#Junior Palace Guard

[sw5w]

We Made It

STAR WARS EPISODE II: Attack of the Clones 00:03:12

[janeyseymour]

If This Is Love

Summary: Melissa's not familiar with what love should be. You come along though, and you turn her whole view on love upside down. Based off of Ingrid Michaelson's "If This is Love" from the notebook musical- and please give the song a listen, as it's my own cover!

WC: 3.25k

Since the day that Melissa Schemmenti could form coherent thoughts, she dreamt about finding love. As a little girl, she wasn’t quite shown love- seeing her parents’ marriage turn into hatred and then a messy divorce. Her aunts and uncles weren’t much better. But being a young girl who grew up with Disney princess movies where Prince Charming comes whisking the princess away, and then after falling in love with reading, the young redhead was determined to find love.

And she did… or she thought she did. Joe came along her junior year of high school, perhaps when she was the most vulnerable she could be. Being in the midst of moving house once again, dealing with a father who was as good as dead to her at this point, and having the body insecurities that every teenage girl has, she would find love in the wrong place with Joe. Not that she knew it at the time. No, she wholeheartedly believed that Joe was her true love- he didn’t degrade her or hit her the way she watched her father treat her mother. She had broken the cycle.

Until she didn’t. Until she grew up while Joe stayed the boyish person that she thought would grow up with her. And while Melissa blossomed into a lovely, yet somehow still relatively tough and true to South Philly, teacher, Joe found himself at a standstill. That did not bode well for the redhead. It led Melissa Schemmenti to the life that she had so desperately been trying to avoid, and yet here she was.

With the help of her new found friend at work, the second grade teacher was able to get away from her husband. And in that act, Melissa Schemmenti and Barbara Howard were bonded for life.

Since leaving Joe, Melissa has rarely let love into her life. Of course, she yearned to satiate her desires and often let herself, but the men that she went home with or brought back to her home were very clearly one night stands. A no strings attached situation.

If the redheaded divorcee couldn’t make it work with what she thought was her first love, her true love, her life partner, there was no point in letting anyone else in, as much as she still wished and dreamt of Prince Charming to come sweep her off her feet and carry her away to a palace, to a happily ever after.

And then you came along. Everything that the rough and tough woman thought she knew about herself went out the window. Maybe, just maybe, she didn’t actually need a Princess Charming… but a Princess Charming?

That threw her for a whole new loop, but still the redhead stood her ground and refused to let you into her life in a romantic way because of her prior experiences. Well, the more accurate statement is that she tried to refuse to let you into her life in a romantic way.

But you, with your sweet charm and truly kind heart, had wormed your way into that one spot that Melissa so desperately kept guarded. As time goes by, the two of you grow close, and it’s… it’s nice. It’s almost as if the two of you have slipped into a relationship without either of you really knowing it.

Until Barbara Howard, your favorite redhead’s work wife, makes it apparent to Melissa just how in deep she is. And the glass shatters around her as she sees exactly what the kindergarten teacher is speaking of.

I've waited every day to feel the way I feel. Knots in my stomach, the kind that never heal. Butterflies that fly in me and never seem to go away.

It is true that Melissa has been waiting everyday to feel the way she feels about you. From the time she was little, she wanted to feel unconditional love for someone, and all the somewhat broken girl wanted in return was the same connection from someone else. Green eyes soften and glance down at her hands as she realizes you provide that warmth and love that she craves and has been craving for years now. The thought of it alone makes her stomach knot, but she oddly finds that she doesn’t ever want those knots, butterflies really, to go away when she thinks about you. It’s a warm, somewhat pleasant feeling when you simply greet her with a gentle smile or softly spoken words. It’s in the way that you show her you care for her, backing up the words that you promise her everyday. As opposed to just the words, you show her that you mean them. And… it makes her heart flutter. She remembers the first time she ever felt that with you, and it brings a warmth to her soul like no other.

Melissa comes into the staff room looking exhausted and a little pale, if you’re being honest. The second grade teacher throws her purse on the chair that she usually occupies before sighing heavily as she makes her way to the coffee machine.

“Long night, Schemmenti?” you tease her. “Out avoiding all your problems again?”

She looks to you with a tiredness in her eyes that, despite her appearances, you still weren’t really ready for. “No. I was in bed by nine, and my body feels like it’s absolutely dragging today.”

By the time her coffee is ready, she hasn’t engaged in conversation with anyone else in the room, and she simply gathers her things and heads for her own classroom. That’s quite odd. Unusual. Maybe she really isn’t feeling well.

Come the time for lunch, your kids have you going crazy. All you really want to do is sit in your classroom for some much needed peace and quiet, but your curiosity about how your favorite redhead gets the best of you. So, with a soft sigh to yourself, you make your down to the staff lounge. You know you’re a few minutes later than you would be on a normal day, so when you walk in to see that Melissa isn’t sitting in her spot, you grow a bit concerned.

“Where’s Mel?” you ask Barbara.

The kindergarten teacher shrugs. “I know she said something about her kids having her wiped and maybe staying in her room to nap during lunch.”

Your brows furrow, and you grab her lunch from the refrigerator before heating it. Once it’s hot and ready, you gather your own meager lunch and head down to the redhead’s classroom.

What you see when you walk in is not what you expected at all. The woman is wearing her winter coat, she has the blanket that she usually sits on draped over her, and she’s asleep on the carpet as she leans against the beanbag that she usually keeps in her calm down corner.

You frown before crossing your way over and feeling her forehead. She’s burning up. It’s clear she isn’t feeling well, because when you expected her to bat at your hand, she doesn’t so much as flinch at your touch. 

“Mel,” you shake her gently, so as not to disturb her quite as much. She doesn’t stir in the slightest.

With a frown, you take her things back down to the staff lounge, stick it in the fridge, and then grab your keys. If she’s feeling so terrible that she can’t even stay awake for the entirety of the school day, the afternoon is going to be rough.

“Where are you going, Y/N?” Janine asks. “Aren’t you going to eat lunch with us?”

“I forgot I have to run out to the store,” you lie.

“Well, when are you going to eat lunch, dear?” Barbara asks as she takes a bite of her salad.

You shrug. “I’ll be fine. I had a big breakfast, and if I really get hungry, I’ll eat while my kids are at music today.” Without another word, you’re out of the staff lounge and running for your car to make it to Acme and back before you have to pick the kids up from their lunch period.

You don’t think you’ve ever been in and out of the grocery store in such quick timing. Your arms are equipped with congestion and fever reducing medicine, a bag of cough drops, tissues, tea bags, honey, and a thermometer.

You hastily eat your lunch on your way back to the school, prepare the mug of tea just how you fix it when you’re sick yourself, and then you’re quietly making your way back into the redhead’s room. She’s just as you left her, although she’s shivering now.

“Mel?” you gently shake her awake. She has to wake up- the kids are almost done their lunch period.

Her eyes open, and she blearily looks up at you. “Y/N?”

“Hey hun,” you smile softly. “It’s time to get up now, but I brought you a few things to help you get through the rest of the-” She cuts you off with a harsh cough that sounds and looks painful. “-the rest of the day.”

You silently present her with some of the medicine and the bag of cough drops. Then you hand her the tea. “Drink it. It’ll help your throat.”

“‘m fine,” the second grade teacher grumbles.

“You aren’t,” you tell her softly. “And that’s okay. You just have to make it the next two hours, and then you can go home and rest tonight, tomorrow, and over the weekend.”

What you had done for her that day, and then even just checking in on her throughout the weekend, it was something special to Melissa Schemmenti. You did all of it out of the goodness of your heart, expecting nothing in return. You just… wanted to be there for her when she was in a time of need. It sent her into a tizzy when she realized that she had more than just platonic feelings for you.

Sick to my stomach when I think about (her) face. But in a good way, in a way I can’t replace/ Nothing can stop this- it’s almost like a hurricane.

If the tougher than nails redheaded teacher thinks her stomach turns in knots when she thought of your sweet, kind actions that you consistently show her, it is no match to the way she feels when she thinks about your beautiful face.

She can recall the first time she laid eyes on you. Stunning was the first word that popped into her head. And then, in her own inner monologue, she chastised herself. That word couldn’t capture how beautiful you are. She decided later on what word best describes your face- ethereal.

It’s something in the way that your eyes glimmer when you’re speaking of something that you’re passionate about- whether that be your kids, the music that you love to listen to, or another hobby of yours entirely, Melissa Schemmenti swears she could get lost in your eyes for forever, and she wouldn’t have a single complaint about it.

Your eyes give so much away in general. She can see when you’re happy, elated, sad, frustrated, angry… just by glancing into your eyes for a split second. The redhead almost swears she can touch your soul when she looks into your eyes. They tell her everything she needs to know. Melissa swears you hold a whole other universe in your eyes that is just waiting to be discovered.

She wants to be the one to discover that piece of you. At first, she had tried to step back from you and stop the feelings that she seemed to harbor for you, but it wasn’t possible. It isn’t possible. You, like a hurricane, came barreling into her life- a force to be reckoned with that can’t be stopped.

If this is love, I’m not ready. If this is love, why am I so unsteady? If this is love, why did no one tell me the pain that I would feel?

The redhead, not wanting to but being forced to, sits in her emotions almost everyday after school. She gets into her car (before either driving to her house to prepare dinner for the two of you, or to make her way over to your place to eat one of your infamous dishes), and she takes in what Barbara had spoken quietly at lunch while you were in the restroom. Shit. Melissa is in deep. She’s not ready for this- not in the slightest. She isn’t in love with you. She can’t be. But if she is… why does she feel so unsteady, so uncomfortable with it.

Taking a deep breath, the second grade teacher calls her best friend.

“Melissa, we just left the building,” Barb answers the phone.

“Yeah, yeah. I know,” Melissa huffs out. Then she makes herself a bit vulnerable. “I- I think you may be right.”

“Well, of course I am,” the kindergarten teacher smirks. “But what am I correct about this time?”

“I- I think I’m in deep for Y/N.”

“And you’re calling me to tell me this because…?”

“Barb,” the usually strong and confident woman says in such a way that Barbara’s heart almost aches for her friend. “If- If this is love, why does it hurt so much?”

“Melissa, dear… if I may, the last times you’ve been in love, they’ve hurt you,” the wise woman says into the phone. “Perhaps you’re projecting the hurt and emotions that you’ve buried deep down onto this.”

“I dunno,” the redhead shrugs. 

“Tell me, when you think of Y/N, how do you feel?”

Melissa bites the bottom corner of her lip before admitting, “Lighter than I’ve felt in a long time… There’s- she’s somethin’ real special, Barb.”

“She is,” Barbara smiles into the phone. “If you want my honest opinion, I think you’ve had enough heartache in your life, and I truly don’t think Y/N is capable of hurting anyone. You are a strong and confident woman, Melissa. And I think you need to open yourself back up to love- for yourself, for Y/N, and so the rest of our friends stop asking me if the two of you are secretly dating!”

The second grade teacher hums into her device, thinking on it. “M’kay, thanks.”

“Think about it, and make a choice, Melissa. But remember, dear: not making a decision is a decision.”

And with that, Barbara hangs up the phone, and Melissa closes her eyes.

If this is love, maybe I’m ready. How do I know? I’m in my head again. If this is love, I think I’m in it. If this is, if this is, if this is love.

The entire drive back to her place, Melissa Schemmenti is all but a basket case. One second, she thinks she’s ready- maybe. And then she’s not so sure. And then she’s asking herself how she would know if she loves you before berating herself for getting herself absorbed in her thoughts to the point that she hardly remembers the drive home.

As she treks her way up the front steps to her house, you pull up with the same bright smile on your face that she saw at the end of the day. And Melissa thinks to herself that she’s used to seeing that beautiful grin after a long day at work- that she could get used to you always being around for dinner, like you have been for months now. Silently, Melissa Schemmenti thinks that if this is what love is, she thinks she just might be in it.

The world around me says no, but I say yes. I wanna scream it out, instead it’s stuck inside my chest. It’s like a bird, in a rage, in a cage- and nobody wants to free me.

The entire time that the two of you dance around the kitchen to make dinner, the redhead’s eyes hardly leave you. You can’t say you don’t notice. Melissa often has an eye on you no matter where you are, whether that be in her home, your house, the school, or elsewhere, but the way that she’s watching you tonight is… it’s different.

Everything in the second grade teacher’s heart is telling her to profess her love for you. To tell you that despite the fact that she’s got a not so great track record with relationships that left her terrified of love and what it can do to people, that you are worth all of those doubts and fears.

You almost ask her what’s going through that pretty head of hers, but you know how the redhead can be. If she doesn’t want to say it, she won’t. So you settle for giving her warm smiles and feather light touches as you maneuver your way through her house with ease throughout the night. What you don’t know is: if you had asked Melissa, she would’ve told you this time. And she actually wanted you to ask. 

If this is love, I’m not ready. If this is love, why am I so unsteady? If this is love, why did no one tell me the pain that I would feel?

When you leave for the night, Melissa is about as confused as Janine was when Gregory was trying to teach her physics. She- she knows that she loves you now, but something was stopping her from telling you tonight, even when there was a perfect opportunity for her to lean in and kiss you. That alone tells her that she isn’t ready. God, why is she so unsteady in her feelings?

The redhead groans as she drags herself to bed, and only once she is in the quiet comfort of her own bed does she truly let herself fall into her thoughts.

Melissa has been burned, seen other people burned, and… her heart quite literally aches, a dull sensation that feels like a knife to the heart, as she remembers what that feels like. She wonders if you’re worth the risk of feeling like that again.

If this is love, maybe I’m ready. How do I know? I’m in my head again. If this is love, I think I’m in it. If this is, if this is, if this is love, I think I’m in it, and in between it, and upside down, and inside out. I think I’m in in, and in between it, and upside down.

Sleep doesn’t come easy for Melissa that night. But when she does finally give into her own exhaustion, she dreams of you. She dreams of what a life could be like with you. 

When she wakes with a soft jolt, the redhead wishes she hadn’t. Dreaming of a life with you was better than reality- a reality where you aren’t hers.

As she sits up in bed, she comes to the conclusion that if this is what love is, she’s in love with you and everything that could be.

Those thoughts are only confirmed when she walks into the staff room, and there you are- practically glowing as the sun surrounds you perfectly as you sip from your coffee mug while grading your students’ spelling tests. You look like an angel- you are an angel in her eyes.

And with enough courage, Melissa knows that this is what love is supposed to be, and she has to do something about it- soon.

If this is, if this is, if this is, if this is, if this is, if this is, if this is love. 

Tags

(and let me know if you want to be included!): @schemmentis @thesapphictimelady @marvel210 @itisdoctortoyousir @morgana-larkin @doesthatsuggestanythingtoyou @marvels--slut @gwennybriggs @megamultifandomtrashposts @lemz378 @http-sam @melissaschemmentisbranzino @imaginesmultifandoms @sexysapphicshopowner @lilfartbox1 @maybe-a-humanbean @imlike-so-gaydude @a-queen-and-her-throne @notinmyvocab @melanielaufeyson @dvrkhcld @cosmichymns @sasheemo @m1lflov3rrr @ricejucie @temilyrights

[beautifulsnake2162020]

So I was rewatching Season 2, Episode 6 of TGCF/Heaven Official's Blessing and something that didn't caught my eye the first time around was the look that Feng Xin and Mu Qing has after Xie Lian is escorted to be under house arrest in his palace.

It's like they both know that whatever Xie Lian says about killing the Yongan royal family it's either not entirely true or there is something that's not adding up. They may have their differences but they both know Xie Lian enough to know that he's definitely hiding something. And with the political affairs of the Heavenly court, neither of them could blame him.

Which makes me think that their visit to Xianle palace was to help him and get the truth from Dianxie so that they may assist him once again. It's really telling that Mu Qing is able to see through Xie Lian's act and Feng Xin doesn't deny that he is right. Instead Feng Xin intentionally instigates a fight between him and Mu Qing.

Now, I just want to say that it is entirely possible that they just get caught up in their squabbles and Xie Lian had been out of heaven for 800 years so he wouldn't have noticed how much Feng Xin and Mu Qing changed during that time.

And maybe a part of me is just overthinking this - but in this instance I don't think that their fight was simply because of a squabble but was planned.

Think about it - nobody would question if these two ended up arguing or fighting. The only reason why I find it suspicious was because of Xie Lian's internal monologue saying that it is odd. But had it been anyone else in heaven nobody would think it strange that these two are fighting. As a matter of fact no junior official that was standing guard even bothered to go inside to investigate why it seems there's a commotion because it's common knowledge that Feng Xin and Mu Qing in a confined space would end up in a fight.

And that was the point.

They both know how many spies heaven has and they both know Xie Lian is clearly protecting a secret that would explain everything, but he can't say anything because of a better reason. And the only way they could get him to spill the beans to them while keeping everyone else out of the way is if their fight induced Xie Lian to confess what is really going on. Only the two of them would know the secret and Xie Lian would be safe to share it because it would be masked by the commotion of their fighting.

And then Hua Cheng initiates his abduction of Xie Lian and they immediately stop and work as a team. Their differences in how they report to the rest of the heavenly court on his abduction might just be to keep up appearances.

But maybe that's just me overthinking. But this is my headcanon now.

[deconstructthesoup]

Of course I can't just drop an idea into the void and then scamper off for other people to do something with it---I have to do it myself. So, feast your eyes on the DBD fantasy AU:

Edwin is a bookish prince with a love of mysteries and a keen sense of justice, which is a useful trait to have when your kingdom has a habit of letting people fall between the cracks. However, his habit of sneaking out into the kingdom to "assist" the royal guards with cases has gotten him into trouble... specifically, the accidentally-got-captured-by-a-demon-and-was-stuck-in-the-demon-realm-for-a-bit kind of trouble. Because of this, he's been assigned his own personal knight to stick with him at all times---but thankfully, Edwin's new shadow might be more rebellious than he seems...

Charles has only recently been knighted, and got assigned to Edwin due to the fact that they're similar in age and Edwin doesn't have a lot of friends. He got put on the path to knighthood because his father thought it'd be a good way for him to "man up," but surprisingly enough, he actually enjoys being a sword-fighting protector of the realm, even if the other knights have a tendency to be pricks. And Charles is more than happy to help Edwin do some clandestine detective work---hey, as long as he's sticking by him and making sure he doesn't get hurt, he's fulfilling his duties.

Niko is the princess of the neighboring kingdom, and she and Edwin are set to be married when they turn twenty-one---which both of them are fairly fine with, because despite the fact that they're both gay, they've been best friends since they were kids and know full well that it could very well be worse. Ever since her father died, she's been fairly withdrawn and lost, and has retreated even further into her love of books to keep her distracted. But even her newfound isolationist tendencies didn't keep her from briefly contracting a curse when she came into contact with an old magical artifact... a curse that was thankfully broken by her own personal bodyguard-slash-attendant.

Crystal is a recent graduate of a prestigious wizarding academy, and until her final year, she mostly skated by on average grades and the money of her noble parents. However, the summer before her final year, she summoned a demon on a dare, fell for him, and allowed him to possess her... and the experience not only briefly left her with holes in her memory, but was generally a wake-up call to how reckless she was with her magic. Over the following months, she applied herself to her wizardly studies, and got good to the point where she was called in to help cure Niko of a mysterious, multicolored curse that was afflicting her---and once Crystal succeeded, she was immediately handed a position as the junior court mage and Niko's primary attendant. Luckily, the two of them actually wound up getting along pretty fast.

My ideas for the others aren't as thought out, but I'll give you the basics:

Jenny works as the head cook in Niko's palace, and pretty much everybody knows not to mess with her. She's the person who Niko usually goes to for advice, despite the fact that she's really trying to not give off "mom friend" vibes.

The Night Nurse is the royal advisor to Edwin's parents, and is the one who's in charge of the majority of his schooling and general upbringing. While she's incredibly strict, she's still much more present than his actual parents are, and she's kind of unintentionally become his adoptive mom. She'll deny this if you ask her.

Esther is still a scheming witch who's pretty much always up to no good---maybe she's living in a village, maybe she's actually living in the palace as Crystal's mentor, I haven't decided yet---but Monty is her actual son and apprentice who simply has the ability to transform into a crow. And he... needs help.

The Cat King is a fey who Edwin met on a case. They meet up when they can and make out sometimes, though it's strictly a friends-with-benefits situation. He gives Edwin terrible advice on how to talk to boys.

[wlwinry]

wait wait please tell me more about the thistlecaster tangled au

oh boy oh boy im about to explode. prepare for a deeply silly heartfelt au that hovers in the back of my mind so very often

gorgug is (approximately) flynn, fabian is (approximately) rapunzel

by this i mean that they fill those two roles not that the personalities perfectly align

but to backtrack a little to that age-old worldbuilding: fabian, youngest (adoptive, but who cares) son of cathilda the black falls grievously ill as an infant. devastated and desperate, cathilda and fabian's older siblings (princess maeve, prince kieran, and princess rory, though theyre not super relevant to the au i just care about them a lot) hunt for magical cures high and low and eventually find an ancient healing blossom blessed by Galicaea, goddess of the moon, and Cassandra, goddess of the night and of mystery. some say that the flower came from the tears Galicaea shed when her sister first died, but that's neither here nor there...

the royal guard sneaks and fights through the wards around the flower and brews it into a healing draught, one that restores the infant prince's strength--but as he heals and grows bit by bit, the royal family notices a shocking change. fabian's hair, previously a pale silver, has turned moon-white. writing it off as a simple change, the likes of which frequently occur with infants, queen cathilda announces that her baby is healed and the kingdom rejoices

except word reaches bill and hallariel seacaster, fabian's biological parents. you see, they didn't want to deal with a child on their adventures, so they dropped him off on the shores of their former friend's kingdom.

a magical child, however...that's not a burden. that's an opportunity.

hallariel tricks her way into her palace to try and siphon some of fabian's magic, but finds it tied to the boy's blood and hair. so, of course, she steals him back. don't worry, she left a note thanking cathilda for taking such good (temporary) care of him, but she and bill have quite the client list looking for the magical youth, healing, and immortality a child with the healing power of a god can bring

cathilda hunts them down to no avail. the hangman (the ship) stops sailing, hiding in a cove shrouded by the best wards money can buy. fabian grows up in a cabin of that ship, never stepping foot off of it and never seeing another person beyond the clients his doting (ha) mama and papa bring in

cue the lantern celebration, a last hope from the royal ceíli family that their last little one will find his way home

cut to nineteen years later. thief duo fig and gorgug need one last score to be able to leave the kingdom behind with more than enough money to pursue their dreams once they end up Anywhere But There. the score in question? the crown of the lost prince

things don't go to plan, though--they get caught on the way out of the vault and end up splitting up, unable to reach their meeting spot now that (junior) captain of the guard riz gukgak is on their tails. fig heads for the forest sans-crown, gorgug heads for the shore with the crown, and when he sees what looks like a shipwreck in the middle of a secluded cove he decides to trust his gut and sneak aboard.

the problem is, of course, that the second he's on board, the glamour fades and the ship is clearly whole and hale. not that he gets much of a chance to process this, though. he gets brained over the head by a large, heavy blunt object, shoved into a closet, and then is blackmailed by the most beautiful man he's ever seen with the longest hair in the goddamn world to take him to see the floating lights in return for the crown. always a man of honor, gorgug agrees, and the ethereally beautiful stranger introduces himself as fabian

and he is. shockingly easy to fall in love with. mesmerized by the outside world. determined to experience as much as he can in the short few days he has without clients. deeply melancholy. maybe a little too fearless

he shudders whenever gorgug holds his hand, like he's not used to the touch. to the comfort

gorgug thinks there isn't much he wouldn't give to see him happy, escape plan aside.

(cue the whole adventure. all of it. except fabian doesnt lose his magic like rapunzel does bc i always thought that was silly. he does THINK that that's where his power stems from, because that's what bill and hallariel always thought and told him)

(also, this is a fabian who wasn't trained, bc bill decided he made a better asset when he was unable to fight the people they sold his magic to. you know, if he ever decided to escape. a lot harder to do that when you can't fight back)

(this au was originally conceptualized with transfem!fabian but really it can be done either way)

(the scene where eugene is totally speechless when he first sees rapunzel? that, but thistlecaster)

(the hangman [dog] is pascal)

[ruiniel]

No one asked but my brain is swiss-cheesed about this character so blurted some HCs about Ming Yi with a genderfluid heavenly official friend.

Ming Yi's never been much of a talker around the Upper Court, and a scarce presence besides

Which has the opposite effect of getting too much attention when he does make an appearance

It took about a hundred years for you to develop something close to a friendship: it was actually more a case of you asking him to accompany you somewhere and him acquiescing (grumbling and/or eye rolling)

Seems especially into it when Shi Qingxuan is around, though he hides it well

When you ask him about it, he shrugs, saying he has nothing better to do at the moment anyway

Nobody knows where to find him, ever. You get the impression it will never happen unless he wishes it. Something about his reclusive nature appeals to you, against all common sense. Shi Qingxuan seems to agree, never letting him off the hook

Whenever you try reaching for him in his castle in the Upper Court, he's mostly gone on business (so say the attendants)

Randomly, you can't shake the feeling of being watched. When you look, it's no one in particular: either a junior official from the Middle Court, or a civil god from the palace of Ling Wen, or a Heavenly Capital guard.

Sometimes it happens that a mission in the mortal realm leaves you wounded beyond your healing capabilities. It's always the same official tending to you.

"Have we met somewhere?" "Only the times I'm patching you back together," she says. You leave it be, but something is awfully familiar about her.

Say you'll cook, invite Ming Yi over for dinner. He'll never decline. Any compliments you'll get sound sincere, heartfelt even.

At first he kept denying you're friends (does that to everyone) and just as you were about to give up trying, there's Ming Yi waiting at the entrance of your palace with his shoulder propped against a pillar, nonchalant. "So, where are you dragging me to this time?"

The only quirk you noticed is his appreciation for a particular Fire Social, hosted on the eve of Hanlu. You've accompanied him countless times along the years to a town called Fu Gu in the mortal realm.

And not just any Social, but a Bloody Fire Social with scenes of gore and despair played out in the street. Every year, you go to the same inn, and he takes the same spot at the same window, watching the procession of murderous rampage unravel until nightfall.

"I admit... I could never relate to this kind of commemoration." Ming Yi takes a gulp of his wine before answering, short and low as always. "Some things should never be forgotten." "... in general, I agree. But what is... all this about?" His gaze stays on the tall, pale man clad in black at the center of the performance, skewering and knifing the lavishly dressed people surrounding him on stage. "Maybe I'll tell you, someday."

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

One more thing I forgot to post re: Eugenie vs the Sussexes.

During the Platinum Jubilee when the Sussexes were doing the most to try to get pictures with the other royals or even to get them to Frogmore for LilD’s birthday, Eugenie would have been their natural and easy target ally.

Instead the Sussexes made a very public play for the Philips/ Tindalls. All the cousins were in the same room at Horse Guards, but the Sussexes were photographed variously with the junior Philips/ Tindalls and The Duke of Kent. The few Long lens pics into the room showed that no one was talking to Meghan or Harold except for one pic of Harold with Kent.

Then the Sussexes leave Horse Guards presumably to return to Frogmore, and miss the flypast. Eugenie posts lots of pics from the flypast which show that Zara, Beatrice are with her on a rooftop at SJP.

Later that afternoon/ early evening Zara, Mike, Beatrice, Edo, Jack and Eugenie are papped coming out of a London restaurant following group lunch, which Mike later revealed involved all the royal cousins+ spouses who weren’t on the balcony. Only the Sussexes don’t attend because they’d gone back to Frogmore. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10896165/Mike-Tindall-reveals-outstanding-cousins-lunch-Harry-Meghan-didnt-attend.html

The next day the Sussexes put out PR about a birthday party for LilD which they claim was attended by the Philips/ Tindalls and their children, but the two families were very visibly at the races most of that day and the distance between locations to attend both events would have been impossible especially as the Philips/ Tindall families had booked London hotels for Jubilee weekend and centred all their activities in/ around London give or take afew miles outside it. 

***********

I do remember these well. 

I don’t think Harry and Meghan not being in Eugenie’s Trooping video (remember how pissed everyone got at her because Wolfie’s face was visible, when Beatrice and Edo hadn’t been showing his face? ah, good times) is because of the falling out. I think it was just the logistics the Queen/Charles had put in place for handling the Sussexes. It was implied that Harry and Meghan were only invited to the official ceremonial events, and once something ended, they were herded back to their car and sent home to FrogCott to wait for tomorrow’s event. So what happened at the service of thanksgiving (where they left in a car that took them to FrogCott while everyone else bussed over to the guildhall for the reception) is what happened after Trooping: everyone else was carriaged/bussed back to Buckingham while the Sussexes were sent home and then all the cousins decided to go out for lunch.

Supposedly that’s why they left early  - they were upset by how closely they were being controlled by palace handlers regarding the events, but knew they couldn’t complain (publicly at least) because they needed the optics of being with Lili for her first birthday so they could use the public spotlight to pressure the BRF into giving them the Lilibet Meets Lilibet photo.

Also it has been alleged that Anne was livid the Sussexes got the photo ops they did with her grandchildren. I have also heard that Autumn and Zara were upset too, which is allegedly why they bailed on the birthday party after promising to go (I’m not sure I believe this one because Zara absolutely would’ve already had plans with her family for the weekend). I think what really happened with the birthday party is Harry invited them, they said “we’ll let you know,” which the Sussexes interpreted as “yes” and thus all the PR.

[sketchedboba]

"A Green Queen" AU

Chapter VIII

TW: Discussion of Self-ham

A few hours passed as the two discussed various agreements, commerce deals, supply exchanges, and of course the Grand Peace Flair Ball. Luigi sat on the side next to Kamek, taking notes as the MagiKoopa guided him and kept him up to pace with the conversation. He had chimmed in a few times to give his thoughts on certain guard stations or small reminders of past agreements King Totomesu had stood by. He felt a sense of distance every time the Prince or Bowser shut him down on ideas, but chalked it up to them having more experience. Kamek also reassured him each time that he was doing fine and gave a small pat on his back for comfort. They had broken conversation a few times to eat and rehydrate before they talked on end again.

And as the night fell, they had finally completed their discussion. Prince Khufo cheered and bound off to the kitchen to check on their nightly meals. Kamek, also took this opportunity to check the older scrolls for new spells and remedies for the Koopalings.

The King, however, was at the edge of the balcony looking up at the stars and humming to himself, he was ready to leave, but too tired to go too far into the palace.

Luigi fixed his papers carefully and placed a little gold slate paperweight on top, so they didn't fly off as the breeze kicked in. He stood up, hair flowed slightly, as he watched as Bowser's head turned to follow a certain passing star that shot by.

He walked over with a chair and sat down beside him, still keeping a bit of distance between them. "They're pretty... D-Do you like watching shooting stars?"

"Yeah... I usually watched them with the little ones, but I doubt we would've made it back in time to see them together.. You should see their little eyes light up when they..."

The large koopa's words trailed off as he noticed Luigi's galaxy blue eyes shimmered, eager to hear him talk fondly about his hatchlings.

"That's sweet of you... They could be watching right now. If that makes you feel any better.."

'Why does it matter what he thinks? You're just-'

"Hah! You underestimate their attention span. Ludwig is probably telling Iggy to stop trying to replicate star patterns with his bombs. And Lemmy is most likely drawing silly faces on their shells when they're distracted, speedy lil champ!" He exclaimed. "Wendy won't be so pleased, once she finds out though, she's not afraid to tackle any of them down and nip at them."

Luigi looked at him mortified. "That sounds...greaatttt.... Um.. Did they all come from the same.."

"No, you've asked before"

"When you nearly severed my arm off?"

"Hey! I apologized!", The large lizard huffed. His arms now crossed on the ledge.

Luigi chuckled a bit, "Uh huh.. What an amazing apology."

"You're damned right it was!", Bowser grinned.

Luigi snickered and rolled his eyes, enjoying the King's confidence. Bowser smiled a bit seeing the Queen's enjoyment and continued.

"I'd found most of their eggs on islands or in dense territory I had conquered. Most Koopas my size will abandon eggs once most of the clutch hatch out.", He huffed and gazed back up at the stars. "Yeah, some of them were a hassle to raise, still are, but I'd caused the entire universe to quake in fear if any of them got hurt.", He chuckled at his own comment.

Luigi eyes lifted slightly as he saw the King's gaze softened. "I raised them myself and even though they drive me insane sometimes; they're family to Junior.."

'Just Junior?'

"What about you? Aren't they your family just as much as they are Junior's?"

Bowser gave a low growl causing Luigi to stiffen.

"N-Nevermind.."

The two stayed gazing at the show, Luigi sighed and started to think about when he and Mario would watch the sky with Peach and Toad.

They shared food and witty jokes about their adventures. The countless of times they had saved or helped the kingdom and allies. It had become a second home to Mario and himself. He always felt some sort of peace being with Mario and wished he had some way to contact his brother outside of the contractual agreement.

The agreement.

In light of the situation, the dreamy atmosphere, the cool breeze. Luigi had forgotten that all of this was temporary.

He was a queen to his enemies and all of it was his fault. He agreed to be Bowser's bride, strictly married to the koopa next to him by circumstance of he and his brother's plans. Despite it being his karma, he still missed Mario, and trembled realizing the passage of time.

A light sense of pain hit his arm again but it stopped as Bowser's claw quickly removed his hand from digging into it.

"Why do you keep doing that?!", he yelled.

"It's nothing! Let go!"

"Greenie"

"I said let go! I'm fine!"

" You're not fine! Just let me see and-"

"Thank you for your concern, but I'm FINE."

Bowser's nose flared at his tone and his claw tightened around his hand slightly.

"You know you're REALLY stubborn!"

"I learned from the best...", Luigi muttered.

Bowser growled deeply, "What'sTHAT supposed to mean!". His grip tightened around Luigi's hand more as his pupils slitted and were locked on him.

Luigi winced from the pain breathing heavily then looked away shaking.

Bowser growled then roared briefly as he let go.

Luigi checked his hand for injury, only to see light bruises on the sides of his wrist. He let out a sigh of relief as he massaged them, then looked over at his captor.

Bowser sighed, his tail swayed violently as he tried to cool off. " Why can't you just talk?"

"You ask me to shut up every other time.", He muttered.

"I-", he turned around to object, but couldn't retaliate. "That's usually because you've said something stupid and you know that's not what I meant, when it comes to that."

He lightly tapped a finger on Luigi's right arm.

"I... You caused this."

The King's head tilted in confusion. "But I said-"

"I know... And I'm glad, but it doesn't erase it immediately. It still hurts me. YOU still harmed me! I want to forgive you, but every time I think I understand I begin to blame myself for not thinking about why I'm here and that all of THIS could've been avoided."

Tears swelled in his eyes the more he went on, only to be met with Bowser's perplexed expression.

"As far back as the wedding, I've just been replaying it over and over! If I didn't let my disguise slip or if I hadn't agreed to be here or if I hadn't bothered you that night! I wouldn't have gotten hurt, I wouldn't have these fucking nightmares!"

Luigi's streams of tears blurred his vision, he was regretting every ounce of information he was telling him. He didn't even bother to look over at the Koopa and kept his eyes on the stars as they reflected in his tears slightly.

Bowser blinked, he watched the small man's body shake and hiccup from crying. He reached over slightly with his claw about to say something then retracted, before getting up to leave.

Luigi sniffled as he covered his face with his hands and slowly slid them back into his hair. A light breeze made him shiver, but they didn't stop the quiet crying.

'Why did I do that... He doesn't care! Get a grip, Luigi!'

Half an hour had gone by and Luigi had rested his chin on his uninjured arm to calm down.

His pink eyes gazed out at the palace fountains and the desert beyond the gates.

Dried snot flaked on his mustache and he didn't bother to try and look for Bowser or call for Spotty once his tears stopped flowing.

Purely out of embarrassment.

As he closed his eyes, he heard claws clank against the tiles, and a mild quake rattled his chair.

He felt a warm sheet embrace him only to open his eyes and see Bowser removing a lid from a small dish with an aroma of hefty spices leaving the plate. He gestured towards his face with some wipes he'd brought back, almost ordering him to take it.

Luigi nodded and took a few to wipe off his face and 'stache, being careful of his eyes and lips. When he finished, he glanced behind him to see the blanket placed over his shoulders. A simple black velvety sheet with Bowser's emblem on it, he sighed looking at it then turned his attention to the food Bowser brought.

He hadn't said a word about his outburst and was a bit ashamed to ask, "I'm s-sorry about all of that!", Luigi laughed. "Just forget I said-"

Before he could finish, Bowser slipped food into his mouth with a spoon. As Luigi began to chew, his face lit up tasting a familiar fruit he hadn't had in a while, tomatoes.

Despite the pleasant surprise he looked up at the King confused.

"You talk too much."

".....Not usually..", he swallowed.

"You also cry worse than a hatchling."

Luigi sighed, "Probably..."

Bowser looked down at him, "So you hurt yourself because of me?"

Luigi didn't say anything nor did he move in response to his comment. He stayed staring at the stars, the blanket covering his shoulders.

Bowser hummed, understanding to not press further for now, and asked if he wanted to just eat.

Luigi nodded, his face flushed as he slightly opened his mouth for another spoonful.

Bowser's tail slowly swung as he fed him again and looked up towards the heavens. He wanted to know more about this self inflicted harm, if he could for a moment, stop the pain as quickly as each star shot above. A pit of guilt growing in his stomach, as brief as the streaks of silver, luminescent, and ever fleeting.

Spotty stepped onto the balcony and stared at the two, "Your highness. The Prince has found intruders in the palace and is requesting your...and the Queen's presence immediately."

Luigi groaned a bit and slightly stood up. His knees shaking as the crying has caused a small headache to form, making him feel dizzy.

Bowser caught him carefully and growled, "Fine, but tell him I'll be taking the Queen back to his room for the night."

"But-", Luigi stammered.

"No. You are going to rest. That's an order."

"....."

Spotty bowed, "Yes, your highness".

Bowser glanced down at Luigi and puffed, "Do you mind if I carry you?"

He shook his head slowly, not wanting to worsen his head ache. "Just...really slowly. My head is spinning.", he gasped.

Bowser nodded and gently slipped his claws under the Queen's thighs. He made sure to avoid digging his nails into the pants, despite wanting to playfully poke at Luigi's soft skin.

Luigi kept close to the koopa's chest, hearing a slow thump thump coming from his shell. He listened to its shallow rhythm and closed his eyes as Bowser carried him down the hall.

Prince Khufo yawned as he stepped down the torch-lit stairwell. His wings opened greatly as he darted down the stairs dramatically, causing the once sunset shimmering flames to blaze ocean blue.

At the bottom, he stepped into a sandstone hall, filled with nearly empty cells, holding long gone dry bones, goombas, and deserted, torn shy guy uniforms. The Prince padded past each cell with a cheeky grin and as he approached the last two his eyes lit up.

"Oh, what a treat! Thinking you could get in here unannounced? And why.. not even a single letter either. We're not plebians yknow..", he pouted.

He held one of the torches closer to the cell and the light shined onto a cloak, covering his captives face.

"Nothing? Really? Hmph, suit yourself. Maybe the Koopa King will have more fun with you and your little band of outcasts. It'll sure be quite the show~", he giggled.

[the-cosmos-withinus]

Does something interesting happen to you two during the Moonlight Conjuring?

A note on the Conjuring Moon Belos has considered trying to use the Moon's power to free Astrophel, but a Conjuring takes at 3 magic users. While he and the Golden Guard count for two, he doesn't want to involve anyone who doesn't already know about the Collector in it, and since Astrophel is technically the object they'd be trying to animate, he doesn't count. Also after the incident when they tried to use the magic of the Wailing Star, Belos isn't willing to mess with it when the Day of Unity is so close. Astrophel has a reputation as a sort of 'Conjuring Moon cryptid' that most of the scouts don't believe exists, he especially likes to prank them when he overhears them whispering about him. A note on the Blight Siblings. Edric and Emira are full Coven Scouts, each on their way to becoming captains, and primarily live at the Bonesborough Coven Headquarters, but sometimes get summoned to the Emperor's Palace for Coven meetings. Rather than both of them starting in the Illusionist track, Edric was in the Beast Keeping track and Emira was on Oracle track like their mom. Amity is a sort of "Junior Scout" still in school majoring in Abominations but taking extra courses in other magic and living with her Mentor, Lilith, and going with her on missions during the weekends.

Being in the Emperor's Coven is tough work, but Edric and Emira prefer it to being home with their mom, neither of them wear the concealment stones Odalia forced them to, Edric even dyes his hair now that she can't make him color coordinate with his sisters, and encourages Amity to pick her own hair color later.

[world-of-wales]

─ •✧ WILLIAM'S YEAR IN REVIEW : MARCH ✧• ─

1 MARCH - William was accompanied by Catherine for presenting Leeks to the Welsh Guards during the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards St. David's Day Parade at Combermere Barracks. 2 MARCH - William and Catherine received The Crown Prince and Princess of Norway at Windsor Castle. They later held a Meeting with Norwegian business delegates accompanied by the Crown Prince Couple. 6 MARCH - He chaired a Meeting of The Prince's Council. 7 MARCH - William held an Investiture at Windsor Castle. 9 MARCH - William and Catherine were received by Ms. Manju Malhi (Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London) at the Hayes Muslim Centre in Middlesex. 10 MARCH - He received Ms. Hannah Jones (Chief Executive, Earthshot Prize) at Windsor Castle. 13 MARCH - William and Catherine attended the Commonwealth Service in Westminster Abbey. Afterwards, he attended the Commonwealth Day Reception at Buckingham Palace. 14 MARCH - William held a Meeting at Windsor Castle. 16 MARCH - William held an Investiture at Windsor Castle. Afterwards, he visited Aston Villa FC at Bodymoor Heath. 17 MARCH - William accompanied Catherine in presenting Shamrocks to Irish Guards as they attended the 1st Battalion Irish Guards' St. Patrick's Day Parade in Aldershot. He appeared in a TV special with Groundswell for Red Nose Day. 19 MARCH - William wrote a letter to Alpha United Juniors condemning the incidents of racism being faced by their players. 20 MARCH - He received Mr. Alastair Martin (Secretary of the Duchy of Cornwall) at Windsor Castle. 21 MARCH - William held a Meeting with Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez & Pierre-Yves Paslier (Founders, NotPla) 22 MARCH - William departed Royal Air Force Northolt for Poland where he was by His Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Poland (Her Excellency Ms. Anna Clunes) upon arrival at Rzeszow-Jasionka International Airport. He met British troops at the Airport. Afterwards, he visited a Rzeszow Military Base in and visited British troops providing support to Poland and Ukraine. Subsequently, William met Ukrainian refugees living in temporary accommodation in Warsaw. In the evening, he was spotted at Butero Bistro having dinner. 23 MARCH - William laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Plac Marszalka Józefa Pilsudskiego and called upon The President of the Republic of Poland at the President's Chancellery. Afterwards, he met Ukrainian refugees at Hala Koszyki. Subsequently, subsequently he met Ukrainian staff from the British Embassy in Kyiv at Hala Koszyki. After completing his visit to Poland, William arrived at the Royal Air Force Northolt from Poland. 24 MARCH - William approved the appointment of the High Sheriff of Cornwall (Mr Toby George Howell Ashworth)

[plump-lips-imagine]

Ayeee I just found this blog and I just watched the movie a second time (For English cast and toootally not mainly Jack black Bowser) and it was AWESOME qwq

Can I have either a fic or hcs of a female reader just as obsessed with Bowser as he is with Peach and reader is here to change his mind, maybe even going as far to bring (and by bring I meant steal) the guy back to reader's castle/palace to show him the collection of him and his kingdom in reader's bedroom, look! reader even have a big statues of him in the private music/dance room where reader dream of dance to his music as he plays, or maybe even dance with him

My collection so far, I especially like to tell everyone I met about the story of how I got my Bowser and Junior plushie, I'ma share if interested

YOOOOO, Cool Drip! I Love the collection you have. It makes me lowkey jealous lol. I hope you Like what I made! I try to only make head cannons but it turned into this lol.

Marry Me, My Darling Bowser! (1/2)

You stand at the throne of the Bowser himself, with a confident and determined smile across. Bowser looks at you with a genuine look of disgust and annoyance, but that doesn't stop you from getting on one knee and holding out your hand.

"Bowser, My Dragon King! Will you Marry Me?"

He growls as he tries to hold back the fire that was rising in his chest.

"For the last time Pipsqueak, NO!"

You weren't dejected, not even in the slightest, as you stood back up and patted your dress down. You then let out a loud laughter that made His Majesty's eyes glow red.

"AHAHAH! Always a jokester. Is this any way to treat your future wife?"

"I mean it!!" "Aw, Come on. Don't be shy! I even proposed myself, so you didn't feel like you had to. We were just meant to be!"

Bowser claws at his throne as a bottle of rage was about to erupt inside of him. His minions look at him nervously, backing away ever so slightly.

"Are you dense?! I hate you! I don't harbor anything for you! I Only love Peach. Why can't you just leave me alone!?!"

Everything was coming out of one ear as you slyly grin at him.

"Playing hard to get, huh? I like that in a man." A vein pops on Bowser's head. "Oh please, my darling. Let me make me happy. I'll be the best wife you'll ever have!!......Well,only wife you'll have too!"

Bowser's Flame comes in your direction, The flame barely missing a part of your dress that was scorched when you dodged it.

"........Alright, I understand. You're a little stressed and the proposal was lacking. Don't worry! I'll come back with a better one next week. Get some rest, My love!" As you exit, the Koopa guards quickly closed the door in order to subside the King's anger. With a heavy groan, Bowser turns to Kamek, who jolts in surprise.

"If that Girl so much as steps into this Kingdom, I want her thrown out immediately. Got it!"

"Y-Yes Sire!!"

***

Aw Man!! I really thought I had him with that one!!" You pouted as you stomped around the room in a huff.

"Your Highness, please come down." Your attendant calmly says, watching your miniature tantrum.

Oh Yeah. I forgot to mention an important detail.

You are Princess (Y/N), Ruler of the Poison Shroom Kingdom. Your Kingdom was Known for its vicious wildlife of piranha, the poisonous ecosystem of purple ooze, and not to mention the not-so-soft toads that were under your rule as they were taller stronger, and more intimidating than that of the Mushroom Kingdom, with darker tones to match. Safe to say, you don't get many visitors around here.

But it's not so bad wants you get used to it. It was home to you. The purple theme of the castle was beautiful to those who took the time to see it. It was also home to many rare herbs and medicine for those needing cures for ailments of any kind, with you being an expert on the topic yourself.

This is one of the reasons why the Toads also like you as their ruler. You were very kind to them and actually cared about them, no matter how dangerous a job was. They are extremely loyal to you to a fault. They respect every decision you make. Well, almost.

"Honestly, Princess. I don't see what you see in such a brute anyway. He's such a monster. I don't see how you love such a dangerous creature in the first place."

You let out a dramatic gasp, looking back at your royal attendant who just rolled their eyes at who.

"Toadye!! That is no Monster! That is my Future Dragon King!! He just has a hard time saying his true feelings about me is all! We're soulmates, I just know it!"

Toadye, your most loyal attendant. She is also what you consider to be your best (only) friend as she has been with you for the longest time. She was a tall toad, her mushroom heads a dark violet with black spots at the center, and dark black hair to compliment her look.

"Princess, as your servant and as your friend. He has too many red flags."

"He just a little misunderstood. I swear that I have the charm to break his walls."

Toadye gives you a look.

"Right, you mean that time you 'invited' him to our Kingdom he oh so loved visiting."

Right. So, you maaaaay have 'technically' kidnapped him that one time to get home to your Kingdom. But it was for a good reason!!!

"That was a misunderstanding! I was going to just patch him up after he got hurt by his many battles. He was unconscious so I was sure he didn't mind if I brought him home to heal him."

"Ma'am, he literally tried to burn your face off and destroyed half the village."

"Well....Water under the bridge. :)"

Toadye slaps her face in exhaustion. Man, were you as stubborn as a mule."

"Toadye, I swear. He isn't as bad as he seems to be." You walk over to your bed, picking up a large homemade Bowser Plushie, and hugging it to your body.

"I see something in those large ruby eyes. I just want him to give me a chance. It'll happen soon, I just know it.

Toadye looks at you hugging and swooning for the Plush in your hands and sighs. She doesn't get it, but she'll stand by you in your pursuit.

***

"MY DARLING~!"

Bowser flinches at the familiar voice and groans. Peach looks at him confused in the cage she is being held prisoner in. Mario was the only one that could make his face scrunch up in displeasure like that, but she didn't recognize the voice that entered out of nowhere.

Several noises of struggles could be heard in the distance as the castle violently shook a bit, a red koopa came it sliding on the back of his shell, knocked out and dizzy which made Peach flinch at the chaos that was happening.

She was surprised to see a woman come from the throne room entrance. And a royal too! She's kinda like her.

"Bowser! My Beloved, Please Marry Me! I'd fight a thousand koopas for you!" You say with a love-struck gaze in your eyes that made Peach give you a look. By the chaos that was happening behind you, she could tell you weren't lying.

Well, more or less like her.

Bowser glares down at you. Fighting the urge to throw you out.

"You got a lot of nerve coming back here."

"A wife never leaves her husband alone too long." :)

"I told you to stop calling me that!"

"Why must you push away your soon-to-be wife like so" You put on your best crocodile tears to tease him a bit.

"Grrrr." a low grumble can be heard from his chest.

He rubbed his face, letting out a puff of smoke. He then glances back at Peach for a quick second and gives a smirk back at you.

"As you can see, I am far too busy making arrangements for the actual love of my life. If you can excuse us, I'm busy with my conversation with Peach." The sneered in his condescending tone made it clear that he was dropping huge hints at you.

however, you only look at the cage that he was presenting to you with a blank stare. Peach felt herself shrink at your gaze. If you love Bowser this much, she didn't know what to do if you saw her as a potential threat. It's bad enough that she has to deal with Bowser.

"Peach..." You mumbled softly. As you took a step forward towards her cage, causing her to take a slight step back in the limited space.

But She wasn't ready for the full sprint that you took towards her, jumping into the bars of her cage, griping tight as you cause the cage to jerk in place. Peach jumps back at your sudden movements as she feels her heart in her mouth from your sudden closeness. She almost lost one of her lives there.

"You're Peach! I've finally got to meet you in Person! My Fiancé has talked about you a lot! You rule the Mushroom Kingdom I Believe. You are so much prettier than he ever described you to be! We should hang out! Have you ever seen the Poison Mushroom Kingdom! I could be your tour guide! I'm Princess (Y/N) btw." You rambled to Peach, not taking a second to breathe.

"Uh,....huh....ummm?" Peach could only look at you flabbergasted at the energy that you have leaped at her with. Your forwardness and surprising friendliness made her forget the predicament that she was in. "Hi?"

"Hey! Leave the Princess alone, Pipsqueak!!" Bowser stomped his way towards you, causing Peach to jump again, being reminded of his presence here.

"Relax, My love. I was just making a friend. Sitting in this cage must be so tiring for a Princess like her.' You turn to look back at her. " Hey, wanna get out of this cage and hang? I got some great places to recommend. Do you like Pizza-"

Bowser could be heard behind you. He quickly grabs you in his claws and gives you a slight squeeze to make you stop your rambles. He brings you close to his face, and you see his eyes glow red in anger. "Listen, Brat. I'm tired of your games and your stubborn delusions getting in the way of my happiness. Get out of here before I am forced to burn you to a crisp!!

You noticed the flames that can be heard in his throat and frowned at him with a disappointed look on your face, "So mean.... This isn't how you're supposed to treat your spouse." You whispered but you quickly bring a smile to your face. ".... Alright fine. I'll go." You jump out the bars of the cage and run back to the entrance.

"I'll just wait until the red guy saves you again. I saw him not too long ago. It shouldn't be long. I'll make sure to visit you once you're back home. Bye, Peach!" You run out before Bowser can yell out at you for the backhand insult that you gave him.

Peach found herself slowly waving goodbye out you even though you were already gone.

She wouldn't mind if she saw you again.

Bowser Huffs at you then turns back to Peach, trying to fix face with his 'charming' smile.

"Now. Where were we~?"

Peach Rolls her eyes. Oh brother.

***

It's been about a week after the faithful encounter with Princess Toadstool herself, but you promised to visit her as soon as possible when she got saved.

You stood at the entrance of Prach's Castle. Two of her toads stood up right at the entrance with shields, guarding the door. The toads that decided to accompany you stared at them with an 'unimpressed ' look written on their face, including a dangerous aura that surrounded your toad guards. Toadye was right beside you, making sure nothing funny was happening.

The toads that were guarding the door already looked petrified.

"What...What business do you have here?" The toad on the asked, standing his ground.

You walked up to them calmly, with a big smile on your face.

"Good afternoon, Citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom. My name is (y/n). I have come from the Kingdom of the Poison Mushrooms, and I am the princess of that Kingdom. My business today is to speak with the Princess of this castle. She was rescued not too long ago, and I felt a princess on- on-one would be a nice way for her to relax after the stressful situation."

You greeted as gracefully as you could with your gloved hands held tight to each other in anticipation. the looks on the guards' faces didn't ease up the anxiety that swell inside your chest. They seemed even more on edge hearing your Kingdom's name.

one clears his throat and straightens up. "I'm sorry that you have come this far, your majesty. But our Princess is very busy at the moment. I'm afraid she is not taking any visitors as of now"

Your smile falls a little at this news. Surely she could have enough time to at least speak with you. It has been a while and the path to becoming best friends is to keep in touch with one another.

"A-Are you sure? I don't mind waiting a little bit, but I would be happy to speak with her for just a few minutes. Just to let her know that I'm here?"

"We highly suggest that you come at another time. The p-princess has enough on her plate as it is." The other guard speaks up.

"Are you suggesting that your princess can't handle a few minutes to speak to a guest that has so graciously come all this way to check on her wellbeing?" Toadye buts in, crossing their arms together and glaring at the guards.

the guards' eyes widened in astonishment at her blunt words that they could barely register what she said."

"W-What are you implying?"

"I'm just curious as to why Princess Peach has two of her door guards tell us that she couldn't possibly come to the door for royal company. Are 2 minutes of her time that valuable that she can't tell us herself that she cannot have guests or.....Are you perhaps lying through your teeth?" She says without batting an eye at the two, making the toads hold their breaths.

You step in.

"HEeheh,ummmm, what my advisor is trying to say is that...We just want to see if the Princess is okay. I consider her to be someone I find a connection with, and I just want to bring relief to her Princess life. Someone who understands. But if she is too busy, I guess we'll leave."

the solemn look on your face hits the guards with hard guilt to their chest. they didn't think you would be this ad about it. before they could say anything else, the castle doors begin to open. Everyone steps back and it reveals Princess Peach herself with an elderly toad next to her.

She looks surprised to see your standing there with your own guard and advisor. "Princess (Y/N)?"

"Peach!!" You run up to her and gave her a big hug, but then quickly let go to hold onto her hands, with a huge smile on your face.

The guards, your guards, the elderly toad, and Toadye look with shock at your forward approach to Peach. It was so casual that it seemed like a capital offense.

Peach flinched at the sudden display of affection, but she soon calmed down and actually began to smile as well. She held your hands in hers too. It was actually nice to see you visit.

"Princess (Y/N), I was beginning to worry that you wouldn't show up today. I was starting to think something bad had happened."

"Pfft what no! I'm alright. I heard from your guards that you were too busy today. I was about to leave."

"Really. Is that so?" Peach gave the guards a look that made them look the other way. "No matter. I want to get to know you. I have tea and cake waiting inside the castle. Oh! -"

The princess looks back at the elderly toad by her side. 'Princess (Y/n), this is Toadswroth, he is my royal advisor and has taken care of me ever since I was a baby."

You step back and bow politely, albeit a little clumsily though.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Toadsworth. You look go for your age. You must be a hard-working toad!" He only chuckles and bows back.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, princess."

You stand back up and gesture to Toadye. "Thsi is my loyal advisor Toadye. We are like two peas in a pod and she's been protecting me since I was young. she may be a bit mean, but she's really a sweetheart! Right,Toadye?

She stares at them for a second and gives a nod in acknowledgment. "A pleasure." As aloof as ever.

Princess Peach breaks the awkward silence with a cough. "Now then, let's have tea shall we?" She gestures inside as you go inside the castle.

You're very first Tea party!

[lierrelearns]

天守閣 小田原城天守閣 「天守」とはお城の象徴ともいえる建物で、お城の内外を見張るための物見櫓や蔵などとして用いられました。江戸時代までは「殿主」「殿守」などとも記され、「天守閣」と呼ばれるのは明治時代になってからのことです。江戸時代の小田原城は江戸の西を守る要の城とされ、徳川将軍家の宿所としても用いられました。寛永11年(1634)には、京都へと向かう途中の三代将軍徳川家光が天守に登り、武具を見たり展望を楽しんだりしたという記録が残っています。 元禄16年(1703)の大地震で、天守を含めた小田原城のほとんどの建物が倒壊・焼失しますが、天守は宝永2年(1705)に外観三層内部四階の「天守櫓」、入り口の「付櫓」、両者を結ぶ「続櫓」の三棟からなる櫓群として再建され、明治3年(1870)の廃城・解体までその姿を保ちました。 現在の天守閣は、昭和35年(1960)に市制20周年の記念事業として鉄筋コンクリート造で復興されたものです。復興に際しては、江戸時代の天守引図（設計図）や模型を参考に外観が復興され、最上階には周囲の景色を楽しめるように高欄が設けられました。 そして、平成28年(2016)には耐震改修工事と展示の全面的なリニューアルが行われました。天守閣内部では古文書や甲冑・刀剣、発掘調査による出土品などを展示し、小田原城の歴史を紹介しています。 標高約60メートルの位置にある最上階からは相模湾が一望でき、晴れた日には三浦半島や伊豆大島、遠く利島、房総半島までを望むことができます。

“Tenshukaku” means “Castle tower”, the symbolic structure of a Japanese castle. This castle tower served as storehouse, watch tower, or others in Edo period. Having a role to protect the west of Edo, the capital of Japan, the Odawara Castle was a special castle that even the Tokugawa shogunate family stayed at. Although having been demolished during the Meiji period, it was restored in 1960. Since a large-scale renewal completed in 2015, various historical materials such as armors, swords, etc. have been exhibited inside the structure. From the topmost floor of the Castle tower, the superb view of the entire Sagami-wan Bay can be enjoyed.

[Chinese]

文久図（小田原城天守閣蔵） 文久年間(1861~1864)に作られたとされる絵図で、幕末期の天守の姿が描かれています。

天守閣入場料 Admission fee 個人 - person | 団体 - Group (more than 30 people) 大人 - (over 15 years old) 500円 (500 en) | 400円 (400 en) 小中学生 - Elementary/Junior high school student 200円 (200 en) | 160円 (160 en)

開館時間：AM9:00~PM5:00　（入館はPM4:30まで） 9:00A.M. - 5:00P.M. (Last admission 30 minutes before closing time)

Vocab 天守閣（てんしゅかく）castle tower, keep, donjon 天守（てんしゅ）castle tower 象徴（しょうちょう）symbol, emblem, representation 内外（ないがい）interior and exterior 見張る（みはる）to stand watch, guard 物見櫓（ものみやぐら）watch tower 用いる（もちいる）to use, make use of 殿主（でんす）(Buddhist) priest in charge of a temple’s clerical duties 殿守（とのもり）palace guard [same for 主殿（とのも）] 記する（きする）to remember, to note とされる ）…is considered to… 将軍家（しょうぐんけ）family positioned to accede the shogunate 宿所（しゅくしょ）address, lodgings, accomodations 途中（とちゅう）en route 徳川家光（とくがわいえみつ）Tokugawa Iemitsu 武具（ぶぐ）arms, weapons 展望（てんぼう）view, outlook 元禄（げんろく）Genroku era (9.30.1688-3.13.1704) ほとんど almost all (of) 倒壊（とうかい）destruction, collapse 焼失（しょうしつ）destruction by fire, being burnt down 宝永（ほうえい）Hoei era (3.13.1704-4.25.1711) 外観（がいかん）outward appearance 付櫓（つけやぐら）attached turret/watchtower 両者（りょうしゃ）pair, two people, two things 続櫓（ぞくやぐら）a row house watchtower that continues from the gate watchtower）(櫓門） 棟（とう）counter for buildings 群（ぐん））group 廃城（はいじょう）abandoned castle 解体（かいたい）demolition, taking down 保つ（たもつ）to keep, preserve 市制（しせい）municipality 鉄筋コンクリート（てっきんコンクリート）reinforced concrete 復興（ふっこう）reconstruction, restoration に際して（にさいして）at the time of, during 設計図（せっけいず）plan, blueprint 模型（もけい）model 最上階（さいじょうかい）top floor 高欄（こうらん）railing 設ける（もうける）to prepare, provide 耐震（たいしん）resistant to earthquakes 改修工事（かいしゅうこうじ）repair work 展示（てんじ）exhibition, display 全面的（ぜんめんてき）total, complete, extensive 古文書（こぶんしょ）historical document, archives 甲冑（かっちゅう）armor and helmet 刀剣（とうけん）sword 発掘（はっくつ）excavation 出土品（しゅつどひん）artefact, archaeological find 標高（ひょうこう）elevation 相模湾（さがみわん）Sagami Bay 一望（いちぼう）sweeping/unbroken view 三浦半島（みうらはんとう）Miura Peninsula 伊豆大島（いずおおしま）Izu Oshima 利島（としま）Toshima Island 房総半島（ぼうそうはんとう）Boso Peninsula 望む（のぞむ）to expect, hope for, look forward to 入場料（にゅうじょうりょう）admission fee 入館（にゅうかん）entrance (into a library, museum, etc.)

[dvlwablu]

A List of Hiromasa's Direct Relatives + Random Facts

Saw some posts wondering about Hiromasa's other family, which prompted me to write this up. Info is taken from documents you can find in publicly accessible archives, albeit only in Japanese.

The Guy Himself 源博雅 - Minamoto no Hiromasa [918 - 980] Rank: Junior fourth rank, lower grade (later third rank) Position(s): Captain of the Right Division of Middle Palace Guards (右兵衛督) Middle Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards (右近衛中將) Ancillary Master of the Empress Dowager's Household (皇太后宮権大夫) When he was 17, he was removed from royal succession and bestowed the title Minamoto Ason*. Apart from the flute, he was also skilled with the biwa, koto and hichiriki. There are numerous stories about him and his incredible musical skill, which I will hopefully cover in a separate post some day. Maybe. He is also known as Hakuga no Sanmi (博雅三位) in reference to his final rank and Lord Long Autumn (長秋卿) in reference to his final position (the Chinese name for the Empress Dowager's household is "Long Autumn") *The Japanese term for this process is shinsekikouka (臣籍降下) This was done because emperors often had many children and under the Ritsuryo legal system, royalty had to be given a certain income, so ennoblement was a way of saving money. The first title of Minamoto Ason was given by Emperor Saga, who had 49 children.

Grandfather 醍醐天皇 - Emperor Daigo [884 - 930] Was emperor from 897 to 930. He actually abdicated the throne after falling ill in 930 and became a monk shortly before he died. He had 36 children across 21 different consorts.

Father 克明親王 - Prince Yoshiakira/Katsuakira [903 - 927] The first son and crown prince of Emperor Daigo. Hiromasa would have been 9 years old when he died.

Mother 藤原時平の娘 - Daughter of Fujiwara no Tokihira Fujiwara no Tokihira was the Minister of the Left (左大臣) for Emperor Daigo. Women often did not have their names recorded, instead being referred to by the title of their fathers or by their sons (e.g Murasaki Shikibu, with her father having a position in the Shikibu-sho (Ministry of Ceremonial Affairs) and Mother of Michizane, the author of Kagero nikki.)

Siblings Most of the info here is from the Honcho Koin Jounroku (本朝皇胤紹運録) (go to page 53) 源正雅 - Minamoto no Tadamasa (younger brother) Rank: Junior fourth rank official, lower grade Position(s): Ancillary Provincial Governor of Tosa Province (土佐権守) Tosa Province is now known today as Kochi Prefecture. 源清雅 - Minamoto no Kiyomasa (younger brother) Rank: Junior fourth rank official, lower grade Position(s): Chamberlain in the Ministry of Central Affairs (侍従) It's unclear whether Tadamasa was older than Kiyomasa or the other way round. 源助雅 - Minamoto no Sukemasa (younger brother) Rank: Junior fourth rank official, lower grade. Position(s): Master of the Western Offices (右京大夫) A lot of websites I've checked claim that Hiromasa also had a sister by the name of Kenshi (妍子女王), but I cannot for the life of me find and actual source for this claim. If you have any info, please tell me!

Children According to the Dai Nihon Shiryo, Hiromasa had four sons. 源信貞 - Minamoto no Nobusada Rank: Junior fifth rank, higher grade Position(s): Lieutenant of the Left Division of Middle Palace Guards (左兵衛尉) A flute player, like his father. He appears briefly in the Kaichikusho, a book on flute music written by musician Oga no Koresue. (go to page 20) 源信明 - Minamoto no Nobuakira Rank: Junior fifth rank, higher grade Position(s): Treasury Senior Assistant Minister (大蔵大輔) Also a known talented biwa player, like his father. 源信義 - Minamoto no Nobuyoshi Rank: Junior fifth rank official, higher grade Position(s): Chief Pharmacist (典薬頭) Chief Court Musician (雅楽頭) Once again taking after his father, being an excellent biwa and flute player. He is the author of the Shinkasho (神歌抄), the oldest surviving manuscript of kagura music. He and his older brother Nobuakira were known for playing music together. 源至光 - Minamoto no Yukimitsu Rank: Junior fifth rank official, lower grade Position(s): Provincial Governor of Hoki Province (伯耆守) Hoki Province is now known today as the western half of Tottori Prefecture. Couldn't find any info on him being a musician, but knowing his family, it wouldn't be out of the question.

[eluvisen]

Beneath the Moonlight

Fandom: Andromeda Six

Characters: Vexx Serif/Traveller

Rating: T

Summary: At one of the rare public events the youngest princess is permitted to attend, she attracts an admirer. She doesn’t seem to notice, but Vexx sure does.

—

Nearly three hundred guests congregate in the palace’s great hall. Since it’s a Silta Vie summer, the room is already stifling despite every door and window being flung open, but that doesn’t stop Goldis’s uppermost crust from dressing in clothes so fine Vexx just knows he’ll be arrested for brushing against someone’s shoulder. Nothing less than perfect for the King’s birthday, especially with the entire royal menagerie in attendance.

Vexx is lined up with all the other royal bodyguards along the walls while their charges mingle below. Sergeant Bernall stands to his left, her face as wooden as ever. He’s never once seen her expression crack, not even off-duty in the barracks. Not that he can blame her when she’s assigned to Auberon Junior out of all the royal brats. Not like Lieutenant Jennis, who probably scored his position because he’s just as much of a shit as Arlo.

Music floats from the adjoining ballroom where the orchestra plays, and flashes of dancers are visible through the open doors. The rest of the attendees either hover by the buffet or mingle in small groups like clusters of prettied-up vultures. Nobody at the palace knows how to throw a decent party, so Vexx spends his time trying not to fidget when the guard captain is looking. With all the Peg’asi present, it’s the perfect opportunity for an assassin to strike.

Kind of ironic, really, that he’s standing here guarding the royal family for real from any would-be kingslayers crashing the event.

His princess hovers in the shadow of a column, doing her best to blend into the corner. He doesn’t know how Nephien can even move in that dress, backless with huge puffy sleeves down to her wrists. The latest trend, supposedly, and Vexx now knows way too much about court fashion after being on duty during several fitting sessions. All the royal women wear some variation of it, as do their most desperate bootlickers. No one pulls it off as well as the Solar Queen, of course, who stands radiant in gold and crimson on the King’s arm.

Nephien’s gown is a more subdued fabric—relatively speaking—that shimmers between pale aqua and bronze, complementing her soft brown skin. As one of the Lunar Queen’s children, her bodice is decorated with intricate whorls of embroidery that are supposedly traditional Kitalphan designs. Vexx has never seen them before in his life.

His gaze follows Nephien as she turns away, scanning the surrounding crowd. Not that he expects trouble, but he doesn’t trust anyone in the palace as far as he can throw them.

[Read on AO3]

[mychlapci]

At last, after thoroughly convincing the limp dicked guards to grant him entry into the royal palace, the junior advisor, disguised as a chamber maid begins making his way up the hierarchy. With just a sway of his slutty hips, he is now free to come and go as he pleases from the compound.

The flat chested advisor only allows a trusted few servants to attend to him, so convincing him to leave the king and his inflamed prostate behind right away won't do. The junior advisor and his small breasts would have to win the favour of parties to increase his chances of success in order to make contact without arousing suspicion.

Who should the junior advisor seduce first, milord? https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1234/the-household-staff-in-an-english-medieval-castle/

As per the petition gracefully submitted by the peasants, and my own personal choice, we shall send my junior advisor a messenger pigeon with the order to make a move on the head maid. Once he is sucking on the head maid's saggy yet bountiful breasts through her linen dress well that will make my penis very hard.

Hopefully, he can gain her trust....

[radioactivepeasant]

Primary Characters in the Previously Unmentioned Riftfall AU:

(Quick explanation, this is something @sparguscityangel and I kept throwing back and forth at each other until one day it grew a Plot and legs and now its just sitting here, looking at us ominously.)

The premise is that when the Rift Rider blew up at the beginning of Jak 2, where each person fell out determined what year/location they actually landed in.

Daxter landed one year before they were supposed to, but falling one year back through the timestream undid his ottselification so he's as confused as you are. He ends up befriending Ximon and becoming the unofficial third member of Ximon and Osmo's family. He learns to drive, to shave, to pay taxes...and just how messed-up life in Haven City is. Osmo teaches him how to support the resistance when it's not safe to openly rebel. Daxter gets very very good at talking his way out of most security checkpoints. And all the while he wonders where everyone else landed.

Samos landed the same year, and got arrested on suspicion of being The Shadow. While he doesn't sell out Jak exactly, he does mention his existence. This will come back to bite everyone later. He also begs them to tell him if his daughter is alright, assuming they've all been found like last time. He tells them she studies dark eco, in order to make them interested enough to spare her.

This will also come back to bite everyone.

Keira fell out second, after Jak, so she lands further back. She crashes into the agricultural sector as a skinny twelve year old and immediately gets stuck in a tree. Ashelin Praxis is the one who finds her, and when the Baron realizes a year later that the "inventor orphan" his daughter brings food to out of pity is the sage's kid, he starts Plotting. Keira is brought into the palace and offered "sage" training, made to believe she's the only survivor of the crash. Devastated, the thirteen year old turns to Ashelin for advice and comfort. Considering Praxis's similarities to Samos as a cranky, strict, "I'm doing this to save the world" guy, the poor kid ends up being manipulated into seeing him as a surrogate father.

Dark eco is slipped into her food and drink, little by little, in an attempt to build her tolerance to it. Likewise, the kind of propaganda Ashelin has bought into is also slipped into her daily life until Keira, sheltered from the reality of life in Haven, believes it. She's praised and thanked for her inventions, told she's helping the war effort. When she begins to show dark eco symptoms, they're brushed away as a particularly gnarly puberty and she begins combat training. Keira is paraded around upper class schools to spur recruitment for the Junior Krimzon Guard cadets. Posters spring up around the city: "Our Girl Genius is Helping the War Effort, What About You?" and "Darling Dark Angel says, "Many Hands Make the Work Light! Let's Make our Quota Together!"

She's called Girl Genius so many times that when the KG start jokingly calling her Little G.G. Praxis, she doesn't correct them. It's something to distract her from the sorrow connected to her own name and her past for a while. She can't have Jak and Daxter and her father back. But she can make darned sure nobody else in this city will lose their loved ones to metalheads like she must have. Praxis is right: now it's her turn to be the hero.

Jak was the first to fall out of the Rift Rider, and was knocked five years back through the timestream. He also fell straight into the ocean. It was not a good day for Jak. Lucky for him, a fishing boat was trawling those waters that day, and when the captain found a shivering ten year old clinging to one of her buoys, she immediately hauled him aboard. It takes an hour or two to find enough common signs between them to have a conversation, but even so it leaves Captain Phobos with more questions than answers.

Unbeknownst to Jak, who -- like Keira -- believes himself to be the sole survivor, he's right between what used to be Misty Island and a place called Spargus. There are more warriors there than he's ever seen in his life, and nobody's heard of his friends. But the woman who found him introduces him to her husband, who is shockingly kind for a complete stranger.

Damas and Phobos have been trying for a child for two years at this point with no success, so when Jak literally falls from the sky into their lives, it doesn't take long for them to start wondering if he's been sent as an answer to their prayers. Jak is bewildered and a little freaked out by this at first, having absolutely no experience with present and intentional parental figures outside of vicariously via Keira and Samos. But after a year or two, he settles into calling them mom and dad. In his heart, however, he still longs for closure about his friends and what happened to Sandover.

When Jak is about to turn thirteen, Phobos becomes pregnant at last. Half the time Jak worries he's being replaced, the other half he worries about whether his new brother or sister will like him. And then little Mar is born and Jak cries, because all he wants is to share this moment with his best friends, and he can't. So he devotes himself to his baby brother. And it goes great! Until it doesn't.

Until he's almost 15 and Count Veger sends spies disguised as monks into Spargus to snatch the Child Heir and "dispose of the spare". Jak barely survives the aftermath of Mar’s kidnapping, and despite his parents growing increasingly protective, he vows that he'll bring his brother home no matter what.

(Next Character is on loan from @sparguscityangel )

Ru has no grand lineage or powers. She's not afraid of blood, buuuut this is primarily because she's a vet tech at the only veterinary office in North Haven. Whether or not that strong stomach extends to human blood is yet untested. Ru, like Daxter, lives the day to day life of a Havenite civilian. She dodges the bullets of bored Guards like everyone else, but where some run missions for the Underground and engage in covert and not so covert warfare, Ru is just trying to get through the day without getting scratched or bitten at work.

She hates walking home in the dark, but her loving parents, grandmother, and slightly pesky little sister are always waiting with a warm meal and a sense of safety. Ru wishes the outside world felt as safe as home. But even home feels a little less safe from the concerns of the city when Girl Genius posters are tucked into her sister's backpack on the way home from school.

Disclaimer: all images I made out of existing Disney faces with a lasso tool and a generic free art app on my phone