#Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel

[kanerallels]

Top 6 Reasons You Should Read the Tyme trilogy by Megan Morrison

Reread a fantasy series I love and appreciate, so now it's time for you guys to love and appreciate it too

It's a fairy tale retelling series. Which is always an endorsement in my mind, but here are some more reasons that's great in this series. The takes on the fairy tales are so cool and refreshing, and well executed-- Cinderella fighting for the working class, the Frog Prince going through a redemption arc where he becomes a better person, and the absolutely shaped storyline that Rapunzel has. And most of them (particularly books one and three) combine multiple fairy tales in such a smooth, natural way.

The world building is INCREDIBLE. The tiny details and the way the different countries are introduced are so cool!! And they really go into smaller details, like the main exports that keep the country going, or the traditions of each country when it comes to dealing with loss. The magic systems are SO COOL, too!!

The characters are all really well done-- they're beautifully developed, both as characters and their relationships with each other. Syrah (main character of book three) has one of the best redemption styles arcs I've ever seen where he goes from unlikeable jerk to a caring, kind individual. Even the villains have well thought out motivations and in depth backstories

The romances in each of the three books are PERFECT because you have a slow burn, a couple that get together in the same book but help each other grow in powerful ways, and a book where the main character doesn't get the girl. The trope breaking! The following of the tropes but in just the perfect way! The level to which I am obsessed with Jack and Rapunzel! It's INSANE

All of the books and their stories are deeply intwined. There are cameos and small details in each book that lead you back to the other three, details that pop out and blow your mind at a reread or even the first time around!

It's really funny and charming and delightful writing. And There are these fascinating implications of other stuff going on in the world you're reading about-- stuff that we'll probably never find out about, since the last book was released in 2019 and there's no sign of another, which is really sad

Anyways, this is a super good series, you won't regret it if you read it! Oh my stars and I didn't even mention SERGE MY BELOVED FAVORITE CHARACTER FOR SURE THE FAIRY GODFATHER LEGEND HIMSELF listen just. read this series. Good talk

[theviolettulip]

Yesterday was awesome.

Why, you may ask?

Because I spent 11 & a half hours binging one of my childhood book series - The Tyme Series. And today, I (unfortunately) concluded my binge.

So. Let's talk about it~

Starting with "Grounded", here are some of my thoughts/feelings in no guaranteed order, tho ill try to be chronological:

OH MY GOD SO MANY HINTS!!! I already knew I'd enjoy this reread cuz of how CONNECTED these books are, so I'll have fun noticing the hints & foreshadowing, and BOY DID I! I can't count how many times I struck the guy & butterfly meme pose and was like, "is this foreshadowing?" ESPECIALLY with the way Witch spoke to Rapunzel in the beginning & Prince Frog's actions

Rapunzel's....not UNPLEASANT, per se, I actually still liked her and felt sorry for her, but in the beginning she's just really brainwashed and does and says....unpleasant things

When Jack showed up I got SO EXCITED!! Also when he goes "I literally told you yesterday--" and gets cut off, I actually squealed and took a sec cuz AHHHHH I LOVE THIS SERIES AND PLOT SO MUCH!! her memory loss plotline is soooo good. BUT! I'm glad she doesn't forget Jack any more times

They did NOT like each other at first, not at ALL! XD Rapunzel 's insults are soooo amusing, but poor Jack!

Also poor Red Fairies....come ON, Rapunzel! You don't just say "I wish your mate died" to somebody!!

You know how years after you've read smth, certain moments & details remain in your mind? One of those for me was the scene where R&J are talking about killed vs died & just death in general. I absolutely ADORE Morrison's world building!! About the countries and beliefs and stuff!

The amount of CONNECTIONS Rapunzel makes throughout the books are quite....astounding! And numerous. And she makes them everywhere she goes, without intention! (Reminds me of Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece ngl)

Ngl throughout the whole jacks tournament I was shouting "GO RAPUNZEL! KICK THEIR BUTTS!!!" And she really showed her! Tho I feel kinda bad for the woman who lost, cuz she thought Raps was mocking her when she was being /gen

SERGE! SERGE SERGE SERGE SERGE!!1!!!1!

However it pains me to say that this wasn't my reaction when Raps met him cuz I...MAY have forgotten most things about Serge beside the fact that he's Ella's godfather. Still, he was sooooo cool & awesome & I love him! (Can't WAIT to gush about him (and Jasper. yes, get angry at me and expel me to the void, i deserve it cUZ I FORGOT JASPER EVEN EXISTED!!! 😭😭😭)

Not Rapunzel later getting interviewed and ending up just gushing about her boots for half the article XD

...I am sooooo glad Rapunzel is Rapunzel and not Charlotte, I know WAAAAY too many Charlottes!

I think this might make me a bit evil but I just ADORE grieving scenes when the death is fake! And sometimes when it's real....it's just that real emotions...I really like them. So when Jack is just despiration to save Rapunzel after she gets swallowed by a tree, I could FEEL the sorrow and despair and that made me ache and also fangirl a bit because they CARE about each other!! 🥹

OH just remembered, BRUH. When Prince Frog "died" I was like -_- cuz he's just hibernating, and I thought Jack would at least know that frogs hibernate in cold weathers! and Raps using that life-breather thing that Rune gave her, OH MY GOD I just realized! It's like Tangeled's Rapunzel's magic healing hair! And then she loses the power or uses it up, like in Grounded, and because of that they can't save their partners, both of which were injured by Gothel/Witch!! =(

Another moment that remembered well and was anticipating was Rapunzel & Witch's deal and questionaire situation. And I kid you not, I legitimately started crying. Not tearing up, CRYING! And I was hastily wiping off tears so I can keep reading. That last question was the straw the broke the camel's back--

"Do you love me?"

🥺😭

and then Envearia telling rapunzel to go get water so she can die OH MY GOD THE TEARS KEPT ON COMING!!

I think my foreknowledge added another layer to my experience. That, and my more kowledgable and experienced brain. Cuz this? This whole situation? SO. FRICKING. NUANCED! Rapunzel, she understands, truly she does, all the pain and suffering Envearia has caused, but she's still her mother. She raised her and loved her, loved her so much she did the thing she was afraid of the most. Die for her sake.

I was SO glad White didn't collect her. I would've been so pained ='(

On a lighter note, Raps's fam & Jack's fam being next door neighbors? Why is that THE cutest thing EVERRR. Just THINK of the fanfic possibilites! Of them becoming one big close fam so that when R&J tell them theyre together they'd be BEYOND excited! Plus you just KNOW Rapunzel's gram & Tess are invested in R&J, you just know it!

Anyhoo, that is Grounded's bullet list, and I was going to do the other two books here too but I am tired and I think it might be too long. I'll make them their own seperate lists, maybe just one if they aren't too long. (They'll be too long.)

OH! One last thing, do any of you know Rapunzel & Jack's ages? I don't remember them being outright stated in the books.

I *think* Rapunzel is 16ish, and Jack's probably her age. I think. Please correct me. I also have the same wonderings about Dash & Ella. I think they're 15. R&J are definitely at least a year older, but I think maybe a couple years makes more sense, so if D&E are 15 then I think R&J are 17.

Luckily, I know that Syrah is 15 cuz he says he was 13 when he kissed Deli and then a year passed and then another year passed, so he's 15. BUT he said once that he thought of Raps as his younger sis (which is ADORABLE and so sweet but I will get into that more when I talk about Transformed), but I don't think that necessarily means she's younger than him, just that she's more...childish and naive, and he's more experienced so it would make more sense for him to be the older sibling.

....I think I might be overthinking this. If you guys know anything, or have any better speculations or any at all, do tell! I'd LOVE to chat with anyone who has read this series! Questions & Comments are very welcome.

[pansy-picnics]

a fairly old doodle i just realized i never posted here. family :3

[ognimdo2002]

Giant Ground Sloth (Megatherium americanum) – Furry Tank

Megatherium (/mɛɡəˈθɪəriəm/ meg-ə-THEER-ee-əm; from Greek méga (μέγα) 'great' + theríon (θηρίον) 'beast') is an extinct genus of ground sloths endemic to South America that lived from the Early Pliocene through the end of the Late Pleistocene.

It is best known for the elephant-sized type species Megatherium americanum, primarily known from the Pampas, but ranging southwards to northernmost Patagonia and northwards to southern Bolivia during the late Middle Pleistocene and Late Pleistocene.

[internetgiraffekid1673]

YES I AM STILL DOING OC-TOBER! I DON'T CARE THAT IT'S MID-NOVEMBER, I'MMA FINISH THIS DAMMIT!

By the way. Remember when I told you I did prompt 21 last time? Yeah that was a lie, that was prompt 20. TODAY is prompt 21, draw your OC with your favorite character

I have a lot of favorite characters from a lot of favorite medias, but I have firmly decided that my favorite book of all time is Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison. It's the second book in a series, and it is SOOOOOOOO good.

Anyway, my favorite character from that book is the blue fairy Serge. He's a fashionable model of professionalism who is waiting for his asshole boss to retire so that he can fix the fairy-godparenting business to help children in need instead of just rich brats. All of his carefully laid plans are abruptly hijacked when he gets an apprentice in Jasper, the crimson fairy who RADIATES dramatic theatre kid energy. I refuse to spoil anything else though.

In the Land of Tyme (the world where this book is set), witches are created by selling their souls to the Great White Fairy in the Sky (who's an asshole, but not explicitly a satanic allegory). To maintain their lives and powers, they have to consume innocence, usually accomplished by eating children. Witch and fairy magic do NOT mix, don't play nice with each other, repel each other, and make the users of both physically weakened and ill. It's like poison.

While Hazel's done some heinous stuff, she's not a cannibal, and she only preys on other evil people. Serge has no way of knowing this, and would be absolutely horrified in a number of ways if he met a child witch, while Hazel would just be confused.

Everybody go read The Land of Tyme series by Megan Morrison, it's been intricately worldbuilt to a degree that I would actually describe the books as lessons on civics, ethics, and politics disguised as fractured fairytales. They're REALLY REALLY good. Anyway.

[bee-snail]

Moonrise Rapunzel would be an incredible firefighter.

[aventurineswife]

Hello I was watching tangled and I got an idea for a request, what if the reader, who uses a frying pan like Rapunzel, was present during the 2.4 and 2.5 quests and then used it to smack their opponents upside the head from behind, I just thought it'd be funny to see how the characters would react to it.

Frying Pan Saves The Day!

Tags: Feixiao x Reader, Jiaoqiu x Reader, Moze x Reader, Action-Adventure, Humor, Crack Fic Elements, Battle Scenes, Unconventional Weaponry, Found Family Dynamics, Light Angst.

Warnings: Violence, Injuries, Emotional Themes, Mild Language, Comedic Violence, Dark Undertones.

A/N: Thought of adding March and Yunli but I ran out of motivation and ideas 😔😪💔

The battlefield was chaos. The abominations swarmed the Xianzhou Yaoqing like an unrelenting tide, their screeches rising above the clang of steel and the cries of wounded soldiers. Feixiao moved like a whirlwind. Her twin glaives glinted under the dim starlight, slicing through the enemy ranks with an elegance that belied the brutal carnage.

Amid the chaos, you crept through the fray, armed not with a weapon of celestial craftsmanship but an ordinary frying pan. The ridiculousness of it all wasn’t lost on you, but desperate times called for creative measures. You hadn’t intended to be here, but an unfortunate teleportation mishap left you smack in the middle of Feixiao’s mission.

“Stay back!” Feixiao barked at you mid-swing, her eyes narrowing as she cleaved an abomination clean in two. “You’re unarmed!”

“I’m armed!” you shot back, brandishing your frying pan with mock pride.

She glanced at your makeshift weapon and blinked in disbelief. “What—?”

Before she could finish her sentence, one of the creatures lunged at her from behind. Reacting on pure instinct, you swung the frying pan with all your might, the metallic clang resonating through the battlefield. The abomination crumpled to the ground, its grotesque head dented like a crumpled can.

Feixiao stared at you, dumbfounded. “Did you just—?”

“Hit it with a frying pan? Yes. Yes, I did.” you replied smugly, twirling the pan like it was the most natural thing in the world.

For a moment, the great Vanquishing General looked utterly lost for words. Then she threw her head back and laughed—a hearty, genuine laugh that echoed across the battlefield. “You’re either incredibly brave or absurdly foolish. Perhaps both.”

The battle resumed, and you found yourself trailing Feixiao, bonking abominations on the head whenever they got too close. To your surprise, the soldiers began cheering you on, some even mimicking your frying-pan antics with their shields.

When the battle was finally over, Feixiao sheathed her glaives and approached you. “You’re either a lunatic or a genius. Either way, I’m keeping you around,” she declared with a grin. “But next time, I’ll make sure you’re armed with something better than… that.”

“What’s better than a frying pan?” you teased.

“Literally anything,” she deadpanned, though the amused glint in her eye betrayed her true feelings.

The tension in the infirmary was palpable. Jiaoqiu worked tirelessly, his hands moving with practiced precision despite his blindness. His irises, dull and unseeing, remained fixed ahead as he administered his unique "nine-square grid" formula to the wounded.

You stood at his side, offering assistance where you could. The sudden attack on the outpost had left the infirmary understaffed, and you were determined to help in any way possible—even if it meant wielding your trusty frying pan against the incoming threat.

The doors burst open, and a wave of corrupted enemies flooded the room. Jiaoqiu didn’t flinch, his calm demeanor unshaken. “Protect the patients,” he instructed softly, his voice a balm amidst the chaos. “I will continue my work.”

“Got it,” you replied, gripping your frying pan like a knight preparing for battle.

The first abomination to approach you met the flat side of your pan with a resounding clang. It stumbled backward, its grotesque face now sporting a comical dent. You swung again, this time catching another creature on the side of its head. One by one, they fell, and the frying pan became a surprising force of justice.

Jiaoqiu paused mid-preparation, his ears twitching at the sound. “What… is that noise?”

“That, Jiaoqiu, is the sound of justice,” you replied, taking out another abomination with a flourish.

Despite his blindness, you could feel his incredulous stare. “Justice? With a frying pan?”

“Would you prefer I used your cauldron?” you quipped, dodging an incoming strike.

He sighed, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. “Just�� don’t break anything valuable.”

When the room was finally clear, you stood amidst the carnage, panting but victorious. Jiaoqiu shook his head, an amused chuckle escaping him. “You have a… unique approach to combat.”

“Hey, whatever works, right?” you replied, twirling the pan triumphantly.

“I suppose,” he said, though his tone carried a hint of admiration. “Still, next time, perhaps consider a weapon that doesn’t double as kitchenware.”

The dimly lit corridor was eerily silent, save for the soft patter of your footsteps and the faint rustle of Moze’s cloak as he moved ahead of you. The Shadow Guard had reluctantly allowed you to accompany him on this mission, though he clearly doubted your usefulness.

“Stay behind me,” he ordered curtly, his eyes scanning the darkness for threats.

You nodded, clutching your frying pan tightly. The Shadow Guard’s somber demeanor made you nervous, but you weren’t about to back down.

As you turned a corner, an enemy leapt from the shadows, its claws aiming for Moze’s throat. He moved with deadly precision, his blade flashing in the dim light. But as he turned to face another attacker, he missed the one creeping up behind him.

“Look out!” you shouted, swinging your frying pan with all your might. The resounding clang echoed through the corridor as the enemy crumpled to the ground.

Moze froze, his eyes widening slightly as he turned to face you. “Did you just…?”

“Save your life? Yes, I did.” you replied, holding the pan aloft like a prized weapon.

He stared at you for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to your surprise, he smirked. “Impressive. Crude, but effective.”

“Crude? This pan has saved lives today,” you said, mock-offended.

His smirk grew. “Perhaps I underestimated you.”

From that point on, Moze didn’t object when you stayed close, your frying pan at the ready. When the mission was over, he even offered a rare compliment. “You may not be a Shadow Guard, but you’ve proven yourself useful. Though next time, I suggest you invest in a proper weapon.”

“Why? This one’s served me just fine,” you replied with a grin.

He shook his head, a faint chuckle escaping him. “You’re… something else.”

[artist-issues]

I Saw Wish

And it was the worst animated Disney movie I’ve ever seen. I have to watch it again before I can get into the nitty gritty details. But I don’t need details to sum it up, because my dad actually said it perfectly as we left the theater:

“It was like someone who didn’t really understand Disney movies tried to make a Disney movie.”

Both the form (the technical arts of filmmaking) and the content (the morals, values, and themes of the movie) were totally horrible.

I don’t know who’s fault it was. Jeremy Spears was in the storyboard room and Mark Henn and Eric Goldberg did some 2D animation. But they must have gotten outvoted, or they must not care anymore.

Because holy cow. Here’s some stuff that’s just off the top of my head.

SPOILERS. Not that it matters, because nothing interesting happens in this movie.

The writing? Terrible. Ninety percent of it feels like the characters are filling time with quirky one-liners that are trying too hard to be appealing, then failing, then taking you out of the movie. The jokes aren’t funny. The characters just respond to each other in conversation to check a one-liner box. The other twenty percent is whole conversations repeating tell-don’t-show exposition that has already been covered, usually twice, in previous scenes. Like if in Tangled, every scene had included some variation of Rapunzel saying to friends and enemies alike, “I have to see the floating lights so I’m sneaking to the castle with this thief who wants a mysterious tiara I hid from him. Don’t tell my mother, she’s a bit overprotective!” Over. And over. And over.

The character motivations are way too broad. Asha? Her dream is just “that everybody around me gets to be happy.” That’s it, in a nutshell. No deeper exploration of that. Nobody asks, “why do you care so much?” Nobody tries to convince her she should look out for herself, and then she proves she was right all along. The King? We are told (not shown) that he doesn’t want anyone else’s dreams to be “destroyed.” But he in no believable way expresses that that motivation is still what’s driving him during the movie—what’s driving him is just a plain old lust for power, no nuance.

By the way, the whole premise of the movie? Undercooked. Half-baked concepts strung together with no definitive meaning. Therefore, it’s not believable. Example: The characters act like the wishes are beautiful—well, actually, no, this movie doesn’t know how to show, so there’s not a lot of meaningful acting—the characters just tell us that wishes are “the most beautiful part of someone,” and that’s why it’s worth going through this adventure to give their wishes back to them. But there’s no proof of that in the movie. In fact, it directly kicks it’s own legs out from under that idea, because it has every character who gives up their wish forget that part of themselves. Asha’s grandfather has forgotten his wish, but that doesn’t make him any less “beautiful.” She, and everyone, still treats him like he’s this wonderful old man who deserves the world, who everyone loves…but why is he so appealing? If he “gave up the most beautiful part of him?” The only character who is changed by their lack-of-wish is the Sleepy-analogue character…who is just sleepy, which is described as “boring.” But nobody else who’s given up their wish in the whole kingdom acts like that. It’s just him. Also, the King acts like it’s so important to protect the wishes from destruction. But what does destroying a wish look like? That actually happens to Asha’s mom. Her wish-bubble is broken, literally, and she just says she feels grief. But like. Why? She never remembered it in the first place; it had been missing from her life for years. Also, what the heck is a wish?! It seems to range from broad concepts like “inspire people” to “fly.” Just “fly,” like a bird. The desire to levitate off the ground is the most important, beautiful essence of one background character. Like, what?! But no character ever has the why behind their wish to make us care.

I could go on and on about that point. Like, think about Disney movies that wrote the book on how to make movies about characters with wishes. If Ariel were in Wish, her bubble would look like “dancing and learning and exploring on the Surface with someone who understands her.” But we believe that that is her real, genuine wish, and that it matters to her, because we are shown why being understood is so important to her. Because it’s missing from her life. There’s a scene where she explores a boat alone, and even her best friend doesn’t get excited about it with her. Her dad won’t listen to her point of view. Her siblings don’t ask her about her life even when they think she’s in love. She wants what she wants because of pieces of her life that we are shown.

We are never shown why Asha’s grandfather is obsessed with inspiring people, so we have no reason to believe it, or care whether he gets it or not. We can’t feel disappointed when his wish is said to “never come true,” like we did when Quasimodo was abused by the people he wished to join. We can’t feel elated when he finally “gets” his wish, like we did when Simba smiles on Pride Rock remembering the same way he used to as a cub and claims the crown with a roar. We don’t have anything to hang on to, nothing to relate to, nothing to grasp and feel with the characters. So we don’t feel, because they didn’t put the work in to help us feel. They just say, “the mom’s feeling grief. Feel grief.” And expect us to do the work ourselves. I have to stop harping on this point and move on.

But The main point of the movie is very broad because of that lazy premise, and it’s barely reinforced by any kind of appealing storytelling. If I had to guess, the point would be “Keep wishing for more even when it’s hard.” But the story they told to communicate that meaning was so unimpactful. Asha doesn’t have a dream of her own that’s such hard work to accomplish! (Neither does her grandfather; his wish is “to inspire people.” And at the end, we’re supposed to see him strumming a guitar and believe it’s inspiring? We were never shown how he worked hard to learn how to play the instrument. Or that he carved it with his own hands, or anything like that. So there’s no meaningful demonstration of working hard for it or achieving your wish even if it’s far out of reach.) And nobody except the king is trying to take wishes away from anyone, and he just does it literally, after they voluntarily give them to him, so there’s not even any impactful demonstration of “don’t let anyone tell you your wishes are dumb or unachievable, or stop you from reaching them.” Even when he takes them away, it’s just because they…could, someday, be used to threaten his kingdom in a vague, really unlikely way. There are so many things you could do with “keep wishing for more even when it’s hard.” For instance; you could say the main character has always been afraid to dream (wish for more), because maybe when she was a kid something wonderful almost happened but ended in tragedy, so she keeps her head down and doesn’t want much because if you don’t dream you’ll never be disappointed. She takes no risks, and has to learn that sometimes trying and failing is worth more than slogging through life all self-protective. I mean, the pieces were right there. She has this line about her dad, and how she wished he would get better but then he died. She has lines about how nobody should have to live with grief?? Then that’s never addressed again! It’s just a throwaway emotion-moment with no buildup or follow-through to tie it to and support that main theme.

The compositions of too many shots were so terrible. Characters got cut off in weird places. One shot has Asha dead center, with her grandfather on the left side of the table and her mother on the right, having a family dinner with a super exposition-heavy conversation that is meant to be emotionally charged. But despite everything else being perfectly centered, half of her mother’s body is chopped off. The movie’s shot like someone’s mom who doesn’t understand technology tried to take a video with her phone.

The charm of the art “style” wears off basically immediately. I know what they were going for. I see the sketch lines and watercolor textures. This is maybe the first time Disney ever failed to accomplish a visual “look” that turned out good. Everything looks dull. Muted. De-saturated. Slightly out of focus, but not in a cool Spider-Verse way. The sets or backgrounds are lazy; at no point does the scenery look complete; big, empty, boring spaces that do not create any kind of “stage” for impactful moments. The rendering looks unfinished. When Asha’s hair moves during her belting of the “I Make This Wish” song, it’s bad. It’s unnatural. It flops in a way that doesn’t make sense for the weight of her hair. The most impactful visual moments come from the villain, and they’re moments when he looks way too unhinged for the kind of line he’s saying.

There is no interesting character development. Asha goes from believing everyone is basically good and their wishes deserve the chance to come true , to….that, again. That would be fine, she could be a static character, if she proved contrast-characters wrong, in a believable way. But she never does. Because no other characters argue with her except the King. And it goes no deeper than “everyone’s wishes are basically good and they deserve the chance to make them true” vs. “nuh-uh, because I get to decide what makes them deserving.” The King doesn’t have any kind of interesting development, either. They don’t expand on his tragic backstory—it consists of one drawing of him near a broken boat, and a few images of the corner burned off of his family taoestry. They never say “King Magnifico wished for _____ and it was taken away!” They literally never tell you what his wish or dreams were, or what motivated him to create the whole kingdom that the movie’s premise sits on. So there’s no convincing sense of progression, how he got this way, why he’ll keep going “so far.”

The pacing is weird. It undercuts every moment that could have any kind of emotion behind it. One minute Valentino is suavely bouncing around, then he’s given a two-second beat to blubber with badly-animated tears that he’ll miss Star—then he instantly gets to have another funny one-liner so we forget he might’ve been sad a second ago. We’re clearly supposed to believe that the King and his wife are devoted to each other, and his turning evil was such a big betrayal, but there’s no time and no impactful evidence for us to believe either of those things. And even if we did, the moment he’s defeated and trapped in a mirror, and begs to be let free, the Queen kind of shrugs it off, makes a forgettable one-liner, and tells them to throw him in the dungeon. And he doesn’t look remorseful. And we don’t even get to assume he’s embarrassed or emotionally devastated that he’s come to this—because the last thing he says is “nooo, the dungeon is so smellyyy!” Like this is a half-baked LEGO short that can’t get emotionally deeper than what an actual 3 year-old’s parents might be okay with.

And that’s the worst offense: The movie is not genuine. It works hard for nothing, and it has no vulnerability. It just uses old Disney standbys to pretend to be vulnerable. Have the music swell and the characters gasp and the songs drip emotion when characters are meant to be saying or doing something emotional.

But truthfully, think of all the Disney movies you’ve ever seen with the hardest emotional moments. The sheer joy of Genie when he realizes he’s free. The anguish when Elsa thinks Anna’s been frozen forever, or when Anna thinks she’s dead. The trauma when Simba loses Mufasa. The longing and dreaming of Ariel when she reaches up out of her grotto. The sense of foreboding when Mother Gothel says “fine, now I’m the bad guy” or the heartbreak in Rapunzel’s eyes when she thinks Flynn has abandoned her, or the shame on Aladdin’s face when Jafar reveals he’s a street-rat, or the horror of cruelty when the stepsisters rip up Cinderella’s dress, or Kala’s tears when Tarzan leaves her in the treehouse, or Sarabi’s tears when Simba comes back, or Mulan’s father tossing aside the sword and token of the Emperor to embrace Mulan, or heck, even just Lilo pushing Stitch in the woods and telling him “get out of here.” This movie has no moments like that. It has moments you can tell that the filmmakers wanted to hit like that—but they don’t.

Because no work is put into building them up. You know how much Simba loves Mufasa, because you’ve been watching their chemistry more than any other character all the way up till he dies. You know how much Mulan wants to please her family because she spends all of Act I desperately attempting to do that. You know Quasimodo believes the world below is beautiful and wants them to accept him because he has interesting things like—talking to gargoyles, convincing us that he’s lonely; building a scale model of the townspeople, convincing us that he sees them in a beautiful way and wishes he were beautiful in more ways than one like them, too.

Right down to the facial expressions, none of them are as anguished, happy, sad, excited, silly, in any convincing way like all of Disney’s other movies. Asha’s “low moment” when she’s afraid her “wish” hurt everyone else (still vague on what that wish ever was) lasts two seconds, she’s not crying, she’s barely sitting with slumped shoulders, and her family barely spend two seconds comforting her. They basically just say, “aw, no, it’s not y fault, it’s the king’s.” And she’s like, “yeah okay” and that’s that. It’s like the animators we’re afraid to animate really intimate emotions on the characters’ faces. The voice actors, too.

And the whole movie is peppered with Easter eggs to past Disney movies. But all that does, if you really know Disney beyond the visuals, is make you think of how hollow this movie is in comparison. How much you wish you were watching Cinderella or The Little Mermaid or something with depth and vulnerability instead of Wish.

[slvt4felix]

♡ I See the Light ♡

Pairing -> lostprince!felix x thief!reader WC -> ~6,700 words Includes -> tangled!au, violence? (frying pan incident), reader is a criminal, fem!reader, lowkey abusive and manipulative "mother", kidnapping, magic, Bbokari as Pascal Summary -> After stealing a particularly precious item from the King and Queen, the royal guards push you deep into the woods during an exhilarating chase. You stumble across an interesting tower and start to climb, unaware of what you will come across once you reach the inside. Or rather, who you will come across and how this unique person will completely change the trajectory of your life. Author's Note -> I am like the biggest fan of Tangled. It's my all time favorite Disney movie. And when I think of Felix the first thing that comes to mind is sunshine and I feel like he is so Rapunzel coded. So yeah... don't mind that this fic is literally just all my favorite things combined. I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Also this was only supposed to be one part, but I'm slowly starting to realize I'm really bad at writing short stories... so this story will definitely be multiple parts!

Masterlist ♡ Next Part

You pant, desperately trying to catch your breath as your legs move faster than they ever have before. They are starting to ache, along with your feet, your lungs, and just about everywhere else. But you can't stop, not right now. Not with the heavy footsteps just a few feet behind you and horses loud in the distance.

You stole something. Well, technically you have stolen many things, but what can you say? You were an orphan and never given the chance to make money more nobly. And this time, the object was just something you couldn't pass up.

You keep running, eyes trained directly in front of you. You desperately want to look behind you to see how much time you have, see just how much danger you're in, but the adrenaline and fear have you locked in. You won't stop, won't glance back at the angry guards until you manage to get some headway.

Your boot-clad feet heavily trample the ground underneath you, damaging the delicate blades of grass and petals of flowers that seem to multiply by the second. If only you were able to look down, you would notice the nature changing subtly underneath you. The rocky area you were previously in changed into a thick forest, covered in clover and wildflower.

If you weren't in this situation, perhaps you would've taken the moment to admire it. To take in your surroundings, breathing in the beauty of nature. But again, now's not the time. Maybe one day you will have the ability to stop and smell the flowers, but today there are more important matters at hand.

You hear a twig snap behind you and an unsettling crash. You instantly realize it to be a branch in the path that you had just jumped over. Luckily enough, after years of training, running, and stealing you can navigate your way through many terrains if needed. However, it seems like the guards behind you weren't so lucky. You swiftly turn your head and find exactly what you expect. The two burly men who had been hot on your trail now lay on a pile on the grass as the distance grows between you and them. You chuckle a bit to yourself upon realizing they must have dropped like dominos, one tripping with the other landing right on top. At this point, you were thankful for anything that could make you laugh.

Looking back ahead of you, you zone back into your mission. Your body aching to take a breather. You take a sharp turn, long used to getting out of these situations. This route change leads you down a steep hill. You almost tumble all the way down, but thankfully your dark brown boots have enough traction on them to help you safely make your way down. You jump off the last little way because what's escaping without a little extra adventure.

Now being back on the soft flat grass, you take in your surroundings, analyzing to try to make the best choice. The guys weren't likely to stay down for too long, so you have to make a decision and fast. You don't have time to try to get ahead, they would catch up in no time.

You realize you have been running for a while to try to escape the men. You weren't keeping track, but this is about as far as you have ever made it outside the kingdom. Everything looks untouched, giving off the vibes that maybe you shouldn't be here. It's ethereal looking, yet a bit unsettling at how everything seems to be in perfect harmony. The branches on the trees sway harshly in the wind and feels as if you were the one to disturb the peace, your presence entirely unwelcome.

You shake off the thoughts and roll your shoulders a bit. This was not the time for superstitions or paranoia.

'Maybe if those stupid guards hadn't chased me for so long,' you think bitterly. But in reality, you know you can't hold it against them. It's just their job, just like this is yours. It's just the way it is.

Typically you would have everything completely planned out. Especially the escape route. But, there was really no way to prepare for this. You usually don't get caught soon enough to actually get chased.

Panic floods your body as you begin to hear angry voices again. You're running out of time. The goal today was not to go to prison. You sigh angrily realizing there really isn't any simple escape route this time around. Before your brain even processes it, your feet are moving on their own accord, simply in fight or flight mode. But, today seems to be your lucky day and nature seems to be on your side.

You glance behind you after a few steps noticing that the men still hadn't caught up enough for you to be in their vision. In this slight hesitation, your foot catches on a branch growing from the ground likely belonging to one of the beautiful weeping willow trees surrounding you. It appears that the trees have inhabited this place for ages, their roots buried deep into the group and long wispy branches that hide practically everything behind them.

You stumble forward, your arms unable to find anything to grasp. You land harshly on your knees, making you hiss out in pain. You were definitely going to be covered in grass stains after this.

You quickly gather yourself, standing to your feet taking in your new surroundings. You falter a bit, unsteady due to the weight of your backpack making you a bit unbalanced. You must have fallen through into a small cave. The willow's long branches came down to hang in the entrance, blocking anyone from seeing the small hideaway. You're surrounded by rough, cool stone. There's a noticeable temperature difference that provides relief to your damp skin. The sun was beating on you aggressively the whole run, but hey at least it was bright enough out to see in front of you. It was the only reason you were brave enough to do this in broad daylight. Although it was easier to slip away in the dark, sometimes the paths of the kingdom and the forest surrounding can get pretty difficult to navigate after dark.

You hear heavy footsteps coming from the area you had just narrowly managed to escape. They sound pretty scattered, your mind providing you with the image of multiple royal guards rushing into the serene environment. You almost giggle at the thought of them all dressed head to toe in golden armor. A large sun engrained in their chest plate.

You peek slightly through the covering, seeing exactly what you had imagined. They are searching the area hastily in hopes of finding any clues as to which way you went. They look like children playing dress up, some of their spartan-like helmets falling over their eyes when they turn their heads obviously not fitting them properly.

One stalks past the opening, startling you backward. You hold your breath in fear. They may look silly, but that doesn't diminish the fact that they could positively ruin your life if they manage to capture you. You make your way farther into the cave, expecting to run into a rock wall blocking you in. You had planned to just hide it out in here until it was safe to leave, but soon you realize there may be another way to go about it. It seems to not really be a cave like you had initially thought. Rather, it appeared to be a tunnel of some sort. As you continue to walk the light grows dim. Before you know it, you can no longer see more than 2 steps in front of you. You put your arms out trying to feel in front of you. It would suck to run face-first into solid rock.

You bite your lip gently, starting to grow a little nervous at the lack of light and ability to see what's ahead. But you just have to deal with it at this point, anything to put more distance between you and the angry guards.

Soon you spy a light at the end of the tunnel, opposite from where you entered. You no longer hear any yelling or stomping and it gives you hope that maybe on the other side, there would be no one searching for you. They surely would have made it there by now if they could find it, right?

You emerge from the tunnel, eyes squinting as the sun's bright rays abuse your eyes again. When you finally adjust to the new lighting, you look around in amazement. You were somehow in a completely new area, large mountains and hills blocking the place in. It was unlike anything you had ever seen before. You had thought where you had just come from looked untouched, but this right here was actual nature at its finest.

It wouldn't be hard to believe you were the first human to step foot here in ages, the area completely overgrown with plants and animals. Yet, there was one unavoidable thing that proved that theory wrong. Standing high amid the greenery was a tall tower. It appeared nearly ancient, the stone crumbling a bit with vines wrapping their way up the walls.

It's honestly mystical with a stunning waterfall coming from one of the mountains just beyond the tower, painting the scene with a light mist. You notice that as the sun hits the vapor just right it creates little mini rainbows.

"Woah" you whisper. You aren't usually the type of person to talk to yourself, mostly preferring to keep your thoughts in your mind, but at this moment it felt perfectly justified. You spin in a circle, trying to take everything in. You had never really seen anything like this, despite the beautiful architecture the kingdom was made up of. This felt like something out of a fairy tale. Which you were so not used to. You aren't typically the main character. More likely the shady best friend or the villain who never really lives up to their name.

For a minute, you feel like someone else. Like one of the beautiful girls in the books you read who end up with the loves of their lives. Or even the protagonist in a high fantasy novel. At this point, you honestly wouldn't be that surprised if a fairy with sparkling wings flew out in front of you. It didn't even really feel like real life.

You approach the tower, eager to explore what you have found. You make sure to carefully walk across the wood that appears to have been thrown over the stream haphazardly in an attempt at a bridge. It doesn't exactly look stable and you weren't looking to get wet. But it was the only way across and you just had to get a closer look.

Surprisingly, you make it across with no damage and you sigh in relief. The material of your outfit does not feel nice wet. You had learned that the hard way last time you had stolen something.

You scan the perimeter of the tower, shocked at the realization that there is no door. You double-check, a little put-off at the idea, and again find no door. Not even an opening or one that had been covered by the overgrown bushes and flowers that had taken over the landscape.

'Who makes a tower with no entrance?' you question, your stomach turning slightly beginning to get an eerie feeling. It was just a little… odd. But who were you to say how something should be built? You aren't exactly an architect. And maybe things were just built differently back then.

You knew it was ridiculous to try and justify something as weird as this, but you couldn't help your brain trying to connect the dots. But it just doesn't make sense. You take a few steps back, trying to figure out how to approach the situation. The lack of an entrance is disheartening as you were beginning to think maybe you could've stayed here for a while. There was no way you could go back to the villages of the kingdom right now. They would definitely be searching for you. And if you could find an easy way into this place, it would be a nice spot to hide out until everything cools down.

You spot windows near the top of the tower and suddenly you realize, the window directly above you is wide open. That is your chance. You feel around the stone bricks that make up the base of the building hoping you can catch your fingers in the cracks. You manage to get a little bit of a grip, but not much. There's no way you could make it all the way up there by just climbing. None of the rocks jut out enough.

You gasp out, an idea rushing into your head. You reach down where a leather sheath is strapped to your thigh. You carefully grab your dagger out. it was only one, but it could definitely help. You didn't like carrying a knife on you, but it did become really useful sometimes. You didn't use it much, especially not to hurt people. It's more of a just-in-case option. You bring the metal up to your eyes admiring how the afternoon sunlight reflects off it, the handle carefully engrained with beautiful roses.

You would be lying if you said it didn't kind of make you feel like a badass.

You lodge the dagger into the cracks and use it to try and pull yourself up a bit. It was definitely helpful as you thought. You kick your feet against the stone, hoping to find a decent push-off spot. With the traction on your shoes and your leather gloves protecting your hands both providing a bit of grip, this might actually be possible. And at this point, what exactly did you have to lose? It would be such a nice shelter to rest in for the night.

You carefully, make your way up the tower, thankful for the wood that occasionally wraps the bricks giving you a place to catch your breath.

Finally, you manage to make it to the top, your chest heaving slightly and your fingers burning from the pressure. In your haste to pull yourself up the last little bit of the wall and slide through the window, you fail to notice the soft noises coming from inside. There's some shuffling, but you brush it off assuming it's some animal that had also decided to make this place its shelter.

You throw your leg through the window taking a second to sit there and catch your breath. You're straddling the bit of wood framing the window, it's delicately carved and decorated with light purple flowers on the ledge. You take a mental note of them, hoping to admire them later once you're settled.

Deeming yourself steady enough, you pull your other leg through standing up in the large room. As much as you want to take everything in, you first slip your backpack off. Nervous that things had gotten jostled on the way up. You open the buckle and slip the top open. You set the bag gently on the ground, squatting next to it as you pull out a sparkling crown.

You sigh in relief that it was still there, it hadn't fallen out. There wasn't even a singular scratch on it. The feeling of the cool metal weighing heavy in your hands punches a sigh of relief from your lungs.

"Thank God," you whisper to yourself, breaking the gentle silence of the room you entered. You had stolen the crown. It’s why the royal guards were after you. You had entered the castle through the ceiling and stolen the crown, the guards just barely noticing as you were exiting. It was the most valued object in the whole kingdom. The importance of the crown is in how it is associated with the lost prince.

It was the most well-known story in the country and maybe even the whole world. Everyone had been so ecstatic. The Queen and King were having a baby. An heir to take over the throne when they grew old and gray. But, the Queen had grown increasingly sick as the pregnancy progressed. You had been just a baby when all this was happening, but over the years you have heard of the story many times. It was hard not to. It was everywhere you went.

Thankfully, the Queen recovered. They had found a magical flower that had the power to heal her. The baby came soon after and the whole kingdom rejoiced. They had a beautiful baby boy, with golden locks and soft skin. They released a bright lantern into the indigo sky in celebration.

However, everything went wrong that night. The new parents had heard their baby cry in the early hours of the morning but when they got there he was already gone. Never to be seen again. They still hold hope that maybe one day their baby will return home. Even going as far as to hold an annual festival for him and releasing hundreds of floating lanterns into the sky on his birthday. It was honestly a gorgeous sight.

You go to put the crown back into your bag, still nervous to get scratches or fingerprints on it. It was worth a lot of money. A deal you couldn’t pass up. Just as your fingers leave the smooth metal you hear a shuffling noise coming from your side. Your head shoots up looking to discover where the noise is coming from.

You're shocked at the sight that greets you. You stand up, nearly stumbling back at the surprise. There in front of you was… another human? How in the world had he gotten up here? You didn't hear anyone else climb up after you and it's hard to believe someone could do that silently. Did that mean they had already been here when you arrived? Why were they here?

So many questions flood your head that you barely have time to react as an object comes flying toward your head. You quickly duck down, just barely missing the dark metal by an inch. You pop back up, thankfully agile from all your years as a criminal. Once you regain your footing, your eyes take in the sight of a young man standing in front of you. He has probably the lightest blonde hair you have ever seen in your life paired with deep brown eyes. The sun shines on him, making him look as if he was the sun lighting up the room. You're a little taken aback at the sight of him. Typically you are pretty good at reading people, but it seems like you aren't exactly making the best choices today. He doesn't exactly look like the type to try to hit somebody over the head with a heavy frying pan, but here he is sanding with the weapon of choice in his right hand.

He stares back at you while standing in a nervous, defensive stance. But to be fair, you would also be feeling quite uncomfortable if you had tried to take someone's head off and somehow managed to miss.

The stare lasts longer than most people would deem necessary, silence yet again filling the large stone room. Yet, neither of you break it. You're still reeling in shock from the frying pan.

Finally, you gather yourself and question him. "Did you really just try to hit me with a frying pan?" you ask in disbelief. His eyes widen when you speak. He looks more shocked than you feel, which is really saying something. He looks as if he has never interacted with another human before. For a split second, you wonder if maybe you were being too harsh on him.

But before you can get another word in a call sounds from outside.

"Felix, my love, I'm home," a woman yells in the distance. The boy's, who you now assume to be Felix, head shoots to the window in a panic. He turns to you, now looking even more anxious than before.

"You have to go, you have to go like now. She will actually hurt you. Like with more than a frying pan," he whispers as he comes much closer, his voice a surprisingly gravelly tone. You can practically feel the vibrations of it on your skin and you're stunned for a moment, frozen in place. He grabs your wrist, not unkindly, and leads you to the back wall of the room. You watch him carefully as he proceeds to open the door to an armoire, making you wonder what exactly his plan is. He gestures inside and you simply stare at him struggling to comprehend the situation.

"I'm not hiding in your closet," you spit, slightly insulted he would even suggest that.

"Do you want to get killed?" He asks, his tone firmer this time. You can tell he's serious, and your hands start to shake upon realizing how urgent he sounds.

He continues on despite your silence, eager to get you to follow along. "Listen, I don't know who you are or why you're here, but this is really bad timing. I was going talk to her about something important and now... you're here," he starts sounding utterly defeated. He knows explaining the situation to a random stranger likely wasn't going to help, but he was still going to try.

"She doesn't normally listen to me and she definitely won't if she has to deal with you, so just please hide. Just until I can get her to leave. Then I guess I'll figure out what to do," he finishes with a sigh and stares back at you hopefully. You simply nod slowly a little stunned. Felix realizes this is the closest he'll probably get to agreeance and doesn't try to convince you any further.

He grabs your hand gently as you step into the closet, helping you stay stable in the crowded space. You're surrounded by clothes of every color, so many blues and pinks that if you squint hard enough you can practically imagine you're walking into cotton candy.

"Just stay quiet, I'll try to get her to go away," He states quietly. He nods at you reassuringly and it comforts you. You still feel very trapped, but you no longer feel as nervous, rather trusting the man to take care of it for you. You don't know why he hasn't freaked out at you yet, but if he was going to, it probably would've already happened. He shuts the door slowly, dimming the small space. You watch his figure until the last little bit of light can no longer slip through, shutting you off from the room you had just been in.

Thank God you're not claustrophobic.

Once the door is completely shut, you're unable to see anything aside from black for a while, your eyes refusing to adjust to the sudden darkness. However, you listen carefully to everything happening outside the armoire in hopes of getting a better read on everything happening.

You hear Felix shuffling around in the room, obviously cleaning things up and maybe even hiding things considering his fearful reaction to the women's yell. You can hear her shout again from outside, but you can no longer make out what she says. The wood is too thick to depict more than a murmur. But, Felix seems to have heard what she has said. The noises from the room get much louder and rushed. Before suddenly they stop.

You hold your breath in the quiet, anxiously waiting for what comes next.

Felix takes a deep breath, glancing around the room one last time to make sure everything is nice and clean. He had noticed your bag left by the window, the stolen crown peeking out. A little chick, whom Felix had named Bbokari had been poking around next to it making him laugh in adoration of the small creature. He must have hidden when you had broken in, scared of the stranger. But that was to be expected, considering every time mother arrived home, Felix would tell the small chick to hide, pushing him out of sight. Now, Mother wasn't mean or an animal abuser. She had never hurt Bbokari before, but Felix honestly did not want to take that chance. She wasn't exactly a fan of critters or any type of outsider making their way into her tower.

He gives the chick a tiny pat on the head with his index finger, the small bird tweeting happily, before curiously picking up the crown. It shined brightly, the sun catching on the metal as he picked it up.

What in the world? he thinks in confusion. Out of all the things Mother has brought home, this is definitely not something he's seen before. It does, however, remind him of the fairytales he had read as a kid before she had confiscated them in an angry fit. She didn't like when he read about that stuff. It had confused him greatly, as she had never really told him why. So, rather than reading about princesses he was often stuck with books about nature or fiction stories about romance.

The chick pecks at his foot, urgently, trying to remind him of the situation at hand. He snaps out of it quickly putting the crown back in the leather bag. He brings it over to the stairs in the corner. He peels back the one broken step, shoving the bag beneath it. Not even mother knew of this hiding spot. He had to hide the bag, she would ask way too many questions about where that came from. He knows that realistically he should be scared about a stranger practically breaking into the tower. But maybe there's a small part of him that wants to prove himself to his mother. Show her that he really can handle himself. He's turning 18 tomorrow and maybe just maybe now that he's old enough, she'll let him go.

He's had this dream since he was little, to see the floating lights. Every year, they appear on his birthday. Hundreds of bright yellow lights fill the sky, and he cannot seem to figure out why. Either way though, he can't help but feel like they're meant for him. And every year, without fail, he watches them. He looks forward to it all year round, waiting for the day he can see the floating lights gleam again. It's his dream to see them up close in person, but it's starting to seem like it may be simply that- just a dream. How silly of him to think it's something that could actually happen.

Mother becomes very angry anytime he asks to leave the tower, or simply mentions anything about the outside world, but he feels confident this time. She's definitely going to let him go; she has to right? It's his only hope.

"Darling, I'm not getting any younger down here," Mother Gothel yells, sounding exasperated. He quickly picks Bbokari up, hiding him on a ledge behind a curtain, giving him a loving smile before rushing to go help her up.

She had created this tower without a door, purposefully hoping to keep him as far away from the outside and other people as she could. And hell, he couldn't blame her. After all the stories she has told him, he's thankful he's never been exposed to the harshness of the world.

Felix jogs over the window, leaning over the edge, feeling the soft spring breeze blow through his hair.

"Coming Mother!" he yells, adding excitement to his voice. Despite his earlier nervousness, he can't help but be excited whenever she comes home. She often takes long trips, only coming home for days at a time. He'll take any sort of human interaction he can get.

Felix grabs the rope from the wall next to the window, swinging it over the hook hanging down. He throws the rope over, watching his Mother grab it harshly once it hits the ground. Since there is no door, they use a sort of pully system. There's a loop at the bottom of the rope that mother slips her foot into and she holds onto the rope as Felix pulls her the rest of the way up.

It was exhausting, but he's gotten used to it over the years. Luckily, he's gotten a lot stronger over the years. Especially since now that he's older she goes on her trips a lot more. Don't get him wrong, he's thankful, he really is as these trips usually involve getting food or gifts for Felix and her. However, the days can get lonely and fast. There's only so much cleaning, baking, painting, and singing a person can do. It's the reason the walls of the tower are completely covered in different paintings. Some have even been painted over multiple times; he ran out of space long ago. Being home alone for days on end without being able to go outside isn't exactly the dream life some people would think. But he gets it. There are reasons he can't go outside and he must abide to keep himself safe.

So, he pushes the anger and resentment deep inside, painting on his happiest face for her to come home to. He finishes pulling her up and wipes a bead of sweat from his face as she finally steps into the sun-lit room.

She walks over to his bed, placing down her basket and shawl before returning to him. She always looks a bit run down when she comes home, her hair a bit more grey, wrinkles on her forehead, and this haunted look in her eyes. Honestly, it's enough to make him never want to go outside.

The woman caresses Felix's cheek gently, looking into his eyes. He has always loved whenever she was gentle with him, providing love and care, but it's starting to becoming rarer with each passing day.

"Felix, I don't know how you manage to do that day after day, dear," She says softly with a bit of concern.

"It's nothing, Mother," he reassures her, despite how exhausting it truly is. She lets go of him, before he can even finish the sentence, her gaze scanning the rest of the room.

"You keep it so nice and clean in here, it's so nice for Mumsy to come home to," she says, always impressed by the things he manages to get done while she's away. Felix cringes a bit at the statement, knowing he had finished cleaning at barely 7:30 am. It truly was the easiest part of the day. Honestly, the hardest part is always the waiting. Waiting for someone, anyone, to talk to or really just anything to do.

Mother walks over to his mirror that stands near the wall. It's circular and nothing fancy, framed in wood, but she looks at it as if it holds all the answers to life, like it's the most important thing in the world. Sometimes Felix wonders if she loves the mirror more than she loves him, but he quickly pushes that thought down, not wanting it to sour his mood anymore than it already has.

He follows her over to the mirror watching in disdain as she examines her face. Lifting her eyebrows and wincing as the skin drops back down, wrinkled and droopy from her trip. She glances up at him, making eye contact through the reflective glass. In this moment, Felix decides he needs to ask her. He's been waiting all day, or really his whole life, and he really just needs to put it out there.

He opens his mouth ready to admit his dream to her, but he's quickly cut off.

"Felix, my love, would you sing for me?" she asks, and despite her trying to hide it, he can detect the desperation in her voice. He's learned to pick out even the slightest change of tone from her over the years.

Felix's eyes widen, almost comically. How could he have forgotten. It's always the first thing she asks for when she gets back. Of course, she would want him to sing for her. His plan is just going to have to wait for a few more minutes.

He nods repeatedly, rushing off again to grab all the necessary supplies. He places Mothers chair down in the center of the room, before grabbing his flimsy stool, setting it in front of the chair. He sits down quickly, trying to hurry the situation along despite knowing how mother likes to take her time during the process. Going too quickly can become a bit more shocking than refreshing, but today was not the time for relaxation.

Mother finally comes over and takes a seat in her usual chair. She grabs Felix's hands and he can only hope she doesn't feel how sweaty they are. He's so nervous about how the conversation is going to go.

His mind is racing as he opens his mouth to start singing. The words coming with ease, practically muscle memory now with how many times he has sang it for her.

"Flower gleam and glow," he starts, his low voice bouncing off the circular walls. He can see her instantly start to relax as his voice fills the room. It makes Felix feel a bit better, knowing how happy it makes her when he sings. As the song continues, he starts to speed up, again eager to get it over with. Mother's eyes open again in panic, wanting the feeling to last longer.

"Wait-" she starts to say, but Felix has already made it to the ending line. As the song comes to a close, Mother jolts forward practically turning into a new person. Her hair is back to it's usual shiny raven color, a new sense of life brimming from her eyes, and all the wrinkles immediately disappearing from her skin. She's young again, just like she likes to be. He can't blame her, who doesn't wish to be young again.

Normally at this time, Felix would compliment her or tell her how he finds her beautiful before and after, but this time there is something else weighing on his mind. He can only hope that the wood of the closet is thick enough and that he had managed to close the door all the way, knowing sometimes it wouldn't latch completely.

This is the last thing he wants you to find out about. He's terrified you'll turn out to be one of those ruffians and thugs Mother warns him about, wanting to steal him away and use him for his magic.

Oh yeah, Felix has this magical ability where he can heal people with just his touch and voice. He can easily make anyone young again and heal all kinds of wounds. It's why he's in this tower, locked away. It's to keep him safe. Mother doesn't want his power to end up in the wrong hands.

She looks down at Felix in disbelief, not understanding why he is acting this way. He stands up abruptly from the small stool, the same one he has sat in since he was a child, and starts to talk, unable to keep it in anymore.

"Mother, tomorrow is a very special day. Do you know what day it is?" he asks, mouth running a mile a minute. She stands up with him, grabbing his wrist lightly, trying to stop him from pacing around the room. All the energy is making her head spin.

He doesn't even wait a second to let her respond, before reminding her, "It's my birthday!"

"Ah ah ah," she starts, "I distinctly remember that your birthday was last year." Felix tries not to let himself physically deflate at this. She always loves to play games like this.

"That's the funny thing about birthdays, they happen every year," he says gently, not wanting to anger her.

"What is it you want this year? How about those muffins you really liked from that one bakery?" she says, figuring that's what this conversation was about.

"Actually, Mother I was thinking, maybe I could go see the floating lights?" he asks, "The one's that fill the sky every year on my birthday."

At this her gaze immediately darkens, and he realizes that he was right. It's only a dream. It's not something that could come true. He should have known better. She would never let him leave the tower. She's told him this so many times before.

Yet, he couldn't help but try. It's who he is. He's too hopeful and innocent for his own good.

"Felix, you know how I feel about you leaving the tower," she states, her voice a low tone. Felix suppresses a shiver, his body reacting anxiously.

"But Mother-" he starts, hoping to explain himself.

"No buts, they are just stars, Felix, nothing worth putting yourself in danger for," she says, using an argument he had thought of many times.

"They aren't though, I have charted every single star in that sky, and it just doesn't fit. I can't help but feel like they are meant for me."

"Felix, do not argue with me" she says, her volume rising drastically. He knows she can get worked up fast with sensitive topics, but he really wishes she would just listen to him.

"Don't ever ask to leave this tower again," she says sternly as her grip around his wrist tightens harshly. He winces, tears pooling in his eyes, but he doesn't let them fall.

'Don't cry,' he repeats desperately in his head. She would never take him seriously or believe he could handle himself if he cried in front of her.

"Yes, Mother" he says back quietly, knowing there is no use fighting with her. She pats him gently on the head, satisfied with his answer, before moving back over to her basket. She starts to put her things back in their rightful spots, unpacking after her trip.

"Mother-" Felix starts again only to stop as her head aggressively snaps towards him, anger evident on her face.

"Enough about the stars, Felix," she yells in disbelief. Felix shrinks back instinctually. That wasn't even what he was going to say.

"I was actually thinking maybe you could get me more of those special paints you got me a few years ago," he says timidly, trying to come up with something else that she would be more willing to comply with.

"That's a 3-day trip," she sighs out in annoyance.

"I just thought it would be a better idea than... you know," he explains.

"Alright, dear, are you sure you'll be okay?"

"I know I'm safe as long as I'm here," he says back knowing just what she wants to hear. Felix helps as she goes to repack up her stuff, preparing for the long trip ahead of her.

"I love you, my flower," Mother says before she leaves the tower again, climbing down the rope to the soft grass of the outside world.

"I love you more," he says back. It's his usual response, but this time the words feels heavy coming off his tongue, almost as if it doesn't really weigh as truthfully in his heart as it did this morning. Everything just feels wrong.

Bbokari steps out from behind the curtain, chirping at him loudly. It was surprising how loud such a tiny animal could be. Felix walks over to him, gently petting him.

"Everything's going to be okay," he says softly, unsure if he's truly assuring the chick or himself.

A loud snore startles him from the interaction. Bbokari turns his head cutely towards the closet where the noise came from.

Felix sighs bumping his head lightly on the wall above the ledge.

“I don’t want to handle that right,” he says with a chuckle. Bbokari just looks up at him adamantly and Felix knows exactly what the little bird is trying to say. He can’t just keep you in the closet.

Felix rolls his eyes playfully before heading over to the armoire to let you out. However, he does grab his frying pan on the way… just in case.

More parts coming soon!!

[urheartsamess]

grounded: the adventures of rapunzel, megan morrison

[writergracethepanda]

My Favorite Fairytale Retellings

I LOVE fairy tales, so here's my favorite retellings/portrayals of these beloved stories.

Cinderella: Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Disenchanted by Megan Morrison, & Ashlynn Ella from Ever After High (my favorite story to retell)

Sleeping Beauty: Briar Beauty from Ever After High & Dream On by Sarah Mlynowski (my FAVORITE fairytale)

Rapunzel: Cress by Marissa Meyer & Grounded by Megan Morrison

Beauty and the Beast: Beauty and the Beast (2017)

The Little Mermaid: Sink or Swim by Sarah Mlynowski

Snow White: Snow and Mayor Charming from The Sisters Grimm, Apple White and Raven Queen from Ever After High, & Winter by Marissa Meyer

Little Red Riding Hood: Red and Mr. Canis from The Sisters Grimm & Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

The Frog Prince: Once Upon a Frog by Sarah Mlynowski (genuinely one of the best adaptations of any fairy tale of all time)

Rumplestiltskin: Gilded by Marissa Meyer

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: (I know this isn't a traditional fairy tale, but it has become a modern fairy tale of sorts): Abby in Wonderland by Sarah Mlynowski & The Wonderlandians from Ever After High

Would also love to shoutout my FAVORITE podcast, Of Slippers and Splinders. It's all about fairy tale retellings!

[tangledbea]

My Tangled/Bridgerton AU ideas that no one asked for

Rapunzel and Madame Gothel

The daughter of an extremely successful merchant (yes, she's getting a downgrade, can't just have princesses running around everywhere), Rapunzel's mother died in childbirth, and her father died of a broken heart shortly thereafter. Fortunately, the woman who was hired to be her nanny and governess was there to step in immediately, caring for the girl like she was her own.

Rapunzel is raised by Madame Gothel, who she calls Mamá, and is hidden from society for the majority of her life and carefully cultivated to be the Diamond of society upon her debut, which will raise her own status on the ton when they all see how flawless her “daughter” is. Rapunzel is beautiful, demure, regal, elegant, talented… everything a man could want as a prize. Now, if only Gothel could wed her off to royalty and secure her own status forever…

Before her debut, Rapunzel was rarely seen in public, though she could often be glimpsed in her window on the top floor of her house. When she was allowed out in public, she was made to wear wide-brimmed hats, keep her head down, and carry a parasol. Gothel wanted to prove she had a daughter while cultivating mystery about her, so that her debut would be a big reveal to the ton and the world. Because of this, Rapunzel was raised alone, without friends, though she spent a lot of her time in the window watching the people below. When they weren’t in London, they were at their country estate, Der Sonne Manor, with sprawling grounds and little staff, who were under severe threat to never speak of the girl when they happened to catch sight of her.

Though Rapunzel is barely interested in most of the men whose eye she catches, she knows her job is to catch a husband. Against Gothel’s desires, she wishes to find someone interested in her, and not just her beauty and status. She hates suppressing her entire personality and hiding her quirkier interests, but she does what she’s told, lest she risk her mother’s wrath.

Unbeknownst to Rapunzel, Gothel murdered her father when she was an infant after securing that she would have access to Rapunzel's inheritance in order to raise her properly. She took advantage of his broken heart, manipulating him to sign legal documentation before killing him. Though the exact cause of his death is not confirmed, there are those who speculate that Gothel had something to do with it.

Eugene Fitzherbert and King Edmund of Umbra

There was treachery afoot in Umbra when Eugene (Prince Horace) was but a baby. King Edmund sent his only child away for his own protection, but the trusted maid he sent him with was killed en route to a safe location. Suspecting she was being tracked down, she left the baby on a stoop. The people who lived there were unable to care for him, and so took him to the local orphanage, where he grew up under the name Eugene Fitzherbert, and never knowing his lineage.

Growing up poor, Eugene longed for a life of wealth and adventure, envious of the nobles who dallied in the richer parts of town. Knowing that there was little to no future for an orphan, he took to stealing and conning to give himself even a fraction of the life he wanted.

He became jaded over time, convinced that the world was hard and cruel, and that he'd never know anything else. And yet, when he was 25, he was abruptly rediscovered by his birth father, who announced his lineage and brought him back home to be the Crown Prince.

Eugene (who refuses to go by Horace) is at something of a loss. This is the life he has always wanted, and yet he has no idea how to actually live it.

Lance Strongbow

Lance grew up in the orphanage with Eugene, and they were best friends, learning to steal and con together. However, their paths diverged in their late teens, and while Lance didn't know what became of his friend, he set his own sights on being such a convincing conman that even the nobles wouldn't know the difference.

He slowly and gradually worked his way up in subtle ways, until he hatched his major plan. The Baron of Vardaros is a man who has not made a public appearance for decades. The last Lance heard, he'd made his way to America and was never coming back. And so, Lance took his name and title, and has begun passing himself off as the current Baron of Vardaros.

He is a rake, spending his time at the club with other men and enjoying the marriage season because he gets much attention from fawning young ladies who are hoping to catch a rich, titled husband. In truth, he gets a huge thrill out of knowing that he is a fraud, and that no one around him is any the wiser.

Little does he know, the true Baron of Vardaros is soon to catch wind of his identity theft, and will want his revenge.

[ripdragonbeans]

Escape Of The Prince // Rapunzel!Aemond x LannisterFem!OC

Chapter 2: Leissa Lannister

Summary: Leissa Lannister is a noble lady who yearns for adventure and thrives off of adrenaline.

Warnings: none

Leissa’s hair flew behind her as she ran. Unlike her other family members, her hair was dark brown instead of a light blond. Many accused her of being a bastard but no one ever confirmed nor denied it. Leissa, however, did not care one bit.

She cackled with laughter as her brothers struggled to keep up with her. Agile due to her small frame, she dodged rocks and branches with ease. She relished the freedom that came with running. The wind in her hair and the feeling of her feet pounding the ground made her feel one with the earth, one with herself. For once, she did not have to worry about her noble duties to her House or play the role of the perfect daughter.

She made a bet with her brothers that she could reach King's Landing first. Her brothers, being who they are, reluctantly agreed and were now miserably failing. Although Leissa never liked to play into her role as part of a noble House, she knew when and how to play it and she did it well. She has befriended Aegon and Helaena Targaryen and learned where the secret passages were. Aegon and Helaena found Leissa’s tendency to steal and return items entertaining. They never stopped her since they knew she would always bring them back. To them, she always had great stories to tell.

Soon the dirt roads became cobbled stone, a sign that Leissa was near her destination. Stone walls appeared before her, rising high into the sky. They bore the crest of the Targaryen House on banners. Leissa smirked as she made her way down a secret passage on the side of the castle. Instead of immediately walking through the passage, she waited for her brothers to arrive. When they finally did, she could not help but laugh at them again.

“Both of you need to learn how to catch up,” you told them.

“We are only here to make sure you do not get hurt,” Jason mumbled. 

Tyland nodded his head in agreement. “You are quite the handful, sister.”

“I know I am,” she said with a smile. “Now, follow me.”

“Do we have a choice?” Complained Tyland.

“It was your choice to follow me.” She shrugged.

The two brothers looked at each other and groaned before following their sister down the passage.

“What are you even looking for?” Asked Jason after a few minutes of walking in silence.

“There is a rumor that Queen Alicent has a glass candle in her possession.” When her brothers looked blankly at her, Leissa rolled her eyes and continued, “It is said to have power to see far away or to communicate with others without the use of ravens. Different colored candles are believed to have different magical properties and this one happens to be blue.” Leissa stopped to look at her brothers. “What makes this one special is that the Queen wants to trade the candle for her son.” A wicked smirk appeared on Leissa’s face.

“And you want to take that opportunity away from her?” Jason asked, astounded.

“No, of course not. I will return it in due time. I am merely curious about the object. It is not something they parade around or allow others to view.”

“Sister, must you do this?” Tyland groaned.

“Unless there is something else you wish for me to steal, then I do not believe so.” Leissa stopped in front of a wall and pressed her hand against it. “Here is the entrance,” she told her brothers. “If you wish to follow me you must heed my instructions and stay close.”

“We refuse to let you out of our sight so it appears we shall do so,” Tyland mumbled.

From the secret passages, Leissa and her brothers emerged in the middle of a servant’s quarters. Quickly and quietly, Leissa led her brothers through the winding hallways and to the room where the glass candle was said to have been kept. She knew it was with the maesters; it was a cherished ritualistic object as well. Luckily, few moments passed before she found what she was looking for. 

The glass candle was a vibrant blue. Even unlit, it was beautiful. Leissa rubbed her hands together, excitement pouring through her.

“Keep watching,” she told her brothers.

They nodded and stood by the door.

“If anyone comes in, we will escape through the window. I refuse to leave a bloody trail,” she added.

“And yet you bring a dagger?” Questioned Tyland.

Leissa smirked at him. “I must have some sort of protection when I go on my adventures, brothers.”

Tyland and Jason shared an exasperated look but kept watch nevertheless.

Digging through countless other ceremonial items, Leissa made her way around the Maesters’ chambers. It had to be here somewhere. The Queen would not let it be on display nor would she have placed it so carelessly somewhere. No, Leissa had to be strategic about this. With deft hands, she maneuvered through all the trinkets and baubles, all of them important in some way but not important to her. 

Looking around, there was a suspicious cupboard that had some kind of lock on it. It was a dusty, rusty old lock. It looked like it had not been opened for years. Leissa lightly dusted her hand over the lock. It even felt old to the touch, like it might possibly shatter. Smiling, Leissa pulled out her dagger and went to quick work going about to unlock it.

“Do you hear anyone, brothers?” She asked as she worked.

“No one, yet,” replied Jason.

“Good. I should be done soon.” 

After a few more picks with the dagger the lock clicked open. Leissa opened the cabinet and there it was. The hidden glass candle. Just like the rumors said, it was a beautiful deep blue. If only she had dragon fire to light it and see its true beauty. Alas, she was not a Targaryen and had no dragon under her claim. Just as Leissa reached for the glass candle, someone tried to open the door.

“Keep them from coming in!” She hissed.

“No, we need to leave, sister,” said Jason. “You got your candle and now we must flee.”

“Fine.” Leissa grabbed the candle and stuck in inside her cloak. Leaping over various items, she made it to the window. “Bar the door then escape this way,” she ordered Jason and Tyland. “You must stay as close behind me as possible.” 

With those last words to her brothers, she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and hauled herself out of the window onto the stone wall. There were little ledges and holes along the wall, making it easy for Leissa to scale it and climb down. Due to her many adventures, Leissa had great skills when it came to escaping potential captors. She only hopped her brothers would follow in her footsteps. Once she was as close to the ground as she liked, she jumped off the wall and proceeded to sprint towards the exit.

A guard appeared in front of her. “Halt!” He yelled at her. 

Leissa tried to maneuver around him but two others showed up behind her.

“Reveal yourself,” commanded the first guard. He was a white cloak with dashing dark hair. He had an air of arrogance but you could tell it was well-earned. However, there was a hint of desperation behind his eyes.

“Lady Lannister,” said a familiar voice.

Smirking, Leissa removed her hood and turned around. “Prince Aegon, how lovely to see you.”

Aegon mockingly bowed to her, knowing how much it pisses her off to be proper. “What have we here? A treasure?” He motioned to the candle hidden in her cloak.

“Of course you would like to know. If I told you what it is now there would be no story for later,” she reasoned with him.

The guards lowered their swords, one stunned, another amused. The main guard who stopped Leissa looked at her as though he found gold.

“And what did you attempt to take from us, Lady Leissa Lannister?” The brown haired guard asked.

“Oh this?” Leissa pulled the candle out of her cloak. “I thought this candle was pretty and I wanted to get a better look at it.”

“The glass candle? Quite the choice, Lady,” Aegon smirked.

“And your attempt to leave with it?” the guard questioned.

“I would have returned it,” Leissa said. “Here,” she tossed the candle to the guard. “You can have it back. I think I had a close enough look.”

“That is enough,” said Aegon as he put a hand up. “The lady will now come with me. She returned the candle. All is well now.”

The brown haired guard stepped forward. “Actually, my prince, the queen has been looking for someone to rescue your brother. I think she may be the one.”

“And what makes you say that, Ser Criston?” Aegon asked.

“She managed to enter the castle undetected as well as obtain a precious item from us,” Ser Criston responded. He looked at Leissa with newfound respect.  “Anyone who can do that would surely be able to rescue the lost prince.”

Aegon turned to Leissa. “A new adventure for you, perhaps?”

Leissa hummed. “Perhaps,” she repeated. “Before I give my answer, however, you must answer one of mine. Where are my brothers?”

“Ah, yes,” Ser Criston turned his attention to the other guards. “Bring Ser Jason and Ser Tyland here. I am sure they were simply dragged into this by their cunning sister.”

Leissa nodded. “That is correct.”

The guards inclined their heads to Ser Criston before heading off to find the twins. Leissa looked at Aegon and gave him a wink. Today was going so much better than she had anticipated. Aegon had suggested that she attempt to obtain the glass candle but told her if she did it today there would be an even more exciting adventure opportunity. Aegon would not say what it was, but told her that he would show up eventually to support her in this newfound adventure. 

“You mentioned something about finding the lost prince, Ser Criston?” Leissa asked. 

“Yes, but before we talk more about this…adventure, as Prince Aegon had put it, let us talk to Queen Alicent about the details.”

“Lead the way,” Leissa motioned for Ser Criston to start the walk to Queen Alicent. Following close behind, Leissa asked Aegon, “Was this your plan all along?”

Prince Aegon shrugged. “Not entirely. Helaena helped a little bit. Mother has been becoming more and more anxious as the years have gone by. We want our lost brother back, Leissa, and I do believe that you are the one who will be able to find him and bring him home.”

Although Leissa has been close friends with Prince Aegon and Princess Helaena for many years, they have not expressed this much worry over their lost brother before. In the beginning, she simply thought they did not care so much for him since he has been gone for such a long time. It appears that she had been wrong. Ser Criston had led them to the Small Council Chamber. Not only was Queen Alicent there, but her daughter, Princess Helaena was there as well, sitting at the table. Notably missing, however, was King Viserys. 

Queen Alicent immediately stood up. “The King is feeling ill and will not be here,” she said as though she knew the question was going to come up. “But, welcome, Lady Leissa Lannister. It is a pleasure to see you.” She gave her a small smile. “Ser Criston, Prince Aegon, and Princess Helaena have informed me that you may be the best person to bring our son, Prince Aemond, back home.”

“It seems that I may be that person, yes,” Leissa said. Moving to the table she asked, “May I sit?”

Queen Alicent nodded her head. “Please do.”

Once Leissa settled herself in a chair she asked, “Forgive me if my question is too bold, but what happened with previous attempts?”

“Previously, we have found ourselves stopped by my husband’s brother and daughter, Daemon and Rhaenyra. They have two dragons guarding the tower where they keep the Prince and we have yet to break through them.”

Leissa tilted her head. “If they have two dragons and you have not been able to get past them, how do you expect me to? I do not have any dragon, either.”

“That may be the case but you have something that we do not: anonymity. You are only known to us as Lady Lannister but when you are dressed like you are now, in your cloak and tunic and trousers, you are unknown.”

“I am supposed to go alone?”

“Your brothers may accompany you, if you wish. Or Aegon, even.” Queen Alicent nodded towards her eldest son, who nodded back.

“Speaking of my brothers, where are they?”

The doors of the small council chambers opened to reveal Jason and Tyland Lannister. 

“We are right here, sister,” said Jason.

Leissa scanned her brothers for any injuries. They looked tired and worn, but no visible injuries. Good. 

Queen Alicent spoke up. “Will both of you be joining your sister?”

Leissa quickly turned to the queen. “I do not believe I have agreed to find the prince, yet, your majesty.”

“Ah, yes. I apologize for speaking so quickly. What else would you like to discuss, my dear?” Queen Alicent quickly corrected herself.

“What do I get in return for finding and bringing home the lost prince?”

“The freedom to borrow our most carefully guarded artifacts for your viewing pleasure without all the sneaking around to find and return them.” At Leissa’s opened mouth she nodded, “Yes, Prince Aegon and Princess Helaena have told me all about our missing and returned items throughout the years.”

Leissa sharply turned her head to the siblings and opened her mouth to say something to them but Prince Aegon cut her off.  

“Telling her was the only way we convinced her to consider asking you,” he explained.

Huffing, Leissa mumbled under her breath something about keeping secrets. She glanced up at Helaena, about to ask her something, when Helaena’s eyes glazed over. Leissa knew Helaena had visions; she was one of the few who took into account what she says when she has them. After a few moments, Helaena’s eyes came back into focus. 

“Beware the brother. There is a fire waiting to be lit.”

Queen Alicent’s jaw tightened. “The brother. Daemon. He must be coming up with something.”

“What of Rhaenyra?” asked Ser Criston. “She was not mentioned but she also holds the lost prince.”

Helaena shook her head. “I do not know. She was not there.”

“Perhaps it means that she will help us,” Queen Alicent wondered openly. 

Leissa knew that Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra had some kind of close relationship. It was lost on many but those who paid attention knew that the two cared for each other in some kind of way.

“I do not wish to dwell too much on a vision. It only causes confusion. Let us take what we have been given,” Leissa said. She turned to Helaena and inclined her head. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” Helaena inclined her head back.

Leissa turned her attention to Queen Alicent. “I shall take Aegon with me, if that is okay, my Queen.”

“What of your brothers?” Asked the Queen.

“Jason shall come with me but I shall leave Tyland. He needs to stay and keep watch over things.”

“I am inclined to agree with that plan, Lady Lannister. Ser Criston, do you have any qualms with that?”

“No, my Queen. May I escort Lady Lannister and Prince Aegon as far as I am able to? I would like to accompany them as much as possible.” Ser Criston said. He had always valued Prince Aemond like a son and wanted to be as close to his rescue as possible.

“I will allow that,” agreed the Queen.

Leissa settled her hands on the table in front of her. “So it is settled. I wish to depart as soon as possible. If I am to bring the lost Prince home I wish to do it in a timely manner.”

Queen Alicent gave Leissa a small smile. “Do not be too hasty. You may leave tomorrow morning. Tonight you may stay here in the castle as our guests. You and your brothers need your rest after today’s… adventure, as you put it.”

Blushing, Leissa waved away the comment. “Noble life bores me sometimes. I wish for a life unchained.”

“I understand that feeling very well.”

“I do appreciate the offer of allowing me access to your precious items once I find the lost Prince. If I must be chained to live a noble life the best way to find freedom is to learn.”

“Pft,” Aegon stepped in. “That is not the only way to find freedom. The brothels -”

Ser Criston stopped him. “My prince, that is enough.”

Prince Aegon smirked at the Queen's sworn protector. Leissa could tell it was part of their relationship. It was part of hers with Aegon as well; the constant vulgar jokes.

“Aegon, please,” sighed his mother. “Now is not the time for lewd jokes. Tomorrow morn you shall leave with Jason and Leissa Lannister while being escorted by Ser Criston as far as possible. You must find your lost brother, it is imperative that you do.”

Leissa cocked her head to the side in interest. “Is something supposed to be happening soon, my queen?”

Queen Alicent played with her fingernails, a nervous habit that seemed to run in the family as you've caught Helaena doing the same thing multiple times. “The king may be nearing his end and I would like him to see his sons before he passes.”

The room grew tense. 

“He has been sick for quite a long time and maesters seem to be at their end. I believe that perhaps he may be holding out to see the entirety of his family one last time before he passes.”

“‘The entirety of his family?’” repeated Leissa. “Does that not include his eldest daughter and brother as well? The ones we are trying to rescue the lost Prince from?”

Alicent’s jaw tightened at the mention of Rhaenyra. “Yes,” she bit out. “But I am done waiting for them to return my son. They will not willingly return him so we must get him. If the King wants to see them, so be it. But I refuse for my lost son to be forgotten.”

“I understand, my Queen,” replied Leissa. “I just wanted to make sure everything was clear.” She addressed the rest of the room. “Tomorrow morn we shall depart for the Prince.”

“Once again, I thank you, Lady Lannister. As well as you, Ser Jason, Ser Criston, and Prince Aegon. Your dress will not go unrecognized.” She paused to turn her attention to Ser Criston. “You may escort them to their chambers for the night. You will leave at first light.” Nodding, she released everyone from the council meeting.

Leissa once again bowed to the queen once she stood up. “I promise I will do whatever it takes to bring the lost Prince home.” And for once Leissa was not playing a game. She would indeed do whatever necessary to bring the prince back and return him to his family.

[bestworstcase]

I'm curious to know how would you fix/rewrite Eugene and Cassandra's relationship dynamic in TTS, y'know give it some more dept.

…well

the less facetious answer is: like in canon except we don’t pretend that eugene isn’t kind of an asshole, and i have actual narrative plans for him that are not just “he’s…there” bfhrgjfjk

the dynamic they have with each other in canon is actually really interesting to me, because i think eugene truly does, by the end of s1, feel as if they’ve become close buddies in a she’s-like-a-sister-to-me way—whereas cassandra is at “well his asshole behavior has decreased very slightly and he’s the princess’s boyfriend so. i guess. i can tolerate him.”—and this disconnect exists because eugene really does not know how to interact with people in a way that is not 1. imitating the superficial charm and devil may care attitude of the fictional dashing rogue he based his entire personality on, 2. worshipping the ground rapunzel walks on, or 3. picking on anyone who isn’t impressed by the first option.

and then you have rapunzel and the abysmal burning dumpster fire that is “i learned all of my social skills from mother gothel and a chameleon and am now the second most powerful person in an absolute monarchy” trying to… mediate between her boyfriend (who is an asshole to everyone except her, and firmly believes that she can do no wrong) and her lady-in-waiting (who is not of noble birth and lives in constant fear of being sent to a convent should upset the king or her father, and whom the boyfriend constantly antagonizes) by going “but why can’t they be friends 🥺” because she literally, due to the circumstances of her upbringing and her power over cassandra, cannot see the problem that has everybody else in the vicinity going “dude 😬” at eugene.

like thats awesome. oh my god. it’s such a disaster! the narrative of tts is always sitting firmly in rapunzel’s point of view because: disney princess cartoon, so the train wreck of it all gets obfuscated and cass is at every turn framed as the unreasonable one, but if you’re willing to step away from that filter and just look at what eugene says and does and what cassandra says and does, there’s honestly a lot of meat on the bones as it is. and then the bitter snow approach is to just present that through a variety of POVs specifically to play with the contrast between what rapunzel sees vs what cassandra experiences.

[beautiful-songbird]

Prologue - Sundrop

Pairing: Rapunzel x Eugene

Word Count: 0.8k

Summary: What if Tangled had been a fantasy book instead? (basically my spin on Tangled)

----------

Long ago, on a clifftop far from view, the sun cried upon the earth a single tear.  Being a tear from the sun itself, it defied the laws of this earth.  It embedded itself into the earth, and a flower grew from its core.  This flower bloomed under the sun the way all flowers did, but when winter came, death could not take it.  The flower continued to thrive, and it shone like the sun.

As the earth aged on, humans inhabited the nearby land, and the flower became a piece of mythology.  Some claimed the flower had the ability to heal at a single touch, but none were brave enough to try.  The flower’s glow demanded respect, and the people feared it.

As generations grew on, towns grew past the flower’s resting place, and eventually, none ventured near it.  Life did not thrive there any longer, and yet the flower continued to shine.

As with all myths, there would eventually be someone brave enough to test its truth.  For this particular flower, that someone was an old woman dying of old age.  She traveled out to the cliffside one winter night, and she dared to touch the flower that shone as brightly as the sun.  In an instant, her aged body was gone, and in its place was the body she’d once had, young and beautiful.

Every month, the woman returned to the cliffside, and each time, it brought her back to her prime.  She lived on far past her time, and she watched a kingdom grow.  Her youth stayed with her, and she hid herself away from any who would recognize her, fearing that if her secret got out, the flower would be stolen from her.

The flower stayed on the cliffside, and she stayed in her tower.  Her life was one of isolation, but she was happy with her beauty and solitude.

But one day, everything changed.

Word had spread of the ailing queen, and the fate of her and her unborn child hung in the balance.  The kingdom turned to its mythical roots, and they began to search for the flower, hoping that the myth of its healing power would ring true.

In the woman’s pride, she had not thought to hide the flower or take it for herself, and it still stood in plain view on the cliffside.  The palace guards dug it from the ground and carried it home with them, and the flower was no longer the woman’s to use. 

The palace physician, unaware that the flower could heal with only a touch, boiled the flower’s petals to make tea for the queen.  The queen was healed in an instant, and her child was born healthy and happy.

The woman, greedy with age, had decided she had not stolen enough from time, and snuck into the palace to find the flower.  Having discovered its death, she searched the palace to find the child.  She did not, however, account for the guards’ proficiency.  They removed her swiftly, though she still had the chance to escape.

Time passed, and she went without the magic of the flower.  She did not age as quickly as she’d expected, but her years still caught up with her quickly.  By her second year, she could feel the aches she had not felt in hundreds of years.  Her age was evident in the wrinkles on her face, and she no longer laughed in time’s face.

At last, she climbed the walls of the palace again, and this time, she met the child.  The young girl was beautiful and cherubic, with round cheeks and big eyes.  Her hair had grown past her feet, glowing same gold that the flower had.  She was not afraid of the old woman, only curious.  The woman touched her glowing hair, and she was young again.  The child did indeed hold the magic of the flower.

The woman, uncertain, left the curious child, knowing she could return when she needed to.

A year later, she returned to the tower, and this time, the child spoke to her.  This terrified the woman, and she knew her secret would not stay secret forever, so she lured the child out of the palace with the promise of an adventure.

The child, who had a curious spirit, gladly went home with the woman, and the woman began to raise the child as her own.  The palace searched and searched for their missing princess, but they could not find her, for they had not known of the old woman or her home.  The child was none the wiser, for the tower was a curiosity to her, and she was glad to adopt it as her new home.

And so it was that the kingdom lost its princess, and the old woman regained her magic flower.

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Series M.list

A/N: lowkey forgot how I formatted fanfics on here and had to go digging through all my old posts...yippee!!

Let me know if you'd like to be tagged in future installments!

[internetgiraffekid1673]

Alrighty are you ready for a bunch of rapid fir questions? Yes I did leave for like thirty minutes and then come back!

Favorite song

Favorite artist

Favorite colors ( I know basic but I genuinely like knowing)

Favorite movie

Favorite Christmas movie

Favorite holiday

Zodiac

Favorite classes/ least favorite classes ( yes I did directly plagiarize this from you)

Favorite way to get out of class ( random I know but I'm running out of ideas and inspiration is always helpful)

Favorite mobile game

Favorite book

Favorite queer book ( I need some recommendations)

Do you or do you not like jewelry? Favorite kind of jewelry ( bracelets, earrings, rings, ect)

Do you paint your nails? What color?

Do you play any musical instruments, which ones

Favorite pride flag only based on the colors not what it represents

I'll probably come up with more in like three seconds but right now this is what I got!

Aiight, let's goooo!

Favorite song: start with something hard why don't we! I have far far FAR too many favorite songs, and it tends to swap a lot. I'd say my current is One Voice by the Wailin' Jenny's because it's blorbo coded. I'd say more long term is probably Down to the River to Pray, specifically the Alisson Krauss version because it has many happy childhood memories attached.

Favorite Artist: uhhhhh. Currently, the Crane Wives, Madds Buckley, The Longest Johns, The Jolly Rogers, The Wailin' Jenny's and The Haunted Windchimes! That's not in any particular order, I just can't pick!

Favorite Colors: this one does actually have complicated answers for me! I would say really generally and generically, I like blue (because I'm boring). However. My favorite color to wear is gray, I like owning things in any pastel colors, and my favorite color combination is a violent and hideous contrast of orange and magenta!

Favorite Christmas Movie: KLAUS! GO WATCH IT! RIGHT NOW! KLAUS KLAUS KLAUS KLAUS KLAUS! It's on Netflix, it's an adorable animated comedy, I am OBSESSED, and I will watch it as a comfort movie ANY time of year!

Favorite Holiday: Halloween! I love spooky season! The vibes, the fun, the community, the weather---all of it is very fun.

Zodiac: virgo, but only JUST barely

Favorite classes: I like all my classes because I am a pathetic little nerd. In high school my favorites were probably orchestra and choir, but that feels like a copout because they're so different from other classes. As far as core 4 subjects, I really like history and social studies. In college it was my psychology classes HANDS DOWN!

Favorite way to get out of class: HMMMMM. So I actually HATED missing class in high school, and my parents would usually just let me take a mental health day if I needed it because they are the best. In college you can just . . .skip. Like. You shouldn't. But you can.

As far as what I learned from my peers, it depends on who you need to justify the skipping to. Generally though:

1) Period cramps are being extra bad

2) Friend or family member is having a mental health or physical health episode and needs help RIGHT NOW

are the two most reliable, but the way most of the kids in my school did it were to just be fully honest about skipping and bribe the teachers and parents. Like. The teachers cared a lot less that you showed up a half an hour late if you bring them burger king and a box of donuts for the class. Your teachers also don't tend to care as long as you show up most of the time, get all your assignments done, and keep your grades up.

Favorite Mobile Game: 2048

Favorite Book: For a long time I struggled to answer this, but I've decided in the past couple years! My favorite book is Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison. It's the second book in a series called The Land of Tyme (although it's not marketed under that). The first book is Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel, and the third book is Transformed: The Perils of the Frog Prince.

They're all really amazing and immaculately worldbuilt fractured fairytales that are all woven together. Like the worldbuilding is so good that I was able to use Disenchanted for a civics essay because it is a civics textbook disguised as a fantasy novel.

Disenchanted is my favorite because I am most attached to the characters there and also because it is the most grounded in the world. It's got the least extraneous fantastical plot going on, and the characters are all a lot more street level. But they're all very good and you should all go read them right now.

Favorite Queer Book: I really liked Aces Wild. Ragtag squad of asexuals that met online pull elaborate cons and heists on Vegas elite. Very very entertaining and heartwarming.

Jewelery: I think jewelery is really pretty on other people and I also can't touch any of it myself with a 10 foot pole because of my sensory issues. VISCERALLY despise being in contact with any and all jewelery. I can't even wear cloth jewelery, lanyards, watches, etc. It all just triggers my sensory issues out the wazoo.

Nails: Makeup of any kind also unfortunately drives my sensory issues up the wall, although that one's more about the smell than the feel.

Instruments: I do! I've been playing the cello for a little over 9 years now, and I'm pretty good at it! I also play guitar, which I mostly taught to myself during COVID. I can play the ukelele as an extension of the guitar too. I can also play the piano sort of. By which I mean I can read the sheet music for it, I know how that maps onto the keys, and I practice a lot, but I haven't had formal lessons since I was 7 and I don't think I'm very good. Didn't stop my church from having me play it for the tiny children during sunday school though.

Favorite Pride Flags Based Only On Colors: Any and all iterations of the lesbian flag are UNFAIRLY pretty. I'm actually also a huge fan of the aroace flag. I'm also pretty fond of the gay men's flag, the trans flag, and the genderfluid flag!

Thanks so much for asking! This was fun!