#Blacksmith James

[marcmarcmomarc]

Ruby telling this story in front of the whole Remnant Alliance, using Robyn’s Lie Detection to prove what she’s telling them is the truth, inspired by this post:

ROBYN: So what happened on the other side of the portals?

RUBY: Well, after I fell, I met a talking mouse I named Little, then we found Weiss and Blake captured by a whole village of talking mice whom we convinced to let them go, then we found Yang fighting a Jabberwalker while missing her arm, then we realized we were in our favorite childhood fairy tale, The Girl Who Fell Through the World.

OSCAR: That fairy tale actually happened?

RUBY: Then we went to the village in the Crimson Acre to bargain with the Jinxy Peddler for Yang’s arm.

EMERALD: You met the Jinxy Peddler?

VELVET: Was he cute?

WEISS: Yeah.

RUBY: And he was older than he was in the book. Anyway, toy soldiers won the arm, and we only got it back from them because Little tried stealing another “fine treasure”, exposing Jinxy’s treasures as fakes. The soldiers escorted us to the Crimson Castle, at first to arrest us for stealing Yang’s arm, or “royal property”, before I traded Penny’s sword, with a story of her being the greatest warrior to ever live.

REMNANT ALLIANCE:

RUBY: The occasion was the birthday of who we thought was the Red King, but turned out to be the Red Prince, who was more of a spoiled brat than Weiss was at Beacon.

YANG: (nudging Weiss) Heh-heh.

RUBY: Then we challenged him to a game of chess, where he shrunk the girls to the size of chess pawns, and when we beat him, he threw a tantrum and wanted us beheaded, and the Curious Cat rescued us.

NORA: The Curious Kitty?!

REN: Were they as chatty as the book made them out to be?

RUBY: Mm-hm. Not to mention easily distracted. Anyway, they took us to look for ingredients for a Growgurt Parfait in the Garden Acre, and we met a smoking caterpillar called Herb who drugged us into seeing our past selves via leaves from the Great Tree, which we all rejected, well, which the other girls rejected, I almost gave in, before the Cat stopped me, then got Herb swallowed by a hole in the ground.

TAI: You guys did drugs?

QROW: Whoa, whoa, don’t start drinking like me, girls.

RUBY: Anyway, the Cat led us to a market to keep looking for the Parfait ingredients. Along the way, they told us about Ascension, a process that occurs when an Afteran is no longer doing the assigned role that they are supposed to be, triggered by them losing their ways, wearing out, doubting themselves, or even just finishing their assigned tasks, upon which they are taken to the Great Tree and repurposed into someone or something else with a new identity, personality, and role. Their memories are erased in the process, but the heart barely ever forgets.

REMNANT ALLIANCE: Ooh.

RUBY: And then, the market was attacked by Jabberwalkers using Neopolitan’s Semblance. We had all of the ingredients for the Parfait, and the girls grew back to normal size just as we got assistance from the Rusted Knight riding his white rabbit.

WHITLEY: You know, Weiss had a crush on the Rusted Knight when she was a kid.

BLAKE: I think everyone had a crush on the Rusted Knight at some point.

RUBY: Well, things didn’t help when he turned out to be a grown-up Jaune with longer hair and a beard, who grabbed a fruit that sent him back in time twenty years right after he landed.

REMNANT ALLIANCE:

NORA: Oh, my Gods, Jaune.

JAUNE: I was stuck there isolated from other human contact, too.

YANG: Weiss certainly loved how mature he was.

RUBY: And the white rabbit was a jackalope Jaune named Juniper.

NORA: Aw, Jaune.

RUBY: Then Jaune told us his perspective on the Tree, that he believed it was death, that Alyx backstabbed her brother Lewis, the author of the fairy tale, who wrote the story the way he wished it had happened, and that the Cat couldn’t be trusted, then we got sent to a punderstorm, which creates a physical manifestation of a mental or emotional problem. Jaune, Weiss, and I were sent to metaphorical and literal crossroads, while Yang and Blake were sent to two broken, wooden, rickety bridges connected to a giant pillar they could only advance toward if they were honest about their feelings for each other. Yeah, Yang and Blake are girlfriends now.

REMNANT ALLIANCE:

NORA: See, Ren? I told you there was more going on!

KALI: Our baby girl found love?

TAI: With my sunny little dragon?

RAVEN: She really is your daughter, then, Tai.

RUBY: Then the Cat bailed on us after mistaking us for selfishly using them to get home, and once the storm passed, Jaune let us spend the night in his house in the Origami Acre, then he introduced us the next morning to a village of paper stars called the Paper Pleasers whose purpose was finished and kept trying to go to the Tree to gain a new purpose, but Jaune had been stopping them for as long as he knew them. Then Neo’s Jabberwalkers attacked, and while we were distracted, the Paper Pleasers finally managed to commit mass suicide via destroying the koi pond dam, then when the girls asked me to help comfort Jaune, I blew up at them for caring more about everyone else’s feelings or getting home, and taking my mental health for granted and ignoring my suffering…

REMNANT ALLIANCE:

WBY+J:

RUBY: …then I ran away, came across the Abandoned Acre, and entered a random mansion, where Neo had made clone illusions of Roman Torchwick, Penny, Pyrrha, Professor Lionheart, Clover, Professor Ozpin, and General Ironwood, and used them to physically and psychologically destroy me, and when the chaos was over, I didn’t want to be me anymore, not helped by Torchwick’s question: “Do you really think you can stand to watch more of your friends fall, or are you ready to admit the truth? That the world would just be better off without you?”

REMNANT ALLIANCE (passing tissues around):

RUBY: Then Neo offered me tea made from leaves from the Tree intended to wipe me from existence, then the Cat blasted her away, but then turned out to be evil and tried to possess me, then Neo fought them off and stomped Little to death, then I drank the tea, offing myself, and got swallowed by the Tree.

YANG: (tearing up) Oh, Rubes.

RUBY: Then I met a Blacksmith, who I also found at the market, or, rather, she found me, and then she presented me with a choice to either be someone else or myself. I saw my mom’s weapon and was treated to a vision of the night she left with Raven on another one of Ozpin’s secret missions and never came back.

TAI: (turns accusingly at…) Raven?

RAVEN: (sheepishly) Uh, surprise?

HARE: (to Ruby) Wait. What did you say your mother’s name was again?

RUBY: Summer.

HARE: (muttering) So, her uncle is Qrow, her father is Taiyang, and her sister’s mother is Raven. All are members of Team STRQ. Summer, Summer, Summer… (out loud) Summer Rose, the leader of Team STRQ, was your mother?

REMNANT ALLIANCE (walla): Summer?…Summer Rose?…The previous silver-eyed Huntress?…That’s Summer Rose’s daughter?

RUBY: Yeah. And then, I finally chose to be myself and grow into a better Huntress. And I. Came. Back, and helped the girls fight the evil Cat. And we won.

REMNANT ALLIANCE:

RUBY: And then Neo killed the Cat with the Jabberwalkers, who, by the way, are the only creatures to prevent Ascension if they eat Afterans. And, according to the girls, Neo was possessed by the Cat, and she chose to accept Torchwick’s death and undergo her own Ascension. Oh, and Little ascended, too, into who we called Somewhat, and succeeded Jaune as the protector of the Ever After. And then, we had made it to the Tree, and we walked through the door back home, landed inside the plane of the Tree met the Blacksmith again at her workshop, and when we noticed two statues of the Brother Gods, she told us their backstory. That the Ever After was overfilled with plants and dangerous wildlife in its primordial years, but the Brothers were created to clear it out. Then they created the Afterans as well as the different acres for them to live in. They designed new creations that would replace them in maintaining the Ever After. This was how the Cat was created. They later created the Jabberwalker as a form of destruction. However, the two disagreed on whether it disrupted the balance or not and began to wage war.

OSCAR: (scoffs) What else is new?

RUBY: The Blacksmith told us how balance isn’t supposed to be two opposing forces locked in battle; balance is an ecosystem, an organism, and a living thing, thus balance isn’t restored with force or manipulation, it’s restored naturally, requiring love and patience to see it through to the end. The Gods got to Remnant because the Ever After created a door to a “greater beyond” for the Gods, so they can leave and experiment in creating new worlds as much as they like.

NORA: (snickering) So the Tree basically said, “You think you have life sorted out? Then get out of my house”?

RUBY: Pretty much.

TEAM RWBY, JAUNE, AND REMNANT ALLIANCE:

YANG: (wiping a tear) Oh, my Gods, that’s such a hilarious way of looking at it. Thanks, Nora.

RUBY: Anyway, the Blacksmith told us that we have impacted the Ever After significantly; just like Somewhat, Alyx, and Lewis, and that the Cat caused a bad impact, and then she made us a portal in the desert on the outskirts of the city, and now you’re all caught up.

[dust-of-embers]

Cool stuff from bunratty!

The doggo was fucking huge, second biggest dog I’ve ever seen.

Castle was mediocre… many tiny stairs, not good for any amount of claustrophobia.

There’s a fairy pathway, I’m gonna make a post about about that later, so many photos were taken…

Woodworker and blacksmith liked my paintings. We talked about climate change cuz there was a climate scientist there too

[howlingday]

RWBY IDEA:

(God, it's been forever since I did these)

PRDS KILLER AU

After serving a million-day sentence in exile, Winter Schnee is called into action to investigate the mass murder of the entire Inner Circle of Headmaster Ozpin on the last night of Remnant 9! Can she solve this grisly murder before everything is destroyed to make way for Remnant 10?

The accused, Cinder Fall, has already been brought forward as the killer. But is this fact really the truth?

Winter must work together with the remaining inhabitants of Remnant 9 to deduce who amongst them is the real killer... or killers?

Aided by her PNNY investigation system, she uncovers facts and truths from inhabitants such as...

General James Ironwood - Commanding officer of Remnant's defenses, and his loyal battalion of soldiers,

Yang Xiao Long, former assassin and close friend and ferry-woman of Winter,

Blake Belladonna, former assassin and current bartender of the One Life bar,

Mercury Black, wise-cracking Salem servant here to annoy Winter and watch the world burn... mostly because he's too weak to do anything else,

Dr. Jaune Arc, self-proclaimed ladies man and doctor of Remnant,

Leonardo Lionheart, pious and holy man of the Brothers and all other gods,

"Lil' Miss" Malachite, former gang leader and temporary head of the Inner Circle,

Shay D. Mann, personal assistant to Lil' Miss and overall pain in the

Oscar Pine, mysterious inhabitant who arrived last night,

Roman Torchwick, information broker and knows every little secret in Remnant

The facts are presented, Specialist Schnee... NOW SHOW US THE TRUTH!

Starring the Blacksmith as The Judge

[flashroguefest]

Hello, everyone! We are back with a brand new Rogues fan event! Presenting...drumroll, please:

Piper’s Marvelous Mixtape May!

This newest event invites fans of the comic Rogues to create a playlist/fanmix/mixtape for their favourite Rogue/s!  Mixtapes can be for any Rogue or Rogue-adjacent character (family/friends etc). The playlist can be a typed-up list of songs, a Spotify playlist, a YouTube playlist etc. - whatever format you prefer! Create a playlist, make some album art and share away!

Post your fanmixes with the hashtag #flashroguefest and we’ll share them here!

This event will run from Friday 26th - Sunday 28th May 2023. Post your playlists over this weekend for everyone to see and listen to!

[sm-baby]

AYE I FUCK WITH THESE EPISODE IDEAS

hehhehehshehhaheh James introduction

Sheldon mentor big good, give player pat on the head, tells her she's doing great.

[comicbooksaregood]

The Flash

Volume: 2

Issue: 217

Post-Crisis

Writers: Geoff Johns

Pencils: Howard Porter

Inks: John Livesay

Colours: James Sinclair

Covers: Howard Porter, John Livesay, James Sinclair

DC

[neverhangd]

character tag dump.

[howlingday]

Okay, time to explain what I think your reasoning is...

The World:

Represents an ending to a cycle of life, a pause in life before the next big cycle beginning with the fool. It is an indicator of a major and inexorable change, of tectonic breadth.

Upright - Achievement, Fulfillment, Possibilities, Successful conclusions

Reversed - Delayed success, Failed plans, Lack of completion, Stagnation

The Blacksmith serves as the guide for Ruby for most of the recent Volume 9. They could be interpreted as the result or expectation of results from her position in her forge, where it can be assumed she assists everyone who ascends in the Ever After.

SHE AIDS IN THE RESULT.

Judgement:

Referred to as a time of resurrection and awakening, a time when a period of our life comes to an absolute end making way for dynamic new beginnings.

Upright - Awakening, Decision making, Redemption, Reincarnation, Renewal, Transition

Reversed - Poor logic, Poor or hasty judgement, Self-doubt, Stagnation

The Brothers are the catalyst for the events of RWBY. In the recent Volume 9, we learn they came to Remnant from the Ever After, where they began creating the world as it was. I find both upright and reversed meanings to be interesting depictions, because they both fit both brothers. Ultimately, it was their decision that caused the shattering of the moon, the punishment of Salem, and the resurrection of Ozma.

IT WAS THEIR DECISIONS THAT AFFECTED REMNANT.

The Devil:

Represents being seduced by the material world and physical pleasures. Also living in fear, domination and bondage, being caged by an overabundance of luxury, discretion should be used in personal and business matters.

Upright - Bondage, Enslavement, Fear, Feeling trapped, Materialism, Temptation, Unhealthy relationships

Reversed - Breaking from addictions, Divorce, Freedom from restraints

Surprisingly, Salem is the most fitting. Most of her life Her early life was spent locked away in the tower until she was freed by Ozma. As centuries passed, their relationship eventually became unhealthy and she separated herself from him and her humanity.

ONCE, SHE WAS TRAPPED, BUT NOW SHE IS FREE.

The Tower:

Commonly interpreted as meaning danger, crisis, destruction, and liberation. It is associated with sudden unforseen change.

Upright - Accident or damage, Catastrophe, Destruction, Renovation, Unexpected change

Reversed - Illness, Losses, Obstacles, Volatile situation

Cinder has proven herself to be a bit of a wild card, which makes her role in the Tarot inevitably accurate here. She will always manage to survive whatever bad situation she's in for the sole purpose of ruining everything for everyone else.

CINDER'S PATH OF DESTRUCTION CAUSES THE GREAT SHIFTS AROUND HER.

The Hanged Man:

Suggests ultimate surrender, sacrifice, or being suspended in time.

Upright - Breaking old patterns, Circumspection, Letting go, Metamorphosis, Suspension

Reversed - Egotism, Inability to change, Missing an opportunity

Ozma as the Hanged Man is, if nothing else, an interesting concept. Every death has led to him inhabiting a new body, changing the lives of those around him, and yet never truly living the life he desires. Forever trapped in his cycle, inhabiting people until he takes over, fighting a war he just can't win, and as a result, never truly growing or changing.

OZMA IS FOREVER SUSPENDED IN THE CURSE PLACED ON HIM.

The Magician:

Points to the talents, capabilities and resources at the querent's disposal to succeed. The message is to tap into one's full potential rather than holding back, especially when there is a need to transform something.

Upright - Determined, Dexterity, Resourceful, Skilled, Strong powerful man

Reversed - Communication blocks, Confusion, Deceit, Ill intentions, Lack of energy

As one of the most impactful additions to the teams, Oscar is lagging far behind his more heroic and outstanding group of friends. Since joining, he's made strides into becoming the fighter and hope RWBY needs. However, his young age means he's ignorant and completely inexperienced for the fights ahead of him. One could argue that the deceit and ill intentions mentioned are the impacts Ozma has on his life.

OSCAR IS THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL TO BE UNLEASHED IN THE WAR.

The Chariot:

About overcoming conflicts and moving forward in a positive direction. One needs to keep going on and through sheer hard work and commitment he will be victorious.

Upright - A journey, Ambition, Confidence, Drive, Overcoming obstacles, Will power

Reversed - Lack of direction, Scattered energy, Self doubt

As THE main character of the series, Ruby has a lot of big shoes to fill. The entire story is her journey across the world of Remnant. Every step forward leads to a new challenge she must overcome. The recent Volume 9 shows us her reversed setting, in which she doubts her own abilities to fight the war against Salem, spending her time in the Ever After drained of all her energy except when she needed to, which doesn't last very long. She questions her place in this fight, until she finally finds her way.

RUBY IS MOVING FORWARD, DRIVING THE STORY TO THE VERY END.

Death:

Often interpreted as signifying major changes in a person's life.

Upright - Transformation, Endings, Change, Transition, Letting go, Release

Reversed - Fear of change, Repeating negative patterns, Resisting change, Stagnancy, Decay

As the "Grimm Reaper" it would make sense for Maria to be the representative of the Death card. Around the time she arrives, the group is experiencing one major change or another. Learning the truth about Ozma and Salem, the purpose of Ruby's role as the Silver-Eyed Warrior, and the events to come later in the volume. She is, in a way, the turning point of the series.

MARIA IS THE END OF THE FIRST ACT OF RWBY, THE CHANGE IN THE CYCLE ON COMPLETING THE FIRST TURN OF THE CYCLE.

The Fool:

It symbolizes the embrace of new beginnings, the expansion of one's horizons, and the willingness to take risks guided by intuition.

Upright - Beginnings, Innocence, Leap of faith, Originality, Spontaneity

Reversed - Chaos, Folly, Lack of direction, Naivety, Poor judgement, Stupidity

Jaune stepped into a world he was wholly unprepared for, entering a life nobody could have prepared him for. Often, Jaune is the wild-card who does the impossible and somehow survives from it. He explains no one believed in him, and in his attempt to prove himself, earned himself scars that may never truly heal.

JAUNE WILL DO WHAT NO ONE ELSE DOES BECAUSE HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT OTHERS WOULD DO.

The Moon:

Meaning hidden enemies, danger, calumny, darkness, terror, deception, occult forces, error.

Upright - Deception, Difficult period, Fear, Hidden things, Insecurity, Mental confusion

Reversed - Insomnia, Mysteries unveiled, Release of fear, Unhappiness, Unusual dreams

Blake is an interesting, albeit fitting choice to act as the Moon. Since the beginning, she was the mysterious character no one knew the full story of. When the White Fang, a group she was part of, start acting suspiciously, her insecurities and fears force her to stay awake to look into what happened since her leaving.

BLAKE IS THE MYSTERIOUS FIGURE OF THE STORY WITH HER OWN SET OF MYSTERIES TO SOLVE.

The Sun:

Said to reflect happiness and contentment, vitality, self-confidence and success.

Upright - Enlightment, Joy, Marriage, Material happiness, Success, Vitality

Reversed - False impressions, Lack of clarity, Low Vitality, Sadness

By contrast, Yang is the opposite in her placement as the Sun. Of Team RWBY, she appears the most physically fit and healthy, providing a warmth to her team and friends, even acting as the true mature voice of reason when need be.

YANG IS THE JOY AND LAUGHTER OF TEAM RWBY, SERVING AS BOTH BEST FRIEND AND MOTHER FIGURE OF THE GROUP.

The Star:

When [this card] card appears, you are likely to find yourself feeling inspired. It brings renewed hope and faith and a sense that you are truly blessed by the universe at this time.

Upright - Astronomy, Good health, Hope, Inspiration, Opportunities, Spirituality

Reversed - Despair, Disappointments, Illness, Missed opportunities

Penny, to herself, was a machine built for an unknown purpose. Was she made to be human, or to only look like them? But then she met Ruby and her world exploded into a vibrant hue of color. Following Ruby's example, Penny became inspired to become a huntress and save people. She became a symbol for the people of Mantle, and they loved and believed in her... until they stopped. Shortly after, she came under fire from a computer virus and had to change herself once more to finally become human... even if only for a short time.

PENNY WAS INSPIRED AND BECAME THE INSPIRATION FOR RUBY AND HE OTHERS.

The Emperor:

Suggestive of stability and security in life. You are on top of things and everything in under your control. It is your hard work, discipline and self control that have bought you this far. It means that you are in charge of your life now setting up your own rules and boundaries.

Upright - Authority, Father figure, Law and order, Leadership, Power, Promotion

Reversed - Control freak, Immaturity, Lack of discipline, Loss of authority, Manipulative Friends

Ironwood is an interesting case of both upright and reversed. Until his recent return in Volume 7, General Ironwood was a supportive and inspirational figure to those who knew him. However, at the end of Volume 7 and into Volume 8, he became more authoritarian and ruthless, disregarding the well-being of others for the sole purpose of saving a select few people.

GENERAL JAMES IRONWOOD WAS THE PERFECT AUTHORITARIAN WHO THOUGHT HE WAS IN PERFECT CONTROL, UNTIL HE STARTED LOSING IT.

The Empress:

Traditionally associated with maternal influence, it is the card if you are hoping to start a family. She can represent the creation of life, romance, art, or new business.

Upright - A new opportunity, Abundance, Maternal care, Nurturing, Pregnancy, Stability

Reversed - Domestic problems, Financial issues, Stagnation, Unwanted pregnancy

Winter is and was one of the few role models Weiss had in life. She was not only a Huntress, but was a leading Specialist in the Atlas military. Despite her cold attitude towards certain individuals [QROW], she was warm and nurturing Weiss.

SHE IS THE MOTHER FIGURE WEISS HAD AND DESERVED.

The High Priestess:

A card of mystery, stillness and passivity. This card suggests that it is time to retreat and reflect upon the situation and trust your inner instincts to guide you through it. Things around you are not what they appear to be right now.

Upright - Hidden talents, Intuition, Mystery, Spiritual insight, Things yet to be revealed

Reversed - Information withheld, Lack of personal harmony, Secrets

Weiss was an impatient girl at the start of the series. She was bossy, rude, and demanded things to be done her way, and when Ruby was chosen to be Team Leader, she called it unfair and made demands for change. However, when she was told to instead reflect inward, she'd done just that and realized she could become a better student if she supported others. Following this, Weiss was furious that Blake, one of her close friends, was both a faunus and a former member of the White Fang, not because of who she was, but because she would go out of her way to defend them and hid her true nature from the team. If we go further into Ice Queendom, the entire story is on self-reflection and how Weiss could change for the better.

WEISS LOOKS INTO THE MIRROR AND SEES WHO SHE REALLY IS.

The Lovers:

Represent relationships and choices. Its appearance in a spread indicates some decision about an existing relationship, a temptation of the heart, or a choice of potential partners. Often an aspect of the querent's life will have to be sacrificed; a bachelor(ette)'s lifestyle may be sacrificed and a relationship gained (or vice versa), or one potential partner may be chosen while another is turned down. Whatever the choice, it should not be made lightly, as the ramifications will be lasting.

Upright - Being at a crossroads, Choices, Commitment, Falling in love, Partnerships

Reversed - Disharmony, Imbalance, Misalignment of values, Self-love

Ren and Nora. Nora and Ren. Probably the first established couple since the show's iteration. It makes sense that the card that best represents them is the card of relationships. However, this couple has had it's fair shares of ups and downs, as all relationships do. The choices of both Ren and Nora have lasting effects on their relationship, such as when they were fighting the Nuckelavee, Tyrian, and Neopolitan.

REN AND NORA MADE DECISIONS FOR THEIR RELATIONSHIP THAT HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

The Hierophant:

Stands for tradition and convention. It can represent marriage in an arranged setup. It can also mean a teacher or counsellor who will help in learning / education of the querent.

Upright - Education, Learning, Marriage, Religion, Seeking counsel or advice, Spiritual guidance, Tradition

Reversed - Abuse of position, Breakdown, Poor counsel, Rejection of family values

Qrow is an interesting choice, specifically for his roles both as a former member of the Branwen Tribe and as a guide for Team RNJR and the others later. He is the one who forsakes the idea of the "family" he grew up in, choosing to side with Ozpin instead of his sister. He is also the one who teaches RNJR the truth of the Brothers. However, he is also one of the most suffering characters in the series, from his poisoning by Tyrian to his alcoholic fallout on the way to Atlas to the death of his new best friend in Atlas and the supposed death of his only remaining loving family members.

HE IS THE GUIDE FOR THE HEROES ON THEIR PATH IN LIFE, BE IT AS AN EXAMPLE OR AS A TEACHER.

Justice:

Indicates that the fairest decision will be made. Justice is the sword that cuts through a situation, and will not be swayed by outer beauty when deciding what is fair and just.

Upright - Balance and equilibrium, Cause and effect, Fairness, Justice, Responsibilty

Reversed - Dishonesty, Imbalance, Lack of accountability, Legal flaws, Unfair treatment

Summer Rose died, and in her death, inspired Ruby to become a huntress. However, as the story unfolds, yhe more and more we learn about Summer, the "best mom ever", the more we realize there's a lot not known about her, too. Perhaps it could be said that Summer is in the center of the spectrum between good and bad, and maybe even between life and death?

SUMMER ROSE IS THE CENTERPOINT OF BALANCE FOR RWBY'S MORALITY SCALE.

Temperance:

Indicates that you should learn to bring about balance, patience and moderation in your life. You should take the middle road, avoiding extremes and maintain a sense of calm.

Upright - Alchemy, Balance, Connecting with your guides, Harmony, Looking for divine intervention, Moderation

Reversed - Disharmony, Imbalance, Lack of patience, Onset of illness

Speaking of balance, Raven is also caught in the center of neutral, between good and evil. However, when Cinder comes demanding she fight for Salem, Raven is forced to fight. After Cinder is defeated, Raven gives the relic to Yang, whom she maintains an emotional connection to, based on her semblance.

RAVEN IS PLACED INTO THE CENTER OF THE SPECTRUM, BUT WAS THEN FORCED OUT OF BALANCE BY OUTSIDE FORCES.

The Hermit:

Suggests that you are in a phase of introspection where you are drawing your attention inwards and looking for answers within. You are in need of a period of inner reflection, away from the current demands of your position.

Upright - Introspection, Meditation, Self-reflection, Solitude, Soul-searching, Withdrawn from society

Reversed - Exile, Loneliness, Misfit, Sadness, Withdrawing from loved ones

Poor Taiyang... With the exception of his dog, Zwei, he truly is alone in his house in Patch, far into the woods. In a way, he's a misfit, the odd-one-out of the adventure, watching from a distance as his only family fights to save the world... or die trying.

TAIYANG IS ISOLATED FROM THE GROUP, FORCED TO WATCH AS THE WORLD SHIFTS AND CHANGES AROUND HIM WHILE REMAINING THE SAME.

Strength:

Predicts the triumphant conclusion to a major life problem, situation or temptation through strength of character. It is a very happy card if you are fighting illness or recovering from injury.

Upright - Confidence, Enjoying power, Inner strength, Potency, Self-belief, Virility, Vitality

Reversed - Hedonism, Lack of self-control, Lacking courage, Self-doubt, Vanity

Pyrrha Nikos, the Invincible Girl, was a confident young girl and the best student at Beacon. She could do anything... But that was the Pyrrha everyone else saw. In truth, Pyrrha suffered from self-doubt, bearing the expectations of everyone around him, and in her attempt to face destiny, acted hastily and died fighting an opponent she couldn't hope to win against.

PYRRHA WAS THE STRONGEST IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY, BUT DESTINY DECIDED HER FATE WAS OTHERWISE.

Wheel of Fortune:

A common aspect to most interpretations of this card within a reading is to introduce an element of change in the querent's life, such change being in station, position or fortune: such as the rich becoming poor, or the poor becoming rich.

Upright - Chance, Changes, Destiny, Luck, Opportunity, Winning

Reversed - Bad luck, Disappointment, Misfortune, Mishap, Unforeseen setback

Sun seems to change everything around him, doesn't he? The sudden reveal of Blake as a faunus soon followed by her embrace of her position now rather than then, and when she flees Beacon, Sun follows her, helping her bring change to Menagerie and The White Fang.

SUN CHANGES THE DIRECTION OF THE STORY TO THE PATH NEEDED TO BE TAKEN.

And done... Feel free to interpret these as you'd like.

Which Major Arcana I Believe Suit RWBY Characters

The World: The Blacksmith

Judgement: The Brothers

The Devil: Salem

The Tower: Cinder

The Hanged Man: Ozma

The Magician: Oscar

The Chariot: Ruby

Death: Maria

The Fool: Jaune

The Moon: Blake

The Sun: Yang

The Star: Penny

The Emperor: Ironwood

The Empress: Winter

The High Priestess: Weiss

The Lovers: Ren&Nora

The Hierophant: Qrow

Justice: Summer

Temperance: Raven

The Hermit: Taiyang

Strength: Pyrrha

Wheel of Fortune: Sun

[imaginepirates]

How They Confess

For the anon who wanted to know how the characters would confess their feelings, and how they would react if the reader confessed first.

This includes Jack, Will, Lizzie, James, Beckett, and Barbossa.

Jack:

Jack isn’t one to make a grand show of things, and if he’s to confess, it’ll be in a moment of simplicity. You’ll be curled up together in his cabin, warm and drowsy, soft light shining out from the lanterns. He can only admit it to you when he’s completely relaxed—he can hardly admit it to himself sometimes, how much he loves you. But he says it softly in your ear, and you’re more pleased than surprised, already tangled together in the sheets. Your brain’s a bit fuzzy anyway, and the full weight of it wouldn’t hit you until the next morning. But by then he’s up and out on deck, and you’re left with the knowledge that he really does love you after all. 

If you’re the first to confess, Jack would be taken aback. He doesn’t expect you to love him, not really, so it comes as a bit of a shock to his system. It would take him some time to process, too, and he has to do some serious introspection before he can say it back. Love is a heavy thing in his eyes, and he’s not about to mess it up. 

Will:

Though he can be bashful, Will is completely unashamed of his feelings for you. If you’re of the same social station, he’ll simply tell you how he feels by taking you out for a walk along the oceanfront. If you’re too far above him on the social ladder, he’ll keep his feelings to himself, though they shine through with all the things he does for you to make life easier and more convenient. 

If you speak up first, Will’s a little embarrassed, but in a good way. He feels a little guilty for not saying anything, but quickly gets over it; he’s just happy you feel the same, and that you’re comfortable enough in your affection to tell him. He likes that you can own it—not everyone is attracted to blacksmiths. Besides, hearing the words from you is just the confidence boost he needs. 

Elizabeth:

Elizabeth wants to make her confession as perfect as she can. She does it over a nice dinner, just the two of you, and she’s pulled out the candles for the occasion. She’s a romantic at heart, and wants to have the right atmosphere in which to tell you how she feels. She’s really one for the aesthetic. It’s honestly rather cute, the effort she puts in, and you’d be lying if you said you didn’t enjoy it. 

If you’re the first to confess, Lizzie is just delighted. She has butterflies for days, and be prepared for all the secret little messages dictated by high society. I’m talking fan-signals, flower language, the whole package. Even though she loves you earnestly, and even though you know both know it, she’s absolutely going to make the most of the courtship process and all it entails.

James:

We all know how awkward James is about confessing his feelings. He’s been rehearsing for days, and is almost too anxious to do it in the first place. He’s afraid of coming off too strong, and overanalyzes every interaction you’ve had together. He ensures the setting is both pleasant and proper, and though it may seem a little stiff, you’re aware the confession is genuine. That being said, the moment you indicate the feeling is mutual, his composure cracks and he gives you that huge smile he tries so hard to hide. 

If you beat him to it, he’d be shocked. Not only is he surprised that you made the first move, which is so expected of him, but he honestly had no idea you felt that way about him. It takes him a good long time to find the right words to tell you he feels the same, and you’ll have to be patient as he recovers from his astonishment. 

Beckett:

This man is never, ever, going to admit to loving you. He won’t even let himself think about his affection for you. In all truth and honesty, he’s terrified of his feelings, seeing them as a weakness that someone will figure out and exploit. He’s also afraid you won’t feel the same way. How could you? It would take a serious moment of vulnerability—either when something awful happens to you, or when you show him honest tenderness. Either way, it’s completely unexpected and almost unbelievable…until you see the fear in his eyes and realize it’s the truth. 

If you make the first move, Beckett doesn’t think you’re serious. He’s willing to play along, but he figures you want something from him. So he brushes it off, though your words linger in his mind for days after. He’s probably in his office doing paperwork when it hits him that you were being completely serious, and he’s absolutely overcome by it. He makes sure to explain himself when he sees you next; he just didn’t think someone could feel that way about him. 

Barbossa:

Barbossa is, if nothing else, a gentleman at heart. Again, this will likely be a dinner confession, though Hector isn’t nearly as anxious as Elizabeth might be. He’s been around a while, and he’s really only going to say anything if he’s fairly certain you’re interested. He also isn’t offended if you reject—he completely understands why someone wouldn’t want to be with him. He’s relaxed about the whole affair so you never have to feel nervous over any of it. If it turns out you are interested, he’s going to treat you with perfect curtesy and warm affection.

If you’re the first to say anything, Hector’s a bit smug. He might be slightly sheepish that you beat him to it, but overall, he’s happy to hear you say it. He’ll tease you over it in good humor, though he knows you can give as good as you get. He’s secretly happy to hear you say it because he’s insecure about his age. 

[painted-flag]

Little Red Riding Hood - Cregan Stark

Part 1 of 2.

Story 2 of Between the Pages: a HOTD x Fairytale Series.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ series masterlist. main masterlist. .𖥔 ݁ ˖ pairing: cregan stark x f!reader (no use of y/n) .𖥔 ݁ ˖ warnings: a little bit of period-specific misogyny. .𖥔 ݁ ˖ wordcount: 5.7k .𖥔 ݁ ˖ notes: the reason this is split into two parts is that my mac crashed and i lost the full draft (around 10k). i rewrote it, but i promised that it would release on the 29th so despite the fact i have not finished writing the full imagine, i am splitting it into two parts.

The sound of quiet chatter filled the small schoolhouse. It was a stone building, old and worn from the centuries since its construction, one of the oldest buildings in the small town of Wildgate. Young girls sat in a circle, each focusing on the fabric in front of them as they stitched the day away. Their hands gripped their wooden loops and meticulously weaved the needle up and down to create their desired patterns. 

The hall was warmed by two hearths on each side that chased away the winter chill. Your clothes aided in keeping warm while you paced around the outside of the circle. Your gaze watched the little girls as they sewed and your heart swelled with pride at the proficiency of your students. It was a rewarding job to work as a teacher for the girls in the town, despite the abysmal pay. Any money counted to the support of your family.  

The girls finished their work one by one, earning praise from you which had them giggling and running to go home to their parents and share their work. As each girl left, you began to clean up the room from the day's activities. Once the desks were moved back into their regular position and the chairs in place, you eagerly made leave of the schoolhouse. 

You made your way through the bustling town streets. The ground, usually muddy, had frozen over for the winter and patches of piled snow littered the area. People were hastily making their way to their destinations to run from the chill. The deep scarlet cloak you wore had been a gift from your grandmother and provided the perfect reprieve from the icy air. The red contrasted against the snowy surroundings. 

Upon turning to another street, you quickly open a wooden door. The heat from the ovens in the bakery had mixed with the smells of fresh bread. You inhale slowly, savouring the scent. 

A man came from a backroom and grinned when seeing you, “Ah! Darling, how are you today?” He was a short and plump middle-aged man who never had anything but a smile on his face and rosy cheeks. Every week, he would donate food to the schoolhouse for the children who were from poorer households. 

“I am doing alright, James. How have you been?” You put your basket down as he begins to place your regular bread order in it. 

“Well, the weather is drab but every day alive is a great day.” He nodded to you and accepted the payment. Once saying your goodbyes, you wandered back outside to the cool streets. Only a few buildings down was your next destination. The familiar sound of metal clanking against steel got louder as you approached. 

The area was covered with a roof but open to the elements with a single wall being opened. It was the only blacksmith in the town, which happened to employ the man who had enchanted your fantasies. You watched as Aegon pulled a blade out of a forge and set it against an anvil. He grabbed a heavy hammer and began to pound it down against the glowing steel, over and over. The sound reverberated across the buildings and travelled through your body. He was sweating from work and despite the gentle snowfall, he only wore one set of clothes. The shirt he had on was thin and billowed with the breeze. 

Aegon was not your first choice in men. He had only arrived in the village a few years ago and settled down into an apprenticeship. While you could not deny the beauty he held, you had not been enticed at first. You were generally disinterested in most men in the village, especially having known them all since childhood. His uniqueness was what had reeled you in, not the prospect of romance. Though there were no qualms with the way he treated you, the spark you so desperately wished to feel only flickered. 

One thing was undeniable, his steady income would protect you and your family. A considerable rarity among the other available men. 

Upon seeing you approach, Aegon used large tongs to pick up the blade and dunk it into a nearby vat of water. The sizzle and bubbles from the heat-laden steel rippled across the water. He smiled at you and put the items down. When you made it to the work area, Aegon took and placed your basket down. He gently held your hand and brought it up to lay a small kiss on the knuckles. 

You accepted his affection, following like a sheep unaware of the wolf’s lure. 

“And how is my lady?” Aegon moved back to organizing some of his tools, lifting them as though they weighed nothing, despite them being heavier than you could imagine. Although he had a lean and built figure, it seemed uncharacteristic with the amount of weight he could lift. 

“The girls are doing so well with their stitching progress. I don’t believe there is much else I could teach them.” You spoke and Aegon hummed while he placed a hammer off to the side. 

Aegon moved back to you and kissed your cheek, “Well, it is just stitching. There is not much to that work, maybe they could move on to other womanly duties?” 

There was a brief moment of bitter taste in your mouth, but you swallowed it down. You reached for your basket on one of the tables and lifted the small cloth that covered the items inside. When you took out a package wrapped in cloth, Aegon watched your movements. 

“I got your favourite dinner.” You placed the package into his outstretched hands choosing to ignore his previous comment, “Though, I am still so confused on how you could eat so much.” You laughed at your little joke and Aegon did too, but his gaze still pieced through you. 

“I am always hungry,” Aegon’s voice dropped a few octaves and his expression darkened for a moment. It was quickly extinguished and he continued speaking, “Thank you, my love, for bringing this to me. I should get back to work now.” 

You nodded at his words and leaned in to kiss the side of his mouth, “I shall leave you to it then.” 

Your hands grasped the handle of the basket and picked it up. Giving Aegon a wave goodbye, you started back down the street and hummed idly to yourself. The trek in the falling snow was quiet and pleasant. All of the cottages around you had smoke billowing from their chimneys and glowing windows from candlelight. The sky had darkened fast. 

A cottage in the distance caught your eye. The home was not large, but the warmth from your mother and little brother was more than enough to make it feel larger than a castle. You opened the heavy wooden door and rushed in, closing it quickly to keep out the cold. In the open area that consists of the kitchen and living space, your brother was sitting in front of the hearth and your mother was busying herself with dinner. 

Upon spotting you by the door, your little brother rushed to greet you. He called out your name and wrapped his arms around your legs with his head burying itself in your stomach. Your arms encircled him and squeezed. 

You ruffled his dark locks, “Good to see you too, buddy.” He pulled away from you and started asking countless questions about your day. You laughed at his curiousness and mentioned you would speak over dinner before sending him on his way to wash his hands and prepare the table. 

Your mother had moved to the hearth to tend to the cast iron pot simmering with that night's stew. She stirred it around and brought a wooden spoon up to her lips, blew on it, and tasted. She nodded at the taste and decided it was ready. She turned around and saw you standing there and wrapped you in a hug.  

“I expect your day went well?” Your mother pulled back and grabbed the pot. She carried it to the table and set it down by the bowls your brother brought out. When you sat down with your brother in the spot beside yours, a piece of parchment was dropped by the bowl that your mother placed.

“My day was fine. What is this?” You held up the parchment. 

“A letter from Winterfell’s healer.” Your mother answered. You furrowed your brows. Winterfell was the town over, about a little over a day's ride from here. It was where your grandmother lived. It had been years since you visited last. 

You unrolled the parchment and began to read. The more you did, the greater your worry grew. Your grandmother was sick and had been for a while. The healer could not keep watch on her enough while also taking care of others in Winterfell. He asked for a family member to come to the town and watch in on your grandmother for the times he is not there. The healer said he would be waiting at the town gate on the morning of the moon's first quarter to escort whoever showed up to her home. 

“That is two days from now.” You spoke to your mother as she swallowed a spoonful of stew, “I will have to go tomorrow at midday.” 

“You do not have to.” Your mother interrupted, “I could go.” 

“Mother you need to take care of Joffrey.” You interjected. Your mother did not speak for a moment and considered your words. After a few minutes of quiet eating, she acquiesced to your stance and accepted your travel plans. 

Dinner was spent with your brother speaking about his day. Both you and your mother occasionally interjected with quips, but the mood from ill news regarding your grandmother hung over the table like a thick smoke cloud. You thought back to all of those moments you had with your grandmother, which became fewer the older you got. Trips to Winterfell became scarce to the point that it had been close to a decade since your last visit. 

Cleaning up the kitchen and table was done in silence between you and your mother. Your brother had been dismissed to go to bed early - something he was adamantly against, but listened to nonetheless. You slowly packed the items you would need for the trip over. Getting time off of teaching would be easy, but you were hesitant to leave your family for however many weeks it would be. 

Once you were settled in for the night, sleep came quickly. 

⋅───⊱༺ ☾ 🐾☽ ༻⊰───⋅

Your black boots made crunches in the snow as you walked through the town. You had swung by the bakery that morning to pick up a couple of sweets and pastries for the road. Your grandmother had always loved raspberry tarts, so you picked out a couple for her. While you may not be able to cure her sickness, at the very least you could brighten her spirits. You were set to begin your journey in just a few hours, but you had one last task to complete. 

The same familiar sight of the blacksmith appeared as you made your trek down the street. The sound of metal clanging rang through your head. You saw Aegon working, steady and focused. When you approached closer, he spotted you out of his peripheral. He stopped what he was doing. The smile on his face faded slowly at the neutral expression across yours. 

“Are you okay?” Aegon spoke. He moved forward and pulled you closer by your scarlet cloak. One of his hands fiddled with the hood that protected you from the snowfall. 

“I have to go,” You began, “My grandmother is sick and it's getting worse.” 

Aegon’s face scrunched up in confusion, “Go? Go where?” 

“Winterfell.” 

For a brief moment, a shadow swept across his face at your answer. His posture went rigid and the hand clasping your hood was pulled back and balled into a fist. You attributed his change of mood to your sudden departure. 

“For how long?” He asked. 

You reached out to gently squeeze one of his biceps, swiping your thumb up and down in comfort, “A few weeks, possibly a month or two. I leave tonight.” Aegon shrugged free from your hand and stepped back. His arms raised slightly with his psalm facing you. They shook for a moment before lowering. 

“So, you’re just going to leave… like that?” Aegon now looked bewildered, with a slight air of offence in his voice. 

“My grandmother needs someone from her family to take care of her.” 

Aegon began to move his equipment away, “I’m going with you.” The finality in his tone made no room for rebuttal, but you stood your ground. 

“I need someone to look after my family here.” After you spoke, Aegon halted his movements and turned back to you. You went up to him and placed your hands on his chest.

“I’m guessing no amount of persuading will work?” He questioned. When you nodded, he accepted your answer. He cupped your face, “Just… stay safe. The people of Winterfell are vipers.” 

You rolled your eyes at his overprotectiveness, “I will, Aegon. Just keep my family safe while I’m gone.” 

Aegon licked his lips, “I’ll keep your family safe.” 

⋅───⊱༺ ☾ 🐾☽ ༻⊰───⋅

The gates of Winterfell looked unfamiliar compared to the faint memories you had of this place. It was morning and the ground was laden with a thick cover of mist that hovered above the packed snow. Early light from the rising sun cast against the snow and sparkled. You breathed in the scent of pine and exhaled, watching as the mist from your mouth evaporated in the air. You wrapped the scarlet cloak around you more to drive away the chill. The horse you had rode had been taken to the stables. 

On the inside of the gates, you spotted an old man hunched over. He was dressed in clothes that signalled his position as a healer; neutral grays and a simplistic design of a tunic, trousers, and coat. His hair had turned gray from age and his beard was twisted into a braid that fell down to his chest. 

You approached him, “Excuse me, are you Orym?” 

“Yes. I assume you are one of the family members?” The old man greeted you politely and shook your hand. 

“Her granddaughter. Is she alright?” 

“She is as good as she can be, given her condition.” The man responded. Just as you were going to speak, the sound of horse hooves hitting the ground caught your attention. A couple of horses ridden by men passed through the walls. They all dismounted. One of the horses had a wooden carrier that towed the body of a large stag. The man on the horse dropped down with his back to her. 

The men all gathered around the stag and clasped the shoulder of the man who, by the positive words being spoken, had taken down the wild beast. From his back, she could see the thick pelts that draped from his broad shoulders. His dark hair was long, falling to his shoulders, with the top half tied up in a knot. The greatsword on his back had to be close to six feet. 

He turned around and she saw his face. Strands of his dark hair framed his face, carving out the already sharp jawline he possessed. His brows were even, set over pairs of calculating eyes. The man’s face held a stoic look while his lips were set in a line. You were shocked that such a handsome face could belong to an imposing figure like his. Despite his stately appearance, there was a sense of familiarity there that was comforting. The morning sunlight shone against his figure, almost deifying him. 

The man’s gaze found yours and that feeling of calm swayed to a sense of purpose. Like all your life had been waiting for that precise moment. 

His eyes were kind and inviting, but also commanding. You were stuck by how off-guard you became. The snow that fell around you, including the world, faded into the background. A sudden pounding feeling hit the back of your head. It was like a part of you, somewhere deep inside, was clawing to be released. It felt as though you knew him already. 

Orym shook your arm slightly, “Are you alright?” 

You broke your gaze from the man and turned to the healer, “Just fine. Could we go to my grandmother now?” 

Orym took your arm and escorted you through the streets of the town. People began to bustle through the streets. All were friendly, exchanging good words with others as they passed. Some stalls opened to sell goods ranging from fish to other oddities. You were slightly angered that you had spent so long away from such a town. This place would have been a wonderful area to grow up in. There was a fair amount of carved wolf imagery in the wood and stone that made up all of the buildings, a running theme throughout Winterfell.

There were summers that you spent here in your youth, but the memories of them had faded with time. 

After a few short minutes, you and the healer happened upon a cottage. It was humble but looked homely amongst the snowed backdrop. You had a faint recollection of this place, but since those scattered memories were only marked by summertime, the winter feel of everything was new. Yet, the winter here somehow felt warmer in spite of the biting cold. Three large oak trees surrounded the home, protecting it from the elements. 

Orym opened the gate that surrounded the cottage and walked you to the door. He tapped three times on the knocker. He announced you coming before opening the door. Orym bid you a good day before hurrying on to another patient who needed him. When you entered the home, it was apparent that your grandmother lived there. It was neat but decorated immensely with furnishings, quilts, and other odds and ends. The smell of baked goods permeated the air, mixed with hints of dried lilac. 

From the door of a room on the far end emerged your grandmother. She was a short and plump woman whose natural energy radiated everywhere she went. While your heart swelled upon seeing her for the first time in many years, you could not help but notice the slight sway in her step and the way her eyes were almost glazed over. 

She welcomed you with a great hug, “Oh, darling look how you’ve grown!” For the first time since your arrival, you felt warm and at home with just a simple embrace. 

“How are you, grandmother?” You questioned. The woman pulled back to look at you and pinched your cheek lightly. 

“I am healthiest than ever. Really, it is just a cold.” She then moved over to her kitchen, but her steps faltered and you caught her and guided her to a seat by the hearth. 

You knelt and began to stoke the fire more as it had reduced to burning embers. While you were occupied, your grandmother began to brief you on all her symptoms and how the sickness had progressed, but she seemed to be in denial about how bad it had gotten. Your worry had tripled upon seeing her state. 

You took out the raspberry tarts that your grandmother would love. Over the course of a few hours, you two caught up on all the years missed. It was as if no time had passed. You ate the treats and laughed by the fire as the cottage warmed. At some point, you made tea that the both of you nurtured in cups. 

There was a sudden knock on the door that broke you out of the story you had been telling. Your grandmother smiled like she knew who was there and called out for them to come in. The door opened, and a large figure fit through the doorway, ducking to get in. The light from the gray day outside hit his back and cast the front in darkness. He closed the door and suddenly you could see it was the same man who you saw just a few hours prior. 

“Cregan, how was your hunt?” Your grandmother asked. The man, who you now knew as Cregan, smiled and moved to place a wrapped package on the table next to the kitchen. 

“A large stag. I saved you a hindquarters cut.” He responded. You furrowed your brows. The hindquarter was one of the most expensive and you wondered why this man was just giving it away.  Your grandmother stood up to go and unwrap the meat and you followed.

Your grandmother looked between you and the man and decided to introduce you, “This is my granddaughter. I told you she was coming to take care of me.” 

Cregan then moved to greet you, taking your hand in his and pressing a chaste kiss to your knuckles, “It’s good to see you again after all these years.” 

You were confused by his words. There was not a moment you could recall ever meeting a man such as him. Surely, with looks like that, you would remember. Upon seeing your confused expression, Cregan released your hand and looked to your grandmother. 

“I am sorry if I misstepped there. It was rude to assume you would remember me, for you were a few years younger.” 

It was then that the scratch from the back of your brain was alleviated. The name had sounded familiar, but now that you were closer to him, that familiarity you felt when you saw him for the first time washed away to the faintest of memories. It was flashing still moments in your brain. The tall summer grass, glaring sun, and the images of children running in an open field. The same dark hair bounced on the head of a young child, just a few years your senior, as the two of you chased the other children. 

“Cregan?” You spoke, “I think I remember.” 

The corners of his mouth turned upwards, “Well, I never was one to make lasting impressions,” He joked. 

Your grandmother hit his shoulder gently, “Don’t be so silly, you are a wonderful young man.” You could clearly see that Cregan and your grandmother got along well. He must have been taking care of your grandmother for a long time. It made your heart stutter.

The old lady then yawned, “Could you show my granddaughter around Winterfell? I am awfully tired.” There was a mischievous glint in your grandmother’s eye and you were unsure of her motives. 

“It would be my pleasure,” Cregan answered. He turned to you, “If you would like to, of course.” 

“It would be good to see all of Winterfell as I plan to stay for a while.” Your reply made the subtle, almost indecipherable smile on Cregan’s face light up a little more. You and Cregan gave goodbyes to your grandmother and put your cloaks on. The scarlet colour was a sharp contrast to the greys and blacks that made up Cregan’s clothing. 

Cregan held open the door for you. You gave one last look to your grandmother who sent a wink your way. Your face flushed at figuring out her plan to get the two of you alone. Surely, if you had mentioned seeing Aegon back home, she would not have done this. It also made you question yourself. Why had you not spoken of Aegon when catching up with her? He was a large part of your life, yet did not seem important enough at the time to bring up. 

Upon reaching the road, Cregan began to point out important locations. The bakery, library, market, and everything in between. You noticed everyone had kind exchanges with Cregan. They seemed to gravitate towards him. 

“The people like you.” You spoke to him. 

Cregan glanced at you for a moment while still walking, “Well, I am the lord of Winterfell. My family was given the title by our Queen Rhaenyra’s ancestors. It is a lucky position to be in. I’m grateful to serve these people.” You watched as children ran across a patch of road, all giggling and chasing one another. 

“Is Winterfell in need of a teacher?” You asked. Cregan weighed your question for a moment. 

“We could always use help with the children around here. Are you a teacher back home?” Cregan spoke. 

“Yes. If I am to be here for a while, I should contribute and get money to support my grandmother.” You reasoned. A light dusting of snow began to fall and settled all around. Pieces of snow clung to Cregan’s hair and he shook his head. 

“You need not trouble yourself with work. I have taken care of your grandmother for years, I can do the same for you.” He spoke. 

Your heart warmed at his words. “That is kind, Cregan, truly. However, I would like to teach.” 

“A beautiful woman like you should not trouble herself with work,” Cregan responded. Your brows furrowed at his words, having taken them the wrong way.

“So a woman’s looks dictate whether or not she should work?” You crossed your arms. 

Cregan froze while you continued to walk. He was caught off guard by your quip. “That was not my implication. I merely thought that your husband would have made sure you have enough coin for your trip.” You turned around to see him stopped with his hands raised in a surrendering manner. 

“I do not have a husband,” Cregan caught up to your pace and let out a hum after your words, “But there is a man I may marry, he is a blacksmith back home. His name is Aegon.” 

Your gaze was focused on what was in front of you, but you could still see the hardened gaze of Cregan’s features. His lips turned down to a sharp frown. The name almost seemed to evoke a deep response in him. 

“Well, then you must be sure that he will treat you perfectly if you are so faithful in his intentions.” Cregan’s words seemed to hide a double meaning that you struggled to ascertain. His steps fell harder on the snow-covered ground. You began to question the meaning of your relationship with Aegon. Now that you were away from him, it felt like you were washed from the confinement of his presence. A troubling but newfound realization. It was then that a guard turned around the corner and looked relieved to see Cregan. 

“Lord Stark! You are needed at the gate.” The guard spoke and then spotted you there as well. He lowered his voice, “Tracks have been spotted.” 

Cregan tilted his head in question, “I fail to see how that warrants my attention.” 

“My lord, it is uh…” The guard whispered the last bit, “Wolf tracks. Not of our own.” His words made Cregan’s shoulders stiffen. His gloved hands formed hard fists. You were confused about those last words, not of our own. The meaning was lost to you. 

Cregan turned to you, “It is best that you get back to your grandmother’s house. I must go handle this.” He moved in the direction of the gate with the guard following. You stood back for a few moments in the falling snow and watched as he walked away. The chill crept up your spine and you decided it was best to go inside. 

⋅───⊱༺ ☾ 🐾☽ ༻⊰───⋅ 

The first week in Winterfell was spent taking care of your grandmother, watching over some of the kids at the school, and spending your free time with Cregan. The children in Winterfell were much more calm in the classroom, but also wicked tricksters outside. However, you managed to gain respect from the kids and are not subjected as a victim to their pranks. That was done rather easily having brought them butter tarts and candied lemons. 

Once the children trusted you, the people of Winterfell warmed to your presence as well. They were wary of outsiders, but seeing their children take a liking to you was enough to sway them. You were on your way to do errands. While weaving through the streets you listened in on people talking. Bits and pieces hit your ears. 

“Jamie is improving on his reading.” 

“There are no good pieces of-” 

“The full moon is tonight.” 

“Where is Lily?” 

You made your way through the street stalls. While on your errands you wondered what Cregan was up to. You had found a good friend in him, despite the fact that your heart would beat faster and your cheeks would burn when you got near him. He had been a friendly companion, having shown you around Winterfell and introduced you to his friends. His friends, while a bunch of rowdy loud-mouthed people, had treated you respectfully. 

Cregan continued to check in on your grandmother and bring game from hunts every day. There are moments when you are alone with Cregan, that you find your resolve crumbling. With each passing day, your fancy for Aegon dwindled to the point that he was rarely - if ever - on your mind. It brought you an immense feeling of guilt. Aegon has been nothing but supportive of you and your family. While he did tend to get overprotective - at one point fighting an old childhood friend simply for talking to you - Aegon still showed you passion. 

Yet, with Cregan, he introduced a type of stability you had never felt before. There was support given to you, but reassurance and encouragement in your own capability of taking care of yourself. You were not treated as helpless by Cregan, a surprising contrast to the men back home. It was nice to see, but also wildly different than what you were used to. It confused you to see such a difference in culture despite there only being a brief two days of travel between the two places. Cregan only said that it was the way Winterfell functioned. 

“We are like a pack here - always looking out for one another.” 

It was easy for you to fall in love with Winterfell in just a week. With your grandmother’s improving condition, you wondered how many days you had left in your stay. It was incredibly relieving to have your grandmother up and active more and coughing less, though you wondered if it would be okay to extend your stay. 

You spotted one of Cregan’s friends, Ser Dustin, walking in your direction. He was a few years older than Cregan, with a bushy beard and muscled figure. His clothing matched Cregans - dark greys and black with silver embellishments and the familiar wolf head insignia on a patch on his chest. You smiled in greeting. His normal warm smile was replaced with a troubled look on his face. 

“Are you alright, Ser Dustin?” You questioned. 

“Quite alright. The night is approaching, you should be inside.” He responded. 

You pulled your scarlet cloak tighter around your frame, “Have you seen Cregan? I have not seen him today.” Ser Dustin sighed. 

“Cregan has been busy with his duties. I’m sure you will see him tomorrow.” His brief dismissal was so out of character. You blinked a few times. 

“Okay,” You spoke, “I’ll be going home now.” While you wanted to talk to him more, his earlier comment on the day ending almost sounded like a warning rather than an observation. It sent a deep feeling of uncertainty in your bones. The cold of the weather was not the origin of the chill that slithered up your spine. 

You took a few steps back from Ser Dustin before turning and going on your way. When you were out of sight, your hands grabbed the fabric of your skirt and lifted it up so you could run. You sprinted as fast as your clothing could allow you until you reached your grandmother's house. You swung the door open and flung yourself against the door to close it. Your lungs were pushing for any semblance of air. Your grandmother looked up from the table as she was setting down two bowls of stew. 

“Is everything alright?” She questioned. You calmed your breathing and shrugged off your scarlet cloak to hang it up on a hook by the door. 

“Everything is fine, grandma.” You lied, not wishing to stress her out, “What’s for dinner?” 

“Stew.” She responded. 

Dinner was spent with your grandmother taking up most of the conversation. You nodded along graciously and occasionally made quick observations, but your mind was elsewhere. The entire day something had felt off. An unfamiliar itch that you could not ascertain. The people of Winterfell seemed more tense than usual, and the countless ornamented wolf heads felt like they were staring through your soul, piercing everything within. You had chalked the feeling up to homesickness, nothing more. Yet, your gut was sounding an alarm. 

It is nothing but missing home.

You exchanged goodnights with your grandmother and secluded yourself in your room. The gentle monotony of your night routine lulled your nerves just a bit. You were down to your nightclothes - a thin white shift with silver vine embroidery - when your gaze locked with the small window. Night had come and you could see the full moon rising in the distance. Clouds obscured the moon, but its white light still illuminated Winterfell. 

A pounding sensation began to hit the back of your head. You lay down in your bed hoping that some rest would wash it away. Over the period of a few hours, your body tossed and turned as you fell in and out of sleep. You had left your window open just a hair to let in the winter cold, but your body felt like it had been set alight. 

It was in that forever torment of heat and restlessness that a shrill shriek cut through the crisp night air; a sounding cry bellowed from the depths of a chest and torn through the vocal cords. Wolf calls echoed the sound and bounced off the walls of buildings until they bounced throughout your skull. When the vibrations hit your ears, the pounding in your head eased. 

Another shriek rang out.

_____________

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ if you want to be added to any taglist, click here.

series taglist: @uniquecutie-puffs @dracaryxzs @beebeechaos @libdarkheart @whodis? @void21 @l-uminescent @idontlikelizards @poppinspops @nixtape-foryou

[marcmarcmomarc]

So, we all know @pmpknsoup’s “Ruby and Robyn holding hands while Ruby tells the group where she, Jaune, and the girls have been throughout Volume 9” post by this point. I’ve brought it up too many times on my blog.

However, thanks to @onceuponalegendbg-rwby, I see now that how such a scenario would slot into Volume 10 could go one of two ways.

On one hand, if it’s in an episode, it can fade between different inaudible sections of the story and catch up with Ruby finishing the story so that the volume doesn’t lose too much time on information we already know.

On the other hand, if it’s a character short like the ones Volumes 4-6 had, then the actual Volume 10 can focus on the story and we can actually see every reaction.

Personally, I think the character short choice is better. A way to satisfy everyone. Heck, I think it could have made for a good episode of RWBY Volume 9: Beyond, but then again, there were going to be more stories in mind before CRWBY had to settle on just four, due to Rooster Teeth’s shutdown and probably limited voice actor availability.

[ellena-asg]

Willabeth and Sparrington + parallels

I love how the beginning of the movie gives us Will meeting Lizzie and Jack meeting James, their "forbidden fruits". A pirate and a blacksmith (who is also a pirate) meeting people from elite (who will also become pirates) and changing their (well, all four's) lives.

And these are ships that not only met in the same way in their childhood (book) but also got a similar scene now (movie). Look at them. They're doing the same. They can't stop looking at each other, they're flirting, they're having The Moment (it kills me how ready for that is Lizzie and how ready is Jack but Will and especially James are repressed - Will "I can't, I'm just a poor blacksmith and she's a governor's daughter, I'm doomed, I'm very doomed" Turner and James "I'm in the Navy and he's a pirate, he's a man and my society expects me to have a wife, why do I even... why he is SO... what happened" Norrington).

Them 😭♥️ They invented romance.

[medievalandfantasymelee]

THE HOT MEDIEVAL & FANTASY MEN MELEE

FIRST ROUND: 48th Tilt

Edward the Black Prince, A Knight's Tale (2001) VS. Gendry, Game of Thrones (2011-2013)

Propaganda

Edward the Black Prince, A Knight's Tale (2001) Portrayed by: James Purefoy Defeated Opponents: - King Henry VII Tudor [Luke Treadaway], The Hollow Crown (2012-2016)

“The medieval romantic disguised royalty trope, the ridiculous but very sexy long leather coat, the cheeky sense of humour...”

Gendry, Game of Thrones (2011-2013) Portrayed by: Joe Dempsie Defeated Opponents: - Ubbe Ragnarsson [Jordan Patrick Smith], Vikings (2013-2020)

“The bastard son of a king, and an accomplished blacksmith. He also has pretty, pretty blue eyes. (Cont. Under the Cut)

Additional Propaganda Under the Cut

Additional Propaganda

For Prince Edward:

For Gendry:

"Gendry's response to his old friend coming back as a terrifying assassin is to sleep with her. Good for him.”

[nico-di-genova]

Extremely late night Rossi lore for you all before I head to bed:

If given the choice, he’d go back to the 1800s to live as an “upper middle class” blacksmith who pillages as a pirate on the side. Okay, Will Turner. Important to note: this is the same man who immediately called someone to come install a generator in his house, and who said he’d rather his house burn down so the next one could have power, just a few days ago when his power got knocked out. He thinks he is Will Turner, when in fact he might be more like that pampered dog from Disney’s Pocahontas.

He’s super sensitive to dust and pollen and sneezes basically every time he’s in the car. He sneezes every time. Full closing his eyes sneezing doing 200+ mph on ovals…crazy. Forget the caffeine pills he needs allergy meds.

Doesn’t like saltwater, the ocean or the beach. Didn’t say why exactly, just that he doesn’t like it. He does like lakes though, and boating. So one can only assume he is Anakin Skywalker and does not like sand because it’s coarse and fine and gets everywhere.

So meticulous in his cleaning that he once spent 45 minutes, in team kit, fresh from the track, picking weeds from his driveway because he was so bothered by them.Also, once cleaned the street because as he was cleaning his driveway he figured “yeah, why not”. But he still does not do laundry, that’s Kelly’s chore.

James and Becky come over (or used to come over) to the Rossi household to make gingerbread houses together during Christmas time. Found family shenanigans.

[lienspien]

ASSIGNING MARAUDERS CHARACTERS INTO A HSR FACTION/WHAT I THINK THEY WOULD CONTIBUTE TO IN A HSR WORLD (im bored out of my mind and i will explain.)

James Potter : The Family. The family are followers of the harmony, They believe that the universe will eventually become a single harmonious entity and that civilizations throughout the universe will eventually become as close as siblings. He'll be part of the Iris Family who entertain and spread the word of Harmony. Basically they're people who want peace, but their idea of peace is a little bit too idealistic.

Sirius Black : The Galaxy Rangers. They think that violence should be used against violence, and believe that benevolence and justice need to be upheld via personal action. Basically, they go around saving people who go against their morals. They dont have a collective agreed upon moral code or anything, they have their own personal thing and independence which i think fits Sirius perfectly. He likes to especially help planets thats in the brink of falling, he helps with his knowledge of economy, blacksmith and linguistics. He brings outside knowledge into almost fallen planets and help them get back to their feet.

Remus Lupin : The nameless. They travel the stars to help link worlds together and go on adventures. Remus joined the nameless without any specific plan in mind, he just wanted to get away from his home planet and meet new people and access the data bank.

Peter Pettigrew : I think Peter would just be a regular overworlder in Jarilo-VI, but he greatly believes in the preservation and the power of the architects. He has hope that one day his home would be able to be free, and that they can see light and feel warmth naturally again.

Lily Evans : The Intelligentsia Guild, she travels the world to exchange knowledge, to earn more and to share it across the world. She does her research while helping those in need. She believes that with knowledge and the preservation, the world could be at peace and keep civilizations afloat for decades to come.

Mary Macdonald : The family. She also believes that the world should and could be a harmonious place and everyone would live in harmony and equality. She learns through pages upon pages of history though, and is captivated by Idrilia, Aeon of Beauty. She recognises that THEY have fallen, but still believes in the beauty in all that is around her. Until she finds a fragment of a Mirror of Transcendence, and since then she makes it her mission to look for more parts of the mirror to bring back Idrila and all that is beautiful into the world. So she is a mirror holder and joins the astral express exactly to look for more of the mirror fragments.

Marlene Mckinnon : The galaxy rangers. She has strong morals and really hates inequality and unfairness, she holds justice above all else and ventures far and wide to uphold it. She especially likes fighting followers of the destruction, making sure that they do not ruin more lives.

[sitp-recs]

Teddy Lupin Appreciation Reclist

I hope everyone’s already read my gorgeous gift Wield Me by @tackytigerfic because that fic finally inspired me to finish and post this rec list! I’ve been a big Teddy fan since his name came up in the books; thanks to @lqtraintracks I was lucky to get introduced to and fall in love with Harry/Teddy many years ago. Sometimes it’s hard to read them together with other ships because just like Peter Parker, Teddy holds a very special place in my heart and I just want him to be happy and loved 🥹 so to celebrate my long-standing love for this character - which was boosted a hundred times by Tacky’s gift, I thought I’d share my favorite Teddys - both in romantic and platonic relationships - in fic. btw if anyone wants to start a Teddy centric fest let me know!

🏍️ Coming Up for Air by @lqtraintracks (Hardy, M, 2k)

I could have died of it, your tenderness toward me. Instead I decided to live.

🍑 Five Years Since Bimbleswats by tryslora (Tedrarry, E, 4k)

It’s been five years since Bimbleswats, and Draco thinks that is definitely something worth celebrating.

💦 Waiting Under Vain by supergrover24 (Hardy, E, 5k)

Teddy wants to know how sex really should be. Harry can't resist, no matter how much he tries.

🥩 The Lies We Live With by @bixgirl1 (Jeddy, E, 5k)

It doesn’t really count… is almost always followed by a lie, James learns, growing up.

🎨 Surface Texture by @the-starryknight (Hardy, E, 5k)

I've drawn a hundred portraits, but none quite like Harry's. In the early hours of the morning, I lay him bare in charcoal and paper.

👠 When It Alteration Finds by @lqtraintracks (Hardy, E, 7k)

Teddy thinks this is the way to finally get what he wants. But there is more than one way to Harry's heart.

🧁 Holding Out for A Hero by @writcraft (Hardy, E, 7k)

Even as he says no, Harry’s hands push into Teddy’s hair. Even as he protests, his lips connect with Teddy’s. Before Teddy can offer any reassurance his heart’s thumping wildly in his chest and Harry Potter’s kissing him as if there’s no tomorrow.

🐉 On the Same Side by rillalicious (Teddy/Charlie, M, 7.5k)

Teddy is heading to Romania to protest a proposed anti-dragon law. He finds an interesting ally there.

🧅 Shut Up and Kiss Me by @unmistakablyoatmeal (Hardy, E, 8k)

There's a reason Harry walks an extra ten blocks to go to the shops and it has nothing to do with onions. AU.

🪞 Portrait of a Young Girl by @thusspoketrish (Drarry, M, 8.6k)

Recently married, Harry and Draco are tasked with raising a four-year old Teddy, whose emerging gender identity brings up an array of questions, fears, and revelations for them when they realise that Teddy might be transgender.

⚔️ Wield Me by @tackytigerfic (Drarry + hints at Tedrarry, E, 10k)

Draco Malfoy, blacksmith, is renowned through the magical world for his skill and exquisite creations. He could quite easily spend the rest of his days making pretty trinkets for the fae court, and being handsomely rewarded for the privilege. But why take the easy route when instead he could get involved in a dangerous mission with Unspeakable Harry Potter (who also happens to be Draco's... well, he's something, isn't he?). A little story about learning to strike while the iron is hot.

🦆 Hallo Spaceboy by @shiftylinguini (Jeddy, T, 10k)

Or: James kissed Teddy last night. This may or may not be the end of the world.

🧹 Overexposed by @nv-md (Tedrarry, E, 10k)

Teddy never expected to become a model for Nimbus, and he definitely didn't expect any of the adverts to catch Harry and Draco's attention. But now that it's happened, Teddy can't deny he gets a thrill every time he catches Harry and Draco staring, and he's going to do everything he can to keep their eyes on him.

🎸 like the lost lyrics of a song suddenly remembered by @lqtraintracks (Teddy/Bill + Jeddy, E, 11k)

Teddy Lupin, aging rockstar, is making a comeback after his life and career were nearly ruined by an illegal potions habit. Everyone's out to support him tonight. Including the man he's always tried so hard not to love -- as well as the man he's always turned to instead.

⛺️ Good Intent by @maesterchill (Jeddy + past Hardy, E, 12k)

It all starts on the camping trip when James gets his dick out in the tent.

🎾 Game, Set, Match by @writcraft (Hardy, E, 13k)

Teddy is smitten, Harry is lonely and tennis seems like a great way to avoid dealing with this thing between them.

🤝 Team Players by @shiftylinguini (Jeddy + James/Oliver, E, 15k)

Everyone has that one celebrity they’d move heaven and earth to get between their legs, and James Potter is no exception. He just never anticipated that number one on his Freebie List would end up in the same room as him, let alone would make the first move. But lucky for James, Teddy is a team player―well, he probably is, especially with what James is suggesting.

🍨 The Strongest Affinity by eidheann (Drarry, T, 17k)

Trouble finding a wand for Scorpius leads Harry and Draco to something they never imagined.

🦋 Meet Me at Midnight by @the-starryknight (Drarry, T, 57k)

Harry was beginning to wonder if he’d ever make anything again when Malfoy stormed through the door of Harry’s furniture shop. Now Harry’s got an impossible Ministry commission to finish, and even less energy than ever to deal with his elusive muse. That is, until he stumbles upon the surreal and beautiful world of a mysterious fae creature…

🌳 By the Grace by lettered (Drarry, T, 140k)

Harry is an Auror instructor. Malfoy wants to be an Auror.