#If history must be unwritten… Let it be unwritten.

[takamoris]

What sayest thou, master Matoya? We may accept this fate or defy it. But we cannot deny it.

[wandringaesthetic]

WAIT

WHY why did no one TELL me Jonathan Bailey, G'raha Tia's voice actor is Jonathan Bailey, Fiyero in Wicked (2024)

FFXIV people why are you not freaking out about this HARDER like I knew I recognized him from somewhere but I thought it was from a MOVIE not as the internet's favorite cat man what is wrong with you people

The Venn diagram between Final Fantasy people and musical theater people has failed me again

[celestefox13]

So..... can we talk about how Sphene is a foil to Shadowbringers G'raha?

Like, under slightly different circumstances, or if he started to doubt his plan having a chance at success, he could've distressingly easily become like Sphene.

He admits to how he tried everything he could think of to save the WoL on the gondola ride. And the unspoken part, that perhaps even he doesn't consciously realize or want to acknowledge, is that he did everything he could think of without violating his morals. He held onto lines he wouldn't cross.

But what if he hadn't? What if his poor heart finally broke and he decided the means were justified if it meant saving the one person he wanted to save?

Or what if Emet got to him and figured him out sooner and managed to get the idea in his head that an umbral calamity would be a small price to pay if it meant saving the WoL?

The scale is arguably smaller, and much more intimate and close to the heart, than Sphene, but the steps to lead to that alternate timeline where our precious G'raha Tia burns the world and beyond if it means saving us was probably a lot closer than we ever dare consider.

The fact that he managed to endure and save everything that he did while going through all of the research about what leads up to the WoL's death in the world he woke up to, and didn't lose his morals in the pursuit of saving the WoL is an impressive display of mental and emotional fortitude.

But his poor heart. All those years of stress and frustration whenever a wall was hit, or an idea didn't work out when applied even in theory.

Their desperation levels even reach similar points. Because on every try to pull the WoL to the First, there IS desperation in his voice, increasingly so with each attempt. The try that finally works, he rushes to where they land because he has to be sure. He has to see with his own eyes to confirm that this plan that he finally landed on after YEARS of hard work and research is at least working on step 1. That he's finally gained a foothold on his goal.

And what a blessing that that plan didn't end up like Sphene's. That he never hit a point where the thought of "by any means necessary" truly meant by ANY means necessary. But now I wonder and worry about how close he may have been to that edge.

"This tragedy, even greater than the Seventh Umbral Calamity, must be undone. If history must be unwritten, let it be unwritten." - G'raha Tia about his goal to save the WoL

"For them I will do anything. If bloodshed will save my subjects, I will become history's most brutal Queen." - Sphene about her goal to save the Endless

[blu3-ja3]

IT'S TIME! second to last one of this little series! I hope you've all enjoyed these but also be ready for the actual story! It's going to be a good one I promise!

!TRIGGER WARNING! Blood, Semi Graphic Depictions of Violence, Panic Attacks, Semi Graphic Depictions of Injuries

1) Open Doors Can Be Closed For A Reason

Since day one my office door is open unless it's needed to be closed. More often than not it's open while I work, my office is secluded and at the far end of a very loud and echoey hallway. It's an unwritten rule though that if my door is closed do not open. The rule is there for one person really and that's Ghost.

I promised him his privacy from the world while I did my formal work. At first he hated removing his mask for me, I made sure it was the first thing or last thing we did so it was done and out of the way. It was purely for medical needs, I worked fast and efficiently. Which he seemed to like, made him comfortable. I hardly knew what he looked like, he was as much an enigma to me as he was anyone else. And that made Ghost comfortable so I was comfortable.

Then Las Almas happened and I got a proper look at the young man's face. He trusted me with that information well after we got back on base, though I did my best to keep things quick.

Soap burst into my office carrying a staggering Ghost. The younger man deposited Ghost onto the nearby cot before quickly shutting my curtains and door.

"Doc! Ghost hit his head real hard, got him here as quick as I could!" I rushed over towards the lieutenant allowing Soap to remove his partners mask.

"Ghost I'm removing your mask now alright mate? I've gotta check you out and make sure everything is okay."

I stand patient to let Soap work, he's gentle and removes the fabric deftly. I start to move towards Ghost when I hear the click of a door knob. On pure instinct alone I whirl and stride forwards, shoving who ever just opened my door out. The young man tumbles backwards staring at me like I'd just slapped him and told him I'd fecked his mother.

"I don't know what you're fecking doin' but when that door is closed no one is allowed to enter!"

"No need to be so rude about it"

"You listen here you little gobshite and you listen well, if my door is opened you're more than welcome to prance your way in. But if the door is feckin' closed you turn around and leave."

"But I have important docu-"

"I don't give a shite I said leave! Go drop them off with Captain Price! Now leave!"

I watched as the young man scampered away down the hall. I turned around quickly and entered the room, immediately going over towards Ghost and setting about working on his injury. Once everything was good and Ghost was resting Soap spoke up.

"You were a little harsh on the kid Doc"

"Hmm maybe, but I have rules for a reason. They're there for a reason, and protecting my patient is number 1 on the list of reasons."

"I'm sure Simon would appreciate that Doc... Thank you."

I nod and continue my work at my desk as Soap sits next to Ghost. My door remains shut until Ghost is aware of everything and given the all clear. Though he doesn't say much I know he appreciates the gesture.

2) History Repeats

I can't see anything it's pitch black but I know I have my eyes open... it's just dark and wet... This was not how this op was supposed to go. Everything went to shit so fast, I think extraction is questionable, and I think I'm bleeding. It's really hard to focus right now, everything is muffled and fuzzy. I keep getting woken up by something....

No it's someone... Tall, dark, only white skull, cranky Manchester accent... It's Ghost, good he's a smart kid. I can feel the smile on my face fall. He's missing something... Where's Soap?

"Don't know Cap, gotta focus on you right now..."

I see him move as some of the dirt behind blows up behind him... Are we getting shot at? Fuck it's hard for me to think. I heard Ghost rumble something before a loud boom... He must have hit what he was aiming for cause he moved to pick me up. So warm I could fall asleep here... Ghost can handle this... He's a smart lad.

"Shit Doc you're freezing....Hey now talk to me Doc, how's the sleeve going? Johnny making any progress on your missing piece?" I smile at the mention of Soap he's such a good artist.

"Yeah, Johnny Boy's a good kid... I'm so happy you two found each other. Everyone deserves happiness, Simon, even you laddie." I'm so tired, maybe just resting my eyes for a bit... Yea... Yeah that sounds... That sounds real good.

"Hey Doc, got a joke I want to run past you. It's for my Johnny but I'd like to test it first yeah?" I smile, I love Simon's jokes. They're awful but everyone smiles when he says them so they're truly perfect.

"Go fer it, lad. What's the joke?"

"Why does the military plant trees Doc?" I open my eyes and look towards Ghost but everything starts spinning. My head is pounding... Why is it pounding? Gotta respond to Simon, he's telling me a joke.

"Why?" My voice is so quiet, why? Are we trying to be quiet? Everything feels so loud though...

"To grow their infant-tree Doc... Hey, on me Captain!" My head snaps up to follow the order, I can't see much of Simon's face. Just the bright white skull, it's glowing so bright.

A searing flash of pain shoots through my right side, I feel warmth seeping into my cloth. Simon seemed to notice, he said something but it's so hard to hear him. I'm shivering and it gets worse as Simon sets me down. We're in a room, there's a bunch of noise... No, no, not noise it's voices. I know these voices, it's my boys. They're okay... They're safe... They're scared, why? What's wrong?

I feel something warm on my shoulder, it's so warm... I want more, it's so cold. Why is it so cold? Another flash of pain from my right it makes it hard to breathe as I'm being sat up. Something warm is beside me... No it's behind me, I lean against it.

"Maevis we've gotta get your shirt off... You're hurt love." I'm scared, why am I scared... Oh!

"No, they'll see it. They can't see it..."

"It's just me and Price, Doc. We need to see what's wrong." John... John's seen but Ghost? No he'll understand... It's only fair, I've seen his face...

"You promise? I'm scared... I'm scared of what... You'll see..." It's so hard to speak. Why is it so hard?

I'm moved again, away from the warmth. My shivering gets worse as my shirt is pulled off. There's a dull throbbing on my right that turns to a white hot pain when something touches it.

"Doc, this is going to hurt... But you need stitches." Stitches? Is it that bad?

"You promise? I trust you Simon... But I'm scared... Everything hurts and I'm scared."

"I promise Mom... You're getting out of here."

The pain starts very quickly, a pinching stabbing pain. At first it's only annoying but then it gets worse and worse... I try to focus on my breathing... It's too much I can't do this, I'm going to be sick...

Black.

There's a dull ache from my hip and something is wrapped around my hip. I'm sitting upright against something warm and solid. I'm in a vehicle, a car? There's the sway of being on the road and the bumping of hitting pot wholes. I open my eyes and my vision begins to swim. I groan as the pounding in my head comes back tenfold.

"She awake Ghost?" I look to see Prices eye staring at me through the rear view window.

"I'm awake, feel like I was hit by a feckin' truck." I try to sit up but I feel a hand stop me.

"Go back to sleep Doc, you need the rest." I adjust myself so I'm sitting up a bit before my vision spins.

I lay back against Ghost again, trying to keep my eyes open but the young Lieutenant was right. So I concede the fight and close my eyes.

3) Matters of Trust

"Maevis, I'm warning you. The Lieutenant is a bit of a lone wolf."

"How do you mean John?"

"He's known to disappear, leave behind teammates, go against orders. You're better off leaving him until you gain some rapport with him, take one of the sergeants, Gaz is a good choice..."

"How am I going to gain said rapport if we aren't on the field together? If I'm to gain his trust we'll have to work together, I don't expect his trust to come for free. Sending me on this mission with him will be the best way for everything to move forward."

"Maevis..." John sighs shaking his head, "Fine but understand that it could rapidly become a solo op."

"I'm aware, John, but I also trust that the Lieutenant won't get me killed. I have to give trust in order to gain trust and as his higher up it's up to me to make that first step... You taught me that John."

"I regret everything I've ever taught you. Fine, Ghost come out I know you're there."

I turn around to see the shadows in the corner shift and form the almost mountain of a man known as Ghost. Impressive. Also useful to know.

"Pleasure to formally meet you lad! Doctor Maevis O'Connor!" I stick my hand out in front of me.

"Nice to meet you as well, Captain O'Connor." He takes my hand in his and shakes once.

"Let's get this briefing over with John. The faster we're on the ground, the faster we're out." I turn back to the table with all the collected information on it.

4) Surprise

I'm in my office with boxes everywhere. We've moved to a better base, there's less barracks but it's an actual full facility with everything Price has been asking for. Everyone has been excited because they're getting more personal rooms instead of shared bunks.

My office and barracks are next to each other with my office being at the end of the hall and my barracks to the left. I've already finished unpacking and setting up my barracks so I'm in my office.

I'm currently going through files and sorting alphabetically. Placing them into my new filing cabinets, I never thought myself to be someone who would get excited over organized filing cabinets but here I am. I'm finishing up the last cabinet when I hear someone clear their throat. I turn around to find Ghost standing in front of my desk.

"Hello Lieutenant! How can I help you lad?"

"Don't have much to finish in my quarters so I figured I'd see if you'd like some help, I know you'll be setting up your cabinets. "

"I'm a bit surprised but I won't say no!"

I moved to my desk and wrote down my planned layout for my medical cabinets and drawers. I helped Ghost separate the boxes of medical and personal. I gave him the layout and left to unpack my desk supplies and set up another cabinet full of supplies. Ghost was eventually pulled away by Soap but he let me know the cabinet was done.

It was about an hour later before I finished with my medical cabinet. I turned to unpack the last box on my desk, it's full of personal items that go on my shelf. Medical book and my medical license, a couple of knick knacks from different places I've been. A photo of the 141, my previous medical squad, and a picture of my squad when Price was my Lieutenant and I was a sergeant. I had a couple of empty shelves but I figured they'd get filled in time.

I turned to my desk and moved the box to find an envelope and a small box. The envelope has Ghost's hand writing on it. I sat down in my chair and opened the envelope.

'Doc, we knew today would be busy so we all got together for a celebration in the new rec room. The box is from me, enjoy and we'll see you there. - The 141 boys'

I smiled and began to open the small box. Inside was a bunch of cloth, removing the cloth I found a glass blown four leaf clover. It fits in my palm as I look at it before I turn around and set it on my desk next to my photo of William. I walk into the rec room to find the rest of my team huddled together.

"You usually make us a cake today, to celebrate William's birthday. But we figured we could help honor him today since it has been a long day. Surprise Maevis!" Price claps a hand on my shoulder as Gaz turns around holding a small cake with simple chocolate frosting designs. We cut the cake and chatted about the new base. Once everyone began to turn in for the night, I approached Ghost.

"I wanted to thank you for the clover, you didn't have to. I owe you, I'll get you a bottle of bourbon as repayment"

"It was a gift Doc, saw it and thought you'd like it. You don't owe me... Though I'll never say no to a bottle of bourbon."

Id eventually give Ghost his bottle of bourbon. That one gift started a trend of random clover trinkets appearing on my desk until the last of my shelves were filled. For each little trinket I baked something for the team as repayment.

5) Unconditional

My eyes fly open as I shoot up from my bed, heart racing. I tried to calm my breathing and rubbed my eyes. Memories of Las Almas citizens screaming, pleas for help from my burning patients and friends, my own screams and the memory of blistering heat burning my skin all whirling together in my mind.

I get out of bed, I've gotta take a walk. Calm myself down, get ahold of myself. I walked towards the mess hall and noticed a figure standing outside. They're tall, well built, in a hoodie with the name 'Riley' across the back. I make two cups of tea, nothing fancy just some chamomile with honey.

I approach Ghost, standing next to him and handing him a mug. I stood there in silence knowing Ghost wouldn't confide in me verbally but my presence was comfort, enough. I sip my tea looking up at the sky trying to find a constellation or two.

"Why?"

"Hmm?"

"Why do you do it?"

"I do a lot Shade you'll have to be more specific."

"You're kind? To me... You're such... Augh. I don't know how to phrase this."

"Then just talk, whatever you need to say will come about eventually."

"THAT! You're so patient and understanding. Why? Haven't you been burned enough?" He tensed at that before I set a gentle hand on his arm. He flinches away before relaxing.

"I treat all of you like this, I can't really explain why. I've been like this for so long it's hard to think of myself any other way. I couldn't imagine not treating you lads with kindness. It's just my nature to nurture."

"And my nature is violent, so why be so nurturing towards me?"

"Simon" He flinches again at the name but I continue, "Your nature isn't violent, I've seen how gentle you are. It's clear as day when you're with MacTavish but if you know what to look for it's there with Gaz, Roach and Price too."

I can see his eyes tearing up as I continue, "You have to be gentle with yourself lad and take a step back from being the Ghost. Even if it's only around Soap, you can do it around us also. You're human Simon, despite everything you're human. And humans are fragile creatures." I turn to look up at Ghost as more tears well up in his eyes.

I opened my arm as an invitation, one I expected to be denied. I was slightly surprised as Ghost accepted the hug, clinging tightly to me as he sobs silently into my shoulder. I run my hand up and down his back, gently comforting him. After sometime Ghost calms down, I have him finish his tea before guiding him towards Soap's room.

"Doc my room's not down this way."

"I know but you shouldn't be alone tonight."

I knock on the door in front of me and explain to Soap what happened, briefly not giving many details. He gently guided Ghost into the room before telling me goodnight and closing his door. I make my way back towards my room, finding myself sleeping slightly easier. Reminding myself to be gentle.

COD Master List

[orangeshipper]

The thing is, with Dunnett. Her characters are SO GOOD.

(oops this got really long)

I have always, since childhood, let my imagination play with characters and stories. The what-ifs, the missing scenes, the unwritten epilogues. (Hello, fanfiction!)

And the Lymond Chronicles, particularly Checkmate, have SO MUCH scope for it. (Ok I'm having a weird tangent on myself here, forgive me).. I mean, Checkmate is the highest kind of melodrama. It's ridiculous and magnificent. On first read, I thought in all honesty that it was a Bit Much. I wanted to smack Francis and Philippa upside the head and re-imagine any and every one of their encounters to get them over themselves and get together. All those moments where they came so agonisingly, tantalisingly close and then got in their own way. Like I said, a total DREAM for re-imagining and fanfic. The chase in Lyon, the carriage on the way to the Triumph of Calais, the disaster afterwards at the Sejour du Roi, the bedroom after the betrothal/commissioners banquet, the library, Sevigny... Every one where I'm internally begging them to just SAY IT and LISTEN TO EACH OTHER and STOP BEING IDIOTS. On first read, it began to feel like drama for the sake of drama.

But. I have tried to re-imagine every one of those scenes, and more in-between, and... it doesn't work. Their characters with their internal beliefs and moral codes and principles and history are so strong, so vivid, so compelling, that I actually cannot get them together without breaking character. Dorothy knew what the hell she was doing. And actually, when I do let the flighty fanfiction brain take over and just get them together anyway for the fun of it, it's so... unsatisfying?? Because the depth of connection and love that they have by the end, after Sevigny, after everything, is so much richer for all they've been through.

She knew her characters, and she committed, and I am in awe.

Side note: Her character game is so strong that I have violent levels of affection for even the most minor of characters, who are individual and vivid and brilliant. I won't list because I would literally list every character in the series.

Side note 2: I cannot express enough my love for how she takes common fanfic tropes and just turns them on their head. (Oh no, only one bed and we must share a room! Marriage of convenience! etc etc, BUT NO, PAIN.) And just, THANK YOU DOROTHY for writing us the gifts of Will, Gabriel and Jerrott. Slash isn't generally my thing, even, but I am SO entertained by everything she does with them. Will at The Ostrich, just EVERYTHING Gabriel does, Jerrott being so furiously and obliviously in love with Francis... just, magnificent. All of it.

[theninthlaw]

‘‘If history must be unwritten... ... Let it be unwritten.’’ G’raha Tia as my last piece of the yearrrrrr. I was a little afraid I wouldn’t finish him on time BUT HERE HE ISSSS.

[wriheart]

Raven Queen, Apple White, and A Bit About Magic

Welcome to part two of my Ever After High rewrite ideas. These next few posts will focus on expanding the world building and introducing a bit about the characters that inhabit it.

Raven Queen has always been my favorite character. She’s just so relatable and I like what she stands for. Her, Apple, and Darling are going to be the main characters of this unwritten rewrite. Other characters will still have a big role and will be focused on with their own chapters (like Cerise and Lizzie), because I think that every character at Ever After High has an important story to tell. They each have a piece of the puzzle to explaining the unfair system that Grim has created.

If you missed part one, I talked about the world building so if you haven’t read it, it will help you understand this post.

In the world of Ever After, the magic system is presented to most as very cut and dry. The only people who can use magic are those involved in a fairytale. Maybe once upon a time there were other magic users, but not anymore. There are two types of magic: light and dark, and in order to master one’s magical abilities, they must choose one side to fill their heart.

Light magic is fueled by goodness. The desire to help those around you, to change the world for the better, to make people happy, to simply use magic: that is the core of light magic. Dark magic is fueled by evil. The desire to harm others, to ruin the world, to accomplish things that are otherwise unnatural: that is the core of dark magic.

While light magic is meant to help the hero grow and change while overcoming obstacles, dark magic is always meant to teach a cruel lesson.

You can not use either side effectively unless you have pledged yourself to one side. Even basic spells that fall outside of light and dark, such as teleportation and levitation can become impossible to master without fully accepting light or dark magic into your heart.

As you can probably guess, Raven Queen has not let either type of magic fully into her heart. On the one hand, she can’t bear the thought of using her magic to harm those around her. But if she accepted light magic, there would truly be no going back. Would she even be able to accept light magic if choosing her own destiny is as selfish and cruel as everyone thinks it is?

Now, in the original Snow White (at least, the version that I have a copy of) the Evil Queen dies when she goes to Snow White’s wedding. She is forced to wear red-hot shoes and dance herself to death. In my version, she shows up to the wedding and Prince Charming stabs her in the heart and keeps it in a box as payback for what she was going to do to his wife. (I’m also including that the evil queen tries to kill snow three times before it succeeds: lace, comb, apple.)

Fun stuff.

Growing up, Raven Queen has always had the feeling that she’s being watched. Even when her noble caretakers aren’t around, she feels some sort of presence all around her.

The presence? Her fairytale mother.

Raven’s mother is named Opal Queen (black opals look cool, ok?), but almost nobody remembers her real name. After all, she became one of the most infamous Evil Queens in all of Ever After history.

I really want Opal to be an anti-hero/gray character. Yes, she really leans into her role as Evil Queen, but she has a gut feeling that destinies are a load of bs. She spends a lot of her time investigating, researching, etc. but it isn’t until Alice comes to her that she finally finds herself with a lead. (We’ll come back to Alice in her own post).

The Evil Queen has many bad and good intentions. For example, she wants to free people from Grim’s control because she recognises the cycle of violence, pain, fear and mistrust he has cultivated to keep himself in control. However, she is more than willing to hurt and manipulate anyone she needs to in order to achieve her own goals.

At the end of the day, she is able to fake her own death. When she’s stabbed in the heart, her spell takes effect, and she’s banished to the mirror dimension. In the mirror dimension, one isn’t really alive or dead, so she doesn’t really need a heart to survive.

Anyway, Raven grows up under the nobel family with her mother constantly watching her. Anyone in the mirror dimension can easily see out of any mirror, but only enchanted mirrors are able to see into the mirror dimension. And enchanted mirrors are few and far between since they are hard to create. I’m thinking that later in the story, Raven is able to create an enchanted mirror to contact her mother, but her mother has a grand plan, so she isn’t willing to give Raven all of the answers so easily.

Would you guys be mad if I renamed Apple? Cuz that would be a little sad for me lol. Apple is such a cute name but I never really liked it. Who names their kid after the thing that almost killed them? Her new name will be Frost White. pls don’t be mad :,(

Frost grows up under the strict eye of her mother. She needs to be perfect at every moment so that she can live up to her mother’s image. After all, The tale of Snow White is the most important in all of Ever After.

Apple in my version is going to go through a lot more character development than the original gave her. I feel like they never truly addressed her selfish tendencies. She was the center of attention and the only happily ever after that mattered was her own. She’s not really considerate of others.

In my version, I want to make these characters' flaws very apparent in the narrative instead of sweeping them under the rug like the original does. She’s going to take the time to learn and grow to empathize with others and realize that she is coming from a place of privilege and that those around her have valid reasons to not want to go through their destinies.

Frost and Raven will go from enemies to friends. They are not going to be friends at the beginning. Raven hates Frost’s guts (for valid reasons, Frost is kinda a passive-aggressive bitch and because of her, Raven is destined to die).

Raven will go through a character arc too but I’m not quite sure what yet. I haven’t really identified any character flaws that I want to address quite yet.

Raven Queen has never wanted to be evil, yet the only people who seem to recognize this are the Wonderlandians, Maddie specifically. Raven might not always understand what Maddie is trying to tell her, but she knows that her friend is trying her best to listen and communicate.

This is the first year that the Wonderlandians are attending Ever After High, so they’re struggling greatly with the culture and the language. Raven is happy to help them out, grateful to finally have people in her life who don’t cower in fear.

Personal issue I had with Maddie in the original: I felt like she never truly listened to Raven. She was Raven’s best friend and was nice don’t get me wrong, but I always felt she was so flippant, not taking anything serious. For example, in the first episode, when Raven is talking to her about her issues and how everyone is scared of her, Maddie simply tells her it isn’t true before sitting down for tea. I get that Wonderlandians are supposed to be mad and random and whatnot, but I think she should be serious enough to listen to her friend’s troubles and help out. I also want to give Maddie some troubles of her own (not sure yet) so that Raven can help her.

Raven truly likes the three Wonderlandians that she knows. Lizzie might be prickly and hard to get to know, and Kitty mischievous tendencies can get on one’s nerves, but Raven knows that these are her people and feels a bond with them.

The story starts with Legacy year, when Raven decides that she’s going to find a way to escape her destiny. Raven spends the year digging for evidence, finding allies, and mixing up the status quo.

————

All EAH AU Posts

[augustwarneld]

Have you ever wondered why writing advice is so often about reading?

Have you ever heard that you "must read to write?" Let's talk about disciplinary literacy/ why and how reading makes your writing better!

Disciplinary literacy is the ability to read, write, and communicate in the language of a specific discipline (which is really just a very fancy way of referring to a subject you probably studied in university or college. think math, science, English, etc.). A discipline is a lot like a fandom: there are unwritten rules for interacting, community norms, and specific language people within a fandom all know and use easily.

Everybody who is a fan of something has had the experience of a complete noob coming in and behaving Wrong. Just watching the show or loving the sport isn't really enough to become a member of a fandom to people who have never been in one before! They have to be taught the etiquette for interacting with other fans and creating their own fan content BY other fans! Similarly, schoolchildren need explicit instruction in HOW to read, write, and communicate within the subjects they are taught in school - that is, how to become literate in them!

So, how does ANY of this connect to writing advice? Well, when we read, we read for a reason - whether that's for information, pleasure, research, or anything you can imagine. But when we, as writers, read anything, we aren't just reading, because we are never just reading! When we read, we are also learning about reading. Our brains constantly make new associations, and when we take in new information, our brain builds up new connections. So when you read a good book, your brain isn't just saying "Wow, what an awesome book! I wish I could write that good :(", your brain is ACTIVELY taking in those words and learning about what makes good writing.

When teachers teach disciplinary literacy, their ultimate aim is for their students to take on the roles of a master in their subject area - they don't want their history students to think like historians, they want them to BE little historians! When writers say that you must read in order to write, this is, essentially, what they are trying to teach you! By reading good writing, your brain is soaking up a ton of information and filing it in that same file in your brain where every bit of knowledge about writing your English teacher ever taught you still is! Reading is teaching your brain about what constitutes good writing - knowledge that you, subconsciously, then use when writing your own works!

Next time you decide to pick up a book or fic when you just feel too burnt out to write anymore, don't feel bad! You are actively learning and improving on your own writing when you read.

If you want to learn more about disciplinary literacy, check out this podcast with Shea Kherkoff where she talks about it! Transcript available here.

[sunflowerabyss]

Charms of Fate: Chapter 4

Pairing: Professor!Remus Lupin x Fem!Professor!Reader

Series Masterlist

Plot: Amidst the echoes of a bygone era, you return to Hogwarts years after parting ways. What begins as a journey fueled by nostalgia transforms into an unexpected reunion with Remus Lupin, now a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. As the past intertwines with the present, the two former classmates navigate the complexities of grief, the resurgence of friendship, and the unwritten chapters of their shared history in this tale of rediscovery and the magic that binds them together.

Warnings: none (if there are, please let me know)

____________________________________________________

The crisp weekend air hung with a sense of anticipation as you sat by the Great Lake, watching the ominous dance of Dementors patrolling the sky. Lost in your thoughts, you took a drag from your cigarette, the smoke swirling into the air. The haunting memories of the recent train ride to Hogwarts lingered, casting shadows over the present.

"Nasty things, they are," a voice interrupted your contemplation. Startled, you turned to find Remus standing nearby, hands in his pockets, a deep brown and green sweater pulled over his body, looking much like he did as a teenager. He looked timeless.

You glanced at your cigarette before huffing out a short laugh. "I know. I tried to quit, but old habits die hard," you replied with a half-smile.

Remus chuckled before clarifying, "I meant the Dementors," as he produced his own pack of cigarettes. He asked if he could join you, and you nodded in agreement. The two of you sat in silence for a moment, the lake stretching out before you.

"So," Remus began, "how has the first week been treating you?" His eyes held a warmth that invited openness.

You sighed, exhaling a plume of smoke. "It's been a whirlwind, to be honest. The whole Sirius Black situation doesn't make it any easier."

Remus nodded in understanding. "I noticed you on the train," he admitted. "Didn't want to disturb your thoughts, but I felt the tension in the air."

You arched an eyebrow. "You were on the train too? Didn't see you."

He shrugged. "I have a way of blending into the background when I want to."

It suddenly got you wondering if that was the man you saw walk past your compartment after the Dementors glided past before you drifted off to sleep. You wanted to ask him but decided that it was the only thing that made sense to you.

You take a thoughtful drag of your cigarette, your eyes narrowing slightly as you change the subject, "So, I heard you brought a boggart into the classroom."

Remus bursts into a hearty laugh before taking a drag from his own cigarette, "Yes, guilty as charged. It went rather well, I must say."

Curiosity gleams in your eyes as you ask, "How did it go? Any surprises?"

Remus smirks, "Well, I did have to step in for young Harry. I assumed his boggart was supposed to be You-Know-Who, but it turned out to be a Dementor."

Your eyebrows furrow in concern, "A Dementor? Why in the world would that be his worst fear?"

Remus takes a contemplative drag from his cigarette before exhaling, "Harry had a rather unpleasant encounter with a Dementor on the train ride here."

Horror fills your expression as you lean in, "What happened? Why did it affect him so much?"

Remus leans back, exhaling a plume of smoke, "It's not just any encounter. Harry's faced horrors in his life that most can't even fathom. Dementors, with their ability to bring forth your worst memories, can be especially harrowing for someone who's been through so much."

Your gaze lingers on Remus, a mixture of concern and empathy pooling in the pit of your stomach, "Poor kid. I can't even imagine."

Remus nods, "It's a heavy burden for someone so young. The effects of trauma can linger, especially when faced with creatures like Dementors."

You look at Remus thoughtfully, curiosity burning in your eyes as you venture to ask, "What about you, Remus? What's your biggest fear?"

Remus hesitates, his gaze flickering away for a moment before meeting yours again. His response is cryptic, "We all have our shadows, (Y/N). Sometimes, it's better to let them remain in the dark."

The air between you holds a tinge of mystery, leaving you with more questions than answers about the fears that lurk within the depths of Remus Lupin's soul.

_________________________________________________

As you leave your classroom on Monday, your stomach grumbles rather loudly. You had skipped breakfast, so you were looking forward to lunch when you unexpectedly cross paths with Professor Trelawney, the Divination teacher. She stops you with a gentle touch on your arm, her wide, mystical eyes fixed on yours.

"My dear (Y/N)," she murmurs, her voice carrying an otherworldly quality. "The spirits have spoken to me, and I sense a foreboding presence around you. Things are not always as they appear."

You raise an eyebrow, intrigued but also slightly skeptical. Trelawney continues, her gaze unfaltering, "Beware of illusions, for they may lead you astray. The threads of fate are intricately woven, and what seems clear may be shrouded in shadows. Trust your instincts, my child, and tread carefully."

A chill runs down your spine as she imparts this cryptic warning. Trelawney's words linger in the air, leaving you with a sense of unease as you make your way into the Great Hall.

As you enter the Great Hall for lunch, the weight of Professor Trelawney's cryptic words still lingers in your mind, leaving you distracted. You find a seat at the staff table, your face twisted in worry. Professor McGonagall notices your demeanor and, concerned, takes a seat next to you.

"What's the matter, (Y/N)? You seem troubled," she observes, her keen eyes studying your expression.

You force a smile, dismissing her concern, "Oh, it's nothing, Minerva. Just a bit tired, I suppose."

Professor McGonagall isn't easily swayed, and she narrows her eyes, "Tired, or something else bothering you?"

You sigh, relenting a bit, "Alright, there's something on my mind, but I don't want to burden you with it."

She gives you a reassuring look, "Nonsense, my dear. We're colleagues, and we look out for each other. Now, what's troubling you?"

You glance around to ensure no one else is listening before leaning in to share your concern about the cryptic warning you received from Professor Trelawney. McGonagall listens attentively, her expression growing serious.

"Divination can be… enigmatic. But do not let it consume you, (Y/N). Trelawney has a weird message for everyone. Claims the grim looms over a student or two every year," McGonagall rolls her eyes and waves a hand around. "Now, how are your classes going?" she changes the subject.

Relieved for the shift in conversation, you respond, "They're going well. The students seem to enjoy my lessons."

She smiles, "I've heard nothing but praise for the new Charms professor. It's good to see you settling in."

Trying to deflect attention from yourself, you ask, "And how is Professor Lupin doing?"

McGonagall smirks ever so slightly, "Ah, Professor Lupin. He's adjusting quite well, though I must say, some students find his classes rather… interesting."

Minerva, however, isn't quite finished. She slyly remarks, "And what about our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor? How's he finding his return to Hogwarts?"

You feel heat creeping up your cheeks, realizing she's subtly bringing up the subject of your interactions with Remus. “Oh, well, I haven't spoken all that much to him, you know. We're just colleagues. With very busy and different schedules and all."

Minerva, ever the master of subtlety, smirks knowingly. "Just colleagues, you say?"

Before you can respond, the familiar voice of Remus interrupts, "Hello, (Y/N), Professor McGonagall." He takes a seat next to you, offering a warm greeting to both of you.

Minerva looks positively smug, her eyes darting between you and Remus. "Ah, perfect timing. We were just discussing the camaraderie among our esteemed staff members."

You shift uncomfortably, attempting to downplay any insinuations. "Just casual conversation, Professor."

Remus, unaware of the undertones, joins the discussion. "Well, I'm glad to be back at Hogwarts. It's been a while."

Minerva winks discreetly at you before turning her attention to Dumbledore.

You shift your focus to Remus, observing him as he cuts up his meal. His appearance doesn't go unnoticed; there's a disheveled air about him, an unmistakable weariness etched on his features. Despite the exhaustion, there's an enduring handsomeness that hasn't faded over all these years. Feeling your gaze, Remus looks up, catching your eyes.

You quickly avert your gaze, embarrassment creeping over you. Clearing your throat, you decide to break the silence. "How are you doing, Remus?"

He looks at you, a small smile playing on his lips. "Oh, I'm fine, just a bit tired. The start of the school year is taking some getting used to."

Nodding, you empathize with the sentiment. "It's been quite an adjustment for all of us. The students are lovely, though."

Remus chuckles softly, a genuine warmth in his tired eyes. "Yes, they are. Hogwarts has a way of making everything feel like home, doesn't it?" You hum in agreement.

The conversation with Remus flows, a comforting rhythm in the bustling atmosphere of the Great Hall. As you delve into discussions about magical theory and the quirks of your respective classes, a thought nags at the back of your mind, demanding acknowledgment.

"Remus," you begin tentatively, choosing your words carefully, "what do you make of the situation with Sirius? The Ministry seems quite concerned."

Remus's expression tightens imperceptibly, a shadow passing over his features. You catch the subtle change and press on, curiosity mingling with concern. "I mean, you were quite close with him."

A flicker of hesitation dances in Remus's eyes before he responds. "Yes, but, (Y/N), it's a complicated matter, and I'd rather not dwell on it."

His guarded response raises your curiosity further, and you can't help but press a bit more. "Complicated? Remus, we're friends. You can talk to me. I've noticed something's been bothering you."

Remus lets out a soft sigh, his gaze momentarily distant. "It's just… Sirius and I have a history. You know this. Hogwarts was both the best and the worst time of our lives. Seeing him plastered all over the newspapers, under these circumstances, brings back memories that I'd rather keep buried."

You nod understandingly, sensing the weight of his words. "I'm here for you, Remus. If you ever need to talk or share, I'm a friend. Colleague or not."

A fleeting expression of gratitude passes through Remus's eyes, and for a moment, it feels like you've breached a barrier.

In a moment of serendipity, your fingers graze against Remus's, the contact fleeting and unintentional. Both of you pause, eyes meeting briefly in a shared acknowledgment of the gentle touch. It's a heartbeat, a whisper of connection.

Time seems to momentarily suspend, the world around you fading into a soft blur. The contact, though brief, carries an electric charge, a spark of connection that resonates in the depths of your being. A subtle warmth blooms in your chest, a blend of nostalgia, curiosity, and a hint of something more.

You watch as Remus's eyes flicker with a subtle recognition as your hands accidentally touch. For a brief moment, you catch a glimpse of something in his expression—a fleeting mix of surprise and vulnerability. His gaze lingers on your hand for a fraction of a second longer than expected, as if the contact stirred forgotten moments.

[syngigeim]

Day 21 - Shade

The deepest betrayal within their soul. Both mentor and dear friends, doing the unthinkable. Azem stood alone, watching the world end around them.

They heard someone call for them...they turned to look…

Their few scant allies who remained, those they had met in their travels were rushing towards him, their faces stricken with worry and fear.

It was the last sight he saw. Just as they felt fingertips brush up against his cloak -

Something broke and all was drowned in light.

And thus, a soul fractured, broken across reflections fourteen. Eight times rejoined, with souls crying out each time.

One died in a fierce some storm. One fell from a great height.

One died when trying to stop a primal summoning, was struck down, killing former friends. One died desperately trying to build something to protect others.

One died in desperate thirst, having given the last of their water to a child. One died scorched to cinders by magic in a blazing inferno.

One died blood-soaked, betrayed by someone who used them for their own ends. Four friends died as a tower collapsed into the ground, failing to stop Xande.

Their deeds were not forgotten, as a royal aide who had the last of the blood of royalty within them, escaped and remembered.

One died to ice magic, failing just at the cusp of the end of their journey. One -

Escaped. Brought their people to another home.

One fell to the depths of the ocean deep, losing themselves to a watery grave. One stood with Twelve, and smiled one final smile at them as they parted ways, each to enact their plans to help the realm.

One faced nightmares upon nightmares alone for their sake. One-

-

“‘Lakata! ‘Lakata please! No!” Elly cried out. She couldn’t see. Couldn’t open her eyes any more. She just gave a smile, trying to hold onto her friend’s warmth as her mind-

Warmth...warmth...warmth…

-

One resolute soul gave her soul up to help defend the realm, dooming it in the process.

One failed his friends, his world, and unravelled not knowing why. One fought and fought and fought until they could fight no more, the air taken from their lungs.

In those desperate moments, they became one. In sorrow and loss, not knowing of the compounding tragedies. Echoing the loneliness that came before. Echoing the failures of heroes.

“If history must be unwritten, let it be unwritten” A declaration. A statement. In chasing for one, he brought hope to them all. That their suffering was not in vain. They were not alone.

Others will always stand with them. Give them the strength they need when they can. Love, and cherish them.

Heroes may die alone, but will never be alone.

[numericalpie]

WCW 1: Iced Coffee and Unwritten History

Prompt: High Lords, Ladies, and Emissaries @wintercourtweek

180142. 2 wraps, wool, for Morana. 25 coins.

180143. Food for Solstice Fest. Audria - 180 coins, root vegetables. Morgi - 300 coins, bread and pastry. Boris and Varvara - 500 coins, wine, ale. Total: 980 coins. {Must remember to switch vendors next year. Ridiculous} 

180144. Musicians, SF. 600 coins. 

180145. SF gift for V. 64 coins. 

180146. Candles. 120 coins.

180147. Weekly foodstuffs. 47 coins. 

180148. OT staff for SF. 300 coins. 

180149. Preserves, cranberry, for [next 40 lines obscured]

181021. Apothecary, 20 coins.

181022. Text, Isalfar, for V. 40 coins. 

181023. Sled repair. 40 coins. 

181024. Court dress, for Morana. 1800 coins. {V insists it must be dyed. M disagrees. Dye? Extra [obscured. Subsequent pages missing.]

Viviane slammed her laptop shut and winced immediately. The cover didn’t come off, thank the Mother, but the little track on the bottom that was already fucking broken flew across the table and into Kallias’s forehead. 

“Ow,” he said, monotone. It hit the floor and stuck, rubber and tacky, but in her head it shattered like a dropped plate.

Viviane groaned and let her head droop to the suspiciously-warm top of her computer. The fan was going, whirring oddly softly. 

So it wasn’t mad. Nice. 

“Having fun with your fragments?” Kallias asked. She didn’t look up, but in her mind’s eye he  was looking at her that way he always did, a little I told you so and a little really, what’s wrong?

Which was only fair, because actually what was she doing, and why did she think this was a good idea? Why was she doing this degree? What the fuck was wrong with her? Where had she gotten the audacity - 

“No,” she said, picking her head up. “That is the Devil speaking.”

Kallias looked up from his code. “What?” 

She flapped an arm in his direction and he looked back down. 

“I told you the material was awful,” he said, very quietly. 

“You know,” she said, trying to decide if the sticker on her laptop - ihtfp - was thick enough to imprint itself on her cheek if she went back down. Four hours of sleep had not been enough, thank you very much. 

It probably wouldn’t. Maybe. And would it matter? Mor wouldn’t care - if she was even in the dorm. Probably she wouldn’t be. She practically lived with Azriel and Cassian, which was the sort of mess Viviane was firmly not getting into, thank you very much. 

“If my partner actually bothered to work on our project, my computer would still be in one piece,” she drawled. 

Kallias frowned. “I don’t think the track counts. And I thought you said it was broken earlier.”

He looked very nice under the white library lights, which was not even a little fair of him, for fuck’s sake, why - nope, nope, nope. 

Viviane was not blushing. 

“I’ve done everything,” she complained.  “You agreed to do this topic -” 

“Because you thought it’d be fun to write about our namesakes! Viv, the assignment has been live for two days. We have a week.” 

She glared. 

He held her gaze for just a minute, which was admirable, but she knew he was going to drop and he did, which was significantly more satisfying than it should have been. 

Kallias sighed, and Viviane could not help the smile - the spark of delight - she won, miracle of miracles, she had seen him stare down their polisci professor twice, but he folded!  

“I have a deal,” he started, leaning back in his chair. Not enough to tilt it back, but enough that it made the line of his neck look - nope. 

“Go,” she said, sitting back herself. 

“I” - he held up a finger “- run for coffee. I get your order.”

“You don’t know my order,” she protested. 

He wagged his finger. “Large. Iced, and you don’t care that it’s snowing. Three sugar-free pumps of vanilla. Unless they have white chocolate. If they do, white chocolate, and don’t ask questions about the sugar.” 

She scoffed. “Clearly,” Viviane began, “you don’t know my order, or you would remember -”

“No room for whipped cream,” he interrupted. “An extra handful of napkins so you don’t have to buy them. And a dollar in the tip jar to justify overconsumption of plastics, which doesn’t make very much sense, if I’m honest -”

“Shut the fuck up. Also I would like a pain au chocolat.” 

He paused. “Those are the chocolate croissants?”

She nodded. 

“Good,” he continued. “That. And then” - a second finger “- I will spend at least an hour in defense of Lady Viviane’s political career.”

“Two,” Viviane countered. “I’m going to have to explain everything to you, first.”

Kallias frowned. “I’m sure -” 

“I have plans, Kal,” she insisted. “You’re going to change the font size or something if I don’t -”

“I would never,” he said, hand over his heart, affronted. “Viviane, I swear before the Mother, I wouldn’t dare.” 

“If you’re sure,” she grumbled. 

“I promise. And then we’ll go back to mine or yours and watch the episode of - what was it?” 

Viviane laughed. “How could you forget the beauty of The Ultimatum?” 

Kallias shook his head. “Acceptable?” 

Viviane considered it. “I suppose.” 

She drew it out, sup-pose. He jumped from his seat before she finished the word, slipping away from their cubic-whiteboard-cubby in seconds. 

The moment he was gone, she dropped her head back to the top of her laptop. It wasn’t fair, it just wasn’t fucking fair. 

Ihtfp, she could feel it, sinking into her skin. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. 

“I never asked,” she whispered out into the air. To the Mother, to - it didn’t matter, actually, none of it fucking mattered, because he was her best friend and nothing was ever going to happen. 

Two years, Viviane reminded herself. Two years, only two years, and then she could quietly start to cut off contact - go to grad school in Night, or something, Mor would take her in. Nevermind that she’d lose her best friend in the process. He’d be off to the fucking capitol, probably, working for the state department, and she could wither to dust in fucking Night with Mor’s family under a fucking mountain, and everything would be fine. 

Yes. Fine. Very fine. Perfect. 

She lifted her head - the acronym was firmly branded into her cheek, she could just tell - and opened the page again. The rest of the document was more ledgers, apparently, decades and decades from one High Lord’s personal bookkeeping. 

The next link from the Wikipedia article sources looked promising. “Ribbons of blue: the personal communiques of Kallias, lord of Winter, XVII, r.d. 57-107. Trans. Hauk Saudson.”

Viviane,

Do you think I should try sideburns? I think I could grow sideburns if I tried hard enough. Saw a glacier earlier that you’d love. We should come back. Morana could run wild in the tundra and make friends with all the caribou. I cannot help but picture it.

We must come back. When the court is not in session. I know you cannot bear to be drawn away from the visiting emissaries. I wish you could go abroad again - I know you wish to. 

I cannot bear to let you go. This week has nearly been too much to bear. I cannot do without you. The separation drives me to foolery - writing letters in the dark of night. Evidently. 

I love you. 

Kallias

Nothing much of use toward their project, except the bit about the emissaries. That might work well for their paper, might prove the Lady’s involvement in political affairs. That would show her professor. He could not argue against hard evidence. 

The next letter was short and to his daughter, who was - 7? 10? 

Viviane switched to Firefox: how old was HL Morana in XVII 58 

Six. Huh.

Morana,

Have you finished the story I left you yet? If you have, tell your maman. She knows where the next one is. And I hope you have slept well. I instructed all the monsters under the beds to play very quietly, so they do not wake you up. 

Be good for your tutors and your maman, and know I will always be,

Your loving papa. 

Nothing of use. She couldn’t make herself switch away from it, all the monsters under the beds. Viviane clicked to open another tab. The one after looked promising, finally: a letter in the Lady’s own swooping hand. 

Kallias, 

You have been gone for too long. Come home. 

There, I said it. Consider that your permission to leave whatever has given our dearest lord of southern wastes another hernia behind. He can manage it, we both know that, he’s just dragging things out so he can tell all of his holders that he has the favor of the High Lord. Ridiculous male. And ridiculous you, because you’ll laugh at this letter and proceed to suffer through two more days. 

Two more whole days. I cannot believe you would do this to me. How dare you. I sleep terribly without you, as you well know, and I will remind you that until your sleep schedule is improved you cannot criticize mine. 

I would like to visit, though. Dutiful wife that I am, I shall forget you said anything immediately. There, now you don’t get to complain about piecing together something for our anniversary in the midst of the legislative session. Not that you do complain. Nor that I would be upset if something else were to come. Perhaps forget I said anything? I know you won’t, but you could. If you wanted to.  

Of course I am enjoying the emissaries. I won’t write of it - you’ll have to come back so I can tell you everything. Some of the other Courts - well. I said I wouldn’t write of it, and I won’t, but frozen dead, Kal, you’re going to lose your mind. I’m losing my mind. I’ve settled everything, of course, don’t worry over that, but I promise you’ll want to know. 

I miss you. 

Your Viviane. 

PS. If you grow sideburns I will desert for the Continent. I mean it. 

“Coffee,” Kallias said, handing her the plastic cup. “Straw. Extra napkins. Croissant.”

“I found evidence,” she said, not looking up from her screen. She took a drink - nice and cold and sweet. Perfect. 

“Oh?” he asked, setting his own order down. Black coffee, hot - disgusting, honestly, there was something wrong with him. 

He looked good in his sweater, which was not something Viviane was supposed to notice. Fuck. 

“Here,” she said, pointing to the lines. “She’s “settled everything” regarding some foreign emissaries.”

He leaned over her shoulder, which - oh, shit, he smelled very good. Cardamom. Pine. Something that she couldn’t identify and frankly shouldn’t be thinking about. Fuck, fuck. 

“It’s not explicit,” he said, finally, leaning back. “But if there’s more…”

She looked down at the bottom. “Only eighty pages to look through. And sixteen other sources.”

“We could expand beyond Wikipedia,” he suggested. 

The air grew tense. She looked over her shoulder, and he was so close - so fucking close, one of these days she was going to do something stupid and kiss him if he kept getting so close. 

Viviane did not, though, pull away. 

“I hope you’re joking,” she whispered. 

He squinted, and pulled away. “Obviously, Viv. Who do you think I am?”

She laughed, a little higher than she should’ve, but for the sake of the Holy Mother she did manage to laugh like a sane person. And then she wrote until she remembered that her iced coffee was melting, and then she took a break to heckle Kallias while hurriedly drinking half of it. 

(They got a C on their paper, for “overly expanding the role of the Lady Viviane in Court affairs.” Viviane was so angry that she went back to her dorm and railed at Morrigan for an hour about it all. Halfway through she dropped her crush on Kallias - her enormous, boulder-sized crush on Kallias - and though she didn’t notice, Mor certainly did. Hijinks commenced, the sort only drawn up by drunk friends trying to help other friends. Viviane and Kallias were dating by the end of the semester. 

He becomes an economist, or something. Viviane goes on to get a PhD in History, proving in her dissertation that the High Lord and Lady Viviane were corulers, the first known example of a regnant Lady in the history of Winter. 

The vindication is sweet.)

[beacarrot]

Wednesday.

I'm back, like a lightning-lit storm,

Submerging the surface of unwritten form,

Clearing the letters etched on fogged glass,

I'm racing through town, the verdict's passed,

And the outcome's eternal freedom for me,

Where I've been is where I find thee,

I got startled, but won't confess,

You halted all when I arrived late in stress,

Then I realized I was right on time,

Your eyes would shine in any clime.

I love our time together, it's true,

But this time, I cherish myself too,

And the moments I spent conversing alone,

But what if your whispered words were just for me?

And if this time, the only answer's "yes"?

Do you feel this too? Just confess,

Or has madness missed me and sought my shore,

To tear away another piece, maybe just one more,

It's almost what I meant in our embrace,

You're not a harbinger of disgrace,

So, be my Wednesday,

For Wednesdays bring magic,

Now that you've crossed that unseen line,

Is it alright that I don't want to decline?

I'm not worried about any fray,

You're ready, come what may,

Let's leap from the ledge,

Baby, see,

Who are we to battle Wednesday's decree?

Baby,

Be my Wednesday.

You enjoy my songs, I see why,

You don't think me a lunatic, oh my,

Because your thoughts align with mine,

We mock the normal, side by side,

Why must those who claim to be sane,

Be so dull, so utterly mundane?

Tell me your secrets, I'm a secretive listener, I'll keep them close,

I'm not in love,

I've always been the hopeful kind,

But with you, I leave my doubts behind,

I've memorized your surname,

You laughed at mine, and made a joke,

"Impressive, like a stage name," you said,

I've slain Cupid, so this time, I'm the led,

Forget the cases, embrace liberty,

And write it with me, make it history.

I love the way you make me smile,

But this time, I've learned to laugh with myself for a while,

And how my jokes make sense just to me,

But what about your breath on my neck?

Oh, I see!

And if this time, a part of me is meant for thee,

It's almost what I meant when we were close enough to can't be stay away,

You're not a bad new,

Sometimes I ponder about the picture they'd take,

Of us, in love,

So, be my Wednesday,

For Wednesdays bring magic,

Now that you've crossed that untold hill,

Is it alright that I don't want to fade?

I'm not worried,

You're ready, so let's embark,

Let's skip the scripts, let's spark,

Honestly, who are we to battle Wednesday's decree?

Baby,

Be my Wednesday,

Let's pretend we tread red carpets, bright,

In our fantasies, we're Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in 90's, a glorious sight,

You praise me, I bend my knees,

Hiding my blush in my cheecks,

Because never before, someone haved made me I feel as this,

Where you touched my leg, hey, I was with no fear,

"I'll always be here," your vow, let it appear,

The whispered words,

Your hoarse voice, once again there's no fear,

It's alright, love, all's clear,

There's a magnetic pull in your hands,

That's only complete with mine,

There's a melody, only heard true,

When each line's dedicated to you,

So, who are we to battle the Wednesday's decree?

Baby,

Be my Wednesday,

My Wednesday.

(This is a special song, about a special person. A friend of mine, a person who occupies a piece of my heart. He has no idea that I wrote this inspired by him, but the point of this poem is love. The most powerful love is brotherly love. I learned that love is something simple, it's being fulfilled and happy by someone's side. I developed a little crush on this friend of mine, but when you love someone regardless of whether it's just as a friend or not, you simply don't feel the need to change things. I don't feel the need to change our dynamic, he makes me feel appreciated and I'm proud of the person he is, and that's all, I love you friend!)

Signed: Beatriz Ranzonni 🩵.

[koheletgirl]

HI BELOVED okay so ive hurt my head by listening to smoke signals and thinking of zukka too much (s/o to your zukka playlist its amazing-) and now I HAVE to know your musings, rambling & thoughts on it- like you were so right its them!!!! OUGH!!!!going crazy as we speak <3

💖💖💖

ok first of all TY FOR LIKING MY PLAYLIST! this means the world honestly.

oh my god okay. okay. so. smoke signals

so the first thing that feels so zukka to me is the imagery from the chorus - "sending smoke signals / pelicans circling / burning trash out on the beach". it's the fire/water, the smoke/beach, but it's also the beauty and the ugly, the serenity and the destruction.... it's about how their love is beautiful but tainted with so much history and circumstances and choices they have made in the past and still have to make. it's about how they see each other, and how they see themselves.

i started from the chorus so i'll keep going. "you must have been looking for me" - because they were both so lost, because they still are. because they lose and find each other, and themselves. over and over again. it's you must have been looking for me and i wasn't there, but also you must have been looking for me and you hadn't known until you found me. sending smoke signals, as a call for help, or just trying to get their attention. signaling for someone who would know the signs and come.

ok well so another thing i like to think about with this song is that each of the first 2 verses is from a different perspective. like that's just how i read it in this context. and it works pretty literally, with the way each verse starts: "I went with you up to the place you grew up and we spent a week in the cold" // "one of your eyes is always half shut something happened when you were a kid". lol.

there is something so peaceful and so sad about the verses. there's something grounded, simple, about it, like it's a stream of consciousness of sorts and love is weaved into it almost as an afterthought. like it's a given, that it's there. "[...] it’s a love song about waking up to your reality, in a way" (<- quote from phoebe). there's still pain and trauma and death and boredom and overthinking and self-doubt, but there's peace and there's hope and there's growth and there's that familiarity you feel with someone who truly sees you.

the chorus and the last verses are from a shared perspective, i believe. the 3rd verse is about wanting to run away from your responsibilities, from everything life entails, just to be with this person and forget the rest of the world. it's a lovely sentiment, but it's very obviously unrealistic. and the lyrics are just so them, in a way im not sure i can explain but i really enjoy rotating in my mind.

ok i talked enough so let's get to the last verse.

"i buried a hatchet, it's comin up lavender / the future's unwritten, the past is a corridor / i'm at the exit, lookin' back through the hall / you are anonymous, I am a concrete wall"

KEYSMASH it's about trying to make peace with your past, with the people you've hurt, with the people who've hurt you, with yourself. trying to accept that you can't change what's happened and you can't control what will happen. and it's about how they both try so hard to hide themselves, to pretend they dont care, to act like no one can truly know them. these facades they both try to maintain, of someone who doesnt feel or doesn't show their emotions, of someone who's unreachable or beyond help. and how they see this in each other, recognize this, and see right through it. im driving myself crazy

thank you peng for letting me ramble about this here's the zukka playlist

[thescoobyscholar]

Like, Wow! The Results (Study)

Followup post to "The History of Zoinks." Includes methods, results, discussion. Page break after the first section.

Methods

This exploratory study will examine how accurately the catchphrases in Scooby-Doo reflect the language of the time. Based on their historical usage, we hypothesize that “jinkies” will be the most commonly occurring phrase, followed by “jeepers,” then “zoinks.”

We sampled the first 25 episodes of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! These episodes aired from September 13, 1969, to October 31, 1970 and make up the first two seasons of the show. The third and final season would not air until 1978 and had different writers, so it was omitted. Qualitative analysis was conducted in NVivo from episode transcripts obtained online. 

Results

The most used catchphrase was “zoinks,” at 87 occurrences across 25 episodes, averaging 3.48 “zoinks” per episode. Some episodes had no “zoinks”, with a notable 3-episode consecutive gap mid-season 1. Overall, “zoinks” usage trended positive; season 1 averaged 3.12 “zoinks” per episode while season 2 averaged 4.25. “Jeepers” was used once and there were no “jinkies”.

In context, Shaggy used “zoinks” as either an expression of shock on its own or paired with a frightful observation (e.g., “Zoinks! It’s the snow ghost!”). Once, in a witch’s hut, it was used as an adjective: “What zoinky labels… ear of a newt?” The first “jeepers” came from Velma, used more as surprise than fear: “Jeepers! Someone’s going into that old mansion” (season 1, episode 6, “What the Hex Going On?”).

Figure 1. Zoinks Frequency in "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?"

Discussion

Results not only contradicted the hypothesis, but all expectations founded by the literature. Despite their cultural relevance, we observed only one count of “jeepers” (not counting the season 2 episode 4 title, “Jeepers, It’s the Creeper”) and no “jinkies." The slow climb of “jeepers” may be attributed to the aforementioned “cultural time capsule” concept. It is an unwritten law of media that it must wait to capture popular culture until a few years too late. Usage of “jeepers” skyrocketed between DeBeck’s comic in 1928 and Donahue’s musical rendition in 1939, peaking in 1946 (Harper, “Etymology of jeepers”). However, despite Scooby-Doo’s monumental ratings, “jeepers” did not jump again until the movie Jeepers Creepers came out in 2001. Although “jinkies” did not appear in these two seasons, we know it would experience a great jump in The New Scooby-Doo Movies whenever Velma loses her glasses, growing to become her exclusive catchphrase in A Pup Named Scooby-Doo when she cooks up a clue. In the sampled episodes, Velma seemed to be struggling to find a catchphrase that stuck, floating between “gosh,” “golly,” and similar expressions. Why it took until three years into Scooby’s run for “jinkies” to first appear is uncertain, as both it and “zoinks” share similar histories as interjections of fright (and flight).  One potential explanation could be the face value of the characters on first airing. Shaggy boasted the voice of radio celebrity Casey Kasem. The writers seemed to enjoy letting him show off his odd audio skills, as in Shaggy’s “ventriloquism act” in the episode “What a Night for a Knight” and every variation of the “disguise as barbers to fool the monster into getting a haircut” scene that warranted a funny voice. Kasem was the first to say “zoinks” (and “zoink,” in one instance), but certainly not the last. In these first two seasons, Shaggy had a clear monopoly on catchphrases; the first “jeepers” even came from him.  The catchphrases in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? do not reflect the vernacular of the time. Rather, they reflect what pumps the lifeblood of Hanna-Barbera cartoons: money (i.e., ratings). To keep the audience hooked, the writers had to put out only the best voicework. Casey Kasem as Shaggy was a bridge between audiences of children enjoying funny voices and adults enjoying a familiar radio personality (and modern folks enjoying a 60’s caricature). He and Scooby embody the spirit of the franchise strongly enough that they have survived through every series that tried to cut out other members of the gang (Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo) or otherwise split them up (Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get a Clue!). Despite “zoinks” having no direct predecessors in popular culture, Shaggy quickly spread it with his image as irreplaceable icons of the series across 250 episodes and 45 films. Like with Barney Google’s “heebie-jeebies” and Fred Flintstone’s “Yabba-dabba-doo,” it’s not about the linguistic sense of the catchphrase. It’s about the character who delivers it.

*Excluding Velma (2023) on HBO Max, which featured all of the gang but Scooby-Doo. Shaggy endures.

References

Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of jeepers.” Online Etymology Dictionary, 28 Sept. 2017, www.etymonline.com/word/jeepers.

[vodika-vibes]

"In the end, he chose mercy. He chose love, and I was undone." The Shadowkeeper, Final Fantasy XIV

This quote screams Dusk to me. Dusk and the Corries in general. My personal headcanon is that they put up with so much on Coruscant, and yet all it did was make them kind to their brothers.

"In your darkest hour, in the blackest night... think of me... and I will be with you. Always. For where else could I go? Who else could I love but you?" -Myste, Final Fantasy XIV

And this is a very Riff quote. Something said to his brothers before his decommissioning.

"Listen to my voice, listen to our heartbeat, I forgive you, I forgive you, I forgive you." - FFXIV

From Kanna to Wolffe and Fox after Order 66 goes out. In my Post Order 66 fics.

"The path you've chosen is paved with the dead. Walk it with your eyes open, or not at all." Master Matoya, FFXIV

Fira to Cody, in my "Stealing the Commander" verse, after he elects to remain with the pirates.

"If history must be unwritten, let it be unwritten." - FFXIV

Cal to Fives, as they change the fate of the Clones and the Jedi.

[graha-stan-account]

As a writer, I feel the need to make it all perfect. Have all the plot points lined up, be perfectly aligned to my research and fact, and see the end before the beginning is put to paper. It's exhausting, defeating, but incredibly satisfying when you find the Right Piece™️ to fit it all together to walk with confidence. But that doesn't happen often enough.

But then I see FFXIV, the emotional mastery shown in its Hydaelyn/Zodiark arc, and the carefully laid bricks that paved the way to the denouement that left us weeping, satisfied and hopeful. The emotional roller coasters. The character development. The seemingly unrelated threads that slowly coalesced into something so meaningful and obvious. How did they do it?

And then I remember the "regular flavored" adventure of ARR that was reworked and pared down and retconned to suit future purpose. The omitted battles, the condensed battles. I remember the threads I thought I lost but they were just dropped and tbd if they'll find use again. The lore of the different peoples of Hydaelyn that they just didn't have worked out at the start that are now more obvious (ex: F'lhaminn). The "cope, seethe, mald" rock we saw That One Time which metastisized into both an eldritch horror and an ancient savoir. It was a slow progression from entropy to order, certainly sometimes a trek through the dark. This is to say nothing about characters' individual journeys and their design, which the team said they felt the need to rework over several iterations to find their happy place.

I'm just saying, FFXIV is a "living document" and we can see in the long term when the team feels the need to revisit matters and rework it to fit new ideas and guess at where circumstances were engineered to fit history. There's no way this was fully formed in 2013 with 2.0 and thank goodness it wasn't. And I think in general we should feel similarly in our fiction, fan fiction, comics, our own game design. There is nothing already done that we can't undo for the sake of a good story - whenever we feel the need. And as we can see, no one gets mad about it. So go forth! Create! And "if history must be unwritten... Let it be unwritten"!