#actually quite liked using wands in demon's souls

[death-rebirth-senshi]

Crazy to me that people want to cast sorceries in Elden Ring without the staff. You simply do not have a wizard's temperament.

[starsinkpop]

ATEEZ Choi Jongho Tarot Reading - Future Spouse

Disclaimer: I do tarot readings for fun, so please read them with a grain of salt. Don’t take my words too seriously and just keep an open mind. Tarot is a divination tool that can’t predict the future, as every single individual has their own will and makes their own decisions. Tarot should be seen as a guidance and a good friend that just has your best interest and gives you advice when needed. I’m not putting anyone in my readings on a pedestal nor am I trying to harm anyone. One last side note, I’m not a native speaker, so please excuse any wrong spellings or poor grammar.

Date of Reading: October 26th 2023

Decks: Ethereal Visions Tarot, Dreamscape Oracle, Romance Angel Oracle, Love Oracle, island time wellness love Oracle, Angel Answers Oracle Cards

Eight of Pentacles (R), Nine of Swords, Six of Cups (R) Knight of Cups, Knight of Wands, XXI The World

Jongho’s future spouse is a perfectionist who easily obsesses over things

they give me the energy of someone who gives up on new hobbies if they don’t perfect them in the shortest amount of time

they have a tendency to quit before they finished what they’ve started

they have many talents but don’t know how to use or develop them

when it comes to their abilities and work quality they underestimate and undersell themself because of a lack of self-confidence

I see them having a pretty “average” occupation

they maybe could have an office job that doesn’t excite them but it pays the bills

could be an assistant to someone

they seem to lack direction or purpose in life

this is someone who’s a bit materialistic

I’m getting this vibe of someone who is quite bored with life and routine and since this is extremely tiring they reward themself regularly with fancy stuff just to keep themself somewhat motivated

this could lead them to overspend from time to time

they’re introverted and don’t really like attention

they feel uncomfortable when people are watching them so I’m pretty sure this is not someone in the public eye or who is posting on social media

they could deal with anxiety or insomnia

I feel like this is caused by people constantly mistreating them and stabbing them in the back

they could appear a bit helpless at times

I’m getting Bambi energy

Jongho’s gonna protect them at all costs, I just know it

they’re someone who often has to face their fears

almost feels like life is constantly testing them and forcing them into uncomfortable situation

but this will help them grow stronger, even though it’s a long and maybe painful ride

people take advantage of them

this is a quite sensitive person who’s dealing with a lot of insecurities

they focus on their flaws instead of seeing how wonderful they are

this person has a hard time moving on

but I feel like Jongho helps them getting over their fears and turns them into a new person

they gonna rise from the ashes like a Phoenix when they start dating Jongho

I also think they meet when his fs is at their lowest point in life

it’s like he reveals a whole new and different world to them, this is actually very beautiful

all strings that their inner demons have control over will be cut off when Jongho enters their life

I’m seeing both of them improving each others mental and physical health

this is Jongho’s soul mate, these two found true love in each other

Jongho makes them understand that they deserve to be loved

they both balance each other out and build the life together they always dreamed of

they can be stuck in the past and have a hard time to move forward, again that’s because they’re a bit fearful

it feels like they’re inner child needs a lot of healing

they could appear to be sweet, but like a bit too sweet

it’s like a facade so people won’t take advantage of them and rather protect them

I see them as someone pretty charming actually, but only when they feel comfortable

they could a bit dramatic at times

but they’re very romantic and love the idea of love

they could’ve been single for a long time or maybe never had a proper relationship

again, I feel like this is caused by people constantly mistreating them, kinda getting sick of others in a way

they’re very diplomatic

this is someone who loves art and has an eye for aesthetics

they’re very interested in different cultures and languages, probably even speak multiple languages

this is someone from further away, like there’s a separation between them and Jongho

could be a different city or a foreign country

they enjoy traveling a lot

this is someone who’s very intelligent knowledgeable

they’re quite stubborn and could have Capricorn or Aries placements

they have a lot of sympathy for others

look wise I can see someone conventionally beautiful

they’re very attractive

they probably have brown or black hair, either straight or a bit wavy

from the energy I’m getting someone who’s a bit younger then Jongho

Love,

~Nicky 🫧

Masterlist

[serendipitybutterfly]

Pick a Card Reading: What's Coming in the Month Ahead?

*Disclaimer- Pick a card readings are general as they are intended for multiple people. If a message resonates with you and what's going on in your life then it is for you and if it doesn't then it's probably for someone else and you can ignore it.

If you feel drawn to more than one pile then feel free to have a look at any of them as there may be information for you in more than one. I'd be grateful for your feedback on if you enjoyed this kind of reading and if you found it helpful as this is the first pick a card I've done. I hope you enjoy and that this may be useful to you in some way! 💜

Close your eyes and take deep breaths, focusing on the cool sensation of the air entering your lungs and warm sensation as it leaves your nose. Pay attention to sounds around you, from the loudest to the quietest... Let your awareness expand. Then, ask the question, 'what is coming in the month ahead?'. Open your eyes and they will be drawn to the pile or stone that is meant for you.

Pile 1: Amethyst

Pile 2: Selenite

Pile 3: Rose Quartz

Pile 1:

For everyone who chose pile one, this will be a month where the focus is entirely on your personal growth and development. This is a month in which you fulfilling your dreams and goals needs to be at the forefront. The archetype card that represents you this month is The Exorcist and this is really representative of you exorcising your own demons; the little voices in your head that tell you you can't do it, that you're not good enough or that lead you towards toxic habits or people. This month, your attention needs to be on letting everything which no longer serves you go in order to focus wholeheartedly on your dream (I love how the Focus card here has purple crystals which match the amethyst... some lovely confirmation!).

The tarot shows that you have The Star, The Empress in reverse, the Wheel of Fortune in reverse, and the 10 of Pentacles. This is telling me that you have the immense potential to make your dreams a reality and that fulfilling this dream will lead to a comfortable, secure lifestyle for you and your family materially. You are like the Empress waiting for her throne to come to her, but you're the one who needs to make it happen. You need to believe in yourself. As soon as you start working on developing yourself, you'll see the wheel begin to turn in your favour. It will take hard work to kick bad habits and have the discipline and focus to develop your skills and work towards your dream, but it will be worth it.

I hope this isn't too disappointing to some of you, but for most of you I don't think the True Love card is referring to your relationship with another person, but rather it's about how you see yourself. You're going to be learning that True Love actually comes from within. Love is a quality, a state, which is born within you and which you can share with others. You never need to look further than your own heart for love. There's a need to shift your perspective on love, on the way you view it and where and how you're looking for it. You need to begin seeing yourself differently, believing in your own talent and potential and having confidence that you will succeed.

It might sound strange, but I need all you pile ones to go listen to The Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston, you could even watch the music video, and make sure to pay attention to the lyrics! I started singing it to myself while doing this reading so I think it contains an important theme in this month for you and could be great inspiration.

Speaking of which, The Bard card tells me that music, songs, stories and art in general will be hugely inspirational to you this month. It could be a song you listen to, a book you read, a movie you watch... Something will motivate and inspire you and it's important that you take advantage of that inspiration. I think quite a few of you may also be aspiring 'bards' ; artists who want to share their music, art and stories with the world. I'm telling you that The Star is shining on your dreams so believe in yourself, work hard and you will have your wish! Good luck in the month ahead! 💜

Pile 2:

Perhaps unsurprisingly, for those of you who chose pile 2 and Selenite (a stone associated with the moon) this pile seems to be very much about you getting in touch with the watery energy of your spirituality and emotions. The archetype card representing you over the next month is the Monk / Nun. Someone who has devoted them self to a spiritual life. Monks and Nuns also take vows of chastity and what I'm seeing for any of you that are interested in romance is that there is quite a bit of spiritual work you need to do on your own first before you're truly ready to open your heart to love.

The tarot cards you got, the 2 of Air (swords), the 2 of cups, the King of cups reversed and the nine of wands, are telling me that you have some underlying issues when it comes to relationships (I think mostly romantic but it could also include other kinds of relationships so take it how it resonates). I feel like there's a sense of hesitating to trust others or believe you could be in a great relationship... You have some hidden emotional blockages that you need to work through before you can be a well adjusted King of Cups with his amazing emotional intelligence, confidence and open heart. The nine of wands in this tarot deck (Tarot of the Thousand and One Nights) is actually very different from the usual imagery of the nine of wands which shows the battered warrior having won one battle yet knowing the war isn't over. This nine of wands on the other hands shows what seems to be a couple meeting each other in a quiet place for a romantic rendezvous... I take it in this case as a couple reuniting after being separated by difficult circumstances and overcoming them on their own... Now finally they can be together. That's the message for you pile 2, you have the potential to have beautiful relationships but first you need to work on the blockages that are holding you back from being able to love with all your heart.

You got the Lotus card representing 'Unfoldment'. I want you all to look up the symbol of the Lotus in Buddhist tradition, but essentially consider that the beautiful Lotus flower rises to the light of the sun out of the darkness and filth at the bottom of the pond. You may have gone through dark times in your life, but don't see yourself as tainted by them forever. You can and will overcome your past and rise, pure, clean and beautiful into the light. You can see with the Water Cleansing card just how much clear water elemental energy is present in this reading. I think doing some cleansing rituals involving water would be extremely beneficial for many of you. If you live near the sea, or a clean river, stream, spring or lake where it is safe to swim and wash yourself in the water, do go out and do so at a peaceful time of day, visualising the water washing away any past wounds and leaving you fresh again. If there's no natural body of water near you, then make up a cleansing bath (or shower) at home and do just the same, imagine the water washing away the pain and fear that no longer serve you. Almost like a baptism where the past is washed away and it's like you are born again, I see that symbolic cleansing with water will help you feel pure and clean in your body, mind and spirit and allow you to begin anew.

Rounding out the water imagery, we have the Water Faery card representing you in the month ahead and emphasising that this month is all about emotional healing and spirituality. Together with the Druid Card and It's Safe to Love card, I'm getting the message that having this period of soul searching and spiritual growth is key to healing the emotional wounds left by your past. I want to recommend all of you to do some Sacral Chakra and Heart Chakra healing meditations as I think that would be a good place to start for a lot of you. You can find guided meditations on YouTube for these. Right now I'm really getting the impression that you're experiencing blockages in these areas due to some events in your past that you've really held onto and it's stopping your loving and creative energies from flowing as they should. Once you give yourself permission to heal and let go of the pain you're holding onto, you're going to be elevating yourself and opening up to the love and connections you really deserve. Sometimes it's hard to face and reconcile with the most shadowy parts of yourself, sometimes it's actually scary to step out from the shadow because you don't know who you are without it, but I promise you all that having the bravery to start this healing process will be worth it every step of the way. Let yourself be washed clean and start afresh now.✨

Pile 3:

OK pile 3... This is a rough time for a lot of you I can see. Right now some truths seem to have come to light in your life and you've been left feeling betrayed, deceived, lied to... It doesn't feel good, but let this reading give you hope and confirmation in the fact that you are blessed and protected.

First of all, the archetype representing you this month is the angel card. Not only is this telling me that you are a good, kind person who is not in the wrong in the situation you are in, its also a confirmation that you are surrounded by angels who are protecting and guiding you. This reading is full of angels. I counted 5 angels in all so perhaps 5 is a lucky or significant number this month (it is also the 5th month of the year!).

All the tarot cards - 7 of Air (swords), 3 of swords, and Judgement twice! - are giving me the simple message that you were being deceived or misled, but the truth has been brought to light and this left you feeling heartbroken or disappointed. But try not to give in to this feeling. Everything happens for a reason and those who did wrong will be brought to justice and those who did the right thing will receive their just rewards. Honestly, I get the feeling that you were actually protected from a worse outcome. You feel the truth coming to light ruined something for you but actually it spared you from a greater suffering and has now opened the doors to you stepping into the opportunities you really deserve. In a sense, this really is actually something to celebrate, even though it may not seem so right now.

With the Distant Thunder and Oracle cards, I'm getting the message that right now isn't the time to make any hasty decisions or take any rash action. It's important right now to watch and listen carefully to what's going on and make sure you have all the information you need before you make your next move. Don't worry, you're going to be guided to take action when the time is right and all the necessary information will be provided to you. Just keep your eyes and ears open and watch for the signs.

With this Partnership card I'm getting that this particular group has people dealing with a few different kinds of situations... For some of you this is to do with a romantic relationship, for others it's with friends or family and for others it's to do with business or education... Regardless of the specifics, I want to assure you all that you have been blessed and protected by the guides watching over you and that is something to celebrate and grateful for. Although you're disappointed now, try to have faith that what is coming to you is greater than what you had imagined previously. There are better things in store and this setback is just paving the way for you. Have a little patience and keep watch because great new opportunities are in your future!😇

[odinsmysteries]

things about me

I’m just going to offload everything sort of “weird“ I’ve noticed about myself. It’s going to be a scattered post, but I need to write it anyway, and it will help me decide what to talk about with a therapist. If you relate, please do let me know! :)

- when I was very young, maybe four or five, I remember being given a flashing frankenstein head for halloween, and I couldn’t turn it off, so I was seized with dread that it would control my mind and drive me insane, and I started crying and panicking about it

- right up until a couple of years ago, I would need my mother to do the magic circle, where she draws a circle around my head with an imaginary wand before I go to bed, so that bad things and demons couldn’t get into my dreams and do harm to me

- in year 8 I watched a horror film and for months afterwards I was scared of zombies coming out from under various things, usually the oven

- I had to stop reading a book called The Ragwitch by Garth Nix because it so utterly terrified me, it was almost real to me, I thought the book character would control my mind

- even things like slenderman and the rake can work me up into a state of panic, especially at night

- in times of stress I start to think somebody will shoot me in the back, always the back, and sometimes I imagine it so strongly I feel it, or that a sniper is watching me up above, etc, and I’ll think that every car is going to veer off the road to kill me, and that someone will push me whenever I’m up high

- currently I have intrusive thoughts when talking to people about sticking my tongue right under their upper eyelid, which is not as bad as the period of time where I couldn’t look at my mother because I’d extremely strongly become repulsed by her nose, but also imagined myself facesitting her... it was very unpleasant

- for a period of time I felt as if my mum was perhaps a robot

- I used to hold my breath around people I didn’t like or who seemed like targets in some way, because I thought breathing in their breath would transmute me into them, almost

- I thought I was a werewolf for a long time as a child; I’d act differently on a full moon, more feral.. thought nothing of growling at people or howling

- sometimes I feel like the world is intensely malevolent, not that people are necessarily intentionally bad, but the consciousness constructed by society itself is a malevolent entity. Ususally I have some awareness of this, but it can escalate to an incapacitating degree, like it did once. I thought, everything is not really real, and I am not real to everyone else, which is liberating in a way, but I realised how these misunderstandings and interpretations are used maliciously by the evil powers, and that even common everyday objects embody malice and deception, because they rely on us giving common meanings to them and not looking deeper

- I do on occasion feel like I am part of a special group who sees the truth of reality and has an incredibly strong burden to share this, a messenger of sorts, and I definitely see myself as a messenger rather than a messiah or prophet, but it is an elitist notion nonetheless, unless of course it is pursued in the boddhisatva sense, but even then..

- since watching a documentary on satoshi nakamoto, I started questioning if I am actually satoshi nakamoto, or some alternate timeline satoshi nakamoto, part of the same consciousness, which ties into the above line of thinking

- the messenger thing also ties into my graffiti of messages of love and love hearts, and it compensates for the rampant hate I see in the world, almost

- for a time I felt as if there was an entity in my head, for it would comment on my activities, usually in a negative way, and I conceptualised it as a 4D being or soul from the dream-world that I’d accidentally brought with me or had ended up in my inadequate human body by accident

- when I am depressed, my thoughts get very loud, and sometimes they seem to come from someone other than me, as in they are uncontrollable and argue all the time, constant thought-conflict between selves... they are not quite audible voices but they are louder than normal thoughts, if that makes sense

- my dad was very invalidating and didn’t like to feed or give us drinks; he’d call us parasites etc and complain about the fact that our mum wanted children, but obviously always guilt trip us if we didn’t want to see him. He also had a weird thing about my bum that I won’t really go into.

- as a child I was very much in my head, though maybe I still am. I just don’t notice it as much now, because these days, I’m most often alone and in my bedroom, making art or reading etc.

I think this is all I have the energy for writing now, but I actually do feel better for getting it out.

I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, as a result of my troubles with university, but I can’t help but think that there must me more going on than that.

[the-hilda-librarians-wife]

A Familiar Soul - Chapter Five

Summary: Hilda decides to be completely honest with her mother, surprised when she seems to be a lot more in on magic than Hilda had expected her to be

.With her daughter’s association with witches, Johanna is forced to face some secrets of her own, bringing her back to feelings and people she’d rather have left behind

Dealing with insecurities and inner demons of her own, Kaisa finds herself face to face with the very issues that brought her to be so displeased with her own abilities

Or: the one where Johanna is Kaisa’s familiar

Notes: Not too happy with the writing in this chapter, but I hope it’s interesting enough to make up for it <3

Read it on ao3: (chpt1) (chpt2) (chpt3) (chpt4) (chpt5)

Library lessons would be the death of Hilda. Every time Tildy said Frida’s lesson that day would be in the library (Tildy’s personal one, of course, in her house, since she didn’t dare try to teach near the Committee), Hilda knew there would barely be a glimpse of actual magic for her to watch. So much for accompanying her witch to her classes.

The room Tildy called her library was mostly a study with shelves covering every wall. It wasn’t very big, but it was cozy. The sorceress sat on the only chair, and the children on the pillows on the floor, and Tildy handed her student a book which Frida had already seen before, judging by how quickly she opened it and began looking for an specific page.

“I mentioned the Trials in our last lesson, and I was thinking that today we could begin by talking some more about them.” Tildy said, making Hilda lift her eyebrows. She hadn’t been with them for Frida’s last lesson. “It’s not something you have to worry about quite some time… actually, scratch that, it’s not something you have to worry about at all, but judging by how goal oriented you are…”

“I’d love to know more!” Frida chirped, but Hilda kept looking back and forth between them.

“What are the ‘trials’?” She asked. Tildy’s smile told her that the woman had already known she’d ask that.

Tildy sat up straighter on her chair - the doctors said she ought to pay more attention to her posture- and planted her hands on her lap. She’d been hoping Hiilda would take an interest in this topic. There were matters that needed to be discussed, waters that needed to pass, feelings that needed to be unstuck, and Hilda seemed like just the person to set things in action even if she wasn’t aware of it.

“The Trials are a mark in a witch’s career. They were established by the first Committee of Three, the ones who built the Tower and the library, to better organize the witch society. When a young witch becomes of age, she and her familiar.” Tildy gave Hilda a meaningful stare, though the girl couldn’t realize the full extent of it. “Present themselves to the Committee and perform some sort of magic, whether it be a spell, a potion, or a fortune telling. Based on how well the witch performs, the Committee tells them what kind of witch they will be allowed to become.”

“Wait, why does the familiar need to be there?” Hilda asked, putting a hand on Frida’s shoulder. “I mean, I’d want to be there for Frida for something meaningful like this, but what’s so important about it?”

“The familiar is the centre of it all.” Tildy said as she watched a bird land on the outside of the library’s window. Secretly, she wondered how Cornelius was doing at the moment. He’d just been sent off to have a bath and he truly, really didn’t like it. “In its core, witchcraft is about connection. To yourself, to others, and to the world around you. That being so, a witch’s magic can be measured by how well she can connect to other beings, and the familiar is taken as the standard because of the tight bond they have.”

“Is that why my magic is stronger when I’m with Hilda?” Frida asked. “Because of our connection?”

They had already told her about the Kraken situation, but never truly discussed how Frida’s magic had changed because of the wand Hilda had given her. Tildy smiled.

“Yes, it is. This is actually very common in witches. So much so that some of them come to believe they simply can’t do magic without their familiars. Back to what I was saying, with the familiar’s assistance the witch performs before the committee, and if they’re good enough by their standards, they get the opportunity to choose the magic tracks that are considered the most powerful… including a chance at being in the Committee when there’s a place. Those who don’t do that well, they get offered jobs that involve less connection, and essentially less magic.”

“That doesn’t sound very fair.”

“Of course it’s not fair!” Tildy rolled her eyes, although both girls knew her mocking wasn’t directed at them. “I can count on my fingertips the amount of times the Committee has been fair since its creation. It’s impressive, really, the witches in the Committee change, yet the mentality remains.”

Without taking her eyes away from the book, Frida asked. “Well, I can kind of see why they would do that. They should be able to tell which job suits each witch better, as well as it making it easier to pick out new Committee members. Haven’t you ever met a more sensible witch in the Committee?”

There was the ghost of a smile on Tildy’s face. “I had a friend there, once. Amaris was a good woman, but accepting to join that mess…”

Silence hung over them, making Frida and Hilda look at each other in askance, and then at Tildy to figure out why she had stopped. The woman just shook her head and put a happy face back on.

“As I said, you shouldn’t worry about that. I’m sure Frida will do amazingly in her Trials and be able to pick any track she wants. What I wanted to discuss with you today were the different types of witch that you can become. This isn’t to mean you can’t study everything, but it’s good to have a focus.”

“Great!” Frida smiled. Now Hilda could see the book better, and it was an explanation of different expertises inside witchcraft. “Let’s begin.”

Hilda thought she had probably zoned off while the witches talked, since whenever she tried to pay attention they seemed to have jumped to a new topic. It wasn’t exactly that the subject wasn’t interesting but she just couldn’t see it in her day to day life, which made it hard for her to focus. Maybe trying to figure out which type of witch Tildy was would help her, Hilda thought, before brushing that idea away on the grounds that Tildy had probably found a way to merge all the magic she found interesting together. Then, the girl remembered about the other fully grown witch she knew.

“What about the keepers of the books?” She asked, hoping she hadn’t interrupted anything too important. Frida’s face lit up, and she quickly went to the book’s summary to look for a chapter on that path.

“Yes, tell me about them!”

“They were usually the most powerful witches.” Tildy complied. Noticing the surprise on Hilda’s face because of that bit of information, she continued. “When you are confident about your strength, you don’t feel the need to show it all the time.”

Once again, Hilda realized just why it would be a disaster if she were a witch. If she ever had a lot of power, the chances of her following that logic and choosing to just deal with books were practically non existent. They were all much safer with Frida as a witch.

“Unfortunately.” The sorceress continued with a weariness to her voice. “It is almost secular that the so called higher ranking witches-“

She made quotation marks with her fingers, making it even more explicit that she truly wasn’t fond of the Committee.

“- will simply not listen to them. The Committee recurringly brushes their opinions off because they ‘know more about books than the real world.’”

Finally having found the right chapter, which had illustrations of flying books near the header, Frida looked up at her teacher.

“What does that mean?”

“Well, for example, the reform in the teaching of magic proposed by Blyanna Biddle was genius, but only accepted years after her death.” She emphasized the world, letting the vowels draw out for longer than they needed to be. “Somewhy, the Committee tends to listen more to seers than to people with actual study and knowledge.”

“That’s awful.” Hilda scrunched her nose. Granted, she knew she wouldn’t have the patience to do all that studying herself, but she did recognize that someone had to do it, and that this someone needed to be heard. Where would she be if she didn’t let Frida weight in on her plans?

“It is.” Tildy nodded, but instead of keeping a stern face she pouted playfully. “Seers are a bunch of kooks.”

The girls laughed, and the lesson went on.

_#_#_#_

Despite the fact that Kaisa had told her not no stare, Johanna couldn’t help but do exactly that when suddenly she was taken out of that series of hidden rooms and into the Witches Tower.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t used to witches; far from it, in fact. But the sheer amount of people walking up and down those seemingly infinite staircases was overwhelming nonetheless. She was sure that if she paid close attention, she would have been able to recognize even more people she knew.

“Why don’t you show her around while I go announce our visit, hm?” Kaisa nodded at her mentor’s suggestion and grabbed Johanna’s hand.

“Come on, Anna. You’re going to love this place.”

Absorbed in all the amazing things her friend was showing her, Johanna didn’t even notice the odd stares she was getting from other witches. She’d always dreamed about meeting the tower, and had bugged Kaisa to take her there since they were very little, albeit with no success. Luckily, things had changed for her.

Johanna hadn’t asked about the specific details of the conversation, but apparently it had started out as a vent. Kaisa had decided to open up to Tildy one day about how she was getting older and still had no familiar. Hearing that had been a shock to Tildy, who immediately saw that there had been some sort of communication problem and made herself as clear as possible: Kaisa already had a familiar, had had one for over five years now.

So that meant Witches Tower access to Johanna.

“You’re going too fast!” She complained when Kaisa pulled her away from a window which revealed a room apparently filled with carnivorous plants.

“I can bring you back here to explore any time now, but there’s something I want to show you before we talk to the Committee!”

After making her witch promise she’d show her all the cool things properly later, Johanna complied, being guided through the most peculiar passageways untilt the two of them entered a large corridor, its walls covered by pictures of witches and, Johanna realized, their familiars.

“This is the walk of portraits! Every witch who ever did something important is here.”

Stunned, the girl took in all the different women surrounding her. There didn’t seem to be one thing that they all had in common, each of them bearing an unique essence that anyone who looked at their portrait could sense. There was one of them, however, that looked more like a stereotypical witch than the others, and it was the same one Kaisa was standing the closest to. Her hair was midnight black with a strand of dark purple, with a crow perched on her shoulder and a penetrating gaze. The description on the golden plaque under the frame bore the name “Amaris Underhill”.

“Does she seem familiar?” Kaisa asked when she caught Johanna looking at the portrait, trying to keep a lighthearted posture. Johanna smiled comfortingly at her.

“Very. You look as beautiful as her.”

It was very flattering to be compared to someone she admired so much, and Kaisa blushed despite herself, hoping her hair would cover it up. Since it didn’t, Johanna looked away, pretending to be more interested in the other portraits because she knew her friend didn’t appreciate being the centre of attention when she was vulnerable.

“Is Mr. Linus here?” She asked, referring to the redhead who always had a kind word to offer her when she went to the library. The question made Kaisa make a sound that sounded like a scoff.

“You’ll hardly find any book keepers here, Anna. They’re quite strong, I’ll give them that, but they have very little opportunity to actually act. I don’t think you can make much of a change sitting around books all day.”

Johanna didn’t agree, but by the way Kaisa said it, like it was a speech she had memorized, gave her the feeling that she shouldn’t voice her opinion. It looked like Kaisa had done a great deal of effort to believe in what she was saying.

“And what kind of change would you want to make?” She asked istead, not missing how the witch’s gaze went back to her mother’s portrait before returning to Johanna.

Kaisa didn’t look comfortable when she answered. Her hair was growing over her eyes and she looked through the wild strands up at her friend, fidgeting with the hem of the skirt she was wearing.

“It’s not really typical for witches to have to show their familiars to the committee, Anna.” There was a hint of an apology in her eyes as well as her voice. “We’re doing this because witches, as a group, are very against outsiders, and I prefer warning them now than submitting you to any complications in the future.”

Johanna frowned, the stares she’d been given while strolling along the tower clicking into place on her mind. But still, the knowledge left her confused. Kaisa and Tildy had never been anything but kind to her, and she’d been kind in return, hadn’t she? At least for her part, she didn’t think she’d sullied non-witches’ reputation.

“Why?”

“I don’t know.” Kaisa shrugged, her attitude suddenly looking defeated. “If this was something born out of fear, I’d get it…. but the witch hunts aren’t even a thing anymore, and if it were, we’d be able to protect ourselves. Sometimes it feels like it’s more of a prejudice than anything.”

The gentle touch of Johana’s hand to Kaisa’s arm made the witch look up. “In that case, I’m just very glad you don’t share that mentality.”

Kaisa smiled in gratitude, thinking that Joanna couldn’t possibly know just how deep her disgust for said mentality went, nor how glad she was to have a friend as supporting as her. She was about to begin pointing out other famous witches in the corridor when Tildy popped up behind them magically.

“Let’s go.” She said, looking tired already. “The Committee is ready to see you.”

_#_#_#_

Kaisa had only been in the Committee’ hall once before, just after her father died when Tildy took her guard, but she’d been very young and couldn’t remember it well. Now, almost a teenager, she saw it with new eyes and a renewed distaste for the group that, ironically enough, she wanted to join. She kept in mind, however, that not only was it Johanna’s first time there, but also she couldn’t possibly have known what to expect, so she made sure to keep her friend always close, their hands clasped.

Henrietta and Juniper were looking down at them from their stand, which gave the hall the same atmosphere as a court. On the ground near them, Henrietta’s younger sister had just stopped cutting up leaves from the plotted plants that surrounded her to stare at the newcomers as well. Abigail, Kaisa knew, had gotten the best collocation on her Trials a few years back, and therefore been elevated to the position of the Committee’s successor. She was supposed to improve her abilities as a green witch while she waited for an opening in the Committee; however, the last which who had been part of the Committee had only recently retired (something Kaisa was thankful for; she wouldn’t want to face the witch who had replaced her mother when she left) and still Abigail remained as simply the successor. Tildy had said she thought this was due to Henrietta’s insistence, though she didn’t know why, so for now the Committee of Three was only the Committee of Two.

“It really is a non-witch.” Breathed Juniper, who to her credit sounded more curious than displeased, though there certainly was a bit of repulsion in her posture.

"Unacceptable!" Henrietta shouted. “A human as a familiar?! that has never happened before, it’s an absurd!”

Kaisa noticed the way Johanna flinched, and squeezed her hand.

“Has it never happened before, or has it simply been forbidden from happening?” Tildy snapped. “The witch doesn’t choose the familiar, magic itself does. What kind of witch are you to stop magic from doing its work?”

Clearly, Henrietta wanted to argue, but she couldn’t seem to find any arguments, and her face became significantly redder, as if she was holding something back and would blow in any second. Knowing how good Tildy was at making her point, Kaisa almost felt bad for Henrietta for trying to debate with her. Almost.

Before either of the witches continued their discussion, Kaisa looked at Johanna and tried to look reasuring.

“It’s going to be fine.” She mouthed with as much articulation she could manage. Johanna seemed to have understood just fine, and smiled.

“I know.” She was the one to squeeze her friend’s hand this time as she mouthed back. She meant it. Somehow she always knew that as long as she had Kaisa around, she was going to be okay. A couple of biased witches would never draw them apart. If anything else, she could be sure of that.

[everythingthemoontouches]

hi! i heard ur doing tarot readings. i',m quite new to ur blog so let me know if i didn't follow a rule :) what does MC♎ think and or feel about me? i'm AM♋ (+ leo rising + venus dominant + 11h stel)

take care! let me know if i have to pay or anything <3 stay safe

Hey love

Tysm for being so patient and respectful 🕊️🪶🦩🪶🕊️🪶🦩🐢🐾🐉🐾🐢🐾🐉

As a general rule it makes me very happy to see people reblog my ☯️masterlist and posts they like. Feedback in the form of asks isn't mandatory but it's is extremely appreciated and makes me squeal like a kid opening birthday chocolates 🍫❤️ I will need you to interact / reblog your reading so you can save and refer to it layer. This also helps people find my blog and get the guidance or self love talk from the oracles that they need 💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙

🎀✨Nowww for your reading 🔮

Let's look at your two part question. I believe that that thinking and~feeling~can be very different things unless you're an air sign. Then it can be quite hard to separate the two 🤔⛈️

🌹You're basically a lesson in self love and a zest for lifeeeee 🦊 You could teach us what it means to truly feel alive 🎶🎻🎇🎈

So firstly, what does he think of you?

Knight of wands. Queen of wands. King of pentacles

He's probably attracted to or interested in you but sees that you're both headed in different directions at the moment. Maybe if he(?) was at a more financially or socially secure point in life he would have been able to pursue this. You could also be a motivating influence. Either way you enhanced his urge to make soemthing if himself and evaluate what he is doing with his life. Divine masculine path. It's like you're the queen and he is still a knight. One of you has personal issues or baggage they need to deal with. They could be feeling like if they were with you rn they would only bring you down with their psychological wounds and shadow self. Separation and themes of divine purpose but individually. You guys could come back together at a later point when you're both doing well for yourselbes but it's too early for me to say.

Don't try to judge me for we have walked different paths. But it brought us here together so I won't take that back. Two roads diverge in a wood and unfortunately your pot of gold awaits at separate ends for now. Just because you meet someone briefly doesn't mean they can't have a profound impact on your life's trajectory.

He is on his heros journey. You're already slef assured and have dealt with some of your inner demons.

You're in your Divine feminine essence as a Cardinal cancer sun. AM is still in a learning phase. Must go through more life experiences to avoid fucking up a good thing. There's a certain nobility and genuine affection here. And honesty.

💙Now as for his feelings + Messages from the Oracle of Shadow and light💡 🌹💙🌹💙🌹💙🌹

I'd just recommend reading the oracle cards quotes

You both need time off to focus on yourself. Love or the other isn't a priority right now.

Comfort kills growth.

It's like when you're born as a twin. Each half gets accustomed to and proficient at doing one thing. So you could actually develop a weakness in areas that the other is good at. This is giving me twin flame vibes.

Also if he runs or displays lying cheating behaviors, theses fairies and strnagkeing wanna fly over to you in their cute little wings, surround you in love and remind you that it isn't because of anyack in you.

Gemini venus energy : needs constant stimulation. And when people are younger, specially those with higher testosterone, it's natural for them to want to experiment physically before getting tied down. It's better not to hurt someone in the process. Right?

All that looks shiny now may not be what is best for your soul growth.

Witch at the end of the world : AM may feel like they need to nip this in the bud so they can go do their thing. Maybe one of you is moving to a different city for a study abroad opportunity. I feel liek you're either in college or doing masters. Early 20 vibes. Like this is the time you make something out of yourself before thinking of settling down.

Movies : love aajkal 2, kartik aryans character from thr flashback. People I've dated. Friends talking about their exes and why they didn't go on to marry their college sweethearts.

I remember reading a quote that went ' women marry who they choose and men marry when they are ready to.

So, liek girl love yourself. You're this fiery feminine presence ,the queen of Wands is the hottest, most passionate and lively Queen of the lot.

Chill out, good things are coming. If your life was a romcom this is the phase where the lead is in love with life, working, singing, practicing a hobby, just doing her thing, walking down the street, exploring new cages with her cool new headphones plugged in. Maybe this connection didn't go as you had hoped because you're meant to fall in love with life and how it feels to be alive 💕🎶 Girl in a new city

Also, if you enjoyed this reading and would like to book/ recommend more custom readings to a friend , I do have paid services for people in India

Alrighty boo, I hope this reading brought you some love, support, clarity . I honestly admire your pizazz. And I'd love to have you on my #girlgang 💕✨

[thenextchapter22]

Happy Halloween

Word Count: 2.7k

Summary: You are walking home from work on Halloween night and get taken to a party...filled with monsters.

A/N: I just wrote this yesterday and I did not expect it to be so long. I was planning on it being a drabble haha. This features all the demon brothers as different Halloween monsters, some I took from Obey Me! and others I came up with. Please enjoy! :))

Halloween night was almost nearing its end. There were no kids out, it was time for the adults to party. Saturday night and a full moon? It was perfect. But you were in no mood. Yeah, your girlfriends were out with their sexy costumes on, but you had an apartment you lived in alone you had to afford so you had to take this extra night at work when you were offered the chance.

______

The night was chilling and the moon was full. You were so ready to go home after a long shift, have a glass of wine, and then pass out watching some good scary movies eating candy and popcorn. Sadly, this would be done alone, but you didn’t really care about that much anyway.

The walk home wasn’t long but it sure felt like it was. You tugged your coat around your body to keep warm, and headed down the cobblestoned alleyway to your apartment.

“Hello, there,” a voice said behind you.

You jumped and turned. A strange man in a dark hooded outfit stood in the center of the path, and you could just see his smirk on a pale face. You took a few steps back, ready to fight. Those self-defense classes were not going to be for nothing.

“What do you want?” you asked plainly. Damn, you didn’t have your pocket knife or pepper spray. How stupid could you be, fucking hell.

“I just want… a little bite…”

You paused and tilted your head. “What? Did you follow me from the restaurant, because it’s still open for a couple hours if you’re looking to eat?”

He glided closer, and his face was more visible in the street light above you. He was stunning, and you were in awe at first. Then you saw his eyes dark red. And he had a black diamond on his forehead. What was this guy dressed up as? And he seemed a bit older to go trick or treating…

“Look into my eyes,” he said in a seductive tone.

You did, and waited. If he was going to attack you, you would defend yourself. You were not going to attack first because that would be stupid, he could have a knife or something.

He blinked a few times, and then stepped back. He pushed his hood off and sighed. Wow, he was like a dark angel. “Well, if you would have simply said something I wouldn’t have gone through all of that. Obviously my enchantment was for naught. Are you going to the party? If so, it’s this way.” The man turned, and looked back with a raised brow. “Well?”

You stumbled after him. “Uh, yes, the party…”

Well, it looked like you had something to do after all. Follow this sexy man to a party. It was Halloween.

_+_

You kept staring at him as you walked the streets, which were pretty bare. He seemed to notice it because he glanced back at you, and each time you flushed scarlet. He chuckled each time as well.

“You’re very beautiful when you blush,” he said suddenly, making you jump. “My name is Lucifer.” You introduced yourself, and he nodded and smiled. “Pleased to meet you.”

Eventually you both ended up at a large mansion. You sincerely hoped this wasn’t some elaborate trap. Also, why did you follow him? How stupid were you?

He held open the door for you, and smirked while you awed at the incredible house. “It’s King Diavolo’s property. I assume from your expression you have never been to his annual party?”

You shook your head. “N-no.” King Diavolo?

“Hm, interesting. Let me take your coat,” he said, and you gave it to him. Lucifer placed it in a closet and then offered his arm, which you took. You felt so under-dressed, but you supposed you could say your costume was a waitress (even though you were one, technically).

Once you entered the next room, you could hear and see the lights of a party in full swing. Then the double doors opened and it was booming bass and flashing lights assaulting your hearing and vision. Glancing around you saw all types of costumes. Demons, Werewolves, Vampires, Mummies, and more. Some were really well done, too. It was a rave of faux monsters and you were just in a plain every day outfit.

“What do you think?”

“It’s… wow!”

He agreed. “Come, let’s get you a drink. I didn’t get mine so I’m quite thirsty.”

You both walked around the dance floor to reach a smaller section of food and drinks where only two people stood.

“Beel, Belphie, this is my… new acquaintance. These are my brothers.” Then Lucifer turned his head sharply to the left and sighed. “Excuse me, my brother is causing problems. I’ll be right back. Beel, Belphie, you’ll stay with her. She has never been here before.”

And Lucifer left you with the two at the side table full of food. One person was wearing a stitched clothing look, and had stiches all over his face and hands as well. He was portraying Frankenstein’s monster, obviously.

He stopped chewing and spoke, “My name is Beel, and this is Belphie, my twin brother.” He ignored your suspicious glance at the term ‘twin’ and continued eating the food in front of him.

Belphie yawned. He leaned against the table, and blinked blearily. He was so pale, paler than Lucifer, even. Did he wear a costume? He just looked sickly. “Are you well?” you asked on impulse.

Belphie smirked. “You’re very sweet to ask, hm? I wonder… Are you a hum—”

“Beel, how many time do I have to tell you? This food is not all for you.” Lucifer’s voice rang out.

He was suddenly beside you, with someone else in tow. A tanned man with little to nothing on, jeans and no shirt with a dog costume featuring wolf ears and a tail. He had a sharp-toothed grin as he looked you up and down.

“Mammon, stop drooling. It’s disgusting. I apologize for his behavior, we didn’t get to train him properly.” Lucifer went to Beel, then, and was attempting to rearrange the food on the table and show him what he could eat.

While the twins chuckled, Mammon rolled his eyes. “Hey, I’m just appreciating the view, that’s all!”

You blushed. “W-what? I’m not some piece of meat, you know!”

Mammon licked his lips. “To me, sweet cheeks, you are.” He winked. How rude was that!

“Hey, I didn’t know we all were getting together! Why wasn’t I invited?”

“Because your annoying, Levi,” Belphie said monotonously.

Levi was a purple haired man with a witch hat and scepter in hand. He had ridiculous stripped tights on, too. But he was kind of adorable.

“Rude! I am not annoying, you are! Always moaning around and sleeping, so stupid!” He looked at you, then, and you raised a brow, ready to introduce yourself. But he suddenly laughed. “Wow, if I wasn’t busy I would totally do something about this normie. Okay, who wants to have some fun?” He waived his wand, sparks coming out at the tip, which you thought was a cool trick.

Mammon raised his hand. “Oh, I am in. If it involves some money I’m double in. Let’s go!” Mammon blew you a kiss, and you thought you saw his tail wagging. But that was impossible.

Beel was still speaking with Lucifer when you noticed Mammon being dragged off by the witchy-boy. “I can’t help it if my stomach is like this, you know, it’s just the parts I was given.”

Lucifer sighed. “I know. Next time I’ll make sure Barbatos knows you are coming so he can prepare.”

“No need. I have brought more food for Beel to enjoy so the other guests can as well.” Another sudden appearance, this time with a bat-ear wearing butler dressed man. He also wore a tail? Why all the tails? Seriously, though, if there were any more people popping up out of nowhere you would have a heart attack.

Beel’s face brightened. You couldn’t help but smile, too. “Thanks!” he said, and he dug in.

“Yes, thank you, Barbatos. It’s much appreciated.”

“As I said, it’s not a problem,” the so-called Barbatos said. Then he looked you over, raised a brow, and shook his head. “Not another one.” And he walked away.

You had no clue what that meant, but before you could think more on it another person showed up (you actually saw them walking over, thankfully). This man was tall and dressed in white, with white angel wings behind him.

He smiled at Lucifer. “Ah, Lucifer, I was hoping to see you. It’s been a while. I hope you’re well?”

“I am, thank you. This is my new companion.” Lucifer gestured to you.

The man frowned. “Luci, don’t tell me...”

“No, no, Simeon, she is one of us. I’m not sure what, but you know how impolite it is to ask.”

You were lost yet again, but oh well. It was a party with people you really didn’t know, there were bound to be inside jokes, right?

“Yes, of course.” Simeon smiled at you, and took your hand to kiss it. His lips were smooth and he was basically as perfect as Lucifer, only darker skin and brighter eyes. “Pleasure. Don’t let Lucifer corrupt this bright soul of yours. Enjoy the party.” And he left, asking Lucifer to contact him more.

Lucifer stroked your lower back and you shivered. “Are you cold?” He draped his cloak around you, and you could smell his scent. It was subtle, almost like breathing in cool air with a hint of spice.

He smirked. “Would you like to dance, darling?”

You blushed, but nodded. Lucifer took you out on the dance floor.

“This is so fun,” you said. “I never really go out on Halloween. Usually I stay home.”

“Well, I am glad to have you here with me now.” He leaned in and breathed in against your neck. “Hm, I would love to taste you, however. Shame.”

You stuttered. “U-uh-um…”

He chuckled. “A shy type, hm? Very endearing.”

“LUUUCIIIFERRR!”

He stopped spinning you and pulled you close, and you leaned into him. He wasn’t warm, but he wasn’t cold, either. It was like he had no heat at all to give or receive.

“Asmodeus. I am busy, bother me later.”

“But Mammon is—”

“If he isn’t eating anyone, then leave me alone.”

“Aw, who is your friend? She looks so sweet! Not your type, that’s for sure!” he giggled.

“This is my brother, Asmo. Please, if he does anything to you, let me know.”

The three of you walked to the side of the dance floor and you got a good look at Asmo. He was beautiful. There were fake scales of all colors highlighting his cheeks and neck, and he wore a tight cat-suit. You assumed he was either dressed like a snake or lizard, but you were not sure.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, darling~” He kissed your cheek, and you blushed. He giggled. “I’m a siren, but I promise I won’t sing to you. I couldn’t let this gorgeous face shrivel up!”

You widened your eyes. Wow, these party-goers were super serious on their roles. Maybe this was a huge LARP party.

“Asmodeus, is Mammon behaving himself or not?”

“Ah, yes, yes, he is not, no.”

Lucifer looked pissed. “What is he doing?”

“Oh, you know. The usual.” Asmo waved his hand around like it was noting.

Clearly it wasn’t, as Lucifer strolled away so fast you swore if you had blinked he’d be gone. “What—?”

Asmo laughed at you. “He does that a lot. Anyways, my dear, I must be going. I have a lot of fans to see and people to seduce~ Keep to the side and you’ll be safe! Oh, and call me if you want to have some fun later,” and he was gone.

Left alone for the first time, you actually glanced around. The party was stunning and so were to people. You were glad you went out. Meeting Lucifer and his brothers was fun, even if they were a little weird.

“Here, have another drink.”

You glanced over to see a blonde man dressed in a red and black cloak with striking blue eyes. He also wore false vampire fangs. He nodded at the table, and held out a red solo cup to you. “It’s from the punch bowl. Nothing too strong, no alcohol either.”

You took what the blonde vampire offered. “Thanks.” It was delicious, bubbly and sweet. “It’s good.”

He smirked. “I could tell you’d like the sweeter drinks. You reek of innocence.”

You blushed, holding the drink close to your body. “Uh, okay…” What a creeper.

“Satan. Enough.” Lucifer strolled over. “Are you all right, my dear? Did my brother frighten you? He can be a bit brash.”

What kind of a name was Satan? Also, how many brothers did Lucifer have? Six now? “No, he’s fine. He gave me a drink.”

Lucifer glared at Satan. Satan glared back. Did they just hiss at each other? 

Come to think of it, why did all these guys have strange names like Satan and Lucifer and Leviathan? And while you glanced around, you could see tiny details you had not before. Like Mammon’s fake appendages, or Levi’s wand…

“The time has come. Midnight is upon us! I present with great honor… our King Diavolo!

You were so focused on connecting dots, you barely heard Barbatos announce. Then, when a blinding golden light came from the top of the stairs, you, and other party-goers, gasped. He was stunning. Large, regal, painted in gold and with black wings expanding behind him.

“Monsters of all kinds, I welcome you to this year’s Halloween Party! I hope you all have a hauntingly good time.” Chuckles throughout the room. He grinned. “Midnight is seconds away. Please join me in counting down.”

You looked around, Lucifer at your side, Satan behind you. You saw Levi and Mammon standing together, cheering and raising glasses in time with the countdown. Beel and Belphie behind you, Belphie smirking at you in a way that was lecherous and mysterious.

“Three…  two… one!”

You expected something big, grand, like fireworks. Instead, you saw something terrifying. Firstly, you noticed Belphie. He stared you down as he evaporated into nothing. He was still there, but you could see through him! Then, you glanced around, and really took note of all the costumes.

Only, they were not costumes. You saw Mammon’s tail actually moving. You saw Levi waving his wand and making sparks and more drinks appear. Many, many other things, that you swore you did not see before. But maybe you did, and assumed it was fake and for Halloween?

“Darling, your heart is beating so loud. Are you all right?” Lucifer’s hand on your back had you jumping.

Your heart? He heard it your heart beating.

You shook your head. He looked you up and down, and frowned. “No, no, ‘m not okay,” you said shakily.

He started to lead you away, then. But you were interrupted. By King Diavolo. Oh, my fuck, was he actually a King of Monsters?

“My King,” Lucifer bowed, and you did, too, on reaction.

Diavolo grinned. “Luci, my oldest friend! How are you? Enjoying the party?” Then he looked at you, and you held your breath. He seemed to pause. “What is a human doing here? Are you doing this again, I thought we talked about this when you brought that human two centuries ago.”

You ignored the fact that he said ‘two centuries’ and panicked. “P-please, I-I’ll go now…”

Lucifer was in shock, as well. “But my enchantment did not work, so I assumed…”

King Diavolo stroked his chin. “It didn’t, hm? Strange. Yes, she is human… But that has not happened before.”

You were stuck being observed by him. Trapped in a room full of legitimate monsters. Why did you come? How fucking idiotic could you be?

“Well, it has always been a vision of mine to align all worlds together. I do want to know how she wasn’t affected by a vampire’s enchantment, too. But it’s too dangerous for her to be in this room. Take her upstairs until the party is done.”

“Yes, King Diavolo.”

[maverick-werewolf]

Werewolf Fact #51 - Magic Skins

Well, I broke 50 werewolf facts! But there’s still so much to cover! So here’s another one.

You’ve probably heard a lot - in media or otherwise - about werewolves in relation to magic skins, and vice versa. What’s up with that? Just how do animal skins relate to werewolves? Let’s find out...

Dat jaw workout tho.

Anyway, magic skins are actually pretty commonplace in werewolf folklore and mythology. The biggest source about them that you’ll hear of, no doubt, is Norse myth. Norse myth is pretty loaded with all kinds of stories related to animal skins - not least of which are the berserkers, of course, and the ulfhednar/ulfhedinn (depending on plural/singular). But I have a separate post on those. I recently expanded it a little! Be sure to check it out, because “berserker” doesn’t refer to a “bear warrior” like you probably think it does.

But I won’t go into that here; check the other post for that. For things bear-related (and more on magic skins, but not in relation to werewolves), also be sure to check my post on bear shapeshifters/”werebears.”

All that aside, though, one of the biggest actual stories we have that talk about magic skins is a story involving legendary figures Sigmund and Sinfjotli, who donned wolf skins one night that turned them into wolves - and then they couldn’t take them back off and reassume their human forms. They went on what’s now occasionally referred to as the “wolfs-ride,” (originally gandreið, which has nothing at all to do with wolves because it means more like “wand ride,” and means basically “staff ride,” more in association with the Wild Hunt - and again we see the negative bias inherent in modern scholars and translators against wolves), basically giving in to their bestial instincts and challenging each other to kill a certain number of people within an allotted time.

That, of course, didn’t always happen to everyone who turned into wolves using wolf-skins. Nor did everyone who donned a wolf skin directly turn into a wolf/werewolf, like Kveldulf, a warrior who was never actually described as changing shape (though he was said to do so!). He didn’t have to change shape, either, to have the strength of many men and beat up tons of people who made him mad. He’d get grouchier as the day went on, until, in the evening, his temper was terrible. But he was considered noble and good. I totally love Kveldulf, he’s awesome.

Generally speaking, a lot of werewolves and werewolf-like figures in Norse myth were associated with magic skins. You can find many lineages of various folks with Ulf (Norse for “wolf”) names, all of whom could turn into wolves. Or, as they say, “don the wolf shape.”

Now, not all werewolves and wolf shapechanging of any type in Norse myth involved skins! Sometimes it involved transporting one’s mind and/or soul into an animal’s body, entering a shamanic trance, and sometimes it was totally different than either example. But all of that is details for another time.

Generally, these skins - which could come in many forms, but generally were cloaks, cowls, and girdles - were somehow magically enchanted, cursed, or both, depending on whom you asked and whom was in control of them. Others, like Kveldulf, clearly didn’t necessarily need these skins to gain the might of the wolf and had it even in their human form. In fact, it’s implied most berserkers did.

Turning into a wolf with the skins and/or any other variety of werewolfish things, rituals, and shapechanging acts - including becoming a berserker - wasn’t always considered necessarily “bad” or “evil,” nor was it directly always considered “good.” Wolves themselves in Norse myth are perceived very mixed. Often, they are considered good and people and warriors all look up to them for their cunning, ferocity, strength, wisdom, and all their other amazing majestic incredible strong and brave qualities (can you tell I’m biased? But really, they loved them, too, for - in a word - their sheer badassery).

This can be seen in the case of Odin having dominion over wolves, as well as having his own two wolves, Geri and Freki, who were meant to be the progenitors of wolves everywhere. But then, conversely, you have not so good wolves - you have evil wolves like Fenrir, destined to swallow Odin and slay him during Ragnarok (basically he was the scariest thing about Ragnarok, don’t let any movies tell you otherwise...), and there were plenty of other bad wolves, too.

To a warrior, though, having the strength and ferocity of a wolf was pretty desirable, and plenty of positive figures in Norse writings had wolf associations. So, no, they weren’t all always evil by any means, and they were also frequently associated with wisdom and sages.

Much later in history, other werewolf legends began to re-adopt this concept of wolf skins. Specifically, in the Renaissance/Early Modern period, the concept of wolf skins arose again in several werewolf trials - most notably Jean Grenier, who claimed he received a wolf skin given to him by the “man of the forest,” a big creepy dude who was quite possibly Satan or, at the very least, some kind of demon or guy with lots of very close demonic dealings. He didn’t exclusively use this wolf skin, though, as there was a salve and some other ritual involved to assuming his wolf form.

This was also, as I’ve mentioned, the time period when concepts of werewolves (and wolves themselves - real ones, actual living animals) began to be warped forever - and they’re still that way today. In that time period, they became associated with crazy people, cannibals, serial killers, etc., and all other variety of undesirable people. Werewolves, essentially, became associated solely with madmen and often with Satan. This was not an exclusively Christian doing, either, as there are plenty of positive Christian portrayals of werewolves (not all of which are covered in this post, either). While Christianity certainly warped many legends, werewolves were not actually one of them, despite what some people might tell you. There are many, many positive Christian depictions of werewolves, and you can find several covered in other werewolf facts (I did one just recently on the werewolves of Ossory). And then there are werewolf knights, whether they were all directly Christian or not.

But I covered all that in other posts, too - most of them, in fact. But most specifically in these two posts here (Part I and Part II), on the descent of the werewolf into what we think of them as today (unfortunately). I think the honestly rather crappy modern perception of werewolves was shaped entirely too much by this shoddy time period and that helped people forget all the original legends and assume they know them without really knowing them at all.

Oops. How’d that soapbox get there? Let me move that.

Anyway, getting back to the skins, that mostly covers it! There’s so much to be said, of course, but that’s the basic overview.

(If you like my werewolf blog, be sure to check out my other stuff! And please consider supporting me on Patreon - you get goodies, get to help me decide what the next werewolf fact will be, and every little bit helps me so much!

Patreon --- Werewolf Fact Masterlist --- Twitter)

[lachryphage]

idk

I know I’m getting aggressively upset by the amount of criticism I see and it’s not healthy for me to engage with it, even in these little rants I’m posting, but the reason I’m so frustrated is because I entered this fandom with a lot of love and joy in my heart

really long post below the cut about my history as a fan of the gorillaz and why song machine is perhaps my favorite “phase.” I just want to talk about the things that are important to me and make me happy...

my introduction to the gorillaz was the feel good inc video. I was over at a friend’s house and she wanted to show me something really cool on the internet (I was so impressed she was allowed on the computer AND without any supervision). I was 8 or 9 years old and I didn’t know what a music video was, that’s right, feel good inc. was the first music video I had EVER seen.

needless to say, it absolutely blew my mind. it’s a fucking iconic song AND iconic video. I didn’t really comprehend what I was looking at, I didn’t know these were characters with backgrounds, and I don’t even think I realized that the song was like. a song from a band. I just thought it was some kind of short film, a self-contained story. my idea of that video was completely divorced from what the gorillaz actually are, and to this day it still kind of is. I love that. it’s special to me for that reason, it feels like. like it’s mine.

I didn’t really listen to music that wasn’t what my friends or parents like, and the first time I had music I could sort of call my own was when my sister moved out and left all of her CDs with me. it was all stuff she HAD liked but wasn’t really interested in anymore, and a lot of it was stuff that I got to hear on my own, by myself, an experience I didn’t have to share.

some of the music still closest to my heart came from that CD case, it’s where I discovered the killers and death cab for cutie, which I have always considered my favorites. for whatever reason, until recently, I hadn’t really considered the gorillaz were included in that, but that’s how I was first PROPERLY introduced to the music: demon days. 

I remember listening to that album, alone on my bedroom floor, completely entranced by sounds like I had never heard before. once again, it was divorced from the context of the gorillaz as a virtual, socially-critical band. all I knew was the music. all I knew was the sound. and I of course recognized feel good inc, but I didn’t really remember the video or where I knew the song from, I had suppressed most of the memories from that time in my life. and so that song existed as an impression of a memory, haunting my mind and connecting me to something I couldn’t quite put a finger on.

I had my own private version of demon days in my head. a loose series of images and colors and a sense of some kind of narrative based on what little I could understand of the lyrics. it had nothing to do with the characters, in fact I didn’t even know they existed. once again, that album still somehow feels separate from the way I’m experiencing the gorillaz now. and i like that. I need that to never change. it feel like it’s mine.

I’ve never cared about who makes the music I listen to (and I understand now that sometimes that’s a problem). I don’t know why but I never bothered looking up music videos for songs I liked, sometimes a friend would show me something or I’d be listening to music on youtube and happen across a video, but even then I preferred lyrics videos. I never looked up artist names, lead singers, band members, history of the bands... in fact I usually didn’t even look beyond the albums I already liked. this is how I managed to remain ignorant of the gorillaz and didn’t listen to any of their stuff beyond demon days until highschool.

that’s when I met my who is now my best friend. she was a REAL gorillaz fan. she listened to ALL of their music and watched ALL of their videos and knew the “lore”... when we first started talking about the gorillaz I suddenly found myself way out of my depth. when we watched the feel good inc video (which I’m pretty sure I hadn’t seen it since that first time) she had to explain to me that no, those characters, THAT’S the band.  and I was like, um what the fuck? as embarrassing as it is to admit, I thought that de la soul were the band because those were the REAL people in the video ^^”’

I still didn’t have a lot of context for what I was seeing in the plastic beach videos, but of course I liked the music and the videos were super fun! because of my friend, I would hear gorillaz songs fairly regularly, though I never really sought them out myself, which is why I never listened to plastic beach, humanz, or the now now as actual ALBUMS. all I knew from them were the handful of videos that my friend would show me.

to illustrate just how clueless I was despite all of this: we got the power played frequently on the radio during my last year of college. I found it inspiring and loved singing to it, always meaning to look up who it was by, but by the time i’d be done driving I’d always forget to. I literally had no idea it was a gorillaz song. in fact, the same thing happened with momentary bliss earlier this year.

so how did I end up here? how did I suddenly have a huge interest in the band in its entirety, listening to the albums AND falling in love with the characters?

well, song machine happened. désolé happened.

the song, the video, it felt like perfection. the vocals made a home in my heart, and fatoumata diawara is such a gorgeous, delightful person... and so my friend kind of just shared stuff more frequently with me.

désolé made me fall in love with the new music, but my attempts to love my changing body are what led me to an interest in the characters.

long story short, I started T wand was worried about becoming one of those guys that is skinny but out of shape, small butt and a bit of tummy. I was so self conscious but when watching the strobelite video I thought 2D had a body type that was a stylization of what I was going to end up with. it made me feel so much better about myself and so I thought it’d be great to cosplay him and since I was going to cosplay him, I thought it was about time to learn the backstories of these characters... I was wholly unprepared for just how much interesting content there was.

I had no idea the amount of depth there was! I really was discovering the whole other half of the gorillaz, I went from no character content to more than I could have ever dreamed of.

and so I guess that’s why I have a completely different perspective than the other fans I’ve encountered. I understand why people who are used to having something great are so upset about the character side of things now... but in a lot of ways I’ve experienced the reverse. I went from nothing to a whole world of stuff to explore. it’s fantastic! it’s exciting!

and it’s why I’m so easily pleased with the stuff coming out now.

I entered this fandom with the joy of discovery, with the desire to explore, with the love of the current phase because it’s coincided with my introduction to the characters and thus is special to me just like my introduction to the music was special.

and damn is it not heartbreaking to go into something happy and find that much of the discussion around this thing that you love is about how much other people hate it.

[fishfingersandjellybabies]

To Think Your Soul Isn’t Already Magical - fic

Characters: Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne Summary: Dick’s heard too much lately about Damian selling his soul. He doesn’t like it, not one bit. A/N: Based off of Tom King’s characterization in his Batman run of Damian constantly threatening/actually selling his soul. I feel like that’d upset at least one person in the family. A hopeful future of no more Ric Grayson. Writing hasn’t been a priority lately so sorry it sucks.

~~

He doesn’t know why he thought about it. Or, rather, why when he thought about it this time, the thought remained, lurking in his brain, picking at his heart.

Was it because of what Bruce has said so many times, about those visions he’s had? The future the world tells them is set in stone? Was it because of the constant attitude, or snarkiness? Was it that he so often pushed people away?

Or was it that moment in the desert, a few months prior? That conversation with Superman, where he exposed how smart he was, how slick and clever and downright conniving?

Or was it because their lives were hell? Because he adored him more than he could ever describe, or would do far more for him than he’d ever dare admit out loud?

It stuck in his mind this time, this thought. This possibility. And he found himself standing in the gate of the garden, watching his younger brother across the field, because of it.

Tim had said while he was gone, while he was Ric, Damian had brought it up again. Damian had actually done it this time, and Dick didn’t quite know why that hurt so much to think about.

“…Grayson?” Damian called, noticing him in the gateway. Titus, who was frolicking around him, jogged up to his side. Dick blinked and smiled at him, giving him a wave. “What are you doing here?”

“Wanted to see my kid brother.” Dick offered as he moved forward. “Is that a crime?”

“Depends on which brother.” Damian smirked, petting Titus’s head. “How’s Bludhaven?”

“Fine.” Dick hummed. “How’s Gotham?”

“As depressing as ever.” Damian sighed. “But Father actually went to a museum with me last weekend so…not too bad.”

“He gets a gold star.” Dick laughed, ruffling Damian’s hair. Damian laughed too, leaning down to kiss Titus’s head. Dick watched him a moment, felt his smile fading. “…Hey, Dames?”

Damian glanced up at him.

“Can we…talk?”

Damian’s own jovial mood dropped instantly. “Of course.” He nodded. “Something wrong?”

“Not…really.” Dick trailed off, leading Damian back to the short deck attached to the manor with a hand on his back. Damian quirked his eyebrow, but said nothing, calmly sitting in one of the deck chairs. Dick sat in the one next to him and sighed. Clasped his hands together and stared at the fist they made.

“Damian, I…” And he found he didn’t know how to start. “How much do you know about magic?”

Damian shrugged. “Enough for it to be useful.”

“…Enough to sell your soul?”

Damian thought for a moment, then shrugged again.

“You mentioned it to Clark, when we were looking for your parents.” Dick continued. “And I heard you claimed to have actually done it once, to get Klarion’s wand to defeat Gotham Girl.”

“So?”

“So you know what happens when you do that?” Dick pushed. Damian just stared at him. “You’re taken from us.”

“I’m…not seeing your point?” Damian tilted his head apologetically. “Or why you seem so distraught about it.”

“And that probably makes it worse.” Dick snorted bitterly. He stared at his hands again then looked up. “Damian, do you still not understand how much we don’t want that? We don’t want you taken away from us. Not ever.”

Damian remained silent.

“Damian, I love you. We love you. All of us. Yes, even Tim.” Dick added before Damian could make that joke. “And the idea that you would want to sell your soul to…to get to us, protect us, save us is…painful.”

Damian watched him for a moment. Then quietly, thoughtfully, honestly, he asked:

“Why?”

“Because losing you is the worst thing I can imagine.” Dick cried, almost hysterically. “God, Damian, you already died once protecting me. Do you think I could handle it again? And through something like selling your damn soul?”

Once again, Damian said nothing.

“And do you think your dad wants that either? Or Jason? Or Jon? That any of them would want you to sell your soul for them either? Lose you in the process of being saved? Lose you at all?” Dick whined.

Damian looked down, head bowed like he was in trouble.  And Dick realized he was all but shouting at the kid.

“I just…Promise me, kiddo. Please.” Dick whispered, reaching out to take Damian’s hand. Damian looked up at him with childish eyes. “Promise me you won’t use dangerous magic for us. That you won’t sell your soul for any reason, or let some wizard or demon or whatever take you from us. No matter what.”

“Not even if it’d save your li-”

“No.” Dick squeezed Damian’s hand, harshly. “Matter. What.”

Damian furrowed his brows, seemingly confused.

Dick smiled sadly. “And I know you love us too, Damian, and that you’re a good person. The best person.” He reached his free hand up to hold Damian’s face. To force Damian to look him in the eye as he said, “But we are not worth you. Not me. Not Cass. Not Gotham. Not the planet. Not even Bruce. Not ever.”

Damian just stared at him with big, soulful eyes that he was far too young to have. Didn’t offer an opinion, or rebuke. No real emotion. Just stared.

“…Make sense?” Dick asked after a moment.

Now Damian frowned. “No.”

Dick snorted a laugh. “Do it for me anyway?”

Damian pursed his lips. “I’ll…consider it.” He sighed. Dick dropped his hand from his face, but kept his other hand wrapped tightly around Damian’s. “It just means now I have to find a new way to save your sorry asses when I need to.”

“As long as you stay alive and with us in the process, knock yourself out.” Dick grinned. “But can I take you out for ice cream before you fall into your new studies about saving the world?”

Damian smirked. “I suppose I can allow that.”

“Good. Because I probably would have just kidnapped you if you said no.” Dick laughed as he stood, tugging Damian up with the hand he refused to let go.

Damian didn’t try to pull away either.

They walked silently across the yard, Titus trotting behind them. When they reached Dick’s car, and Dick finally let go, Damian just looked up at him.

“It wasn’t…a kind of suicidal mission or anything. And I admit I never thought about what you would all want for me, or that you would…grieve me or anything.” Damian explained softly. “I just always thought my soul, objectively, wasn’t worth much. Not after all I’ve done. So if it was a payment a demon or magician was willing to accept, it was something I’d gladly give. A small price to pay for the world, or you.”

Dick just watched him. And when Damian finished, he just silently wrapped his arms around Damian’s back, holding him as tenderly as he could. Damian just leaned against him.

“Well I’ll be the first to tell you that a world without you is not one worth living in.” Dick whispered, squeezing Damian harder. “And I have a long list of people who agree. Want me to call each and every one of them?”

Damian scoffed. “I think I just want the ice cream I was offered.”

“Done.” Dick laughed. He uncoiled from their embrace and walked Damian to the passenger side of the car. “Ice cream first, then proclamations of unconditional love, you got it.”

“Perhaps we can swap that second option with a stop by a book store instead.” Damian mumbled as Dick opened the car door for him. As he plopped into the seat, Dick caught a glimpse of the embarrassed heat in his cheeks.

“I’ll consider it.” Dick offered. “But don’t hold your breath, kiddo.”

He closed the door to the sound of Damian’s long-suffering sigh, and smiled as he made his way to the driver’s seat.

[skiewrites]

it’s all downhill from here - Chapter Two

Fandom: Legend of Zelda, Linked Universe, Harry Potter (very loosely)

Rating: Teens and Up

Warnings: Some blood

Summary:

The first Hogsmeade weekend of the year is supposed to be one filled with excitement and mischief for every student at Hogwarts, even the first and second years who aren’t allowed to go down to the village.

Except of course, the group of heroes are involved, and nothing goes right for them.

Ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23111011/chapters/55296445

“Hyrule! Did you get us lost again!” Legend shouted at the person who was now leading the group, frowning when Hyrule shook his head.

“No, I swear it’s this way,” Hyrule said as he pointed in a seemingly random direction, before frowning and turning around, pointing in a completely different direction. “Tell a lie, it’s this way. C’mon.” he said as he ran ahead, Wild close on his heels and Warriors trailing behind.

“We’ve been walking for way too long. We should have been there by now” Legend moaned as he reluctantly followed the group. Warriors waited for a second so he could walk with Legend.

“Have you ever been there bunny boy?” He asked as he messed up the younger boy’s hair.

“No, but-”

“Then what would you know about the direction? For all you know we are going the right way and you’re just being a big baby about it.” Warriors laughed.

“So, you know the way to the shrieking shack?”

“Yep.”

“Are we going the right way?

“Not in the slightest.” Warriors replied with good cheer, which only made Legend even more mad, causing him to stop in his step to look at the elder in disbelief.

“Are you fucking serious Warriors? Now we’re lost in the middle of Goddess know where. I really should have gone with the others.”

“Hush you. We’re not lost, I know where we are, but the others want to explore, they’ll get there in their own time. If we go too far off-course, I’ll point them in the right direction.” Warriors said without a care in the world. “Anyway, I need to talk to you about something.” Legend frowned at that

“So, you lied about the Shrieking Shack being haunted just so you could talk to me? You could have just said you wanted to talk without lying about something you know.”

“Oh no, the shrieking shack is haunted, and weird things have happened to students that have tried to get close to the house, but it was just an easy way to get you alone.”

“It’s not like we’re actually alone though,” Legend pointed at the other two boys, who were now trying to climb a tree to see if they could find the shrieking shack so they knew which way to go, giggling each time one of them fell out of the tree. Little did they know that there was a tree that was perfect to climb right next to them.

“They’re not listening to us, and quite honestly, they don’t care what we’re talking about right now, they’re very focused on their task,” Warriors replied as they watched the branch that Hyrule was stood on snap, leaving the boy to fall back to the ground. Luckily for him, it was not very high up, but it did leave Wild in a fit of giggles and Hyrule covered in mud.

“What did you want to talk about then?” Legend asked, hoping to get it over and done with as soon as possible.

“You know what the hat was on about at the beginning of the year don’t you?”

“No, I don’t.” Legend was quick to respond, but perhaps too quickly if the look on warrior’s face was anything to go by. “He didn’t say anything but waffle this year, nothing that we can use to help us this year like previous years, if you could even call it help in the first place.”

“I don’t know, the look on your face said otherwise,” Warriors said, before crossing his arms in front of himself while Wild and Hyrule screamed excitedly about something in the background, of which Legend ignored. “You’re not thinking of running off any time soon, are you?”

“Of course not, I’m not stupid, the hat said it would be dangerous to go alone,” Legend replied hotly.

“Hmm. So, any particular reason why you have your bag packed, ready to go at a moment’s notice?” Warriors asked, causing all the breath in Legend’s lungs to disappear.

How did he know about that?

Before he could even think of a lie to tell Warriors, the others interrupted him.

“It’s this way!” Wild pointed to the pair before he and Hyrule set of running.

“I guess we should go after them before something bad happens, though they are going the right way for once,” Warriors said as he moved to catch up with the younger boys, but not without telling Legend one last thing, “If you’re worried about something, or feel like we should leave, then talk to me, or someone else in the group, before rushing off and doing your own thing. You’re not the only hero here, remember?”

Legend followed along in silence.

The Happy Mask Store was just as creepy as Time remembered.

The walls were still covered in masks, each of them staring into the very depths of Time’s soul, but he recognised none of them from his previous trips to the shop, which left him to wonder on how many the Happy Mask Man actually had in his collection, and to wonder how many of them he actually sold, or if he just gave them away to people who were in desperate need of them like he was back in his first year.

The ones that he was given were still sat at the bottom of his chest back in his dorm, except for one that rested in his bag, weighing him down during their entire trip. He had debated bringing it along with him, seeing as he would not have much use for such a mask in what was considered a safe environment, but after what happened over the summer he found himself saying ‘just in case’ a lot more than he was happy with. He had tried to give them back to the Happy Mask Man, but the guy refused, saying that he should keep a hold of them for when he wanted to trade one for another, or when he did have a use for them again.

If Time had the choice, he would never have to see a single mask again for the rest of his life, let alone use one.

But, they did have their uses, even if he didn’t like them.

Other than the masks that lined the walls, the Happy Mask Shop was barren. There was no other decoration for the customers, if he ever got any, to look at while they waited for the Happy Mask Salesman to come back from where he went, no windows to let in any natural light and no sign as to where the Happy Mask Salesman had disappeared off to, and when he would be back.

“Man, this sure is creepy,” Sky said as he took a closer look at one of the masks that was at his eye level. It was bright yellow with small pointed ears at the top, similar to a rabbit, with the ends carefully painted in black. There was no holes in the mask, making it impossible to see or speak or even breath out of, and if Time didn’t know how the masks worked he would of wondered why someone would by a mask like this, for on the surface it seemed that the mask could only be worn for a couple of minutes before having to be taken off again so that the user could breath. The face painted onto it was rather cute though, closed eyes that looked rather happy and an adorable nose that had been glued on. Time looked below the mask at the plaque to see if to could give an insight to what it was or what it did, but only got a name for it.

The Keaton Mask.

“Ah, are you interested in that one, Link? We can always do a trade, you know this,” Time tightened his jaw as he quickly turned around, not surprised to find the Happy Mask Man standing behind him, though Sky was, jumping kin surprise at the voice as his hand went for his wand, though Time stopped him from pulling it out completely and hexing the man. Magic never reacted very well when it came to masks.

“Not today, we’re here for something else,” Time said.

“Oh really! Whatever can I do to help a hero?” The man gushed, his smile growing larger on his face.

“I’m sure that you have been following the news about the impending war?” Time asked the man, who smiled back.

“Well, if you believe if Rumour Mill, there is no war going on!” the Happy Mask Salesman gave a delightful cheer at the news, leaving Time to roll his eyes. Over the last couple of years, the Rumour Mill had only inconvenienced the group, from telling lies about their adventures, spreading false information about the dangers in the world and outright denying the upcoming war. They tried to tell people that monster attacks were the lowest they’ve ever been and not at an all time high, pass off blood moons as a natural occurrence and that demons did not exist at all.

It was a shame that most of the population was happy to agree with the paper than think for themselves.

“And if you don’t believe the Rumour Mill?” Time questioned.

“Well, if you don’t believe the Rumour Mill, all you have to go off is the whispers,” The Happy Mask Salesman

“Whispers?” Sky muttered under his breath to Time, but the Happy Mask Salesman perked up at Sky joining the conversation.

“Why yes! Many things talk in this world, Hero of the Sky. Why just the other day a Sheikah Stone was telling me an interesting fact about things hidden underneath a well.” The Happy Mask Salesman paused for a second, as if knowing that Sky was about to interrupt him.

“But that’s not what we’re asking for-”

“Underneath a well?” Time asked, cutting Sky off in a fashion that was most unlike him.

“It was a marvellous piece of information, sounds right up your alley Link!” The smile did not fall from the Happy Mask Salesman, “But like Link said, that was not the real reason why you’re here, is it Link?”

“It’s not what was asked.” Time agreed.

“It is not, but I can say that the well in question is known by a professor, though what professor I could not say, they all look the same after a while,” The Happy Mask Salesman let out a laugh, though Sky wasn’t quite sure what the joke was supposed to be.

“You heroes should head back to the others soon, I believe that they will need you more than you need me,” the strange man said, before looking back at Time. “I believe you should trade masks, Link. The one you currently have on you will be no use to you I’m afraid, but I have one that will help you out if you so desire.”

“If you think that would be best,” Time agreed with the man, and dug through his bag to take out a mask that defiantly looked like it deserved to be in this shop. It had a roughly carved round head, but unlike the Keaton mask there was parts cut out of it for someone’s eyes and mouth. There was something about it though, that gave it an aura of terror. The happy Mask Salesman didn’t seem to feel this aura, and snatched it right out of Time’s hands, though he was happy to see it go.

“Now this is a mask I haven’t seen in years! Why, you must have been ten when I gave this to you.” The Happy Mask Salesman held the mask up to the light to further inspect it, and he nodded when it passed his inspection.

“Eleven.” Time corrected.

“Yes yes, now just wait here while I look for the mask I have in mind. It was created for you especially Link, so I’m sure you will enjoy it,” The Happy Mask Salesman went around the counter and to the back of the store, leaving Sky and Time alone.

“You actually use these masks?” Time nodded at question.

“Anyone can use the masks, but I wouldn’t recommend, as they’re quite uncomfortable. However, they can be quite useful in the right situation. though, some are more hassle than their worth,” Time replied.

“How do you even see out of some of them?”

Silence echoed around them for a minute before Time replied.

“I… don’t actually know.” Time said, stumped, which confused Sky even more. He had been using them since he was eleven, meaning that he had been using them for almost about seven years now, and he never thought to question how they work even once?

“Here it is!” The Happy Mask Salesman was back, and happier than ever it seemed, his smile cutting across his face, creating a wide trench where every single one of his pearly white teeth could be seen and counted, if Sky ever had the desire to do so.

“I call this beauty the Mask of Truth, and it is one of my greatest inventions. You will find this invaluable in the months to come.” He said, before moving his head to the side, as if thinking really hard about something, his smile faltering for a second before coming back with full force.

“I believe it’s time for you heroes to go, you are needed elsewhere now. But please! Do drop in when you have the time in the new year.” The two Hogwarts students blinked and found themselves outside of the store and on the door in front of them hung a sign.

Closed. Come back when you’ve found the Truth.

“That’s not terrifying in the slightest,” Sky said.

“You get used to it,” Time replied. “Let’s go and find the others.”

Four had gotten his book, Wind had gotten his sweets, and now it was time for Twilight to get his drink.

They had managed to get a booth that they could see the door, and therefore their friends when they decide to meet up with the group, but close enough to the roaring fire that the chill of the October day was able to leave their bones. The alehouse was as lively as ever, students filling most of the tables, but Twilight could spot the occasional group of locals that mutter underneath their breath about the latest gossip or the newest headline on the Rumour Mill, and there’s a group of teachers complaining about one thing or another.

It’s a sight that Twilight was familiar with. This was the fourth year that he had been able to visit Hogsmeade, and while the pub was not his favourite place, he could not argue with the somehow nostalgic feeling that the pub gave off. Sure, he had nothing like this back in his village, the only alehouse being an inn filled with the occasional traveller and men who had finished their work for the day, but something about it screamed security, something about the fire roaring in the background filled him with warmth only being at home could do and the children giggling in the background brought up memories of chasing after the forest children when he was young enough to believe in them.

Then why did everything feel like it was about to fall apart at any moment?

“You feel it too?” Twilight looked at Wind, who was looking though the jellybeans that he had brought, frowning slightly at a lime green one before popping it into his mouth, his face scrunching up in surprise and disgust at the taste. Next to him Four was already deep into his book.

“It’s like everyone’s pretending that the moon isn’t going to fall tomorrow when they all can see it’s smiling face staring at them,” Twilight said.

“That’s oddly specific,” Four said without looking up from his book.

“So, when Time talks about fighting the moon it’s a joke but when I mention it is ‘specific’?” Twilight asked before taking a large sip of his drink. While Noble Pursuit was his favourite in the summer, there was nothing that beat a warm ale when winter was approaching their doorstep.

“There is no way that Time has fought the moon,” Four said with total conviction, like a sane person would be if they has not in fact watched Time fight the Moon, as he quickly scribbled a small note in the margins of his new book in pencil.

“Wait, Time has fought the moon?” Wind asked with childlike wonder, and Twilight was suddenly reminded that this kid was twelve. Twilight couldn’t remember what he was like at twelve, though he was sure that Time would happily remind him if he asked, but he could never remember being that carefree at that age, not after his ‘adventure’ with Midna the summer before his second year.

“You’ll have to ask him,” Twilight said with a smile, much to Four’s annoyance. Four started to speak up again, probably listing every single reason why having a fight with the moon is impossible, the door to the alehouse swung open, catching Twilight’s attention. He had hoped it was one of the others, as he was sure that they would help back him up in his claim, only to rifle Four up a little bit more.

It wasn’t one of the others, but it was someone who recognised.

Diving underneath the table, Twilight could only hope that Four and Wind’s shout of surprise wasn’t enough to catch the

“What the fuck Twi-”

“Shhhh!” Twilight hushed, cutting Four off. “Don’t look under the table, just pretend I’m not here,”

“What, Why?” Wind asked.

“It’s Zant!”

“Fuck.”

[marginalgloss]

the republic of heaven

Back in 2000 when The Amber Spyglass came out I feel like there was not so much news in the world. At the turn of the millennium we seemed to be entering a more optimistic time. Tony Blair was elected in 1997 at the head of a liberal Labour government, and while it may be true that Blair would never be so popular again as he was in the opening years of his premiership, the Tories seemed hopelessly outdated by comparison. They were still the nasty party of old, while the country was ambitious, outward-looking, internationalist. Explicit racism and homophobia were no longer tolerated. We were Europhiles, but we weren’t part of Europe. There seemed to be a lot of money about.

At home there were occasional horrors — the murder of Jill Dando, the homophobic pub bombings in London, Harold Shipman — but they were somehow isolated, disparate, inexplicable. They were exceptional. There was the war in Kosovo, which set a template for liberal interventionism in years to come. The economy was trucking along; unemployment was low; for the first time there was a national minimum wage. I skim the headlines today and it seems like such a comfortable time by comparison. Perhaps I am remembering it wrong. But when the years to come would bring a spiral of endless war, recession, and one of the most significant declines in relative generational living standards, I’m not sure there is any need for rose-coloured glasses.  

Into this comes The Amber Spyglass, which is basically quite an optimistic anti-authoritarian novel. It was also the book which, for a handful of reasons, really brought Philip Pullman to the world’s attention. It was this which ensured that his name still lurks around the list of authors most frequently ‘banned’ in America, and which in the years after its publication would attract scores of avid cheerleaders and detractors. Inevitably most of those had no interest with engaging with the substance of the book itself. Instead, it became a sort of battleground: on one side, those convinced that religion was under attack from an educated elite; on the other, those who were committed to reducing the role of religion in public life, discourse, education, and so on. It is worth revisiting this typically excitable interview and profile by Christopher Hitchens for an example of how these novels were talked about. 

To call the novel ‘optimistic’ might seem surprising, because much of it is shrouded in scenes of gloom and suffering. But when I think of the tone of the novel as a whole, it is pastoral. When the world isn’t tearing itself apart the language seems more lyrical than in either of the two preceding books. Some of that is to do with the perspective, which now has at least three (and sometimes more) main characters to follow. This means that a sense of distance, of floating high above the many worlds of the story, becomes necessary. But it’s also that the reader has a sense that this book is going to be about the promised war against the heavens outlined in The Subtle Knife, and it’s likely the reader will also understand that this is a war that must be won. 

It feels like a world of binary opposites. Even characters who seemed villainous in the previous novels are here redeemed (at least in part) so they can be mustered against the ultimate figure of the ‘Authority’. A certain amount of good versus evil is likely in any book for children, but here things are now cast explicitly in terms of these two sides squaring up against each other. And taking sides is a matter of decision, not of belonging. This is a book where angelic figures can decide to fight alongside men, and where demonic harpies can be convinced not to consume the souls of the dead because they want to hear their stories instead. It’s plausible in terms of oldest storytelling traditions, where it is possible to talk one’s way out of anything — where the role of storyteller gives a person the ultimate kind of authority.   

Is the capital-A ‘Authority’ in these novels intended to be absolutely synonymous with God? I’m not sure. The book is explicitly anti-religion in the sense of being anti-church, but the forces of the Authority (and the being himself) do not seem to represent any kind of absolute power in the universe. The Authority is not omnipotent nor omnipresent, nor is he very much of a creator or a father-figure any more — he is a despot, but he is also somehow irrelevant. Like a shrivelled relic, he is vastly reduced when we finally meet him. The worst aspects of his regime seem like the calcified remnants of decisions long since made and now barely remembered, like the afterlife that has become a giant prison camp. In fact it’s the abolition of the afterlife, not the death of its creator, that’s the only really significant consequence of the fall of the Authority. 

So if God isn’t in the Authority, then where is he? In spite of the tendency for atheists to want to claim the author for one of their own, it seems like the heart of these novels is not in pure humanistic rationalism, but in a broader sort of pantheism. The idea of ‘Dust’ is the closest thing to a true divine presence here. It could be characterised as something akin to a spirit which moves through all things. It is ‘conscious’, and though it’s hard to determine what this means in practice, we know that it is not indifferent to humanity. It’s not like a host of little thinking homunculi (although Mary did have a whole conversation with it on a computer back in The Subtle Knife). But it wants to persist. It would seem to be the force that drives the Alethiometer. It has intentions.  

The counter-argument to this would say that Dust isn’t divine at all — it exists at the bleeding edge of science, and has nothing to do with faith. It’s a material thing. It’s not a spirit. But I don’t know that this is especially convincing. The books often try to equate Dust with quantum mechanics, but this doesn’t entirely seem to add up — these are particles which are somehow small enough to slip through gaps between universes, but big enough to see with the naked eye. Everything about Dust seems too convenient from an authorial perspective. It’s as though someone took everything indefinable and unique about evolved human (and non-human) consciousness and made it into a quantifiable thing and then said: there, without this thing we are no longer what we are. It’s an easy solution to the hard problem.

It the article linked above, Hitchens described the Alethiometer and Will’s knife as ‘tools of inquiry and struggle, not magic wands’. This is only half-right. Clearly they aren’t tools like a microscope or an X-ray machine. Both items are bonded to their owners through an innate sensitivity that has little to do with rational enquiry or rigorous method. The Alethiometer is even compared to the I Ching at various points. It seems wrong to mistake ‘inquiry’ here for the scientific method; it has much more in common with ‘negative capability’, a term which is actually quoted in The Amber Spyglass — the ability to pursue truth and beauty via one’s innate sensibility, to ‘see feelingly’ through a fascination with a sort of natural mystery, and not to depend exclusively on reason and knowledge.  

This leaves the reader in an odd sort of no man’s land between the armies who supposedly either adopted or despised this novel. A hypothetical arch-rationalist might find it difficult to accept all of what they find here without rolling their eyes at some of it. Negative capability does not sit comfortably alongside the scientific method as a tool, but nor does it have much to do with priests and popery. And yet it is a sort of inspiration, and in that respect I think it comes closer to a religious experience than it does a rational one.  

The problem with this is that it is not possible to get any sense from this novel of what it means to be religious, or to believe in a higher power, or to be ‘spiritual’ (choose your own euphemism). There is Mary Malone, but while I like Mary’s story here, her account of her early life in cloisters and later conversion/defection is unsatisfying. We have no sense of doubt, of anguish, of guilt — it is an all-too-straightforward seeing of the light. Will is arguably more complicated, more conflicted, but for the most part he never seems to have to make any difficult compromises. If he ever loses out on anything by abandoning his mother to travel through a whole set of alternate universes, we aren’t told about it. 

What if Will made the wrong call? What if he weren’t so trustworthy? He is, in a way, the lynchpin of the whole story. For all Lyra’s good intentions and inner strength, if it weren’t for Will, Asriel would have failed and nothing would have changed. So Will must be made to work. Yet it often seems as though he doesn’t want anything for himself, except perhaps to be with Lyra. It’s interesting to wonder what might have happened if Will weren’t quite so faithful (for want of a better word). 

But it’s inconceivable in the world of these books that anyone could possess negative capability and then use it for anything other than a pursuit of — well what exactly is being pursued, anyway? What is Asriel’s goal, above and beyond the overthrow of the Authority? There is vague mention of something called ‘the Republic of Heaven’ — a heaven on Earth, as it were — but today that phrase can only make me recall the idea of ‘Outer Heaven’ in the Metal Gear Solid games. It’s difficult to discern any latent irony lying in wait for the reader in this case. Will whatever replaces the Authority be just as bad, eventually? Perhaps, but again, the vibe of optimism in this novel is so strong it feels odd to impose doubt on it from elsewhere.   

The paradox of The Amber Spyglass is that while the explicit ‘moral’ of the novel is set against organised religion, it cannot help but describe the world in terms originally set by religion. (A very basic reading might declare the novel invalid for this reason, for much the same reason as a socialist might be declared hypocritical for buying a smartphone.) It isn’t just that there are angels, or that the story of Adam of Eve is central to the thing. It is the journey through the world of the dead and back. It’s the arc of redemption and overthrow. 

At times it feels like this book is re-fighting a battle that was begun hundreds of years ago in the English reformation. In the pursuit of humanistic knowledge, a godlike figure is re-cast in the guise of an Authority who can be overthrown, and cast out of our land, and even killed. And all for the sake of nothing especially certain, nothing at all new in political or ideological terms, except a sense that we would be more free — that we would be better off without. Is it better to eject the columns of the dead into a kind of oblivion than to consider any improvement to their position? I don’t know. Perhaps things seemed simpler twenty years ago. 

[magicalgirlagency]

hmmm i wonder, just how many other characters are in your magical girl story? it sounds cool!

The main team, the Red Star Agency, is a team of 16 (17, including Thor) Magis. I know it’s too much, but I went along with that number of members because I wanted to spite Magical Girl Raising Project for saying that 10+ Magical Girls in the world was a valid excuse to murder them all in battle royales.

Like fuck you, Asari Endo. Observe as my team is as big as a K-Pop group and no one dies and everyone lives happily ever after.

Honey Witch Vivi: The leader of the team, a B-Rank Magi. 22 years old, pansexual/genderfluid, brazilian, autistic. Passionate, smart, idealistic, and occasionally the Mom Friend™. Despite being a leader, she sees her teammates as equals and wants to see them succeed. Basically, my self-insert. Is in a polyamorous relationship with other two Magis. Transformation trinket is a heart-shaped locket, her powers are light-based, and her assigned gemstone is Citrine. Weapon of choice is a strawberry quartz wand that can transform into a parasol. Her mascot is a Squirtle named Bubbles (she’s the only one who can understand what her mascot says).

Cupid Harpy Sally: Was once Vivi’s first mascot and dearly beloved childhood toy but later graduates into a Magi herself, a A-Rank Magi. 20 years old (in human years), asexual, wondarian. She’s also Vivi’s adoptive sister. Spunky, sassy, energetic, and sometimes naughty. True to her Magi Title, she can shapeshift her arms into wings. Transformation trinket is a heart-shaped hairclip, her powers are fire-based, and her assigned gemstone is Cherry Quartz. Weapon of choice is a lance (which she calls “Lovely Lance”), and a infinite set of Cherry Bombs.

Star Navigator Amelia: Vivi’s girlfriend (and her childhood friend, as well), a B-Rank Magi. 22 years old, bisexual, brazilian. Loyal, adventurous, mature, and calm. Her design is basically Sayaka Miki (from PMMM) if she didn’t snapped. Was once as Magi dropout due her depression, but got back to magic business thanks to Vivi’s help. Transformation trinket is a golden star medallion, her powers are water-based, and her assigned gemstone is Larimar. Weapon of choice is a rapier/espada ropera.

Pink Soldier Kiki: Vivi’s other girlfriend, a S-Rank Magi. 20 years old, pansexual/gender-neutral, japanese/brazilian, autistic. Creative, brave, charismatic, and bright. Heavily inspired on Kirby (specially on Star Allies), and is able to transform into many disguises and personas. Transformation trinket is a pair of pink bead bracelets, her powers are love-based, and her assigned gemstone is Tourmaline. Weapon of choice is a twirling baton (which it also acts as a stimming toy for her). Her “mascot” is a broomstick named Glinda, that once belonged to Vivi.

Wisp Rider Winona: A Kamen Rider afficionado, a A-Rank Magi. 21 years old, lesbian/non-binary, australian. Athletic, optimistic, clever and a bit of a joker. She has a strong connection with the Wisps (from Sonic Colors), and can emulate their hyper-go-on energy by shapeshifting into them. Transformation trinket is a star-shaped belt buckle, her powers are alien-based, and her assigned gemstone is Emerald. Weapon of choice is a golden hoop (which she calls “Power Ring”).

Cheerful Doll Delilah: A revolutionary doll, a B-Rank Magi. 19 years old, lesbian, wondarian. Elegant, sweet, sensitive, and a bit dramatic. Was a circus ballerina before she became a Magi, and rebelled against her manipulative boss. Has a crush on Winona, and looks up to her. Transformation trinket is a pair of poofy scrunchies (that she uses as bracelets), her powers are music-based, and her assigned gemstone is Rose Quartz.. Weapon of choice is a pair of cheerleader pompoms.

Tech Witch Donovan: A young techie and a ninja, a B-Rank Magi. 21 years old, asexual/biromantic, asian-american. Brainy, dexterous, wise, and introverted. Has a passion for everything that combines magic with technology and can tame demons. Is actually the reincarnation of 2k12!Donatello, after April killed him in the 100th episode. Transformation trinket is a turtle-shaped brooch, his powers are ninja/tech-based, and his assigned gemstone is Spirit Quartz. Weapon of choice is a metal bo staff. His mascots are the spirits of his brothers from another timeline (basically, they are Leo, Mike and Raph that all fell into a spiral of insanity and commited seppuku after Don and Splinter were murdered).

Frost Rabbot Nia: A magical android, a S-Rank Magi. 20 years old (in human years), asexual, wondarian. Logical, curious, intelligent, and a tactical genius. She’s a wondarian project designed to be the perfect Magi. Looks up to Donovan, and thinks of him as a older brother. She consumes Earth’s sci-fi media in order to study their mistakes, and fix them. Transformation trinket is a star-shaped core in her chest, her powers are ice-based, and her assigned gemstone is Sapphire. She has no weapon of choice, because her body is a weapon (not in a creepy and de-humanizing way, I promise!)

Quirky Rebel Nova: A energetic outsider, a A-Rank Magi (later to be promoted to S-Rank due to her awesome violent ways to exterminate Incubators). 21 years old, asexual/panromantic, currently wondarian. Impulsive, persistent, captivating, and a go-getter. She is in reality Star Butterfly, but she ran away from Mewni without leaving a trace, after learning her life was a lie (in the third season episode, The Butterfly Effect); she changes her name to Nova (as in Supernova), and has traveled throughout the Multiverse, training herself to learn magic without a wand. Can transform herself without a transformation trinket, her powers are chaos/wildcard-based, and her assigned gemstone is Fluorite. Weapon of choice is a pair of magic gloves/gauntlets (after giving up her wand). Her mascot is a Sableye named Glitter.

Devilish Clover Perci: A skillful archer, a S-Rank Magi. 22 years old, pansexual/trans, british. Stylish, outspoken, dauntless, and very friendly. One of the most popular Magis, specially due to her control over dark magic. She adopts Nova as her sister, and their personalities clash quite nicely. Transformation trinket is a peridot brooch, her powers are darkness-based, and her assigned gemstone is Sugilite. Weapon of choice is a magic bow (that was previously Nova’s wand).

Milky Angel Holly: A wild angel, a B-Rank Magi. 23 years old, pansexual, american. Unruly, rebellious, lively, and brutally honest at times. Was once one of the best Magis, but a certain happening in her life made her develop trust issues, and she became a delinquent. To get her attitude adjusted, she is assigned to the RSA. She’s designed after Panty Anarchy (from P&SwG), because I shamelessly liked her and I got salty about her sudden and out-of-the-blue “death”. Transformation trinket is a pair of golden hoop earrings, her powers are angel-based, and her assigned gemstone is Angel Aura Quartz. Weapon of choice is a light-molded musket and a halo that acts like a boomerang.

Pretty Punisher Aya: A recovering survivor, a C-Rank Magi. 19 years old, lesbian, japanese. Shy, gentle, soft-spoken, and always doing her best. She’s an alternative version of Asagiri Aya (from Mahou Shoujo Site) if she ever snapped at her bullies, abusive brother and neglective parents and actually have used her magic to kill them all. She becomes part of Wondaria’s rescuing and therapy program, that helps abused earthlings and offers them a chance in becoming Magis themselves. She is later assigned to the RSA to develop her powers better in a non-violent and zero percent toxic environment. She sees Holly as her upperclassman, and wishes to be as brave as her. Transformation trinket is not actually a trinket, but rather her heart tattoo on her left wrist, her powers are healing-based, and her assigned gemstone is Ruby. Weapon of choice is a heart-shaped pistol.

Demonic Witch Ace: A ruthless hero, a S-Rank Magi. 24 years old, pansexual, japanese. Strong, ill-tempered, fiery, but becomes a total dork once you know him better. Real name is Akira, Ace is just a nickname. He’s a half-Oni, cursed to be the successor of the Devilman name, and he has trust issues thanks to that. To everyone’s surprise, Vivi actually manages to break his shell and befriend him. Transformation trinket is a spiky bracelet, his powers are demon-based, and his assigned gemstone is Obsidian. Weapon of choice is a kanabo/iron mace. His mascot is a sizeshifting kitsune named Miki (while not a pokémon, he can understands what the little fox says).

Artsy Chameleon Enzo: A quirky street artist, a B-Rank Magi. 23 years old, pansexual/trans, italian. An artistic soul, always on the move, tricky, and unable to give fucks to anyone who dares to discriminate him. He was kicked out of his house after coming out to his parents, but later became a Magi so he could leave earth to live in Wondaria. He’s best friends with Perci, who’s also pan/trans. Transformation trinket is a leaf-shaped belt buckle, his powers are art/chameleon-based, and his assigned gemstone is Opal. Weapon of choice is a pink baseball bat.

Cursed Maestro Arthur: An anxious fortune-teller, a B-Rank Magi. 23 years old, asexual/polyromantic, filipino. Jittery, cautious, but hardworking and doing his best to become brave. He is the reincarnation of Arthur Kingsmen (from Mystery Skulls Animated), after Lewis killed him. He has the Hellbent Curse, where he becomes aware of how his past life came to an end. He has a crush on Ace, and wants to be as brave as him. Transfromation trinket is a orange bead bracelet, his powers are ghost/music-based, and his assigned gemstone is Japser. Weapon of choice is a conductor baton. His mascot is a Dedenne named Peanut and a scarf named Tempo.

Soul Genie Inka: A rebellious alien, a C-Rank Magi. Older than any human, asexual/non-binary, wondarian. Curious, smart, cheeky, and always eager to learn more about Earth culture. was previously a defective Incubator, who grew tired of stealing souls and spreading despair. Kiki was the only one who believed in them, and later became a Magi when things got tough for her. Transformation trinket is a drop-shaped garnet stone on their chest, their magic is genie/chaos-based, and their assigned gemstone is Pearl. Weapon of choice is their long ponytail.

Mighty Berserker Thor: A broken god, a S-Rank Magi. 24 years old (in human years), bisexual, wondarian (previously asgardian, but Asgard is no more). Approachable, a friend to all, awkward at times, and a tad bit salty (it comes with the trauma). Has yeeted himself of his world with the power of the Infinity Stones because he grew tired of being ridiculed and dealing with a constant streak of despair and death in his life. He was taken in by the RSA, and is treated with such care (which it scared him at first after spending five years in depression), but he eventually warms up to the team and finds once again a motivation to fight and protect. Transformation trinket is his prosthetic arm, his powers are lightning/weather-based, and his assigned gemstone is Sunstone. He has no weapon of choice (as originally intended!); he’s basically a giant living taser. His mascot is a pocket-sized imp that’s actually his brother Loki (he was punished due his past transgressions, and he HATES it).

…phew…! Here it is, the entire team assembled! It was hard, but I’ve had loads of fun with it honestly! It flatters me that you were interested in my dream plot, Anon!

[kurojiri]

On the road to redemption

Fandom: Harry Potter Pairing: Tom Riddle/ Luna Lovegood (pre-relationship) Summary: Tom was told he couldn’t take over the world at age fifth-teen. So, as a means to lessen his sentence and be eligible for parole for a reincarnation rehabilitation cleanse cycle after this lifetime as Tom Riddle, he will be accompanied by his new guardian angel named Luna to see that he fills his quota for good deeds. Wonderful. A/N: for @tunavibes Word Count: 3,750 Read on: ao3 | ffnt 

He hadn’t really bothered to consider what actually happened after someone died.

That had been one of the main purposes of him spending so many hours and years into making the horcruxes as he wanted to create and hide away the whole concept of dying; to defy death essentially. Magic had occupied his own belief system too, when he considered his life after Hogwarts. He, who was a half-blood with half his history coming from an old ancestry family and awe, and another that was dirty and unknown (for the wizarding world and himself). Tom Riddle, of course only focused on what he had deemed had been important to remember. Yet, that had been a mistake. He could admit that now quietly.

Not that it could save him, he had done enough damage to damn his soul.  

Demons were real. Angels too. So really, Tom couldn’t help but sigh and want to scream from the echoes from Mrs. Cole’s old warnings about naughty children going to hell. And all those other people calling him a devil’s spawn. They weren’t right; but neither were they wrong all together. Heaven and Hell did exist; and in Tom’s case he really made his name famous in both their circles. At age fifteen no less.  

Apparently, since Tom had always been a troubled boy, who had gone through many guardian angels from the past and now many refused to work with Tom, he had been given a very small list of angels that would probably work with him. It had come from a somewhat new program that heaven wanted to try before the souls were fully judged upon their death. A format that helped troubled souls into early redemption. He didn’t fancy a trip to eternal damnation without parole, so there he was. In the middle of talking to a consultant, who was then promptly made to be the case worker that had his case number.

That hadn’t been how he wanted his Wednesday to go, but he had little rights at the moment. He was now stuck there, having to drink tea that had been too bitter and lukewarm, and with biscuits that had been provided being too sweet for his liking. The office cubicle had been a narrow spot, and messy with many folders stacked impossibly high. From what he had been able to see, his consultant had a horrid scrawny writing, and ink spots on his trousers. He must have been new since he had a terrible posture as he kept checking over his work. Tom could have used him, but with his magic being temporarily taken away from him during his appointment he couldn’t really afford any more tallies for bad behavior. Too bad, it could have been interesting to have an informative inside heaven.  

The morning had been stuffy with numerous angels roaming, working and settling with recently deceased souls. Tom had been somewhat grateful that the deceased were cleaned up. There had not been any hints of what got them, if Tom blinked and forget what he was doing, he could have assumed that he was still back on earth. Where his soul was not in jeopardy. And that he had not been stopped mid-work.    

Myrtle's ghost had been the last straw for his last guardian angel, he had called in headquarters about Tom’s evil scheme. Had paused the ritual for him creating his first horcrux, and had called in Death right away. (Tom still couldn’t really believe that he had met the actual figure, Death.) It hadn’t been one of his greatest moments. His magic had been mostly drained from the ritual, and whatever he had left had been buried deeper inside his core when they coaxed Myrtle’s ghost closer for an interview. His clothes had been dirty from the water that had been leaking from the bathroom and the Chamber of Secrets. Hence, why his hair was limping too from the sweat dripping from his brow.

The basilisk had been freed too in the midst when he thought he could take on a glowing bloke with wings. He blamed it on the low blood pressure when he still had his wand then. Tom had pointed the wand to his guardian angel (which he didn’t know was a thing then) and had cursed him. It didn’t hit him; it flew past the body and when Death came forward Tom’s magic just knew who he was. Yes, the black menacing cloak and skeleton body said it all, but it had been the very essence of pure magic that radiated from him, that made his knees buckle down. The showdown didn’t last at all.

(And it couldn’t have been called one either because it had been a rather pathetic show of a mortal trying to fight the literal manifestation of death and an angel that had sneaked behind him as he bound Tom's magic away for that misunderstanding—quarrel, depending on whom you asked to cease as they went along with protocol to judge his mortal sins and ultimately give him a sentence for his crimes against humanity.)

Tom could only remember how scared he had been. That the glowing man, who could have been a veela (if men were capable of carrying that gene), and a dementor god had caged him so quickly. They subdued his magic, had made Tom want for his body to melt from its foundations. He had been a mess. And it had been the first steps for Tom to understand that he was a weak mortal. Even with magic, he couldn’t go against certain things, and beings; such as Death and his cosmic intervention of life and death.    

Hence: Heaven, Hell and Purgatory.  

Tom Riddle’s own life now rested on the angel that had been making calls, writing thousands of letters and codes since his arrival. It had been nerve-wracking. With half his cuppa down, he wanted to open his mouth. But with another chain of angels coming and leaving, their wings had brushed to the back of his chair. Their own magic had been too pure. Too powerful that it had suffocated him on few occasions. It almost seemed like their magic knew instinctively of Tom’s corrupted soul, because each time they came closer to brush his back, it burned him. Some were kinder about it with their apologies.    

Others, they had irritated Tom that they could brush off his shivers.

He had been about to comment about the lack of space when his case worker finally put down his ink pen (muggle looking, oddly enough). “Tom Marvolo Riddle. Born on the 31st of December in 1926, to the parents of Tom Riddle Sr, a non-magical mortal and Merope Riddle née Gaunt, a child of magic.” Tom nodded, as the angel continued (but he had made sure to remember about finally learning the name of his father). “You were temporarily detained after being caught performing an illegal dark ritual that is punishable to a sentence of eternal damnation without parole for an emergency reincarnation rehabilitation cleanse cycle.”    

Tom had momentarily looked small. He did his best to still his body from the way the man looked at him coolly. It seemed like he was getting the hang of his career as he took in Tom’s visible cracked soul.    

“Is that correct?”  

His lips pursed. “Yes, it is correct.”

His case worker sighed as he put down the folder, he had fiddled with. He took off his glasses before refilling his cuppa. “Now, I understand that your assigned guardian angel had quit their position right after he had taken you to the lower level of Purgatory. Usually when someone like you,” he poked at Tom's file, “and of your background of losing a certain number of guardian angels and has committed a major taboo it would be an easy swipe to hell. However, the head chief had expressed some leniency and wishes to try out a relatively new program for people (like you) that could be redeemed.”  

He took a big sip from his cuppa. “Personally, I don’t care about mortals with their constant wars, issues etc.; but I would like to have a simple case once in a while. They don’t warn any of us new guys how hectic the office life can be. So, hear me out Tommy-boy. Please think about what led you here today at my cubicle. And repent. Get a new hobby. And repent some more because honestly lad, your limbo status isn’t that great to be in. I have already called some people that were interested in helping you on your journey to redemption. So, let’s go to the interviewing rooms and get started before lunch break preferably. Although, if you want something to eat, just telling you it's Taco Tuesday.”  

“It's Wednesday.”  

That, and Tom didn’t even know what the arse was a taco. Or why they had them on Tuesdays.    

His case worker shrugged his shoulders. “It’s always Taco Tuesday when Carl from Department of Angel Resources makes them.”

They didn’t say much after that as he was pulled into a futuristic elevator; where once again he was burned by the feathers that tickled his arms and back. It hadn’t been that thrilling making his way towards the interview hallway. The walls were pale white with few portraits. That, and the coffee was all gone. Not that he trusted the angel that had been in charge of it.  

Inside the interview room it had the same dull walls with a wooden table. The chairs were metallic and uncomfortable. Too bare and quiet that it had been awkward for him to sit down with a clock ticking while his case worker had his clipboard and other files ready. The first one that came had been haughty; an arse-kisser. He didn’t last long with the prepared questions and Tom’s own reluctance to speak to him. The second was quieter, with a penchant for small animals; she didn’t like how he killed a couple of furry creatures when he was younger.  

By number seven, his case worker wanted to pull his hair out. Not that it would help them. The other six had all ranged from cocky, bizarre and unwilling to understand. They could be fine with other humans, but when it came to Tom, none of them could mesh with him. Could not see something that Death saw him by giving him a second chance. Tom never had cared about what others thought about him, but when these beings that had some pull at someone’s destiny to the afterlife, he had become somewhat uneasy that he would be stuck with the wrong company.      

Did Tom really want to redeem himself? Not really, but he also didn’t want to end up in hell. And that had been enough motivation for anyone.

As number seven came in, Tom’s own heart soared.    

She was lovely, odd, and for some reason, dangerous. Her silver eyes had been a little cloudy, but he couldn’t stop analyzing in the way she glided into the room; she had been breathtaking. And then she opened her mouth.  

She was completely unorthodox. The way she politely answered the questions left him baffled, and he had been sure his case worker had been too as he jotted some of her answers. For all the beauty she had, she was a loony girl. (He had to make sure he didn’t outwardly gap at her when she looked at him.) He was half convinced that she had been created to ruin him. She had to have been when at the end of the interview he said yes to her.    

His case worker had been speechless, but rapidly worked on approving the contract and other required paperwork. They only had thirty minutes before Carl would ring up the tacos, and he wanted Tom and Luna, his new guardian angel to wait in line for him, so they could get him some tacos. As he had been left to Luna’s care Tom had been uncharacteristically hushed. It all felt rushed. By finding out the afterlife, and having been sentenced into community service until further notice.  

He still couldn’t forget how she gave him a silver and blue bracelet with hidden runes inscribed on it. Her magic had been contained to it, but strangely hers didn’t' burn him. It instead felt like a cool mist softly fanning his skin.  

When he asked about it, she had smiled at him. “It’s a way to talk to me when we go back to earth. Most of the time we angels don’t actively interact with mortals.”  

“So, then, as long as anyone has it on, they can see and communicate with you?”  

Luna’s smile twitched to a more amused chuckle. “Not exactly.” Her hands wrapped around his arm where the bracelet was placed. “This had been made for only you and myself to communicate with. So, while you can talk to me, nobody else can see or interact with me.”    

They made a left turn and got inside the elevator again. He did his best to ignore the stares that they both received, while Luna smiled and waved at a few. He couldn’t blame them for gawking at them.    

They looked so unconventional when they stood side by side. With her loose garments, tangled wavy hair and wings, and Tom in his dull colored trousers and collared shirt without any wrinkles. (He had been grateful that when he entered the afterlife that his clothes had been cleaned up.) Neither looked like they could belong to the same group of associates. By then they stood, with Luna humming to herself, and Tom counting the seconds before the doors would open to the cafeteria.    

It truly had been the strangest Wednesdays he had ever had; but at least he learned and tasted what tacos were. They hadn't been terrible, but too greasy for his likes.

.

Back on earth, Tom’s life had quietened down considerably. Dumbledore still didn’t trust him, Myrtle’s ghost now semi haunted him whenever she felt like it; which had been obnoxiously frequent after his classes when he did his best to maintain his grades. (ex-Dark Lord or not, Tom Riddle expected his grades to always be top tier.) And now with his head lowered most Slytherin's left his side, not that he had been hurt or shocked from their actions. He would have done so too if another poor bloke had fucked shite up. His Hogwarts career really became slower. And that had been due to Luna’s insistence of working with his community service.  

She had been his daily reminder of where his life strayed off to. With pressed robes still being a thing, he maintained and grades that shined brighter than the other purebloods that used to follow him. The only difference was now, his façade came with the chains of his fate based on his actions of good deeds. For example, Luna loved the idea of him becoming a professor. He did too when she looked at his file the other day ago. It had included a very small list of interests and goals he had made up years ago. There had been some that had been impossible to achieve as a mortal and others he had forgotten he made when he had been younger and delusional. But being a professor at Hogwarts; Tom had loved it.  

He always had loved Hogwarts and its complicated world. It had been the first tale and home for Tom as it brought him magic, even if it had been Dumbledore that had been that catalyst back then. But now, as he was in a new crossing road, Tom still wanted Hogwarts to be a part of his life in some fashion.

If he couldn’t take over the world, he could at least reshape it. Tom figured that if he could teach the future magical children on how to be adequate casters and problem solvers then it would overall benefit all humanity for the better. Heaven above, would appreciate that with the amount of magical folks that died too early from not being informed enough during their training. (There had been numerous, very chatty angels that had whined about that issue in the elevators for him to remember that bit during his brief time in the afterlife.)  

But before that, he needed to figure what he was willing to do with his life. Meaning, if Tom wanted to stay in Hogwarts, or leave to America for a scholarship and temporary transfer program that they had where he could be made an apprentice and gain a reputable name and work before trying his luck back on graduation back in Europe. It almost seemed like a hard decision. In the end of his fifth year, he had enough professors that wrote outstanding recommendations and approval to enter the program. He gained a temporary residence with a family that would host his stay for his last two remaining years for Ilvermorny, and that had been it. His new road to take with Luna’s light guiding him when he packed up for the last time in the Slytherin dorm room.  

It oddly felt right.  

International portkeys were expensive; but they had been opted to do the job as Tom’s summer had been flagged to end quickly. With a different location, time zone and cycle of when classes started, he had little time to accumulate in Wools or to the people. He had paperwork to finish that included his muggle side affairs to tweak his background during his stay there with a temporary resident status.  

(It had been a relief that he wouldn’t have to worry about Mrs. Cole or the latter staff and children again once he was ready to leave the orphanage for good.)  

With the time constrict it had enabled for Tom to get used to having Luna around him. There had been moments when he just knew when she was close, and others when he had to channel his magic to call her. He tested it out when he walked back and forth his appointments to gain a muggle passport and other documents, he needed for his trip. Since apparently across the pond they wanted Tom to be somewhat well-versed with muggle affairs and teachings to blend with their non-magical sections if he ever ventured out and needed to act without suspicion. Although he still couldn’t really talk to them muggles since the states were more reclusive with muggles with their Rappaport’s Law going on that kept the magical community segregated with the non-magical kind.  

But at least, Tom had been finding their customs and school curriculum to be less dull than he feared. Their extra studies and clubs had been interesting too, as he had shuffled with the pamphlets and booklets that they had given him in the list of supplies that he would need shortly before he would head off to school. Those short days had lifted his mood since it reminded him of the first summer after he learned about his magic and Hogwarts.  

As if, Tom could really begin anew.  

It had helped that it worked when they talked to each other too, it had made Tom’s new goals much easier to accommodate and swallow since his revelations. From her own smiles Tom had acquired a peculiar emotion of satisfaction when he had gathered his remaining items before leaving altogether from his room.    

With the bracelet on he had been able to see her facial expressions when they talked. They had been sharp as they had been fluid like the clouds that roamed in the skies as of late. He didn’t know her well enough, but Tom had studied enough people to get a brief understanding that Luna had comprehended what made Tom click before, and sometimes still did as they walked around the limited orphanage. Old habits, after all, had always been hard to quit right away; but he had been learning to curb some intents with her so close. It had been outstanding for him to see his control he still relented with Luna’s own magic being woven to the bracelet he wore and monitored their connection, he could feel her own intentions, her feelings, and empathy that he did not fully possess or understood yet.  

It all been alien for him. But in a good way, Tom had wanted a challenge. A mindless puzzle to foster room for him to improve himself indulgently.    

“Are you ready?”  

He closed his trunk with a soft grunt. Then, lifted it off his bed to smooth over the thin sheet. “Yes, I suppose I am.”  

The first portkey he had used had been very tight, strong and lasted longer than he liked. The trip landed him closer to the edge of where water and land connected. Where the salt in the air touched his skin and Tom almost wanted to crouch from the chilly air that invaded his lungs. It had been a couple of years since that incident, and with Luna’s figure fading from his line of vision he had to make due with by walking dutifully to the port where the ship would take him to America. In six weeks, Tom would have a new life officially. With a temporary home in the summers and winters and in two years' time, Tom Riddle would be an adult.  

Someone that could (and will have to) make a difference in the world; and preferably, from his case worker, Death and Luna’s expenses, with only good deeds.  

As he walked towards the ship Tom allowed himself to be sentimental. Once he had made it to the main deck and found a good place to stand without getting in the way, he took one last glance back at the land. He didn’t have anyone to wave goodbye, but that had been fine for him. And when the image of the land had been long gone, Tom simply went to his assigned room and prepared a small journal entry about the day before getting started on the few materials of homework that he had while he swayed with the waves and idle chatter by the crew and other passengers.

It would end up alright. He may not know how it truly felt to bleed onto faith alone for any new journeys, but that had been why Luna existed. Why they had been paired together.  

They would make it work.

He just had a good feeling about it.

[micky-ann]

there is a VERY disappointing lack of my ot3 in the svtfoe tag.so ive decided to take matters into my own hands 

making next gen kids seems to be the Hot Button Topic in this fandom so here some concepts for stomco kids that ive had in my head for a while

more about them under the cut!

Luis- the oldest child and only son of the trio. He’s biologically the son of tom and marco (havent really worked out the logistics yet. might have been magic bullshit or just tom being an Actual Demon who does not follow human concepts of biology.). Luis is a kind-hearted and gentle soul, he takes more after marco as far as personality goes. Hes a bit of a worry-wart like his Papa Marco and his shy personality holds him back from reaching his full potential. he does have small bursts of anger (i use the term small usely. better grab a fire extinguisher folks) but it takes quite a bit to get him to lose his temper. the quickest way to get him angry is to mess with his little sisters, especially lucy who hes very protective of. He has a lot of self esteem issues from being picked on a lot growing up for how he looks. its hard to make friends on Mewni when youre sporting horns, a tail, and some killer fangs. As the first born son, and since Mewni is a matriarchy not a patriarchy, hes been dubbed heir to his fathers thrown in the underworld. although he is recognized as a royal prince of Mewni. luis does have cheek marks, but the only appear when he’s using magic. 

Celest- Biologically the daughter of Star and Marco, Celest is the shining sun of the kingdom. She’s the pride of the royal family and heir to the butterfly throne. She takes her role as future queen very seriously and is a bit of an overachiever.  Shes a book worm who spends a lot of her time in the castle library, studying spells and magic before she even got the family wand. She can sometimes let her studies take over other aspects of her life and often chided by her parents (mainly her mother) to go out and have fun. she does enjoy going on adventures and is a very curious young girl, and an absolute social butterfly. so while she has no trouble making friends and having fun, she simply believes her time could be better spent being productive. That being said she has a hard time saying no when her siblings want to drag her along on another life threatening adventure. While she fully embraces her title as a princess, it also takes quite the toll on her mentally. She puts an enormous amount of pressure on herself to be the perfect princess, and shes developed a pretty bad complex about it. she puts all her self worth into her duty to her kingdom, and its doing more damage to her psyche than she lets herself realize.

Lucy- The youngest child of the bunch and the biological daughter of tom and star. Lucy is a sweet and fun loving little girl, who takes after her mother largely with her sense of adventure. She loves to pull pranks around the castle and is constantly seeking out mischief to get into. Shes a bit of a menace but ultimately shes just looking for a good time. Being the youngest child, she has no kingdom to inherit and therefore is pretty unsure about her role in the world. Both her sister and her brother spend their lives preparing for one day taking a throne to a kingdom, while she feels left int he background. being a very positive child she tries not to let it get to her, but its always there in the back of her mind and it only becomes a bigger issue for her as time goes on and the time for her siblings to take the throne grows nearer. Despite her more, monstrous appearance, she is pretty confident in how she looks and doesnt have much low self esteem in that department. She got picked on a little bit, but not nearly as bad as her brother did. The only reason for this is because people knew that if the dared mess with lucy, they’d have the wrath of Luis to look forward to. Any comments she does get she just lets them roll off her back. She knows shes a cutie pie, her papa, mommy, and daddy tell her every day how pretty she is. She doesnt need the approval of some stranger to know this. She has a hard time controlling her demonic powers, along with the magic of the butterfly family, this kid is essentially a walking nuke. theres been a looootttta accidents around the castle cuz princess lucy sneezed and blew a ranbow fire bomb threw the wall. 

whew that was a lot. anyway i love these kids theyre the best.  

[the-hilda-librarians-wife]

A Familiar Soul - Chapter Four

Summary: Hilda decides to be completely honest with her mother, surprised when she seems to be a lot more in on magic than Hilda had expected her to be.

With her daughter’s association with witches, Johanna is forced to face some secrets of her own, bringing her back to feelings and people she’d rather have left behind

Dealing with insecurities and inner demons of her own, Kaisa finds herself face to face with the very issues that brought her to be so displeased with her own abilities

Or: the one where Johanna is Kaisa’s familiar

Notes:  Heyo, I just wanted to take a moment to take all of you reading this right now. I’ve received so much positive feedback from this fic, so I wanted to thank you for all the support 😊 I hope you can continue enjoying this story

Read it on ao3: (chpt1) (chpt2) (chpt3) (chpt4)

Wide with awe, Johanna’s eyes were glued to her friend’s hand, or rather to what she held in them.

After years of friendship, Johanna had gotten used to the fact that Kaisa was a witch, but she didn’t think she’d ever grow used to witchcraft. No matter how many times she saw it, it continued to fascinate her. In that moment, it was the cloud of bright, purple sparks floating just above Kaisa’s palm that had her enthralled.

“It’s not even really a spell.” The apprentice witch said, a smile on her face at Johanna’s interest. “It’s more of a spell activator, unless light was my original purpose. I can also use them to activate crystal grids, but grids are a slow working type of spell.”

“Does it matter what they do?” Restraining herself from reaching out to touch the magical particles, Johanna tried to look at them more closely. Recently, she’d been going through a growth spurt that hadn’t been followed by Kaisa, so she had to lean forward and down to do so. “They’re beautiful.”

“I agree. Kaisa’s magic colour is very pretty indeed.” Tildy chuckled from her armchair. The room where the two of them had magic lessons was wide, with a small amount of natural light streaming in from the window at the top of the wall, which was at street level. It was cluttered with a variety of witchy parafernalia, most of which Johanna couldn’t even name. Regardless of that, being in their little underground haven made her feel extremely privileged; from what Kaisa had told her, Johanna was the only other person Tildy allowed in there.

Kaisa blushed at the compliments, feeling the tingle that the magic spread through her palms. “Thank you. But it’s a very simple move, really.”

“No magic is small enough that it doesn’t deserve recognition” Her mentor reminded her. “Besides, you’ve done that without a wand or a spoken incantation. That is, actually, quite impressive for a witch your age. You’d told me you hadn't managed when you tried it yesterday?”

“I didn’t. I wonder why that is.”

“Yes, I wonder too.” Tildy whispered, and something in the way she said it sounded introspective. Her gaze fell on Johanna, and she smiled.

“Kaisa, dear, could you grab my oracle cards, please? I feel like doing a reading, but I think I left them on my bedside table.”

Knowing that the inspiration for divination was fragile and easy to lose, the girl nodded and got up hastily from the ground, walking out of the room in long strides. TIldy waited until the door was closed behind her to speak again.

“She is very fond of you, you know?” She asked, catching Johanna by surprise. “You do her a lot of good. Maybe more than you imagine.”

Her best friend was an introverted person, Johanna was aware of it. She had troubles meeting new people at times, because even though she was fascinating, her natural inclination was to close herself from other people. This meant that Johanna was one of her only, and undoubtedly her closest friend, and she knew this. Still, the sorceress had been right to say she didn’t realize just how much of an impact Johanna had on Kaisa’s life.

“As am I of her. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.”

Seemingly pleased with her answer, Tildy hummed.

“I was thinking about the two of you. With some frequency you carry each other off to some exciting activities, isn’t that right?”

Johanna nodded and smiled, amused at how Tildy called ‘interesting’ what her parents would no doubt see as ‘endangering’. She supposed it was the reason why Tildy always knew what the two were up to, and her parents never did.

“The possibility of one of you getting hurt does worry me, though.” The sorceress said, making Johanna’s smile drop. There hadn’t been much time for the girl to worry, however, because Tildy didn’t leave it at that. “Kaisa will, of course, always do her best to use her knowledge and her magic to protect the two of you. But in the event of you being alone, or in case Kaisa’s magic doesn’t work for whatever reason… I think it would be wise for you to have a means of protecting yourself.’

Blinking with surprise, Johanna tilted her head to the side as she wondered what Tildy meant. Johanna didn’t have magic, and she doubted she even had the patience to learn it, but even though she couldn’t see herself ever going on an adventure without her best friend, the thought of Kaisa getting hurt because Johanna wasn’t able to defend her was now installed on her mind.

“No need to look so baffled, dear.” The woman chuckled. “If that’s what you’re wondering, I’m not planning on teaching you witchcraft. However, I have been noticing you have many talents in other areas; you are brave and smart, Johanna, there are so many things you could learn. Fighting, wildlife tracking, plant identifying, wilderness survival, crossbow shooting… all valuable skills that I’m sure would aid you not only in your little adventures, but also in life. I could teach you these things, if you so wished.”

Without realizing that she was doing so, Johanna crawled forward, closer to Tildy’s armchair. She was sure that her eyes must be shining with amazement at the possibility. There was nothing that she’d like best. Those were the exact reasons why she was so excited about the prospect of joining the Sparrow Scouts in some time, so she could learn all that amazing stuff that her parents would never teach her.

“You’d do that?”

“Of course, dear.” She assured as if it was no big deal. “What’s one more student? I’m sure Kaisa would be thrilled at the possibility of joint classes.”

She didn’t have the chance to answer. At that moment, Kaisa returned to the room, looking austere. The girl looked at her teacher and sighed.

“You have guests.”

_#_#_#_

Kaisa knew that the witches currently in her house hadn’t been in the Committee of Three during the time of her mother’s demise. Henrietta had taken that post when Kaisa was a very small child, but Juniper had only just stepped up into that role after one of the members of the committee had retired. The short witch didn’t really seem like an unfriendly person, still the girl couldn’t help but be wary. Given her history, it was wise to keep her guard up around other witches, and Tildy had already made her feelings clear on Henrietta.

“To what do I know the honour?” Tildy asked as she joined them in the entrance hall. Upon seeing the arch-sorceress, both witches tried to make themselves look more imposing and failed.

“Evening, Matilda.” Henrietta cleaned her throat. “We wished to discuss a matter with you. Your input could prove… valuable.”

Followed closely by the two children, Tildy moved to her living room where she sat down on the couch. The other adults were left standing awkwardly, as had been her intention.

“How curious that when I willingly point out the course of action the Committee should follow, I am brushed off. And yet when I mind my own business, I am consulted.” Sighing, she nodded to Kaisa. “Go back to practicing, little one. I’ll be with you shortly.”

After a quick affirmative movement of her head, Kaisa grabbed Johanna’s hand and walked away quickly, knowing Tildy would probably reveal what the matter of their conversation was later if she asked.

“Where is your sister, Henrietta?” At the click of her fingers, a steaming cup of tea appeared in Tildy’s hands, and she mixed its contents with a small silver spoon. “I was hoping to congratulate her on her outstanding performance in her Trials.”

Matilda Pilkfist held no interest in the Trials and Henrietta knew this. She hadn’t showed up to one in years, and the last one hadn’t been any different. However, she knew better than to ask how come she had that information.

“Abigail is probably off being reckless.” Henrietta rolled her eyes, holding her hands behind her back. “As reckless as I see you are being now. Do you really think it’s wise to keep that other child around your apprentice?”

The way she sounded, in addition to her scrunched nose made her look almost disgusted at the situation, and Tildy’s hand tightened on her cup. It was always the same story, and she was old enough to be tired of seeing it repeat itself over and over again.

“Oh, hush, you.” She hissed, before noticing that Juniper looked uncomfortable with the situation and softening her tone. “It’s a beautiful friendship, you have to admit.”

The only answer Henrietta gave was an annoyed huff.

_#_#_#_

Taking into consideration that Hilda had said Tildy lived near them, Johanna had gathered the woman hadn’t moved from the cozy house with a flowery garden that Johanna remembered so well from her young years.

They hadn’t seen each other in so long, it made Johanna wonder if it would be impolite to show up like that. Taking in the familiar scent of daffodils, she took deep breaths to muster up the strength to knock.

Looking back, Johanna couldn’t pinpoint why she had stopped talking to Matilda. It wasn’t like she was responsible for Kaisa’s actions, and on the rare occasion of them seeing each other on the streets, before Johanna had moved away from Trolberg, she always had a smile and a couple of kind words to give her. Her relationship with the apprentice had gone downhill, but the mentor had never been less than sweet to her, and it made Johanna feel guilty that she hadn’t even thought about visiting her since coming back to Trolberg. Not before needing something.

It took a couple of moments for her to answer the door, and when she did, she squinted and adjusted her glasses to make sure she was seeing properly.

“Johanna?” Tildy gasped. Her curly hair was now completely grey, and the way her back hunched forward suggested she spent a lot more time knitting these days. Her apparent fragility didn’t fool Johanna, though. The sorceress still sounded like her energetic old self.

“Good afternoon, miss Pilkfist.” Johanna shifted her weight between her feet, embarrassed as she became extremely aware of how impolite of her it was to simply cut ties with someone who had taught her so much. Seeing as there was nothing for her to do to fix her teenager self’s mistakes, she tried to force herself to smile. “It’s been a long time, huh?”

“Yes, terribly long! Come on in, dear, I’ll make us some tea.”

Stepping inside the house, Johanna chuckled. At least Tildy’s love for tea hadn’t changed.

“It’s so good to see you again! Can’t say I blame you for your long absence, though, living in the woods must be so much more enjoyable to the city!”

Johanna didn’t ask how come she knew about her living in the wilderness; she had enough experience with witches to be aware that they didn’t always need to be told things to know them. The older woman twirled her hand and made a fresh teapot appear. There were already two cups on the table, where she sat down and gestured for her guest to do so as well.

“Yes, it was pleasant. I need to say, I probably only managed because of the skills you taught me when I was younger. But now we’re back, and…” Johanna took a deep breath, the tea’s strong herbal scent filling her nostrils as she did so. “I need to be frank with you, Miss Pilkfist, because I know you won’t take me the wrong way. I need your help.”

There was some concern on her face as she leaned towards Johanna, taking her hands in her own. Though she was now a woman, Tildy had seen her grow up, so she’d never really stop being a girl in her eyes. Something about her demeanor seemed so exhausted, however, that Tildy thought not even adulthood could justify it. It made her wonder, not for the first time and certainly not for the last, what had happened to the carefree child Johanna had been.

“Of course, my child. Are you alright?”

“I am.” She sighed. “But I’m not sure for how long my daughter will be.”

When Johanna looked back into Tildy’s eyes, there was a dawning of understanding in them.

“Hilda.” She whispered, and Johanna nodded.

“I was told you two already met. I am worried, Miss Pilkfist. Hilda has always had a taste for… unusual things, and it looks like now she has gotten very involved with the witch community. I mean no offence for you.” Johanna assured, squeezing Tildy’s hands gently. “But I just ask you to please not put her, or let anybody else put her in harm’s way. I know it’s more likely for both her and other witches to listen to you rather than me.”

Tildy hummed, trying to make sense of the situation.

“And by ‘witches’ you don’t happen to mean ‘Kaisa’, do you?”

Johanna gave herself away by looking away to her side, and she swallowed as she kicked herself mentally. Great job, Anna! she told herself, insult both her and her apprentice!

“Don’t worry,” Matilda said before Johanna could answer anything. She’d always had the ability of telling what was in people’s minds very easily. “I can see it in your eyes.”

“I tried to talk to Kaisa.” Johanna explained, not sure if she was trying to defend herself or simply to tell the truth. “But she just seemed determined on… well, I don’t know! Making things worse, it seemed!”

Johanna’s voice ended the sentence higher than it had begun, picking up emotion as she remembered her recent visit to the library. Nodding negatively, Tildy let her gaze fall to her lap. It was sad to see what those two had become, but she didn’t want to let her true opinion on it show.

“Oh, never you mind old Kaisa.” She said in a tone meant to calm Johanna down. “Admittedly she can be a bit of a grump, but she’s been in a bad place for some time now. I actually hadn’t talked to her in years before a few months ago.”

“Years?!” Johanna yelped, wondering how Kaisa even survived without Tildy for so long. Apparently, Johanna wasn’t the only one who had been black listed.

“Yes. Not long after she started college, we lost contact completely.”

Weird, Johanna thought. Kaisa had never thought about going to college. She had always wanted to focus completely on witchcraft.

“She moved out with practically no explanation. It was terribly sudden, but I could see she was shaken by her life having taken a turn she hadn’t expected.”

Though Tildy hadn’t meant to do so, Johanna felt jabbed by her words. She knew all too well about the turn in Kaisa’s life, Kaisa had made sure of it.

“It turns out she became the librarian! In my opinion, this job suits her very well, but it was a bit of a problem when I had an overdue book. Awfully embarrassing for me, as you can imagine.”

Tildy looked at Johanna expecting to see some recognition in her face, but there was nothing. It looked like Hilda was still keeping a few secrets close to her heart.

“I see.” Johanna muttered, adding some sugar to her tea. Something about that explanation didn’t feel right. Kaisa had never wanted to become a librarian, as far as Johanna was concerned. She couldn’t imagine that their situation would have caused her to give up on dedicating herself to witchcraft. Unless, that is, there was something she didn’t know.

“Enough about Kaisa, now.” Tildy said as she turned to her own tea. “you have my word that I’ll do my best with Hilda, but tell me, how have you been? I’m sure we have a lot to catch up on!”

The woman smiled. Even if the person who had held her heart for all of her childhood was a stranger to her now, at least Tildy was still herself. Maybe if she closed her eyes, she could pretend she was still a young girl, arriving in that house after school to have tea and learn about the healing properties of plants while her best friend studied their magical side. Even if just for a moment.

_#_#_#_

“Thank you for your time, Matilda.” As both of them stood by the doorway, Johanna smiled, tired and thankful at the same time.

“Not for that, my dear.” Tildy waved when Johanna took a step back. “If there’s anything old people have, it’s time. Please drop by more often, you are delightful company.”

The woman walked away feeling just a bit lighter to when she’d arrived. Maybe she should take the invitation and show up more.