#Mirabel would fight him if she heard it

[jacarandaaaas]

got a stupid doodle comic idea a few days ago so I drew it😭

I love corny mariano who makes unhinged jokes! Dolores laughed her ass off for at least 10 minutes tears in her eyes 💀

[hogwartslegacyreactions2]

Hello there, glad to see you again, quick question how would the students, Professors and villains react to MC having an army of puffskein's like 27-41 puffskein's?

A/N: PUFFSKIENS ROLL OUT!! wait, wrong franchise-undercut because EVERYONE is here

HLC REACT TO MC'S PUFFSKIEN ARMY

MC had enough to swarm even the toughest camp. No one could handle the mass of cute they commanded. MC felt more powerful than if they were controlling an armada of dragons. Forget a few dozen. MC has HUNDREDS of rolly polly puff balls. They breed rather quickly

SEBASTIAN SALLOW: He finds it hysterical! Watching MC command the flood of fur to overtake any suspicious encampment they come across is extremely entertaining. The enemies never know what hit them.

OMINIS GAUNT: He's not a fan of Puffskiens. He doesn't like their fascination with his nose. And for MC to willingly capture and breed so many of them is beyond him. He will never go inside the vivarium, even when invited.

ANNE SALLOW: She really likes hanging out in the vivariums. She can just lay down and be cuddled by hundreds of walking pillows. It's rather nice, as long as you wear nose plugs.

IMELDA REYES: Are they serious? No really, stop selling her this cock and bull story of puffskiens defeating wizards. She refuses to believe it until MC opens their nabsack and releases the horde. She has to escape them via broom.

NATSAI ONAI: She applauds MC's creativity. She is sure that the villains of the valley have many defenses against wizards, but who would expect puffskiens?

GARRETH WEASLEY: Unlimited puffskien fur. That's how he sees it. MC produces so much of the stuff, they could stuff a mattress.

LEANDER PREWETT: ...hhwat? This has got to be the single most insane thing he's ever heard of. A literal puffskien army? This will go down in the history books alongside the Bard that tried to teach trolls ballet.

AMIT THAKKAR: Are they sure that's actually safe? For them or the puffskiens? He knows the little things are pretty durable to magic, but they're not invulnerable.

EVERETT CLOPTON: He begs MC to let him borrow the nabsack to use in the Ravenclaw dorm. Why? They'll see.

POPPY SWEETING: This is a lot, even for her. Is MC sure they can handle this many beasts? They may be small, and relatively docile, but they can be quite a handful even in small groups. She does love the irony of poachers and dark wizards being defeated by them, however.

~~~

ELEAZAR FIG: He'll admit, of all the ideas MC has had, this is one of the weirder ones. As long as they're sure they can actually take care of all those beasts, he won't interfere.

MATILDA WEASLEY: MC is doing what with an army of what? Nonono, absolutely not. MC getting themselves into trouble on purpose is bad enough, but she cannot allow a student to run amok with an irresponsible number of beasts in their pocket. She will confiscate that nabsack until MC can use it responsibly.

CHIYO KOGAWA: She's impressed. No matter how small, magical creatures tend to have minds of their own. One has to be a pretty strong leader to maintain control over such a large group.

AESOP SHARP: As long as those beasts aren't running amuck in the castle, he doesn't give a niffler's ass.

ABRAHAM RONEN: He is endlessly amused by MC's depth for whimsy, even in dire circumstances. Fighting off villains with Puffskiens? BRILLIANT!

MIRABEL GARLICK: Oh dear, she hopes MC is able to care and feed for all of those beasts. That seems like quite a few to take care of.

MUDIWA ONAI: Is this...normal for British wizards? Seems a bit eccentric.

BAI HOWIN: That's one way to handle the poaching problem, she supposes.

DINAH HECAT: She'll have a drink with Sharp. This isn't any of her concern. MC is doing just fine. Calm down Matilda, honestly.

CUTHBERT BINNS: He never knows the goings on outside of his classroom.

SATYAVATI SHAH: She swears on the nine realms, if she finds ONE puffskien hair in her classroom, she's taking house points.

PHINEAS NIGELLUS BLACK: A student fighting dark wizards with puffskiens? Please, don't bore him with outright lies. He's too clever for those.

~~~

VICTOR ROOKWOOD: This is ridiculous!! It's bad enough he's losing territory and respect within the valley, but for his gang to be dismantled by bloody puffskiens!? It's embarrassing, to put it lightly.

ASHWINDERS: They're confused by the messages sent to them by Rookwood. "Beware the Puffskiens?" What's he going on about? They find out soon enough when the earth rumbles with rolling thunder as hundreds of fur balls descend on them.

POACHERS: Interestingly enough, puffskiens have been extraordinarily hard to find as of late. Perhaps they over poached the area and now they're gone. At least that's what they think, under they're buried under a mountain of fur.

RANROK: What. The actual. Grogtash? He has seen and heard of wizards doing some wacky things to fight back, but this is a first. Even when his loyalists use dark ancient magic against the horde, their numbers are too great.

~~~

DUNCAN HOBHOUSE: Lives in constant fear of the puffskien invasion. He sees them in his sleep. Hundreds of long, hungry tongues come to eat his brain! If he sees MC in the corridors, he runs away.

[vulpixisananimal]

(Mirabelle) (Thai belongs to @lavender-tea-dragon)

(You cut down the next sadness with ease, your sword slicing through it like butter. You step back, panting, that was the, seventh? Eighth? Glancing around, you can see Isa and Ramos back to back, Odile being helped up by Bonnie, Nille protecting them both, and-)

"MIRA!!"

(You turn, a sadness was rushing at you-)

(In a blink it was sliced clean in half. Siffrin, well, Null, landed a few feet in front of it, his new sword in hand, smiling. Actually, this might be the first time you've seen him smile.)

"T-thanks Null! Having fun?"

"No." (He said, still smiling.) "I never have fun."

"Heh, of course! Oh! lower your stance a little, leg to the-"

(You hear a protest from Odile.) "Now is not the time Mirabelle!"

(You and Null nod at each other, then dive again into the fight.)

(You had made it to Wolworth, and not a moment too soon! You were walking down the road when Null suddenly started running. "Stage time" was all he said. After a very winding sprint, you got here in time to see a wave of sadness storming the city gate.)

(There were SO MANY!!!)

(You throw a scissors sign, your sparkly discs of light slicing into another sadness. The one saving grace here was that these sadness were comically weak! B-but even then, you had to fight the off!! You might not get hurt but if even one makes it in-)

"How ya doing Mira!" (Isabeau yells) "I'm on about eight!"

"Six, here!" (Ramos adds, cracking a fist into another sadness.)

"Are y'really keeping track?!?" (Nille raised an eyebrow, keeping a sadness away from Bonnie and Odile.)

"Of course!" (Isa smiles.) "It's for the competitive spirit."

(You giggle, at least your friends could help make light of it all! You turn to face another sadness, but an arrow pierces it before you can attack. Someone at the gate was holding a bow and a satisfied grinn. You wave.)

(There was a small militia in Wolworth, just a group of everyday people who would come running to fight sadness, but they were overwhelmed when you showed up. Just behind that gate were half a dozen people nursing wounds. Change, they must all be so brave.)

(The wave was thinning out, you stab another, duck back, Null jumps in to strike. It was exhilarating and exhausting. By the time the last sadness fell, your dress was a mess and the tip of your sword felt dulled.)

(You're panting, look around, make sure it's all clear.) ". . Everyone alright!?!"

"Good here!"

"Alive!"

"Tired but great!"

"Safe!!!!!"

"I'm okay."

". . . Well done." (Null sheethed the sword and walked over to you.) "Saving the day yet again with no. . . Urgh-"

(Nulls knees buckled and he collapsed to all fours, breathing heavily. You rushed to his side, healing ready. You heard the others thunder over too.) "A-are you okay?!? Craft exhaustion??"

"Y-yeah-" (He was gasping for air, you got a small tonic out and handed it to him.)

"How many times did you loop just now?" (Odile asks, you could see the worry hidden behind her eyes.)

"Only, two times." (Null drinks down the tonic.) "First, got here late. Many wounded, had to, try again."

(Isa offers a hand, Null takes it, getting back up. Odile squints at him.) ". . . And the second?"

". . . Wanted to look cool."

"Null!!"

"You CRAB!!!

"Haha!!! That's a TERRIBLE idea!"

"Hey! Look alive." (Ramos gets your attention, they're pointing to the city. Right! Call Null Siffrin in front of other people. None of them want that secret getting out after all.)

(Now that the sadness were cleared, some of that city militia were coming to check the aftermath. One had an arm in a sling, another with a bandage on their head, you noticed one was still sitting at the gate, leg in a cast. You see that person with a bow running up to you all.)

"Change I'm glad you all showed up when you did." (The bowman said. She had a heavy jacket and messy darkless hair. She had a sword and shield at the ready, as well as her longbow and arrows over her shoulder. She had bonding earings, too, a snake and a darkless bird.) "Ha! the saviors of Vaugarde themselves coming to save the city, haha!"

"All in a days work!" (Isa said with a smile.)

"I-I'm just glad we made it on time!!" (You walk up to her, still tired, but smiling.) "I-is everyone okay?!?"

"Just some booboos, some real big booboos, but nothing major. What about him?" (She gestured past you to Null.)

"Oh I'm just tired." (Null started.) "Don't worry about-"

"Siffrin here is suffering from acute craft exhaustion." (Odile cuts him off.) "Is there a doctor or someone we could see for medicine?"

"Ha!" (She grinned.) "I know people like that. Sure, there's a medhouse in town, closer to the Wolworth House of Change."

"HEY! ARK!" (One of the other fighters came running over with a limp. He had partially dyed hair and darker skin, they were wearing a striped apron. His bonding earings matched hers.) "Who won!"

"Oh yeah!" (She, Ark? Turned to Isa.) "How many ya get?"

"Oh! I got ten! Ha."

"CRAB YEAH!!!" (The newcomer replied.) "No way anyone could beat that!!"

"Twelve." (Odile replies flatly.) "I guess I'm not anyone."

"COME ON!" (The newcomer pouted and crossed his arms.)

"Told you, Thai." (Ark looked smug, holding out a hand.) "Don't underestimate a book. Pay up-"

(Null coughs into a hand, attention at him.) ". . . Seventeen."

"WHAT?!?"

"NO CRABBIN' WAY!!"

"HAHA!!! YES!!! THAT'S MY BUDDY!!!"

(Thai gave Ark a smug look right back and put his money pouch back. You couldn't help but giggle.)

". . . Aren't you two bonded?" (Bonnie squints at them.) "You'd just have the same amounta money."

"It's about PRIDE! Kid!!" (Thai jeers back. Uhoh.)

"'M NOT A KID!!!" (Bonnie got all big and tall, ready to fight this stranger before Ark got between them both.)

"OH HOW RUDE OF ME I DIDN'T INRODUCE MYSELF! Ahem- My name's Ark (she/her), I help organize-" (Thai punches her in the shoulder) "Ow- Right. I'm in charge of this little group of guards-on-demand."

"Guards on demand?!?" (Thai crosses their arms.) "PUH-LEASE. We kicked their crabbin sadness butts!!!"

"How's the leg." (Ark grinned, Thai winced, still limping, point proven.)

"FINE Whatever. Oh, uh, I'm Thai (he/they), I'm just a tea guy who likes kicking sadness in the face!!" (Thai strikes a heroic pose.)

"Tea?" (Null perked up.)

"YEAH!!! The Tea-vern!! Toughest place in town with the BEST tea IN VAUGARDE!!!"

"Ooooh that's fighting words." (You say jokingly.) "I've had some really really good tea before!"

"We'll I'll make it BETTER!!"

"O-kaaaay we wont keep you guys any longer." (Ark interrupts, putting a hand on Thai.) "We got to clean up the place, thanks again, all of you."

"Thank you all so much!" (You wave goodbye as you head into town.)

"HEY IF Y'LIKE TEA COME BY TO THE TEA-VERN!!" (You hear Thai yell after you.)

(Well, that was a very warm welcome!)

(The city of Wolworth had nice cobblestone streets with a few carts and sturdy looking houses. From what you remember it was built by an architect who wanted to build a city to last, and it did!)

"Ah Wolworth. . ." (Ramos sighed and smiled as you walked through the main gate.) "Can't get rid of me that easily."

"Glad to be back? (Nille asks.)

"Yeah! Can't wait to see Eri again, I hope they're doing good without me!"

"Your guardian, right?" (Null asked. rubbing his head.) "Memory."

"No you're right! Eri! Last letter I sent them was around, well, the King stuff."

"It'll be a reunion to celebrate then!" (Isa cheers.)

"What about 'Frin?" (Bonnie pipes up, poking Null in the side.)

"Right! Well, we should get him to the medical house, but. . ." (You rub your chin, thinking.) ". . . I-Isa could you help me get Sif there? You all go on ahead an meet Mx. Eri!"

"Fine by me." (Null nods.)

"Aww, I wanted to meet 'em sooner but that's okay!" (Isa beams.) "Sifs health comes first!"

"That should be fine." (Ramos nods.) "We'll have the house all ready for you too. Heh."

"Perfect! I'm sure they'll be glad to see you, Ramos!" (You patted them on the back.) "I think we're going opposite directions, right?"

"Yep! You go that way to the House of Change, and the medhouse will be around there. But we're going this way!" (Ramos couldnt wait, and was already walking, jogging off.)

"WAIT UP YOU CRAB!!!" (Bonnie chased them.)

"LANGUAGE- Oh we'll see you guys later, K?" (Nille waves and runs after.)

"Gems. . ." (Odile sighed.) "I thought we were done with the running."

"Cardio is good for you M'dame!" (Isa says encouragingly. Odile just rolled her eyes and chased after the others.)

(The three of you started off in the other direction. It wasn't far, but, it was just far enough to give you a chance to talk about The Thing.)

". . . . S-so!" (You cough into a hand.) "Null, M-mind if I ask about. . . W-well. . . The Ramos thing?"

(Null looks at you and huffs.) "With Siffrin?"

"Yes. With, Siffrin."

"I've been, meaning to ask about that too actually." (Isa adds, he sounded sheepish.) "I promised not to pry but Ramos' really anxious about it."

"Right." (Null breathes in, and out.) "We have reached an agreement, as a Constellation."

"Oh?"

"Yeah?"

(Null nods.) "Mhm. Myself, Mal, and Loop have until we meet and get to know Eri to prove Ramos is a danger."

(You listen intently, Null continues.) "That deadline gives us time to get to know Ramos more, and meeting Eri will help confirm if Ramos is a good person. After that, Siffrin can do whatever they want."

"Right." (You nod. You saw the medhouse come into view.) "So, we'll find out soon, right?"

"Mhm" (Null sighs.) "And you're fine with it, Isabeau?"

"Huh? Oh yeah! I'm fine with it." (He was smiling ear to ear.) "Pretty excited actually!"

". . . Good."

(You walked up to the small one story building with a little tilted plus on the door, there was a little porch out the front. The medical house was just up the street from the House of Change.)

"Here we are! Ready, Sif?" (You turn and ask.)

(Null looked exhausted, but he smiled.) ". . . Ready as ever."

"That's the spirit." (Isa smiled at him.)

"Alright, let's go!" (You turn to the door and open it.)

(The inside was a little waiting room. A desk, a few chairs, and some random books. There was a couple of people here already, one had a doctors coat with some papers. The other had a vest, dark hair, bonding earings, and-)

"It's you!!!"

(Perci turns to you, the shock on his face was obvious. Your reach for your sword-)

"O-OH!! Yes I'm sorry for running out on our get together but I just had to check on my bonded!!" (Perci interupts anything you were about to say, he turned back to the doctor.) "A-and, you're sure they'll be alrght?"

"I'm positive, Mr. Monet. She just needs a few more days rest."

"Oh change, thank you, you've put my heart at rest. ." (He's smiling, normalcy intact.)

(He turns to exit, pausing a second. You see him very clearly and purposfuly put his hands into his vest pockets, one of them was bandaged. You take your hand away from your sword and step to the side. He waits a second, then walks past the three of you.)

"We can catch up outside." (You hear him whisper.)

(. . . What was HE doing here.)

"Friend of yours?" (The doctor asks.)

"Somewhat." (You reply simply- Oh crab.) "B-but enough of that. Could you help us? My friend here's suffering from craft exhaustion."

"A second case in so many days?" (The doctor chuckled.) "People need to remember to take crafts slow."

". . Haha, yeah, I know, right?" (Isa tries livening up the tone, helping Null over to the doctor. He glances at you, and nods. You nod back.)

(You pause for a second, the doctor lead them away. You do the Siffrin thing; breathe in. . . And out. . . You turn to the door, turn the handle, and walk out.)

(. . . . Perci was standing on the porch to the right. A soft 'tink tink tink' of metal eminated from a 3d puzzle he was focused on. It was the kind where you were supposed to untangle two things of metal spaghetti from each other.)

(. . . Well he could read your mind, right? didn't you want to talk?)

(. . . He's still focused on the puzzle. Well, fine then. You cough.)

(His head bolts up to look at you. Now that you weren't about to stab him through the chest, you could see the bags under his eyes. He sighs.) ". . Lady Mirabelle."

"Mister Monet." (You reply, taking a step forward.) "You have a lot to answer for you, you crab!"

(He raises an eyebrow, then looks back to the puzzle as he talks.) "Ahaa. . . I'm sure you think I do. . . How's Siffrin? Not sick I hope."

". . . They're fine." (You huff, and look out from the porch.) "It's craft exhaustion, they haven't fully recovered from your friendly scuffle."

"Ah, yes." (Perci pauses again.) ". . . Merlon was very cross with me about that when she woke up. She was not a fan of that loophole I used- ah, pun not intended."

"Hmph." (You don't look at him. 'Loophole', yes, exhausing Null half to death in that fight. Wait, when they woke up?) "Is something wrong with Merlon?"

"Ah. . Yes. She's also been recovering from craft exhaustion since that fight." (He sighs.) "That skill they used was one they never used before. It nearly killed her."

". . . ." (Are you lying to me, Perci?)

". . . ." (He still doesn't respond, the only sound that came from him was the tinking of metal.)

". . . And, so they're still recovering?"

"Yes, she is." (Tink tink tink.) "Transporting matter from one point to another takes an incredible amount of energy. Energy that she didn't have."

"That's. . . Hard to believe." (You were trying to keep calm. It was very, very hard to believe. If Sif can- wait stop thinking! He can still read your mind, right. . ? Or. . .) ". . Can't you read my mind, Perci?"

"Hm?" (He looks up again, then down to the puzzle.) "Oh! Well, yes? But you don't need to worry about that right now."

(He holds up the puzzle.) "A word to the wise if you learn Mind Craft, find something to focus your attention on. If I let my mind wander it will eventually wander to all the minds around me. Imagine hearing the inner monolog of every person around you at once. A puzzle like this, though? A wonderful way to focus."

"Oh!" (You perk up, mind clicking like said puzzle.) "So you really are being honest with me?"

"Of course" (He smiled, back to the puzzle.) "Why wouldn't I- oh dear don't tell me I left such a bad impression you think me a dishonest man."

"You are a dishonest man!"

"Lady Mirabelle, I promise I'm no such- aha!"

(With one last clink, he undoes the two bits of the puzzle, before happily starting to put it together again.)

(You huff.) "Alright, fine. If we're being honest with each other then, then, just know I don't trust you, Perci."

". . . I see." (Perci sighs, pausing a moment again before replying.) "I won't pretend like I can get that trust back. But, I would at least like you to know I'm really not an evil or dishonest man."

". . . I understand." (You sigh, letting yourself relax.) "I. . . It'll be hard to trust you. But, I'll believe that you're not evil." (Not like the King. . .)

". . . Thank you. Aha, actually." (He holds up the bandaged hand.) "Did you know about that little side effect of mind craft? Or did you get lucky in our fight."

"Side effect?" (You tilt your head.) ". . . If that's the wound from our fight, that should have been healed weeks ago."

"Good eye." (He nods, flexing his his hand and wincing.) "Advanced mind craft requires skin to skin contact; it's a connection of the nerves. If you use mind craft a lot like I do, the nerves on where you connect with mind craft become more sensitive over time. And for me, it's my hands."

". . . Oh." (You remember back to that day, how you struck his hand, and how he couldn't hold his sword, afterwards.) ". . S-sorry."

"Don't be, we were fighting after all." (He chuckles.) "But yes, my hands are very sensitive. My swords handles are specially made to be easy on the hands, and I really should get gloves too, but. . ."

"No you should, that sounds like a great idea! For everyone." (You giggle to yourself.)

(He laughs back, and clicks the two pieces of the puzzle back together. He held it out to you.) "Lady Mirabelle, I promise that, until my bonded has recoverd, I will not cause what you consider trouble."

(You look at his outstretched hand holding the puzzle, then to him. There's a quiet, uncomfortable pause.)

". . . Ah! Right." (He chukles, and places the puzzle on the banister, NOW you take it. Looking over, he's already pulled out a new one.) ". . So, deal?"

". . . Fine." (You huff.) "I don't like you, Mr. Monet, but I'll try and trust you here. It would be nice to have a few days without worrying about trouble."

"Ahaha, I imagine. I heard about the dramatics outside the gate. Oh! What brings you to Wolworth, by the way?"

"Oh!" (You look at him, smile on your face again.) "We're actually visiting Eri! Ramos' guardian! Once Siffrin's better we're meeting up, at. . ."

(Your voice trails off. Perci is looking at you, mouth open with a mix of shock and horror.)

(You tilt your head.) ". . . .Is, something wrong."

"You. . ." (You can see him struggling to keep his mask in place, but it slipped. It slipped just enough to see the sorrow behind it. He looks away.)

"You, you don't know. . ?"

[crisis-starter]

Hello

I did not expect to write Odile’s moment in less than half a day.

Stars, its twice as long as Mirabelle’s and that took me 2 or 3 days to do.

Well, anyways, I hope you enjoy!

)•{+}•<>+<>•{+}•(

Odile was by the staircase in the final room, waiting to talk with Siffrin. The entire trek through the house was filled to the brim with suspicious activity. Facial expressions, behaviors… it was all strange. And with the knowledge of Wish Craft and Time Craft… she had an idea of what was happening. Bonnie was seemingly thinking about something. She had never seen the child be so quiet before. And Isabeau was looking right at her. Siffrin was chatting with Mirabelle, so she awaited them. Soon they will have to talk to her, she could feel it.

Then she felt the slight twinge of Craft. Isabeau wasn’t looking at her anymore, instead performing an odd kind of craft, if his hand was any indication. And then she heard his voice in her head:

‘M’dame Odile. Please. Whatever you are planning to do right now? At least be gentle.’

Odile copied the hand signal she saw Isabeau making before replying, “He’s trapped himself, and subsequently the entirety of Vaugarde in time! Perhaps even worse than the King! And you don’t want me to say my piece?”

‘I am not saying that you shouldn’t say something. I’m saying that, if you are, please don’t push him. He is already that close to the edge.’

Odile was silent. Skeptical. She had an idea of Isabeau’s stance, but this really couldn’t go unsaid. Siffrin was hiding something that clearly felt like common knowledge to everyone except her. And Isabeau had this… worry in his voice. Like he knew something she didn’t.

‘M’dame. I… I can’t tell you right now. Because we’re on a time limit. But I will tell you what I remember seeing once we get back. Here’s to hoping you remember what happens next.’

Isabeau cut the connection there. Odile looked at Siffrin, and realized why. The rogue had finished talking with Mirabelle. She put her hand down and returned to reading through the notes of her investigation. Siffrin approached her, a seemingly disinterested expression on his face. The two glanced at each other before Odile started talking, “Ah. Woop woop, we did it, we won, etc.”

She wanted to start soft, somewhat. So why not comment on how she feels after the fight with the King? She continued, “Urgh. Whatever. This was… quite a workout. My entire body is screaming.” Odile rolled her shoulders a little. She did feel somewhat sore, “Savior of Vaugarde, huh? That’s something to add to my list of accomplishments.”

Maybe mulling over any future plans may help a smoother transition? She didn’t know. She never said she was… good at this, “But now, I can finally go back to traveling. I’d be curious to visit more Vaugardian cities and hear what they have to say about an event like this. It’ll be weird to travel alone now, but I’ll get used to it again. Or I could just go home to Ka Bue… Hm…” Maybe she could convince the others to travel with her? Not right now, that would be too… embarrassing. Everyone here has their own life. She didn’t want them to put it aside so easily over a grown woman not wanting to leave without a proper goodbye and happy, stress-free memories to take with her.

Siffrin hid in their collar as they spoke, “To do your fake research?” There it was. Another suspicious detail. How they knew her research was fake was a bit of a mystery but she needed to say something, “…Yes. My fake research…” She probably looked a bit… frustrated there. She quickly fixed her expression, “Don’t tell anyone. I’d like to see Isabeau try to figure it out for a little longer. Very excited to hear what he comes up with next. Spoonology? Bananalogy?” Siffrin’s expression changed to that of an odd smile. A fabricated one. Concern began to blossom in her heart.

Maybe Isabeau was right.

Siffrin joked, “Bananalogy would be quite aPEELing.” Odile didn’t find it funny. But… at least fake something, “Hah… Yes.” Her face softened, “Ha… I’ll miss you, Siffrin. You’re a little strange, but you’re a good kid. Maybe try letting down your walls every once in a while, huh?” The researcher felt a smile sneak onto her face, “And come to Ka Bue anytime. Maybe we’ll meet again during your travels.” Odile really hoped so. Siffrin forced himself to smile. Wait.

Odile looked at Siffrin, concern fueling her entire being, “…Siffrin, is everything-“ Siffrin’s expression flashed into something akin to confusion for a second. Odile looked around. Bonnie, Mirabelle, and Isabeau were looking at her, worried. Great. She had spectators now. But… was she the main act? She sighed, hoping to brush off the added tension. She hoped that this would go smoothly. Odile asked, softly, “But really, is everything okay?” Siffrin is back to that fabricated smile, “What do you mean?”

Oh… Oh this is how things will have to go, huh. She continued, “I don’t know, Siffrin. You’ve felt off since yesterday. More withdrawn, mostly. Tell me what’s wrong.” Siffrin continued avoiding the question, “Nothing’s wrong!” This defiance… it was messing with Odile’s patience. But she was trying, “…it’s okay if you don’t want to tell me, you know. I’ll find out eventually.” She probably already did. Maybe everyone did, and she doesn’t remember. Siffrin replied, hiding in their collar again, “But I’m not hiding anything.” And that was the final straw. All attention was on them both. She was starting to get a headache. Time to lay it all out, no matter how harsh it felt.

Odile looked at Siffrin, abandoning any kind of calm or leniency, “Is that so.” She made her frustration known, “Is that so? So Time Craft has nothing to do with you?” Siffrin dropped the facade and grew shocked, “No that’s-“ Odile will not let him deny it. She continued, noticing Isabeau trying to approach. No. She needed to say her piece, “And the fact that you knew how to read that book about Wish Craft… Knew how to wish correctly, when no one else did… It doesn’t mean anything, either?”

Siffrin gave that fake smile, only more shaky, “It’s not like that, I-“ She was cornering them. No more excuses, just continue, “And the way you’re acting, doing that stupid smile like nothing’s wrong… It doesn’t mean anything, either?!?” The smile was dropped. Siffrin was looking at Odile, shaken. Silent. There’s more evidence.

She looked away slightly, still stern, “I’m not stupid, Siffrin. If I find something strange, I can do nothing except give it my full attention.” She turned her attention back to Siffrin, “And you are acting strange.” Siffrin looked stressed. Staring at her with this need to run away, but being unable to. Her headache was getting worse. She’ll deal with it later.

It was at this point she made her anger known, “There were so many signs… I did not understand them, but now I do! You’ve been acting strange since you woke up from your nap, yesterday!” She started to ramble on about more evidence that came to mind, “When we talk to you, you act out of it, almost bored… And the way you reacted to the rocks falling… We all jumped, but you just looked at them fall, calmly.” Odile rose her voice again, “And there’s so many other things, the way you reacted to so many things throughout our entire journey through the House!” The researcher faltered a little, “And, and… How every time you found the keys we needed to proceed, you didn’t seem surprised, like you knew exactly where they were. Even that key in the classroom. Almost like…” Odile looked at Siffrin for answers, “…Like you had found them before, maybe?”

Siffrin started to grow panicked, “B-but that’d be impossible, though!” Isabeau was looking at the two of them, nervous yet willing to step in. Siffrin attempted to reason. To save themselves, “How could I have known where the keys were when it’s my first time here?!?” Odile, frustrated, asked, “I don’t know, Siffrin, why don’t you enlighten me?!” Siffrin’s breathing was escalating. Odile continued, “Don’t think I believed that whole ‘I wished croissants would disappear~’ thing, too. So, if you lied about your wish… What did you wish for, then? That’s it, isn’t it?” The researcher looked at her hands, “Did something happen? To you, to us? Did we die against the King, maybe?” Odile looked up, spotting Siffrin pulling at his hair. Oh no. She only had one thing left to say, then she could try to start calming Siffrin down. It’ll be okay. She finished by asking, “Is that why you’re repeating the same events, Siffrin?” She was about to maybe ask Siffrin to calm down and relax before it happened.

Siffrin snapped back, “SHUT UP!!!”

Everyone was startled by the outburst. Odile herself was shaken. Isabeau was right. She couldn’t be a bit softer, huh? And now, Siffrin was on the edge of a breakdown. The traveler continued, breath ragged and irregular, “Even if you figure it out, Odile… It’s too late! It’s too late! It’s always too late!!!” Siffrin looked right into Odile’s eyes as they spoke, a combination of panic and rage in his eyes, “Did you have to figure it all out now, when it’s all about to end? You can’t help me, Odile!!! No one can!!!”

Isabeau was stunned, muttering a quiet, “Sif, Odile…?” Bonnie was hidden behind Mirabelle, asking, “What’s happening? Why are you yelling?” …When did they get so close? Odile’s headache was getting worse. The air started to feel strange. Her heart was pounding in her ears.

Siffrin continued, erratic, “It’s too late!!! YOU CAN’T HELP ME!!!” Odile tried to get a word in, but couldn’t. So she continued to listen to Siffrin’s pleas, “And I think, weirdly, I don’t even want you to help me?” Siffrin gave a panicked smile, “Why don’t I want you to help me?”

Odile felt her hands shaking. What… was this her fault? Was she the final straw? All she could really do was try to ask them to calm down, “Siffrin-“ But she couldn’t even do that without being cut off, “Maybe because I know that if you help me, you’ll start hating me!!!”

What?

“Because I don’t know why this is all happening, but-“

Wait.

“It must be because of me, that we’re repeating the same events!!!”

Siffrin stop. Please, you’ll hurt-

“And if you knew that, you’d hate me-“

Mirabelle cried out, “Siffrin?!” Maybe to snap him out of it. The air tasted like sugar. A taste so strong, it was horrible. A terrible omen. Siffrin continued, “And I don’t want you to hate me. So, so, so-“

And everything stopped before everyone was sent back to their places. Odile was silent. She decided… to say something, “Siffrin, please. You don’t… have to talk to me. But I will find out somehow. What’s causing you… harm.” She already knew. But maybe it was more comforting to claim ignorance. Siffrin quickly fabricated a smile before cheerfully saying, “Maybe, teehee!”

That… that felt unsettling.

Bonnie, Mirabelle, and Isabeau looked at Odile, worried. Odile herself? She wanted to sit down. She felt faint. That was so much information to take in at once.

Just how… how deep has Siffrin buried himself?

Siffrin faced her, the same chilling smile on their face. Odile stated, “Alright, well, if that was all…” Siffrin took this as his cue to leave as Isabeau straightened his act up.

Once Siffrin was gone, Odile sat down on the stairs. Her headache was gone, but she felt guilty. She just sat there silently, internalizing information.

It seemed that her spacing out helped pass by sooner, because she soon found Isabeau by her side, trying to check if she was doing okay. She could barely hear him.

Her eyes were on Siffrin. They hesitated a little before trying to talk to the Head Housemaiden. Then they approached her. They happily told Euphrasie about something. She responded happily.

Then the pressure in the air grew. Something was wrong. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. The Head Housemaiden was dismayed. Siffrin pleaded with her.

She crouched down to Siffrin’s level, cupping the rogue’s cheeks with her hands. She made sure she was close to Siffrin as tears streamed down her face. Siffrin was stunned. He couldn’t move. The world grew darker. Something was happening. Something was oh so horribly wrong.

A lightless shade almost appeared to engulf everything. For a split second, Odile saw something. Hundreds of silhouettes. They all looked just like Siffrin. All looking at Euphrasie. And then…

She awoke and stumbled back, nearly crashing into the shelf behind her. Her heart was pounding. So she attempted to calm down. Then she heard someone enter the shop.

Isabeau was trying to catch his breath at the entrance. He looked at Odile, worried, “Are you alright, M’dame?” Odile just looked at him, shocked. Her hands were shaking again. Isabeau sighed, “So… you remember, hm?”

)•{+}•<>+<>•{+}•(

This was VERY fun to write.

So… those are the 4 “loop awakenings”.

I’ll compile them all in chronological order and post it to AO3 (which was the original plan but I felt like you folks would like it).

I hope you have a good day/night! Until next time!

[twigthedoodler]

You loop back with all of them... Pt. 3

in stars and time spoilers ahead! Inspired by this post! Part 2 is here! Part 4 is here!

@moonsart

(They all glare at you, annoyed, and concerned for you.)

(You can’t help but laugh! It’s funny! It’s SO funny how they care but you don’t! It’s funny how you knew they would hate you! It’s funny how they are only characters to you now! You're disgusting Siffrin! Of course they hate you!)

“What you say doesn’t matter. It all ends the same anyways.”

Isabeau: “What!? Of course it does! We care about you Siffrin! We just wanna know what’s going on so we can help!”

Odile: “‘It all ends the same anyways…’ Something tells me these two days have happened for a while now. isn’t that right Siffrin?”

(They give a suspicious, knowing, stare at you.)

Mirabelle: “This has happened before???”

Bonnie: “What do you mean?”

“...”

“You figured it out again, huh? Well that doesn’t matter… We need to focus on tomorrow and defeating the king! Let’s talk about it later!”

(You did not intend to talk about it later. You never did. You never will. You fake a smile again. You take more care this time to make it more convincing than last time…)

Isabeau: “Hey guys… Let’s just drop it for now. Siffrin clearly isn’t comfortable talking about it… And Siffrin is right. We need to focus on tomorrow. We can talk about it later.”

(Very naive… even though he was wrong, you were grateful to change the subject all the same.)

Odile: “No! We shouldn’t, we all know very well Siffrin won’t say it later!”

Bonnie: “Yeah! He won’t! He never talks about anything that bothers him!”

Mirabelle: “Can we just chill out? It’s okay! We can force him to say it later! We do need to focus on tomorrow! So… Can we just stop fighting about it…? …Please?”

(Odile sighs, and Bonnie thinks about it and hesitantly agrees)

Odile: “Fine. Mirabelle you’re right, we shouldn’t fight right now. But we will get Siffrin to talk later. Or I’ll figure it out myself. Okay?”

“Okay. Sure! Later!”

(You keep on that fake smile. You knew it wouldn’t happen so you were not worried! You kept your act on that you had on for all the other loops before, the whole night long! Ah! Familiarity! Nice! You all went to bed without the play going off the rails of the script too much!)

…

(I was worried about Sif. I think we all were… I couldn’t sleep at all. So I knew Odile knew more than me so I nudged her.)

“Hey… Ma’am… I think you know more than me, and I’d like to help you! May I please?”

Odile: “Isabeau… I do indeed have an idea of how to figure out more of what’s going on with Siffrin… If you promise to not tell Siffrin, you may.”

(She had a lead? She trusted me with the idea? Of course I was going to listen! Anything I could do to help Siffrin I would do it!)

“Of course. I won’t say anything! What is it?”

Odile: “I don’t want anyone to hear… Let's get out of the Clocktower before we talk.”

“Okay!”

(So the both of us sneak out of the Clocktower. Once outside Odile looked around before telling me her idea.)

Odile: “So I saw the direction Siffrin was coming from when we found him today… I think we should look around there.”

“What direction did he come from?”

Odile: “The Favor tree… Are you in with the plan?”

“Of course! I wanna help Siffrin! Let’s check it out! What do you think we should be looking for?”

Odile: “I’m not entirely sure right now. But I'm sure we will know when we get there. Now let’s go before anyone notices we are gone.”

“Gasp! Ma’am are you researching Spy-ology?”

Odile: “...no I'm not. That’s not a thing. Now let’s get going.”

“Fine. Let’s go!”

(So we sneak around the town, making sure no one was following us. Finally we get to the East side of town. We walk past the trees to the Favor tree. It loomed above us in the darkness. The tree itself felt off, and for a moment I swear I saw a strange glow.)

“Did… did you see that?”

Odile: “I believe I did…Hmmm…I wonder what exactly that was…”

“We should check it out!”

…

(I heard them. I heard Siffrin’s family…Odile and Isabeau at the tree… I can’t let them see me! If I do, I would just remember them…)

(On branch I was holding on for dear life! If they saw me- It wouldn't happen! They will leave right!? But to my dismay they came closer. They looked at the base of the tree… I was losing my grip! I fell… I FELL!? OH NO!)

…

(There in front of us was… was… It looked like what’s in the sky!... Didn’t Siffrin say those were-)

“Are you a star?”

(The star looked so scared!...why? Well maybe it was because Odile and me was too tall.)

???: “I- I- It’s- It’s you!... No Isabeau I am not a star…And Odile… I’m not a wish.”

“How do you know our names!?”

Odile: “Do you know us?”

[auncyen]

act 5 au

today's writing progress which. may very well require changes lol

-

"I still have some questions," Odile says, and you bite back a sigh because of course she does. "You've been looping in time. What was this afternoon about? Why not just tell us then? What was the point of showing me the familytale today? You could have shown me when the loop was over."

"Because it makes you happy, and then you learn a useful skill." You hate the answer as soon as it leaves your mouth. You don't want to lie, but maybe that's too honest. Just tell them you're manipulative, why don't you?

Well, you are. That's why you showed her the familytale.

"Oh, huh." Isabeau sounds pensive. "Yeah, I've heard emotional clarity is good for figuring out new techniques. …You were trying to teach Bonnie something, too, weren't you? Though, putting yourself in danger really isn't a good way to do it, Sif. That was, uh, about the worst thing you could have done with them."

You roll your eye. "It always worked before. I wasn't in any real danger." The worst case scenario was that you'd need to loop, and it'd be really pathetic if such a weak Sadness caused that.

"Thaaaat's not how it sounded." Isabeau leans against the sink, folding his arms. "…You were trying to do that with all of us, weren't you? We were supposed to go stargazing? And, uh…" He looks over at Mirabelle, who huffs, seeming to have calmed down from her tears enough to manage indignation.

"I don't know how I would get any kind of 'emotional clarity' from that--"

"I said it wrong! I meant--"

"No, no! I want to figure it out myself," Mirabelle insists, puffing her cheeks out at you, so--fine. She doesn't need to know that skill anyway, her regular shield will do just fine--

You still haven't reminded her about the CARROT method. Stars. "Okay, but you do need to learn how to make a shield. So, remember the CARROT method, and figure it out."

Everyone looks baffled by various degrees, but that's fine. Mirabelle always looks confused when you hint it to her at the start of a loop anyway. "You know about the CARROT method?" Isabeau asks.

"No, I just know that she knows the CARROT method, and it helps her figure out how to make shields."

"What happens if I don't figure it out?" Mirabelle asks.

"King kills us."

…Oh, that was definitely a too-honest answer. Mirabelle's eyes go round as saucers as one hand flies to her mouth, and even Odile looks alarmed next to her. "…Sif," Isabeau says slowly. "The way you said that…have we actually died?"

You look aside. "He finishes me off first and then I loop back, so, I don't think so?" Not as long as there's only one timeline getting reset, which you have to believe. You can't stomach the situations you've left the others in if they stayed after you were gone. "But it doesn't look good."

"You've died." Isabeau doesn't seem to take any relief from the clarification.

"And then I loop back, and I'm fine!" You sweep your hand in front of yourself, from the brim of your hat to just below your hips, and smile at him. "See?"

His eyebrows stay hovering far above where they normally would rest. You keep smiling at him, fighting not to bare your teeth.

"Sif--"

"Stars, Isa, am I bleeding?" you snap. Why can't he just believe you? "Do you see some gaping wound I've missed? Looping resets everything! I'm not hurt! I'm fine!" You turn to Odile. "Why would I tell everyone I'm looping through time when people are going to get hung up on stupid things like this?"

Odile looks so disappointed with you. "Do you really think you're fine, Siffrin?"

[gamerbearmira]

(I forgot about Winx AU)

The grandkids were looking around awed and curious as they were ushered into their seats with the teachers during the Day of Royals.

"Remember. Always stay with an adult you know. If you need or want to do anything just tell one of us." Faragonda was assuring her grandkids and she noticed Saladin was staring at them.

"These must be the mysterious and beloved grandkids I've heard about." Saladin said grinning at them and they all looked at him.

"Wow you're older than granny!" Camilo said and was promptly elbowed by his older sister while Isabella and Mirabel snickered.

"Actually. I'm the same age as her and Griffin and Griselda." Saladin said smiling and amused, he missed blunt children.

"Tia Griselda?" Dolores squeaked surprised at that.

"I was Faragondas roommate in school." Griselda admitted amused.

"But you look younger than mama!" Mirabel gaped at the woman who smirked and patted the girls head.

"Right well...are you looking forward to the events?" Faragonda asked as Griffin tried to smother her laughter while Griselda radiated smugness.

"I wanna see the dragons!" The children were near cheering in unison at that, their little faces alight with eager glee.

"Not the sword fights?" Palladium asked from in front of them.

"Who wants to watch a bunch of dumb boys hit each other with sharp sticks?" Isabella asked confused and Saladin choked at how she described it.

"She's got a point." Griffin grinned at that and Faragonda sighed.

"Stop trying to corrupt and steal my grandkids!"

"Never!"

So did I 🌚 TIME TO RUN IT BACK‼️‼️

The kids being excited about the dragons though is so real. Shoutout to all the teachers/headmasters being cool with the kids. I mean they don’t really have much of a choice but like it’s the thought that counts 💀💀

But like who would wanna watch sword fighting. It gets boring if it drags on, at least with fencing it’s pretty quick. Unless that swording fighting is to the death, you best believe them kids is going to see dragons instead, given the opportunity 🙏

[thequeenofthedisneyverse]

Encanto God au

I got another Alma and Mirabel bonding au! 

Ok so, what if the Madrigals were gods? Like: 

The story/au goes that Alma fell in love with a human man, Pedro. Her parents, friends, and even strangers told her that it won’t end well but Alma, being the young goddess she was, didn’t listen. The way they met was at the candle festival, Alma loved festivals, so she wasn’t going to pass up a fun time. 

So, she disguised herself as a human and went to the festival. Soon meeting the love of her life.  They dated, got married, and had three demigod children. Everyone on earth and above the clouds were of course happy for them. But her parents and friends couldn’t fight the feeling of something going wrong. 

On the night of the triplets' birth, Alma was in a deep coma like sleep, as any mother would be. While asleep with her three babies next to her, Pedro was outside talking to a “friend”. This “friend” got word of Pedro marrying a goddess and having children with her. His jealousy got the best of him and when Pedro was in his calmest and happiest state…he killed him. 

Not long after Alma woke up in a cold sweat and went outside to look for her husband. At the moment, a raid was going on. Houses and stores are up in flames, men with machetes on horses left and right and Pedro…After what seemed like days of weeping and sobbing, she found the man who killed her husband and…dealt with him properly, let's say. 

After that incident, the only humans allowed to come near her were Pedro’s parents, high up on Monte Encanto (Mount Encanto, Like Mount Olympus ). Humans can only go to Mount Olympus when they are invited, no other way. On the plus side, it’s incredibly too high for any human to climb. 

Alma was quite upset and hates herself for not being vigilant enough to protect her husband, therefore she’s going to protect her children and never let them near humans. In her mind, falling in love with them is the worst thing you can do, on both sides. 

Where does Mirabel come in? Give me a sec

Remember how I mentioned Pedro’s parents? Yeah, they wanted his grave to be on earth. They wanted it on earth because they didn’t want to constantly have to have Alma’s permission for them to see their own son’s grave on mount Encanto. So, out of respect of his parents, she lets the grave be on earth and every so often she visits it when she needs time alone or is too stressed out. 

Her children sometimes tag along with her on his birthday and leave some flowers or gifts for him to take into the afterlife. You know how the skeletons in Coco would take a magical version of the gift sat on their grave? 

Yeah, they believe that’s how he takes the gifts. On one of his birthdays, the triplets and Alma visited his grave with gifts to give him. While doing so, they heard a faint cry. A baby's cry, they looked around to see if there was any baby in the distance. They didn’t see anything. The cry was far but close enough to hear, which is strange, who would leave a baby at a graveyard of all places? 

After looking around a bit more, they found a little baby girl in a basket near a tree. She was small, very small, and she looked…new. Like not even a day new, like she was born mere hours ago. 

Julieta, being the caring mother she is, picked the baby up and held her close. The little infant was cold, very cold, and from the vibe she was giving Julieta, more than likely sick. 

“She’s just a baby, who would do such a thing?!” 

Alma stared at the little one and she knew right then and there, she had to care for this child. Unlike her granddaughters, who had been born within the safety of alabaster stone pylons, and in the presence of trained nursemaids draped in maroon and gold silks, this little baby had no such luxury.  

Unlike Isabela, whose head was christened in rosewater the minute she was birthed, or Luisa who was immediately coddled in the finest of linens to warm, or Dolores who was put in the finest cradle made of gold and calming scented clouds to lay her head on. Mirabel was in nothing but a withered old basket and wearing…nothing. There was a simple small blanket covering her, nothing more. 

And to top it all off, she was born on her late husband's birthday, March 6th. This little girl was a miracle. She would’ve called her a gift from the gods but she just went with a gift from her Pedro. 

So, from then on, little Mirabel (or sometimes Miracle) was welcomed into the family as a Madrigal. A mere human yes, but still an amazing little gift that Alma welcomed with open arms. 

She was going to teach her everything from literature, mathematics, combat, science, just anything in the little girl's early years to make sure that she was going to be strong, independent, and smart just like her. 

“I give you my word neita, you will be outstanding” 

Mirabel/Miracle was given to Julieta and Agustin to care for but…it’s more like Alma adopted her herself. She read her stories, gave her gifts, fed her, clothed in the best clothes, etc. To make sure absolutely nothing happened to her little Miracle, Alma made a potion for Mirabel to take everyday to make sure she’s immortal. 

The potion was supposed to give her other magical properties but it only gave her immortality, no god magic like her sisters or primos. No super strength, healing, no ability to control weather, ability to make plants, shapeshifting, or hear from far places, nothing. 

No matter how many potions Alma made, no magic from her family would stick besides immortality. No matter, she was still special, and will forever be special in Alma’s eyes. 

At school (for the god kids, but Mirabel was easily accepted in) Alma made sure she only had the best teachers, if she couldn’t always be the one teaching her then Alma was going to make sure gods who were well qualified were going to. 

Mirabel isn’t bullied per say but she isn’t well liked either. To gods, humans aren’t anything but an annoyance or something to play with. So seeing something you were taught to not see as anything but a speck is doing better in class than you…does get annoying. And most of them think she doesn’t deserve to be there

All of the god kids avoid her unless they are paired up with her for an assignment. Other than that, they don’t pay much attention to her, and it’s easier for them because they are much taller in comparison to her. They don’t even have to look down in her direction. 

God children ages 1-5 are about half her height at fifteen. So in this au, Antonio is at her shoulders, Camilo is four feet above her, Luisa is two feet above him, Isabela/Dolores are three feet over her, and the adults are a few inches above the two oldest girls. 

Alma keeps her height small in case she has to talk to Mirabel, who she knows can’t stand her smallness. Did I mention that Mirabel needs to nearly climb everything in her castle to get to it? If no one in the family is around she really has to climb her way to the kitchen counter just to make a snack. 

Oh, and Alma doesn’t look old is this au. From what I’ve read in Greek mythology and seen in Greek statues, none of the gods look or seem to be older than 30 so Alma looks 26 but she’s about the same age she is in canon. Same goes for the triplets, no gray hair or that much wrinkles. 

Mirabel does have her own room in this au and all that jazz. I’m not so sure what to do for dynamics but I think I’ll keep things the same? Idk, 

I was thinking that maybe Mirabel, Camilo, and Dolores are ok with each other, but leave them in a room alone and it’s just gonna be…awkward and silent. They don’t talk much seeing as they just have stuff to do but they're alright with each other. Antonio and Mira still have that cute little brother and older sister relationship though. 

Luisa and Mirabel are cool, Luisa is a little overprotective of her, but it’s not to the point of where it’s annoying. I’m not sure about Isabela and Mirabel’s relationship though. I feel like Isabela is slightly Jealous that Mirabel gets more attention from Alma in regards to gifts, excellent teachers, and knowledge about anything and everything she gives her. 

Don’t get me wrong, she loves her and would rip the entire fabric of the universe for her, but Isa just isn’t quite sure what to do with her. Julieta and Agustin are still loving parents and shower her with love and care when they can. 

Felix and Pepa love her too and speak to her when they have the time. Bruno does the same and cracks some jokes if she’s ever upset. 

The idea that I had is that Mirabel is like Ariel but different. She wants to go to the human world just to feel normal. Her thinking is that she's a person just like the rest of the people in the village she sees.

Nobody is up on some high horse of superiority; the people are just people. No one treats or looks at her like she's some omen you're not supposed to talk to.

On the plus side, they don't ignore her as if she isn't there and it's a rarity for anyone to be above 6'4, she's amazed by the simple fact that her height is average among girls and some boys.

The only problem is that she knows damn well she isn't supposed to be down there. Alma expects everyone, Including Mirabel, to not talk to humans.

"It'll be the worst thing you could do, for both ends"

But Mirabel isn't a goddess, just a human with immortality, so nothing can go wrong right?

That’s all I’ve got for now, if you have any ideas, let me know! Oh, and here's everyone's majors

Alma - Goddess of strength, independence, fertility, and festivity 

Julieta - Goddess of peace, healing and fertility

Agustin - God of loyalty, crafting, and perseverance 

Isabela - Goddess of flowers, elegance, and beauty

Luisa - Goddess of strength, independence, and loyalty

Pepa - Goddess of war, emotions, and storms

Felix - God of light, happiness, and love

Dolores - Goddess of silence, peace, and music

Camilo - God of trickery, comedy, and festivity 

Antonio - God of animals, happiness, and imagination

Bruno - God of Prophecy, wisdom, and laughter/comedy

[trulytiredhermit]

No wait because hear me out on this one.

What if the reader was like Isabella Madrigal from Encanto?

I think you already know her or have atleast heard of her but I'll just explain her character for you in this one. ( the reader is still gonna be GN )

So Isabella is seen as the perfect child, perfect at everything that she does, perfect at using her power, her power by the way is summoning flowers, thorns and any type of plant, basically she's got this whole entire perfect facade to her.

And then her family ( mostly her grandmother ) made an arranged marriage for Isabella, thing is, she doesn't even like the guy, hell, she just wants to be herself and not want to be perfect all of the time, this is one of her interactions with Mirabel, her younger sister :

Isabella : I've been stuck being perfect! My whole entire life, and literally, the only thing you've ever done for me is MESS THINGS UP!

Mirabel : Nothing is messed up! You could still marry that big dumb hunk!--

Isabella : I never wanted to marry him! I was doing it for THE FAMILY!

Yes.. you could see the whole entire 'perfect' facade of her breaking since nobody else was in the room other than the both of them.

Now Isabella! GN! reader that is like that that was sent to a different world and eventually having to deal with yanderes.

If they could then they will beat the ever living shit out of Mariano ( Isabella's not wanted fiance ) because how dare he try and marry their beloved?!

The Links after they find out about Reader's almost forced marriage, pitchforks and torches in hand: : )

But besides that

I think a lot of the Chain try to help Reader feel better about themselves and help Reader understand that they don't have to force themselves to be something they don't want to. They don't have to be "perfect".

I mean, I'm sure all of the Chain have had to deal with those thoughts; of striving to be completely perfect and something their not what with them being heroes of the world and all.

But they try to help relieve that pressure off of Reader's shoulders.

Wild and Wind definitely help Reader out in beginning to not be so perfect (although the Chain think's Reader's perfect in ANY way).

They're using Korok leaves to throw each other around with the wind. Mud fights? Oh, you bet. They're out there begging Reader to make huge flowers underneath them and throw them up into the air.

All in All everyone in the Chain finds Reader's power to be quite useful (Especially Time and Warriors who think about how useful Reader's power can be if Reader has to defend themselves).

I also feel like Hyrule would especially like it as he 1 probably didn't have a whole lot of vibrant flowers/plants back home and 2 just something about him being able to turn into a fairy makes me think he'd really like flowers idk.

But yeah, after finding out about Reader's past they aren't gonna be letting Reader go home. At all.

And if they do ever travel to Reader's world, well let's just say things aren't gonna be okay.

No one gets away with hurting their darling and trying to take them away from them.

[goldeneyedgirl]

seriously what the hell happened to the grain silo, i think it's the second time i read this in your fics 😭

I knew I used it somewhere else before STL, and I couldn't remember where but it's now a fixed point in Jasper's time in the South for all of my fics.

This is a very rough outline of what happened, and details could change in the future as I refine it.

So, I need you to imagine that this is around the time that Peter and Jasper become besties, they trust each other, they joke around, things are not yet Awful. Peter's no longer a newborn but still has a dose of impulsivity that hasn't yet worn off.

Maria sends them out to scout on a perfectly quiet night. They're joking and not taking it as seriously as they should because there's no reason to - no fresh scents, no evidence of enemies, just a night in the middle of nowhere. Peter suggests they run a little outside their territory, scope out an area Maria is interested in, before they report back.

So they venture down towards an old farm that's abandoned, trashed etc.

Big mistake. They're caught by scouts from another army (Mirabel's; I don't think Mirabel has been mentioned in anything posted yet but if she has, she's back) and there are way more of Mirabel's scouts than Jasper and Peter, and they recognise Jasper.

The smart thing to do would be to get the fuck back onto Maria's territory, head straight back for backup and deal with these scouts. But no one ever accused Peter of being smart.

So Peter barrels towards the farm, figuring they can use it for cover, or at least get the high ground for the upcoming fight. Jasper goes after him, already realising this is a terrible idea. The scouts follow them.

Fighting occurs, several farm buildings are wiped out, and ultimately, the silo is the last thing standing. Both Peter and Jasper have some bites, are frustrated, and the last three scouts are being difficult. So they climb the grain silo.

This thing is so old. It's been abandoned for years, somehow survived a fire, and is no longer water-tight. It is powerfully unsafe for a human.

Peter is perched at the top and Jasper is still climbing, uneasy by the smell coming from decades of rotten, mouldy grain, and how structurally unsound it is.

And just as Jasper reaches the top, ready to put Peter on a leash for the next decade, the silo lets out a groan and collapses. Well, Jasper and Peter fall *into* the silo as it tips.

It's a very interesting smell, they are smothered in the dark surrounded by rotting grain and free-falling, and Jasper knows exactly how dangerous the situation is - they are essentially sitting ducks. The sound it makes as it hits the ground is heard right back at Maria's base.

Of course, the scouts figure they've basically won, they just have to kill Jasper and Peter inside the silo, so they go in to trap them.

Only to have both Peter and Jasper silently drag them under the grain and behead them like some kind of nightmare fuel grain shark.

It would be terrifying; you think you've cornered your enemy, you climb inside this busted silo to see your future victims and suddenly an arm grabs you and pulls you under and that's all she wrote. You die with a mouthful of mouldy grain and the realisation that it doesn't matter how stupid the situation is, the Major of Monterrey will win every time.

One of the scouts does put up a decent fight with Peter which basically ends with Peter, Jasper and the Scout slipping and sliding inside the silo, trying to get traction long enough to not die and kill the other guy. Very slapstick.

So Peter and Jasper climb out of the silo, smelling fascinating and covered with mould and muck and grain, and Jasper is not amused as they gather the parts to burn.

As they stand around the fire, Peter breaks the silence and goes "So..."

"We never speak of this again. No one will ever find out about this."

They do have to tell Maria that the farm she wanted is decimated and blame Mirabel's scouts. They had nothing to do with it, they just killed the scouts. Who even knows what went down. Not them.

It takes a little bit of time for Jasper to be amused by that incident, and by the time he's joined the Cullens, he thinks that it's hilarious. They fucking tipped over a grain silo because Peter was still in his untrained-puppy phase of development. They stank for a month because Peter had decided that Jasper could win any fight ever and that the solution to the problem he created was to climb a death trap.

Peter still denies that it ever happened.

[hunty627]

Stories that Grant can make up with his model trains when he rebuilds his model railway layout.

Megan the mail car. Percy meets a brand new mail car named Megan.

Skiff’s mermaid tale. Skiff the boat is very excited because he gets to see real life mermaids, just like in the stories he’s heard.

Thomas and the turrets. Thomas the tank engine finds a US Army box car that can do a really unique trick. Its side wall can open up, revealing turrets inside. Being a cheeky little engine, Thomas wanted to do some target practice at the quarry, but he has no idea how much trouble he’s gonna get into.

Leo’s letdown. Leo the crane is feeling sad because he hasn’t been doing any rescues with Chris lately. His winch wasn’t working right and his paintwork was getting very dirty. Poy felt sorry for Leo. So Poy decided to cheer up Leo by taking him to ask Sir Topham Hatt if he could be repaired and repainted.

Emily and the fire wagon. Emily was feeling very excited. A brand new piece of rolling stock was being made in the workshops. It looked like a breakdown crane, but instead of a hook, it has a hose. It was painted red and has a light bar on its cab roof. Sir Topham Hatt proudly presented it as the Sodor fire wagon and he told Flynn the fire engine to teach Emily how to fight fires by doing some firefighting training.

Thomas and the autocoaches. Annie and Clarabel went to the works with Oliver, so Thomas had to borrow Isabel and Dulcie. They wanted to teach Thomas how to run his branchline the great western way.

The klutzy little engine. Percy meets a new saddle tank engine named Dorie, who was keen to make an impression on her first day on the railway, but she was rather clumsy. Because of her clumsiness, she would be told off by the bigger engines.

Henry and the hopper car. Henry was going to try out a brand new hopper car that has doors in the bottom.

Natasha and the mail train. Percy has taken ill, so Natasha was requested to take the mail train.

Mirabelle moves to Sodor. A new tank engine named Mirabelle came to the railway to start work.

Rosie, Rex & Robin. Rosie wanted to assist Robin & Rex on their work. But the two tender engines thought the tank engine was being an annoying tagalong.

Winston and the maintenance of way. Winston the track car was asked to assist Kayley and Smith on their work.

Fumbling Fizzy. Fizzy was requested to pull Annie and Clarabel while Thomas was going to the fitters yard to have his boiler repaired after he blew a gasket from pulling too many hopper cars full of gravel. But Fizzy wasn’t sure if he can fill in for his brother.

[foggyfanfic]

Mirabel's Super Secret Adventure

Movie AU

Chapter Preview: “You’re not telling anyone,” Isabela said, with all the menace of a villain from one of Tío Bruno’s horror stories, “because if you do, I’ll tell Abuela that you’ve been sneaking up to the roof at night.”

Prologue Prev Next Masterlist

5. For the Family

“What the hell were you doing? Were you eavesdropping?!” Isabela shouted. Her cheeks were flushed with anger and her eyes were wild with panic.

“I was looking for-. You don’t want to marry him?!”

“Ssshhh! Shush! Are you crazy?! People might hear you.”

“Am I crazy? Are you crazy?! Why would you marry that big dumb hunk if you don’t-.”

“You wouldn’t understand,” Isabela cut her off, pointing an accusatory finger at Mirabel, “and you better keep your mouth shut!”

“Why? So you can ruin your own life?!”

“Like you even care!”

“What?! Of course I care, you’re my sister you dumba-.”

“Language,” Tía Leandra called over the fighting, but otherwise didn’t interfere. She just carried her box of soap into Casita.

“Well, if you care then you will mind your own business,” Isabela said, haughtily flipping her hair.

Mirabel raised an eyebrow at that, then she narrowed her eyes, “I’m telling Má.”

“What?! No!”

“Yep, bye! See you at dinner! Where you won’t be ruining your life!”

Mirabel turned and began speed walking around Casita, ignoring Isabela’s shouting behind her. When she heard Isabela start to give chase, she broke into a jog. 

Suddenly, a vine wrapped itself around her leg and she fell to the ground on her hands and knees.

She hissed through her teeth, looking down at her skinned palms. Nervously, Mirabel looked around, half expecting Abuela or Gabriel to come flying out of the bushes, insisting she go get an arepa immediately. When that didn’t happen she relaxed a little and focused on trying to get the vine off her leg.

Unfortunately, Isabela caught up with her before she could make any real progress. She had her arms crossed and a nasty smirk on her face.

“You’re not telling anyone,” she said, with all the menace of a villain from one of Tío Bruno’s horror stories, “because if you do, I’ll tell Abuela that you’ve been sneaking up to the roof at night.”

Mirabel gasped, as far as threats went, that was a pretty good one. The roof was her favorite spot in Casita, and although she knew Abuela wouldn’t want her going up there, it hadn’t ever been explicitly forbidden either. The second it was, Casita would stop allowing her to climb onto the roof tiles, and she would lose that little kernel of freedom.

However, “Seriously Isabela, you think I would just stand by and let you make the biggest mistake of your life for that? I know you hate me, but come on.”

That gave Isabela pause, her cold smirk slipping into a concerned frown. Mirabel gave up on the vine and stood so she could be as close to looking Isabela in the eyes as possible.

“I don’t hate you,” Isabela said, as Mirabel dusted herself off, “but, but, you can’t tell Má. She’ll stop the engagement.”

“Uh, yeah, kind of the point,” Mirabel said, giving Isabela her best “What are you, stupid?” look.

“No, Mirabel, this has to happen. It’s what’s best for the family.”

“What? You being miserable for the rest of your life?”

“No, Mariano joining the family,” Isabela hissed, “I mean, come on, Tío Bruno isn’t going to be around to make emeralds forever. A-and what happens once Má isn’t healing the entire village? We need to think about this family’s future. Mariano is a hard worker, and his family owns the chocolate orchard, do you have any idea how profitable that orchard is? Even just a portion of that-.”

“Isabela,” Mirabel cut in, voice thick, “your happiness is worth more than money. We can figure something else out.”

Isabela started to say something, then stopped and changed tact, only to stop again and sigh, finally she said, “My family being happy will make me happy.”

“But-,” Mirabel shook her head, trying to come up with another argument.

“No, it’s my life, my decision. I will marry Mariano,” Isabela held up a hand, putting her nose in the air, then she softened just a little and said, “but uh, it’s nice to know you care.”

“Of course I care,” Mirabel said, mostly because she didn’t know what else to say.

Isabela gave her a tiny smile, and the vine around her leg disappeared. Next thing she knew she was being pulled into her sister’s arms. She hugged back, even as her mind raced, trying to think of what she could possibly say to convince Isabela not to do this.

The truth was, Mirabel understood exactly why Isabela was choosing to put the family over her own happiness. If it came down to it, Mirabel wasn’t sure she wouldn’t do the same. 

But just because she understood where Isabela was coming from, didn’t mean she was making the right choice.

When the hug ended, Isabela quietly said something about going to get ready, even though it was barely lunch time. Mirabel managed a faint “See you later” despite the many thoughts racing through her brain.

Mirabel took half a step back towards Casita’s back door. Then she took two steps towards town. Then she stood there a little longer.

Finally, she balled her fists, set her chin and walked back into Casita. She walked up the stairs to the nursery and got out her sketchbook. She flipped through it, evaluating all of her embroidery designs with new eyes, calculating how much each one would cost, and how much she could charge for it in the margins. Eventually, she closed the book and left the room again. 

This time she marched right up to Abuela’s door and knocked on it without a moment’s hesitation.

Nothing happened.

Mirabel knocked again.

“She’s out.”

Mirabel jumped and turned around. Amada was stepping out of her room, holding an empty bag.

“Do you know where she went?”

“To the Guzmans’. She realized we don’t have enough table for everybody.”

“Oh.”

“Why? What’s going on,” Amada cocked her head, slowly walking closer.

Mirabel bit her lip and debated keeping Isabela’s secret for her, but ultimately, she couldn’t let her big sister go through with this, “Isabela is only marrying Mariano for the family’s sake. We need to talk to Abuela, now.”

“Oh,” Amada said. She stared at Mirabel for a beat or two, then made that same, “Hm” sound Tío Bruno did whenever he discovered something mildly surprising.

“That’s it? Just ‘Hm’?!”

“Eh, it makes sense, it’s not like Isabela is attracted to him.”

“What?!”

“Did you not know that?”

“No! How do you know that?!”

“Oh you know, I saw things,” Amada waved a vague hand while her eyes flashed gold.

“What sort of things?”

Amada shrugged, leaning against the railing with a casualness that Mirabel felt was quite frankly unwarranted, “Papá says that’s Isabela’s business and I shouldn’t tell anyone unless Isabela says it’s okay.”

“Oh. Can uh, can you give me a hint?”

“Sure. Mariano isn’t Isabela’s type.”

“…Does Isabela prefer smart guys?”

“Heh, no.”

Mirabel frowned, “Could I get another hint?”

Amada shook her head and watched Mirabel for a bit.

“So, we should definitely go talk to Abuela,” Mirabel said, when it was clear she wasn’t going to get anything else out of her cousin.

“Ummmm no,” Amada looked around the courtyard with golden eyes then shook her head.

Mirabel waited for an explanation, then when none came asked, “Why not?”

“Because you should go to the kitchen. All the good endings start with you going to the kitchen.”

“The good endings?”

“Sí.”

“What are the good endings?” Mirabel asked, even as she started walking towards the stairs.

Amada’s eyes flashed gold again, “Things will go very bad, very fast if I tell you.”

“And how many good endings are there?,” she frowned some more.

“Three.”

“Out of?”

“I dunno,” Amada said, once again sounding a lot like her father, “hundreds, maybe a couple thousand?”

This was why the villagers had very quickly stopped coming to Amada for advice. She could see the start of a chain reaction, and the possible endings, but she couldn’t see every step in between. The more variables there were, the more possible conclusions, and nothing introduced more variables than free will.

Her gift was best utilized by the bakers of the town, since she could ensure the best possible outcome for every batch of cookies and loaf of bread by spending ten minutes walking around the kitchen and writing the world’s weirdest to-do list. 

Now that Mirabel thought about it, Amada alone could keep the Madrigal’s well supplied with food with less than three hours of labor a day. Factor in Octavia’s abilities, Luisa’s hard work, and the fact that every single one of them was perfectly capable of getting a job, and suddenly Mirabel felt pretty confident that their future would be just fine. So, why did Isabela think she had to sacrifice any chance of marrying somebody she loved for the family’s sake?

Mirabel asked Amada if she knew why Isabela thought she had to do this, but Amada shrugged and shook her head. They parted ways at the front door, Amada going out to the market to pick up a bruised mango (an un-bruised mango would not result in the ending Abuela wanted), and Mirabel continuing on to the kitchen.

It was empty, so Mirabel figured she’d make herself some food while she waited to see what was going to happen.

Cooking was one of those things she could do, just so long as she was willing to put up with a long lecture about kitchen safety first. So, Mirabel did it as much as possible whenever Abuela was out of the house.

She had just pulled the leftover lechona from the party last night out of the fridge when Tía Pepa walked in, holding a book of riddles. Mirabel raised a brow at the book, since Tía Pepa usually only read riddles when she needed to keep the sky overcast, and she was pretty sure the farmers had wanted sunshine today.

“Hey Tía, have you had lunch yet? I can reheat some for you,” Mirabel greeted her, choosing not to ask about the riddles. She had enough mysteries to deal with.

“Ay Mirabel, could you? That would be so sweet of you.”

“Bien! How’s your day going?”

“Busy, between cleaning up after Antonio’s party and getting ready for the engagement tonight, I have barely had time to take a breath,” Tía Pepa complained, slumping into the nearest chair. As she spoke the wind outside picked up, whipping tree branches about. Tia Pepa glanced out the window and groaned, then started in on her mantra to help herself calm down.

“Do you need any help?” Mirabel asked, because maybe helping Tía Pepa was the next domino on the path to good things.

“Oh, claro! But you know what your Abuela will say if she comes home and sees I’ve put you to work,” she huffed rolling her eyes.

Mirabel paused in the middle of striking a match. Casita had refused her mother’s requests for a more modern oven and stove, so they were stuck with the classic wood fire ones until somebody invented another stove that Casita liked.

She turned and stared at her Tía, not sure what to say. Tía Pepa had never acknowledged the fact that Mirabel wasn’t allowed to help out much before.

“What?! You know it’s true.”

“I-, sí. I guess I just didn’t realize that you…”

She sighed deeply, looking at the book of riddles in her hands, “I know, I know. But it’s best I don’t think about these things you know. Gets me too-. Well, I need to keep the skies clear for the crops.”

“Oh,” Mirabel busied herself getting the wood in the oven lit, then moved some of the lechona into a pan, all the while thinking about what Tía Pepa was saying, “Tía, is it-. You’re always trying to change your own mood for the sake of the village. Is that-, how do you do it?”

Tía Pepa held up the book, “You know how, I read books that will make me feel what I need to.”

“Sí, I know that part, but um, how do you deal with-. Doesn’t it take a toll?”

That earned Mirabel a sardonic snort, then a quiet, dry, “Claro. But don’t you fret about that mija, I’ve been doing this for longer than you’ve been alive, I’m fine.”

Mirabel drew in a sharp breath through her nose, she had now heard four members of her family insist they were fine when they clearly weren’t. 

She was beginning to sense a pattern.

She sat down in the chair next to Pepa’s, facing her, “Would-. If somebody else in the familia was doing what you do, trying to make themselves feel something for the sake of the family and village, what would you do?”

“Smack them,” Tía Pepa said without a second’s hesitation, “my emotions can summon a hurricane. I need to keep them in check, or people could get hurt, even killed. The rest of you, you don’t need to be doing that.”

Mirabel pursed her lips, it would be kind of funny to see Tía Pepa smack Isabela upside the head. 

She opened her mouth to blab Isabela’s secret for the second time, then swallowed her words when Tío Bruno walked in with Tío Félix. She smiled at them in greeting, doing her best not to look too freaked out. Tía Pepa gave her a calculating look, but apparently decided to let Mirabel drop it.

“Hey, did you guys want some of the leftovers?” she asked, gesturing at the oven.

“I’m fine, gracias,” Tío Bruno shook his head, “I already ate.”

“I’ll take some,” Tío Félix said, he paused to press a kiss to Pepa’s cheek, then murmured, “might as well eat as much as we can before Camilo gets to it.”

“Ay, amor, you know he’s already gotten into it by now. He must have,” Pepa gave him a half grin and they shared a look of fond exasperation for their elder son.

“Ah, give the poor boy a break, you remember how much Luisa ate at his age,” Bruno pointed out, pulling a pitcher of guava juice out of the fridge, “Camilo’s practically on a, o-one of those hunger strikes by comparison.”

“Oh I remember,” Félix shook his head, a sympathetic frown on his face, “I remember that poor girl’s growth spurts. Ay, talking about growing pains.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Tío Bruno said, dryly.

Félix barked out a laugh, but Mirabel caught the flicker of sadness that passed across Pepa’s face. Briefly, Mirabel wondered what it must have felt like, watching her brother shrink in on himself over the years.

She shook the thought off and focused on the food, adding more so there was enough for three. When it was warm enough to be palatable, she pulled it out and began plating it.

“Gracias Mira,” Tía Pepa said, with far more feeling than a single plate of food probably warranted, “come, sit with me some more.”

She did as she was told and ended up with her Tío Bruno on her other side at the head of the table. Mirabel listened, mostly in silence, as Pepa and Félix discussed what was left to do, and Bruno occasionally cracked very dry jokes. She paid close attention, waiting for the next part of the chain reaction, but as far as she could tell, it didn’t come.

Tío Bruno insisted on cleaning the plates, even though he hadn’t eaten anything, he cited all the cleaning Pepa and Félix had left to do. Not wanting to leave him alone to do it, Mirabel offered to dry.

So, she ended up standing next to him at the counter, trying to figure out what, if anything, she should say. 

Should she ask what he knew about the cracks? Or maybe what he’d warned Luisa about? Or Dolores?

Eventually though, Tío Bruno paused in his scrubbing to check there was nobody waiting beyond the kitchen doorway to overhear any secrets, then asked, “Leandra mentioned-. How did your talk with Isabela go? Were you able to get through to her?”

“No,” Mirabel answered glumly.

“Ay, of course not. Although, uh, i-it makes me feel a little better that Leandra and I aren’t the only voices of reason going unheard,” Bruno shook his head.

“We need to tell Abuela, she would never make Isabela go through with this,” Mirabel said.

“I- sí, th-that is the back up plan.”

“The back up plan?!”

“Yeah, there’s-, look, as a seer I know a lot of stuff that isn’t my business, right? Well, one of the things I know is that there is a very easy solution to this if I can just get one of those two to listen to me,” Bruno was scowling down at the plate he was scrubbing, mostly to himself he muttered, “now I know how Leandra feels whenever she’s pushing me to talk to my sisters! Hm, maybe this is karma.”

“Which two?” Mirabel asked, then thought about what she’d heard Tía Leandra say, “Isabela and Dolores?”

Tío Bruno looked briefly startled, then he gave her a proud grin, “Ay, you always been so clever?”

“I uh, I’ve overheard a lot of stuff I probably wasn’t supposed to today,” Mirabel shrugged sheepishly. She hoped he wouldn’t ask what else she’d overheard, although technically she hadn’t overheard his conversation with Tía Leandra today. She heard it yesterday.

“Sí, if we can just get Isabela and Dolores to be honest with each other, this whole problem will go away,” Tío Bruno confirmed, almost casually, he knocked on the nearest wooden cabinet.

“Ok, so how do we do that?”

“I dunno, Leandra and I have been trying, believe me,” Bruno shrugged, “and now we can’t find either of them. I think Dolores is in her Sanctum, and well, who knows where Isabela is hiding. If we can’t get to them before the proposal, Leandra and I were going to sit them down and just tell them what the other is hiding. And if that doesn’t fix things, we’ll tell Abuela.”

Mirabel nodded, slowly, then breathed a long sigh of relief, “Bien, good, right. I’m so glad there’s a plan, because I was kind of freaking out.”

Tío Bruno gently knocked his shoulder against hers, “Have a little faith, eh? We wouldn’t let them do this to themselves. I just want to give them a chance to work it out, first.”

“I don’t think they’re going to Tío.”

“I-, yeah, I’m beginning to think you’re right,” Tío Bruno sighed, then gave her an inquisitive look, “Did Isa tell you why she thinks she has to go through with this?”

“She did, but it’s kinda dumb,” Mirabel rolled her eyes, “she’s worried about the family’s future, you know, like what happens when you’re not selling emeralds anymore. She thinks this is the best way to make sure we’ll be taken care of.”

“Ah,” Tío Bruno frowned into the middle distance for a second, “that’s-, hmm. That’s not what I was expecting.”

“What were you expecting?”

“Well… don’t tell her I said this, but Isa has always put a lot of pressure on herself to be perfect, I thought this was-. I-I mean I thought she was doing this to try to force herself to be uh, something she isn’t,” it was obvious Tïo Bruno was dancing around something, probably the something that Amada had said she wasn’t allowed to tell people.

Mirabel thought about pushing, but the reasons why Isabela didn’t want to marry Mariano didn’t matter as much as the reasons why she was going to force herself to.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Mirabel asked, because Tïo Bruno always let her help, even if it got Abuela upset with him.

He frowned, thinking about it, then he slowly nodded, “Maybe, it uh, it wouldn’t be a quick fix though.”

“What is it?”

“Isa is… different in the same way-, well not quite the same way, but in a similar way as me. She-, the only reason I know is because Amada saw something and asked Leandra and I about it. Isa hasn’t told anyone, you know, she doesn’t think-. She thinks she needs to be perfect,” Bruno shook his head, “I’ve tried telling her she’s fine the way she is, a-and Leandra has tried, but we’re her Tío and Tía. As far as Isabela cares-, she won’t listen to us, not when it comes to this.”

“So, what do you want me to do?”

“I-,” Bruno stopped talking abruptly, he examined her closely, then seemingly out of the blue said, “did you know that I used to have a boyfriend?”

“Que?”

“A boyfriend, I had one. And before I got to know your Tía, there was this guy I-, well I don’t know if I’d call it a crush, but he’d told me that he used to be in love with me but now he was over me and I just-. Curiosity, I spent a lot of time wondering what would have happened if I hadn’t been so blind, you know?”

“Oh,” Mirabel blinked a few times.

“I am attracted to women, well, mostly just to the one woman these days, but I am attracted to men too.”

“Ah.”

“How do you feel about that?”

Mirabel pressed her lips together then decided honesty was the best policy, “I mean, you’re my tío, so... Kind of grossed out? You’re not supposed to have a love life. It’s bad enough I’ve seen you kiss Tía Leandra.”

Tío Bruno laughed, “Right, bien, claro. But pretend I wasn’t your tío, pretend I was just, I don’t know, a friend from school. Then how would you feel?”

“Eh, fine I guess,” Mirabel shrugged, thinking about Sonia who loved embroidery as much as Mirabel, and had terrible taste in boys, “as long as the guy you’re dating isn’t a total sleaze.”

“Eh, he wasn’t, he just… he wanted to help me deal with the village, but didn’t know how. And the situation spiraled,” Bruno smiled sadly, “at the time it was, oof, it was not fun. A-and for a while I was convinced he was, you know, evil. But looking back on it now, we were both so young, and I can see-. Ah well. For the best we didn’t work out, Leandra gets along with my sisters better.”

Mirabel watched him as he apparently reminisced, eventually he snorted, shook his head at some memory or other, and seemed to tune back into the present. He looked at her, first out of the corner of his eye, then with his head tilted toward her.

“Mirabel, I know you and Isa haven’t always gotten along, but… that’s actually a good thing right now. If you can get her to open up to you, and you tell her there’s nothing wrong with her, she uh, she might actually believe you.”

Mirabel gulped, but nodded, “Alright, I’ll try.”

“Bien, and in the meantime, Leandra and I will work on the whole Mariano situation,” he smiled at her, a rare glow of optimism on his face, “and maybe between the three of us, everything will work out alright.”

AN: So! Here's my thought process. Way way back, like a whole two years ago when I first caught brainrot for this movie, and I started playing around with character dynamics, I really enjoyed that Bruno was sort of a dark mirror for Isabela. He was also the golden child at one point, then fell off his pedestal, and due to a lack of support just kept falling. I love the idea that Isabela is, to a certain extent, terrified of following in his foot steps. Then I read that Jared Bush tweet where he said that things would have been a lot different if Bruno had had even one strong relationship and I started wondering how the movie would have gone if Bruno was hanging around with a spouse and kids. Then I came up with Love and Fury, finished it, and viola now I have an OC ready to marry Bruno. And!! I very specifically have a Bruno that likes both men and women. So, what if Bruno is there with a wife and kids, he finds out Isabela is attracted to women, and gives her a heads up that he's like her and there to support her if she needs. She hears Bruno say he's attracted to both men and women and thinks to herself, "Oh good, so there's still a chance that I can fall in love with a man!" and spends the next few years using the fact that Bruno goes both ways as an excuse to hide from her own sexuality. I love this idea for two reasons. One, it is realistic, Isabela is young and sexuality is complicated. A lot of us in the community start off with one label, try to make ourselves fit into that label, then discover a label that fits better and slowly make the switch. Two, for the angst.

[hogwartslegacyreactions2]

HLC REACT TO MC HAVING AN OUT OF CHARACTER OUTBURST

Requested by: @ma1egamer

MC had a bad week. The worst week. An awful horrible week. But they still smiled. No one could know what was broiling just beneath the surface. They were the cool popular kid at Hogwarts, they had a reputation. If they just kept up appearances until the end of the day, they could go out after classes and fight a few dark wizards. That would help them de-stress.

They were lost in thought when someone accidentally ran into them, knocking their bag off their arm and causing it to spill its contents all over the floor. One of their ink bottles smashed, staining what was a lengthy essay they had just completed the night before for astronomy.

MC lost their carefully collected shit. "WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING!? IF ITS NOT ONE THING, ITS ANOTHER!! EVERY! SINGLE! DAY! But, if we didn't have bad weeks, the good weeks would be so amazing." It was like someone flipped a switch. MC was entirely calm again while using their wand to clean up their stuff.

The hall was dead silent. The whole crowd of students and faculty watched MC pack themselves up and walk away smiling.

SEBASTIAN SALLOW: "Welp, I feel sorry for any dark wizards or goblins that cross MC's path today." This included himself. He steered clear.

OMINIS GAUNT: "What happened? Why did they shout like that? Are they okay?" He needs context. He's worried.

ANNE SALLOW: She avoids eye contact with anyone in the crowd. She doesn't know what's going on, don't look at her.

IMELDA REYES: "What, in the actual fuck, was that?"

NATSAI ONAI: She marches after MC. They clearly aren't okay and she wants to know what's up.

GARRETH WEASLEY: MC's outburst made him drop a jar of pickled slugs. Now he was having a bad day too. The smell was awful.

LEANDER PREWETT: "They're cracking under the pressure. Sad."

AMIT THAKKAR: He has shrunk away from the noise. He doesn't deal with that kind of energy very well and removes himself from the situation.

EVERETT CLOPTON: "Merlin's beard, and here I thought Kogawa had a temper."

POPPY SWEETING: "Yeesh, I knew MC had fangs but I've never seen them take it out on a random student. I wonder what's bothering them."

ELEAZAR FIG: "Oh dear." He shuffles through the crowd and shepherds MC away. "What was that about? Are you alright? Please, don't lie to me."

MATILDA WEASLEY: She bristled at MC's volume. She could take house points for that, but instead ask MC to come to her office. She wants a word.

CHIYO KOGAWA: "Move along, everyone. You all have places to be." She shoos the crowd and stops MC from leaving. "Let's talk. My office."

AESOP SHARP: He gets it. As far as anyone is concerned, he saw nothing.

ABRAHAM RONEN: He's immediately by MC's side, helping them with their books. "Can you spare a moment to chat?" He wants them to be actually okay.

MIRABEL GARLICK: She walks quickly to catch up with MC and hands them a colorful bloom. "Here...it's Worry's Blight. It'll help you feel calm. You seem to need some more than me today."

MUDIWA ONAI: She invites MC up for tea. A special blend and good conversation is what they needed.

BAI HOWIN: Everyone has a bad day. There was no confrontation about the items dropped, so she let it go.

DINAH HECAT: "You shouldn't be shouting the halls, MC. However, instead of taking points, I have an assignment for you." She gave them a small price of paper with a location. "This is an ashwinder camp I heard wind of in the Three Broomsticks. It's a big one. Use this information as you may."

CUTHBERT BINNS: He just ghosted on out of there. He had a lecture to prep.

SATYAVATI SHAH: "No shouting in the halls. That's five points, MC." She didn't notice the vein fit to burst on MC's neck when they just smiled back at her.

PHINEAS NIGELLUS BLACK: "Children. Always whining about how hard life is. They know nothing of the real troubles life can throw at you."

[unseelie-grimalkin]

So, your girl, who has been in Skyrim a sum total of a month, and has attended maybe 2 lectures and has done a lot of independent study and one-on-one study with the Restoration instructor...is now the Arch-Mage. She's considered the most politically powerful mage in all of Skyrim and is in charge of all the mages.

Yeah, she's confused too.

So, last time, we ended up with the recounting of how Triona killed her third dragon, the technical second one to attack her college in particular.

So with everything settled ("settled"), Triona sets out to the Labyrinthian, which she's never fully heard of before this point in the investigation, but the only context she's ever given for it is that the previous Arch-Mage had some history with it, giving Mirabelle (his second in command) the torc to allow entry to it (and before you mistake this as actual wearable jewelry as I did, this thing is huge and more meant to be one of those pull-only door handles for an ancient ruin).

So the Labyrinthian itself is a huge, sprawling ruin in the middle of the mountains. As you explore, you actually find it used to be an ancient city, way, way back in the day.

But as Triona explores, all she finds are the ghosts of the past (watching her now-dead Arch-Mage, in his youth, help spur on his fellow students to study a dangerous ruin...something that feels extremely poetic about that, given Saarthal in her life leading to his death). And before she can really start to unpack the implications, well-

She gets to a large, open cavernous room where there are armed skeletons and then...out of a huge burial mound in the middle, an undead dragon rises.

As is the case for many a Triona timeline variant, she wonders why her life is a constant, dangerous punchline.

Now, here is where something narratively interesting happens (as a result of Skyrim glitching):

Triona ran out of healing potions in this fight, but as she did so (hiding behind a pillar to avoid skeleton archers and the undead dragon's ice breath), she instantly clicked some magical knowledge into place to know the Sun Fire spell, aka one of the few Restoration offensive spells that exists that specifically damages undead and the undead alone.

Her enemies in this room are all undead.

She is a Restoration expert.

With Sun Fire in both hands, curling in her palms and around her forearms, Triona cleans the room in a matter of minutes. Where before her Firebolt spell was struggling to do any damage to the undead, all of her time and devotion into healing arts, understanding how life flows and ebbs, suddenly it matters in a way that saves her life and, ultimately, the world.

(I cannot even BEGIN to describe how stupid happy this glitch made me, it's so narratively poignant and so on the nose but so fucking good that I'm keeping it, this is canon to this AU now)

She continues down, following the ghost of someone she sort-of-knew, but not quite (he's always been distant; she dealt more with Mirabelle than him, with his main interaction with her being when the Psijic representative was around and him marveling over if they did anything wrong [manners-wise]. A...possible mirror moment to Triona, because she would've wondered the same thing? Hard to say) as she watches them all die one by one in the undead dangers of this tomb (undead dangers she's dealing with alone, where they had six). Eventually, she pieces together that the previous Arch Mage had killed the remaining two of his companions and enthralled them to keep something sealed.

And that something? Has been whispering to her this whole time, assuming she is the previous Arch Mage come back to finish what he started. Well, it started in a language she didn't know, but then progressively swapped over to Common the deeper she went, taunting "Savos" and how "he" didn't have what it took to finish the job.

And then...eventually, the voice realizes Triona isn't Savos Aren. It assumes that she's just a lackey he sent (which, not wrong) and taunts her with the knowledge that she has no idea what she's facing in this dungeon (also true) because the Arch Mage didn't tell her (if he did, the voice assumes she wouldn't be here).

But this guy isn't anticipating something of hers in turn: her impromptu prototype of Sun Fire.

So, with both parties having something secret against the other, they eventually meet in the deepest chamber of these dark, ancient, undead ruins:

In one corner, Triona enters, the room, golden fire ready in her palms and along her arms, spotting the two enthralled ghostly mages holding her opponent captive.

In the elevated side of the room, in a blue, glowing bubble of magic, something between a draugr (rotted flesh), a ghost (floating), and something recognizably at one point human (facial expressions, intelligence, voice) stares back at her. and she can feel that, all those times in the descent that she's felt her magicka drained? That's been this thing the whole time. This monster, apparently the nightmare creature of who used to be considered the most powerful mage in Skyrim.

And in its hands? The bloody fucking Staff of Magnus.

She kills the thralled ghosts, freeing this monster so that she can kill it and take the Staff of Magnus out of its skeletal hand.

I lost track of how long the fight was. Even with Sun Fire, it felt like forever, mainly because Morokei has a couple spells at his disposal that make fighting him a pain: Lightning Cloak, so you can't melee easily (not that Triona ever does melee, understand; she doesn't have the training for it), Greater Ward that eats your spells, Chain Lightning (just a pain in general), and Ebony Flesh (which gives him more armor; Mage Armor but make it different tiers).

But when he was dead, Triona spat up some blood on his body and then healed herself. She picked up the Staff of Magnus and just...while she knows the history of it (an ancient artifact that could power any mage but would leave the hands of any who got too powerful and threatened the balance of magic in the world), it all just...feels like a stick to her. A powerful stick (with her Restoration training, she can feel how it affects the health and magicka of life around her, capable of draining both should she will it), but...was it worth every life lost for it?

And she couldn't find an answer because she didn't have the luxury of time. She left the way she came, but before she could truly leave...Ancano's toady is there. And he thinks he can pick her off and measure up to the Literal Ancient Dragon Priest she just beat the snot out of. If he had been smart, sprung an ambush on her, and taken the Staff, that might've worked. But he's a High Elf agent of the Thalmor: he's gotta gloat about his superiority. And while he's not Clan Direnni, it all really shakes out the same, doesn't it?

With that hiccup out of the way, she rushes back to the college. She uses the staff to eat through the barrier of sheer magic and swirling force that Ancano had put up (barely having time to mourn Mirabelle's death) and get into the main hall.

Ancano has lost his marbles. Truly has, at this point. The Thalmor, in the years Skyrim is set in, is all about the Aldmeri Dominion taking over all of Tamriel and taking it from the Empire's hands. And...well, blowing up the world with a giant magical eyeball isn't really it, chief. Ancano is a character for whom we don't get too much information, but his MCU-esque weird heel-spin is...well, it's sure Something to Behold.

Triona teams up with Alteration Instructor (and, honestly, the only instructor to really...watch out for the college students and not focus solely on research or wait for students to approach them) Tolfdir to take out Ancano.

Compared to the fight with Morokei, Ancano...folds like paper. There's not much to be said: the Staff of Magnus trivializes this fight, and you have to use it for the main fight mechanic of separating Ancano from the Eye of Magnus, so he's even damageable at all.

And right after he hits the floor, the Psijic Order shows up. Declares that mankind isn't ready for something like the Eye, says they'll take care of it, and then...declares Triona to be the new Arch-Mage and leaves.

Triona looks at her teacher. "You surely don't think that's right, do you?"

"No, no, I agree." He smiles kindly at her. "You'll make an excellent Arch-Mage."

And it all kinda blurs from there, with clean-up, with being given the key to the Arch-Mage quarters, with everything. And she sits in her new office and she just. She's just kind of baffled, really.

But here's the thing: even with this new title, nobody lets her make any decisions. She tries to talk people into a memorial service, but everyone is too busy with their research. She tries to set up better safeties, for the students and for everyone, and Tolfdir says she doesn't have to worry about it. And, really, everyone is treating Tolfdir like he's Arch-Mage, even though he's supposed to be her second in command.

So, the first thing she does once she comes to her senses again is take off the musty Arch-Mage robes, swaps them for Master Restoration robes, gets herself a new hooded scarf, hides the Staff of Magnus, and she just. Leaves.

[jere-me--oh-my]

Friday, November 15 — Needledrops: The Playlist! Ever want to score a plot like it’s a big moment in a TV show? Pick five songs that you would use as a needledrop for a big RP plot moment – can be ones you were directly involved with or ones you simply admired from afar!

Buckle Up Kiddos Laura did far too much analysis on this one.

Bruce says Goodbye to Hercules & Gil (recurring theme): Beyond The Sea (Piano Lullaby Version)

Listen, this is right on the nose because of the lyrics and the fact it was used in Finding Nemo's credits and all that, BUT also because of the whole song itself. The beauty of this song, originally composed by Charles Trenet as 'La Mer' is in however you arrange it it is always a little bit sad and a little bit happy all at the same time. The conventional English language lyrics are about being seperated from your love, but having complete conviction that you will be reunited and blissfully happy. The music reflects this, it is both uplifting with its rising inflections in the melody, and melancholy in its structure and lingering on certain notes. Which is what makes it perfect for Bruce's goodbye. We are simultaneously happy that Bruce is going home and has accepted that, and himself, and sad for those he leaves behind, but with the hope that maybe someday they'll be reunited, and this tune, in whatever arrangement you pick, lets us feel all of that at once.

2. Hercules defends the Gym during PanDEMONium: Find The Strength by Benji Merrison & Will Slater

Cheating and pulling this off Hercules' symphonic playlist, but in my head this song and this moment are forever intertwined. That plot drop, for Hercules, was all about being forced, suddenly, to show the very best and bravest of himself; the version of him that is brave and strong and led by his heart to take care of others. Sometimes that shows by physically protecting them and fighting literal demons. Other times it is moments like his gentleness with Mirabel when she was seeing the ghosts. This piece of music, taken from a Natural History documentary soundtrack would you believe, perfectly encapsulates to me, the moment of resolution. It is tentative to begin with, the discordance in the early rumble of strings reflecting tension and fear, as the repetitive percussion builds that same sense of expectation. Something is coming, you can tell it, like a clock counting down. The stabs from the strings building. Then the melody finally begins and doesn't it just feel like someone lifting their face, blood-spattered and panting, as he's faced with that choice of either giving up and letting every body suffer, or getting the hell up and fighting to save them. It is utter superhero soundtrack worthy building and rising and swooping and golden glorious cinematic quality that half-covers a yell as Hercules swings a weight and smashes the hell out of a demon. But the fight keeps coming and we're not done yet but it is so consistently about rising and pushing onwards it truly elevates this scene into something incredibly heroic.

3. Jessie & Nick first meet: Sing, sing, sing by Benny Goodman

Now we're time-travelling baby! It's back to the Jazz Age for Nick and Jessie's first meeting and their both trying to steal the same glorious piece of jewellery and having a splendid time for it. Sing, Sing, Sing, is not only an absolute classic that you WILL have heard without realising it (perfectly suiting the vibe of these two old souls and their familiarity and ability to blend in), but it is FUN! It is mischievous! It is SO lively. All of that really adds to the atmosphere of the busy party scene and the people drinking and dancing and getting in the way. The stabs of trumpets and brass are bold and bright and brilliant like both of these characters in their prime. The INSANE percussion solo sections next to the brass sections also lend to the feeling of the ongoing duel between our two thieves and their back and forth, as does the echoing sections of backing brass that so often 'answer' to the call of the band leaders which adds as well to this sense that these two people are rivals, sure, but they're also deeply in-sync with each other. In many ways this whole thread was a dance between the two of them, and kind of a breathless chase, and the music perfectly reflects that in all the glory and splendour associated with that time period.

4. Jessie & The Round Up Gang become Vampires: Parting Ways, by Lorne Balfe

This is an exceptional piece of music really, but I like the idea of pairing it with parts of Jessie's story because it has so many layers to it - and that of course fits beautifully well with my dear girl. It starts with so much pain? Lorne Balfe gets you right in the gut here with a strings motif that genuinely feels like the mournful cry of a person thanks to the cello (an instrument known to have an immense emotional response in humans because its range most closely mimics the range of human voices, fun fact) line and the slow coming together of all of those different cries to one overwhelming focus point is breath-taking. Literally, it robs your breath it makes you feel such an ache. For me I want that to invoke this sense of the Round Up Gang taking this choice together, even if individually it is painful and costs them so much. So we have the lone voice of Jessie as the cello and the others then joining the melody more gradually. Then the deep flat note c.40 seconds. BAM. Everything changes.

Its still a deeply melancholy piece of music, it really is, but now it swells and surges (in a way slightly evocative of horses galloping) to the biiiiiiig swooping melody that feels like capturing them all emerging from the cave again and BAM. A new world unfolding before them! A heroic quality to the music that reflects how they see themselves as outlaws, which then fades away on just an ever so slightly ominous notes with the vocal chorus slipping in right at the end there that promises all is not perfect...

5. Wolfing in the Closet: Bedroom Hymns by Florence & The Machine

:)

Ok but seriously, yes this is well on the nose again, but for a reason! This is a song about desire and need and want, and so of course perfectly fits the vibe of that whole thread which was so desperately hungry with want that it haunts me. Then there is the fact Florence's vocals, which are so often wild and a little bit feral are at their wild finest in this song, the actual literal howling motif through the song? Yeah.

Something about the uh, build of the bridge. The repeated chants, the building of the rhythm over and over and swell of the music, to her wild vocals and the climax of the song? There is something deeply and deliberately sexual about the construction of this song. And thus it is a perfect fit to elements of that thread. It doesn't catch ALL of the beats because they had some truly tender and cautious moments in there too, but that initial intense burst of passion? Yeah.

6. Wolf blows up at Snow / comes to apologise - What Was I Made For? (Epilogue)

We all know the song, we all know the themes and the intense sense of sorrow and loss through its core. In Wolf's case, he's done a lot of questioning his identity in the past 6 months or so, which has been really heavy and he is having to contend with the fact that the person that the Hauntleys created, that they literally created out of thin air and the shell of a man he was before is also a real person, with wants and feelings and pain. And that person has had a couple of really big failures at the purpose that kept him alive. That is killing him. Who is he if he isn't keeping them all safe? Is he the person he used to be? Is he the person Ting-Ting thinks he is? Is he none of them? Is he all of them? These are the themes that are currently underlying for him and he doesn't know the answers, or even what he wants the answers to be. He's scared.

But he's Wolf, so that's all just in the background right now. That's why I think, in this case just a subtle little nod to that bigger feeling, one that steers the audience in recognising where those feelings are coming from is enough. It just needs those melancholy chords.

7. Linnet's current depression and struggles following her attack: Piano Sonata No.14 in C# Minor aka Moonlight Sonata, Arranged by Barrios Mangore & Performed by Thibaut Garcia

I am ... counting this as one of Jeremy's because he and Linnet are closely interwoven atm, even though he is unaware of the issues behind her feeling down. This is a timeless piece of music that has melancholy woven into its core, the C# Minor key means its always going to feel blue, no matter what you do with it, and the repeating paterns has a sort of trance-like quality, the falling melody line, the notes left hanging as if on the edge of something only for the pattern to begin again? It feels saaaad. Somehow, in this arrangement for guitar is becomes even more painful? Something about the warmth of the guitar tone compared to the softer clearer tone usually employed in a piano piece, seems to only make it more painful and heartfelt?

It also works thematically because of course Linnet and Jere are also both string instrument people, primarily, so this is their medium. This is their language, and if Jeremy were to hear her song like this, I think his little heart would break some.

8. Blueson Montaaaaaage: May Be by Yiruma.

Listen I couldn't pick just one moment for them and since I'm so far into this now I simply won't :)

But basically I love this piece of music, and I think it really suits this pairing which I also very much love. It starts off a little tentative, a little shy, like all good crushes, but it builds up, it gets more confident, it finds its rhythm and stays a little bit bright and cheerful, even in its slower moments. And that's kind of what this ship has mostly been so far! A good old fashioned pair of people who really hit it off, who have got to know each other and built a stronger and stronger foundation to their relationship that runs a little deeper. It is a beginning, in musical form, in the same way they're beginning.

[dragonfruitflamb3]

Didn't follow the idea exactly buuuuuuuut I DID use it as the inspiration to finally help me start getting out of my writing slump!!!! So that's a BIG plus!!!!!!

It's about 1,600 words and very fluffy ^v^ minor mental struggles for Siffrin, but I can't just write and NOT have the sprinkled seasonings of angst in there sorry

I didn't know how to start it so no context sorry they're just chilling in bed together :P

You lay there, among the palace of pillows and blankets, ignoring them all in favor of focusing on trying not to focus on the warmth from the human equivalent of the sun behind you.

Yes, he's cheerful and bright and handsome, but you're more talking about how he actually radiates heat to the point it's making you a little sweaty. You aren't sure how uncomfortable you should feel and want (maybe even need?) to start focusing on something else.

You steel yourself, using the same resolve you used to face the king again and again, before slowly wrapping your fingers around his wrist, picking his hand up from your side, pushing your thumb against his palm…

You bring Isabeau's hand up near your face and press one of his fingertips against your lips.

You hear him squeak quietly behind you. You feel your heart skip slightly, ashamed of the feeling and ashamed of how you enjoy it.

You then kiss his middle finger, then the ring finger, then place a gentle little peck onto his pinkie. He almost sounds like he's going to explode as his arms go limp, one under your head and the other still partway resting across your torso.

You don't know if that's a good sign. You aren't used to this.

“I'll stop.” You blurt out, pulling his hand away from your mouth. It takes a moment before Isa finds his voice.

“No, it's o… okay.”

You can hear the flustered smile in his voice. The shame that blistered in your heart feels slightly soothed by… something.

You aren't sure whether it would be called pride, joy, or something else entirely. You don't know how to act in these sorts of situations!

You hum. Isa sighs quietly and moves his hand further away from your face. You don't protest against it, despite wanting to.

Should you feel bad for this? Should you listen to the little voice saying that you're disgusting for treating him like this? For wanting to treat him like this?

Time and time again, Isa has made it clear he likes you, that he somehow loves you, even. You think you've made it clear you feel more or less the same, in one way or another.

You're just. Afraid.

You don't want to repeat your past mistakes from the loops.

Your disgusting, disgusting mistakes.

Ah, wait. You know Isa reads all those romance novels, the same ones Mira reads. He enjoys those.

Aren't they filled with mushy gushy cuddle moments? You wouldn't know. You don't read them.

But! But, but, but don't give up hope yet, you've heard about them, heard plot summaries and exerts, from your dear Mirabelle.

(To be fair, she's told about maybe 2 stories, and one of them the main character bonded with a monster but you can work with that! You guess.)

…

“..Isa?” You tilt your head slightly as you ask, trying to look behind you. The Fighter perks up. His cheeks are dark with the shade threatening to spread to his ears.

“...Yes, Siff?” He whispers.

You bite down on the inside of your cheek, fighting back a laugh.

The way he said your name makes you think he's already imagining flower petals around you.

Now, think, Siffrin, think.

What happened in those romance stories? What did the monster do that the human enjoyed??

You roll over, facing Isa now as you lay beside each other. The not-scarred side of your face sinks into the pillow as you force yourself to continue breathing steady.

Right. Okay. This is fine, this is great!

…Wow.

Isa’s face is really dark right now. You smile softly, watching how he shakily returns a grin.

You have to look away, worried your heart might explode or something stupid like that.

“Can I kiss you?” You ask, ignoring the way your brains screams for silence.

Isa blinks in surprise, his lips cracking into a wide smile before fading into a concerned line.

Wait what. No that's. That's not the good response no no no-

“Do you… want to?” His voice is soft and his question is genuine. “I don't mind either way! But, it's…”

He trails off and lifts his hand, slowly, to graze his fingers against your cheek, making it very apparent that he's going to touch. You're grateful for the silent warning and find no need to flinch.

“Why would I not want to?”

You ask as you hide your working eye in the pillow. The darkness is more comfortable than looking at Isa’s expression, even if he's not mad at you.

He sighs quietly, moving his hand away from your cheek.

Ah. You find that makes you a little sad.

“Even if you don't want to… talk about it, it's kind of obvious how you've been avoiding certain… things.” He mumbles, you can hear how he's talking out of the corner of his mouth.

You lift your head and prop yourself up by your elbow, looking over at Isa and finally seeing how he's looking away from you.

He looks conflicted. Stars, he looks like he's about to bite off his own tongue. You really don't want that.

“Can. I. kiss you?” you repeat, more steady this time. Isa lets out an embarrassed chuckle and looks back up at you.

“You can. I think I'd enjoy it.” He grins, and it reminds you of the face he made right after the loops ended. It was when you told him you kissed him once during the loops, and he, bafflingly, suggested you “practice” kissing so you'd get better at it.

You blink and pinch the sheet between your fingers. You had forgotten about that. You're annoyed you need to keep being reminded that you aren't as disgusting as you think.

….you might still be a little bit rotten, but at least Isa doesn't hate you.

You take a deep breath in. Then let it out.

You move a hand to his cheek, bringing yourself closer. He closes his eyes as you lean in, his face just going darker.

And then you chicken out.

You kiss his cheek as your heart almost explodes in your chest. Oh, stars, oh stars! That might've been too much for you. Oh wow, how sweet it was but it makes your mind buzz with everything in existence.

You hear Isa laugh. His warm, bright and slightly cracked laugh. You adore the way it sounds like thunder on a cold day, you know that a comfortable storm will follow and keep you safe inside.

Ahh but that's almost too much for you to handle right now, so you lean back and hide your face behind your hands.

He follows you for a moment, leaning closer, before staying where he is and settling on laughing at you still. You don't know if he's actually laughing at you, but you wouldn't mind if he was. You're just too… “Flustered” might be the nice word here. “Scared” might be the correct one.

“I'm not comparing at all, but I thought you meant you'd kiss me on the lips..?” His voice is riddled with bubbles and soft shades. Stars, you're worried you disappointed him.

You try to say something. It comes out as a muffled grunt as you reach for his hand again, bringing it close to your face. You are really just driving yourself insane today, huh?

Because then you kiss the palm of his hand. Quick, gentle, barely a peck, but it does the job. Isa sputters again, he laughs again, and you feel overwhelmed with it all.

You want to keep going, to keep making your friend giggle and flush and lean closer to you, but it genuinely might be too much for now. You take a deep breath in, then let it out. It's wonderful.

You smile up at him, not sure what to expect from it yet feeling wild for it anyway. Isa is smiling down at you, his face so, so dark. It's as funny as it is adorable. If you're being honest, he might be as overwhelmed by this as you are.

You sigh out a chuckle, letting go of Isa’s wrist and looking away. You hear him sigh as well and feel his hand move to your shoulder.

“You… feeling any bet…ter?” He mumbles, smile apparent in his voice.

“I'm great.” You say. The build up already starts. Isa perks up. “You could even say I'm…”

He expectantly takes a breath in.

“Feeling im-peck-able.” You grin as you look back at him. Sure, it wasn't your strongest pun, but you're too frazzled and brain melted to think of anything better.

Isabeau laughs nonetheless, his shoulders shaking as he leans back away from you. It's comfortable and warm, you're considering leaning in closer to him.

And so you do. You can't help it this time and the bubbly little voice in your head wins.

You snuggle up against him and put your head on his chest, and while it doesn't quite cause a full malfunction, Isa does pause before wrapping around you tight. He squeezes a sigh out of you that turns up into somewhat of a laugh/yelp/bark- something. And embarrassing noise that you just ignore as you feel every part of the Fighter burn warmer. He loosens his grip slightly and the two of you lay in silent for the long moments that follow.

Isafrin hc for ya:

Siffrin isn't comfortable with kissing Isa months after the loops, at least directly on the lips, i think eventually they could be comfortable but i think it would be cute what the build up to that would look like. Hand holding to little bit of cuddling, hugging to sleeping close together (spooning vry much included), the first hints of kissing start with Siffrin kissing Isa's knuckles, his hand, his palm, his arm, up and up to his neck, his jawline, his flushed cheeks (they really like kissing his cheeks), his nose... forehead... and maybe then... his lips.