadowbringers and minor spoilers the quest, "One Final Journey".

How do you mourn someone that’s gone physically, but not permanently?

The “permanently” part was subjective—is Minfilia alive and able to return, or is she gone forever? A part of Ayaka doesn’t want the answer, if only to keep the guilt that’ll come and swallow her whole; as it has since fleeing Ul’dah that fateful night. It’s a selfish desire though, a denial of the truth laid out before her.

It’s hard though. The mourning feeling comes and goes—it wasn’t all-encompassing like Haurchefant’s own death is. That every waking hour is spent feeling hollow inside. Truthfully, Ayaka sometimes forgets that Minfilia isn’t here—in Eorzea—anymore. She remembers when she sees the look on Thancred’s face as he tries not to meet F'lhaminn eyes, or when his anger burns bright before snuffing itself out.

Ayaka remembers when she reaches for her linkpearl to ask Minfilia for advice on something trivial, only to stop herself and know that she won’t receive a reply. Ayaka remembers when she walks through the streets of Ul’dah and smells the perfume Minfilia used to wear at one of the stalls. When she catches a glimpse of blond hair and a knife on the hip in the marketplace. When her Echo activates and leaves her feeling debilitated, wishing for someone that understands to rest a comforting hand on her shoulder—

(To some degree, Ayaka understands why Hydaelyn couldn’t take her in Minfilia’s stead. But by the kami, she wished they could have swapped places, however irrational that wish is.)

So needless to say, meeting “Minfilia” feels like a bucket of ice was dropped on her.

“This is Minfilia,” Thancred introduces, gesturing to the blond girl next to him. “Minfilia of the First.” He clarified, as if he needed to. Beside him, she saw the way the young girl frowned at the descriptor.

Physically, she shared traits with their Minfilia. The same shade of blond, those same slightless blue eyes Minfilia had as Hydaelyn’s Voice, and a pink ribbon in her hair. Ayaka knew though that this wasn’t their Minfilia, but someone else. F'lhaminn had shown her pictures once of Minfilia at a young age and the teen standing before her didn’t quite match up with the image Ayaka had in mind.

“It’s nice to meet you,” this Minfilia greeted, voice soft and hesitant. “Thancred and Urianger told me a lot about you…”

“I hope it was nothing too embarrassing,” Ayaka teased, hoping to get the poor girl to feel less intimidated around her. Whatever Ayaka did, she didn’t want to make this Minfilia feel like she wasn’t welcomed. Or a replacement. That was the last thing she wanted to do.

But she’d count the shy smile on Minfilia's—and Thancred’s—face as a win.

(How do you mourn someone that’s gone? Forced into a cycle of reincarnation and fighting for a world that’s not her own?

To see Minfilia—their Minfilia from the Source—again is wondrous and amazing, but heartbreaking to know it’ll be the last time.

‘Thank you, Ayaka.’ Minfilia said, a smile on her face as she began to fade.

‘Thank you, for everything,’ Ayaka said back, trying and failing to keep herself from crying.

Closure. It’s closure—acceptance—but kami it hurts so much—!)

(“Hello again,” Ayaka greets, walking up to the lonely grave. Off in the distance, she could hear the sound of fireworks cracking in the air. The Rising was underway and Ul’dah was decorated for the occasion.

Amongst the wares being sold, a bouquet of Nymeia Lilies rested in the crook of Ayaka’s arms. It was half a dozen freshly picked flowers that caught Ayaka’s eye. One of the vendors—a Hyuran woman with blond hair, blue eyes, and a friendly smile—asked Ayaka if she wanted to purchase any for loved ones that have passed. 

Ayaka almost passed on the offer before remembering that the Church of Saint Adama Landama was barely half a day’s journey away from Ul’dah.

She placed the bouquet on the ground, murmuring a silent prayer under her breath before sitting down herself in front of the grave. Ayaka smiled, giving a respectful nod to the grave next to Minfilia’s—her father’s grave—and launched into her newest tale of what the Scions were up to now.)

[lavendereyedassassin]

Cursed Kisses- Chapter 3

A/N: Thank you Sommernacht for being my beta this chapter! You’re such a rockstar.

Check out her fic “The Cracks In My Mind” on FanFiction.net. 😊 Extreme fluffiness ahead. Enjoy!

 Chapter 3: The Journey

~~~

Metanoia (Greek): “A journey that changes the heart, the mind, the self, or the way of life.”

SH Month Day 15 Prompt

~~~

One small step. Then two.

A lingering look from dark eyes. A hand held out in offering.

Hinata took the hand tentatively. When the portal appeared at Sasuke’s back, her face lit up like fireworks on a new year.

Sasuke felt his heart tug at her wondrous gaze that was filled with the promise of hope and adventure. Her pure enthusiasm and unrestrained optimism were contagious, and he could not stop the grin from spreading across his noble countenance.

“Ready?” he asked.

She stared with large eyes at the circular opening that rippled at the edges with a bright, crystalline luminosity. Fascination painted clearly on her face, she pondered, “Will it hurt?”

To her surprise and embarrassment, he winked and pulled her close with his arm wrapped low around her waist. Lowering his head to her ear, he whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.”

Her sharp gasp forced a breathy chuckle out of him, and without warning they were sucked into the interdimensional gateway. Other than the brief change in pressure and a small tickle in her tummy that felt like falling, the jump was seamless.

.

.

.

The lush and green Land of Ire was damp with low-settling fog that made the air feel heavy. At this early hour, the warmth was not yet strong enough to pierce through the morning clouds.

As soon as their nimble feet touched the ground, Sasuke relaxed his grip on Hinata’s waist, allowing her to move around freely. The wind kicked up. The invigorating earthly scents around them filled their nostrils, fresh and cool. Murky waves beat against the rocky cliffside at one end of the open field of never-ending clovers.

Long locks twisted and twirled with the breeze like fingers combing through her hair. Hinata giggled at the mess her hair had become and pulled it into a high bun. Sasuke watched silently. Admiring her long graceful neck, and the tiny hairs that escaped their hold. The sight was breathtaking. Looking away with pink-tinged ears, he acknowledged the scenery was also nice.

Detecting a change in movement, he folded his arms and lifted his eyes back to Hinata. She was climbing one of the sparse growing ash trees nearby with chakra laden feet. Locating a sturdy branch, she leaned against the trunk and sat in a meditative pose.

“Would you like my help?” Sasuke asked, squinting to see her through the leaves. He realized this objective was literally like looking for a needle in a haystack. With the fog, he may as well be wearing a blindfold.

“No,” she assured, and added in hindsight, “Thank you.”

“Hn.” He hummed his understanding, and resolved to stand guard. This foreign land could have anything from yokai to giant monsters. Whatever it was, he was prepared to face it head on- and protect Hinata.

Bulging veins crept out from the sides of Hinata’s closed eyes and down to her jawline. Her search began in earnest.

Approximately ten minutes into his vigilant watch, standing with his back pressed against the base of Hinata’s tree, he felt a light tap against his shoe. He looked down and saw nothing out of the ordinary- a few pebbles, dirt and clovers. Ever cautious, he peered through the haze of their immediate vicinity where only the vast openness greeted him.

Shrugging it off as the wind, he allowed his lids to shut when he felt another tap. Directing his attention to his boots, his photographic memory effortlessly picked up on something novel- a pebble that wasn’t there before.

Coming to an upright and defensive position, he was now on full alert.

“Is everything alright, Sasuke?” Hinata’s light voice floated to his awareness.

“Did you notice anything?” he quickly asked.

“Hmmm. My focus was on the ground, but there are indigenous species of wildlife in the area, naturally,” she commented.

He glared in her direction wearing an obvious smile of false gratitude. “Naturally.”

His words and demeanor brushed over her like a weightless feather. Her focus already on her task while he started his.

Stepping further into the curtain of moisture, sharingan blazing and analyzing every shift and shadow, he felt another tap. This time against his shin. After a few more steps, he saw it.

Perched on a cliffside rock, a tiny creature, no larger than his fist, blinked its large round eyes at him curiously. It was greenish, stout and humanoid in shape, with delicate fur covering its small body.

Sasuke reluctantly admitted to himself that the infantile creature was kind of cute.

With a small squeak, the green tiny attacker launched itself towards the shiny hilt of his sword, but Sasuke was neither tolerant nor eager to forfeit his blade. With lightning quick speed, he snatched the assailant by its little legs, allowing it to dangle upside down from his hold. Giving it a little shake, Sasuke eyed his captive closely and inquired, “What do you think you’re doing, little hobbit?”

The affectionately dubbed ‘hobbit’ began writhing and squealing its pitiful wails at the relatively rough treatment.

With a huff, Sasuke attempted to pacify the creature with a soothing tone, “Calm down. I’ll put you back on your rock. Just behave your-”

SCRREEEEEEEEEECCHH!!!

A loud, echoing wail boomed from over the canyon steps away. The ground shook with a deep rumbling like the land itself split apart. Sasuke knew better. This wasn’t an earthquake. Either some large beast had awoken from its den or it was a stampede.

Quickly placing ‘little hobbit’ back on its rock, he drew his sword towards the water, waiting for the threat to appear.

“Hinata?” he feigned calm as he called out her name, his worry evident.

“I’m fine. I need more time,” she casually responded.

Before he could ask what she saw, the shrieking was upon him. It was not a beast. It was several tens of tiny beasts, crawling over the cliff’s edge and racing towards Sasuke. Adult versions of ‘little hobbit.’

Little hobbit was screeching and jumping up and down excitedly on his perch like a monkey.

“Hinata, we have to go!” Sasuke yelled, darting out of reach of the first dozen hurling their bodies at him- claws and fangs bared.

“A little more time!”

Sasuke swatted away one that leapt at his face, catching it squarely in the chest. The event spurred the herd into a wild frenzy.

“Don’t hurt them,” Hinata instructed with a chirp from her hidden location.

Resisting the urge to scowl, he put away his sword, and grumbled under his breath, “Easy for you to say.”

Hinata couldn’t help the small giggle that escaped from her when she witnessed Sasuke go down in a heap after the tiny tyrants surrounded and dragged him down. She read about the flora and fauna of each region of their tour. The leprechauns of the Land of Ire were mischievous and fiercely protective, but relatively harmless. They had no poisons or natural defenses other than their sheer numbers. They weren’t particularly strong and their nails and teeth were not even sharp. He was basically engaging with a group of grumpy toddlers.

She continued her search, watching Sasuke teleport, flicker and arm himself with various pieces of his Susanoo from the corner of her almost three-hundred-sixty-degree vision. Sometimes she would see him scoop up a small flock in his arm to (gently) restrain them, or pick one up by its hind quarters and (gently) fling it a short distance away, only to have them get back up and attempt to climb on him again. It was not lost on her that he never strayed more than a two-second sprint away from her at his top speed.

“Where are you…” she muttered to herself, seeking their objective. Her heart skipped a beat when she spotted what she hoped to find. Excitedly, she narrowed her gaze and counted internally.

One, two, three, four! Four! A four-leaf clover!

Overcome with jubilation, she stood from her spot on the branch and yelled with an exuberance neither were expecting, “Sasuke, I found it!”

“I’m heading over to you!” The Uchiha teleported to the base of the tree just as Hinata began to climb down.

ROOOOOAAAAAARRRR!!!

Sasuke turned his head towards the beastly bellow, the ground quivering as if it was afraid.

Startled by the booming rumble from both the beast and the tree, Hinata lost concentration of her chakra and her footing slipped. “SASUKE!”

Swiveling his head back to his partner, he broke her fall in a lip-locked bundle on a bed of clovers.

Since they began exchanging- or he began stealing- kisses, this was the first time he felt shy. His modesty was evident in his bright eyes and the rosy hue of his cheeks that matched hers. With her in this position- resting atop, gazing at him with her all-seeing eyes like she could even see past everything the world labeled him- his chest was constricted by a downy fullness he’d never experienced.

ROOOOOAAAAAARRRR!!!

Simultaneously, their heads snapped in the direction of the invisible threat.

“Time to go,” he quickly stated while they fumbled around each other to get to a standing position.

The leprechauns were running around in a frenzy. Some attempting to hide up trees, within tall blades of foliage, and some scurrying back down the cliffside. Little hobbit had been scooped up by his parents and found safety in an underground tunnel.

Suddenly a dark shadow blocked the weak sunlight, cloaking them in darkness. The vast darkness was a mammoth winged-serpent, with a head of a snake and body of a dragon.

“W-water dragon,” Hinata stammered, with wide-eyes trained on the ancient leviathan that hovered over them like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.

“Run,” Sasuke whispered.

Hinata took off in the direction of the totem and Sasuke swiftly followed at her heels after sending a couple of clones in the opposite directly and throwing a smoke bomb for cover.

“Where is it, Hinata?” Sasuke rattled out.

She pointed ahead of them with a finger, and panted, “Ahead by about 350 meters.”

The water dragon had quickly changed course and was upon them again. It opened its terrifying jaws at their backs and snapped at empty air.

Not a moment too soon, Sasuke had teleported them both to the place Hinata identified.

Eyes activated, she walked a few feet out, bent at the waist and plucked the tiny green clover.

The irate serpent had not given up chase and was fast approaching.

Hinata was sealing the item in a scroll while Sasuke opened a portal to their next destination. Tugging her with a large coarse hand, he embraced the petite female and jumped in. The dragon wailed and flew off to its watery den.

.

.

.

Portal hopping through dimensions like seasoned globe trotters, they traveled to destinations far and wide. Gathering and checking off items on her list. A horseshoe, a figure of an elephant with its trunk lifted, a talisman shaped like a hand with an open eye on the palm, a small satchel filled with herbs, a bundle of bamboo stalk.

Each destination a different tribulation.

In the Land of Wind, locating a true religious charm was fruitless. Until they found one hanging around the neck of a man walking into a brothel. Steeling her nerves, Hinata prepared to play the role of a consort to covertly “borrow” the dove carved trinket.

Sasuke, however, refused to allow her to demean herself for anyone- except him. So, he took her place.

In full makeup, courtesy of Hinata, and wearing a long-ruffled gown, he approached the hairy gentleman and batted his generously long lashes that made Hinata envious.

When the pervert tried to get handsy with Sasuke’s cotton chest, Sasuke’s knee-jerk reaction was to deck him. It was lights out for the unsuspecting man. Hinata gave Sasuke a reproachful look while helping herself to his precious token.

With a pat on the head, Hinata dropped a small fortune on the sleeping man’s lap and they took off.

In the land of Porcelain, they snuck into a monastery to steal a golden toad statue from a holy well. They were spotted in the middle of their retrieval. Surrounded by monks, they jumped into the well, snatching the frog on their descent. Their feet neither touched water, rock or soil.

They stood on plumes of white clouds, completely unharmed, before a woman in an extravagant white gown. She tilted her head with curious observation, making the dangling pins in her high bun sway and sparkle, and decided to examine the ideal male specimen before her.

Sasuke’s singularly focused mind noticed the sashay of her hips and the intrigue in her eyes, and immediately pulled Hinata into his arms and dipped her low in a romantic flourish, stealing another kiss.

Hinata appeared flustered by the unexpected and public display of affection.

The lady in white laughed heartily and waved her hands. In the next moment, they found themselves in a remote garden outside of the monastery, golden toad secured.

Each adventure, each folly, each caress and light touch, bringing them closer to their goals- both known and unknown.  

.

.

.

Finally, they were on the last leg of their journey. Giving in to exhaustion, they settled at an inn in the Village of Roma. Placing the clerk at the front desk in a genjutsu, Sasuke was able to learn the basics of the local language and customs within minutes, which came in handy when they wanted to eat.

At the adjacent café, Hinata ordered something called bruschetta and pasta for them to share. Hinata said that dignitaries from this land had once visited the Hyuga and shared these dishes. Sasuke stared warily at them for a moment, never having been introduced to such delicacies, but in the end, he would never turn down a good meal.

Taking his first bite of the crispy slice of bread with a medley of toppings, he realized the seasoned vegetables were primarily tomatoes! He finished the rest of his serving in one bite and went for another. And another.

Their hands brushed against each other over the dish, and he realized there was one piece left.

Hinata smiled knowingly and said, “You can have it, Sasuke.”

Still chewing on his previous helping, he swallowed and asked, “Have you had any yet?”

She giggled lightly, her eyes full of mirth, and responded, “No, but you seem to really like it. It’s yours.”

Sasuke picked up the last one, and placed it to her lips. With a slow grin, he offered, “Have a bite. I insist.”

Resisting the urge to tap her fingers against each other as she thought, she realized that to onlookers, and even to herself, this felt very intimate. Meeting his stare, she laughed loudly when she realized he was pouting and giving her the cutest pair of puppy-dog eyes she’d ever seen. She surmised that he probably did not comprehend his actions, or the effect they were having on her. “Okay, one bite.”

Parting her lips, she took a demure bite from the delight in his fingers with as much poise as she was capable.

Satisfied with her obedience, he put the rest of the bruschetta in his mouth.

Her cheeks burned crimson with the indirect kiss, bringing a smile to his lips. Unable to help himself he said, “Hn. It’s tasty.”

She wanted to faint.

.

.

.

The next morning, they set off for Lake Trevoli for the last item. The lake was more of a large natural spring in the mountain. It was a journey and a trial to get there, making it rarely frequented by people unless they wanted to make a wish.

According to the lore of the people, you could make a wish by tossing a coin into the spring. The more expensive and rare the coin, the higher the likelihood of your request coming true. However, regardless of the value, it was heaven’s ultimately benevolence that would decide which wishes would be granted.

Although Sasuke had the rinnegan, it was difficult to use his teleportation powers in areas in which he was not familiar. He could bring them to a general location based on estimates, but he’d never been to the lake so he would be guessing. Further, there was the possibility that he’d accidentally transport them into the mountain face or a tree. It was not a chance worth taking.

Unlike their previous barren destination, the foliage here was thick and leafy. The sun beat down on the tree tops, the wind barely stirred a leaf, trapping heat and leaving the forest sweltering and humid.  

By the time the two weary travellers made it to their destination in the late afternoon- a tenth of the time it would take a person without special powers- they were ready to dive into the waters. Both thirsty and sweaty, all decorum was quickly tossed aside- along with the outer layers of their clothes.

Sasuke wore only his briefs, the rest of his garments lying in a heap. He dove in without hesitation.

Hinata, using more patience and care, prudently removed her top, folded it and placed it in her pouch. Her shorts were next, followed by her shinobi boots and her leggings. The boots were left near the lake’s edge. Shyly, she tied her multi-purpose obi containing her belongings to a hanging branch, and then dipped her foot into the cooling waters. Attempting a slow descent into the spring, wearing only her chest bindings and underwear, she was foiled by a tsunami of water that soaked her from head to foot.

Gasping at the shock, her skin prickled with goosebumps.

Sasuke pointed at the miserable look on her face. He laughed so hard that his eyes were forced shut and he keeled over. Before he knew it, Hinata launched a frontal assault. Together they crashed against the sunlit surface, falling into the blue depth. Their arms clung to each other as they swirled around the pristine waters harmoniously, like yin and yang.

When the bubbles cleared, Hinata was stunned into stillness by the soft gaze mere inches from her face. He stared at her like the most fascinating and beautiful thing in existence. Right now, they were the only things in their watery existence. Her heart leapt up to her throat at the thought. Her eyes roamed greedily to capture this moment for days she would need it. The perfect symmetry of his features, the sharp contrast between his smooth, pale skin and his penetratingly dark eyes and hair.

In the dark water, with the sun filtering through the dappled surface, his eyes reflected back the glow of the heavens in his stare. All her life she had been chasing the sun. She never would have guessed that the light she was after, had always been in him.

An invisible force drew them nearer, inches turning into centimeters, centimeters turning into nothing. Their bodies pressed against each other. He held her with the tenderness of worship, but with the ferocity of passion.

Abruptly, Hinata felt a sharp tug at her ankle. Shock overcame them both, as Sasuke was roughly pulled from her grasp. They were being yanked in opposite directions by something infernal.

Sasuke was incredibly annoyed at whatever foolish creatures thought it a good idea to interrupt this perfect moment. Glimmering rainbow arms and scaly hands groped his chest. He blocked the attempted fondling of his manhood and dodged the kisses to his face and mouth. Such impudence.

Anger suffused throughout his chest and he directed it at the two figures pulling on him. With rotating red pinwheels in his eyes, he ensnared the two mermaids in mental traps of his making, and swam off to save Hinata.

He paused and raised his brows at the glorious sight.

Hinata had just finished performing a thirty-two-palm strike using water needles. She turned in time to see Sasuke’s face go from pleasant shock to awe and admiration, painting a pretty blush over the bridge of her nose and cheeks.

It was a good thing they were trained to have a large lung capacity, effective oxygen use, and chakra. However, even shinobi need regular oxygen.

Taking her hand in his, they broke through the surface with their internal force with a dramatic upheaval of water. The crystal drops fell around them like liquid sunshine, glimmering and throwing sparkles all around. With power concentrated on the bottoms of their feet, they stood on the lake facing each other. Hinata opened her free palm and showed him an antique gold coin.

She smiled at him. She had recovered what she needed.

He smiled back at her triumph. Before anything else could go wrong, he lowered his head for a deep, requited kiss.

***

To be continued...

[ofhope-a]

“I knew you’d figure it out! Now for your prize,” she sank into a deep bow, procuring a gold-patterned canister from behind her back, the background a gradient of crimson fading into white, “A Naganohara one-of-a-kind... maple explosion!” after a pause, she fell lower into her bow. “The name’s... pending.”

Though mostly weighed down for shame, that was also partially why she sought out his assistance — besides, Kazuha was filled to the brim with tales, tales she had an eager ear for! To listen to his wondrous journeys outreaching beyond the lands of Inazuma while working would be a splendor all unto itself. Time and time again, she had meant to walk by, pull up a chair, and pick at his brain a bit; but preparation made that difficult, with the end of summer and the beginning of fall standing as some of her busier seasons.

Kazuha, too, was a traveler, and if Yoimiya knew anything about travelers, it was that they never stayed in one place for too long.

“Awh, thanks! First, I wanted to receive your input on locations... the backdrops I’ve chosen have been reserved for side-parties. I dunno’ who wouldn’t want a firework show at their side-party,” as she wove the tellings of her previous work hours, she gestured here and there with the canister, little rattles following her every move, “But none of them were willing to budge. And, as someone who,” she held the firework to the poet’s arm. “Has a thing for this sort of thing, I wanted to get the expert’s opinion! You alsooo~ owe me a story!”

A beat of silence.

“Okay, you don’t, but maaaybe... you could share one? The Traveler’s talked up your storytelling game!”

@kaedehxra​ // continued!

[moonaturie]

1. Oh, prepare thyself to witness a sight of utter charm and delight, for here lies a picture that has bloomed like a precious flower in the enchanted gallery of memories! Your guidance and tips in the realm of photography have filled my soul with a joyous melody, and oh, I am eager to dance with the playful rays of light to further illuminate my path to mastery! Amidst the blossoming of this newfound knowledge, a delightful surprise awaits thee, a mirror selfie of my very essence, lovingly wrapped in a ribbon of gratitude, exclusively gifted from me to thee! Oh, like a twinkling star in a vast sky, it seeks to bring a little spark of happiness to your cherished heart! Until fate whimsically reunites our souls, let us embrace this spellbinding journey, skipping through the meadows of imagination, painting the world with hues of laughter and affection!

2. Oh, imagine the shimmering sun-kissed waves, playfully caressing the shore as they welcome our carefree steps! The sands of time seem to dance to the beat of our excitement, as if the universe itself conspires to bring forth this spellbinding moment, a manifestation to the magic that lies dormant within us all. And there, amidst this picturesque setting, stood I, feeling like a celestial siren, as if I had stepped right out of the pages of a timeless fairy tale. The camera in hand, I could not help but laugh with sheer delight, for in that moment, I felt like the very essence of Ariel herself. Oh, how I treasure this keepsake in the treasure chest of my memories, for it warms the cockles of my heart with a happiness that has no limit. May the enchantment of that moment linger within me, igniting the flame of inspiration as I continue on my own extraordinary journey through life.

3. The salty sea breeze, like a mischievous pixie, danced around me, while seagulls painted joyous arcs in the boundless sky. It was a realm where mermaids and sea creatures beings seemed to giggle just out of sight, as if they were sharing precious secrets with the shimmering sea. Each click of the camera immortalized snippets of this enchanting journey, preserving my joy and wonder in frames of pure delight. Like a living storybook character, I danced in the realm of dreams, as the world embraced my newfound whimsy with open arms, enchanted by the magic of the moment! As I bid good-bye to that blissful reverie, I cradle the spirit of that summer vacation in the treasure trove of my cherished memories. Oh, how it continues to spark a forever-joy in my soul, like a brilliant firework illuminating the night sky! It reminds me that life is a grand adventure, where the most mundane moments can transform into wonders!

4. What an absolute delight it was to be graced with the delectable presence of those scrumptious cookies at the enchanting fansign event yesterday! The mere sight of those sweet treats filled my heart with nostalgic warmth, as it brought faces back into view that I hadn't beheld in quite some time. Indeed, there was an ineffable charm in witnessing those familiar smiles and sparkling eyes, reminiscent of long-lost stars that had momentarily wandered from the cosmic embrace. The shared laughter and friends were like soft whispers of a cherished melody, weaving threads of connection that transcended the passing of time. May this portrait encapsulate the warmth of our shared moments and be a joyful reminder of the enchanting times we shall yet go upon. With each glance, may it conjure the softest of smiles and invoke the fluttering of butterflies, for it is but a humble reflection of the bond that interlaces us together in this melody of life.

5. Yet another delightful offering, crafted with love and tender care, just for you, my Swithies! I must confess, in this little treasure, I bestow upon you a heartfelt assurance that I refrain from munching anything, for in the very depths of my being, it feels as though my cheeks are on the verge of a wondrous explosion of joy! If you find yourself perplexed about what delectable delight to indulge in, fear not, for you have a charmingly whimsical option available—feast upon the sheer adorableness of my cheeks! Oh, the flavors you shall encounter are not of the culinary kind, but rather the sweetness of friendship, laughter, and endless camaraderie. Also, brace yourself for an adorably enchanting announcement that shall set your heart aflutter with excitement! From this very moment, let us eagerly anticipate the delightful Pang Pang STAYC that await us, like twinkling stars dotting the night sky, promising a world of wonder and joy!

6. As the day meanders along, like a tranquil river, I am here to shower you with a heartwarming gift that shall increase the spark of joy within your soul! Behold, like a cascade of twinkling stars, I present to you a collection of my most endearing selfies, ready to whisk you away to a realm of pure enchantment! Let this endearing gift fill your day with a radiant glow, like a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day. May it remind you that, despite the ebb and flow of life's currents, the enchantment of our bond remains eternal, like a gleaming of light guiding us through the darkest of times. As the gentle zephyrs whispered secrets from afar, I felt an irresistible urge to brighten your moments, to shower you with the essence of our cherished love, through these enchanting snapshots. For even on the dullest of days, within the heart of our friendship, lies a symphony of delight waiting to be uncovered.

7. Amidst the splendor of a picturesque view that summons with its mesmerizing allure, my dear, let not your gaze stray too far, for the truest gem deserving of your eternal attention is none other than yours truly! Yes, that's right, it's me—the enchanting presence that lights up your world like a constellation of stars on a clear, moonlit night! Amidst this divine serenity, let us get drawn in the enchantment of our companionship, where laughter flows like a crystal-clear stream and the bonds of friendship are forged in the fires of love and understanding. The view may indeed be a sight to behold, but it pales in comparison to the magic that unrolls when our hearts intertwine, like the most intricate of lacework. With every ripple of laughter, let us revel in the enchantment of our togetherness, for in this grand symphony of life, you and I create a harmonious melody that resonates with the sweetest of notes.

8. Oh, how our hearts align in perfect harmony, for as the saying goes, "three is better than one," and together, we form an irreplaceable bond, a symphony of love and joy that shall serenade you with its endearing melody! Ready to steal your heart and capture your attention in the most delightful of ways! We are here to uplift you, to celebrate your win, and to lend a listening ear when the world seems a tad overwhelming. For within the sacred circle of our friendship, you are cherished beyond measure, and your happiness becomes our shared goal. Oh, how the celestial forces have aligned to bring together this cherished trio, a serendipitous fusion of kindred spirits, destined to form an unbreakable love that knows no limits. Our presence serves as a light of warmth, like the soft glow of a thousand candles illuminating the path to friendship's most treasured haven.

[meggthenbafan2021]

NEW Wondrous Journeys Disneyland Firework Show 2023 - Multi Angle [4K]

[brynny-md]

Magical night celebrating Disney100 - 100 Years of Wonder, the creation of the Walt Disney Company in 1923. 🏰💜🎊 @disneyland spectacular “Wondrous Journeys” Fireworks was absolutely spectacular! 🎆 Will you be celebrating at the parks? Hope to see you! 💜 (at Disneyland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoNfx8av14w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[johnychen]

VR 360 Wondrous Journeys Fireworks Main Street USA View Full Show Disney...

[luuurien]

Alexander Panos - Nascent

(Folktronica, Glitch, Electroacoustic)

Delicate yet crushing, Alexander Panos' debut album is a landmark of modern glitch and electronica, stuffed with heavy vocal effects and instrumental manipulation yet remarkably organic. Nascent takes advantage of foggy electroacoustics to journey through self-actualization and the darknesses that try to hold it back.

☆☆☆☆☆

Nascent is such an emotionally rich album that it's almost too easy to think of gooey adjectives to describe its effect: heartbreaking; radiant; volcanic; enchanting. It's an album that demands you meet it more than halfway in order to get on board with Alexander Panos' transcendent folk/glitch blend, an album where much of its impact is felt by fully immersing yourself in something entirely new and unfamiliar and not looking at it too clinically. All of this is not only a mark of Panos' incredible worldbuilding abilities but his strength and honesty as an individual, willing to make music so vulnerable and heartfelt yet musically ambitious at every turn, Nascent not only one of the wildest electronic albums this year but one of the year's strongest debuts as Panos pulls from musical inspirations both digital and organic to make his dreams come to life, every moment of blissful string orchestration and light classical guitar slathered in glitchy distortion or sensitive audio effects to fundamentally restructure how each element takes up space and establishes itself in the mix. Panos has said Nascent "is about becoming," and everything about it aids in his effort by being completely and absolutely wondrous at every turn. There's not much in the way of traditional song structure or even long-form ambient atmospherics on Nascent, but it never feels like Panos is jumping all over the place through how he weaves so many different ideas into each of these ten tracks, able to be everywhere and nowhere at once as Sutter jumps in and out of dreamy synth pads and warped cut-up vocals or Dream Extinction plays with both heavy industrial clangs and airy, ethereal bursts of synth and voice. Change is an inherent feature of these songs and is a large part of what makes them so mesmerizing to listen to, Panos' own human impulses and quick changes in emotion and personal growth replicated in the tight wires of Equinox he rips apart and stitches back together in the blink of an eye while his scattershot songwriting acts more like abstract poetry than your usual songwriting fare ("Bare granite / Softly framed in sea-foam / Steeping in twilight"), decidedly scattershot for his vision of ever-shifting emotion to truly come alive. It's this folktronica dichotomy Panos uses to linger on so many feelings without any becoming a centerpiece, highlights like the magnificent reasonsnotto and the penultimate catch it bursting with so many thoughts and desires - somehow even the randomly generated text spilled out by a choppy voice synthesizer on the former tracks is positively magical - but never willing to settle on one when there's so much Panos wants to say. His vision is intense and often volatile when such heavy electronics collide with the sweetest woodwinds and strings you can imagine, but holding himself to that heightened standard of passionate songcraft is why Nascent makes a bewilderingly strong and unforgettable first impression. Repeat listens continue to reveal so much about the album that it almost becomes a challenge to soak in the songs fully in a single go, especially the longer tracks on offer: Cycles makes a thrilling early highlight with its slow and quiet opening moments that slowly bloom into sharply cut acoustic guitar and a shimmering firework show of contorted synth and voice, but it's the album centerpiece reasonsnotto where Panos shows of his compositional muscles. While most of the track is made up of layers and layers of generated synth vocals constricting around you with just enough space for flickers of sunlight to make their way in, the album's mantra of "I want more than a moment" dodging in and out of the massive swarm of manipulated voice lends it so much more meaning and passion as all the mental noise barrelling down on Panos is swept away with a single hopeful thought. What the shorter tracks provide is not so much an antidote to his unyielding glitch experiments but rather a chance for the music to ebb and flow less forcefully without losing its magic, Sutter's ice-drip electronics and the largely unadorned chamber folk of finale re:Turning welcoming checkpoints in the massive nature space Nascent occupies. For as strange and surprising as the album may get, Nascent is nothing but pure release for Panos. Motion and desire are the leading forces of Nascent, but there's an infinite number of things dotting the edges to hold your attention all the way through and command a musicianship and songcraft like no other, a master of both heavy electronica and fragile orchestration and combining the two in ways few have before him. Panos asks a lot of you to get the full experience out of Nascent and makes sure handing over your entire heart to him is richly rewarded with one of the most healing and nourishing electronic albums this year, full of wondrous paths all rooted in the same central need to be heard and understood no matter how much your own mind gets in the way of it. Alexander Panos' music feels so good to listen to because it's an uninterrupted communication line with his heart, every electronic blip and dark instrumental twist Nascent's way of pushing you just a little deeper into his world of both anguish and beaming optimism. It's a mess of emotions, but it's perfect for that.

[dezithinks]

D23 News and Reviews 2022

D23 News and Reviews 2022

My oh my! The news that went down this D23 Weekend and I am overwhelmed with MAGIC!!! Disneyland: Wonderous Journeys The new Disneyland fireworks will ignite the night with nods to all 60 Walt Disney World Animation Studios films to date. It will also feature a brand new song called “It’s Wondrous.” Wondrous Journey’s will kick off in late January. Magic Happens Magic Happens parade will…

[vynegar]

marius dreams of childhood SSR, part four

back to the lore! (+ happy marius monday ♡ )

same disclaimer and notes from part one.

youtube link to 屠蘇御寶‘s video of the card story

links to other parts: one two three

more tot translations here

do not repost

[PART FOUR]

[16:46] Hoyoland

The sky gradually darkened as Marius and I finally finished giving out ice cream cones.

Soon after, it was time for the fireworks show, and all the visitors hurried to the castle plaza to watch. We were the only ones going against the flow of the crowd, heading towards the Ferris wheel.

The Ferris wheel twinkled under the night sky like a lofty dreamland, drawing in lost travelers.

MC: It’s so pretty…

I subconsciously stopped to stare up at it, and accidentally got bumped by visitor rushing towards the plaza.

Marius: Be careful!

Marius caught me and held my hand.

Marius: Maybe you should let me hold your hand. There are many people here, I don’t want you to get lost.

MC: Okay.

Marius tightly held onto my hand, our fingers interwoven, the warmth of his palm burning and fitting.

I absentmindedly looked at his face in profile. In that moment, it felt as though the clamor of the crowds all faded into the background.

All I could see was Marius, leading me forward.*

MC: That’s weird, why aren’t there any visitors?

After a while, we arrived at the bottom of the Ferris wheel.

In contrast with the lively amusement park, here it was empty and devoid of people. Aside from the slowly turning Ferris wheel, it was quite desolate.

Marius: I’m here, so of course I made a reservation.

Marius grinned as he explained.

Marius: Ever since you said you wanted to go out with me to the Ferris wheel, I had Vincent reserve it for the entire day today.

Marius: That way, you can stay as long as you want.

Marius: What do you think? Aren’t I so thoughtful?

MC: Yes yes of course, you’re so very thoughtful.

I kissed Marius’s cheek as if I were rewarding him.

MC: But still, next time it’d be better if you could be more lowkey about it.

Marius: More lowkey about it?

Marius thought for a moment, then smiled.

Marius: But, I like being this “highkey” about things.

MC: …

I couldn’t help but be amused by him, and I took his hand.

MC: Alright, then in that case, no more standing around. Let’s go up, my very very thoughtful boyfriend.

Marius: …

[18:35] Ferris wheel

Under the guidance of the staff members, Marius and I finally ascended onto our goal for today, the Ferris wheel.

As the Ferris wheel slowly rose, the visitors beneath us who waiting for the fireworks show gradually shrank, until they became little dots of light.

Looking out into the sea of stars in the sky and the twinkling lights of the city, it was as though the whole world had opened up before my eyes.

I lost myself in the thrilling and wondrous atmosphere. Soon, the first cycle finished and the Ferris wheel returned to its starting point, then began to slowly ascend once more.

MC: Cycling continuously, not ceasing for a moment…

MC: Marius, was this the feeling you had back then when you saw the Ferris wheel?

Marius: Perhaps.

Marius sat next to me and pressed up against the glass, looking down together with me.

Marius: This is different than watching from the ground. Actually, this is the first time I’ve really ridden a Ferris wheel.

MC: Huh?!

Marius: Aren’t you surprised? The second son of the von Hagen family hasn’t even ridden a Ferris wheel before…

MC: Why would I be? I’m actually really happy.

MC: You’ve taken me to experience so many things, and now there’s finally something that you can try with me for the first time.

Marius: …

Marius: Then I’ll need to really experience how it feels to ride a Ferris wheel.

Marius slightly tilted his head, as if deeply absorbed in using his heart to feel the Ferris wheel turning.

Marius: Hm… it’s pretty much what I imagined.

Marius: The Ferris wheel rises then falls, reaching the top over and over again. It circles back to the start, like a journey without an end.

Marius: So this is how it feels.

Marius blinked. The transparent glass window reflected multi-colored lights, as if starlight twinkled in his eyes.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Marius was like this as a kid, too – head tilted up, staring at the rotating Ferris wheel.

MC: Speaking of, Marius, it’s really amazing that you were so young back then, but you were still able to compare the Ferris wheel to life.

MC: If it were me, there’s no way I would have thought of that.

Marius: Really?

Marius mulled over my words, then smiled helplessly.

Marius: Like I said, that was just my guess. It might’ve just been fantasy of a kid who was completely naïve and trying to comforting himself, it’s not necessarily the truth.

Marius: And… a big reason why I was able to have that kind of guess was because of the von Hagen family crest.

MC: Family crest? You mean… “the Aquarian Serpent”?

The Aquarian Serpent was the emblem of the von Hagen family. It symbolizes a water serpent that flew above the ocean’s depths and pierced the clouds to soar beyond the horizon.**

Whether it was at Pax or at the von Hagen Estate, it was something I had seen many times.

Marius: Yup. Aside from its well-known meaning, the Aquarian Serpent also has a more original meaning – the ouroboros.

MC: !!!

Seeing the surprise and confusion on my face, Marius took out his phone and showed me a picture of the Aquarian Serpent.

The mythical creature curved and wound around itself, its head becoming its tail, forming an infinite closed loop of a figure eight.

Marius: In reality, the von Hagen family crest was derived from the shape of the ouroboros.

Marius: What the ouroboros represents is continuous, never-ending vitality.

Marius: As someone who grew up in the von Hagen family, I had been influenced by this idea. So when I saw the Ferris wheel, it was easy for me to think of something similar.

MC: I see…

I frowned slightly. As I glanced back and forth between Marius’s phone and the necklace on his chest, I suddenly had a familiar sense of déjà vu.

MC: But, if the Aquarian Serpent originated from the ouroboros…

MC: Don’t you think that the shape of ouroboros and the letter Z necklace you’re wearing are similar too?

Marius: …

[END PART FOUR]

*(forgive me for using a footnote for my own thoughts but) Marius finally, finally gets his wish of being the only one in MC’s eyes TTTTTTTT don’t mind me, just getting emotional over 2d relationship development

**The Aquarian Serpent crest was first described in part one of Marius’s Fabulous Feast SSR and in this official twitter post from around the same time, October 17, 2021. For this paragraph describing the emblem’s meaning, I directly used a few lines from the twitter post. https://twitter.com/TearsofThemisEN/status/1449918156747591680