#ANYTHING making me feel ambiguous about sabrina's choices

[ragnarssons]

No offense but the witch world in CAOS sucks...

[bunathebunny]

surprise encounter

Sabrina comes across an old friend while accompanying Talia to a meeting.

@casual-darkness  , do you remember the Talia and Sabrina thing? So I finished it! 

AO3 link

Tagging list: @vroomtaka

Gotham is a dreadful place to be in: not enough sunlight, too much rain and that is not to mention the pollution that runs rampage over there. Still, wherever Talia goes, she follows.

“Twice a year we gather to discuss business,” Talia tells her on their flight to Gotham, “Worry not, it is nothing dangerous nor is it anything worth worrying about.”

“But in Gotham?” she has scanned the mail over and over and the location still remains unchanged, “Like, New Jersey’s Gotham? Bludhaven’s sister city? That Gotham?”

“You always seem to have a way with words, my dear,” Talia chuckles and the green in her eyes sparkles like leaves in the sun, “-and as always, it is not too late for you to change your mind. If you are not up to it, I can take someone else with me.”

“No way! I’m going!” she protests, feeling a pout lingering at the corner of her lips and having to resist the childish urge to give in, “After all, I am Lady Talia’s assistant and bodyguard!”

They land in Gotham just in the late evening and check in to the hotel where they would be staying for a couple of days. The night is still young when they pull up in front of the nightclub where the meeting is taking place in.

Though, from her place at Talia’s elbow, Sabrina fears that she might have made the wrong choice as her eyes settle on the familiar mop of black hair as Talia’s associates make their way over. Her own surprise reflects in her friend’s eyes as they stare mutely at each other.

“I see that the rumors have not lied,” the man in the suit who seems to be the partner of the night of her old friend drawls, head tilting in the briefest nod of greeting, “You have picked up a new secretary.”

“And I see that you have gotten yourself an apprentice,” Talia hums, lustrous locks falling with waterfalls at the soft tilt of her head, “Though, I must admit that this one seems to be older than your former apprentices.”

Well, Sabrina have heard of those so-called rumors, though she has not taken much time mulling over those. Talia has enough men to fulfill her every need and thus, rarely does she call onto mercenaries.

Marinette has grown over the few years since they parted. Her features have certainly retained the familiarities that Sabrina remembers from their shared childhood that makes it possible for her to single her out. And yet the air she carries herself with seems different, almost sharper, like she is surer of herself than she was when she was a teen.

Sabrina has heard of Marinette’s career as a designer yielding successes yet there was nothing about her possible entanglement with a mercenary. Thus, she has not accounted for running into her old friend at the nightclub where the morally ambiguous hang. And certainly, has she imagined seeing familiar faces in this new field of work.

“Sabrina, my dear,” Talia calls, amusement coloring her tone as her green eyes sparkle so beautifully under the low lights of the club, “Accompany the young miss while I catch up with Mr. Wilson, will you?”

“Oh, of course, milady,” she nods, sneaking a glance toward her old friend only to see the faintest trace of a grimace on her face, “I shall take my leave then.”

“I’m leaving you to it then,” Marinette says, radiating something akin to reproach, “Call when you’re done.”

The old Marinette would swallow whatever she has to say and steam by herself in a corner but the bite in her words and the barest hint of a scowl are such refreshing differences that they almost bring a laugh out of Sabrina. Admittedly, she is quite curious to learn more about how different this Marinette is to the image she had of her. And of course, she is very interested in how her old friend winded up as an apprentice of a mercenary.

“I did not think I would be seeing you here,” Marinette starts, one-part wonder and two parts concern, as they situate themselves in a deserted corner, in full view of their respective partners, “Why are you here? And with that woman?”

“I could say the same to you,” she says, toying with the emerald pin that Talia had so carefully clipped onto her tie, “Really, Marinette? That man? Are you aware of what he does for a living?”

Marinette makes a rumbling noise that Sabrina has long associated with frustration. Her face screws up into a scowl, like it always did when she was exasperated by one of Chloe’s petty antics, before it smooths down into a sour frown.

“I have my reasons,” she says, like that explains everything of this horribly, horribly wrong picture, “I can take care of myself, Sabrina.”

And well, if Marinette has no desire to share her story, then Sabrina has no desire to share hers. Talia taught her that information should be exchanged rather than shared freely and she embraces it as she embraces the other teachings passed down to her.

And none of them can certainly call each other out less they want to be a hypocrite.

“Then I have my own reasons to be here as well,” she hums, twirling a lock of hair around her finger, “You need not to worry about me.”

They lapse into a silence as more and more stream in through the door. The quiet music soon picks up the rhythm as people sway under the flashing lights.

“…Are you well?”

Marinette’s murmur is almost drowned out by the noises and Sabrina looks up to questioning eyes. Tilting her head to one side, Marinette looks just like the old, caring friend with too big of a heart.

“Pardon me?”

“I mean,” Marinette heaves a sigh, the smile that stretches at her lips is a precarious thing, “Does she treats you well?”

Oh.

“Lady Talia is stern and she expects the best of those who serve her,” she replies, cheeks heating at the memories of old, of Talia who oversaw their training with a mask of ice, of the expectations that rang in the steady drawl, of praises falling out from painted lips like jewels from the skies, of green eyes twinkling like midnight stars, of a hand calloused and firm, a warmth on her cheek, “-and she is kind to those who are loyal.”

Marinette hums, quiet and thoughtful. She seems to be lost in thought, when Sabrina chances a little sneak peek, toying with a tress of black hair that barely reaches her shoulder.

“And what about you?” she asks, snorting a soft laugh at the little jump of her friend’s shoulders, “Are there any problems with your whatever-he-is?”

The laugh that escapes Marinette is light and soft. That smile that tugs at the corner of her lips is gentle – the kind that was rarely sent her way back when they were younger.

“No, things are fine,” Marinette says, and the blush on her cheeks are faint, barely visible under the lighting of the club, “Slade is a strict teacher and he is rough around the edges.”

“So like a porcupine?”

“Exactly,” snorts Marinette, glee shining in the dark depths of her eyes, “An old prickly porcupine…”

Hysteric laughter threatens to bubble out of her mouth but Sabrina bites down the temptation, instead, casting her eyes toward where they left their respective partners.

They seem to be warping up whatever they are discussing. Talia’s green eyes meet hers for a brief moment and she ducks her head in the face of the slow smile that greets her.

“Oooh,” Marinette’s snicker is too terribly smug, “I can see what’s happening here.”

“Oh shut up,” she scowls without so much heat, “Don’t think I didn’t see how you were clinging to your so-called teacher.”

Marinette yelps, face bet red even in the dim light of the club. The little swats of her hand lacks force as they, more or less, dissolve into laughter, careless of the strange stares swinging their way.

(The morning star is bright in Gotham’s sky when they return to the hotel. The air is still and quiet as they retire for the night.

“How was it?” Talia asks, carefully hands combing through her wet hair, “Did you have fun with your friend?”

“You knew,” she scowls, shuddering at the blast of hot air at her nape, “You knew about Marinette.”

“Yes,” Talia agrees, soft and quiet, “I knew about your old friend being Wilson’s apprentice.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

The click of the hairdryer shutting down comes as warm, calloused hands settle on her cheeks. Green eyes are gentle as she meets Talia’s eyes, cheeks cupped by steady hands.

“It is a gift,” is breathed like the greatest secret shared between just the two of them, “A gift for you, my love.”

Soft lips are on hers and the thought of her hair leaving a wet patch on the bed becomes a faraway thought.)​

[frumfrumfroo]

What are your favorite movies and TV shows outside of SW? I’m looking for new things to watch since SW was so disappointing

My tastes are pretty eclectic, so I will stick to just things that are either similar to sw or are in the reylo-esque romance wheelhouse and have happy endings:

Chuck. It is a goofy, light-hearted action-adventure show with extremely endearing characters and a very prominent central romance (seriously, heavy romance and there is a lot of payoff for it, you will be FED- it's kind of slow burn but also shockingly NOT slow burn, they are deep into it pretty much immediately). The main couple is the classic Stoic Badass gradually softened by an innocent they have to protect who is a liability in battle but full of the Power of Heart. Chuck is The Heart btw. He is of that vanishingly rare male Beauty (of B&tB) type. He's incredibly generous and open, Sarah is prickly and closed-off. It is Quality. Very much a gender-swap of your typical cliche anime couple lol. I would recommend stopping at the mid-season finale in season 4, because it's downhill from there. The beginning of season 3 is very rough, but it's definitely worth it to stay for the back half, imo. There are several great endings to choose from before things go to shit, so we don't need to talk about the finale. Probably the most tonally similar to SW thing possible without being high/space fantasy. More humour, more silly, but definitely has a spiritual kinship. Has the best THE BEST 'secret revealed' scenes I have ever seen in anything. If you're into that and were hoping for that in ep IX, you need to watch Chuck.

The Shop Around the Corner. 1940 romance/drama film. You've Got Mail is a remake of it. Jimmy Stewart being profoundly adorable, Frank Morgan (aka the Wizard of Oz), various amusing side characters, and an absolutely deathless double blind 'secretly in love with the workplace nemesis' plot that can and probably has been a great reylo AU.

Mirromask. Fantasy/coming-of-age film. Touted as a 'spiritual successor' to Labyrinth by the filmmakers (one of whom is Neil Gaiman) and let me tell you, that is extremely apt. Beautiful, magical, laden with symbolism and Mask Discourse, and has a great ship. I quote it regularly.

Speaking of which, I'm sure you've seen Labyrinth? If you haven't seen Labyrinth, drop everything and watch Labyrinth.

Legend (the Ridley Scott director's cut, not the theatrical cut). Sumptuous fairy tale, runs on proper fairy tale logic, stunning to look at and overall captivating. Tim Curry. Tim Curry as a lonely tragic lord of darkness who tries to seduce the heroine and has drippingly overwrought monologues.

Howl's Moving Castle. Fairy tale adventure/romance film. Beautifully animated, has the ending you want.

The Silence of the Lambs. Thriller/drama film. Actual masterpiece. Use it as a gateway drug to read the books and rejoice that Clannibal is canon and it is spectacular. Just SotL and Hannibal, you don't need to read the other two. Stan Clarice Starling and revel in that ending. Most triumphant 'villain'/heroine ship of all time (he is not technically a villain but for shorthand's sake).

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Terry Gilliam 1988 fantasy/adventure film. THE TRIUMPH OF IDEALISM OVER CYNICS I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW HEALING IT WAS TO WATCH AFTER THE TROS BULLSHIT HIT. Jonathan Pryce's spiritual villain is basically Chris Terrio and it is cathartic to see imagination and sentiment conquer him.

Sabrina. 1995 romance film. Modern fairy tale with Harrison Ford. Rejecting what you thought you wanted all your life for the thing you actually need, growing up but still believing in magic, beautiful character development across all the leads. Could be (and is irrc) a fantastic reylo AU.

The Scarlet Pimpernel. 1934 adventure film. High romance, secret identities, play-acting, people who aren't at all what they appear to be, falling in love with your own spouse, Big Heroism, guile and wit and audacity. It makes me do little kicks like a happy baby. This is one of the 3-5 films constantly tied for my favourite film of all time. There is a good quality rip free on youtube. Watch it and fall in love with Leslie Howard (this is possibly my favourite acting performance of all time).

Oh, related note. Pygmalion 1938 or My Fair Lady. (The musical is based on this film and borrows from it heavily, including its much more romantic ending compared to the original play.)

The Mummy. 1999 action/adventure/romance film. Very tonally similar to sw. A fucking great time, A+ characters.

EVER AFTER. 1998 romance film. The flawless and perfect and best ever Cinderella adaptation. This is the most satisfying film in history, maybe, the ending is so good it is amazing it exists. Also, it has Richard O'Brien being slimy. Huge selling point. Grapples with identity and stewardship, is brilliant.

Fruits Basket. drama/romance anime. I haven't watched the new version yet, but it's following the manga so I know the story. The original anime didn't do the whole plot (because they caught up with the source material) but it's wonderful and I still recommend it. The central ship is (spoiler.........) a B&tB type where we eventually discover the main love interest both feels like a figurative monster and turns into a literal monster. He has an incredible speech about his relationship with people's fear, it makes me weep. I called the endgame from the first episode and always thought it was obvious, but there is a red herring love triangle dynamic. It's really not annoying, though, because it is a red herring. (I hate love triangles)

I am Dragon. Russian monster romance film. Beautiful, simple fable with a really great heroine.

Jane Eyre. 1943 Gothic Romance film. It's Jane Eyre, byronic hero x sensible heroine love story with much atmosphere and Gothic drama. I stan this version because I am an Orson Welles fangirl and I'm also not convinced it can be improved upon. Elizabeth Taylor's film debut btw.

Hellboy. 2004 action/adventure/romance film. Defying destiny, reconciling identity, monster romance. The complete package and a great time. Tonally similar to SW and probably thematically closest to it out of this whole list. Don't watch the sequel.

Beauty and the Beast 1987 tv series. Exactly what it says on the tin. Deals with the classic B&tB themes, but in a different way. He's not cursed and will never transform into an ordinary man. The first season is very episodic and 'case of the week', but the second season gets more into character drama. It's dated, but if you give it a chance you can get past some of the cheese factor and it's really a unique experience. Its concerns are SO atypical that it feels like something fandom would make rather than a mainstream network show. It was so massively, insanely popular with women at the time that a record of Vincent (the beast) reading poetry topped the album charts. Also Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton. Stop at season two. Point of interest: George RR Martin wrote for this show.

Stargate (the movie not the series) sci-fi fantasy about a nerdy guy who accidentally a hero.

Possession. 2009... mystery/supernatural/romance. Okay. This is a whole thing. Lee Pace and Sarah Michelle Gellar. It's based on a Korean film I've never been able to find for some reason, but being Hollywood they ruined the romanticism and nuance of the original in the theatrical cut to make a shitty punative ending. However. If you buy it on dvd and go to the alternate ending (which follows the original story) with around 20 minutes left (scene after Lee Pace's character wakes from a bad dream-go to deleted scenes and select the alternate ending), you will get a very, very interesting character study/thriller/redemption about sincerity within deception, compassion, and a major question about second chances with a positive answer. It's kind of dark and kind of astonishingly idealistic at the same time. The heroine makes a very powerful choice, twice over. It's fascinating. If you're into the conflicted and uncertain period in reylo, the part where he is most ambiguous, and you wanted more of that and much darker shades to it, you might be really into this. Also, it should be noted, there is a MASSIVE height difference and they show it off. The film is flawed (and the seams show on the Hollywood rewrite) but idk, it's fascinating. Shocking to me that they even got to shoot the original ending. It is pretty balls to the wall with its themes on forgiveness.

I would recommend getting into kdramas because there is a wealth of female-gaze tropey amazing content, but always check the ending before getting invested. My all-time fave is the 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, but it's not sw related at all lmao. It has a happy ending with all the elements you'd want, but it's not satisfying in execution, so that's it's major flaw and I find that pretty common with kdramas. One that is maybe more relevant is My Love from Another Star, which has a hero who is a little bit like Ben in personality. The heroine isn't my favourite, though. It does have a decent ending.

Oh yeah- brain fart. Kurosawa films and classic westerns were both very influential on SW. Or you can combine both and watch The Magnificent Seven.