#Girl Hunt Ballet

[clarulitas]

Clarulitas

Fred Astaire in the "Girl Hunt" ballet from The Band Wagon (1953)

Digital painting

2024

_

Here it is! Another digital painting study in my movie poster series. This is the best one I've done so far.

I particularly love the lighting in this scene from The Band Wagon, and I tried to capture its essence, along with Fred's features. It was difficult during the sketch stage, but once I started painting, it all came together (or at least I think so 😅).

More details of the finished artwork:

Any suggestions on how to improve the painting are welcome! ✨

[film-classics]

Movie: The Band Wagon (1953)

New York's most sought-after ballerina, Gabrielle "Gaby" Gerard (Cyd Charisse), stars in her first Broadway musical production, and one of the most exciting parts of the play is the 12-minute “Girl Hunt Ballet” dance sequence, in which Gaby plays the seductive vamp in a red hot sequined dress with an art deco style diamond choker.

The necklace is most likely costume jewelry as many of the sketches of Mary Ann Nyberg, the film's costume designer, still exist, and they all include Cyd's accessories in the sketches. During the 1970 David Weisz Co. MGM Public Auction held at the famed studio's backlot, most of the movie's props and costumes were sold, which probably included this choker.

[mthguy]

The genius of Michael Jackson is evident in this homage to Fred Astaire and his dance number, "The Girl Hunt Ballet," in the MGM musical The Band Wagon, as he performs "Smooth Criminal."

[invisiblestringmm]

chapter four

i’ll tell you the truth but never goodbye

a/n: i hope this chapter makes you cry 😂

tw: there’s a bit of angst, and definitely lots of fluff. y/n struggling with being a single mum. mason being a gorgeous mf. lily being the cutest human, lots of lily appreciation too.

3.100k words

It didn’t come as a surprise to see Jaz keeping her promise to support you as best as she could - you got daily FaceTime calls, texts, and Instagram DMs. You got post-ballet dinners and ice cream, the four of you becoming closer each day - Lily and Summer were inseparable now, and you had Jaz not getting tired of telling you she felt like you’d become the sister she never had.

Not being able to control where your thoughts went, your mind made you question a few times how it would’ve been having this extra support when you were pregnant, and you asked yourself if you’d ever stop being hunted by the countless what-ifs of yours and Lily’s life. You had to stop and take a deep breath and just force yourself to focus on all the wonderful things that were happening now, and how much you wanted them to still be this way when it was time to tell Mason, and everyone else.

Despite having Jaz reassure you that things would end up well, Mason was pretty much unknown territory to you, emotionally speaking - yes, you gave birth to his “mini-me”, but that was no guarantee that you were able to predict him. Not knowing what to expect should’ve made you stay as far away as possible from him, but after you had a text message from Jaz sharing the big news that Mason would be at the ballet recital, while you watched your daughter roll her eyes in the delight as she devoured the pancakes and strawberries on her plate, you decided to reply to that message he had sent you weeks ago.

What you didn’t expect was for him to reply within less than a minute.

“Mummy, are you okay?” Lily had her eyebrows frowned at you, she curiously scanned your probably pale face as your heart pounded against your chest. A simple nod was enough for her to focus back on the pancakes, but also give you occasional and quick glares as your shaky hands tightly held the phone.

You barely had any appetite left as you felt your stomach dropping when Mason texted that - so, he wanted to see you. It wasn’t time yet, at least, it didn’t feel like it. But should the ballet recital be the best place to meet him? Would you be able to act surprised and sustain casualty at that meeting that’d be sort of arranged by his sister?

So many questions and insecurity surrounded you whenever Mason was on your mind, and having to look into Lily’s hazel eyes, her smile, and everything else on her that was his copy only made it worse for you - it was nearly suffocating, and you just needed a mother and daughter moment to focus on anyone but Lilian.

“Peanut,” you poked her tummy, making her giggle. “Why don’t we have a girl's afternoon today, huh? Museum, whatever you want for lunch and we can wrap it with skincare and Moana!”

Lily stood on the chair - your instinct making you hold her arm - and made her little celebration dance, still chewing the pancake, her dark brown soft curls bouncing. That vision completely took your breath away, you often couldn’t believe such a precious girl was your daughter.

Not that all of your days weren’t already hers, but dedicating a whole day off to Lily was your favourite thing to do. When she was just a baby, you often imagined how these days would be, with your little best friend and soulmate, on coffee dates and nights where you’d light up a scented candle and read her a book. The way your voice soothed her was Lily’s favourite thing, combined with your smell. It made her feel safe like nothing could ever harm her. In her dreams, her daddy joined the two of you - she couldn’t see his face but could feel the warmth of his hand holding hers and his laugh was the best sound in the world. Lily wondered if she’d ever meet him, the only thing she knew and was happy about was the fact that she looked like him, as you’ve told her countless times.

Careful not to lose Lily from your sight as she walked three steps in front of you, her eyes not sure what she wanted to focus her attention on at the museum, your mind went back to Mason’s last words to you that morning. So, he wanted to apologise for the way he treated you. Part of you felt good about it, that he had finally recognised what a complete twat he had been, but the other part of you just thought how that made no difference now - it was in the past. Not buried, since your past with him had taken the most angelic human form, but it wouldn’t change things. It was all about the future now.

For lunch, Lily insisted on spaghetti, her all-time favourite food. You had to persuade her a bit to eat a bit of protein too because pasta would make her feel hungry again by the afternoon, and you knew how much she hated being hungry right before taking a nap - your persuasion included the word dessert, so not much time was wasted trying to convince her to accept some chicken with her pasta.

Your phone buzzed with a real-time picture of Jaz and Summer by the time you had just bought a gorgeous bouquet of yellow roses, Lily’s favourite. She insisted that a good girls’ night would only be complete if you had fresh roses, that she wanted to carry herself. You quickly snapped a picture of her and sent it to Jaz, asking why they’d have to grow up so fast and that her niece was insufferable.

“Can you please behave like a child and not like an adult, Lilian Maisie?” like a little kid, you pouted, suddenly emotional to see so much wit and wisdom in your tiny human.

Lily giggled, “Mummy!” she held your hand, placing a soft kiss against it and walking according to your pace. “Can we go home now?” You nodded, quickly fetching an Uber to drive you home.

By the time you got there, she was already heavily sleeping in your arms as you clumsily also carried your purse and the flowers, and tried to open the door without troubling her sleep - if it was up to you, you’d find a way for mums to have an extra pair of arms, they’d definitely be useful in times like these.

You knew Lily wouldn’t sleep that much, so the sofa was where you put her before putting the roses in the water and getting rid of your coat. It was almost dark outside, so you also started to prepare the apartment for movie night. Your little girl woke up with a loud yawn that was followed by a wide smile when she noticed the blankets and pillows on the floor, some candies in a bowl, and fruits too, which were her favourite snacks.

“Matching pyjamas?” you winked at her and giggled as Lily nodded repeatedly, stretching her arms at you so you’d carry her to the bedroom.

A few minutes later you were cuddling under the blankets and watching Moana for the millionth time. You fell asleep shortly before the film ended and were quickly followed by Lily as she hummed an “I love you, mummy” and kissed the tip of your nose.

Despite not being the most comfortable place for your back to spend the night, there was no other place you’d rather be right now, holding your daughter's warm and small body - the smell of her strawberry shampoo and the pace of her calm breathing taking you to a place where no nightmares, no worries, would catch you in your sleep. You woke up in the middle of the night when she moved a bit and, after watching her sleep for a few minutes, finally turned off the TV and quickly texted Mason before going back to sleep.

When you woke up, there was a message from Jaz saying that they’d all go out for dinner after the ballet recital, and as hard as it was, you had to politely decline for you’d have a little celebration with your own family in a pre-Christmas party since a few members wouldn’t be joining at Foxwoods this year. And that you wouldn’t be able to be around Mason before telling him all the truth, which led to you telling her that he had reached you and you agreed to talk. She went from upset to hopeful in the blink of an eye.

As you prepared for the recital, you had to deal with an impatient and bossy Lily - combined with stress from work, that you had to forcefully turn into home office for the Holidays, the exhaustion that took over your body grew by the minute. It resulted in calling your mum for help, who showed up with your dad on her side by your door.

“You know she’d ask for me anyway, kid!” Your always cheerful father rubbed his hands together as he went straight for his granddaughter, who waited for him with her arms up, waiting to be spun around like a doll. You loved how your dad, a serious and famous lawyer, turned so soft whenever Lily was around - and now, how he’d cope with having to eventually “share” her with her other grandfather.

“Where do you need me to begin, amor?” Your mother’s heavy Colombian accent woke you up, and a sigh of relief parted your lips as you pulled her into a hug. “What is wrong, bebe? Tell your mamá,” Her hands softly stroked your back as you just closed your eyes and enjoyed being the daughter instead of being the mum.

“It’s nothing, I’m just exhausted. I thought that being one of the bosses would give me more free time but it’s just more work, and Lily is insufferable with this recital thing,” you sniffed. “I’m so glad it’s finally tomorrow.”

But you also weren’t, because it meant you’d see Mason after five years.

-

If anyone told you that your daughter’s ballet recital would be the place you’d almost certainly meet her father again, especially without him being the father of another kid there, you’d just roll your eyes and leave - as you stood in front of your closet, not sure about what to wear, your mind played tricks on you creating different scenarios on how that meeting would go. There was so much expectation from you, so much anxiety to see how Mason would react. He thought you’d meet for coffee sometime soon, not at a ballet recital where you were the mother of one of the kids.

Much to your relief, Willow arrived at your place right on time to save you from a breakdown over “what to wear to meet the father of my daughter after five years without looking like an exhausted mother, but also drop-dead gorgeous, and respectful”.

“Lord, that’s specific!” Willow screeched, not really helping you, in the end. “Why do you want to impress him anyway?”

“Willie, I know you’re smarter than this,” you replied as she just shrugged, still waiting for an answer. You got a positive reaction when you picked a knit burgundy dress, so you tried it on and what you saw in the mirror made you satisfied. “The next time I see him it’ll be to tell him the truth, so he needs a good first second impression.”

“His first impression of you was good enough,” she teased, watching your cheeks blush as she helped to remove the dress tag. “But you’re wearing a brand new dress for him tonight, so I’m sure the second impression will be just as good.”

“Stop it, silly. You know it’s not like this, and he doesn’t know it’s a new dress.”

Willow kept teasing you with her glares and smirks as the five of you drove to the small theatre rented for the night by the ballet studio, it was already a bit crowded when you got there and you rushed to take Lily to the backstage, where all her ballet friends greeted her in excitement. It truly was the cutest thing in the world, those little humans in their tutus, giggling and chatting like they were grown-ups.

With a quick and wet kiss on your daughter’s cheek - that made her adorably embarrassed - and a hug on Summer, you told the girls how wonderful they were and left to find your family. You quickly spotted Willow and Jaz laughing about something that made you curious, and although you were happy to see Jasmine, you also hoped it’d take a little longer to meet her and, potentially, the rest of her family. And Mason, to be more specific.

“He’s not here yet,” like she could read your mind, Jaz’s words caused you to sigh in relief. “You look gorgeous, by the way!”

Smiling at her, you softly stroked her bump. “You too, pretty mumma.”

As the lights dimmed down, announcing that the recital would begin soon, you and Willow parted ways from Jaz to meet your family. Your dad held your hand and gently squeezed it, his eyes already sparkling with tears - the truth was you couldn’t have done it without your parents, but your dad was something else. It was expected that being showered with affection would be something you’d get from your mum, who was a Latina, but you got it all from your dad because, according to him, you were the result of how much he adored your mum and Lily was an extension of that. His legacy, as he’d say. He never questioned your choices, the way you raised your daughter, nor why you never talked about who Lily’s father was. The respect your parents had for you was overwhelming, and that’s why you’d tell the whole truth tonight as soon as Lily was peacefully asleep.

When the five-year-olds act began, you were the one ready to let some tears roll down your cheeks. There she was, your Lilian Maisie, as beautiful as ever on her first ballet performance - something you never truly expected, since she had always been the adventurous type of kid. But you watched her balance it so perfectly that you often questioned if she was just five years old, and also how she’d be as a grown woman. As she danced, you had a clear vision of Lily in her early twenties. She was tall, her hair was a bit darker now but the soft curls were still there and so was the natural flush on her cheeks. She was beautiful and finally looked a bit more like you, but Mason’s smile was still there. She was kind, full of hope, funny, gracious and so smart. She was loved by everyone around her and made their lives better by simply existing.

When her act ended, you proudly stood up and clapped your hands as if your life relied on it. Her eyes scanned the audience, looking for you, and when she finally found you her face lit up and that smile you loved so much was there, making your heart melt. “I love you,” you mumbled, and she just winked at you.

Gosh, there was no way Mason wouldn’t love this girl to the point his heart would nearly explode. You wanted him to have it too.

Excusing yourself as the older girls got on stage, you went to the bathroom to fix your makeup. As you looked at yourself in the mirror, you searched for your phone and, with a courage you hadn’t felt in the longest time, you typed a quick message to Mason asking if he’d be willing to meet the next day, in the afternoon.

What you didn’t expect was to find him right outside, holding his phone with a wide smile on his lips.

Mason Mount looked as gorgeous as he’d ever been - you could smell his cologne even if you were at least ten steps away from him. Wearing black jeans, and a Dior sweater that made him look breathtakingly gorgeous, Mason ended the distance between you as you felt your heart beating faster each second. He was still holding his phone when he stopped in front of you.

“I literally just texted you back saying yes,” he ran his fingers through his hair and that was as sexy as you remembered. Mason had a beard now, and although he was still young, the wrinkles on the corners of his eyes were more evident now. “You’re the last person I thought I’d meet here.”

You nodded, forcing your brain to put some words together. “You too.” Lie. But you had to make it look like it was just a coincidence.

“You look incredible, Y/n,” Mason said under his breath, his eyes shamelessly scanning your outfit. That same pair of eyes was your favourite thing to look at every morning. Now you knew what Willow meant when she said that Lily and Mason were identical - how could he not notice when they met? “There’s so much I wanna say to you,” he continued.

“Save it for tomorrow.” You interrupted, not wanting to sound rude, and Mason nodded in agreement.

“Can I pick you up around 3?”

“I think we should meet there.” You said, thinking of how suffocating and awkward it’d be being inside a car with him after all these years. “There’s a nice place I usually go with my dau-,” you coughed, watching his brows frown. “With my best friend. I’ll text you the address and we’ll meet there.”

Then, all of a sudden, Mason pulled you into a hug. His warmth against your body melted your heart, and you could feel how his breath deepened as his arms tightened around your figure. “I’ll meet you there, so I can decently apologise for being a complete idiot to someone incredible like you.”

His words were all you needed to know for sure that this wouldn’t be easy.

Was he being genuine, or was he just trying to get into your pants like he did back then? Either way, things were immensely different now, for this wasn’t just about you and Mason anymore.

This was about her - Lily. It was about her future, her happiness, how his presence in her life would have a tremendous impact on how she’d develop and what kind of adult she’d be. Nothing would ever be the same, and there was nowhere to run.

This was going to be tough.

————

BONUS - SOCIAL MEDIA

next chapter

[girlrotterr]

⋆˚࿔ One Shots

❀ ellie williams:

- Taste of Worship - nsfw: You're the pastor's daughter.

- Trails of Sweetness - nsfw: Ellie's a worker at your family's peach farm.

- Headlines - sfw: After gaining more popularity in the public eye, your manager decided to hire you a bodyguard. Usually, you wouldn’t care, but this particular bodyguard, Ellie, is a cold and stubborn one, always controlling your decisions. Tonight, a big party is being thrown, but knowing Ellie, she won’t let you go. You can persuade her...right?

- Hunt - sfw: You were tasked with tracking a female trespasser who has been causing havoc on the WLF, killing numerous soldiers and stealing supplies. It was supposed to be a straightforward surveillance job. You weren't supposed to get caught...

- Fragments - request: You get bitten.

- She's Got My Attention - nsfw: You were hired as a model for a series of photoshoots at a local studio. At first, ellie, the photographer, seemed proffessional. But over time, things shifted. You started noticing how her eyes lingered. It wasn't supposed to be anything more than a job.

- Leave Without a Trace - nsfw: You attend an art exhibition where you unexpectedly lock eyes with your ex-girlfriend, Ellie Williams, whom you haven't seen in years.

- Oh baby, Can You Hear Me Moan? - nsfw: You come home earlier than usual to find your roommate Ellie’s door slightly ajar. You can’t help but peek inside.

- Lick It Up, Fucking Eat - nsfw: Ellie hires you to bring her shitty wife’s so-called "dream home" to life, but you end up fufilling something else.

- I Wanna Hold The Hand Inside You - sfw: Ellie, an art school dropout working at a bookstore, has a habit of sketching strangers she encounters. One day, she becomes captivated by a rising ballet star practicing at a nearby theater.

❀ abby anderson:

- Pussydrunk - nsfw: a drabble bc ovulation is no joke..

⋆˚࿔ Headcanons

❀ ellie williams:

- She's Thinking About Me Every Night, Oh! - slight nsfw: loser!ellie x stripper! reader!

- She Might Not Look Like She Gets Bitches. - sfw: streamer!ellie headcannons

⋆˚࿔ Series

❀ ellie williams:

- Ultraviolence - tw!: Years after returning from Seattle, you and Ellie chose to adopt a baby, hoping to rebuild your lives after the traumatic events. However, several months later, Ellie began struggling emotionally, haunted by her past, expressing her pain through cold and distant behavior.

- Ultraviolence pt 2

- Ultraviolence pt 3

❀ abby anderson:

- Milk Of The Siren - sfw: Captain Anderson is among the most skilled, effortlessly navigating countless ships. Yet, even the finest sailors aren't immune to the lure of sirens' hunger.

- Milk Of The Siren pt 2

❀ Other:

- But I'm a Lesbian! - slight nsfw: Forced to a camp known as "True Directions," your arrival was no choice of your own. Your parents, upon discovering your sexuality, had made the decision to send you there. As you followed your guide towards the dormitories, someone caught your eye—a girl with auburn hair, casually puffing on a cigarette.

- But i'm a Lesbian! pt 2

- But i'm a Lesbian! pt 3

- But i'm a Lesbian! pt 4

- But i'm a Lesbian! pt 5

- But I'm a Lesbian! - request: some flirting between reader x director

- But I'm a Lesbian! pt.6

[ohnomausey]

Okay, so I was asked (thank you @schafpudel for allowing me to talk about my favorite academic research field LMAO) to post my elaboration on how Mytho is a combination of and commentary on two hero archetypes, namely two opposing pre-existing Siegfried-characterizations and how that is referenced in the show (mainly through the music).

Sooo in the first half of the show Mytho is mostly characterized by being the prince that stands between the black swan and the white swan, Odile and Odette, Krähe and Tutu. The according scenes are accompanied by the music from the ballet „Swan Lake“. The prince of the ballet (he is called Siegfried) is notorious in the world of ballet for being extremely passive in his role as a prince, having his decisions made for him. All influence he has on the story itself is also by him NOT doing something (for example while hunting he chooses NOT to shoot the swan etc.). He’s kind of infamous for that and created the archetype of THE *ballet*-prince many others were modeled after.

Officially Mytho's character theme is from another Tchaikovsky ballet suite: the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from „The Nutcracker“. The reference falls kinda flat and i am not 100% sure what it means but the Sugar Plum Fairy is not much more than a kind, soft, benevolent princess-fairy. It sounds the part too and i think the softness fits season one Mytho regardless.

The Siegfried-references that are a lot more interesting however come from the Wagner operas being referenced. WHENEVER (and by this I really mean every single scene) where the main focus of discussion is Mytho’s identity of the prince from Prinz und Rabe, or his returning emotions and agency, the music that plays in the background is Richard Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll” which isn’t directly from any of Wagner’s „Ring of the Nibelungen“ Operas, but stands in close relation to them! It plays when he is waiting for Rue in the „On the Evening of the Fire Festival“ episode and dances with Duck instead and she notes how “this must be the real prince” and also „he danced with me because HE chose to do so!“, it also plays in a lot of scenes in between, e.g. one where Mytho himself talks about wanting his heart back in episode 14 and then most importantly during his transformation into Prinz Siegfried in episode 25, shortly after which he calls himself “Siegfried”.

Wagner’s Siegfried is the hero of the composers biggest work. He is also the “ideal man of the future” as coined by Wagner in his more sociological, revolutionary writings. He stands for heroism, revolution, standing up to the gods and bringing with him literally a new era of time (Wagner literally named his SON „Siegfried“ and wrote the „Siegfried Idyll“ for him when he was born. That is how much faith he had in the idea of this very masculine hero figure that will lead us all to peace and the future…). Wagner’s Siegfried is the ideal hero archetype as we still reference in stories today. He is fearless, strong, intuitive and reckless as he slays the dragon and gets the girl but also oblivious and easy to manipulate. He is also not much of an empath…

Raven!Mytho is characterized by „Siegfried's Death March“ from the last opera in Wagner's cycle („Götterdämmerung“) — the work that plays when Siegfried dies in the opera. Raven!Mytho is the subversion of the ideal hero, the prince that is confused by his ideals and twists them around: "If i am supposed to love the entire world, then everyone should love me in return". So the second season is Mytho being super close to reaching this ideal state of himself, but being corrupted before he can which as some kind of silver lining leads to him questioning the expectations that come with being a hero, or a prince and why he even wants this for himself in the first place. At least, that is what I think.

At the end, we look back on Mytho having grown from a passive, emotionless puppet that still held an almost intuitive protectiveness over those weaker than him (jumping out of windows and running into burning houses to save birds…) into the hero he is supposed to be: He becomes strong, assertive, forges the sword and slays the dragon (the Raven) like Siegfried does in Wagner's operas. But he is not fearless, or brash or wild like Wagner's Siegfried. He keeps the emotional, compassionate, even tormented ("feminine") side that the swan lake prince Siegfried carried. He cries when he finds out that a small, fragile bird was the one who brought him his heart back all this time and kneels in front of Duck RIGHT before he transforms in episode 25. And he also knows that there is a part of himself that will differ from the hero he is supposed to be, the selfish Raven-blood side that makes him more human than his existence as a sort of archetype would usually suggest.

So, long story short: Mytho is a wandering hero-subversion and commentary on the archetype and, in true Princess Tutu fashion, challenges traditional roles and gender norms while he is at it. The music has A LOT to do with this but it becomes evident even just in the story itself. Understanding the Wagner references just makes it evident beyond ANY doubt. It‘s a shame that a lot of it gets pushed back if you do not get the Wagner references (and to be fair, they are even more extensive than they should be — not everyone is going to understand them because they are so. goddamn. obscure.). It makes Mytho seem like a lot more of wasted potential than he really is. He should have had more time to develop in the series, directly. But giving him that would have led to other characters being pushed back. I think an additional one or two episodes to kind of stretch the second half of the series would have done the narrative a service, but that is critique on a really high level. I still think Princess Tutu is one of the best pieces of narrative media ever created.

[yandere-wishes]

SWAN SONG (Yan! Baron Von Rothbart x Reader)

𝜗𝜚🦢 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 Written in collaboration with my lovely @umgatochamadopercyval ~💝

𝜗𝜚🦢 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 Swan Lake Ballet OST

𝜗𝜚🦢 ࣪˖ ִ𐙚 One Rothbart on the rocks coming right up

But I love you more than words can say, I'm sorry things ended up this way~💜

He's been trapped in his melancholy lately. Glaring daggers at haughty snowflakes from his frosted study window. The snow, no matter how nostalgic and periodic it may be, fills him with a sense of anguish.

But why the snow? Why the very milieu of his upbringing?"

Oh just cause. Just cause it was snowing when he first caught sight of a peculiar swan down by the lake.

At heart, Rothbart is and always will be a conqueror. It's such a shame that Princess Odette's kingdom had to learn that the hard way. He doesn't regret his decision, doesn't regret the curse. But sometimes, just sometimes in the silent dead of night, he can't help but feel that maybe, just maybe he was a bit too hasty.

Odette may be queen.

The sovereign of the lake.

But there are other swans. Other wedded towed white feathered birds, that shapeshift into pretty girls at night.

Maybe Rothbart was too hasty in picking his obsolete bride.

It's easy to forget a curse when you have enough distractions. It's easy to forget a skinned knee when you're staring at a sunset. Odette calls you angry, delinquent, rebel. Every word that can never be used to describe her. The forest is a landscape under your feet, a haze of greens and whites. The cold bites at your wings, knawing between the feathers.

It's easy to forget a curse when you have enough of a distraction.

There's a piercing clangor that calls for a landing. A loud clamor of something memorable yet foreign. You hear the frightened squeaking of your kind, their screams of terror reverberating through your ears. You glance at the sky as you descend, the sun has all but set you should be regaining your true form soon.

The wood crunches under your toed feet. Your muscles ache in this layout, you roll your shoulders back trying to ergo the tension. You hear the screaming again and run towards the sound.

Don't think, don't dream, just act.

You see the bodies before you notice the men with the guns. Bloodied morbid on the ground, white feathers marred with red. This was to be expected, wasn't it? The noise must have been a gun, a bullet racing through the air. You watch as the men exchange salutes, some descending from their steeds. In the last silver of light, you notice one of the swans twitching, a weak noise emitting from her orange beak.

You rush in, gathering her in your arms. You hear the men scream, holler in surprise at a wild woman appearing from the trees. You don't listen, don't care you just run, run back to the lake.

There's a split second when your mind blanks. The next thing you register is the weight in your hand and then a pained cry that paints you in satisfaction.

It's easy to forget a curse when you have enough distractions.

It's easy to remember a curse when it starts to kill you again.

You meet Rothbart a day after the hunting party. See him descend from the sky in all his fiery glory. He's nothing less of a phoenix, nothing short of frightening. He melts the snow at his feet, turning it into an eerie mist. He's here to check on the queen, to make sure she wasn't the young swan that died. He can not permit her such satisfaction.

Even though you fight with Odette, you love her deep down, if she’s the queen you are her second, brave enough to leave the lake sometimes and live in the wilderness, bringing exotic flowers and trinkets back to the lake. 

That’s one of the reasons that makes you shield her from his looming presence, ready to duel your captor.

“She’s not feeling up to see you, Baron” You block his passage.

The chill should be familiar by now, biting, harsh, but familiar. You shouldn’t shy away from the frost in his eyes. “Your loyalty is commendable, maiden” he all but spat. 

You laugh, truly you think it’s his obsession that’s commendable. Deranged, twisted, malicious, but commendable to some extent.

You stay in a staring contest for some time until the weight of his gaze is too much to hold onto.

“What are you doing here?”

"I was here to see my bride."

"She isn't your bride..." Vemon leaks from between your lips lacing pre-practised words. This has to have been the umpteenth time this conversation has played out. Exact same in every way, with snowflakes descending gingerly upon your head and his icy eyes memorizing your every feature. No doubt to remember who to slaughter later.

"Just bring me-" he's cut short by the loud echo of the gun. The sharp chirp and moans of thousands of rudely awakened birds fleeing into the air.

"They're back" Someone screams and before he knows it the lake is almost desolate. White feathers litter whiter snow, as a group of half-swan, half-girls huddle in a corner whispering machination. Rothbart cringes as he hears Siegfried's name thrown around with zealous hope.

He watches you transform and depart above the canopy.

Hear the gunshots disturbing the moon and stars.

He doesn't wait around to see if you return.

Rothbart knows he isn't lucky enough to witness your demise.

People are stupid that way, aren't they? Believing that ends come so easily? That death is such a deliciously easy thing to hold in the palm of your hand and kiss whenever one pleases. No death is just another hard-earned badge from life. And you, his darling little swan are a little too far from earning such a delectable pleasure.

Rothbart mocks a bow at an inraged Odette. Laughs in a tone too sadistic to name and promises he'll be back. He leaves out the part of just 'who' he'll be back for but he doubts Odette ever pays that much attention to his little speeches. Doubts she caught the little sparkle of wordplay.

He's here again next midnight. Winter coat made of reddening feathers and redder flames still. You turn from your seat on the river rocks. Legs bent as you try to see if you can stand on point with a bullet wound in your thigh. Maybe those showy flames could be useful for once, maybe they could cauterize the wound.

"You do not dance" Rothbart dares to ask. He studies your frame trying to find an imperfection, a sign of last night. You simply sigh tongue in cheek, choking on river air. The younger maidens dance under the moonlight pas de chat's with their arms crossed, they look too serene to be here. Too used to the feathers and beaks. You motion vaguely to your leg, ballet shoe platform flat on the ground. Rothbart knees before you, delicately tracing a warm hand over your powerful legs. Hicking up your tutu ever so slightly. His thumb runs over your thigh pressing gently into the wound. Scratch really, the bullet narrowly missed and yet left too deep a mark. His finger digs deeper and deeper, you stifle an icy moan bubbling in your throat. You throw your head back tenderly as his eyes pierce your neck. Rothbart summons his flames, they burn the scarred tissue and ravage your muscles. You choke on a sob and yet...

You haven't felt this warm in years...

"You see what you've done to us." Odette preaches, she's seated by the river bank. Rothbart tower's over here, eyes glued over her shoulder. Some of the other swans are helping you dance. As if it's such an important thing. As if you need to pirouette and Plié to breathe. "You do not listen, Baron," Odette says, voice low and depleted. "Oh but I do my dear Odette, And I've come to offer aid." The queen snorts, half a honk and half a laugh. "I suppose your aid would be to turn us into carnivorous wolves? To rip and tear these hunters apart."

"Those hunters are royal born. The party is run by a duke's son. I could perhaps persuade his parents that the forest is too dangerous your their wayfarer heir." Odette simply rolls her eyes. "What do you want" she mumbles defeated. Rothbart sucks in a breath, straightens his spine, and watches as Odette flinches at the sound of crackling bone. " I'd like to take one of your swans home with me."

No, the answer had simply been a no. Of course, followed by a slew of vulgar accusations. Ones that Rothbart didn't even know the sweet swan princess Odette would know. "Simply permit (y/n) to keep me company in my castle and I shall free you from this obnoxious threat."

Odette curses again, making sure they hit close to home. The last one is particularly bold. The monster she says and for a split second Rothbart almost feels cruel. In a spiral of flames, he is gone. Leaving Odette to cry, tears melting the snow...

It's a few moons before Rothbart sees you again. He'd been isolating himself in his library, watching the snow and reading poetry he pretended to understand. He'd always thought himself stronger than this. Always invincible.

He hears a tapping at his window, the forest view blocked by the white of a swan's body. Rothbart is quick to jump to his feet, to push the window apart and permit the bird in. It's you, he can tell by the angry way you wobble about his library. He finds it rather cute how you shake your feathers to dry yourself, before curling by the fireplace, glaring daggers at him. Rothbart returns to his seat picking up the ancient book about princesses and genies. He'll have to wait till moonbreak to understand what this is all about.

"I heard your proposal to Odette...I'm here to solidify the deal." You're still curled by the fireplace. Point shoes and feather tutu. He thinks you look quite adorable like this, stubborn little pet. "Does your queen know that you are here?" He asks, the cadence of his voice a little too playful. "Yes does, or well, she will once she reads my note." Rothbart rolles his eyes. " Great, so I should be expecting an army of swans at my door any minute now."

"No" you sign looking out the window with a glint of hope twinkling in your eyes.

"No?" You refuse to elaborate, "Will you save them from the hunters" you finally plead. Rothbart summons you to stand and come forth. He then pulls you onto his lap, fiery lips nipping at your pretty throat. "Yes, I suppose I will."

Your back is to Rothbart's chest as his hands wrap around your waist. Head turned at an odd angle as he kissed you deeply. The letter to Princess Odette and Prince Siegfried's wedding lies on the carpet forgotten. "You little swan" Rothbart breathes between each kiss. You like the lilt of his voice, like tender flames dancing in the hearth.

"May we please go to the wedding." You plead, chasing his lips, desperate for his addictive, acidic taste. "We shall see," he murmurs, pressing stars into your hips. Rothbart, kisses your forehead, relishing in the way you nuzzle into him. Desperate for his warmth, his touch, him...

Maybe he'd been a bit too hasty to offer his heart to Odette.

But then again he had won, his cruelty and depravity had been rewarded with his own little precious swan. His darling lover who tasted of moonlight and Oenothera. You were his, all his, trapped with him forever inside his castle.

Rothbart kisses you again deeply, softly. Savoring your sweet moans between his teeth.

[writewithmiaaa]

Gaurded Grace Pt.2

Pairings: Jasper Hale X reader

Warnings: None :-)

Summary: Jasper and Y/N meet again!

Type: fluff💗

Y/N couldn’t shake the events of that night from her mind. Days turned into weeks, and the memory of Jasper’s golden eyes and his unwavering protection lingered like a haunting melody. She continued her routine, but her thoughts often wandered to the mysterious vampire who had saved her. Would they see eachother again?

One crisp autumn afternoon, Y/N decided to visit the small, cozy bookstore downtown. The store was one of her favorite places, a haven of quiet and comfort. She wandered through the aisles, letting her fingers trail along the spines of books, feeling the familiar solace they offered.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the tall blonde figure entering the store until a soft voice broke her reverie.

“Y/N?”

She turned, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Jasper standing a few feet away. He looked as composed as ever, his eyes warm with recognition and something else—relief.

“Jasper,” she breathed, a smile spreading across her face. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

He returned the smile, his posture relaxing slightly. “I like to come here sometimes. It’s peaceful.”

They stood in a comfortable silence for a moment, the bustling world outside the bookstore forgotten. Y/N felt an inexplicable connection to Jasper, as if their brief encounter had forged an unbreakable bond.

“Would you like to join me for a coffee?” Y/N asked, surprising herself with the boldness of the invitation. “There’s a café just around the corner.”

Jasper’s smile widened. “You know, I don’t drink… that… but i’d be happy to join you darlin’.”

They left the bookstore and made their way to the café, the conversation flowing easily between them. Y/N found herself intrigued by Jasper’s quiet intensity and his old-fashioned manners. He pulled out her chair for her, a gesture that felt both charming and surreal.

As they settled at a corner table, Y/N couldn’t help but ask, “How did you know where to find me that night?”

Jasper’s expression grew serious. “My family and I were tracking James. He’s a danger to anyone who crosses his path. He had taken a particular liking to the human girl my brother Edward is dating, and desires to hunt her. It’s all a game to him. When I heard someone was in the studio, I couldn’t ignore it.”

Y/N nodded, absorbing his words. “I’m grateful you were there. But it must be difficult, living with that kind of threat.”

Jasper’s eyes softened. “It’s a part of our existence. But we do what we can to protect those who are unaware of our world.”

Y/N sipped her coffee, considering his words. “It’s hard to believe all this exists beneath the surface of our everyday lives. Vampires, supernatural threats...”

Jasper chuckled softly. “It can be overwhelming. But it’s also a reminder of how resilient humans are. How you are.”

She felt a blush rise to her cheeks at his compliment. “I don’t feel very resilient. I was terrified.”

“And yet, you’re here now,” Jasper said gently. “Facing it.”

They spent hours talking, the conversation shifting from the supernatural to more mundane topics. Y/N learned about Jasper’s love for history and literature, his struggles with his vampire nature, and his deep bond with his family. In turn, she shared her passion for ballet, her favorite books, and the dreams she held close to her heart.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the café, Y/N realized how comfortable she felt with Jasper. He wasn’t just the mysterious vampire who had saved her; he was someone she genuinely liked and wanted to know better.

“I’ve never met anyone like you,” she admitted quietly, her eyes meeting his.

Jasper reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers in a gentle, reassuring touch. “The feeling is mutual, Y/N. I’m glad we met again.”

They left the café together, walking through the quiet streets as dusk settled over the town. Y/N felt a sense of contentment, a feeling that everything was falling into place.

As they reached her apartment building, Jasper paused. “Would you like to meet again? Maybe see more of the town?”

Y/N smiled, her heart light. “I’d love that.”

With a final, lingering look, Jasper bid her goodnight and disappeared into the twilight. Y/N watched him go, knowing this was just the beginning of their story—a tale of guarded grace and unexpected connections that would intertwine their lives in ways she had yet to imagine.

───────── ౨ৎ ─────────

Y/N found herself eagerly anticipating her next meeting with Jasper. They arranged to meet at a local park known for its serene beauty and secluded walking trails. The park was a tapestry of autumn colors, leaves crunching underfoot as Y/N made her way to their designated meeting spot.

Jasper was already there, leaning against a tree with an easy grace. He looked up as she approached, a smile lighting up his features.

"Y/N," he greeted warmly. "It's good to see you again."

"Likewise," she replied, feeling a flutter of excitement in her chest.

They began to walk along the path, the conversation picking up effortlessly from where they had left off. Jasper asked about her ballet practice, and Y/N shared stories about her recent performances and the challenges of perfecting her technique.

"And what about you?" she asked, curious. "What do you do when you're not saving people from rogue vampires?"

Jasper chuckled. "I spend a lot of time with my family. We move around quite a bit to avoid drawing attention. And I read—a lot. There's always something new to learn."

Y/N nodded, intrigued by his dedication to knowledge. "What's your favorite period in history?"

"That's a tough one," Jasper mused. "I suppose I'm particularly drawn to the Civil War era. I lived through it, and it shaped a lot of who I am today."

Y/N stopped walking, her eyes widening. "You lived through the Civil War? I mean, I know you're... well old, but that's so cool! What was it like?"

Jasper's expression grew dark. "It was a time of great turmoil and change. I was a soldier, and it was both exhilarating and devastating. It taught me a lot about humanity—both its capacity for destruction and its need to continue.”

They continued walking, Y/N absorbing his words. She found herself wanting to know everything about him, to understand the depth of his experiences and the complexities of his world.

As they neared a quiet clearing, Jasper turned to her, his gaze intense. "Y/N, I need to tell you something."

Her heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"

"Being around you, it's different. I feel a connection, something I haven't felt in a long time. But my world is dangerous. Being close to me means accepting that risk."

Y/N reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "Jasper, I can't pretend to understand everything about your world, but I do know that I feel something too. And I'm willing to face whatever comes with that."

Jasper's eyes softened, a mixture of relief and admiration in his gaze. "You're braver than you know."

They stood there for a moment, the weight of their words hanging in the air. Y/N felt a sense of determination settling in her chest. She was ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead, as long as it meant being with Jasper.

A/N: HI! So sorry this has taken so long, but I literally hated this chapter and I kept redoing it, to the point where I have given up 😘 sooo i hope you enjoy!

[97keanu]

figure skating for the first time x keanuverse ? ⛸️🤍🎄❄️

*˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ohohoho this is perfect !!!! Thank you for asking, I've had this on my mind for a bit now! (And I may also be writing a fuller fic for such a thing with reader x young!JW :3c) John Constantine, Kevin Lomax, and Neo undercut! Pure fluff!

❄️.*ㅤ Since he's on my mind, older John would love going ice skating with you! He's probably done it at least once himself, and if not, with as skilled as he is as working his body through the movies, I think he would manage just fine! I also have a head canon that when he grew up with The Director, they didn't seperate teaching ballet by gender of who was there (no "just girls learn ballet, boys learn how to kill" deal.) So, I like to think of John Wick as someone who can do all he does because he also has a rigorous background in learning ballet, having those precise body movements, knowing how to work every muscle in his body to his advantage.

Therefore, I would like to imagine that John takes you to the nearest rink (or perhaps a lake he knows that's more private?) And actually helps to teach you how to skate better (or how to at all if you don't know how!). He would be patient, watching you and only stepping in when you need it, his arms wrapping around your waist or steadying your elbow.

Eventually, you're doing it on your own, and John is there watching you, a smile creeping on his face from being able to teach you something so intimate to him. He actually has to be the one to stop you once the night starts setting in, the temperature getting way too cold to stay out in much longer.

He takes you back to his mustang and already has a fuzzy blanket there to wrap you in. You in the night back at his apartment, drinking a late night coffee and John listening to you giggle about how much fun you had with a warm heart.

❄️.*ㅤTed Logan however, lives in sunny California, so they don't see snow or ice often enough for ice skating to be a regular ordeal. He is your skater boyfriend however, so when you do end up finding a indoor rink to take him too, he thinks he will be pretty good at it from the get go. And he isn't horrible, he knows how to balance well and tries to stay up right, but it's actually so different from riding his skateboard or even rollerskates that it takes him a moment or two to get really good at it. Once he has it down though, he's skating around, pulling you by your hands until you two are laughing and doing goofy circles around the rink. Eventually, his himbo-ness gets the best of him, and as he's admiring how pretty your hair looks under the ice rink lights, he slips, bringing you down with him. He takes the harder of the fall, you fall on top of him with rosy cheeks and a smile already forming from how silly your boyfriend can be. You two end up laying there and laughing in the middle of the rink for way too long, maybe even annoying a few other skaters, but you two couldn't care if you tried. The night ends with the two of you warming up at a nearby cafe with hot cocoa and plans to try it again sometime.

❄️.*ㅤJohn Constantine would flat out refuse to go ice skating with you. Your big doe eyes would plead with him, but that's not going to change his mind. You tell him how much you enjoyed going as a child, how you love to ice skate, but you're not going to find a Los Angeles city boy like him on an ice rink anytime soon. Or, are you?

Maybe after his refusal, he takes on a demon hunting case that just so happens to lead him to a hockey rink. When the chase leads you two there, you don't see John stop to think about what he's doing as he tries to run out onto the ice. You go after him, your sneakers sliding and skidding on the slippery surface, but your years of practice skating have you able to keep your balance. To your dismay, ahead of you, Constantine is not someone who's trained in such things, and for the first time ever(and probably the last), you see Constantine fall flat on his ass. You easily skid by, reaching out a hand to help him up, and he can't deny grumbling a 'thank you". By the time you're ready to resume chase, the demon is gone.

"See? If we had just gone skating last Saturday, maybe you would have been prepared for this type of thing!" You know you shouldn't rub it in, but you can't help pointing out the truth.

"Yeah, yeah," Constantine carefully finds his way to the rinks edge, and gets out onto non-slippery flooring. "Okay, Maybe I'll take you next time..."

You squeal with joy and the two of you end the night with you having a hot tea in his apartment and Constantine taking a whiskey and nursing his bruised backside.

❄️.*ㅤKevin Lomax is not one for ice skating. Our good southern boy hasn't even roller skated a day in his life, and he's not about to trade his cowboy boots for a pair of blades.

"Please, Kevin! I really want to go skating!" You pester him, and eventually he caves, lucky that New York gets more snow than Florida.

He wraps you, and himself, up tight in winter clothes, and bites back complaints about how cold it is. He takes you to a local spot that he's heard of, and only a few other couples are out at the rink. Good, less people to have to see him fall on his ass when this goes awry.

He still has to maintain the confidence of a business man, so he keeps his lawyer smile on and helps you into your skates. At first, he let's you go ahead and skate without him, watching you perform moves he is actually pretty entranced with. When you pull your leg up over your head, he actually gives a holler out of support("Yeah that's my wife/girlfriend!").

Eventually, when everyone else has left, you persuade him into trying on a pair of skates, and to your surprise, he does. You gently take him out onto the ice, and for a few moments he's actually doing it! You let go gently, and he glides by himself, able to get down the simple movements, but nothing too crazy. In the end, you two do slow circles in the middle of the rink, face to face with each other. Kevin looks deeply in your eyes, and you're happy he's obliged your silly request. He leans in for a kiss, and you feel your legs shake on your skates. To your surprise, you're the one who's lost your balance first, and Kevin catches you with a laugh.

"Too much for you, darlin'?" He whispers with that husky southern voice, and the redness in your cheeks isn't just from the cold anymore.

The two of you end the night at a fancy dinner spot, something expensive, decorated in holiday spirit and the sound of a live pianist and violinist playing soft Christmas tunes.

❄️.*ㅤNeo lives in Chicago, so he's no stranger to the cold or navigating ice. I believe he likely has gone ice skating before, probably as a child, but hasn't done that in many years. When you ask him, he's apprehensive, but it doesn't take much begging for him to agree.

He takes you to a spot that's supposed to be the best experience, and only after you two have bought your tickets do you realize it's PACKED. There's way too many people here for Neo's comfort, or yours for that matter, and after about an hour of trying to find your way onto the ice where you two can have some alone time, you see it's not going to happen tonight and give up.

Neo makes it up to you by taking you to your favorite dinner spot. It's an enjoyable date night still, but he can tell how badly you wanted to go and can see the disappointment that you couldn't.

So, after about a week, he tells you that he's taking you out for a surprise.

When you arrive to this mystery destination, you realize it's the same ice rink. You ask him why, knowing it's another Saturday and it will be packed just like before, but Neo motions to the lack of people in the parking lot.

"What...?" You say as you begin to piece things together. "How did you...?"

"We have the whole place to ourselves. I took out every ticket just for us." He says slyly, obviously proud of this feat.

"What do you mean? That has to be crazy expensive!" You know Neo is well enough off, but that sorta price is excessive even for him.

"Well, their website for buying tickets was particually hard to hack..." He looks over at you with a smirk and smiles big when you throw your hands around his neck, gleeful for his talent tonight.

"No! You didn't! Neo..." You say into his neck giving him a big squeeze. "Thank you..."

The two of you head inside and are treated like unknown celebrities, putting on an air of being such, and trying to remain lowkey. You both have fun pretending to be people you're not, and Neo skates alongside you easily, even taking the risk of dipping you back and twirling you a few times. You're surprised your typical home dwelling boyfriend could be so suave and savvy, but you enjoy it nonetheless. You get hot drinks at a concession stand, and eat pretzels and Chicago style hotdogs to your content.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Rook, Ortho: Princess Power

BRUH 💀 Go figure, giving the guy obsessed with beauty two of the least flattering screenshots in his background frames… But hey, his groovy is very different from everyone else’s so far! ^^ Very relaxed and peaceful.

Cbjssbjsjskendb new tidbits about pre-Pomefiore Rook?? He used to cut his own hair with a knife and focused on keeping his bangs out of his line of sight… and he wasn’t as confident about his style (mood). It’s also interesting to know that he started doing ballet on Vil’s recommendation, and that has helped a lot with his posture, working out muscles he doesn’t normally use, and appreciating the art of performances. We love Pomefiore out here breaking gender norms 👊

A Tale as Old as Time.

Rook drew out a longing sigh, gently easing into the quiet of the museum. The soft sound lingered, coiling around his fingers like thread from a spool. It, too, did not wish to part ways with the stunning beauty laid out bare before it.

A fair maiden was framed in shining platinum. Hair black as ebony, lips as red as the rose, and skin as white as snow... Truly, she was the fairest in all the land.

Her graceful frame was folded, kneeling on the forest floor to greet the woodland creatures that had gathered. The pale yellow skirt of her gown spilled out, blue bodice and puff sleeves fitted well by her figure. Her face round and gentle, in spite of the high collar encircling it, crowed by a petite red bow.

Here was pure innocence, a young girl reveling in nature.

“Beauté,” he marveled—to no one in particular, but such beauty warranted verbal acknowledgement.

“It seems that this painting has captured your interest, Rook Hunt-san!” a voice chirped. A neon blue light emanated from the darkness, accompanied by the silver flash of metal.

“Bonjour!” Rook greeted Ortho. "I must confess, I have been enchanted by this particular work of art! The brush strokes, masterful! The composition, immaculate!! The subject—oh, how it makes my heart quiver with nostalgia!! I am a man close to being moved to tears!!”

Ortho curiously glanced at the girl and her animal friends. No strong emotions arose within up from him. Perhaps he did not feel as much, or perhaps Rook felt too much. “Is there a sentimental experience or memory you have related to this painting…?”

“Oui! It is a tale as old as time.” Rook gestured to the snow white young lady. “They say that this maiden was a princess forced to flee from her home country, as a hostile presence threatened her life. She retreated into the woods and found comfort in a humble life there. Her tenacity is most admirable!!”

“Tenacity… That’s the value that Pomefiore was founded on!” Ortho, floating overhead, beamed at Rook. “I understand why you would like that story. It has a good moral that sticks with you.”

“That is the beauty of telling tales! They inspire those who hear of it, ensuring that the spirit of the story is never truly extinguished.” The huntsman’s eyes held a keep glint to them. “Tell me, Ortho-kun. What do you believe makes a princess?”

The boy blinked. A split second, and he had already input the term into an internal search engine, the formal definition loaded up to recite.

“Prin-cess, noun. The daughter of a monarch or wife to a prince. A woman having sovereign power.”

“An efficient, succinct answer!” Rook applauded, his cheer never faltering. “However, my desire is to know your interpretation. In Ortho-kun’s own words, what makes a princess?”

“My own…?” The words stretched, unsure, on his tongue. Ortho hesitated—seeking, processing, and analyzing. Rook’s heartbeat sounded where there was the space for the boy to think.

Then, finally, Ortho spoke.

“From what I’ve observed in movies and books, the princess is a pop culture icon. She’s usually presented as a role model for little girls. Someone who is beautiful, dainty, and composed, wearing a pretty dress and a glittering crown."

A pause. Ortho assessed Rook’s hard-to-read, bright expression.

“… Is that closer to the response you were looking for, Rook Hunt-san?” he asked.

To this, the third year’s lips quirked. “There is no correct or incorrect answer! I was curious to see your perspective. Everyone holds one that differs, lenses of all designs and colors with which to see the world through! You have my most heartfelt thanks for sharing your view with me.”

"Oh, I see! You're collecting data from a variety of sources to compare to a standard." The android (literally) lit up from within. "Let me ask the same back! Rook Hunt-san, what do you think makes a princess?"

"Mon dieu! You've set my own trap upon me," Rook teased.

The Beautiful Queen, the Fair Maiden, Vil, his peers... So many fragments of beauty in his collection. Plucked, collected, hoarded.

He ran a finger along his chin, contemplating. The thoughts assembled like a collage. Ideas taken, cut up, and pasted together into a new, glorious artwork.

"A princess can be many things," Rook declared with certainty. "They are a princess to their very core, even when their power is stripped from them or they are dressed in only ashes and rags. What defines them is not royal heritage or political influence, but the strength of their character, their values and virtues. They are not bound by a singular trait, but are aspirations to all in their own ways."

Ortho's eyes swelled. "Eh...? That's so broad! By your definition, anyone could be a princess—even you or I!”

The huntsman threw his head back and laughed. "Broad it may be, but I am of the opinion that we all have it in us to live up to the title~”

He indicated the woman in the platinum frame. Ortho’s gaze obediently followed. "Even without a kingdom to call her own, she remained kind-hearted rather than turn to cruelty. That is why she was, and always will be, a noble soul. A princess who puts out good into the world.”

“Rook Hunt-san…”

“Ortho-kun!” Rook dramatically extended an arm to him. He was practically sparkling in the dim room. “I, too, endeavor to put out as much beauty as what is gifted to me! That is my one true calling as the Hunter of Love: to not only seek out beauty, but to cultivate and to contribute to it!”

Ortho silently stared. Nii-san did warn me that Rook Hunt-san could be eccentric, but… maybe there’s some meaning to be found in it.

Cutting through the numbers and the formulas that governed him was a fuzzy warmth. Not the familiar jolt of electricity that powered his circuits. It was too wild, too unpredictable.

Something undeniably human.

Ortho let out a giggle. "Hehe. Then you must be a princess too!"

Rook's mouth formed a small "o". Unsubtle surprise—or perhaps purposefully exaggerated. "Me? Whatever makes you think that?"

"Strength of character!" Ortho parroted mischievously. "I've never met someone as uplifting as you are. Rook Hunt-san is the type of person that sees a princess in everyone."

The boy lowered himself to a few centimeters off of the ground, pretending to dip into a curtsey. "Your majesty!"

"Fufufu. You're quite charming yourself, Princess Ortho-kun!" Rook bent into a deep bow. "Most clever in all the land, computing complex problems in the blink of an eye!”

Upon straightening, the third year laid both hands over his heart. He lifted his head toward the painting of the fair maiden in the forest. A serene smile at his lips.

It was as if he was pledging his allegiance, making a vow. A worshipper at the altar to pray.

“May we all live happily ever after,” Rook whispered raptly, “like the princesses of old.”

Forever and ever.

[hotvintagepoll]

Propaganda

Marsha Hunt (The Human Comedy, College Holiday, These Glamour Girls)—To be honest, I haven't had the chance to see a lot of her films, but she was an amazing person. A beautiful, popular actress during the 30s and 40s, Marsha was unfairly blacklisted during the Red Scare for speaking out against McCarthyism. Instead of letting that stop her, she focused her efforts on humanitarian work for causes such as world hunger, poverty, and pollution. She was also a support of same-sex marriage. Side note to any fellow fashion history nerds, she wrote a book on 30s-40s fashion. She stayed true to her beliefs through the years, and passed away at the age of 104 in 2022.

Fredi Washington (Imitation of Life, The Emperor Jones)—She was a beautiful woman whose movie career was struck short because she refused to pass as white, but she did get to star with the greats like Cab Calloway, Hattie McDaniel, Paul Robeson, Duke Ellington, Louise Beavers, etc. Being a person of moral and conviction is hot. Also, she knew ballet and was a beautiful dancer in general.

This is round 2 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Marsha Hunt:

Marsha Hunt first signed with Paramount in 1935 at the age of seventeen, kicking off a prolific career as a beloved Hollywood star and fashion model. Her distinctive profile and facial structure earned her the nickname “Curly Lips”: “Besides a rounded forehead, almost no nose bridge, and a nose that curved upwards, even my lips curled up at the corners. Ronald Coleman and his wife Benita told me they used to describe me to each other as ‘Curly Lips.’ I decided that anything that helped two people I adored take notice of me would no longer keep me awake at nights.” (The Way We Wore, p.95) Marsha appeared in about seventy films over almost eighty years, including Hollywood Boulevard, College Holiday, Easy Living, These Glamour Girls, Irene, Pride and Prejudice, Blossoms in the Dust, Thousands Cheer, The Human Comedy, and many more. She was blacklisted during the McCarthy era for publicly defending Hollywood from the accusations of the House Committee on Un-American Activities, alongside Lucille Ball, Humphrey Bogart, Deanna Durbin, Henry Fonda, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and many other members of the Hollywood community.

Fredi Washington propaganda:

Short Hollywood career for being too light-skinned to play maid roles, but too brown to be cast opposite a white man in the time. Civil Rights activist. Worked with Paul Robeson to create the Negro Actors Guild. Heavy work in theatre and the NAACP.

[inkievoid]

Resident Evil

Pink = Request

Carlos Oliveira

[N/A]

Chris Redfield

[N/A]

Jill Valentine

[N/A]

Leon S. Kennedy

💋 | Dad Bods are Hot

🐕‍🦺 | Service Hybrid Leon

💉 | Hunting to Infect

🇫🇷 | Running in the City of Lights

📷 | The Camera Loves You

🎨 | He's Your Muse

💃 | Saloon Dancer

🐎 | Horseback Riding in the Countryside

🐱 | Sheriff Kitty Leon

🗡️ | Protector of a Princess

🐑 | Boutique Owner x Cowboy Leon

🤬 | Shitty Boyfriend

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 | White Pickett Fences

🩰 | Ballet Shoes and Bulletproof Vests

🦢 | The Beauty of the Lake

🐴 | Horse Girl x Cowboy Leon

💡 | Taking Care of a Lamp Addict

✍🏻 | Practicing Tattoo Artist

[bumblepony]

Tess Lives Fic Rec (No Outbreak Version)

Here are my Tess Lives fic recs in no particular order! These are all fics where no outbreak happens. I have a separate list of Tess in the QZ fics coming in the next couple of days.

Making Mirrors, a Tess/Joel Modern AU by @hypnotisedfireflies - A parallel universe to Drifters - the life lived had Cordyceps not conquered the world. - Mature

Tin Star, a Tess/Joel Western AU by @hypnotisedfireflies - The Sheriff and the Outlaw: sweethearts, bandits, soulmates. Magic horses. - Mature

Night Fever, a Tess/Joel 1970s AU by @hypnotisedfireflies - 1970s Bodyguard/Boss AU. - Mature

Of Artists and Architects by @emilylawsons - A Cordyceps-Free Tessjoel AU. - Mature

littlest digit, you've got the world by the handle by @ketchupchipsaregross - Ellie turns one surrounded by family.

smoke, ash, and strays by @ketchupchipsaregross - Joel (a firefighter) just wants to do his job and go home smelling like a campfire, it'd be great if the raccoon child from the alley would let him do that in peace.

dodors (and other birds) by @ketchupchipsaregross - How Tess and Joel accidentally restarted parenting in their 40s.

put it down in the pleasure of your company by Nyxierose on AO3 - "Normal functional people who live in mid-ring suburbs occasionally ask favors from people nearby and it’s not weird at all." Or, in which Tess gets into a lot more than she plans, but what else is new. - Mature

sweeter than sin by @raffinit - MODERN AU: Joel is a single dad of tweeny bopper Sarah. Tess is a single mom of teeny bopper Ellie. They've established a pretty comfy routine of being strictly fuck buddies. Until they're not. - Mature

the conjuring by @bradfordchens - Married demonologists Joel and Tess Miller hunt the supernatural together, all while raising two daughters.

we could walk forever, walkin' on the moon by @boopernatural - The one where Joel, Tess and Ellie take a family road trip to see a shuttle launch.

If I Had To Stay In A Haunted House With Anyone, It Would Always Be You by Steph_Puppet on AO3 - If someone had told Joel a few years back that he would end up traveling across the country with a self-proclaimed medium, sending ghosts back to where they belonged, he would not have believed them.

This section includes stories in which Tess is a Part of the story, but the story revolves more around a different pair's dynamic. So, Tess is more of a supporting cast member. These are still great stories, but Tess is just not a primary player.

a light in the dark of this danger (bookshop!au) by @two-birds-alone-together - The Bookshop AU! Joel Miller owns The Back Shelf, a bookstore located in Back Bay. He has no idea that his life is going to change when a girl walks into the store on an oppressively hot Boston day.

Ellie Williams' Guide to Teenage Rebellion by @simoncowellstits - Ellie is the president's Daughter, and Joel is her secret service agent.

Right Where We Belong by cauldron_zeta on AO3 - Frank has upheaved his life to move to almost the middle of nowhere. His closest neighbour isn't really a people person but Frank has always liked a challenge. - Mature

Compassionate Friends by @mildredellie - Ellie & Joel meet at a grief support group they were both forced to attend.

move so quickly (it can't catch me) by @howtotrainyourdoofus - Ellie navigating her first job as a professional ballet dancer and all the joys and strife that come with it.

Stubborn Love by @renegadeknight - Your favorite feral father-daughter duo repackaged, now with 95% less zombies and 99% more modern problems (golfing isn’t one of them)

world around you by @boopernatural - Joel's first date in two decades gets interrupted when his kid needs him.

To Have Loved Someone by Joels_revolver on AO3 - On her way back to Jackson, Ellie is teleport into a world where the cordyceps doesn't exist and Joel is very much alive.

At the end here, I am adding a few authors who have written so many good Tess Lives stories it's best to just go pursue their AO3 pages.

tessaservopoulos - @bradfordchens on Tumblr - Mature

Glitter_Gecko - @seethesunny on Tumblr - Mature

sillylily07 - Mature

Last, I am going to add my Tess Lives fics under the cut because I really am not trying to toot my own horn, but I want to have them on the list so I can have them all in one place.

Fate Makes Fools of Us All - Tess is Ellie's foster mom AU. - Mature

A Soul For Sale Or Rent - Ellie is a Ghost, and Joel is the only one who can see her. She needs his help to figure out what happened to her before it's too late.

In Another Time and Another Place - Joel and Tess meet at a bar in an Alternate Universe where the Cordyceps Outbreak never happens. - Mature

Ashes denote that Fire was - Behind Closed Doors - The Firefighter Joel Miller AU that only a few people asked for and I just had to write it. - Mature

Construction Corner with Joel Miller - Joel has his own TV Show on HGTV and Ellie is a foster kid who comes on as a helper and things progress from there.

And Baby Boy Makes Four - An AU where no apocalypse happens, and Joel has two kids with his ex-wife, Sarah, and a son called Junior.

[violetasteracademic]

Chapter 6: One Wrong Move

Summary:

Elain struggles with the pressure of not letting her family down on her first mission. Things take a dangerous turn.

Warnings: Depictions of verbal and emotional abuse, blood, and violence.

Preview:

She almost wanted to tell him the thoughts ran through her mind. She had never told anyone, not even her sisters, what her marriage market preparations were like. How she was taught to be quiet, kind, and nonconfrontational through exceptionally unkind and confrontational methods. How it felt to spend hours and hours in front of the mirror, focusing on everything wrong with her face and smile. The lessons that took her further and further away from herself and shaped her into a girl who never so much as shifted the air around her or ruffled any feathers. So kind, so unassuming and passive that the other girls would inevitably fail to tear her down behind her back.

The terrible fear that she had only been her father's favored daughter because he never really knew who she was.

Elain often wondered if her father still would have loved her if he had seen the wild thing that lived inside her as well. If he ever discovered how frequently she thought of smashing the plates to the floor while washing them in the cottage, just to see how it felt to break things. The only thing that stopped her was knowing they couldn't afford new ones, and Feyre would bear the burden of hunting and bartering.

These thoughts and memories swirled in her mind and leaked out like poison. And yet, whenever she felt the need to get it off her chest, she couldn't shake the feeling that… that wasn't so bad, was it? Not when Nesta returned from her ballet lessons with beaten hands and bloody feet. Not when Feyre had carried their family when she was just a child, and Elain let her, still thinking she would eventually get her family out of their dire situation by attracting a prosperous husband.

She desperately mended their threadbare clothes until the fabric wore too thin to be held together. She pinned her hair, adorning her braids with ribbons until they fell apart. And still, as the little fabric they owned turned to dust in her hands, she thought someday someone very rich and handsome would spot her in the village and offer his hand in marriage.

Read the rest of chapter six on AO3 here.

I hope you all enjoy the chapter! I think this was my favorite one to write so far, and I'm so delighted to have you here reading!

[according2thelore]

happy wincest wednesday! my question for this week's round table (lol) is: what's your ideal for sam and dean's "apple pie" life? would they settle down and retire with each other, or would they keep hunting? who does the cooking, who does the cleaning (do they even know how to clean?), do they hide the fact that they're brothers or are they the freaky incest bros down the street? do they have kids (mpreg or adoption)? pets? i'm curious about any and all ideas you have :) (@incesthemes)

hi! happy (late) wincest wednesday! omg round table i love that! (so late it's brotherfucker friday, whoops!)

charlotte: I think my ideal was no joke our “now it’s perfect” fic—we headcanoned EVERYTHING we wanted into that baby. I think they would have horses maybe? I could see dean getting into that and sam making fun of him for it. I think sam cleans and dean cooks—obvi. I think that they hide the fact that they’re brothers for SURE. I honestly see them as DINKs for a while and maybe adopting or fostering some teenagers to pay it forward for all of their time in/around the system.

lizzy: hii! i think best-case scenario they stop hunting full-time. i'd like to see them as bobby-esque figures that only pitch in on small, low-stakes hunts and are mostly lore-givers and assign other hunters to hunts. assuming canon happens, except dean survives the barn in 15x20, sam does not want him anywhere NEAR anything above a small salt-and-burn. that i think would spur their "retirement." but i want the majority of their life to be silly and finding hobbies and doing dumb things because they deserve it!!!

i want them to move out of the bunker and build a house from scratch/make necessary adjustments to an existing house to monster-proof it (i.e., salt in the foundation, holy water sprinklers, devil's trap underneath the floorboards in every doorway, iron window frames/door handles), but keep it still a home. i want these men to get fresh air and at least two windows, as a treat.

sam very much does the cleaning, and dean does the cooking. sam is a serviceable cook, but they both like it better when dean does it. dean's a tidier (e.g., throwing a blanket over mess so he can't see it), while sam is more of a proper cleaner.

in my dream world, they wear rings 🥺 i know, it's shmoopy, but i think it's easier for them than trying to explain everything they are to each other. they go to a bar and sam gets hit on and he gets to flash his ring instead of awkwardly trying to explain that dean is his "boyfriend" like they're in the tenth grade. so i don't think they tell people they're brothers. they never truly say what they are, and don't correct people when they assume they're married. they're the winchesters. that's all there is to it.

a part of me i have never been able to kill wants dean to be a girl dad. i want to see him wear a little tiara and try not to look miserable while his daughter pours him his eleventh cup of "tea." he would be gone, whipped, done-zo. he screams his head off at every ballet recital. he gets so into her soccer games that he gets kicked out more than once for trying to fight the ref. some girl calls her a weirdo at school and sam has to pin him down because dean is in actual danger of hurting a five-year-old.

realistically i don't think they have kids (unless they stumble across an orphaned-by-monsters kid that reminds them a little too much of each other), but are mentor and/or parental figures to young hunters or kids that live around them. HOWEVER, if one of them can get pregnant, they WILL get pregnant. i don't make the rules. it's very much a war-is-over kind of decision that now they're finally free, they want to give each other this.

they keep miracle of COURSE. dean loves that dog. they dress him up for halloween every year, and the kids that come to their house love it when he sits out on the porch dressed like a lore-accurate chupacabra. sam and dean sit on the porch, too, of course, shot guns tucked under their chairs like good neighborhood watch dogs. i think dean would actually respect the fuck out of a cat, and the cat would ADORE sam, so i want them to find a silly little wet scrungly gutter kitten that sam brings home and begs dean to keep. he's always had such a soft spot for animals and i want him to have a witchy familiar-vibed cat that also demands sleeping directly on dean's neck.

this was so much. lol. sorry!

thank you so much for this ask!!!! we had a lot of fun thinking/chatting about it! :)

-charlotte & lizzy

[sl-vega]

✧y/n + company✧

✧y/n✧-a proud member of the drama club, and has been cast in lead roles since elementary. when you were five, you snuck into the living room when your parents were watching les miserables, and ever since then, you've known you were made for the stage. much to your mother's dismay, you begged her for acting lessons, which worked!

✧fischl✧-member of the drama and literature club. the two of you met during the first day of high school and the two of you really hit it off. since then you've been super close. she's a bit eccentric, but she means well. she usually acts, but she occasionally helps out with costumes for the drama department.

✧nilou✧-a member of the dance team and your childhood friend. the two of you met when your family brought you to a ballet recital when you were a child. since then the two of you have been inseparable. constantly hailed as the golden child of zubayr theatre, nilou's already made a name for herself in the industry, but at the end of the day, she's a very down-to-earth, sweet girl.

✧lyney✧-fellow drama club member, your neighbor, and best friend. lyney and his siblings moved next door to you in middle school. the two of you quickly became friends as he and his sister lynette showed off their magic skills. the two formed a magic duo and dominated talent shows together.

✧lynette✧-lyney's twin sister and your neighbour. 1/2 of the lyney and lynette magic duo. the two of you haven't talked much, well she doesn't really talk much in general either. you don't know much about her, other than her love for tea and cats, but she's always willing to listen if you need to talk about something.

✧venti✧-member of the music club. the two of you don't really have a history together seeing as how you've only been friends for a year, but every second of your friendship has been a wild ride. from all those parties to drinking all those shots grape juice together, venti's the life of the party, and you wouldn't have it any other way.

additional notes:

-lyney and lynette have a cat named rosseland

-fischl has a raven named oz

-this is the revamped version of the y/n and company post

-fischl has a cosplay page 100%

-lynette pfp credits to @monolitha on youtube

-fischl pfp credits to @thimta1 on hoyolab

-nilou pfp found here

-lyney pfp credits to @hotheadedginger on pinterest

-sanrio pfps just work in smaus

-idk where i found the other pfps + headers i'm already burnt out from hunting the others down

✧Sticking to the Script✧

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Pairing: Xingqiu x FEM! Reader

Genre: fake dating, strangers to lovers, slow burn, fluff, angst (?), high school smau, modern smau

Synopsis: Xingqiu just got entered into a special writing contest, the type that's invite only, the theme this year is love, the only problem is that he has zero romantic experience. but he really wants to prove himself as a writer. meanwhile, you just found out that your boyfriend cheated on you, and you need to show him that you're 100% over him, the only problem is that there's no way you can get an actual boyfriend that quickly. clearly, the solution to both of your issues is to fake date each other. it shouldn't be hard for an actor such as yourself, all you need to do is stick to the script.

(OPEN) Taglist-@freyao7, @thatoneswordgirl, @sn1perz, @latay7, @esmetrees, @nmriki0, @help-whatdoimakemyusername, @httpsrenren, @cupid-spams, @aixaingela, @kaitfae, @luvkvni, @danhenglovebot