#She deserved it and zizi deserved it and so did I

[moghraidhs]

yapping in the discord got me thinking and then i had to write something, so here's some josie/zizi/bucky using the prompt "waiting" from the rewatch list :))

Dear Zizi,

I promised myself I'd never start a letter asking how you are. It's mundane and I know you'd hate it, so I won't.

That aside, I still miss you. I thought now the war is over the need to belong together would lessen and I would begin to feel more ordinary about you, but it turns out that's impossible. You're in my bones as much as if you were part of me, as much as John is. Before the war that might have terrified me. It still does, but I find now that the comfort outweighs the fear.

My arm is fine. The doctors think I'm making good progress. I can see you frowning at me, so please know this is not a lie and yes, I am taking medicine when I need it. John makes sure of that. For someone who hated being Air Exec he's incredibly bossy when the situation calls for it. Something you know as well.

The brass think we'll be returning to the States in the next few weeks. I didn't think I would miss Thorpe Abbotts, but now that the time to leave is almost here, I don't want to go. There are too many memories, too many ghosts. It seems cruel to abandon them an ocean away and pretend as though they never happened. I don't want to forget any of it—I can't.

I miss you. I know I said it before, but I'll say it again because it's still true. I know there are some things I can't understand, just as John and I have our own ghosts to carry. But if you can never speak of them from now till the end of time, I'm here. I won't leave you no matter what. And if it takes a lifetime for you to believe me, please know I will wait that long too.

I've always been waiting for you. It would be foolish to stop now.

Love,

Josie

~

Hello angel,

I've never been great at writing letters, but Josie's sending hers today so I wanted to try.

Miss you. Feels like I can't breathe sometimes. Used to be I'd get one of the guys to lay into me, just to get my air back, but I'm trying not to do that these days. You told me I didn't deserve it. I want to believe you, but it's hard to remember that sometimes thinking of how many boys aren't coming home. They deserved better.

Josie's doing okay. Doc Stover recommended her to a good hospital in the States. Says she isn't in much pain, but I'm keeping an eye on her just in case. She's as stubborn as you are.

I want to see you again. Fly home with you and Josie, make up for all the time we lost. Howl at the sky like we did on the wing of that B-17. Maybe get a dog (don't tell Josie, I'm still working my way up to talking about it).

Brass says we're headed back in a few weeks. I'll be waiting for you. We both will.

Yours,

Bucky

[yanderes-galore]

Fandom: Hiveswap/Homestuck

Character: Stelsa Sezyat

Pairing: Platonic/Romantic Pale Relationship

Type of fic: Holiday themed oneshot?? :33

Sure! I'm not too proud of how this one or the Roxy one I'm posting soon came out, but I tried!

Trollian Holiday

Yandere! Moirail! Stelsa Sezyat Short - Winter Event Request

Pairing: Pale/Moirail ♦️

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-neutral Darling, Human/Troll pairing, Implied kidnapping, Forced moirallegiance, Forced companionship, Forced affection, Slight manipulation.

“SORRY DARLING I HAD TO MAKE SURE I HAD SOME TIME TO SET ASIDE SOME GIFTS FOR YOU SINCE I HEARD YOU HUMANS DO RITUALS SIMILAR TO US AND IT MAY GET YOUR SPIRITS UP” Stelsa practically yells towards you before placing down some boxes in front of you on a table.

You stare dumbfounded at the mountain of strangely wrapped boxes containing unknown items. You hesitantly look at the busy troll. She gives you a quick smile before checking over each box. You shrink in on yourself… you still aren't used to any of this.

You've been quite thankful of Stelsa's company as of late. She's been one of the more welcoming trolls to a human like you on Alternia. She even gave you shelter from the acid rain.

Although… you don't seem to understand the intentions she has towards you. After what feels like days, maybe weeks, Stelsa started calling you a specific title. You don't understand why she calls you her “Moirail”... but it seems like an affectionate term?

She never allows you outside, which may actually be a good thing. Although… you can't help but think of home. You aren't used to all this alien technology and culture.

You appreciate the loud teal blood's company, yet you find her behavior unusual. She's always busy, her “Matesprit” occasionally visits, and Stelsa seems very coddling to you. You try your best to get used to it.

Unfortunately you continue to find yourself feeling like a prisoner… not just in this “Hive”... but on Alternia as a whole.

“I WASN'T QUITE SURE WHAT YOU LIKE SINCE HUMANS ARE QUITE ALIEN TO ME BUT I HAD ZIZI HELP ME OUT A BIT SINCE I'M SO BUSY” Stelsa rambles before placing a box on your lap. “BUT IT WAS THE LEAST I COULD DO FOR MY DEAREST MOIRAIL AND IT EVEN KEPT ME BUSY SO WHY DON'T YOU OPEN THE GIFTS”

You hesitantly open the box and look through the contents. You really don't want to do any of this. You have a hard time figuring out what the gift is due to its alien nature and place it down on the table.

Stelsa continues to watch you with an eager smile, quickly pushing another box into your lap. You try to tell her you don't really feel in the mood to do this. Stelsa only gives you a frown before trying to encourage you.

“IT'S OKAY MOIRAIL I GOT THESE ALL FOR YOU TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER YOU DESERVE TO ENJOY YOURSELF” Stelsa continues, sitting beside you to help you open the gifts.

Even if you wanted to refuse and just be alone, Stelsa wouldn't allow it. You continue to open the gifts under Stelsa's watchful eyes. One by one you unbox alien objects that you still can't figure out.

Despite this Stelsa seems very happy to watch you. She has a constant smile on her face with a fond expression. It's like she's just happy to see you opening the gifts… regardless of if they actually make you happy.

It's the thought that counts, right?

“They're all very… lovely.” You manage to say, Stelsa looking rather excited. “I just wish I knew what half of them did.”

“OH WHEN I HAVE THE TIME I CAN SHOW YOU BUT FOR NOW I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU FELT ANY BETTER AT MY HIVE NOW SURELY IT'S MORE COMFORTABLE THAN OUTSIDE IN THE HARSH CLIMATE I MEAN JUST LOOK AT YOUR SKIN YOU WOULDN'T LAST” Stelsa rambles again, gesturing to your skin with a frown.

“I guess so… I just miss home.” You find yourself sighing. Stelsa appears disappointed and a bit irritated at the response. Nothing she does appears to make her new Moirail happy… all they ever want to do is go home.

She doesn't want you to leave her.

You feel yourself pulled into a harsh hug against Stelsa. She's incredibly strong despite how she looks, making you quickly feel locked in. You panic momentarily but then feel Stelsa lightly touch your face.

She makes a soft shooshing sound towards you while doing the action. Supposedly this is meant to calm you down. Unfortunately you don't feel all that calmer.

“HONESTLY DARLING IT IS SO MUCH SAFER HERE” Stelsa says in the middle of calming you, her voice a bit softer. “I PROMISE YOU CAN BE HAPPY HERE AS MY MOIRAIL ONCE YOU'RE USED TO IT”

You aren't sure how long Stelsa tries to calm you. She appears to busy herself with “shoosh papping” you and rambling about trollian holiday traditions. To you it all just sounds loud.

You want to get out of her arms but can't. The tealblood refuses to let you go and doesn't spare any strength. You start to wonder if saying you want to go home hurt her.

You stay silent and allow her to get lost in comforting you with her strange alien affection.

You just hope she ends up leaving to do something else soon.

[clementineskesh]

I wish davia pledge had killed more people <\3

[roanniee]

SO.

Let's try this again🤸🏻

Also Idil vibes strong on this one. I can't say Gil bc Gil calls Ate Sel smth specific like she does with me.

Ship the @mythos-blogs Crew

ps. here's the server <3

@admiringlove

Baby Sam is very hard working and focused on whatever she's doing that sometimes, she forgets to take care of herself. So, I see Sugawara Koushi with her perfectly, someone caring and understanding, but knows better than to let her overwork and tells her when enough is enough. The both of you do struggle with a few things, and when you fight or have insecure moments, you sit down to talk about it instead of shouting at each other. Overall, a really good match I say.

Baby Sam also kins Oikawa and I ship Oikawa hardcore with Suga LMAO

@ninjamomo

Me. That's my wife <333

Okay but for realsies. I ship Idil with Bokuto Koutarou. Bokuto and Idil would be just... soft love. I see dancing in the rain, bathtub relaxation hours together and cuddling in bed. Idil knows that Bokuto is a busy man, and Bokuto knows he is a busy man. But that doesn't mean that they were gonna let the relationship go. Oh no. Those two will hold on like a cat with his claws on the couch. A really really soft, supportive and strong love.

@tooru-luvs

I actually had a hard time with Ms. Zizi. See, I haven't interacted with her much. But, based on the interactions of hers that I see on my tl, I can see that she is very playful but also can be serious. Hence, why I say that she'd be amazing with Kuroo Tetsurou. Kuroo is playful and an overall gremlin, but he's very caring ang knows exactly when to be serious and how serious. He'll help her with anything he can help her with, but he also knows when no to because it's something Zizi needs to do for herself. Likewise, Zizi knows when to be cheery to make Kuroo smile, but also when to sit and talk to Kuroo about a delicate matter. They'd both ground each other, while matching the same playful energy.

@rokudaddie

HEY I CAN TAG HER NOW KSKSKS

ME ME ME ME ME

anyways hehe. Gly. Lovely, sweet, Gly. She's very caring, but my god does she also enjoy chaos. Hence, I'm putting her with Hoshiumi Korai. We all know Hoshiumi is a little gremlin with a heart of gold. The way these two are together would be immaculate. They're chaos together, but even with all the chaos, they have time to look at the other to make sure they're okay. PLUSSS! Hoshiumi will always unconsciously be touching Gly, just to make sure that she's there. Gly would unconsciously make sure that Hoshiumi is in her peripheral vision too.

@moonlit-island

Ooooh Raya! Raya is so damn sweet and caring and uplifting. I love her sm. Hehehe anyway I ship her with Tsukishima Kei. The Tarot cards said so, and so did the zodiac signs. SKSKS Anyway! Yes, a really good match. Raya's got a really good head on her shoulders, but I see her watching all the chaos from the sidelines, much like Tsukishima. When they're together, they'd start the chaos and then sit back and eat popcorn as they watch the world burn.

@laineeey00

Ate Laine? Some will definitely say Kita, because it's Ate Laine, but I say Hirugami Sachiro. Hirugami would be such a good man for Ate Laine. I imagine them sitting down in the living room, books spread out on the table. Just silence while studying, but every now and then, one of them would look up to look at the other, smile and then return back to what they were doing. Ate Laine makes sure that Hirugami takes breaks and Hirugami makes sure that Ate Laine isn't stressing so much. Just so cute honestly.

@betheydocrimewrites

Ah, Adult Sam. Hmmm. Adult Sam is a whirlwind of chaos and sweet, sweet angst. I definitely see them with darling Yamaguchi Tadashi. I see them in bed, Sam on his laptop, and him just hugging them tight when something they were writing was choking them up. But, Sam is just overall an amazing person that they deserve someone so sweet and caring like Yamaguchi. Obvi, it is reciprocated, and I see such a sweet love in the works.

@melsun

Oooh. Alice.

Melian and Matsukawa Issei would make a very interesting pairing. Both independent yet still co-dependent on each other. Melian knows how to calm Matsukawa after a tough day at work, and Matsukawa knows how to keep Melian from stressing. Matsukawa would also hype Melian up so much?? Like any outfit Melian wears, Matsukawa's right there telling them how good and amazing they look and how well they matched the outfit up. Honestly, just a very functional household and I love that.

@lovemeian

oh oof Lavi. I want to say Meian but for reasons I cannot disclose, I won't say that for now. I will say though, that she will be so good with Dabi. Lavi has a few things she needs to work on, and Dabi is always there for her. Actually lbr, they both have issues to work on, but I feel like together, they'd overcome that. I feel like they'd?? Actually be so understanding of each other that it shocks and confuses others bc?? hello it's Dabi?? but yes, a really good match.

@writewithmarites

Me <3

Severus Snape. Ate Tes is chaotic. I'm sorry but her default in the server is chaos, especially with the bot around HAHAHAHA but anyway! Severus would be so good to ground Ate Tes, keep her from getting a little too chaotic BUT ALSO, he can help her when she's not taking care of herself. She also helpes him with his potions, and it makes the job easier on him. But of course, Severus is a slytherin, and most of the time he'd be the one inciting the chaos and we just don't know it. Anyway, Ate Tes is honestly so wonderful and I love her sm and she deserves someone to tame like the serious, bratty, angsty Severus Snape. <333

@saudade-mayari

ME. AGAIN LMAO. <3

ANYWAY

Nozel Silva. Nozel and Ate Sel. Oh gosh what a thought. Nozel is....arrogant, prideful, and he sees himself as someone more important than others. But, the man does know respect and he does care for people, especially Ate Sel. I have no doubts that Ate Sel can make that man kneel and follow her wishes, but I also know that Ate Sel would not let this man get away with his arrogance and pride. Nozel cares for her a lot. She's his partner, the carrier of the future of House Silva, and the only one that has caught his attention. He loves her, and that man would drop nearly everything for her.

@risumu

Eris! Eribabe and Ojiro Aran. Idek why. But the vibes would be so immaculate. I see road trips and early morning dancing in the kitchen to an indie song one of them is hyperfixated on. I also see late night walks to the convenience store, holding hands and just silence? Basking in each other's prescence. Eris definitely steals Aran's sweaters to the point that Aran buys two of his sizes so he can interchange them. One to give to Eris when the one she took doesn't smell like him anymore. Love all over the place.

@sunarent

Mel. That's it.

Okay but also, I see Iwaizumi Hajime. I was thinking about Suna but the more I think back about the things I know about Ali and our interactions, I see Iwa. I feel like they'd understand each other so much. And the love isn't seen much, not because they don't love each other, but because it's something they need to say really. It's more shown in the touches and kisses and cuddling. They know that they love each each other, and that's enough for them.

@tetsvhoe

Honestly I want to say Kuroo but.

Kozume Kenma. Gwennie works so hard and stresses so much. Her sleeping sched is unavailable lmao. Kenma would be so good for her because he knows how it is, to be stressed and not have an actual sleeping sched. I feel like they'd be good together. In all honesty, they'd probably take care of each other more than they would themselves but no one is complaining really.

@slutbench

MY BABYYYY. MY DAUGHTER. I LOVE YOU SM AND I SWEAR I'M NOT MAD.

I ship you with...

Azumane Asahi. Why? Because you remind me of Noya sometimes. Very energetic, a little bit of low moments and just a ball of sunshine in general. Asahi is perfect for you, Mija. He'd be able to just connect with her in ways others just don't understand. People would say that Asahi is too...soft? They'd say someone like Daicho or maybe Bokuto would be better for you, Mija, but really, he's perfect. Asahi and Gil. He balances her out in so many ways, even if no one else can see it.

@ushisrever

NIA!

Ushijima Wakatoshi. Really, the two of them are perfect. Stoic, quiet, can be chaotic. Very protective, even if the two deny it. Nia, you and Ushi are like...pillars? Support? Quiet, unmovable, but still, everyone knows you're both there, and you don't really leave people's minds. I see the two feeding off of each other's energy, especially when it comes to protecting others that they care about. (Looking at you, Lavi) I see hours where it's just her watching him playing in the background and he just looks at her, smiles, and then goes back to playing. It's really cute.

@sumebreaks

MAIA! HI! We haven't interacted much, I'm so sorry for that sweets. bUT BUT BUT!!!!

You're so sweet and caring and loving??? I really see you with Miya Atsumu! I see Tsumu bugging you to take a break and give him attention. BUT! I also see you?? Bugging him, telling him to get off the court or he's sleeping on the couch HAHAHA I feel like you two really just? Connect. Both playful, both caring, both are busy with their own things so there's not too much expectations that cannot be met for now. Idk I really see a love that's always there, no matter how busy they get.

@vindictivtsumu

AAAAAH DEVON HUN!

I love Devon and their writing so much??? Omg. Yknow who would be amazing with them? Akaashi Keiji. Akaashi is very articulate and just overall book smart in my opinion, and I see that him and Devon would fit so well. He is Devon's personal beta reader HAHAHAH BUT!!!!! Devon also watches Akaashi edit and points out anything that he missed. I see days when they're just sitting there, talking softly to each other that the sound of typing was louder. But that's okay bc you both are content and happy and in love.

@ricflairdrip20

I just met you not even 24 hours ago hehehe HIIII

I will not lie.

I asked for help from Ate Sel HAHAHHAHA

But!!!! She says Ukai Keishin, and honestly I see it. The nsfw-rp channel is the reason why and I'm not saying more HAHAHAHA I see nights when it's Keishin and her just? Idk having fun and being kids bc lbr that man can be a kid sometimes. I also see them taking care of each other in unconventional ways, ways that would not be okay for others, but it's her love language with him. V v v domestic.

I HOPE Y'ALL MYTHOS CREW LIKED THAT MATCHING UP BYE

[thefictionalmultiverse]

(OLD) Little Witch Academia: Headcanon BG Girl Heights

Hey everyone, back again with something I bet you didn't expect, more Little Witch Academia! Anyways, in this post I'm simply gonna be giving what I think the heights for the minor characters of Luna Nova are. We all know the canon heights of the main girls, but just in case you don't, here it is.

Akko - 5'3 (161 cm)

Diana - 5'6 (168 cm)

Amanda - 5'6 (167 cm)

Lotte - 5'1 (156 cm)

Sucy - 5'4 (163 cm)

Jasminka - 5'5 (165 cm)

Constanze - 5'0 (152 cm)

Ursula - 5'7 (170 cm)

Croix - 5'7 (172 cm)

Also, I don't know where this is from, but apparently Hannah is the same size as Lotte, so yeah. For Barbara I don't know, but I imagine shes only slightly taller than Hannah.

Anyways, with that out of the way, I can finally get to my headcanon heights for the other students. But why though? Well, I figured it'd be fun to at least give the background students some height as well. I mean, they deserve love too, don't they? Anyways, here's the list!

Avery - 5'4 (163 cm)

Mary - 5'3 (160 cm)

Blair - 5'4 (163 cm)

Wangari - 5'7 (170 cm)

Kimberly - 5'5 (166 cm)

Joanna - 5'3 (161 cm)

Sarah - 6'0 (184 cm)

Chloe - 5'6 (168 cm) (169 if you count the hair, which you shouldn't)

Elfriede - 5'1 (155 cm)

Sola - 5'0 (151 cm)

Rajani and Rashmi 5'6 (167 cm)

Shao-Yi - 5'5 (165 cm)

Katie - 5'3 (161 cm)

Catarina - 5'4 (163 cm)

Dorotea - 5'4 (163 cm)

Irene - 5'0 (153 cm)

Eleanor - 5'2 (158 cm)

Bianca - 5'5 (165 cm)

Aileen - 5'6 (169 cm)

Hilda - 5'5 (165 cm)

Heather - 5'6 (168 cm)

Daisy - 5'2 (159 cm)

Rosie - 5'6 (167 cm)

Carmen - 5'6 (168 cm)

Katya - 5'5 (167 cm)

Maria - 5'2 (157 cm)

Gaëlle - 5'4 (163 cm)

Aira - 5'5 (166 cm)

Isabelle - 5'3 (162 cm)

Abigail - 5'2 (159 cm)

Rita - 5'5 (166 cm)

Rachel - 5'6 (168 cm)

Alice - 5'1 (156 cm)

Eliza - 5'4 (164 cm)

Priscilla - 5'5 (165 cm)

Bice - 5'3 (161 cm)

Bridget - 5'5 (166 cm)

Erika - 5'2 (159 cm)

Michelle - 5'3 (162 cm)

Rina - 5'5 (165 cm)

Teodora - 5'4 (163 cm)

Molly - 5'4 (163 cm)

Elsa - 5'2 (158 cm)

Amelia - 5'3 (160 cm)

Aisha - 5'3 (162 cm)

Esther - 5'4 (164 cm)

Henrietta - 5'1 (155 cm)

Julietta - 5'5 (166 cm)

Teresa - 5'6 (168 cm)

Alma - 5'1 (155 cm)

Verochka - 6'2 (188 cm)

Nina - 5'5 (165 cm)

Francine - 5'2 (158 cm)

Lin-Lin - 5'1 (156 cm)

Shiki - 5'6 (169 cm)

Marianne - 5'7 (170 cm)

Jeanne - 5'3 (161 cm)

Verde - 5'4 (162 cm)

Katherine - 5'5 (166 cm)

Balsa - 5'3 (161 cm)

Zizi (or Jiji) - 5'4 (163 cm)

Bonus heights:

Elizabeth - 5'5 (165 cm)

Eye Mask Professor - 5'7 (171 cm)

Siamese Twins Professor 5'8 (173 cm)

So yeah, that was the height list, I hope you all enjoyed, because god knows I sure did~! I don't know why I'm so obsessed with doing posts staring the background witches of Luna Nova Academy, maybe its because I think they deserve more respect and attention, I dunno? What I do know is that there are many on the way. So follow if you want to see more stuff like this and feel free to ask me or message me if you want? See you soon, hopefully~!?

(Also, that thing with Chloe's hair is a joke from a Discord Server all about the Background Witches that I decided to use in this post, hope you guys like it~!)

[vroomian]

neely feels like she’d be the type of person who would make yrz weep, like, internally

out of exhaustion 2/2

yrz and neely are sitting in a police station of some kind. both of them are smoking slightly, and neely is still a bit on fire. it doesn’t seem to bother her. she has a big grin and a black eye. yrz hair has been singed at the ends and his eyes are totally dead. 

neely: i think that went pretty well! we make a great team, Zizi --

yrz, without inflection: i will cut you down where you stand. i will rip out your heart and eat it. i will smash every bone in your body and you will deserve it. no jury in the world will convict me. 

neely, laughing: yeah, probably! anyway, are you double jointed? wait, no, that’s a stupid plan. can you pick locks??? 

yrz: 

yrz: why. 

neely: well they’ve got my hands cuffed behind me and the lock pick they didn’t find is in my shoe! i can’t reach it.

yrz: they... took five sets of lock picks off you. 

neely: yeah. and i had six! its called being prepared, Zizi.  so, can you? if you can’t just hand it to me and i’ll do it. backwards lock picking is tricky but i’ve had enough practice by now :)

yrz: how did you do a smiley face with your voice. 

neely: don’t worry about it! lock picking, chop chop! i promised voska i’d stay out of trouble while she was out getting supplies. 

yrz: out of trouble??? w-what... what do you call this whole situation?!!!??

neely: monday!

yrz:

yrz: i fucking hate you. which shoe. 

[catboysimulator]

Story Three - Learning

A roar resounds through the training grounds, before a loud scream and 'thud' follows after along with the sound of a body rolling. A choir of 'OOH...' can be heard afterwards as a crowd stares down at the body of, none other than, Azhi'li. 

"Come on, primo! I taught ya better than that!" Tani taunts with a chuff, their tail whipping to and fro behind them. "Let's go, up an' at 'em!" 

Approaching Azhi'li, she reached down and lifted him on his two feet by pulling him up under his arms, staring at him with a quirked brow and pursed lips.

The red Seeker seemed a bit out of it, his head lolling back a bit, yet he was fine. Tani huffed once again and rattled her cousin like a maraca. "Oye! Despiertate! Wake up!"

Azhi'li groaned and whined, pawing at their arms and kicking a bit so she could put him down. Once he did, the younger Seeker plopped back onto his rump with a grunt, panting lightly. "G-gimme a bit, Tani--," he stammered through his ragged breath, before the older one sighed and simply sat in front of him, cross-legged. "Alright, take yer time. Need yer inhaler?"

"Nah, I'm-- I'm alright. Jus' need a moment. Gods, bein' smacked 'round by an axe hurts."

A loud bark of laughter came from Tani, causing him to grin toothily from ear to ear. "You're tellin' me? C'mon, what's goin' on? Tell me so we can work on it, primo."

Peering up at Tani through his lashes, he sighed and lifted his head a bit while his shoulders slumped. "I jus' dunno how ta deal with someone wieldin' an axe. Hells, I don't even know how ta wield one, m'self!" he exclaims, gesturing over towards the wooden axe he had long dropped before he was tossed.

"An' that's alright! Y'jus' gotta tell me, see? All ain't lost, nothin' is hopeless, it's just a matter of takin' the time ta learn, okay?" she assured, patting his knee with a hefty paw. "What do ya know, hm? Have ya fought against other folks?"

"Well, aye, a'course I have. Many times. In fact, Toadie's th'one who trained me ever since I knew him, practically."

"Okay, an' what did ya learn from him?"

"A lot."

"So then let's go through everythin' he taught ya all over again. From th'start, up until now. An' what better way ta do that than trainin', hm? Don't beat yerself up, man. Shit like this takes a certain kinda person, 'nd ya got it, y'jus' need more patience with yerself, b'cause y'get frustrated real easy, real quick. Y'know that, don't ya?"

"... Aye."

Huffing, Tani gives him a firm poke to his forehead. "Don't be like that to yerself. When y'have no one else around ya, ye're gonna be all ya got left. You're kind t'everyone else but yourself, and I'm sure ya've been told this many times before, hm?"

"Aye."

Smiling warmly, Tani stood right back up with a heavy plap to her knees, extending out a hand towards Azhi'li. "Up, Zizi. You're alright. You have so much time ahead a'yerself, so do not punish yerself for not gettin' things right away. Y'don't punish th'kids when they don't get it right away, so don't do that to yerself. Ye're no different, an' ya deserve no less patience from others," he states, firmly, yet not unkindly.

Azhi'li takes in a deep breath and nods, smiling lightly before grunting when his back is given a hearty SMACK from Tani's paw. 

"Now! Cuffs are off, weapons set aside! S'jus' you an' me, primo! Let's get down to th'basics!" they state, stepping away from Azhi'li before putting their axe down and stancing themself with their fists held up to their chest.

---------------------------

CW: talk/discovery of sexuality and gender. possible dysphoria triggers.

For five suns every sennight, Tani and Azhi'li trained together. Sometimes uncle Sena or Maryn would join in and show their nephew of what they knew with a blade and shield or magic. Every day there was something new for Azhi'li to learn, new lessons to keep close to his heart. He never thought he'd ever be able to do any of these things back then, but now he has gotten so used to it that it's almost as comfortable as his fists. Of course, nothing could ever feel as comfortable as that, but he can at least safely say he can wield an axe and blade now, as well as do some magic.

Yet, all of this physical training wasn't the only thing he learned about.

One evening at the circle, everyone was enjoying dinner and sharing stories, laughing and joking amongst themselves. Azhi'li and Tani were sitting together, snickering and sharing food and drinks with each other, the Seeker having gotten a better hang of alcohol thanks to Tani. He learned from the best!

And still, there is even more left to learn. Leaning back on a paw, Azhi'li rested his other arm upon his knee as he swirled the mead in his flagon idly, staring out towards the fire in front of them. 

"So, Tani... If y'don't mind me askin', uh... can I talk ta ya 'bout identity stuff?"

"... Identity stuff?" he inquired with a quirked brow, looking towards Azhi'li with a side-eye while popping a jocote into his mouth.

"Like... gender 'nd sexuality?"

"Oh. Yeah, what's up?" She grins towards him, her round ears perked and pivoted towards him as she suddenly became interested. Azhi'li huffed with a roll of his eyes before rubbing at the nape of his neck, leaning forward a bit. 

"So, like-- I've never really explored anythin' regardin' gender 'nd sexuality stuff all too much, I jus' know th'type a'folks I'm attracted ta."

"Which is?"

"More... masculine? types a'folks?"

"Hm, alright. Go on."

"Gods, why do I feel like I'm bein' judged super hard right now?"

"I ain't judgin' ya, primo, I'm just tryna figure out where ya stand on all of this. Haven't really spoken to cityfolk for this long, so I'm jus' pickin' at yer head, y'can say."

"... Okay, well, I know that there are lots a'identities 'nd ways people can feel comfortable callin' themselves, but I jus'... I dunno, never really had th'chance ta explore that fer m'self."

At this, Tani grows even more interested, quirking a brow and dropping the pit of the jocote into a bowl. "So, are ya sayin' ya wanna explore?"

"-- Aye. I do."

Grinning, Tani nods and moves to stand up, taking the bowl of jocote seeds with her to place on a table for them to either be discarded or planted.

Wrapping an arm around Azhi'li's shoulders, she jostles him a bit before gesturing for him to follow. "Come, primito, for I shall enlighten ya."

They make their way to Tani's home, where they're then met with squealing from children as they swing the door open and cry out, "Papa!" before flinging themselves at Tani. They catch their kids within their strong arms, laughing in delight and placing kisses upon the three young miqo'te's heads. "Buenas, bebecitos. Did ya have a good day?" he asks, the children chiming out, 'si!'

"Hello, tio Zizi!" they then say, and Azhi'li grins down at them and chuckles, ruffling their little heads and big ears. "Buenas."

Smiling, Tani nudges Azhi'li gently before gesturing for him to follow again into her room. Making it to a chair, she plops herself on it with a grunt while relaxing back into it, gesturing for her cousin to join her. He does just so, sitting across from her on another chair while the children clamber up on their parent, and one on Azhi'li. 

"So, Azhi'li," he begins, his tone gentle, before canting his head to the side as he holds onto a child in each arm, "What do you know 'bout yerself?"

"-- Well, what do y'mean?"

"What makes ya comfortable, an' what doesn't? Th'way you an' I operate are completely different. I don't feel th'same way you do, nor do you feel th'same way I do. So I wanna know 'bout ya-- but first, I think you should know 'bout ya. Y'said y'know 'bout 'identities' 'nd stuff, pero... what is it that y'know?"

"Um... I know that-- not everyone identifies th'way they're perceived? Like... someone who is normally seen as a 'woman' may not be comfortable bein' identified as such."

"Mm, alright. It's a start."

"Huh?"

With a laugh, Tani shook their head and grinned toothily. "Not everythin' is all that meets the eye, primito. I understand that...cityfolks, t'use a lighter term, tend t'have this notion that a lot a'stuff is black an' white, when it really ain't."

"I don’t understand..."

"A lot a'cityfolks believe that if ya look a certain way, ya gotta be a certain way. Gotta be addressed a certain way, behave a certain way... We don't work like that here. Some folks are comfortable fitting within that binary, an' that's alright. Most a'us here don't do that," she explained, gesturing to herself afterwards. "Y'heard th'way people talk ta me here. El, ella, elle. Him, her, them. I don't give a rat's ass 'bout gender or sex. I jus' live th'life I want for m'self. Here, we call that volado. Flown. Think th'people outside of the Sankres call it non-binary or somethin' akin ta that. We don't exist within th'binary, 'nd that's th'way we wanna keep it, y'know? We ain't 'man' or 'woman', we're jus' our own person. That don't mean that volados is its own binary either, b'cause that ain't th'damn point of it, y'know? We ain't a 'third gender'."

"... Okay. I think-- I understand a bit more. Is there-- a way to know who's part a'that--... uh. Category..?"

"First of all, don't say that," he chastises with a huff, shaking his head. "Secondly, no. There ain't. It's never really a topic a'discussion ta be brought up, b'cause why would it be? S'jus' normal fer those folks, they know what they're doin', 'nd if they wanna tell ya or bring it up, then they will."

"Sorry. So-- how do I know if--... I'm someone like that?"

Tani shrugged, smiling lightly. "S'different from person ta person, primito. There ain't one decided way someone needs t'feel in order to consider themselves such. That's fer you to decide, no one else."

"... Well, I don't think I'm that-- I mean, I probably would'a known by now, right?"

"Hells no, y'wouldn't have. Zizi, there is somethin' y'keep missin', 'nd it's that everyone goes at their own pace. That includes you, too," she informs, firmly, giving him a pointed look. "Some folks know when they're a kid," they begin, patting one of their children's backs, "'nd other folks don't find out 'till they're old 'nd grey. In the end, they still find out 'nd are able to do whatever they want with that new knowledge. Everyone operates differently. It's never too late t'learn more 'bout yerself."

Azhi'li then grows silent, staring down at the floor between them while still holding onto his sobrine. They look towards Azhi'li curiously, smiling and papping at his cheek, causing him to blink and look over to them.

"It's okay, tio. You just do what makes you happy. That's what everyone says."

With a smile, Tani nods, looking back towards Azhi'li again. "At one point, y'jus' gotta think for yerself, primo. 'nd if ya discover that ye're happy with th'way y'call yerself 'nd identify yerself with, then that's all that matters, y'know? Be happy with yerself, jus' how others are happy that you're who ya are, too."

Locking eyes with Tani, Azhi'li grows silent once again before smiling a bit, nodding. "... I think I wanna at least learn more 'nd explore. Can I do that?"

"Always. There is never new knowledge fer those who don't seek it."

-------------------------

With Azeyma finally at rest and Menphina shining over Her Sister's watch, Azhi'li makes it back home-- Sena's home, where his uncle lovingly offered him a room to stay in. 

Parting the tapestry, he steps in and blinks at the sight of his uncle whittling before he spots his nephew, smiling warmly with a wiggle of his ears. "Welcome home, Dhezi. Did you have a good day?"

"I did, thanks tio. -- Hey, can-- can ya do me a favor?"

"Anything, sobrino. What's wrong?"

"Nothin', jus'-- can y'cut m'hair?"

Record scratch.

Sena blinked owlishly, glancing up at Azhi'li with widened eyes. Almost as though he was in disbelief. Well, no, not almost-- he was. "... Ah? I assumed you did not want to cut your hair since I thought it was something special for you?"

"It is. It always has been. I never cut it 'nd refused t'let people cut it b'cause... I kinda used it as a way t'hold onta y'all; t'hold onta m'brother, Zisi. But, now that I'm here with y'all, 'nd now that I am ready t'move on... I'm ready t'start lettin' go of th'past, too."

The older Seeker stared at his nephew in awe before smiling lightly, standing up slowly as he nodded. "Then it would be an honor. Come, sit down. Forgive your tio, though, because I may not do the best work..." he warns with a nervous chuckle. 

"Hey, it's fine, s'long as it grows back!"

"Oh, I'm sure it will with how long you've had it without maintaining it regularly," he quips with a chuff, causing Azhi'li to laugh.

After bathing, Azhi'li sat in a chair with his towel-dried hair over his shoulders. Sena rounded behind him with a pair of scissors and a comb before asking, "Now... Are you sure you wish to do this, sobrino?"

"Si, tio. I'm ready."

"Bueno."

Snip.

[mrneighbourlove]

Trip going Termina

Skull Kid was bored. Hyrule was boring. Everyone rebuilding Hyrule was boring. He was bored.

Looking around the rubble of a town, he was acquiring trinkets and valuables he could keep for his collection. "Hmmm? What's this?" Pulling a hand out of the rubble, he frowned. This was once a woman. Even with decay setting in, he could tell by the shape. On her finger was a nice ring though. Taking it, he studied its green texture. Reminded him of Rinku. Or Zizi. His green friends. He didn't know where Rinku was at the moment, but he knew where Zizi was. Taking the ring, he skipped and hopped, and teleported back to Hyrule. Was time to leave Hyrule for a bit.

Zizi had been given one of the largest tasks to handle for the kingdom. Her job was now to create a growing plantation of crops for the people. She and many other Zemlja were helping farmers start fresh with a new plot of land. Yet, the plantation would not only feed the people but later help provide money by sending exports to other countries. For once, Zizi was happy to have a job that did not deal with fighting. The war with Vul'kar was a horrid experience and one she would care not to recall.

Skull Kid hopped onto her shoulders from above, messing up her hair. "Piggy Back time!"

"Hey!!!" Zizi lost her balance and over the two of them toppled. "... where were you earlier when I needed help sorting the seeds?"

"I found a ring on a body. They didn't need it. You want to ditch work?"

"Now, now, Skull Kid, looting the dead is very much frowned upon." Zizi chided him. "You should put it back." Then she sat on the earth, concentrating. "I'll make you a deal. Help me finish work and then we'll hang out."

"Deal! But we have to go where I want to."

"And where is that?"

"Surprise. Now, let's get to work!"

~

Once the work was complete, Zizi managed to clean her hands in the stream before Skull Kid splashed her. "... do I need an overnight bag for this? You know I can't stay away long. Zarazu will need me."

“Zarazu has others. She has the flaming party pooper and her ‘lovey wovey Covvy pie’.” Skull Kid gagged at that pet name he heard. “I’d pack a bag and grab rupees. That’s the currency for where we are going.”

"Rupees?" Zizi never had much money to spend. Though, she did have a little cash stored away for a day like this. Perhaps it was time to use it for a much-deserved day off. "... all right. Let me inform my sister and we'll be off."

“Do you have to? You’re not a baby she has to look after.” Skull Kid shifted towards her, his limbs rattling like maracas.

"I don't want to just disappear." Zizi reminded him. "Remember how I spent a couple of days with you in the woods exploring when I first came to Hyrule? Zarazu sent out a search party."

“Zarazu’s a worry wuss. But fine. Tell her we’ll be gone for a few days at most.”

"Zarazu has a right to worry. Look at what all we've been through." Zizi tipped Skull Kid's hat down in a playful manner. "I'll meet you at your tree. Let me pack my things and tell my sister."

Skull Kid suppose he couldn’t move things along faster even if he wanted to. Leaning on his tree, he took out the ring he found and examined it some more. Finally, with all the strength he could muster, he threw it far. It landed in front of a village girl and he gave no more mind to it.

Once everything was done, Zizi met Skull Kid at his tree. She had packed a couple of pairs of clothes, what little money she had, and some snacks for the road. Maybe soon, her plantation would be bringing in money for the kingdom and she would have a steady paycheck. "So, where are we going?"

Skull Kid pointed to the small oak log that had an open crawl space. “Go down there after me!” Skull Kid was quick to led by example, disappearing into the log.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Zizi approached the log and had to wiggle through it. "Skully, I'm a little bigger than you, do you think you could find a bigger log next time?"

“Don’t grow up, how’s that?” On the other side, Zizi found herself right in the heart of the Lost Woods suddenly.

"... wait, what?" Zizi looked back through the log and then around her. Skull Kid was using his magic again for teleportation maybe. Either that, or the log had magical properties that could suddenly spit one out in another dimension. "How did... you know what? I don't want to know. I'm good with not knowing." She stood and took in the beautiful view of the greenery with a sigh. "This is so lovely. Look at all the trees and the plants... oh, and the flowers are gorgeous! They glow!" What the Zemlja did not realize was she had plucked a fairy from a bush, thinking it was a flower. "What species is this?"

The fairy glew incredibly bright, enough to hide its shape as it bit Zizi hard on the finger with the force of a wasp’s stinger.

Surprised, Zizi yelped as the fairy bit her and instantly dropped the creature, yanking her hand away. The fairy bit hard enough to draw blood and the Zemlja hissed at the stinging. Putting her finger in her mouth to staunch the bleeding, she then looked at an amused Skull Kid. "What was that?! I didn't do anything!"

Skull Kid watched as the fairy flew away into the deep foliage of a tree. “That was a Forest fairy you pluck by wings Zizi~ There are different kinds of fairies all around the world. Too bad you didn’t pluck a healing fairy. Hehehe.”

"You could have warned me." Zizi shook her hand to try to make the stinging disappear. "And I didn't mean to hurt it if I did."

“I wanted you to learn yourself. Stay close. The Lost Woods are a magnificent but dangerous place to explore. Many marvellous sights and magical gateways to around the world, but treacherous monsters and curses as well.”

At the relay of potentially dangerous magic and ill-tempered creatures, Zizi almost wanted to shake Skull Kid, yet, she feared his head might pop off. "And pray tell, what made you choose this path if it's not the safest route?"

“It’s the most fun Zizi.” Skull Kid walked around various fallen logs, laughing as he kept ahead of Zizi. “If you get lost in the woods, you’ll become a Stalfos.”

"I most certainly will not!" Zizi huffed at his taunting. "I will simply let the earth swallow me and escort me back to my sisters. If you call this fun, I would hate to see what you call relaxing."

“Well, do you know where to go?”

"The earth is connected, Skully." Zizi walked across a long, making sure to balance, holding her arms out. "That's why I walk barefoot all the time. I can feel it talking to me. I can use the roots in that tree to tell you a family of rabbits burrow underneath it. The leaves in the canopy tell me little birds are chirping in a nest. It talks, you know."

“Yeah?” Skull Kid knocked on an old oak. “You know which way is north?”

"Easy." Zizi then stopped and pointed, oddly enough, in the correct direction. "That way."

“Tricky woods. Tricky trees.”

"Not really." Zizi admitted to Skully. "They're talking to me. It's like... one giant voice almost. Telling me I'm..." She paused for a moment to repeat the words. "The voice says that I am lucky that I'm special or else, it would gladly turn me in all directions." She shrugged. "Whatever that means."

“Hmmm interesting.” Immediately, his attention was drawn to a giant pit inside a tree. “Jump down.”

Zizi glanced at the deep pit and arched an eyebrow at Skully. "Another pathway? ... fine." Zizi carefully manipulated a vine to ease herself into the bottom of the pit. "Come on, then."

“Not like that. Like this!” Skull Kid jumped feet first into the pit, grabbing Zizi with him. As they fell into the deep darkness, he let out a gleeful cheer.

Zizi, having no idea what was going on, shrieked at first, but then as the tunnel proved to be like a slide, found herself laughing.

They slid and slided, and as Skull Kid turned them certain directions. Finally, a blinding light hit them and they tumbled right out a waterfall! “WOOOOO!!!”

Zizi barely had time to react. She did not want to get her clothes wet in her backpack. It would take a long while to dry. That, and she had no idea what was in the water. Not that she thought it was dirty, but if there was anything that could take a bigger bite out of her than that fairy, the Zemlja had a right to be cautious. A few vines caught her before she hit the water, and Zizi watched Skully give a 'boo' in her general direction.

“Hehehe. Like the swamp?”

"I don't mind the swamp, I just don't want to get wet." Zizi pointed to her backpack and then her hair. "Not that I mind swimming, but we don't want to delay our trip by my clothes having to dry, do we? Or my hair for that matter, it takes forever." She looked around the swamp, taking in the trees and the water. There were several lilipads with frogs croaking and fishes swimming along the bottom, looking for food. "You still haven't told me where we are going."

“We’re here!” Skull Kid gestured to the swamp.

"...? This swamp is our final destination?" Zizi peered around. "Well, if you were taking me to a landmark, why did you tell me to bring rupees?"

Skull Kid looked to an abandoned tower, and started making his way to the top, all the while silently urging Zizi to join him.

Following Skully, Zizi could have sworn she heard... whisperings. Was it the swamp? Was she imagining things? She could usually hear the forest speaking to her through plants, but this was not numerous voices, it was one. Snapped out of her thoughts by Skully tugging on her hand, the Zemlja wondered what his object was this time.

In the far distance was the light of a town. “Look over there Zizi. That’s Clock Town. We’re in Termina!”

"Termina?" Zizi asked him. "Like where you and Link met all those years ago? I'm surprised it's still here!" She was eager to take in the sights. "I thought it only existed in stories."

“Oh. It’s very, very real. The city has risen, fallen, and come back more vibrant then ever!” Just as the excitement filled Zizi, Skull Kid turned her head to a green gas coming out of the mountains to her left. “But we aren’t here for that.”

"Then what are we here for?" Zizi had a slight pout. "Aren't you going to take me to see the city?" When he turned her attention to the gas, she then inquired, "... if you brought me all the way out here to show me how you make a stink bomb..."

“No! ...Though...” Skull Kid shook his head. “Come on! We got a swamp to traverse. Mind the bugs Zizi~”

Zizi could deal with bugs. Spiders, on the other hand, she had no love for, due to the incident with Ganondorf battling that giant one from the temple. When she saw a rather large arachnid, the Zemlja squealed and almost jumped on top of Skully. "I don't do spiders!"

“How about Dragonflies?” From above came a massive man-sized Dragonfly. With an electric tail, it stabbed the arachnid, eating it alive as it buried its legs and fangs into it.

"... let's just get away from the bugs and I think I'll feel a little better." Zizi said with a pale face at the size of the insect.

“Hmmm. You ever go Snapper riding before?”

"What's a Snapper?"

Snap-ap. Down near the shore line was a large looking snapping turtle, digging into some fish it had caught. “That is.”

"As long as I'm not on the menu, that looks fun!"

“Ok. Sneak up on it, jump on its shell, and hold on.”

"How about you go first and show me how it's done?"

“Awww. That’d spoil the surprise.” Skull Kid had an evil, mischievous hint in his voice he couldn’t hide. “Life’s about taking risks.”

"Oh? It is? All about risks and fun?" Zizi played dumb, thinking for a moment. "Nah, you first." And with that, she gave him a shove.

Skull Kid jumped with a backwards cartwheel onto the Snapper. It let out a yelp, pulled its head and limbs back into its shell, then started spinning like a top towards Zizi with a spiky shell. Skull Kid laughed as he had perfect balance going forward and able to keep the contents of his stomach inside. “Hehehehehe! Weeeee, this is fun!”

"Whoa!" Zizi climbed higher in the tree and watched the Snapper spin around like one of those rides at a traveling circus. It made her dizzy just to watch the spinning. It was then she noticed the Snapper was headed directly for a rock. "Skully! Look out!!!"

Skull Kid jumped off one Snapper and onto another to continue the thrill. The first poor turtle broke the rock and wouldn’t come out of its shell. “Come on! Try it!”

"I have a feeling I'm going to regret this later." Zizi carefully jumped onto a Snapper and held on for dear life.

SNAP-AP! The Snapper spun around at alarming speeds, dragging her down the swamps river bed. It was rather furious it and its companions were being used for sport.

Feeling that the creature was growing agitated, Zizi apologized to the turtle before jumping onto a tree, climbing up into the branches.

It seemed that in the excitement, Zizi and Skull Kid had becoming heavily separated.

"This isn't good." Zizi looked around for her friend but he was nowhere to be seen. She decided the best thing to do was to head back in the direction of the abandoned tower. It was a key point he had shown her and would likely come back to the place. As she was walking, Zizi came across the oddest-looking creature she had ever seen. It was... a plant? An animal? "Um... excuse me!" She waved at the being called a Deku, trying her best to be polite. "I'm so sorry to bother you, but I'm a bit lost. Could you help me?"

“Ah!!!” The Young Deku panicked, running over to a flower and hiding under ground. He sounded like a kid.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!" Zizi fretted, feeling horribly guilty about frightening the poor thing. She had to figure out a way to appear non-threatening. Using her magic, she had a flower bloom from her palm. The Zemlja offered it to the Deku. "Here. You can have it if you like it."

The Deku peeked out from its flower peddle, very close to shooting a seed at Zizi until it saw the flower. Suddenly, he looked amazed. “You’re the one! You’re the one!”

"I'm the what?" Zizi looked puzzle, but dismissed the thought. "I apologize for scaring you. Are you all right?"

The Deku plopped out of the flower, his leafy mane jiggling about. “Oh! Can you come see the King with me?”

"The King?" Zizi recalled Skully telling her stories about the King of the Dekus trying to kill a certain monkey. She certainly hoped this Deku was not mistaking her for an unruly primate. Yet, she did not want to seem rude. This place was full of plants. She could fight if necessary. Maybe the King could point her in the direction of her mischievous friend or at least a place to find food. She was starting to get hungry. "Very well. You'll have to show me the way. This is my first time here."

“Follow me pretty lady!”

The Deku waddled through the jungle with Zizi until they reached a large wooden palace. It was a magnificent palace from top to bottom. Cleaning some windows were little Koroks flying on leaves. Approaching some Deku guards, they pointed spears at the two approaching. “Halt. Only the green may enter.”

“She’s green! Show them your special power!”

Skully's stories were elaborate but nothing could compare to the actual sight of the wooden palace. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. The water around it was as clear as the sky and the greenery was so healthy and vibrant. This was a paradise locked away from the world of humans. As the guards held up their spears, Zizi was a little surprised when the tiny Deku referred to her as 'green'. Maybe it meant earth magic? Bending down so the Deku guards could observe, Zizi once again, sprouted a lovely lily from her palm.

The Deku once again freaked out over this revelation. "It's her! It's her!"

"I told you it was her."

"Fool! Let her in to see the King at once!!!" The Deku guards retreated into their flower bed, giving room for Zizi to enter.

Zizi really had no clue what was going on at this point. She was wondering if these Deku were mistaking her for another guest that was supposed to arrive. Either way, as the small Deku led her into the throne room, she noted the fire. That was odd, in her opinion, to have fire around species of sentient plants. It seemed hazardous. Gently, she tapped the tiny Deku's shoulder. "Would you mind telling me why your friends reacted so back there?" Zizi whispered. "I'm a little confused."

The Deku took her hand, leading her to a massive Deku sitting on a throne made of a beautiful blooming flower. "Halt! Why is there a fleshy amidst our Green Covenant?"

"... hi." Zizi waved at the large Deku and politely introduced herself. "I am Zizi Slatki, a Lorleidian. I was a little lost in the woods out there and your friend here was kind enough to help me."

"Why were you past the guards, Lore-Lu-Di-An?"

The young deku once again urged Zizi to show off her magic.

"Because they saw me grow a flower and let me?" Zizi presented the king with a different bloom this time, growing a long strand of ivy vines from her hand. Once finished, she offered the plant to the king. "I can do more than just flowers, you know, but they seemed very excited for some reason."

Every Deku working around the room stopped what they were doing. A loud ring was heard as a pan was dropped to the floor.

Zizi noticed the deafening silence and glanced around the throne room. She then whispered to the smaller Deku, "Did I do something to offend?"

"You!!!!" The Deku King pointed his scepter at Zizi. "You are the one!!!"

Zizi jolted slightly at the scepter suddenly thrusted in her face. "I'm the what?!"

"You are the Sage of the Forest reborn! Guards! Seize her!" A dramatic pause was taken for effect. "-A fantastic feast!"

Zizi stood there, stunned beyond belief. A sage? Her?! She was only a teenager, how could she be a wise old sage?! Yet, the Zemlja was almost ready to summon her man-eating plant at the notion of her to be seized. But breathed easy when the king mentioned a feast.

The Deku scrambled about, quickly picking Zizi up in a chair and carrying her about the palace plaza.

"WHOA!" Zizi held tightly to the sides of the chair, having no clue what was happening. "Will someone please tell me what's going on?!"

Skull Kid had looked up and down for Zizi. As high as the old temple, to the tourist shop near the river trail. Finally exploring the castle, he looked down through a window to see Zizi getting flower crowns put on her head and carried about. When she was set down for a second, he whispered angrily to her through the bars. “Hey! What’s the big idea having all the fun to yourself?”

Zizi jumped when she heard Skull Kid's voice, but was relieved. "Oh, thank the spirits! You're here!" Zizi exclaimed. "I tried being nice to this one little Deku I scared by giving him a flower and then the whole castle went crazy and put me in this chair!!!"

“Oh yeah? Where’s my chair?” Skull Kid huffed.

"Do one of your magic tricks and maybe they'll get you a chair?" Zizi scowled at him. "I didn't ask for this, they just keep telling me I'm 'the one' and I don't know what that means!"

“Huh. Well, maybe I’ll just watch then.” The Deku grabbed Zizi, plopping psychedelic herbs into her mouth and marking her with tribal paint. “The one! The one! The one!”

Zizi immediately coughed and spat out the herbs. The last thing she wanted was a trip to the plane of her mind like she was in a sweat hut. The tribal paint, she did not mind, but she finally had lost her patience. "Everyone! Everyone please!" Zizi's shouting at least obtained their attention. "I'm... very grateful for all the attention, but will one of your please explain why I am this 'one' you keep speaking of? What exactly am I? I'm just a visitor from Lorleidi."

“You are a sage of the Forest. Like Saria, Monomoka, Mufflebufflesnufflepuffle, Gfreeda, and Elron before you! You posses magic of the sages, able to create life at will!” The King pointed his sceptre to a caldron of water they brought out. “We shall see if we cannot free you of your fleshy prison first.”

"...?!?!?! WHAT?!" Zizi was now rather... angry. The little Deku she had been nice to brought her here for this?! This would not stand! Stomping her foot, the ground moved, knocking over the caldron of water. "I am just fine the way I am! You aren't going to try to scald me with that, because if you do, you'll regret the day that you busted out of whatever seed you came from!" She pointed her finger at the King. "I am a human and if you don't like that, than too bad! If I am this... this Forest person, this sage, that you claim I am, then why the hell are you trying to hurt me?!"

“Because no Sage can be a fleshy in MY kingdom! This is a kingdom of the green! Any who don’t agree can have their heads lopped off! This will done to help you achieve enlightenment! I mean, you are the sage, aren’t you?”

Skull Kid snickered. This was turning out more fun then he assumed.

"... I am enlightened to the fact that maybe I should lop your head off if you try to hurt me or any of your innocent subjects." Zizi was not usually one that was quick to anger, but right now, she was furious. "Earth Sage or not, I'm not going to let you hurt me or anyone else."

“UGH! Earth?! That’s disgusting! On second look, you are rather a gross little thing.” He poked her in the ribs with his sceptre. “Your skin is too close to charcoal, you stink with a musk of a mammal, and you have a birds nest for hair! Speaking of hair, it’s the wrong colour for a sage. Won’t do. Won’t do at all.”

Skull Kid looked around for something to help Zizi out and cause a scene. Looking around, he saw a patch of fruits being grown. That could do the trick.

"Zemlja is the spirit of the earth and has graciously bestowed upon me these abilities to do good in his name." Zizi then caught the Deku King with her vines and roughly jostled him onto his throne, making it to where he could not move. From the ground emerged Ve'nusa with a mighty, shrill screech that would make any ears rings. "I don't care if you think I'm ugly, from where I'm standing, I'm not the one with something to lose. Now, you're going to apologize, you're going to let your people enjoy the feast, and I'm going to leave."

The Deku guards tilted their heads at the king.

“Well you fools?”

The Deku nodded to each other, then fired a torrent of saliva bombs at Zizi and Ve’Nusa. The saliva that bombed Zizi was thick and sticky, every ball pressing her into the ground with a suppressive cold webbing of snot. For Ve’nusa, it was acidic, burning the vines off the King and harming the poor creature with intense chemicals.

Ve'nusa shrieked loudly from the acidic contents, but that did not stop the sentient plant. The platforms were forfeit when the large vines thrashed back and forth, knocking out the supports. Zizi, on the other hand, was furious. She swallowed herself into the ground, the mud absorbing the sticky mixture. She then used her power to pull the Deku's into the ground.

The remaining kept spitting at Zizi and her plant. Even the king stared to dance. “Yes! Take her down my loyal soldiers! Show this sack flesh the power of- SPLAT!!!”

A very large pumpkin fell on the Kings head, smashing it apart in a gooey green mess. Skull Kid didn’t expect the pumpkin to just crush his skull like that. There was supposed to be a plop, not a splat. “Whoops.”

Zizi heard the commotion suddenly stop and unearthed herself. Skull Kid... had gotten them into a very fine mess if the King was dead. She did not want anyone to get hurt, but the Zemlja had to remind herself that the Deku started this skirmish. Yet, she would gladly be the one to finish it. Covered in mud from head to toe, the newly arisen Earth Sage glared at the Deku.

"Give me one good reason I shouldn't turn you all into fertilizer." Zizi snapped at the crowd and then the to Deku who brought her here with a pointed finger. "I was trying to be nice to you and you all wanted me boiled to death! If I really am this sage you speak of, then you all should be ashamed of yourselves. Don't come crying to me if you ever find yourselves at the mercy of a wild fire!" She then looked at her companion. "Skully. We're leaving. Now."

“Oh come on Zizi! We just overthrew a monarchy. That’s pretty cool stuff.”

"I don't care if we conquered the world, I'm going." Zizi tromped out of the palace, furious.

“What? Zizi!” Skull Kid tore a piece of pumpkin and followed her as the Deku cowered before them. “What’s not to like?”

"That." Zizi gestured to the shaking Deku. "I don't like that. I don't want to be seen as a bad person. I'm going to leave before I do something I really regret."

“Come on! We beat a bad guy! Just like your sister did! Doesn’t that make you happy?”

"Was he really bad or just racist against 'fleshies'?" Zizi asked Skully, wiping some mud from her face. "And while I do aspire to be a good leader to others like my sister, I don't always agree with some of her ways."

“What’s the difference between some mad king and a monster like Vul’kar. Both baddies. Now you have a fun glory story to tell your sisters.” Skull Kid felt very confident and laid back about the situation.

"The difference is, if it's true what they're saying, then I don't want them to be afraid of the new Earth Sage." Zizi stopped at the edge of the wooden bridge and sighed heavily. "How do we get away from here?"

“We go when I want us to go. Come on, I set this whole thing up to make you a hero. Maybe at least a thank you before we go?”

"... you set this up?!" Zizi whirled around to face Skull Kid. "On purpose?!"

“Yeah. Did some sight seeing around the world to find some conflict you could solve. All my friends are big shot heroes, so I wanted to turn you into one.” Skull Kid innocently waved his hand at her. “Took me forever to find something that wouldn’t put you in any real danger. There was some big shot monsters, a Gerudo pirate crew, and even a huge rampaging Spider. So when I found a relatively mad king with a submissive society to liberate I knew that’d be perfect for you. Aren’t I great? How about we go to Clock City to get a celebratory drink?”

"I can't believe you!!!" Zizi nearly shouted. "I'm no hero! I don't want to be a hero!" She gestured back toward the palace. "The Deku are scared of me now! I never wanted that! I never wanted to fight some biased king who hates humans! I don't like to fight, Skully! I was terrified when I had to fight with my sisters against Vul'kar!"

“Well, didn’t that help with that fear?”

"NO!" Zizi yelled so loudly his ears rang. She had never been this mad at Skull Kid before. "You've never had to fight in a real battle before so don't assume that you know what might help me overcome any 'silly' fear you deem needs fixing!" Huffing under her breath, Zizi started to walk on the giant lily pads which lined up for her. "Go off on your own crusade."

“Never fought? Zizi. I have history to account for that.” He skipped along the lily pads with her. “Come on. You can’t be mad at me. Being mad is being like a frog who can’t hop. Why bother?”

"I am mad at you. You assumed something about me and made an ass of yourself." Zizi sank a lily pad on purpose, causing Skull Kid to narrowly miss the water. "Leave me alone."

“Zizi. I can’t leave you out here alone. You’ll get hurt.”

"A little too late for that, Skully. You hurt my feelings." Zizi was going to retrace her steps and go back home to Hyrule. "I don't want to talk to you right now. Go away."

Skull Kid pouted, jumping onto her lily pad so they’d both sink. “Well, now you’re stinky. Now what.”

Zizi said nothing and simply dunked Skull Kid in the water before having the giant lily pad rise underneath her feet to set her in a tree.

“Hey! That’s cheating!!!”

Zizi continued to maneuver through the branches, listening to the earth to tell her which way to go. All she had to do was find that log, go through it, take a bath in the river, and go home.

“Zizi! You’re a party pooper!” Skull Kid shouted as he ran through the swamp water. “I just wanted to give you fun adventure. I-!!!”

There was a plop in the water, and Skull Kid went missing.

Zizi was in no mood for games. A vine fished Skull Kid out of the swamp water and plopped him on the safety of a lily pad. She did not put him in the trees with her. Then she continued about her way.

When she got a good look at him, he was missing his head.

"... great." Zizi growled under her breath. What stupid game was he trying to play with her now. "Just great. You drag me into this sorry mess you created, and now, I got to play babysitter." The algae growing on the bottom of the swamp called to her. His head was rolling around in the current. With perfect timing, a vine snatched Skull Kid's head.

“Zizi!!! Look out!!!” From behind her, a giant masked titan just little taller than Ganondorf swung a machete the size of a small tree at her.

Zizi was barely able to react in time. She jumped out of the tree and into the water below.

The masked Jungle warrior was a step right behind her. With a sword and shield of equal size, the jungle warrior was screaming a war cry as it cut down a tree next to Zizi.

"What is that thing?!" Zizi used all the availible vines to wrap around the giant's legs to prevent it from coming closer. She caught the falling tree with some floating algae in the water. The vines on Skull Kid launched him into the trees and Zizi quickly put his head back between his shoulders. "Run!"

“Jungle... Warrior...” Skull Kid could barely run. With another slice, Odolwa cut Skull Kid in half by the waist. “God-“, was all Skull Kid could muster before he fell into the water again.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Zizi was nearly shrill. She was beginning to lose her temper. This time, she did not just try to trap the giant, she actually slapped it with a vine full of thorns. Over. And over. And over. "You stay down, you big bully! I may not like all that Skull Kid does, but he's my friend, and you're not," SMACK! "Going to," BAM, BAM! "Be mean to him!" WHACK!!!

It let out a cry to the jungle for a call of help. Awful arachnids ran out of the jungles under layers to snap at Zizi. Skull Kid’s head was bubbling the water.

"I SAID ENOUGH!!!" A powerful green blast emitted from Zizi, knocking away all the spiders, the giant off balance, and echoing throughout the swamp, causing birds to fly away and creatures to still in their steps. Thin, lime colored lines traced at the corners of her eyes and magic glowed in the palms of her hands.

A kind soft voice spoke to Zizi, comforting as a mother. “Zizi Slatki. You have potential for great kindness and using the Earth itself for hope and the protection of others... this is your trial. Save your friend young one.”

The Masked Warrior stood up, and opening its stomach up, a blast of flesh-eating moths flew out to swarm Zizi.

The young woman wasn’t going to humour this monster anymore. It was humanoid, made of flesh, and like the insects it controlled, would be squashed like one. With one fluid motion, Zizi's magical ability with the earth lopped the giant's head off and crushed the moths. The plates of earth made a gooey mess of the masked monster.

Odolwa body starting to burn apart, swinging wildly around Zizi. Skull Kid lifted a hand and shot a rock at Zizi’s chest to send her back. Had he not, she’d have been split down the middle.

Once again, Zizi was in the swamp water with a loud splash, knocking her out of her magic induced haze.

Skull Kid’s own magic slowly healed his torso back with his legs. He hated getting hurt. Was always a pain to put himself back together. “Zizi.... you ok?”

Coughing, Zizi crawled out of the swamp water with a dark scowl on her face. Flopping on her back on a giant lily pad, she was most displeased. And tired. That sudden blast of magic due to losing grip on her temper really drained her.

"I want... to go home." Zizi said in-between breaths. "This has been... a disaster."

“Yeah... me too. Sorry for dragging you out here.”

"I'm still mad at you." Zizi managed to shakily get to her feet, exhausted.

“I know. I got that effect on friends sometimes.... you want to get something to eat?”

"I just want a bath and some sleep. In my own bed." Zizi told Skully as she pulled a piece of algae from her hair.

Skull Kid looked around, kicking the water out of his foot. “Well, we can’t go back to Hyrule the way we came. I know another area that holds a location the lost woods. And...” He hoped she appreciate this. “I know a place for some food and a way to clean ourselves.”

"..." Zizi looked slightly skeptical. Skull Kid led her out here under false pretenses. She did not appreciate him tricking her. So, she gave him a fair warning. "If this is another trick... I'm ignoring you for a whole month."

“Well, I didn’t plan for a masked monster to cut me apart for you to play hero. So no more tricks.”

"Good." Zizi sighed heavily, "Lead the way so I can get this muck off of me."

It was a good trek out of the jungle swamp and into a forest trial. A few Wolfos were ready to attack some potentially easy prey until Skull Kid made himself feel like a void to be around, scaring the pack off. Opening up into a massive open area, he took Zizi and himself west down a bath until they reached a small water hole of clean water. Skull Kid jumped in, quickly cleaning himself off. “Where did that power of yours come from? Didn’t hear any stories about that from your family in the latest war.”

As Skull Kid sank into the water, Zizi almost was tempted to pray thanks to Zemlja for the warm water. She jumped in, clothes and all, and made sure to scrub her head. One by one, the clothes came off and she hung the fabric over a branch to dry. It was heaven, being in this spring. "It's hard to summon plants on a dead island." Zizi murmured as she sank to her bottom lip in the water. "I did what I could, moving earth and rocks to fight. Mostly, I was just terrified."

“Yeah, but what you did to that monster earlier was something else.”

"... do you think what the Deku said was true then?" Zizi knew Skull Kid had met sages before.

“Well, it is possible.” Skull Kid mused, a hand under his chin. “Known a number of them over the generations. Have you felt any sense of awakening?”

"What is a sense of awakening supposed to feel like?"

“Been told it’s a large burst of power. Or a holy connection made with the goddess. Only good willed people corresponding to a certain element with a plan in mind by the goddess are selected.”

Zizi thought back to the war against Vul'kar. She did not recall having a large burst of power then. It just naturally came to her, moving dirt and manipulating plants. The largest blast of power the Zemlja had in a while was just now, battling that awful giant. As far as a holy connection, Zizi could heard Zemlja himself. Maybe... that was it? "I'm not entirely sure, Skully. I don't suppose there's a way to make sure?"

“You try praying to any of Hyrule’s Goddess statues?”

"No, I don't pray to those goddesses." Zizi admitted to Skully. "I pray to Zemlja. He is the one who I hear whisper in my ear sometimes."

“Hmmm, well maybe the Goddess of Hyrule will pass on a message to Zemmy? Who knows how gods work?”

"I don't suppose there's a mark or a... I don't know, some kind of sign you're supposed to get?"

“Defiantly a sign. And a cool medallion!” Skull Kid jumped out of the water, tilting his head at Zizi. “Your body hasn’t changed in any way so no telling either.”

"I hope my body hasn't changed in any way, shape, or form, and quit staring." Zizi splashed some water at him. "I don't care about a cool medal or such."

“It’s not like I care about that sort of thing. It’s just a bunch of fat to me.”

"... you know calling a girl 'fat' is rude, right?"

“Just a bunch of balloons anyways. You done cleaning? I want some food before we leave.”

"I need to change and you're still looking."

Skull Kid shrugged and looked away.

As Zizi was ready to get out, the water shimmered, and she heard a voice from under the water.

“Zizi Slatki... do you accept the Earth as your source of power... if you do, go forward and claim your symbol.”

Just under the water in the sand, a circular object was glowing.

Zizi just about scuttled out of the water from fright, not expecting a glowing light from her bathing source. At first, she thought perhaps it was a glowing fish, but then there was the voice. Was she hearing things? What was the shining below the surface? Against her cautious judgement, Zizi reached into the water and plucked... a... circular rock?

The rock was round like a clock, with unique markings on it. It felt right to Zizi holding it. One last time, the motherly voice spoke to Zizi. “You are the first Zizi Slatki... a threat more dangerous than Vul’kar will arise to threaten the world... there will others that will join you in time... Earth Sage of Hyrule....”

"...!!!" Zizi actually looked... pale in the face. Skully was right. There was a medal, that strange voice, the sudden burst of power, all of his predictions were coming true. Was she really this sage?! The Zemlja almost seemed panicked.

"Hey. Do you like beef? I think there should be a small town still on the map here. Good forest gateway next to it." Turning, he finally noticed her panic. "Hey. You ok?"

"Skully..." Zizi held up the medallion to show him. "Please, please tell me you were joking about the shiny medals that sages get."

"Zizi. That's just a rock."

"Then why did I hear that voice from the water? Why was this thing shining?" Zizi shook her head and started denying it. "Nope. Nope, I'm not this Earth Sage. I can't be a sage. No, no, no, you can have this back." She put the medal at the base of the tree. "I'm not strong enough, not powerful enough, no, no, no..."

Skull Kid hopped down, not caring she wasn't changed. Placing two hands on her shoulders, he held firm. "Zizi, if you're being serious, and I think you are, there is nothing to be afraid about."

"What do you mean, there's nothing to be afraid about?!" Zizi sounded so unsure. "Look at what my elder sister has been through! She's a queen! She has many people who adore her and love her, and she's so strong, but look at what all happened to her!" The Zemlja sounded paranoid. "Targets on her back from that biased council, Vul'kar wanted her dead, and who knows what might happen next. What if someone tries to kill her because they want a Hylian woman on the throne? Power just creates more grief! I don't want power like that if all that will happen is more bad things!"

"Zizi. Being a sage isn't about power. It's about helping people and giving to the community. Some are public with their identities. Most aren't. Besides, the power you get is about being responsible with it. There's always going to be dangers." Skull Kid pointed in the direction of Clock City. "Link defeated Ganondorf, only for a month later to fight to stop me from... destroying the world..."

"...? You?" Zizi had not heard this story before. All she knew was Skully was an old time friend of Link's. She just assumed he had helped the hero in the past or in this lifetime with a burden.

"Yeah. See above the city? Long, long, long ago, I was a troubled soul, who came across a terrible power. That power was known as Majora's Mask." Skull Kid waddled away from Zizi, looking directly at the city now, as if in an unpleasant trance. "I wanted to destroy the world Zizi. By cursing the moon and having it go on a set path to crush the town and detonate the Earth. I hurt a lot of people Zizi. Some of it from control by the mask. Many because I wanted to hurt people. I thought it was fun."

"... why did you want to hurt people, Skully?" Zizi asked him very quietly. "Did they hurt you?"

"Yes. No. I thought it was fun. I didn't know better. I just felt angry all the time... sometimes I still don't know better I guess. I thought you'd have fun today. But all I did was hurt you." Skull Kid looked down, starting to shiver. Coming to Termina, looking at the center of his worst actions, and feeling terrible about himself. "You must think I'm not a good friend..."

Zizi felt horrible for Skully. What did he go through in the past to make him hate the world? There were plenty of reasons not to like people, but to want to destroy the earth by crashing the moon into it? That was... a huge stretch. The only reason she could think of warranting such an extreme measure was if he lost everything due to the actions of the world, but... was it really justifiable? She was not sure. But, Zizi did not want to be judge of his past atrocities.

Wrapping her arms around Skully's shoulders, she pulled him into a tight hug. "It's okay to be angry. It's not okay to want to take it out on innocents." Zizi stated softly. "We all get mad sometimes. You didn't mean for the giant to cause such trouble. But, I didn't like how you want me to be a hero too. That hurt my feelings." She admitted to him. "I don't have to be someone great like Rinku to hang out with you, do I? Are you content with me just being me?" Taking a breath, she stated. "I don't want to be this Earth Sage, really, but... if I could help people, I don't think it'd be so bad. I still want you to be my friend, and I want to be there for you. But, I'm only human, Skully." Zizi thought of the future. "I might get married one day, and have kids of my own. I'm going to get old. Sometimes, I might not have the energy to keep up with you anymore. You'll still be my friend when that day comes, right? Friends forgive each other. So, if you promise to stay my friend, I'll forget about this silly incident and we'll go have a little fun. True fun."

"Hmmmm ok." Skull Kid nodded, hugging Zizi back. "What kind of fun?"

"I could teach you how to play checkers if you like." Zizi offered, resting her chin on top of Skully's head. "Or we could play tag, but you'd totally lose. I'm faster than you. Hide and seek would be nice, but this area is way too big. I could always create a huge slide for you to ride into the water if you want to go swimming in a clean section of water. There's a lot we could do."

"Ok…. You going to put your clothes on first?"

[honey-and-strawberry]

We are talking about the same person! Omg! Yes that one is absolutely on the path to saesang! At first they were pretty nice but to even go so far as to buy the expensive ass clothes/accessories he wears!? Thats fcking weird, period. Yeah I may like somethings they wear, clothes or accessories wise (Shownu's Capteen Bvlgari set 😍 gorgeous!) But I'm not going to go out and buy the stuff! All while updating lil gremlins on the process/dilemma!

Granted I love Burberry, I have painfully expensice taste and a painfully empty bank account, and if I could afford it I'd have a few pieces in my collection. However I liked Burberry well before I saw any of the guys wearing the brand endorsements, heck I liked it before I even knew about Monsta X!

I actually got some broadcast pcs from them and never again. I am firmly against GOs cause it takes to damn long to get the stuff and has a higher risk of the package getting lost or damaged due to being shipped via individual instead of a comapny. And broadcast pcs? I have another individual I think I'll contact for broadcasts instead from now on.

And like... knowing their job, how tf do they afford that expensive stuff.. all the time!? There's no way unless they are/were independently wealthy beforehand or their family just kinda throws money at them... no normal foreigner in their job position could afford to buy all the stuff they do (I've my research for both study and work in SK for myself as someone who loves the culture and history amd wants a better understanding just to be clear on my interests, its not for my faves).

Which hey cool, that's their business for how they spend their money but parading that around sns is so suspicious and an elitists mentality and just... shitty (no other word for it tbh). And they suck the random 1 or 2 album purchase fans that win fansign/video calls into the lil elite group thing and suddenly that individual gets into the events all the time with their "sponsor" asshat, to borrow your wording.

Also I used the wrong signature with that first ask 😆 but yeah Suni's GIF and Sus anon is the same person 🤣 I contemplate A LOT about fandoms it seems

I’m not surprised we’re taking about the same person, she’s a big name in Twitter mbb i noticed 🙄 she annoys me so much with her victimizing behavior like she’s always like “oh my god someone says I need to tone it down with the fansign stuff how dare they 😭 I deserve the fansign as much as anyone else” omg stahp you’re embarrassing. It’s very interesting how the fans act like stans where if you talk bad about the GO host then we’re gonna drag you like ?????? what does that solve?

I also like Burberry but that’s long before I knew of Mx, but I always thought of Burberry as rich Vermont fashion 😂

I participated in a group order because the website I was ordering from was giving me a hard time to purchase internationally. Another group-ish order I participated in was back when twotuckgom was like 75% off and I managed to get a zizi WAY cheaper than I would anywhere else but it was from one person who did a few orders for friends, so it was different. I’m still never going to do a GO again because I got suspicious over the draw of the fansign happening long before I got the product. I looked at who got into the fansign and I recognized her name as well as her friends. You can’t convince me otherwise. I totally agree that they must be independently wealthy in order to afford buying signed merch and all of these fansign tickets and albums. Not everyone could afford that and it’s ridiculous that only a handful of people could afford to buy in bulk (but then they try to sell their extra albums and it’s so funny how they bump up the price like +++)

Omg what I hate is when they sell their signed albums like three times more than they originally got them for and people still fucking buy it. What I hate even more is when fans get signed albums and they’re like “boooo I didn’t get my bias 😭 I don’t want this album anymore” 🖕🏼

I saw that people were selling the Mx dolls on eBay for like more than twice they were selling for and it’s embarrassing. I will never sell my babies, I really hope doll makers produce more! But not just the Mx dolls but any kpop doll they would sell them for like 40+ bucks but in reality I ordered them for like 28 😬 (shipping wasn’t bad but it still didn’t make it 50+ in total)

[thewhumpstuff]

You and I, Me and You [38]

[ CW: Self-harm, suicidal ideation, unhealthy relationship dynamics.]

[Teaser and Master List] [Archives of our Own] (Lost and Found: Chapter 13)

There is no point.

[<– Previous] ~ [Next –>]

Akira was slipping.

An evening when all Tariq could tell her to do was watch Zizi’s movements to learn and become better… “Almost, Kira… but you’re twisting your body too much, that’s a tell, you want the strike to be a surprise… you gotta-” He just needed to look at Zizi for her to demonstrate again. They had developed such a keen and natural choreography as the two of them trained Akira together… It was not like that; they were all learning together, just a few days ago. When did it become them teaching her?

Makes sense I guess; they have more experience.

Zizi’s fist flew at the pad Tariq held, missing it deliberately and then landing a quick backhanded strike as she recoiled. The pad took quite the battering, Akira was glad that the suite was soundproof. “-Like that, making the best of the miss…” It was Zizi who completed Tariq’s advice. Akira had learned that Zizi had lost so much, and yet she fought... and fought better than she did. In less literal ways too... -

And a night when she spent hours stammering answers at Nova as she revised for a test, haphazardly. “Alcyone really hates it when trainees are not procedural, so try to structure your answer, it’ll fly better.” Nova’s smile was genuine, she was encouraging as usual. So, Akira tried again, she started by listing the symptoms this time, gnawing at her lower lips as she stared past Nova, trying to recall the epidemiological data for the disease. Nova tried to offer a mooring for the answer. “Maybe start with the physical exam? Alcyone will probably walk you through a case…” “Ok… ok…” Akira took a deep breath and tried again. “Oh, and you can’t stutter… They’ll assume you don’t know…” Nova winced as she spoke this time, almost apologetically. She was just wishing that Alcyone was a more forgiving examiner. All Akira saw was pity. She laughed nervously. Dismissively, she decided to do what she always did… Postpone.  “I guess, I mean, I’m probably just not ready, I’ll just give the test… next round.” “No… Aki. Come on, you always do this, you know your stuff…” Nova’s pleas went unheard. Akira had made her decision. -

A morning that she could not find the will to get out of bed.

Nova had the day off, Zizi had fallen into the day to day humdrum well enough to make breakfast. Akira was not really needed; she did not have to get out of bed. So, she did not. “I’m not hungry, but thanks…” She responded to the knock at her door and heard the rhythmic clink of Zizi’s metal leg as she walked away. Later that day, Akira finally slipped out of her room, quietly. Unfortunately, she ran into Nova and Zizi in the living room. “I’m just… going to go for a walk. Get some snacks… Might go to my room to pick up some things too.” “Ok… but please don’t give up on the test, you still have-” Nova’s insistence was interrupted by the thud of the door. -

It was surprising how little of himself Jared left in her room. And everything was so neat.

She purposely shuffled the neatly tucked covers of her- the bed. The room did not feel like hers anymore, but nor was it his.

He had been living in it for about a fortnight now. She opened her cabinets, largely stocked with BuzzBo and cereal. The refrigerator had some frozen meals. She was not even sure if this was an invasion of privacy or not. The closet doors flew open next. Her hands ruffled through the clothes hung up on the hanger, everything was new. Uniforms, tracksuits… Most things were in threes. Solid colours… Suddenly, she was looking for something and she wasn’t sure what till she found it.

A white t-shirt.

She was not sure what compelled her to do it, but within moments, she stripped to just her underclothes. Akira snatched the cotton tee. It was too soft to be new. She held it up to her face, burying her nose in the fabric, she inhaled deeply. Detergent mostly, but him too. She slipped into it. The hem of the t-shirt kissed the top of her thighs.

Akira was not very sure of why she was doing whatever it was she was doing. Things seemed to be happening around her, her limbs acting out of their own accord.

She sauntered to the bathroom, that still felt like hers… and a little like his.

Her old toothbrush and his snuggled in a cup by the basin. Some of her things peeked from the shelves that sat on either side of the frameless mirror. He had tried neatening them up. Stacking the old dry bottles of nail-polish in one corner and the expired make up in another. It looked like he tried navigating the shelves before giving up and just letting them be, adding his own things somewhere in between.

Just like he finds his little spaces between the mess I am…

Could she really expect him to give her more, give her everything she said she wanted? Could she really handle what she was asking for? Probably not. Maybe it was stupid of her to think that she could be there for him. Maybe he was right in keeping things from her. Maybe not. Maybe he ought to trust her a little bit. Make some more space for himself. Things should feel more... equal. Yet, they didn't. He had a darker past and probably a brighter future, just like Tariq, like Nova too... And Zizi. They had suffered and they were better for it. She did not flick the light on, the only source of illumination was a glazed window for ventilation. She looked at herself in the mirror. It was like a black and white photo. She drew herself closer, leaning over the basin. Peering at the dark-circles and the slight gaunt of her cheeks. The slightly vacant and hollow look in her eyes. Things felt easier once. She felt less burdened, less like a burden too…   She was invincible once. Flawless. Fierce. Bold… Infallible. Heck, she was incorrigible. A fighter. She had her light in the past and maybe that was the problem. Maybe that's why she didn't know how to fight the darkness. ‘you are a…?’ That voice. That stupid voice. “Failure.” The reflection’s lips moved; the word echoed in the bathroom. Akira leaned closer; her left palm joined hands with the girl on the other side of the glass. Lips moved again, forming foreign words that asked for something final. “I’m a failure. I deserve to die. You should kill me.”

Then she saw it.

⅃ƎIꓘƎZƎ

The letters were so angular and sharp. Precise and assured in the way they were etched onto the woman’s forearm. He was still flaunting his existence on her, in her mind.

Akira looked down at her own arm. She lingered on each letter individually. The E started about four-fingers from the crease of her elbow. L ended over the light-green tree of her veins, just under her wrist.

The mirror shattered. She broke it. “You don’t get to tell me who I am!”

A dagger-shaped shard clinked against the basin. Tiny perfect drops of red followed, staining the white ceramic. The ball of her left palm was now bleeding. She did not care. She barely felt it. Slowly, she reached for the piece. Blood fell onto it, and Akira wiped it away. The eyes of the woman who looked back at her, from the red-tinted reflective surface, were dark and stormy. Doubt and pain flickered as the eyelids closed momentarily. Then there was that molten anger again.

She marched into the shower cabinet and sat down on the floor. Like she sat that day, draped in that lab-coat. With a uniform first, and then a suit. Tariq and Jared had been there then… One after another.

But today she was alone. Alone in Jared’s white-tee, which was already sporting a few stains of crimson. She looked down at the god-forsaken name. At that perpendicularly angled letter at her wrist. Then back at the shard… and then just at the wrist, past the scar of the letter. -

Jared’s hair stood on end. He was not expecting someone to already be in the room. He noticed every little change, the covers, the cabinets that were left slightly ajar. The way the seam of his uniform peaked out of the crack between the closet doors, like they had been closed in a hurry. There were no signs of forced entry… But BioHacker trainees did not have too many layers of protections for their rooms, no one typically wanted anything from them. Getting in would not take too much effort.

Did someone come looking for something? If that had truly been the purpose of this intruder’s visit, he was not too worried. There was nothing in the room that was worth taking. This person was not really trying to mask their presence. Yet, there seemed to be no one in the room. Maybe they left? But something set Jared on edge. Something felt off. Then he heard the soft purr of streaming water. Jared was not in uniform, but he did have his army knife. He plucked it out of the drawer and cupped it in his hand, just in case this was an ambush of some sort.

Then it hit him. This was not his room after all. 

“Shira?”

There was no response. He strode into the bathroom earnestly. The broken mirror, the drops of blood. And the silence, except for the water running. The door of the shower cabinet was not entirely closed, he could see some skin. Her ankles and a part of her calves, leaning against the wall on the other side.

And the trails of crimson dissolving into the drain.

“Shira!”

There was no reply again. Why didn’t she answer? Why won’t she…

He could not breathe, and he keeled to the floor. His hands reached for the cabinet door. There was a slew of protest and denial in his thoughts. He didn’t want to open this door… as much as he knew he had to. He slid it open. She sat flattened against the corner. Blood ran down her palm, in a creek, joining the thicker rivulets down her arm. It collected at her elbow, from where it dripped steadily onto the white roughened tile. Repeatedly, the drop fell and dissolved, wispy dregs in the water that swirled.

Her eyes were open and she was alive.

Relief and rage took hold of him in equal measure, he leashed the latter, calling out her name again.

“Shira…”

The drop of soft light glinted off the shard; it danced across the walls and lent a shimmer to the swirling water below. It peeked into his eyes, they looked silvery in its influence. A very shaky hand clutched the piece of the broken mirror. The tip was pressed against her skin. It sat just below the scar of another cigarette burn that he had given her, forced by circumstance.

Perhaps, now that she finally recognized that he was here, she allowed herself to respond with the softest of whimpers. It sounded like an unfocused afterthought. He watched her, but she seemed to be merely looking at him... From a distance that did not really exist between them.

He held out his hand. Her eyes narrowed and the grip she had on the shard suddenly steadied. She pressed the piece deeper into her skin. Her glare had such intensity, he could almost feel the stab of the glass and the warmth of the fresh crimson tears the wound cried. It was like she wanted him to, like this was a threat. He raised his hands.

Why would she do this?

“Shira… Put it down…”

There was a certain revulsion he tasted in the back of his throat. It came hand in hand with that searing pain of concern and helplessness.

“… Please.” “No…”

The voice was so quiet and yet, so resolute. It was her voice, but this was not his Shira… It could not be. Her averted eyes fell back to her lacerated arm. He did not want to spook her into doing something stupid. So, he sat there and followed her gaze, with his heart in his throat. It did not stop him from choking out the question.

“Why are you doing this?” -

No one ever means to make something about themselves. It just happens. It is all one knows.

“Because…” She did not really have an answer. But she had wanted something. This started somewhere, with something, with a goal. But somewhere along the way, she forgot what it was. Somewhere in those moments of making precise cuts in her mind and imprecise jagged lines on her arm… She forgot the why.

And now the blood ran too thickly, for her to see the mangled letters and remember. Now all she knew was that she didn’t want to mar the scar of that cigarette burn.  And that the piece now loitered dangerously close to making a line she knows she should not. To crossing a line she knows she should not.

She looked at him, the soft glow of his face. The black and white of their existence and the silver and red that was held in between.  

“What’s the point?”

She did not want to die. But, she also did not see the point. -

Jared was not really a romantic. But he did love, the best he could. Perhaps, what he did next was very wrong. In that desperate moment, he acted with the coldest, logical instinct - one that was more doused in passion than he would ever want to admit. He reached for the pocket-knife he had stowed away and flicked it open silently. The click drew her attention. She was watching now. There was a lethality to the way she regarded him, from behind the curtain of her drenched tresses. 

Jared didn’t seek to make a mockery of this by copying her gash for gash. He had his own point to make… about the pointlessness. And he got straight to it. He held the knife somewhere above the carved scrawl of her name. He did not wince as he made a small slice of his own. If he made his line, it would strike through her handiwork. Slice through the name he had actually grown accustomed to wearing.

A part of him wanted to. The part that hated this. Hated that she could hold her life, over his. Hated that he was now holding his over hers.

“There isn’t one.” He said. 

Now they sat, staring at the invisible lines that they could make… that they could cross… but did not. Till she recanted, after she noticed her name on his arm. Noticed what she would lose. What they would lose. “I’m sorry… It’s- It’s not what it looks like… Not exactly.” She sounded a little more like his Shira now.

Were there parts of her, he was refusing to see? Were their parts he had refused to make his own? He had refused to give up parts of him to her… Maybe it worked the other way around too… "We should... Talk" "Can we... talk?" She suggested and he asked. They spoke over one another, ending in sync. She dropped the shard. He snapped the knife close. Tags: @lettuceknighted, @quirkykayleetam

[christinealtomare]

laducashoes: “I had always been cast in singer tracks,” recalls Lauren Blackman, who made her Broadway debut with the original cast of ANASTASIA. “But I felt the industry was pushing me to make myself a dancer.” So, become a dancer she did!  Blackman trained extensively at Steps on Broadway with teachers such as Randy Skinner pushing her to a newfound potential. “My first LaDucas were a pair of ZiZi boots which are still my favorite.  Nothing like your first!” she laughs.  But Blackman’s inaugural LaDucas were not just a sign of her progress as a dancer, they still are much to thank for her being able to dance at all. “I suffered a bad ankle injury that still gives me trouble,” Blackman admits. “But LaDucas are so secure, supportive, and comfortable—they’ll always be my go-to.” Now, you might imagine your Broadway debut in a purple leotard in A CHORUS LINE, black fishnet one-piece in CHICAGO, or cream-colored button-up blouse and trousers in HAMILTON.  Instead, try to envision your opening night performance wearing one of the most expensive and intricate dresses ever seen on Broadway.  In ANASTASIA, Blackman plays the tsarina (and covers the role of Countess Lily—see photos) and dons a 50-pound dress covered with Swarovski crystals.  The dress is so grand that the audience audibly gasps when Blackman first steps on stage.  But the tsarina gown is just one of Linda Cho’s many stunning costumes in ANASTASIA.  And LaDuca Shoes play a big part in those costume designs, too. “All of our shoes are made as an extension of our dresses, and we have about 10 outfits each,” explains Blackman. “They are different style to represent different time periods and painted to perfectly accent the outfit.” “Whether taking class in my old ZiZi boots or dancing in my gold bedazzled Lily heels onstage at the Broadhurst Theatre,” says Blackman, “LaDucas will always feel like a luxury.” Yes, but a very well-deserved one. #featurefriday #friday #laducas#laducashoes #philladuca #lindacho#anastasia #fanastasias #countesslily#broadway #broadwaydebut #dance#randyskinner #tap #stepsonbroadway#danceclass #tapdance #injury#charactershoes #danceshoes#nycdance #nycdancer

[a-punk-and-her-horror]

((Pathfinder: The Crimson Saber’s journey part 18 - Temple Time!))

It was a few days travel, but eventually the group reached Solace.  As they disembarked from the caravan, they found themselves standing before a ramp leading into the trees themselves, towards a large inn.  Zizi squinted as he tried to make out the name above the door.

“Inn of the last home?”

Kheevee tapped her snout slightly “Wait, didn't we stop in something similar before, or at least try to?  This place is just copying names...”

“Actually, Kheevee...” Kiruto quickly answered to correct the Kobold “If anything, the other place copied here.  The Inn of the Last Home is one of the more famous inns around.”

“They best have good drink then...” Zizi said with a slight laugh, as the rest of the group followed him up the ramp to the door, before entering.  The sight before them took them back, with the usual bustle of an inn this size, yet of a higher class, all of which turned to face the group.

“Uhm... Hi?” Kheevee questioned, as She who eats felt her pouch rustle.  The owlbear reached in, before slowly pulling out an intricate helmet, with carvings of owls atop it, before setting it on her head. Kheevee slowly looked to Zizi, who was holding his head in his large hands in pain, as a blue glow shone from behind them.

“Zizi, your marks glowing!”

“I know, just...let me do this..” Zizi muttered as he moved to the bar, sliding some steel coins across “Dwarven ale, the strong kind!”  The rotund bartender nodded with a large smile, taking the coins and sliding a large mug his way, to which he drank fully without taking the mug away for a breath.  After a moment, he realized something was up.

“...That had no effect.  What the hell?  Is this weak stuff or...” His words trailed off as he looked to the drunken passed out patron to his left, noticing the same drink in his half full mug.  Kiruto moved to quickly sample the half full mug, before looking to Zizi as he ordered his own “that's Dwarven ale alright, but it isn't hitting us as hard.”

“Never mind that, why is it only I'm getting the headache?!?” Zizi moaned as he pointed out the glowing marks on the rest of the parties heads.  “Actually, the bigger question is, why does he have the mark too?” Feyed questioned, nodding towards a figure in the corner.

As Kheevee followed Feyed's gaze, she found herself being picked up around the waist once more by She who eats, as she was carried towards the figure, being placed on the table in front of him.  Before she could speak, a voice filled her mind.

“Talk for me.”

“...Who said that?” Kheevee questioned out loud, looking around.

“...Your god!”

Kheevee paused for a moment “Bladestorm?  You don't sound like Bladestorm...”

“...I have a cold!”

Kheevee squinted as she began to detect magic, looking up to the helmet on She who eat's head “...Funny trick.  Where did you even get that?”

She who eats shrugged as the voice came to Kheevee's mind once more “I assume it was a gift from my god.  Now, talk for me, so I don't have to scream.  Tell him who we are.”

The figure looked at the two in confusion as Kheevee turned back to him “Sorry about that.  I'm Kheevee, that's she who eats.  The guy over there is Feyed, and the two at the bar are Zizi and Kiruto.  Some of us are the Crimson Sabers!”

The figure leaned out from the shadows, the mark glowing on his head as he revealed himself to be a hill dwarf, with long scraggly hair and a beard to match “Okay, fine, but what is she?”

“She who eats?  She's an owlbear.”

“An...  Owl and a bear?  What is that?”

Kheevee paused, having never questioned it before “I...don't know.  I just assumed it was like a mix of an owl and a bear, and...”

“So is the bear the mother and the owl the father?”

“I think it's more like someone used magic and fused them together?”

“NO!” She who eats shouted out, as the rest of the inn's occupants turned to face her, before turning back to their own activities.

The dwarf looked to She who eats before shrugging, and moving away from the table to the bar. After some quick talking and an exchange of steel coins, the bartender returned with a large cask of Dwarven ale, to which the dwarf quickly emptied into enough mugs for himself and the rest of the party.

“Well met, new friends, and a greetings to you all.  I am sure to remember your names, and as for mine, you may call me by what my friends all call me, which is Bane!”

As the dwarf introduced himself, the marks began to fade from himself and the group, pleasing Zizi as he began to empty the cask as fast as he could, becoming more and more drunk with each mug full of ale.  After a quick confirmation of Bane's encounter with the Bladestorm, Kiruto asked the bartender about room for the night.

“20 steel.”

“20 steel?!?  That's bullshit!” Zizi cried out.

“No, that's business. You know what inn you're in, right?”

Zizi muttered to himself as he moved towards the entrance “C'mon then guys, we're going to find somewhere else to stay tonight...”

“I...  I don't mind paying for rooms...” Kheevee called out, as Zizi turned to her “I wouldn't want you to waste your coins...”

As the group moved down the ramps to the ground once more, Zizi tracked down the nearest guards, only to be told the inn was the only place with rooms, but they wouldn't stop the group from camping out next to the lake.

Surveying the area, She who eats marked an area for the camp-fire, as the rest set up their tents.

“STAY HERE, I HUNT, THEN MAKE BONFIRE!”

As the owlbear moved further into the woodland, Kheevee looked to the lake for any large predators, before quickly hopping into the shallows to paddle and bathe, before putting her cloak back on and joining the others several minutes later as She who eats returned with an elk.

As She who eats began to prepare the meat, as well as a protective bonfire for the group, Kheevee began to squirm on the spot, itching at her body.

“You okay there?” Kiruto questioned as he looked over.

Kheevee shook her head as she removed the cloak, revealing leeches on her body “G...gah! Help!”

As she looked to the rest, Zizi slowly lumbered over, still drunk, armed with one of his spears “Trust me, you're going to want to stand still for this...”

“Zizi, maybe this is best left for...”

The spear shot forward, missing the leeches yet burying itself deep within Kheevee's arm into the bone.  Tears streamed down her face as her body trembled.

“Oh...sorry.  I think I missed.  Give me a moment, and I'll...”

As he yanked upwards, the spear refused to move, until She who eats moved closer, taking the spear in her grasp and pulling it out of the bone, leaving a woozy Kheevee struggling to remain concious.  Tuning herself to nature, She who eats began to commune with the leeches, telling them to get off Kheevee, squishing them as they flopped off her body.

With the threat gone, She who eats fixed Kheevee's arm with a healing touch, before Zizi gave her a potion of healing to top her up.  Saying her thanks, Kheevee moved away from the group to the bonfire, tears still in her eyes.

After a moment, she heard footsteps slowly approach her.  “Kheevee, we need to talk...”

Kheevee turned her head to look to Kiruto “About what?  The leeches?  My arm's fine now, I just needed to come over here to cry a bit, you know?”

“Not about that, about...you know...”

Kheevee tilted her head as she looked to him in confusion.

“You know I didn't mean to do it, right?  Yet at the same time, she kind of deserved it...”

Kheevee's expression quickly turned, her hand moving to fiddle with the ring around her finger.

“I...  I know.”

“I hope you're not upset still by...”

“...Can we talk about this another time?”  Kheevee looked to Kiruto, clearly showing she was still mourning.

“...Okay, just get some rest.  This bonfire spell should stop anything getting in the protected area, so none of us need to keep watch...”

As night passed on to day, and the group woke up after a nights rest before gathering their belongings, Zizi scouted out for nearby guards to ask for information, before returning to the others.

“Seems we got some luck here.  There's a large temple that way.  We can ask for information there...”

“...Which god is it for?” Feyed questioned.

“That's the thing. It's a large temple that houses lots of smaller temples.  There's worshippers for every god and goddess in there.”

“Well, I guess that's as good a place as any for information...” Kiruto said with a smile, as Zizi lead the way.

20 minutes later, the group arrived within the temple, with each of them splitting up to locate their respective deities to ask for information.

While the others were busy, She who eats entered her temple, only to be greeted by several druids and a peaceful aura, as well as several woodland animals. Feeling comforted, she slowly found an open spot, before taking a nap.

Meanwhile, Kheevee, out of curiosity, found the temple dedicated to the Bladestorm.  Upon entering, she found herself watching several beings of different species battling and training within.  Above her, Valkyrie flew around, sparring with each other in mid air combat.  Finally, a voice called to her.

“One so small, we don't usually see your kind in here...”

As Kheevee turned to face the elder, her mark began to glow on her head without any pain, a smile emerging on the elders face as his eyes locked onto it.

“...And yet marked by our god himself.  You must have impressed him...”

“Well, that'd be more my team-mate, he fought Bladestorm.  He'd like this place actually, I should tell him about here...”

The elder chuckled “Indeed.  How can we help you though?��

“Oh, I was after information on someone we're trying to find called Annabelle.”

“Oh, yes, Annabelle does come here every now and again.  She was here a few days ago in fact.”

“A few days ago?!?” Kheevee looked around “Do you know where she's gone then?”

“You could try The Shades, there's a tavern there she's known to frequent.”

Kheevee nodded, thanking the elder as she exited the tavern, only to run into Feyed, Bane and Zizi.

“Bladestorm temple?” Zizi questioned with a smirk.

“You'll love it in there, but I got information!”

“Great, you can tell us about it while we get to The Shades.  There's a tavern we need to visit...” Bane said with a slight grin.

“...How did you...”

“I heard the same thing from the elder of the Sargonnas temple...” Zizi chuckled “Seems Annabelle worships many gods.”

“What about the others?” Feyed questioned, as Zizi looked to the monk “If Annabelle returns here, they can catch her.”

As the small splinter group reached the Shades, they could feel the very atmosphere change around them.  Gone was the idealistic village vibe, replaced with something a lot more seedier and dangerous.  Through the narrow streets and dim light, they finally found the tavern.

Upon entering, they found the tavern busy, full of ne'er-do-wells of all shapes and sizes bickering and fighting among themselves.  The four approached the bar, as Bane took the lead.

“So what are you four having?”

“Information.”

“...Do I look like a guard to you?  We sell drink, and occasionally food!”

Feyed leaned on the bar, sliding twenty gold pieces to the bartender, who quickly took the coins for himself “And now?”

“Nothings changed.”

Feyed and Bane looked to Zizi, his eyebrow twitching, as he leaned forward to try and grab the bartender, only for him to quickly move back.  The background noise quickly faded, replaced with the sound of steel being drawn as the four looked around at the patrons, ready to defend their bartender.

“I suggest you leave...” The bartender muttered, his threat clear to the four.

“Not until we get information on Annabelle.” Zizi shouted out.

Kheevee quickly looked around, before looking to Zizi “these guys outnumber us roughly 7 to one.  I want to find Annabelle as much as you, but we can't do that dead.”

“You should listen to the small runt...” The bartender quickly replied “...she seems to be the only smart one of your group.”

Zizi muttered as he put his weapon away, before picking up Kheevee as the four exited the tavern.  Shortly after the door closed behind them, sounds of cheer and festivities erupted once more.

“...Sorry if I spoke out of line, Zizi, it's just...”

“It's fine Kheevee, you stopped us from doing something stupid.  Let's just go back to the temple...”

“Yeah, I think that would be...”

“...Maybe they'll all come help us kick their asses.”

“...Oh...”

As they approached the temple once more, the group caught sight of Kiruto “Ah, that's where you went.  I'm assuming you went to the Shades?  How did it go?”

“As it always does when it's one of those shady places.  Where's She who eats?”

“Haven't seen her since she went in her temple.  Where are you lot off to now?”

“...Let's check out the Bladestorm's temple.”

Kheevee nodded “I'll look for She who eats and we'll head to his temple afterwards!”

Zizi nodded as Kheevee split off from the group, shortly finding the temple afterwards.  As she entered, she found She who eats, fast asleep in the middle, several animals resting atop.  A yawn escaped the Kobolds jaws as she approached, the calming atmosphere relaxing her to the point of climbing atop of She who eats, and falling fast asleep as well.

An hour would pass until She who eats would stir awake, spotting Kheevee still asleep on her.  She slowly got onto all fours, making sure to place Kheevee on her back as she wandered out of her god's temple, towards the Bladestorm's temple.

Upon entering, she would spy her allies sparring and training, seemingly having forgotten about the plan to rally the temple against the tavern.  The elder would shoot her a quick look, before spying the mark “Oh. Are you...awakened?”

She who eats nodded, as the elder clapped his hands together “Ah, good.  If you're after some training, I can find you a sparring partner.  Let me see...  Ah, yes, you!”

The rest of the crowd fell silent as Zizi emerged from behind several others “Who are you having me spar agai...OH-HOH!  I accept!”

She who eats squinted hard at Zizi, before standing on her hind legs, as Kheevee slid off onto her rear hard, waking her up with a jolt.

The elder waved his hands over the two, magically blunting their horns and claws “Do not worry, this is only for this match.  No use calling it training if you two kill each other now, is it?  Now, on my count, go for it!”

The crowd began to gather around them, cheering and chanting as the elder's voice cut over them.

“3!”

“2!”

“1!”

“GO!”

[bellatrixobsessed1]

The Mechanical Dragon (Part 14)

She is a fool and she knows it. Brazen and brave, but a fool.

She is not wearing her wings.

The path before her is very empty and disconcertingly silent. She knows that she is truly alone again. She realizes, rather abruptly, that she doesn’t like being alone. Yet, she continuously isolates herself in some way or another through an assortment of means. During her prime she was feared and fearless. Traipsing the jungle Azula is forced to admit that she is afraid. For many reasons. But there is something that stands out much bolder than all else in the noiselessness. She is afraid of being alone. The fearless, lonely princess is afraid of being alone.

 She almost wants to turn back.

But she can’t, lest she lose her nerve. Besides, it has taken her far too much time to pinpoint her destination, she can’t fathom having wasted all of that time. So Azula does what she does best and pushes forward.  

 .oOo.

 Azula has left her again and without saying a word. Zirin is furious, she hadn’t expected any different being as the princess was outright about saying she would sneak away again. But it didn’t alleviate the frustration, not under current circumstances.

 She hovered about Okon’s bed, trying to make him as comfortable as possible. Trips to the water pump were becoming so frequent, she thought that she was spending a good seventy percent of her day running to and from it.

 Okon lets out a wheezing cough and Zirin’s heart seizes. She wraps his hand around the cup and urges him to drink as he fights off another fit. She knows that she can’t worry about the princess right now. No, Azula is on her own for the time being. If she wants to skip out then Zirin will leave her to it. “Can I get you somethin’ to eat, father?”

 “I’m not hungry, Zizi.”

 He is never hungry these days and for it he grows frailer. She grips his hands with what is probably more force than she should. “You gotta eat.” But she knows that he won’t. He is a stubborn man and it is going to catch up to him, she just knows it. She doesn’t know, however, what she will do when it does.

 .oOo.

 A little under a week later, Azula knows now that she truly is a mad woman as she stands before a decaying door. The wood is old and rotting and the stone wall it is fixed within is teeming with mold and moss. The air smells stale and musty. It sends shivers down her spine, it the odor bares too much likeness to her cellar for her to be comfortable. All that is missing is the foul stench of long dead meat. She supposes that it makes sense though, that the place reeks in such a way.

 Azula is well aware that it is in her best interest to turn around, but she is also fairly certain that this is the only way to stop her nightmares. So she knocks and she waits, every second torments her, every second is a chance to bolt. But she remains, she finds it hard to imagine cowering away, it simply isn’t something she does.

 When he steps into the light she can almost pretend that he is a normal guy. A moral, sane man. She supposed that they were similar in that way. Azula knows that she has caught him off guard, he is far less intimidating when she meets him on her own accord, but his shock wears off and he is scowling. It is unsettling all over again and she can’t fathom what possessed her to do this. She can’t exactly go back now. “Where is your mother?”

 He is fast, but she is more so.

At first she thought he was going for a quick strike. Instead he pushes the door shut, but not before she can wedge her foot in the frame. With more strength than he had anticipated, she forced her way in. “Where is your mother?” She repeated. Her voice was lower than she remembered, more dangerous. If he doesn’t cooperate she is going to hurt him, she knows that she will and it frightens her. She is already slipping away from herself in a way she hasn’t in a very long time.

 “She doesn’t want to talk to you.” He mutters, he can’t look her in the eyes.

 “And I didn’t want to stay in that cellar.” Azula slowly edges closer. “Take me to her.”

 He opens his mouth and she can see it on his face that he his going to refuse, so she takes him by the wrist and with her free hand she snaps his index finger back. He cries out in shock and anguish. She feels nothing. Neither delight—as she ought to—nor guilt.

He clutches his broken finger it is already swelling.

 “Kozak?” She hears a familiar rasp. “Kozak what’s going on?”

 It occurs to Azula that she can kill Kozak and cut off the only care that his mother has. It would be a slow agonizing way for her to die. It would fit very well.

 “Are you showing me to her, or am I going myself?”

 He stiffens and glares at her. But he motions her forward, she can see his bad finger still good and popped out of place.

 She realizes, standing before Li, that she doesn’t know exactly what she came to do. She thinks that she wants to murder the old woman, violently tear her apart beyond recognition. She was so aged, it would be so easy to snap a few bones and bash the woman in.

 .oOo.

 Most of the town’s people have heard by now and they don’t like to meet her gaze as she enters the apothecary for herbs she cannot find in her garden. Painkillers with more potency, medicines that are less modest, and teas that are richer.

 It is for nothing, Zirin knows. Nothing other than making her feel like she is doing something to help. But she knows that the numbing agents only take the edge off, that the medicines have no effect, and the teas only leave a desirable taste.

 She wishes that someone would talk to her, she needs solace and reassurance. But she is so isolated. She feels her mind fraying again and she can’t afford to let that happen. So she goes somewhere that will help her forget, at least for a little while. The tavern is loud, it is just what she needs. She promises that she will only have a few.

 And more than a few drinks later she is stumbling home in the dark, just barely making it there. Bugs buzz all too loudly in heat that is too intense, even for a Fire Nation night. The alcohol leaves her thinking that her father is going to be pissed and beat her good for coming in so wasted and disoriented. He doesn’t though, instead he does something infinitely worse.

 .oOo.

 Sitting across from Li, she realizes that she wanted conversation, not blood. The elderly woman drums yellowing nails upon the surface of the table, she is glowering at her uninvited guest rather wickedly. Instinctively, Azula is somewhat nervous. It is irrational, she has the upper hand here, even if Kozak decided to get involved. But he keeps very careful distance, looming in the corner of the room.

 “You’re broken.” Li remarks. Azula doesn’t know if she is referring to the physical scars or the ones in her mind that brought her here. “You should be dead, you were supposed to be. Just like my sister.” Her face only grows more sinister.

 “Yes, you’re right.” Azula agrees. Only part of her means it. She doesn’t pine for someone to put her out of her misery anymore, not since she received her wings. Yet part of her, a very large part still believes that she deserved to.

 “What do you want from me, princess?” The word is unpleasant coming from that mouth and in that tone. “Are you hear to kill me? String me up for slaughter in front of my son like a hippo-cow.”

 Azula gets a faint impression that this is what Li has in mind for her—complete with a brand-new outfit of hippo-cow skin. Again, Azula is hard-pressed to suppress a shudder. “That’s not what I’m here for.” She still doesn’t know what she is here for, where she wants the conversation to go.

 “Then, what?” Li askes in her gravely drawl.

 “I’m not a monster.” Azula declares. “Lo wasn’t supposed to die.” Was that really what she wanted to say? Did she truly spend all that time tracking Li down and making the journey there to try to convince Li that she is actually a remotely decent person? It seems so pathetic to want to please a woman like Li, and yet that is exactly what she came to do.

Somewhere down that miserable path she was walking, Azula decided that she still cared for Li. Li who taught her to firebend, who helped give her what made her who she was. Li who taught her about womanhood instead of mercilessly leaving her to a mess of awful surprises. Li who took care of her when her father was busy and her nannies were out.

Li who left her scarred and damaged beyond genuine repair.

 “You are and you always were. You always will be.” Li is very firm. Her opinion isn’t going to waver, but Azula still seeks to try. “It’s a shame.” She clamps her hand around Azula’s skin. Somewhat soft, and somewhat familiar skin. Azula jerks her hand out of Li’s grasp. “The hog-monkey wings suited you so well.”

 Again, Azula disputes this. “I was…sick.” That’s what Zuko had always said when referring to her psychosis. “I wouldn’t have sent her away if—”

 Li hisses and covers her ears. “You would have, you would have, you would have! Demon! Beast!” She abruptly gets to her feet. “Right from the start, I knew it right from the start. I told Lo, I told her that you were a demon child.”

 “That’s not true.” She was beginning to wonder though, maybe it is true. It crosses her mind briefly to let Li bind her up again and start stitching. She thinks of Okon and of Zirin—she can’t be a monster if she has love for them. Is that what that was? Azula realizes that she doesn’t really know—or maybe, remember—what love is.

  “Do you know what they did to beasts when I was a girl?” Li asks with a snarl. “They took them into the center of down, cut out their tongues, gouged out their eyes, and fed it to them so that they can eat their own meat as they had the meat of the good villagers.”

 Azula thinks that Li might just be more out of touch than she. In all of her years, she had never heard of such practices taking place in the Fire Nation. She doesn’t have much time to dwell on it though because Li lunges at her.  Reflexes take over, Azula can’t recall having done so, but she sees the dying flicker of a lightning bolt.

 Li is on the ground, smelling faintly of smoke. There’s a tang of burning meat in the air with a hint of copper. The woman crumpled on the floor is sorely unarmed. She doesn’t have a knife nor fire. Not even a blunt object. She is just a fragile old woman. What she does have, is a blackened hole in her chest. It blisters and gushes.

 A loud scream rings out. She thinks it could be her own for a moment, but it is much too masculine. Kozak drops to his knees, cradling his mother. He screams again, a dismal hybrid of anguish and rage. His eyes meet the princess’ own.

 It wasn’t supposed to happen like that…

Li wasn’t supposed to die…

 She knows that she is wide-eyed and that it is a show of weakness that she can’t afford in front of such a formidable enemy. Yet she can’t seem to shake her own horror. So she does the only thing she can think of at the time. She makes a break for the door, leaving Kozak to his grief.

 Now Azula knows that Li is right.

She has killed Lo and now she has killed Li.

 .oOo.

 “Father.” She sobs into his chest. “Father.” The word is weaved into her cries. “You gotta come back, you gotta. You can’t just go ‘n leave me all alone.” She shakes him. “You ain’t say goodbye, don’t you know you gotta say goodbye?” She can’t help but hope that he will wake up, maybe if she coaxes him…

“You know how many drinks I had tonight, fa? I went ‘n had more then four.” He is supposed to wake up and scold her, send her to her room without a meal. He was supposed to discipline her.

She realizes at once, that he is punishing her. She’d neglected him for a game of forgetting at the bar and so he went and died. If only she had stuck by his side. If only she was a responsible caregiver.

A responsible daughter.

 For her folly she is alone. Alone and furious.

That princess. That evil, selfish princess. She had a nasty habit of disappearing when Zirin truly needed her and she was sick to death of it. Her focus shifts again, back to her father’s body. She is lost, she doesn’t know what to do. “Father, please.” She whispers again. “I nee’ja to wake up fer me.”

 He remains still.

There is still some warmth lingering on his skin.

[dweemeister]

Hans Christian Andersen (1952)

Why is it that the “Hollywood ending” or the “fairytale ending” has become something to be chastised and not taken seriously? What is wrong with happily ever afters for audiences looking for an escape? Charles Vidor’s Hans Christian Andersen – which, in an opening intertitle, presents itself as “not the story of his life, but a fairytale about this great spinner of fairy tales” – is the sort of movie one expects to have said happily ever afters. Not so. A delightful musical from Samuel Goldwyn Productions and distributed by RKO, Hans Christian Andersen has a resolution that subverts (but does not reject) those expectations in ways very few fairytale films have ever attempted.

For powerful producer Samuel Goldwyn (1936′s Dodsworth, 1946′s The Best Years of Our Lives), Hans Christian Andersen was a fourteen-year undertaking that included several screenwriters submitting their scripts and no expenses spared. After accepting Moss Hart’s (1947′s Gentleman’s Agreement, 1954′s A Star Is Born) screenplay, Goldwyn greenlighted production on the film. Goldwyn became so endeared to this film that he could not be flustered by its clunky narrative and weaker musical segments. But regardless of its noticeable faults, the lavish Hans Christian Andersen is a fascinating film – demonstrating that fairytales can be compelling for children and adults.

We open in Odense in Denmark, where cobbler Hans Christian Andersen (Danny Kaye) passes the time creating and sharing stories with local children. Andersen’s storytelling is grating to the schoolmaster (John Brown), who pleads with local government officials to stop the cobbler from making the children tardy to school. Andersen implores to the officials that there is as much to learn outside the classroom as in it, and even the adults are stopping to listen to his tales. Andersen’s assistant is the teenaged orphan, Peter (Joseph Walsh), who persuades Andersen to travel to Copenhagen after secretly learning that the town leaders have voted to exile the cobbler. In Copenhagen, Andersen and Peter will stumble onto the Royal Danish Ballet and Andersen finds himself crushing on and intimidated by lead ballerina Doro (French international Zizi Jeanmarie, who by trade is a ballet dancer and not an actor). Doro asks Andersen – referring to him by occupation, not name – to fix her shoes. Andersen witnesses her husband, choreographer Niels (Farley Granger) cruelly criticize Doro, and Andersen believes that he is being abusive. Peter, watching what happens after his boss leaves, notices how loving Doro and Niels are to each other outside of rehearsal.

Andersen returns to his new Copenhagen storefront, not heeding Peter’s protestations that Doro and Niels are in love, and proceeds to write “The Little Mermaid” to tell Doro – in the only way he can – that Niels is the wrong man. Here, it is useful to remember that Hans Christian Andersen is intended to be a fairytale for Andersen himself, and that the film has some freedom to reinterpret his works and their central messages.

Before we talk about the passions found within, it is worthwhile to note that Hans Christian Andersen is a celebration of storytelling and what the art of creating stories and telling them to others can do. These tales bring healing to those suffering from their own anxieties; comfort to the hopeless; wisdom to confound even the wisest individuals. Andersen is the sort of character who, if he could, would spend his lifetime brightening the days of anyone who might take the time to listen. But life necessities and political pressure interfere – for Andersen and everyone else – and Denmark needs a decent cobbler.

Modern scholarship has uncovered that Andersen was incredibly shy about his feelings, largely closeted in his bisexuality, and that he tended to fall for women who did not return his ardor. Though this 1952 film does not reflect much of the real-life Andersen (for reasons of historiography and the Hays Code), it has a more complicated portrayal of what it means to fall in love and what love may seem to be than anyone might predict. Going into Copenhagen, we are unsure whether Andersen has felt and experienced love for another person. His social awkwardness when not telling stories probably suggests he knows little else outside the two main functions he performs. Watching Niels’ conduct to Doro, Andersen has been informed by the kindness imbued by his protagonists in his own stories, finding such behavior repugnant to the fictional love he has based his fairytales in. The film insists that Doro and Niels’ professional hostility to each other does not extend to their private romantic lives – an argument that is not well-supported by Hart’s screenplay. The differences between the public and private aspects of their relationship are unbelievably night and day, and it is too difficult to imagine how Doro tolerates how she is being treated. I stop short of calling Hans Christian Andersen as abuse-enabling, but the messages are too mixed.

Andersen’s conduct, too, knowing so little about Doro outside of fixing her shoes, could be better developed. Are his actions crossing the line in invading a couple’s privacy? Are they borne from actual love (which would require, above all, commitment and an effort to understand the other person in a way Andersen does not display)? What is apparent is that Andersen’s idealism towards love is childlike – as opposed to childish – and he does not listen to criticism or advice that contradicts that. When, late in the film, Doro finally understands what Andersen’s feelings for him are, she is taken aback and unable to respond. For too long she has taken the cobbler for granted, not believing that they are anything more than ballerina and cobbler who fixes her shoes. It leaves the conclusion, as frustrating as the romantic writing has been, with more pathos than the viewer might think possible.

Hans Christian Andersen is foremost a Danny Kaye piece, partly thanks to how Goldwyn and Vidor handled this production. Kaye’s on-screen partnership with the film’s many child actors is delightful to watch. He successfully embodies Andersen’s optimism and sense of wonder – where other adults might trudge their way to places they need to go, one can imagine Kaye’s Andersen being distracted by animals or flowers, not arriving where he needs to be until many minutes or hours after the fact. Kaye’s graciousness in his performance did not extend to how he treated his two adult co-stars. Irritated with Jeanmarie’s troubles understanding director Vidor (Vidor had a heavy Hungarian accent) and Granger for whatever he did, it does not help either of those two performances. Kaye also had a short temper with the film’s technicians and makeup artists – mystifying those on set, as Kaye never had any history of mistreating people during film shoots before or after Hans Christian Andersen. Jeanmarie’s lack of acting pedigree harms her supposed romantic connection with Granger’s character and more emotional scenes with Kaye. Granger’s lackadaisical performance – a year after starring in Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train – is a critical letdown, robbing Hans Christian Andersen of romantic tension.

Samuel Goldwyn pursued Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II (R&H had already completed Oklahoma!, Carousel, and The King and I) to write the musical score for Hans Christian Andersen, but instead settled for Frank Loesser (who composed the stage musicals Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) as composer and Walter Scharf (1968′s Funny Girl, 1971′s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) as musical director. No one song is a spectacular standout but, together, Loesser’s score is a solid effort with a few numbers that will lodge themselves – your tolerance may vary, depending on how you feel about Danny Kaye before this movie – in your head. The film’s second song, “The Inchworm” (which isn’t exactly an earworm) is an ambitious example of counterpoint – when two or more musical voices that are melodically and rhythmically distinct but come together to harmonize – that displays who Andersen is as a person. It contrasts the robotic learning occurring in the classroom nearby with his daydreaming curiosity. Soon after leaving for Copenhagen is the film’s actual earworm, “I’m Hans Christian Andersen”. Like “Chim Chim Cher-ee” from Mary Poppins (1964), “I’m Hans Christian Andersen” has verses spread across the film, fitting to whatever the situation is at that moment. Yes, this means Hans Christian Andersen has many instances where he is singing his own name. You would think the people of Odense and Copenhagen would have no need for this song by a certain point!

"Wonderful Copenhagen” works as a memorable traveling song, maybe a Hollywoodized sea shanty, as it is one of the most repeated songs in the instrumental score. From the film’s songs, “Thumbelina” would be nominated for an Academy Award. And though I retrospectively disagree with that nomination, it is a charming, inventive ditty that shows Andersen always retains his compassion even at a desperate time. “The Ugly Duckling” is a simple musical retelling of the eponymous fable and is quite meaningful when taken in context.

But the film’s greatest musical achievement has to be the extended, climactic ballet sequence – presented like a borderless fantasy rather than depicting any divide between stage, orchestra, and audience. Combined with the cinematography by Harry Stradling (1938′s Pygmalion); production design by Howard Bristol (1940′s Rebecca), Antoni Clave (1961′s Black Tights), and Richard Day (1941′s How Green Was My Valley); and costume design by Clave (for the ballet sequence only; Mary Wills did the costume design for everything else, and she too should deserve acclaim), the ballet is a stupendous feat of visual creativity following in the footsteps of two breakout movies that started this trend in Hollywood musicals – 1948′s The Red Shoes and 1951′s An American in Paris. Yes, Niels takes Andersen’s idea to adapt it for the ballet stage while failing to understand Andersen’s true intentions behind the work. With the music based on five pieces by Franz Liszt and adapted by Heinz Roemheld (1942′s Yankee Doodle Dandy, 1945′s Wonder Man), it is a cinematic splendor that surprisingly is not from a better movie.

Before the film’s release, rumors in Denmark had many believing that Hans Christian Andersen would be an unfair depiction of their national hero. To stem the growing unrest, Goldwyn sent Kaye on a goodwill pre-release tour to Denmark. From the moment Kaye arrived at the airport in Copenhagen and made his way to lay flowers at Andersen’s statue, he was followed by thousands of his fans. At the statue he joked, “I came here to see if you would murder me.” Kaye would be killed with Danish kindness, accomplishing what he set out to do. The film became a critical and financial success in Denmark, across Europe, and in the United States – where it became the eighth-highest grossing movie of the year. After years of struggling to produce the film, Goldwyn was relieved the film was well-received.

Hans Christian Andersen would be the final film he made with Samuel Goldwyn – the executive who made him a movie star after distributing Wonder Man. No longer contracted to Goldwyn, Kaye’s career existed outside the Hollywood Studio System as he freelanced for the major studios and could exercise whatever creative authority he wished. Hans Christian Andersen can be difficult to watch because of its scattered plot and underwritten motivations for its central characters. Yet, in this fairytale of a fairytale spinner, it also pushes forward a complex take on love that few other films of this genre attempt – imbuing with musicianship and artistry as worthy as anything found in 1950s Hollywood. Though his faults are there for us to see, Hans Christian Andersen lives a good, honest life. With all the uncertainty and pain he goes through in the course of this story, he is never embittered, always hopeful.

My rating: 7.5/10

^ Based on my personal imdb rating. Half-points are always rounded down. My interpretation of that ratings system can be found here.

[gaelshorne]

A World Torn Asunder (Day 26 & 27)

It seemed impossible. All of the training, hard work, and drills. All for this.

Gaarzagon cut down the eredar in front of him. As he fell so too did Gaar’s spirit. It was only a short while ago that the Titan Sargeras had visited the Triumvirate. His honeyed words had turned Lords Archimonde and Kil’jaeden against them.

“Come, we must move on. This path is clear for the rest. We must keep it so,” Gaar said to his small band. Ditzendort and Ireszi were at his side as always. Yvara had gotten separated in the initial attack. The group was bolstered by a few new faces. Gaar looked at their grim countenances. With a nod he took up position again.

“Here comes another wave,” Ireszi said quietly.

“It does not matter. They will NOT get through,” Gaar said calmly as he gripped the hilt of his sword tighter.

The eredar charged their position hoping to overwhelm the small band. Gaar struck first putting all of his fury and devotion to the Light into his swing. It connected to the first eredar and with a growl, Gaar forced the blade the rest of the way through the unfortunate soul. Ditz was keeping their new foul magics at bay, but he was weakening. Ireszi’s sword work was impeccable as she skillfully cut down two more eredar. To Gaar’s left the male that had joined them over extended his reach and received a dagger to the heart for his troubles. The woman on his right took a fel blast to the chest, but was still breathing. The eredar retreated to lick their wounds and regroup.

“Zizi, heal her. Ditz, put up a shield. We’re falling back to the rest now. We’ve done all we can,” Gaar ordered as he picked up the wounded woman. 

The group was resting on the deck of the Genedar. Gaarzagon had his back to the rest of the ship and watched as Argus dwindled in the distance. 

“You look troubled, my Friend,” a voice said behind Gaarzagon.

“I have lost my home and killed people I once called ‘friend’. Yes, I am troubled,” Gaar said without turning.

“You are not the only one. Seek refuge with others. You’re kindness can help them heal, and they can help you in turn,” the man said.

Gaar turned around to be greeted by the faces of the Prophet Velen and the High Vindicator Akama. Gaar quickly knelt.

“I did you a disservice, Prophet,” Gaar began quickly.

Velen put a hand on Gaarzagon’s shoulder and gently pulled him to his hooves.

“I heard you and your group did well, even after Hakuun made his sacrifice. We need people like you, Gaarzagon,” Velen said with a sad smile.

“It was my first real battle, Sir. I was hoping to not have to use my training. Least of all on my own kind,” Gaarzagon said straightening before his leader.

“We all hoped for that, but that is what did not come to pass. Go, see to your friends. Find what family you can and cherish them,” Velen said with a gentle push.

Gaarzagon stumbled back towards the knots of eredar spread out around the ship. Velen and Akama watched him go.

“You did not tell him,” Akama stated.

“And what would that have accomplished? What is see is too far off. No, he deserves what happiness he can find right now. It will make him stronger in the end,” Velen said with a sad smile.

“Come, Akama. We have much to attend to.”

[nyessasundries]

For Ellory: 1, 3, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17 || For Hari: 4, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19

Ellory:

1. What influenced or inspired the creation of this character?

She started with a mental image of a character sort of lurking in the background of a group, grudgingly helping out on missions but not taking the lead until it came time to intimidate the shit out of someone in an interrogation or the like. When I was invited to join my current campaign, I knew I wanted to play a grumpy character as something new, and I was desperate to try out sorcery. So what better way to make a sneaky, lurks-in-the-shadows type grumpy than to saddle her with wild magic that goes boom at the most inopportune moments?

Playing through a childhood start with Ellory has resulted in a few significant differences from what I originally imagined, but the grumpiness is definitely still in play.

3. Who is the closest person to them?

That's...tough to say because she has a hard time letting people close to her. Maybe Shurza; Shurza is certainly who she loves more than anyone else in the world, but that doesn't mean that's who she's actually closest to. Of her friends, probably either Amsen or Vesper. Amsen is more of a daily constant in her life, and he has somehow managed to coax her to reveal more of herself than she normally would. And she connects so naturally with Vesper that it sometimes startles her. But she still keeps up walls with both of them for different reasons.

(And then there's Bál, who can bring down her walls so easily, with barely a word, that she then puts up three new ones in self-defense.)

7. Is there anyone they’d die for? Kill for?

Her family, especially her little sister. She wouldn't think twice before doing either for Shurza, but she might hesitate a moment--just a moment--for Mogthur, because isn't it supposed to be the parent who sacrifices for the child? But there could be no stronger way to prove her loyalty than to give a life, whether hers or someone else's.

9. How would this character react to someone confessing their love for them?

If it's a friend? "Ohhhhhhhh, no. No. What the fuck, no. Trust me, this is not something you want. Shit. Wouldn't you rather have [insert names of one or more other friends here]? They're gorgeous and wonderful and much less likely to fuck up your entire life."

If not a friend? Then a mixture of pity and contempt, the ratio of which dependent upon how much she likes them/how annoying they are.

13. Does your character consider themselves lucky?

Nope. She believes in skill and timing, but not luck. If she did believe in luck, she would assume hers was pretty fucking awful.

16. If they could instantly kill one person in the world without consequence, who would it be?

Uh...someone who is to remain nameless until we return to the campaign after the time skip. Rest assured, this individual is deserving. In fact, they're deserving of something much slower, but instant is probably safer for everyone in their path.

17. If they were in possession of a trio of wishes, what would their three wishes be?

1) For Mogthur and Shurza to be protected from the Covenant forever. 2) For the Copper Sail to always be financially successful in the hands of her family. 3) For her mom to come back.

Hari:

4. What were the conditions surrounding their formative years?

Hari grew up in a large, loving family that didn't know quite what to do with her. She spent her time bouncing between her father's merchant caravan to learn how the family business operated, and more academic studies at home with her mother and her aunts. Spending so much time on the road gave her an appreciation for other people's weirdness. She is definitely the black sheep of her family, and has never lived up to the example set by her "perfect" twin sister, but her childhood was a happy one with relatively little angst.

8. Who was their first love?

Zinna. Zizi was a gnome girl who traveled with the caravan, daughter of a wainwright who worked for Hari's father. She was a bit of an oddball, always dreaming and drifting off into her own little world, saying strange things that others couldn't understand. But Hari was more devastated that she was willing to admit when Zinna and her mother left the caravan to take to the sea.

9. How would this character react to someone confessing their love for them?

"Love ya too! Oh...wait. You mean love love? Well...uh..." and then sit down and have a frank discussion/negotiation about plans, priorities, and Hari's wandering ways.

10. How old is this character?

Uhhhhhhh, I don't know how age works for dwarves, but she's maybe equivalent to 25ish in human terms? A little younger, perhaps? I wrote a number down at some point, but I can't find it now.

17. If they were in possession of a trio of wishes, what would their three wishes be?

1) For a visit to the Gnome's Glade. 2) For the ability to instantly travel wherever she wants as many times as she wants with no cost. 3) For the Wonders to be fully restored.

18. What is their favorite spell or method of attack?

Sacred Flame! Or a warhammer to the head.

19. What are their guilty pleasures?

Excessive naps, but she doesn't feel too guilty about it--it's a religious practice, after all! Also probably erotic literature, especially if she can get some good recommendations from Two Keys while they're at the library. Also just...sleeping with lots of interesting people. But, again, not much actual guilt about any of these.