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stalkerofthegods · 1 year ago

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Lady hera deep dive.

Lady Hera is the queen of the gods and goddesses and the shared ruler of the skies, she deserves respect, and I adore her, as a researcher, and as a person in the community, I do not worship her, but she is welcoming, she is a wonderful goddess and kind, and as a mother and a ruler, she is amazing.

Herbs • lilies, poppies, irises, white roses, waterlilies, Golden roses and white roses, Vitex agnus-castus, poppies, stephanotis, cypress, coconut, maple trees, all white flowers, Marigold, Patchouli, Sage, Rosemary, Frankincense, oak, asterion flower, hyacinths (from when Zeus swept her up in a cloud in Bed of hyacinths in the Iliad 14.340-50)

Animals•peacock, the crow, the cuckoo, carrion-crow, Cow, snake, dragon, crab, snail, and other shelled creatures, eagle, young cow or lion, Wide-winged hawk, Cranes, heifer, goat

Zodiac • Cancer

Colors •White, royal blue, purple, dark green, grey, and silver, yellow, gold, red, blue, purple, rose.

Crystal• pearls, garnets, citrine, amber, diamonds, star sapphires, platinum, Morganite, Rose quartz, Lapis lazuli, Peacock ore, herkimer diamond, iris agate, apophyllite, morganite, turquoise.

Symbols• the crow, the cuckoo, the peacock and the pomegranate, Milky Way, the cow, the seasons of the year, Lotus-staff, the scepter.

Jewelry you can wear in their honor rings• wedding veils, and veiling in her honor.

Diety of • marriage, women, childbirth, and family, she also used to be an earth goddess, Matriarchy, fertility

Patron of • married women, presiding over weddings and blessing marital unions, bringing a woman fertility, protecting her children, helping a woman find financial security, overseeing both private and public affairs, and protecting women in labor. She also has domains in life, death, and the rebirth cycle. And is the patron of earth and cows before marrying Zeus, the Air, Clear skies, Rain, Storms, the Constellations, Maidens of marriageable age, Maiden virginity, Betrothals, Bride-price (dowry), Widows, Menstruation, Heirs, Dynasties, Fidelity (legitimate heir & not the product of adultery), Inheritance, sanctity of the home, kings, empires, heaven, showers, and breezes, prosperity, progeny and military victory, luck in battle, heroes

Alter ideas• She likes big alters, and I would put them near a lake, she was raised near a lake, and she likes extravagant things.

Offerings• Honey, Breads, grains, homemade sweets, Pomegranates, Fruits, Milk, Wine, Pure water, Peacock paintings, peacock statues, peacock patterns, Cow paintings, cow statues, cow print patterns, Cuckoo bird art, cuckoo bird statues, Cuckoo clocks, Diadem (crowns), Throne imagery, Framed family photos, Chocolate, Pomegranate seeds, Peacock feathers, Peacock jewelry, Cuckoo feathers, Snail and hermit crab shells, Cow jewelry, Toy peacocks or cows, Perfumes, Silver and gold jjewelry (especially rings), White or gold rose petals, Golden roses, Art that you’ve created (especially if it is an art of Her), Poems are written for Her, Any crafts you’ve made, Stories that you’ve written, Photos of your S.O. and children, goat meat, goat cheese, the asterion flower, Nemean lion imagery, shields/shield imagery, wedding related (ex- rings, veil, garter, copy of vows), she likes sweet things, snail shells, any shelled animal leftover shell

Devotional• Donate your time or money to charities that help women and children, find a fallen branch and burn a small part of it as an offering to Hera (based on the festival Daedala), don’t cheat, don’t make others cheat (don’t be a side chick), tame your jealousy, Read the story of Zeus and the Daidale (“wooden bride”), As you make your bed ask Hera to bless it and Bring romance to your marriage bed, Take a day to indulge in love, keep your home clean, be kind to children, do house chores, take care of your physical health, take care of your mental health, speak your mind, donate to and support domestic abuse victims, write her poems, donate old maternity clothes and baby clothes, Campaigning for women’s rights and equal marriage, gardening, painting, making music, do colour magick, Celebrate solstice and changing seasons, Setting a boundary in life (especially in love).

Ephithets• Cow-Eyed, White-Armed, The Virgin, Queen of the Gods, Protectress, Queen of Heaven, Protector of Women, Hera Alexandros (Protector of Men), Lady of the Beasts, Of The Golden Sandals, Ἀλέξανδρος (Alexandros) - Protector of Men, Αἰγοφάγος (Aigophágos) - Goat-Eater, Ἀκραῖα (Akráia)- She of the Heights, Ἀμμωνία (Ammonia), Ἄνθεια (Antheia) - flowery Ἀργεία (Argéia)- She of Argos, Βασίλεια (Basíleia)- Queen', Βουναία (Bounáia)- She of the Mound, Βοῶπις (Boṓpis) - Cow-Eyed or Cow-Faced, Λευκώλενος (Leukṓlenos)- White-Armed, Παῖς (Pais)- Child (in her role as virgin), Παρθένος (Parthénos)- Virgin, Τελεία (Teléia)- as goddess of marriage, Χήρη (Chḗrē) - Widowed, Τελχινία (Telchinia) - She was named like that because according to a legend, that the Telchines were the first in the island and also the first who created statues of gods, Ζυγία (Zygia) - as the presider over marriage, Hera Nympheuomene - Hera the betrothed bride, Hera Pais - Hera the girl, Hera Parthenia - Hera the maiden

Equivalents (not the same but alike)• Hathor (Egyptian), Juno (Roman), Frigg (Norse), Isis (Egyptian)

Aspects• Khaos-Aer (the Air), Hemera (Day), Nyx (Night), Titanis Rheia (Flow), Selene (the Moon), Eos (Dawn), Mother of Typhon (Typhoon, Smoke)

Attendees• Eleithyia (Goddess of Childbirth), Hebes (Goddess of Youth), Iris (Goddess of the Rainbow), The Horai (Goddesses of the Seasons & Heavenly Law and Order), Okeanides (Cloud-Nymphai)

Signs they are reaching out• Sudden imagery of peacocks and her animals, sudden mentions of what she is the goddess of, feeling an intense pull to her

Morals• Morally grey

Courting• Zues

Personality• Hera has a fast temper and is quick to administer justice

Mortal or immortal • immortal

Fact• Hera’s temples may have been the first to be roofed, her temples were some of the largest ever built (she is very big on big alters and on temples)

Blessings• Good betrothal, Marital harmony, Successful birth, Heirs, Dynasties, Birth of a male heir, good luck in battle, successful birth

Curse: Marital discord, Punishment of adulterers, death in birth, Protracted labor

Roots• her origin could’ve been as a Pelasgian goddess, she was nursed as an infant by the three daughters of the river Asterion: Euboia, Prosymna, and Akraia. But in the Iliad, Hera states she was given by her mother to Tethys to be raised, aspected to be raised in Argos in Argolis Greece and her birthplace being Samos on a Greek island. She also claims to be the oldest, but so does Hestia.

Parentage• Kronos and Rhea

Siblings• Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, and Demeter, half-siblings with Chiron

Pet• peacocks (peacocks pull her chariot)

Children • Angelos, Ares, Eileithyia, Enyo, Eris, Hebe, Hephaestus, and the Kharites, many say she adopted Heracles, (he built a temple for her and etc)

Appearance in astral or gen• in Greek and Roman art as a large woman, fully clad, wearing a diadem radiantly beautiful woman, shining like the sun, however, she is also a shape-shifter with many forms and is usually wearing a veil. She also has 3 aspects, the Maiden, Mother, and Crone aspects, She comes with the scent of flowers, and the earth blooms at her every step.

Festivals • Daedala, Heraia, and Anthesphoria were also common in the Peloponnese (where it was celebrated in honor of Hera Antheia at Argos, and of Aphrodite Antheia at Cnossus.)

Month• June

Sacred places• Heraeum at Nemea in the Argolid, the great temple on the island of Samos, and the temple at Olympia. A sanctuary at Argos, a seventh-century BCE temple built over an earlier shrine, is among the oldest Greek temples, Argos (Samos).

Status• Queen of the gods, and a major deity before and after marriage.

What angers her • Cheating, the Trojans.

Music she likes• wedding music.

What she likes in people• Women, heroes, moms.

Planet• Venus, and the full moon

Her Tarot cards• The empress, the world.

Scents/Inscene • rose, iris, myrrh, civet, jasmine, and patchouli, Rose, stephanotis

Prayers•

Hera, queen of Olympos, the bride of thundering Zeus, protector of marriage, of the joining of hearts and the creation of bonds, of the building of home and the finding of family. Great Hera, whose presence honors any wedding day, whose favor graces any marriage, I pray to you, O goddess, grant to me a joyous union, a love to last, a harmonious home. I ask your blessing on my household, O Hera–may it be a place of happiness and affection. I ask your blessing on my marriage bed–may it be a place of joy and pleasure. May my mate and I share our lives; may we grow old together, merry and content; may our words be honey-sweet, and may our love be ever strong. Shining Hera, I ask your blessing.

“O Hera, Queen of Gods, divine protector of marriage, From your throne above, look upon us with favor. Majestic and exalted, cloaked in unyielding loyalty, Bless the bonds we forge, and the promises we make. Grant us the strength to uphold love’s sacred vow, To support and cherish, through trials and time. May our hearts reflect your undying commitment, As we seek harmony, guided by your wisdom. Hail Hera, the eternal matriarch, in reverence we call, With offerings of peacock plumes and lilies white. Embrace us in your grace, bestow upon us unity, As we honor you, now and in all our days.”

I praise you bright and noble Hera, great lady of Olympos, gracious queen of the deathless gods, dark-eyed goddess, fairest of the children of Rhea, graceful and comely, cloaked in the starry skies, garlanded in poppies fragrant and blood-red, crowned in brightest gold, the lotus wand in your hand, your form ever draped in the finest of silks, majestic one whose blessing is sought by all, whose gifts are treasured, whose favor is a surety of good fortune. Hera, champion of great cities, gurardian of ancient Argos and the pretty isle of Samos, warder of the bounds of marriage, protector of women in the old world and the new, unparalleled goddess, white armed one, sovereign of the high-reaching heavens, I honor your might.

Deep-eyed Hera, beloved bride of mighty Zeus, mighty goddess, fair of face and silent of step, noble your manner, stately and poised your form, a queenly presence is ever yours, godly in glory, womanly in grace and beauty. Beloved Hera, patroness of kings and princes, friend of women, of mothers, upholder of marriage, of the right of lovers to join hearts and hands; lavish your gifts, liberal your hand, limitless the blessings you bestow on those you favor. Hera, the broad sky is yours, and the sweet air we breathe; to you we turn to for harmony and wedded bliss; to you we turn to for strength in the passion and turmoil and hard work of marriage; to you we offer our thanks for a life of love. Well-crowned Hera, beautiful one, revered one, greatest of goddesses, I praise and honor you.

Hera of the deep heart, the beautiful goddess whose true radiance would blind mortal eyes, whose steps fall softly in the golden halls of storied Olympos. In silks your fair form is draped, O Hera, heavy with jewels is your crown, the sweetest of perfumes surround you; in ancient times you received the highest honors, the finest of offerings were ever yours, your shining temples stood across the land. Hera, defender of cities, protector of marriage, champion of the love that upholds a family, that cherishes a child, you are the friend of those who hold the household dear. Queen of the heavens, holder of the lotus staff, the poppy and the pomegranate have you in hand. Hera, supreme in dignity and grace, unsurpassed in goodness and kindness, I praise you.

credits • https://spells8.com/lessons/goddess-hera-queen-of-the-gods-symbols/https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/intranets/students/modules/greekreligion/database/clunas/https://www.learnreligions.com/hera-greek-goddess-of-marriage-2561992https://www.tumblr.com/septemberfaerie/649491140077338624/simple-offerings-for-hera-honey-pomegranate https://www.learnreligions.com/hera-greek-goddess-of-marriage-2561992https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herahttps://www.reddit.com/r/Hellenism/comments/htocze/a_general_guide_to_crystals_and_which/https://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-hera https://vocal.media/futurism/ways-of-worship-hera https://screeching-0wl.tumblr.com/post/667043639626743808/a-guide-to-worship-of-hera-cheat-sheets/amphttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/649676050026086400/anthesphoriahttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/640526545372479488/daedala-festival-of-hera-zeushttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/640096332349079552/hera-epithets-of-life-stages-hera-ataurote-hera https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/640148785696276481/hera-aegophagos-goat-eater-i-was-so-curious-about https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/686092860730327040/hera-and-the-river-gods-of-argos-i-go-now-to-thehttps://thegodsaremyhome.tumblr.com/post/690029452553601024/hera/amphttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/650505716453474304/heras-asterionhttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/644802181317427200/in-olympia-the-women-celebrate-their-hera-festival https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/655772113984159744/heraia-games-festival-sanctuary-of-hera-argos https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/640021251498377216/i-am-a-fan-of-the-uncommon-belief-that-herakleshttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/642832991542984704/ive-just-been-called-to-hellenistic-paganism-i https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/649311039464325120/in-truth-three-cities-are-dearest-to-me-by-far https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/657033826078425088/months-before-each-games-the-olympic-flame-is-lithttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/646526356035862528/the-nemean-lionhttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/639110878639407104/notes-from-understanding-greek-religion-by https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/645426513103208448/hi-violet-what-kind-of-offerings-does-hera-love https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/648506401237385216/hi-violet-ive-been-curious-about-something-and-ihttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/687644696777031680/socrates-swore-by-herahttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/643457315969908736/zeus-and-heras-marriage-zeus-and-hera-are-the https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/638657086154309633/zeus-heraios-i-got-too-far-down-a-tumblr-rabbit https://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/646775981494992896/the-myth-of-the-daedala-the-separation-of-zeushttps://verdantlyviolet.tumblr.com/post/646580512604995584/hera-and-the-cuckoohttps://pieandhotdogs.tumblr.com/post/86517296169/hey-can-you-tell-me-things-about-hera-anything https://natural-magics.tumblr.com/post/79253398032/i-think-hera-has-been-trying-to-contact-me https://www.theoi.com/https://www.theoi.com/greek-mythology/olympian-gods.htmlhttps://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hera.html https://www.theoi.com/Summary/Hera.htmlhttps://www.reddit.com/r/Hellenism/comments/m00r3t/looking_for_hera_upg/https://athenaswisdom22.wordpress.com/list-of-prayers-to-the-gods/hera/#:~:text=I%20praise%20you%20bright%20and,your%20hand%2C%20your%20form%20everhttps://www.tumblr.com/tarotbee

I use resources, I do not own the info, and most deep dives have UPG (that I use in my work.) And I only take some information from sources. I am 14, this is my hobby, I am learning but I spent many hours and days on this, and I am always open to criticism. I have been doing worship for 5 years. Please know you can use the info, I do not sue, but I will take action if this work is used without permission and not put as a resource if used in any work. without permisson and not put as a resource if used in any work, for the public.

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asumofwords · 2 years ago

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Smoke, Fire and Ash

Warnings: This fic includes noncon, dubcon, manipulation, violence and inc3st. Tags will be added as the fic goes on.

This is a dark!fic. 18+ only. Read at your own discretion. Please read the warnings before continuing.

Summary: You are the eldest daughter of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen. You are forced to navigate the difficult surroundings of your upbringing and the eventual disintegration between your family and the Hightower's relationship. What will happen when your older and estranged uncle suddenly takes a more sinister interest in you? (Dark!Aemond x Reader)

Characters: Aemond Targaryen X Reader, HOTD characters.

Note: What a tangled web I weave... Good lord, somebody get the reader some anger management classes. She truly is her fathers daughter.

Chapter 9: Milk of the Poppy

You were awoken by the soft stirrings of Saria and Aella placing your dinner on the table. You pushed yourself up in the plush of the sheets, rubbing the sleep from your eyes, the dull ache of your feet slowly coming back with your consciousness.

The smell of the cooked meats and vegetables wafted across the room towards, making your stomach grumble. You sniffed, moving to the side of the bed before pulling yourself out.

Slowly you limped towards the table, breathing sharply out your nose through the pain. Hearing your approach your two maids turned quickly.

“My Lady, you should rest!” Aella said, running across the room to hold onto your arm gently.

“I am sure I will survive this short distance.”

Reaching the table you plopped down into the high back wooden chair. Its upholstery was a soft orange with golden flowers embroidered on it. Upon the table sat a roast with warm fresh bread and a flagon of ale. A smaller golden goblet was placed in front of you.

“I had the Maester bring more Milk of the Poppy for you, Princess.” She explained, “You need rest to gather your strength.” The small golden chalice held the familiar scent that seemed to follow your GrandSire.

“I have strength enough plenty. I am a Dragon not a mouse,” You snapped, patience and composure dwindling, unravelling like thread. You sighed, uttered a small apology and thanked her.

She does not deserve your fire.

Reaching forward you picked up the flagon of ale, pouring it into a glass provided. The bread was warm, fresh from the ovens, the crust perfectly crunchy, which tore apart softly with your hands. You slathered the bread with butter and popped it into your mouth.

As a child you recalled the bakers in the Red Keep. Whenever you became upset, your mother would call for bread to be brought up to the room with spreads. It always calmed you and gave you something to do with your hands. Anxiety from the whispers in court, and tension having used to distress you. The bread was so soft, it melted on your tongue.

Swallowing on your mouthful, you looked to your maids,

“How does my family fair this evening?” You inquired.

“They are all dining in the hall, Princess.” Saria began, “Princess Helaena seemed sad at your absence, but Our Lady, Princess Rhaenyra, assured everyone you would be joining them for celebrations soon.”

“Oh?” You looked up, interest peaking, “What celebrations?” You inquired.

Placing a small cut of potato into your mouth and chewing, you continued, “I have yet to be informed of any joyous occasion.” You grumbled, moving on to shred a large piece of meat apart on your plate with a knife.

“Oh!” Aella exclaimed, “Her Majesty the Queen wanted to hold celebrations for the engagement of Prince Aegon and Princess Helaena. As you all were not present at their initial ceremony in the Red Keep, the Queen thought it would be nice for you all to celebrate their union as one.”

“Not present?” You scoffed, “We were not welcomed to our own families union. I am sure it must have just slipped Queen Alicent’s pretty little head.” Your mood had soured.

You did not wish to celebrate the union of your cruel uncle to your sweet and kind aunt. Helaena did not deserve such a punishment from the Gods. To be wed to Aegon is to be wed to a monster. You could only hope that Helaena could avoid his cruelty.

You ate your dinner at a languid pace, barely touching the ale in front of you, save for small sips to help the food go down. The girls asked if you would like to be readied to retire for the night, however you had not been touched by fatigue, your rest from the day giving you energy at such a late hour.

They bid you goodnight and left to their quarters, leaving you to your own bitter thoughts. Your mantra had already unstuck. You felt yourself growing restless in your chambers, the incidents of the past days turning in your mind.

Lifting yourself from the table, you hobbled towards the window and looked out into the night. The sky was clear and the moon high, the light of it reflecting off of the sea, appearing to dance with the current. How you wished to go out and fly, but you knew it was best to stay in and heal.

Looking back to the table you eyed the Milk of the Poppy, surely you could drink some now to relieve the pain and not sleep straight away. Walking over, you grasped the small golden chalice and lifted it to your lips, taking a deep inhale at first, before sipping half of the rich liquid.

Limping over to the bed you placed the chalice next to you, feeling the effects of the medicine begin to take place. The awful throbbing in your feet soon began to ebb and fade, leaving a dull pulsing feeling. Your head felt lighter, and your body heavy. Your restlessness however, did not leave you.

You sat down on the edge of the bed, holding your head in your hands. You could see that your mother had missed the Red Keep and your Grandsire The King, and you could see the sorrow she had for losing her childhood friend, the Queen, to the poisonous lies of Otto Hightower.

You had a sneaking suspicion that you may be at the Keep much longer than you or your father had anticipated, and although your younger brothers were excited to be home, you could also sense the unease.

Anxious thoughts spun their way into your head like tangled webs and you felt yourself grow irritated. A sheen of sweat began to cover your skin as your heart began to race. You clawed at your chemise, pulling it from your body and throwing it upon the stone floors.

Pushing your hair away from your face you sat back on your bed, your chest rising and falling rapidly. Snatching the golden chalice you brought it back to your lips and threw the tart liquid down your throat, a small burning sensation following.

With a snarl you hurled the cup across the room, a metallic clang ringing through the chambers at impact. How dare they. How dare they all treat you this way. Your mother would soon be Queen, and you wished to see her set fire to the serpents that seemed to be all around you.

As you watched the cup roll on the floor you sunk back into your bed. Looking up at the ceiling you prayed that you and your family would survive the vipers nest unscathed and that you and your brothers keep your eyes.

As you drifted off to sleep, images of your uncle's sapphire eye swirled in your mind. Aemond was not the boy you once knew, but something that had been reborn out of the ashes. The scent of sandalwood and leather filled your senses, an odd calm blanketing you, as you finally succumbed to your dreams.

The days passed by slowly, blending gently into each other. You barely left your chambers, opting to tell your family your moon's cycle had taken a toll on you after the trip to the Red Keep and you needed to rest.

Each night you ate alone, bathed alone, and slept alone, and each night you drank milk of the poppy. Saria and Aella tended to you, albeit sometimes suffocatingly, and once Lucerys was told of your condition he promised to fly with you once you had recovered.

Jacaerys visited on occasion to ensure you were okay, but mostly kept to staying close to your mother or practising his High Valyrian in the Red Keeps library.

The ache in your feet slowly faded as time healed them, the stitches no longer needed, and the smaller cuts fully healed into little scars. You often ran your fingers over them as you rested; they were smooth to the touch, and clean, not at all jagged.

Although your uncle had not taken your eye, he had scarred you, much like your brothers did him.

Helaena visited you often, and you felt no need to hide your feet from her, as you suspected she knew all along, though you didn't know if she knew the cause for the injury. Though your aunt may seem to be in her own world, she sees more than most.

Many in the court call her crazy, her odd mutterings confusing or amusing most, but you knew she was a Dragon Dreamer. Even as a child she spoke of events that were yet to happen, even uttering that Aemond would have to close an eye for a dragon; and so he did.

Helaena would sit in your room with you and embroider new insects she had found, telling you all about them and on occasion bringing them with her. Her company put you at ease and made being in your room easier to manage.

She did not chastise you for not arriving for your walk, and in fact assured you that she knew you would not have come, and instead she went to sit by the ocean to look for the spiders that lived amongst the rocks.

You wanted to ask her about Aegon, but you did not know how. He had always been cruel to her as a child, calling her stupid, and his flagrant whoring and violence assured you that he would not be a good husband.

Yet if there was anything amiss for her to talk to you about, she did not. Instead, your aunt opted to only talk about the things that you both did as children, as if the years apart had not distanced you.

She arrived one morning with no new insect or embroidery wheel with her. Pensively, she sat in front of the fireplace which was empty and looked out the window to the blue skies.

“There is a beast beneath the boards.” She spoke, finally breaking her silence. Not once looking up at you when talking.

“Beast? In the Dragonpit you mean?” You sat opposite her in the other chair, she still did not look at you.

“Beware it.” She whispered, “Hand turns loom; spool of green, spool of black.” She spoke, her hands picking at each other in her lap.

She had uttered this to you as a child, before Aemond lost his eye.

“Dragons of flesh, weaving dragons of thread.” You finished for her.

She finally looked to you, “Yes.” Then gazed back out the window.

You sat in silence, both unsure and unwilling to start a new conversation. Helaena was right; a spool of Green was the ever so ‘perfect’ Hightower's looking down their noses at you, and the spool of Black was your family.

The Hightower’s never stopped wearing green, except Helaena, who opted to wear more yellows and light orange dresses.

“An eye was closed, another opened.” She broke the silence, slowly looking at you.

“What was lost is replaced, a spider's web is spun.”

“A tangled web indeed.” You responded, and she nodded.

“A dragon's death for a dragon's breath.” She whispered, reaching out towards you she held open her palm. You placed your hand in hers.

“Beware the beast beneath the boards.” She finished grasping your hand.

“I will aunt. Thank you.” You squeezed her hand. Silence surrounded you both and she continued to look at you.

“Aemond has asked after you.”

Thanks so much for reading along with me, if you wish to be added to the tag list please let me know :) Likes and reblogs are greatly appreciated ! Enjoy <3

Tag List:

@izzicle @ej-shitchats @may-machin @alegria1580 @witchy-jadda @videovampire @inkdelicious

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jawbone-xylophone · 6 months ago

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Is this a stellar example of my writing? No. Am I posting it anyway? Yes.

Based on Hades 2 early access. I'm having fun with the idea of ways Melinoë could meet Hypnos.

~🌘🥀🌒~

The escape spell, the cruelly necessary evidence of her failure, tugged Melinoë through the weft of the world like a slipped stitch.

The scythe had hurt. The scythe always hurt, as proper punishment for her carelessness and proof that she was not sharp enough, quick enough, strong enough to complete the only task she'd ever been given- and now the magic primed in case of her failure would reel her back like a naughty kitten, all teeth and claws and no discipline. To darkness. To dreams. To do this again.

"-goodness, your near-deaths are always so violent, it's hard to get a word in edgewise! ...Hello? Hello? Is this thing on?"

In the dark between life and living again, Melinoë blinked.

Sometimes, there were memories here, wrested from the jaws of Time in recompense. Her pound of metaphorical flesh. Sometimes, there was Moros, who was there when all men died.

Here and now, there was a startlingly familiar god with startlingly short curls, grinning at her over a plucked poppy. He twirled it through his fingers and beamed.

"There you are, princess. Welcome to almost dying! You should try not doing that, I hear it's bad for your health."

"Lord... Hypnos?" He was awake? ...did this count as awake? "Is it really you?"

Hypnos shrugged, plucking a petal from his poppy flower. "Really me? That's a funny question. Not a very useful one, but a funny one! I'll think about it and get back to you." He plucked another petal, the little sound too-loud, too fleshy somehow. "You're waking up soon."

She couldn't exactly tell. It was always cold here, skimming the edge of silent oblivion. Melinoë tried to bow with limbs she couldn't feel. "I am honored by your visit, Lord Hypnos, if it is truly you. To what do I owe the pleasure? Perhaps you know of some way to wake your body...? Everyone misses you terribly."

He giggled at her strangely, shaking his head with a queer look like he worried for her head. "Waking me up is the last thing you need to worry about, princess. I'm Sleep! I'm busy. My brother's trapped, somewhere." He smiled, but it showed no teeth, and the gold of his eyes shone with brittle ice. He plucked another petal, calm and controlled, and she heard the flesh of it tear almost wetly, milky sap bleeding over his fingers. Hypnos prodded at it, felt the stickiness between his fingers, and she felt the cold clamp around her spine like gentle fangs.

He would not harm her. Probably. But she'd only watched him sleep her entire life- never actually spoken to him. And he had every reason to be waking in a terrible mood. She swallowed, and clung hard to polite protocol.

"You're waking up," he said again before she could speak, considering the ragged edge of torn petals. "You're trying to kill my uncle- and it seems you're having a bit of trouble! I'm sure you can do it, but maybe try something more effective than stabbing. We've been there, done that."

"A spell, then? Some kind of incantation?" That wouldn't shock her.

Hypnos yawned widely. Perhaps a little too widely, like he hadn't remembered how many teeth a person should have. "Nnno, no. I mean maybe. You never know!" He stretched, blinking heavily, and dragged golden eyes over her ragged body. "What're you the goddess of, anyway? If you're fighting a god, shouldn't you fight like a god? Just an idea."

The goddess of? That. Well. Hm. She'd been raised for a purpose. "Killing Time, I suppose."

Hypnos coughed in the middle of nibbling on a flower, snorted, and erupted in tinkling giggles that filled oblivion with little stars for a moment. "Oh- oh, that's good, wow. I like you. We have to do this again sometime." A final flower petal split off under his fingers, weeping white blood, and he waggled it at her in a little wave. "Or maybe we won't! You're smart, maybe you'll kill poor old uncle Chronos this time. Don't forget my advice and you'll do great, I know it."

She wanted to tell him to wait. She wanted to ask questions, do something. He'd been both helpful and not, if she just asked the right question then perhaps- but the cold prickle of moonlight raced like hellfire through her limbs, shocked awake from mostly-dead to debatably-alive, and the dewy grass of the Crossroads clung to her cheek like poppy sap.

She groaned, long and low, in the smallest moment of wallowing she could afford. Back to killing Time again.

The wind in the withered trees sounded almost like tinkling laughter.

#my writing #hades game #hades 2 #hades supergiant #hypnos hades #melinoë hades

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welcomehomeincorrectquotes · 1 year ago

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Headcanon/Fanfic:

Back in the early days of Welcome Home, there was a large red bird named Petey. Despite his intimidating size, Petey was gentle, kind, and frightened of pretty much everything.

Everyone loved the big red bird named Petey and he loved them back, but something felt off.

Petey was sad all the time and didn't know how to explain why to his wonderful, concerned neighbours. He felt unhappy, trapped, not like himself.

Whenever the crew of Welcome Home worked with the bird puppet, they felt uneasy; just saying the name "Petey" when referring to the character was enough to make them feel sick.

One day, a designer had the irresistible urge to alter the big red puppet. They started with adding some makeup, a lovely golden blush with matching eyeshadow that helped the dark red to pop out!

Somehow, the entire crew felt a slight sense of relief without knowing why.

When Petey's neighbours stumbled upon him with his make on for the first time, he was showered with wonderful compliments. The big red bird started to wear his makeup every day, even going on Spa Days with Frank and Julie.

Another day, the urge hit the designer again. Next, the dull blue feathers atop the red bird's head were slowly replaced with a magnificent crest of vibrant blues, greens, and yellows with matching hackles.

The crew felt a wave of euphoria flow through the studio.

It was Julie's idea to try out a new feather-do. Wally was there to help him pick out a colour palette and teach him the tricks to having a good hair day. Trying new things was scary, but the happiness he saw in his own reflection was worth it.

These slight alterations kept on going over the next coming months; longer eyelashes, softer plumage, a colourful scarf with lace, a softer voice...

It all came to a head one day when the crew realised that they barely recognised "Petey Partridge" anymore. She needed a new name.

Petey struggled with what to call herself now, but it came to her on her birthday when Barnaby gifted her a bouquet of beautiful red poppy flowers.

#typed most of this on my phone during a bubble bath like a crazy person #haven't written a fanfic since I was 10-11 #welcome home headcanons #headcanon #theory #welcome home theory #Poppy Partridge #Julie Joyful #Frank Frankly #Wally Darling #Barnaby B Beagle #welcome home puppet show #fluff

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fridaynightaus · 2 months ago

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Just like with Jacob, Amber's outfits change for each of the dreams the duo end up in. But it should be noted that the Girlfriend seen in these dreams isn't the real one, she's a figment of said dreams. So this isn't a shared dream scenario. So I guess you could say she is literally the girl of Jacob's dreams.

Descriptions down below!

Pajamas

Amber's default outfit, and the one she always has in the beginning of the dreams.

She wears a light pink crop top and shorts, both lined with white ruffles, and a pair of knee length socks with a pink stripe on them.

Night 1 ("Sleepy Hollows")

The first night is based on Week 2. It takes place on Halloween night in a suburban town bursting at the seams in Halloween decor and aesthetics, with the trees raining leaves of orange and yellow (think Halloweentown and the town in Hocus Pocus. That is until Jacob, Amber, and the spooky kids come across a decrepit mansion, where inside there are no treats...only a sour trick...

Amber wears a Freddy Krueger costumer, both to match Jacob's Jason Voorhees outfit, but also a clever nod to the dream aspect. Her costume consists of a brown fedora with a darker brown band, a dark red and green striped sweater dress, brown ankle-length heeled boots, brown gloves, and reddish-pink marks on her face (which is makeup don't worry.

Night 2 ("Final 'Xamination")

The second night is based on the events Pico's School, and a bit of Week 3. As a vile invader stalks the building, out of sight...waiting...watching. And a all-too familiar face has noticed that as well, but he's no sweet dream himself...

Amber's uniform consists of a white collared shirt with puffy sleeves, a red ribbon tie, a waist-high light red plaid skirt. white knee length socks with a pink stripe, and pink mary janes.

Night 3 ("Rose Fields Forever")

The third night is based on Week 6. With Jacob and Amber finding themselves in a "garden" (It's actually less of a garden and more of a jungle, just replacing the palm trees with cherry blossoms, rafflasia with roses, etc), the denizens welcoming them with open arms. Inviting them to become "hosts" for the upcoming festival to honor their handsome, flowery, idol. But soon they will learn that every rose has it's thorns...and a festival might not be the only thing they'll be hosting...

Amber's outfit is a ancient Greek-based outfit. With a short white robe with gold accents. a gold belt, a red toga fastened with reddish-pink gem with a gold base, and a pair of golden sandals. She also has a poppy flower in her hair.

#lucid evening lullabies #fnf au #friday night funkin #friday night funkin au #fnf fanart #friday night funkin fanart #fnf girlfriend #girlfriend fnf #girlfriend friday night funkin #friday night funkin girlfriend

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welcomehomerandomness · 1 year ago

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Welcome Home Website Update Reaction Notes (7/22/2023) Part 1 (SPOILERS)

Hey guys! Today I'm gonna show you my reactions to the Welcome Home website via my notes on Google Docs. I wrote 5 pages and spent around 5 or 6 hours exploring the website lol. Hope you enjoy it! Here's Part 1!

NEW HOME ART

The little Home doodle is so cute omg

FRANK AND BARNABY’S VOICES IN “ANSWER” OMG

Barnaby’s voice is honestly like a mix of Rowlf and Fozzie from the Muppets which matches well with his personality

Frank’s voice is like a mix of Gonzo from the Muppets and Gyro from DuckTales (the 2017 one)

THERE’S A GLITCH AT THE END WHAT

The Frank and Julie sprites on the FAQ page is so cute

THE STICKERS ARE SO CUTE

THE SEASONAL BANNERS

Wally and Barnaby (Winter), Frank and Eddie (Spring), Sally and Julie (Summer), and Howdy and Poppy (Fall/Autumn)

I just realized the golden flowers on Home’s sticker give me Undertale vibes

The Frank and Julie sprites on the News page is so cute too

Question Answerer seems sus

THE NEIGHBORS HAVE AUDIO WITH TEXT TRANSCRIPTS I REPEAT THE NEIGHBORS HAVE AUDIO WITH TEXT TRANSCRIPTS

“That’s the most!” Awww Wally

The drumroll on Barnaby’s audio and his little awkward laugh I love him

Yes Julie let’s play a game with a pogo stick, a bowl of pasta, and a pair of roller skates and cause chaos in the Neighborhood lol

I swear I will be depresso if Frank, Eddie, and Howdy get hurt or die…Those three are on my top 3 favorite WH characters (in no specific order) :(

I should make a list of favorite Welcome Home neighbors lol

Anyways

YES FRANK YOU ARE PERFECT JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

I love Eddie’s Southern accent and the way he talks sorta reminds me of Launchpad from DuckTales (the 2017 one)

Awww Eddie is scared of a bug and he wants Frank’s help awww

Eddie doesn’t want his paper chains to be ruined :(

I realized the Frank and Eddie one is also called “answer” and so far the two videos mention bugs and Frank is in each video

HOWDY’S VOICE

He definitely sounds like one of those people working on radio stations

I feel like if he’s not a shopkeeper, he would definitely work on a radio station

Howdy’s Radio Podcast when???

Sally’s voice is so dramatic and I love it

*insert scared Poppy chicken/bird noise*

Also is Poppy alright? I’m kinda worried :(

The voices of the neighbors are fantastic so far the voice actors did really great in their roles :D

Poppy and Frank = best cooking/baking duo

I wonder what those seed things taste like…They probably taste good

Frank mentions Wally eating with his eyes

The third “answer” video with Poppy and Frank mentioning butterflies

I love the Sally and Howdy sprites on the Merchandise page

The “duet” page with Wally on the phone is kinda eerie

Wally sounds dead inside

I love you too Wally lol

The rimshot and horn honk on Barnaby’s phone audio lol

Don’t worry Barnaby your jokes always make me laugh

I love Barnaby’s little “Buh bye!”

I reread "It's-For-You!" Talking Telephone Toy page, I thought it said “Mario, Inc.” instead of “Marlo, Inc.”

Super Mario is canon in this universe jk

Julie’s voice is freaking adorable

I wanna listen to Frank’s bug facts everyday

Frank freaking slanders Barnaby

I love Eddie’s jingle

I wanna get some school supplies from Eddie now lol

I love Howdy’s laughs lol

Protect Howdy at all costs

I love the “ta-da!” jingle from Sally

“…I said ‘Hellooo!’ That’s your cue!” Sally radiates theater kid energy and I love her

Poor Poppy doesn’t know how a phone works :(

*insert more scared Poppy chicken/bird noises*

Howdy’s and Frank’s letters to Wally are so wholesome

I love the insect sketches

Sally calls Julie “Juliet” that’s a cute name

Eddie is the most OP character lol

But can Eddie beat Goku tho???

I think Howdy is OP too but who knows

Julie asking Eddie to catch him is basically the “If I run and leap at Terry” scene from Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Also I actually don’t watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine btw I just know the memes

Anyways

When Frank said “Oh my”, I imagine them blushing asdfghjkl

I forgot to put this here but I love when Frank calls Eddie “Mr. Dear” that’s so cute

I love Julie and Frank’s besties dynamic in the “answer” video

PUPPET WALLY’S REFLECTION ON ONE OF THE RECORDS

I wanna buy every single merch if they are real lol

The live interview reminds me of those Muppet and Sesame Street interviews and it’s quite charming ngl

“Oh no, I don’t know. I love everyone. I love my friends.” Wally poly confirmed???

The interviewer’s name is Rick (and Morty asdfghjkl)

Miss Beagle is mentioned!!!

“I tell ya, we got a neighbor who's got an arm like a professional baseball player! It’s not easy!” Is Barnaby talking about Julie or Eddie?

I want to watch the "Julie-rella" segment so bad

Also Fairy "Dog"-mother lmao

Hopscotch To The Max wtf hahaha

“It took us an hour to get you down off Howdy's roof, and we still don’t know where the green chalk went…” Julie, you played hopscotch on Howdy’s roof???

I love Frank’s and Julie’s singing voices

I love how Barnaby just barges in and Frank is like “wtf”

I love Barnaby’s singing voice too

“Aw. I wanted to learn the colors.” Awww Wally is so adorable

“Wally, don’t look! He’s INDECENT!” That actually made me laugh even as I’m rereading the transcript and typing this down

A wild Howdy appears! *insert Pokemon battle music*

Also some of the “Just So” song demo seems to be distorted…That’s sus

The concept art of Julie’s “Just So” Bowling Dress is so cute

I also love how Frank and Julie wear outfits that match the games they play that’s so wholesome

Howdy’s laughs cure my depression

I love Howdy slapping the countertop when he laughs

Sole and Lyco awww

Awww Frank’s little “thank you”

“I’m sorry, I’ll see what I can do.” AWWW

I love when Julie translates to what Frank’s plants are saying it’s so wholesome

Eddie: *talks about the entire plot of Jack and the Beanstalk which involves Jack climbing up the beanstalk, encountering a giant, and cutting down the beanstalk with a big ax*

Poppy who is dressed as the beanstalk: Haha. I’m in danger.

Wally’s puppet hands are holding some yarn in “answer” but he seems that he’s not moving…

I can barely hear Poppy and Howdy’s dialogue in the videeo since I don’t have headphones on but I assume it’s a friendly conversation as usual since I can hear Howdy’s laugh lol

Wally’s hand trying to grab the cup of tea??? coffee??? in “answer”

Poppy and Sally talking about plays as usual lol

A human hand??? With a glove???

I don’t know who this human is but I’m pretty sure she’s a Howdy fan lol

I’m answering the Welcome Home worksheet because why not lol

1) Barnaby 2) Sally 3) Poppy 4) Julie 5) Wally

Now where’s my prize/j

I’m guessing that Wally replica puppet is going to come to life lol

I wanna go to this exhibition so bad if this is real lol

Awww the Poppy and Barnaby sprites…

I accidentally clicked the “Hello” doodle on the Guestbook and I’m scared

The page is called “Find”

Wally??? Wally you ok???

#welcome home #welcome home arg #welcome home spoilers #wally darling #barnaby b beagle #julie joyful #frank frankly #eddie dear #howdy pillar #sally starlet #poppy partridge #welcome home home

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danicadenniss · 10 months ago

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DreamWorks Trolls: The Beat Goes On

Rapunzetroll

Once upon a time, there is a happy king Peppy, his wife Queen Tulip and his older daughter Viva, in the castle, Queen Tulip is pregnant with their second child, she groaned in pain.

Queen Tulip: (grabbing a small glass cup of water by take to sip and then it’s dropped on the floor. Groan) Peppy! My water is broken, I’m in labor.

King Peppy: (screaming in echo) AAAAAAAAAAAAH!

At the forest, a small golden yellow flower blooms on the ground, in the cabin, white skinned man with black spotted, wearing a rag clothes, his name is Spot, he heard over the castle.

Spot: What’s that sound?

Back in the castle, He screamed in his horror, Queen Tulips slapped his face and pulled his body.

Queen Tulips: Don’t say that again!

Young Viva: Daddy, where are you going?

King Peppy: My guards and I are going to the forest and back the flower for her.

Young Viva: Daddy, I’ll go with you!

King Peppy: No! It’s too dangerous for you, I want Toad to keep you safe.

Toad: Yes! Your highness!

King Peppy and his guards walked out of the castle and entered into the woods, he seemed a pink flower, Spot wrote Don’t ever steal my flowers from me!

Toad Guard #1: What’s are we going to do?

King Peppy: Now, I want you to glad that flower over here.

Toad Guard #1: As you wish, your highness.

The guards walked in the garden, they pick the flower and put it into a bag, they race on time back to the castle, Spot walked and see his flowers is gone.

Spot: (Gasp) Who’s the hell, did it? (looking at wood) Did the king do that’s? I’ll get them soon!

Back to the castle, doctors and nurses make the medicine, with a golden yellow flower to heal Queen Tulips, it’s a beautiful baby dark pink troll, a princess is born.

King Peppy: We are going to named our baby princess.

Young Viva: How’s about Poppy?

Baby Poppy: Mama and Dada (giggling) Viva

Young Viva: Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! She saying my name.

King Peppy: Hahaha!

Queen Tulips: Awww, welcome to our family and the world, Poppy, yes we do!

-6 Months Later-

After she was born, she fast asleep in the cradle, Spot broke in the castle, he walked to her room, then he put a pillow replaced in the cradle.

Spot: Give me, my flowers back to me. (Grabbed Poppy in his bag and he out of the castle, he jumped down to a small trampoline)

King Peppy: Poppy, it’s feeding time…. What the? (Looks at a pillow in a cradle) My daughter! (Screaming)

Queen Tulips: (gasp) No!

Young Viva: NOOOOOOOOO! (Sobbing)

King Peppy: (echoing in the castle) Somebody kidnapped my daughter!

Spot: (running out of the castle and going back to the forest, and then he saw a tower for hiding spot.) HAHAHAHA! I will never get caught! Hahahaha!

-20 Years Later-

Poppy grew up into a beautiful and sad adult, with her rag clothes and her hair is long inches. She swept the floor and sat down in the chair. Spot walking back to and says.

Spot: Rapunzetroll, let’s down your hair now!

Poppy throw down her hair, Spot climbed up and tells her about to do chores and never get out again. With his evil laugh.

Spot: Hahaha! (Slide down out of the tower, pull up her hair.)

Poppy: Let’s me out of here!

The brave prince and his older knight brothers, are got hired by the king, and search for a wanted criminal who kidnapped her, 20 years ago. The prince arrives at the tower.

The Prince: Ahem, Rapunzetroll, let’s down your hair. (Throw down her hair and he climbed up to the top. He saw her and smiled at him.)

The Prince: Are you the lost princess?

Poppy: Yes, I’m Poppy, and I’m a lost princess, I got kidnapped by a criminal, I was a baby. I was being a slave to him.

The Prince: I knew that criminal is out there, but how’s?

Poppy: Are you Prince Branch?

Branch: Yes, I do! My brothers are looking a dangerous criminal. (Held a wanted poster of Spot who’s been charged for kidnapping a princess.)

Poppy: We could set a trap for him. How’s?

Branch: I got some backup, to trap him.

Poppy: I’ll cut my hair short and it’s grew back. (He cuts her hair short and Spot walked to the tower.)

Spot: Rapunzetroll, let’s down your hair! What! I can’t believe, she can’t even hear me! Well the guards are going to capture me! But I’ll come up to the tower. (Climbing up to the top, the brothers sneak up to the tower, they hide behind a table, looking at each chair as he sat down)

Branch playing his guitar in a song by making him asleep.

Spot: Hmm, I wonder if I’m going to…(yawn) sleep (snoring)

Poppy: (whisper) Thank, Branch (kiss on his cheek and make him brush)

Branch: (whisper) Ready

Poppy: (whisper) Ready

Knight #1: (whisper) Let’s bros!

Poppy: (throws her hair pieces like a rope at him, but Spot is awake now, he got stuck in the chair with glue on it) Yes!

Spot: Hey, hey, hey hey! Don’t do that like this and you can’t get out from the tower again! Wait, wait, wait!

The brothers tied Spot in to a notch, Branch got the handcuffs on him. He say.

Spot: NO! Don’t ever arrest me! (Poppy disliked being treated like a slave and kidnapped by him, Tiny Diamond jumps up on the table.)

Tiny Diamond: You can’t get away so easily!

Spot running out of the tower, Tiny Diamond jumped up to Rhonda and hustled towards him.

Tiny Diamond: Treat your own medicine! (Rhonda hustled coming closer to him and then knocked him out of the forest and send him to the dungeon.)

Poppy, Branch and the brothers put him behind bars and he begged for his own mercy.

Spot: I learn my lesson, I swear I sneaked into the castle and treated all the children with responsibility.

Queen Tulips: (walking in and gasping)

Poppy: Hi mom, I’m back! (Queen Tulips hugged her) I’m explaining, Branch and his brothers are my heroes.

King Peppy: Poppy, is that’s you?

Poppy: Dad! (Hugged him)

Viva: Poppy!

Poppy: Viva (Hugged her)

King Peppy and Queen Tulips: Thank you for saving our daughter.

Branch: My pleasure!

They fall in love then they got married and they live together a happily ever after.

The End

#trolls broppy #trolls poppy #trolls branch #trolls dreamworks #trolls oc #trolls fanfic #fairy tales #trolls viva #trolls peppy #SoundCloud

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writersvaguelybrickshapedrock · 8 months ago

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Afterwards

Above two figures roaming a field of flowers, poppies, chrysanthemums, marigolds, asphodels, and white spider lilies is a shimmering royal blue and purple sky full of silver stars and lavender clouds dusted with golden halo-like light swirled like the smoke of a blown out candle.

One figure wore a flowing white robe and a crown of marigolds spoke up through the ambient sound of wind and rustling flower petals, “Where are we going?”

“Where do you want to go?” The taller figure asked, donned in a flowing black robe with a wide brimmed hat and veil, held a lantern hung from a tall gnarled wooden staff.

“I always hoped that when the time came… there would be nothing and I would be gone.”

“Do you find that more peaceful than anything else?”

“Well… I think I would prefer eternal void and nonexistence to say… Christian hell.”

“Fortunately there is no Christian hell, however I know without a doubt that eternal void is awfully boring.”

“Then what is it?”

“It is many different things, but you shall see it soon.”

The shorter figure quieted, looking around the scenery again. It was gorgeous and mystical with shooting stars casting bright multicolored trails through the sky. They followed Death, stepping carefully on the same trail they left and watching as the flowers they crushed slowly rose again with a persistent vitality. Mountains rose in the distance with lakes pooling at their feet.

At the center of one lake stands a shack on pillars of wood and mud with a dock and ravens flying to and from an open circular window in the top. Plants are potted below the windows and a small black cat walks across the water with grace, jumping onto the dock. As the two figures got closer to the lake, a woman came out of the door. She was short and wore a dark mulberry purple dress with golden star patterns and a wide brimmed pointed hat and veil upon which hung small golden charms. When the cat came to her, she picked it up, stroking its iridescent fur and looked up at the passing figures. Her smile shone through the veil, warm and welcoming as the figures walked past.

An old asymmetrical tower of stone stood less than stably upon a small floating island with a rope ladder hanging off it. Death walked below the ladder and held their hand out to the shorter figure who took it. Both of them floated gently up to the tower, with death opening the old door. Rusty hinges squeaked and the shorter figure let go of Death’s hand to touch the cool gray stone and mortar that held the tower together.

“Welcome home.” Death tapped their lantern against the door, a key manifesting from a golden mist and falling into the shorter figure’s hand.

“What do I do now?”

“Keep that little key safe and get comfortable.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes. You will reside here in the valley. You may alter the tower in any way you see fit. This island is your domain. If you get lonely, the old woman with the cat is good company. She can show you the ropes.”

“I don’t have a job or any punishment or anything to do?”

“All you do is exist. Make this tower your home and enjoy your afterlife. You need not eat or sleep but you can. Your neighbors are friendly and the land provides all you need.”

The figure in white admired the tower. It was by no means perfect and would need work but it felt nostalgic. It was like a dream of childhood whimsy and fantastic stories of fairytales. “Thank you, for everything.”

“Farewell. Should you need me, send a raven.”

“Farewell,” the figure in white smiled to themself, stepping into their new home. They watched Death dissipate into golden mist, carried away by the wind, and waved goodbye. So this was what came afterwards.

#writing #writeblr #flash fiction #brick writes #fascinated by the afterlife #my idea of heaven #paradise: a funky wizard tower with a witch next door #might make a slice of afterlife series out of this #afterwards collection #worldbuilding and some plot

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juno-infernal · 9 months ago

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Okay serious question, I'm not from the US - is a state bird just something the average American just knows off the top of their head for their home state?

i’m not sure how universal it is, but in california at least, the state flag, flower (the california golden poppy), and bird (the california quail) are things we learn in primary school.

they’re among the older and more significant types of state symbols. US states have a tendency to designate a lot of fairly random stuff as official state symbols (see california’s list here, including such essential categories as official state soil, dance style, outdoor play, prehistoric artifact, tall ship, and freshwater fish), but i think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who knows more than a few off the top of their head.

the presence of the bird and the flower in a lot of art representing the state and in early education means a lot more of us know and remember them. other USAmericans are welcome to chime in here about whether they had to look it up/if they consider their state bird to be common knowledge— i’m curious now too!

#m #answered #i’m a wildlife nerd so that predisposes me to care about/remember birds too ¯\_(ツ)_/¯#i also knew the tree (the coastal redwood) and the fossil (smilodon californicus) off the top of my head #but that’s probably because i worked in a paleontology museum

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cleo-arty · 1 year ago

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The ladies have arrived

Dawn (Sally) Starlet, a talented script and performer in the neighborhood. Back in the old days, making shows for everyone to see was her pride of joy. Her love for theater and the arts of acting strived her to project her emotions and imagination into it. Nowadays in the garden, it's nothing but a bad reminder of the directors. Her Beloved Violet always tries to tell her she shouldn't quit her love for acting due to horrid events. Instead, adapting them into stories for her to express and tell. It's quite the same, but puts less work on others. Dawn now storytells to everyone in the Garden area about anything that comes in mind. Anything to still make her friends smile.

Cherry (Poppy) Partridge always been the chicken of the neighborhood. Worrying so dearly about her friends and wanting everyone to be safe. Never one to like going out as much as the others, wishing to stay in her belove house out from any harm. In the Garden, it was hard for Cherry to adjust to new changes. Always having to worry more and more about the smallest of things around her, even with the petals on the very ground. Violet knew adjusting Cherry to a new environment will be tricky, but her job was to keep everyone happy to avoid certain outcomes. Cherry never changed, she runs a safe bakery along side Violet and Dawn a lot of the time. The gals love to be together to comfort one another, but to also show that their new lives will be perfect. So why now hang out more when you don't have to worry about a show? Right?

NEW CHARACTERS WHOOOOO *dies*

Dawn and Cherry! Two of the ladies I enjoy designing, and also the first time drawing Poppy (I drew Sally a few times hehe). But enough of that, I hope you enjoy the two! Sorry for slow updates aurgh

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lovedrunkheadcanons · 2 years ago

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Chapter Contents

(Arranged Marriage Fic) Read on AO3

Rated M

It was late May when Hannah received a letter inviting her for tea at Lady Inumaki’s home.

Like the Gojo estate, The Inumaki residence was built in the samurai style with shoji panels and tiered roofing, but more modern than its neighbors, and much smaller. While the house was within walking distance, Hannah was accompanied by Mr. Ijichi, who left her waiting outside the entrance at 3 o’clock. She used the brass ring to knock on the door.

Anxious, she smoothed the front of her blush pink kimono, hand painted with spring blooms and blades of silver mountain grass. A metallic obi with pastel pink, green, and blue flowers held the silk together. Makoto pinned two silver combs into her braided updo. The combination of pink and silver made her feel less intimidating. A safe choice. This visit was important.

After being received by a servant who guided her through the house, Hannah was led inside an ochre walled tearoom. Lady Tomoe Inumaki and her sister, Ms. Takara Shimoda, rose from the floor and bowed. They were both clad in elegant kimonos, hued blue and yellow, and their matching platinum blonde hair was styled in sleek, clean knots. A meal had been prepared on a table. The servant from earlier brought out a fresh pot of tea, but they could all relax. This was not a ceremony.

They kneeled down. Hannah read the calligraphy on a hanging scroll inside the tokonoma; “Five Friends Beneath The Setting Sun” it read. A tortoise and a crane, the symbols of longevity and power, were surrounded by groves of bamboo, yellow narcissus, and plum trees (the three friends of spring) beside a gentle flowing stream. Hovering in the sky above was a bright round sun the color of a grapefruit, all auspicious omens.

“Your husband has been good to my family, Gojo-san,” Tomoe began, bowing her head a second time. “For that you are always welcome in my house.”

“Thank you, I’ll be sure to tell him you said that,” Hannah said. “And please, there’s no need to be so formal. Hannah-san is fine.”

Takara seemed rather taken by this. “So, how are you liking our little country, Hannah?” she asked, forgoing honorifics. “It must be quite different from what you’re accustomed to.”

Hannah gave a timid laugh. “True, it is different, but in a good way. Satoru’s taking me to visit the Tama Botanical Park this weekend. I’m excited to see it.”

“Ah, the Asakawa Experiment Forest, yes, yes, how lovely.” Lady Tomoe lifted a beautiful Noritake teapot, filigreed in gold leaf and magnolias. There was a certain gleam in her maple brown eyes as she poured her guest’s cup. “Speaking of which, are the two of you, you know…getting along?”

Hannah’s smile waned as she brought the steaming cup on her lap. They were now talking about her relationship with her husband. She peered down. Her reflection blended with the freshly poured tea.

They were comfortable with each other, sure. Satoru made his usual rounds; asking her how she was; whether she slept well; what’s her favorite color? (golden poppy) This quickly morphed into a game, one which Hannah thoroughly enjoyed, parroting her own inquiries straight back; when was his next mission; did he have enough Bufferin tablets; what flavor licorice did he like best? (watermelon)

They ate their meals together. They went for morning jogs up the mountains till only the crowns of the pines could be seen and their lungs short of breath. Hannah noticed her biceps bore definition after completing push-ups and she could run for longer distances without getting tired. Satoru had begun instructing her how to kickbox; how to bend her knees and square her shoulders and punch a cushion on his right hand. In the afternoon, they watched movies together and sometimes Satoru would teach her how to play Go, moving black and white stones atop a grid board to try and capture the other’s pawn. But when Tomoe was asking whether she and Satoru were “getting along,” Hannah felt she was really implying something else and chose the less complicated reply.

“I’d say we’re in a better place than where we started.”

Tomoe exhaled at this with mixed relief. “I really worry for these newer couples,” she opined, taking a sip of her tea. “My husband and I grew up together. In the olden days that’s how it used to be. Now when there’s a marriage, the bride and groom are lucky if they get to meet an hour before the wedding.”

“Have any of the other families invited you for a visit, Hannah?” Takara asked, slightly veering off topic. “It’s traditional for the women of each house to welcome new wives into their homes as a sign of respect.”

Hannah’s expression dimmed. She set her teacup on the table. “No, Takara-san,” she said. “You two are the first.”

This came more of a shock to Tomoe than it should have, causing her to miss her mouth and spill tea over her front. She let out a tiny yelp as the hot liquid seeped through her kimono and burned her skin.

“But that can’t be,” she said, frantically dabbing her front with a cloth. “You’re Gojo Satoru’s wife, the lady of a great house. You must’ve received gobs of congratulatory letters following the wedding.”

Hannah bowed her head. “I received many such letters, Inumaki-san, but no invites.”

“Please, are you really that surprised, Tomoe?” Takara huffed, rolling her eyes at her sister. “After what they did to Kumari last year?”

Hannah tilted her head. “Kumari?”

The younger sister handed Tomoe another napkin and refilled her tea cup. “Chauhan Kumari was one of the first international students ever admitted to Jujutsu High, and the first from India,” she explained. “The prodigy was sought after for her rare ability, a special sealing technique not seen in ages. She studies cursed objects for that very reason.”

Hannah nodded, but was still perplexed. “Then what was the problem, if her technique was so rare?”

“Well, as it so happens, she fell in love with her former classmate,” Tomoe added, no longer fussing with her kimono. “Tensions arose when they married last year.”

Ah, now Hannah better understood the issue and winced. “I'm guessing neither family took it well.”

“No, not quite.” Tomoe shook her head. “Kumari-san’s family welcomed Ichiro with open arms. It was his family, the Kamo’s, who weren’t keen on the idea and stripped him of everything he set to inherit. It didn’t matter that the Chuahan’s had money either. His parents couldn’t stomach the fact their son had married a …” she stopped herself short, appearing guilt stricken.

They waited.

“A foreigner?” Hannah finished for her.

Gaijin.

An outsider.

Both Tomoe and Takara averted their eyes. She had spoken the unvarnished truth so plainly.

“Yes,” Tomoe said, disheartened. “A foreigner.”

For most Japanese, the word “gaijin” was met with indifference. A foreigner was simply that; someone not from Japan. No big deal. But to the jujutsu aristocracy, where bloodlines and ancestral pedigree ruled the roost, it was almost always meant as a form of insult; something less than; a lower being.

It was the worst kept secret. Interview them off the record and you’d find roughly eighty percent of sorcerer families condemned bigotry towards foreigners. “Many of my best friends are foreigners,” they would tout, “I’m offended you’d have me think that.” Cram those same individuals in a room, however, and you’d garner a very different response. Satoru despised this two-facedness more than anything. “Cowards, all of them,” he would seethe, along with some other choice words. Him marrying a girl from England had probably unleashed a silent outcry not felt since his family gained the upper hand after he mastered Hollow Purple. They were outwardly showing their displeasure by pretending to be happy for them; attending the wedding; offering their congratulations with beaming fake smiles, then leaving Hannah out in the cold as they did Kumari the previous year.

For Hannah, this was nothing new. The West had their own biases against outsiders, ones she once believed to be fact; Jujutsu sorcerers were a barbaric lot, drunk on power, and not to be trusted. They were dangerous as they were backwards. Their esoteric religion spat in the face of God and infighting culminated between the families like wildfire. Whether the Western world saw the dueled irony in these accusations, Hannah wasn’t sure. Prejudice was bred from ignorance, not knowledge. When you point a finger, you point three fingers back at yourself. Her time with the Sisters of St. Horatia mellowed her viewpoint some.

“Ichiro took his wife’s last name after the fall out,” Takara spoke, trying not to sound so glum. “They recently moved to Minato City not long ago with their son.”

“I’ll be sure to invite them over for tea next time you visit,” Tomoe chimed. “Tell your husband he’s welcome too.”

Hannah's face brightened at the mention. “Thank you, Tomoe-san. You’re too kind.”

The three women were then interrupted by a short sneeze.

“Ah-cho.”

They twisted their heads to see.

Through a narrow slit in the door, Hannah saw a pair of curious brown eyes flickering back at her. She caught a swoosh of platinum blond, along with oddly painted lips and a small nose, before the door slid shut.

“Ah, that would be my son,” Tomoe chuckled, knowing exactly who it was. “Toge, quit snooping and come introduce yourself to our guest.”

But the door failed to open. A ha-chikui could be heard singing “pir-r-r-r” from a neighboring tree like a taunt. Toge did not make an appearance.

Tomoe and Takara shared dispirited looks. Bowing to Hannah would have been easy enough, but with his vocabulary diminishing more and more, Toge’s confidence was then at an all time low. Forcing him to talk was like pulling teeth. There were only a number of words he could say without setting off an explosion, though his mother feared that if he stopped talking, he would never speak again and so it was better to keep trying. “Hello” and “My. Name. Is. Toge” were still safe to use, if he said them carefully.

“Oh well,” Tomoe sighed, masking her worry with a well rehearsed smile. “Perhaps another day then.”

She took a sip of tea.

Hannah kept staring at the door, but said nothing. Tomoe’s clipped tone hinted the conversation was over. Yes, perhaps another day.

The ladies soon finished their meal and Hannah was taken for a stroll in the garden.

Pic by Damien Douxchamps

Like ducklings, Takara and Hannah followed Tomoe outside. They took turns leaning over the washbasin by the door, dipping the wooden ladle into the water and bringing it to their mouths, swishing it back and forth, then spitting it on the ground before washing their hands. This was a cleansing ritual, akin to visiting a Shinto shrine, or crossing oneself with holy water when entering a church. Gardens were sacred spaces.

The rules were easy: Stay on the path and don’t wander off. Focus your mind. Breathe. Reflect. You are a tiny speck floating aimlessly in this ever expanding universe. You are finite.

Hannah wiped her hands and took in the lush greenery.

Japan had over 200 registered public gardens, with three revered above all others: Kenroku-en (Garden of the Six Sublimities), Kairaku-en (Garden to be Enjoyed Together), and Kōraku-en (Garden for Taking Pleasure Later). Closed from the public, the Inumaki’s backyard was an intimate pond garden, inspired by the Buddhist temple, Renge-ji, dating back to the early Edo Period. A dirt path coiled its way around a modest pond, planted with fork moss, crepe myrtles, and azalea islands. Along this path were sweeping shrouds of black pines, their trunks hunched over as though blown by the wind. A thick fortress of bamboo kept intruders out.

It had rained heavily that morning, growing hot and humid before the clock struck noon. Walking underneath the shady pines brought reprieve from the midday heat. Taking deliberate steps, the three women walked the route in silence. Breathing. Focusing. Reflecting. Hannah delighted in seeing a tree frog poke its head out of the pond, blink, then dive back down to escape potential danger. Birds chirped and warbled high in the trees: A nuthatch, a bamboo patridge, a brown-eared bulbul. The thick pine needles prevented her from viewing them, but she didn’t mind. She could hear every single one, the mountain wind whistling softly in her ears.

Mr. Ijichi was waiting outside the Inumaki house at 5 pm, as scheduled. Rejuvenated from the walk, Hannah bowed to her two hostesses, thanking them for their generous hospitality and made to leave, but Tomoe held her back.

“Hannah, before you go, there’s something I need to tell you.” She looked apprehensive as she said this. “It’s important.”

“Of course,” Hannah answered and turned to face the lady of the house.

Tomoe gestured for her sister to reconvene inside, which she did without argument, and once the two sorcerer wives were alone, Tomoe motherly clasped Hannah’s hand and said,

“I know it’s not my business to pry, so I won’t say much more, but if there’s one piece of advice I wish somebody had given me when I married Suga, it’s this,” she paused as looked at their clasped hands, “Whatever you and Satoru do, however your feelings are towards each other…don’t wait for children,” she squeezed a little tighter, “The sooner you have children, the less the wolves will have to sink their teeth into.

Hannah looked confused. “The wolves?”

Tomoe’s smile was contrite as it was foreboding.

“Please take what I’ve said to heart.”

Hannah was haunted by Tomoe’s words the rest of the way home, the implications hounding her like a starved predator. It was all she could think about. The wolves? Japan didn’t have wolves. Magical, maybe, but not real ones. They were hunted to extinction during the Meiji Restoration to protect against rabies and canine distemper; one of the many obscure facts she learned in the convents. Tomoe meant it as a metaphor.

“Did you have a nice visit, Hannah-chan?” Mr. Ijichi politely asked as they walked.

“Huh?” Hannah looked up, blinking. “Oh, yes, Ijichi-san, very nice.”

“Good. Lady Inumaki is known for her kindness.” He shows her a white paper bag. “Look, she even gave me anpan buns to take home. They’re still warm. Would you like one?”

Hannah shook her head. She wasn’t hungry.

The deputy director opened the bag and took out a sweet roll, steam fogging up his glasses. “You know, I was watching this documentary the other night,” he said, taking a bite. “About albatrosses.”

“Albatrosses?” Hannah said, feigning interest.

“Yeah, did you know they have the longest wingspan of any bird and can go whole years without landing?”

“No,” she replied. “I had no idea.”

“And also that some species can live past the age of fifty?”

“Fifty? My, that’s a long time.”

In one bite, Mr. Ijichi finished his pastry. “They mate for life too.” he added, licking his fingers. “Fifty years. Guess that makes albatross divorce rates pretty low.”

He laughed lightly at this joke, but Hannah didn't find it funny.

Wolves also mate for life, she thought. She had read so in a book. On average, a wolf’s brain is larger than a domesticated dog. They can perceive sounds up to 40 kilohertz away, twice the distance of a human. Their jaws are powerful enough to saw through bone. They take down bigger prey by hunting in packs and will kill intruders they see as a threat. When hunting, they begin by stalking the prey, separating it from the herd until it’s confused and disoriented, then unleash the finishing blow, carving a hole inside the vulnerable underbelly to devour the prey’s internal organs. Once disemboweled, the carcass is left for scavengers to peck and nibble at till nothing remains. And unlike most social hierarchies within the animal kingdom, it’s the alpha female who makes the decisions; where to go, what to hunt, when to mate.

Is that the threat Tomoe warned her against? The women? Were they the wolves?

“Think of all the chicks they hatch. That’s practically one chick every year.”

Ah, yes, that was the more pressing issue; Children.

Two months in and Hannah was not pregnant. She and Satoru had not consummated their marriage. She was still a virgin, unsure how to proceed.

At the age when most kids were learning how to ride a bicycle, Hannah was learning how to replace the hydraulic filter on a tractor. When students were simulating volcano eruptions with paper mâché and vinegar, Hannah was studying the chemical processes used for brewing beer. Nuns and religious sisters tended to be tradesmiths and licensed professionals. They were farmers, ranch handlers, and brewmasters. Physicists, engineers, doctors, and social workers, each using their combined talents to help serve the local community.

So contrary to popular belief - Galileo notwithstanding - Hannah was well versed in the sciences. She knew how sex worked, what body part went in which orifice, how sperm met egg, etc. In fact, she knew that if you plopped a male and a female alone together on a deserted island, both with no sexual education whatsoever, they would eventually, given time, figure out how to reproduce. What Hannah did not know, however, were the social cues leading up to the act itself. How could you tell whether a man was interested? What were you supposed to say? What did you do? Hannah was still learning how to search the internet on her mobile phone. The novels she swiped off library shelves in the convents were of no help either, granting little more than a chase kiss on the cheek, or a soft caress. And the book's perspective was almost always taken from the woman, not the man.

“…and that’s when I said, ‘Masamichi-sama, you should try snail oil. It’ll clear those up in a jiffy...”

Mr. Ijichi ceased talking about albatrosses and was now divulging his opinions on skincare. Hannah wasn’t listening.

The real question was, did Satoru want to have sex with her? They were two months into their marriage, around the same time it took for a dating couple to decide whether they wanted to continue pursuing each other, and he had not offered to share his bed once. Neither had she, of course. Did that make it her fault somehow? Was she lacking in some area for him? Too foreign? Too short? Too boring?

No, you’re doing it again, Hannah, she mentally chastised. You’re overthinking things. Marriage isn’t based on attraction, it’s based on consent, yes, consent. He doesn’t have to find you attractive. You just have to do the deed and move on.

And while she thought this, her mind reeled back to the man she’d come to know the last two months; The way his tongue stuck out when he was strategizing how to beat her at Go, or laugh at a corny joke he thought was funny. How he would saunter back behind the kitchen and help Makoto clean the dishes after dinner. How every fleeting glance from his turquoise blue eyes; in the hallway; at the table; up in the mountains where only the tops of the pines could be seen, made her beating heart skip and her stomach do summersaults.

The band of gold on her finger tightened as did the ache in her chest, jealous and longing.

I want it to be me.

Hannah and Mr. Ijichi didn’t have much farther to walk. They reached the limestone gates in fifteen minutes. Hannah waved goodbye to the deputy director and scissored up the path towards the house alone, but rather than taking the shorter route, she made a left for the strolling gardens. More fresh air was what she needed.

Hannah looked out at the lake and watched a lone dragonfly land atop the water and kiss the surface for a quick drink, sunlight hitting its lustrous wings to generate the spectrum of a rainbow. It hummed as it flew off. Willow trees swayed in the eastern wind, their long, slender branches dipping into the waterfront like paper streamers. A bed of blue irises were budding close to the shore. She already missed the sakura blossoms. Cherries would replace them come summer.

Sister Edith often said that to walk in nature was to witness a thousand miracles. “We pass by them everyday, mon chérie,” she would sigh, shaking her head. “But we have grown blind. What will it take for the scales to fall from our eyes?” Hannah didn’t have an answer. She was feeling blind as of late. Blind to her husband’s intentions, blind from doubt. Where were they headed in this marriage?

She had just made it over the second bridge next to the teahouse, past a two-hundred year old maple tree, when suddenly she caught the sound of an animal in distress.

“Mmrooww,” it yowled, followed by the rattling of leaves and an angry hiss. “Mrrooow-row.”

Hannah knew what made that noise. Blimey, that was one unhappy cat.

But where was it?

“Meow.”

Hannah spun herself around, looking east to west, and quickly eyed a fluffy white tail poking out the side of a mulberry bush, making the plant look like a handle-less teapot. She soon discovered what had the kitty so upset.

Looking to rub its whiskers along something rough, the cat got its collar snagged on a prickly branch. It tried pulling away, but the branch wouldn’t relent, as though punishing the kitty for trespassing. Now the poor thing was stuck.

It yowled again.

“Hold on, I’ve got you.” Hannah began sifting through the branches to reach the feline. He was wedged fairly deep. She risked ruining the shrub.

Spooked by the stranger, the cat began thrashing and biting wildly, clawing Hannah’s arm by accident. “Ow — No, if you keep tugging on it like that, you’ll choke.” She managed to hook her finger underneath the collar and slide it off the branch. There.

Realizing he was free, the feline popped out the mulberry bush and shook the dirt and leaves from his long white fur, bell collar jingling. Though unlike normal felines, this kitty didn’t run away and hide, twisting his head around to lick the plant residue off his shoulder.

Hannah got on her knees and held out her hand, making “kissy” noises. The cat stopped licking, raised his bushy tail, and sauntered right up, rubbing his teeth and whiskers along her fingers and purring appreciatively. She laughed.

“You’re welcome.” Hannah began scratching him behind the ears. He had the darlingest blue eyes she’d ever seen on a cat. “Don’t worry about the knick you gave me. I know you didn’t mean it.”

The cat kept on purring, closing his eyes so it appeared he was grinning. Adorable.

As she continued scratching, Hannah gently pulled the inscribed tag on his collar, keeping it still for her to read:

幽霊

She smiled.

“Ghost, is it?” she said. “Well, your owner has a sense of humor, I’ll give them that.”

Ghost’s whiskers twitched at the sound of his given name and yawned.

There was no phone or vaccination number on the collar from what Hannah could tell, though obviously the cat belonged to someone. It’s possible he had a microchip. Only one way to find out.

“You’re coming with me.”

Ghost gave no objection to being held by his rescuer and tucked his paws inwards so he could curl into a ball, purring, trilling, tail swishing. This human was nice and warm and gave good pets. He was scared, but not anymore. Time to take a nap.

The cat dozed contentedly in Hannah’s kimono wrapped arms the rest of the walk home, his fur so flocculent it looked as though she were cradling a big wad of cotton. Whoever owned the fella groomed him well. He was clearly loved. Hopefully, Makoto wouldn’t be mad at the pet dander accumulating on her kimono.

It wasn’t until Hannah slipped off her sandals and entered the main hallway when she heard they had visitors. Loud visitors.

“Idiot, how many times do I have to say it? It’s senpai. Utahime-senpai. Show your seniors some respect and say it properly.”

Satoru chuckled.

“Sorry. No can do, U-tah-i-me,” he said, articulating each syllable in her name. “My house, my rules.”

Utahime wasn’t taking it.

“My god, you’re such a piece of shit, Satoru. That innocent act isn’t fooling anyone. We know he’s here already, so hand him over and we’ll be on our way.”

Satoru was so confused by this, he broke into actual laughter. “First off, your interrogation skills need work. Second, why the hell would I steal a cat? I don’t even like cats.”

A third voice disrupted their arguing.

“Joking aside, we could really use your help, Satoru,” said the third. “Normally I wouldn’t bring him to the lab, but I hate leaving him alone in the apartment while I‘m gone,” a winded sigh, “Guess it’s my fault he escaped.”

Utahime offered her friend support. “No, it’s not your fault, Shoko. I’m sure he’ll turn up eventually. We just have to keep looking.”

Now awake from his nap, Ghost’s ears twitched upon hearing the third person, Shoko, speak and sniffed the air. Uh oh. A sick empty feeling brewed in the pit of Hannah’s stomach. If indeed Ghost was their missing feline, which it’d be safe to assume he was by that point, then wouldn’t they insinuate her as the thief? She had the kitty in her hands for Pete’s sake.

Her budding nerves threatened to capsize her.

The wall partition separating the reception room from the main hallway was latticed entirely in washi paper. Had it not been for the colorful folded screens, painted in gold and dazzling peacocks, her silhouette would’ve been visible from the other side, but that wasn't the problem. Designed to only go one way, the hall had no means of escape. Should she walk back, the bamboo matting would alert the others of her presence and she’d be ousted. It was thanks to Utahime’s shouting that Hannah managed to make it this far.

“Well, if you see him roaming around, give me a call, alright?”

Foot-falls shuffled in Hannah’s direction.

Wait, no, no, no, no, no, no.

However, Ghost was done messing around. These humans were noisy, and his rescuer was squeezing him too tight. He started to fidget, growing restless and more agitated the tighter she squeezed. “Mrroow,” he growled. Hannah held onto him as best she could, but when his hind claws began digging underneath the kimono silk and pulling on her obi cord, she knew she’d lost. Like a wet bar of soap, the cat slipped out of her hands and dashed for his owner.

Her cover was blown.

“I KNEW IT!!!” shouted Utahime, watching the cat appear out of the corner and rub against Shoko’s legs. She turned sharply around to jeer at her prime suspect. “I knew you were lying, you slimy haired weasel. Thought you could pull a fast one on us, did ya? Did ya?”

Satoru rolled his eyes. “I’m telling you, it wasn’t me.”

Happy to be reunited, Shoko picked her cat off the floor and stroked his fur. “Well, if it wasn’t you, how did he get in here?”

“It was me.”

All three sorcerers affixed their eyes upon the hallway, where a flustered Gojo Hannah emerged out the corner, hair and kimono disheveled. “I found him while in the garden.”

“Hehe, see, told you,” Satoru snickered. He knew his wife was standing there the whole time, trying to wrangle the pesky feline. He’d been tempted to alert the others, but thought it better to let the chips fall where they may. What were the odds she’d actually find Shoko’s missing cat and bring the fleabag home? She was always full of surprises. It left him wondering when they would begin discussing the visions.

In the meantime, Hannah was fiddling with the decorative knot on her obijime, which was close to coming undone.

“Here, let me help with that.”

Now able to match a face to the voice, the third person, Shoko, plopped Ghost back on the floor and walked behind Hannah to fix the knot. While not attired in her usual lab coat and heels, she still looked professional in a turtleneck and jeans. Her long chocolate brown hair was swooped in a lazy twist, showing the beauty mark under her eye. Hannah recognized the woman immediately.

“I know you,” she gaped. “You’re the one who handed me the water bottle.”

“Ah, so you remember,” cheered Shoko. “Good to know I can leave a lasting impression.”

“Hold it, you two met already?” both Satoru and Utahime asked in unison. “Since when?”

“I wouldn’t say we met,” answered Shoko, giving Hannah a wink. “More like crossed paths.”

“Uh, yeah. Crossed paths. Sure.” Hannah wanted to hide herself. A lot more happened between them than “crossing paths.” She had almost been caught hurrying the growth of a rose shrub.

Shoko’s companion, Utahime, pivoted back to Satoru, dressed down in a pair of denim shorts and a graphic tee. Her violet hair stuck out at the end of her baseball cap in a high ponytail. She placed both hands on her hips expectantly.

“Well?”

Six Eyes narrowed. “Well, what?”

“Aren't you going to introduce us?”

“Why do I have to introduce you?” He pointed his thumb. “She’s standing right there.”

Utahime pinched the bridge of her nose and drew in a sharp breath. “Because, doofus, it’s the polite thing to do, and you’re her husband. Why do men lack common sense when it comes to this stuff?”

“Fine.” Satoru walked behind his two comrades. “Shoko, Utahime,” he said, presenting with both hands, “This is Hannah.”

Hannah bowed. “Hello,” she said shyly, flattening her hair. “Please to meet you.”

In three long steps, Satoru backpedaled behind his wife.

He rested both hands on her shoulders.

Hannah couldn’t think of anything. Half the oxygen instantly vanished from the room as her heart did a double take. She smelled coffee and incense. His sweet breath tickled her ears, mouth hovering just inches above her nape. If she turned her head, their lips would surely touch. She shuddered.

“Hannah, these two are my colleagues,” he said, voice so smooth it made her want to melt. “Shoko is the doctor and top researcher on campus. And Utahime is — ”

Utahime seized Hannah by the wrist and dragged her from her husband’s arms, seeking refuge in the corner.

“Hi,mynameisUtahime.IteachattheKyotoschool. Okay, so I have to know,” she whispered.

Lost in a daze, Hannah couldn’t tell whether this person had spoken in tongues or crafted her own language. Speed talkers were difficult to translate.

Um…about what?” she asked, unsure why they were whispering. Now that they were close, the young wife could see the prominent scar slashed across the woman’s cheek and nose.

“Who else?” Utahime said. “That mop-headed manchild you married. Now tell me, does he leave his dirty laundry piled everywhere? Eat like a slob? Talk you half to death? I bet he’s unbearable to live with. He never shuts up.”

“I can still hear, you know,” Satoru commented from the sidelines.

“So, is he?” Utahime persisted, ignoring him. “I understand if you don’t wanna say it out loud. I can’t stand him either.”

“Actually,” Hannah parted from Utahime and turned around to face her spouse, “Satoru has made life relatively easy for me. He’s been very generous,” she showed him a gentle smile. “More than I deserve, really.”

The pause was deafening.

Nobody spoke.

Nobody moved.

Unprepared for having received such a glowing compliment, Satoru felt the tips of his ears burning. He looked to the floor. That smile wasn’t fake. She meant every word. It made him wish they were true. Hannah deserved a lot more than he could give. She deserved the world, no, the universe.

He just recently learned about her love for gardening, both from the memories and the morning jogs they embarked together. Practically every tree, wild-flower, weed, and leaf they ran past, she could name without fail, teaching him the binomial nomenclature of each while relaying their medicinal properties. He had comprised a mental list:

Isha-koroshi (Bugleweed) / Ajuga decumbens: Perennial herb. Grows close to the ground. Spatula shaped leaves with small dark purple flowers. Boiling leaves helps burns and cuts. Drinking decoction of seeds relieves stomach aches and gastrointestinal issues. Sprouts April to June.

Momi (Fir Tree) / Abies firma: Coniferous family. Oil can be extracted by grinding needles, wood, and bark. Used to treat symptoms relating to the common cold. Anti-inflammatory. (Same for pine, juniper, yew, and cypress).

Maruba-Utsugi (Deutzia) / Deutzia scabra: Deciduous shrub. Related to hydrangea family. White starlike blossoms. Bloom in May. Round leaves are edible when young. Eat as last resort.

The list went on.

He wished he had taken a snapshot of her face yesterday when he revealed they were adding an English garden on the estate; Pure. Gold. He might as well have sprouted angel wings and a halo. “You mean it?” she said in faint disbelief. “You’re giving me my own…?”

He nodded his head yes.

She wept like a baby, thanking him profusely over and over again. Almost June, they were too far in the spring to grow anything, so they planned to visit some local nurseries and gather ideas for October (the optimal planting time). Makoto thought it would be a good bonding experience.

“Hmmm.” Utahime cynically leaned over Hannah and arched her brow. “You sure he hasn’t misbehaved?”

Hannah innocently raised her hands. “No, honest. Satoru’s been wonderful.”

Utahime held her chin, ruminating this quandary. “Generous” and “wonderful” weren’t words she would use to describe Satoru, more like “self-centered” and “egotistical,” but realizing Hannah wasn’t going to correct this mistake, she leaned away and sighed. “Well, alright. But if he starts any crap, you let me know, okay?”

“Hey, I’m not a delinquent,” Satoru whined, tired of her trash talking.

“But you act like one, so zip it,” Utahime spat and tapped Hannah’s arm. “Anyway, I’m serious. Let. Me. Know,” she handed her a piece of paper. “Here’s my number.”

“Okay,” Hannah said, taking the paper. “Thanks.”

Shoko bent down to retrieve her cat.

“On that cheery note, I think we’ll make like a banana and split. You ready, Utahime?”

Utahime checked her phone. “Oh, shoot. I didn’t realize it’s been that long.”

“Yeah, I think you’ve outstayed your welcome,” Satoru deadpanned. “Get lost.”

Utahime stuck her tongue at the Six Eyes wielder, who wiggled his own tongue right back. She was about to say more, but Shoko interrupted.

“Come along, Utahime. Let’s give the couple back their privacy.” She tugged on her friend’s collar, carrying Ghost under her arm. “See you around, Satoru. And it was nice officially meeting you, Hannah. Thanks for finding my cat.”

“Yeah, bye, Hannah,” Utahime added, waving goodbye. “We’ll go out for drinks sometime.”

“Wait, no goodbye hug for me, Hime-chan?” Satoru pouted, pretending to shed a tear. “I’m hurt.”

“I’d rather swallow iodine, you freak,” the Kyoto teacher snapped. “Call me that again and see what hap — ”

“Bye, bye, everyone,” Shoko finished, shoving her friend towards the door.

“Bye.” Hannah returned a friendly wave. “Janae.”

The doctor and teacher made their quick getaway, missing kitty in toe.

Hannah turned to her husband.

“Well, they seemed…nice.”

Satoru dropped the facade. “Not how I would put it.” Glad they were gone, he tucked his hands in his pockets and headed for the living room. “I’m bored, let’s go watch a movie. Mission Impossible 2 is next, I think.”

Hannah trotted softly beside him.

“No, we’re on the third installment now, remember? Ethan managed to dodge Ambrose’s bullet and throw Luther the cure just in time so he could jab it into Nyah and prevent an outbreak.”

“Ah, that’s right, that’s right,” he chuckled, pointing a finger. “Keeping me on my toes, I see.”

“Of course,” Hannah giggled. “If I don’t, who will?”

Satoru nudged his wife with his elbow and blew her a raspberry. “If I don’t, who will?” he mocked.“My name’s Hannah and I own the place, rah, rah, rah.”

She choked on a giggle and tried shooing him away, which only prompted more ribbing.

Don’t ask her about tomorrow, the uncertainties, the what-ifs. Those she could fret about some other day. Right then, walking down that corridor, the world’s strongest sorcerer smiling at her with twinkling blue eyes, Hannah knew everything would be alright. She didn’t know how she knew this, but she did. Whatever the danger, they would rise up to meet it. Together.

Let the wolves come.

Chapter Contents

#satoru gojo #gojo satoru #gojo x oc #jjk #jjk fanfic #jjk x reader #gojo #jjk fluff #gojo x fem #Gojo Takes a Wife

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