#and instead trying to keep her kingdom safe by manipulating the dream in her own way

[baileypie-writes]

Hello saw you were taking requests so here is mines

Plantonic Regina and Knight Gn! Reader (possibly evil precure)

The reader is A young knight for the kingdom like Makoto before it gotten taken over but king selfish found potenial usefulness out of reader so found A way to brainwash them and made them A knight for Regina and they eventually grow closer and seeing how King selfish is kinda manipulating Regina and how she truly wants to do good but keeps getting dragged to darkness Reader sticks by Regina side even after the brainwashing wears off

I’m down for headcanons or A one shot whatever you want to write (also low key I’m still coping over Regina’s cure design I love her but I seriously don’t like it)

A/N ~ Sure! That’s a very cool plot! I’m also glad you agree on my opinion of her design haha! I hope I interpreted your request accurately. Apologies if I didn’t! Hope you enjoy!

~By Your Side~

Regina + GN!Evil!Knight!Reader

~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~

Fandom: DokiDoki! Pretty Cure

Fanfic Type: Oneshot

Reader: Gender neutral, Regina’s knight

Relationship: Platonic

Genre: Hurt/comfort

Word Count: 1,240

Synopsis: After Regina was brainwashed by her father, you slowly watched her old self come back. You also realized where her true happiness lies, and that you’d do anything to help her achieve it.

Warnings: Mentions of brainwashing

~Masterlists~

~DokiDoki! Pretty Cure Masterlist~

‼️Glitter Force stans DNI‼️

~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~

The majority of your life is a just huge chunk of blank space and memory. You don’t remember a thing from before about a year ago. All you know is what you’ve experienced since gaining consciousness. You’ve only had one job since then; protect the Princess. So you followed the task King Jikochuu had given you.

Though you try your best to act professional, Regina seems to treat you more like a friend than a protector. No matter how many times you remind her of your actual job, she still sees you following her around as ‘hanging out’. But you guess it’s fine, just as long as she’s happy.

As your duty states, you must take care of Regina, and keep her safe. But what should you do when you start to consider that the one who gave you the order could be the danger?

~~~~

You made a promise to yourself that no matter what path Regina chose, you’d stick by her side no matter what. So when she started to become closer to the Pretty Cure, you prepared yourself to follow her to the good side. It was a change you were fine with making, just as long as the princess was happy. Additionally, the Pretty Cure were very nice girls who truly brought out the best in her.

When she ultimately decided to talk to her father about turning good, you encouraged her; cheering her on.

Nothing could’ve prepared you for the outcome.

She was different. So horribly different. The sweet, silly child you once knew was gone. In its place was a cruel, sinister girl. You hated what her father did to her, but you couldn’t do anything besides stand and watch.

Regina treated you differently as well. Instead of just a friend, you were her partner in crime. She expected you to join in on her horrid shenanigans. And she also expected you to enjoy them. You were all for a little mischief, but this new version of Regina was hard for you to watch.

But even with the terrible change, there was still a faint light in her heart. You could tell. From the way she interacted with the girls, you knew she felt it, deep down. A quiet, almost silent wish for a friendship with them. A wish to join them.

The only thing that stood in the way of her achieving her dream was her father. Each time she nearly had the ability and courage to switch to the good side in her grasp, King Jikochuu dragged her back down into the pit of selfishness. And frankly, you hated it. It was your duty to keep Regina safe and happy; a duty given to you by your boss. But it was your boss himself that was the barricade between his own daughter and her true happiness.

But you couldn’t do anything. You could only give your support. Or… was that still something?

~~~~

Regina laid on her stomach, on her cushy sofa. Her feet kicked in the air out of frustration, and her head rested on her arms, which were crossed in front of her. She wore a dramatic pout on her face, which was half concealed by her arms. But you could clearly see her furrowed brows.

“What’s the matter, Regina?” You inquired. But you knew the answer. She had just gotten back from spending time with the Pretty Cure. It seemed that her genuine enjoyment caused her confusion and frustration.

“Nothin’.” She huffed out, her voice muffled from her mouth being covered by her arms.

You hummed, and let her be. But you couldn’t help but smirk, as you knew what was coming. Every time she used that response, she would tell you exactly what was wrong just a moment later.

You counted down the seconds in your head. Three… two… one.

“I just don’t get Mana! Why is she so nice to me?” And there it was, right on time, as always.

“Because she sees you as her friend.” You answered her question, hiding the satisfaction you felt from your accurate prediction.

“But why?” She whined, sitting up and crossing her legs. “I’m King Jikochuu’s daughter! She should hate me, just like Rikka and Makoto!” She pouted once again, crossing her arms to match with her legs.

“That’s just how Mana is, I guess.” You chuckled. “She sees the good in people.”

“But I don’t have any good in me!” Regina declared, as if it was common knowledge.

“That’s not true.” You replied. “You have a lot of good things about you.”

Her head snapped in your direction. She looked at you as if you were mad. “What?”

“Well,” You began to specify. “You may be naughty, but you really do care about others. You’re exciting and fun to be around. And you’re affectionate to those you love.”

Regina’s lips curled into a smile, and she burst out laughing. “Ha! I think spending all that time with the Pretty Cure might be going to your head, (name)! I mean, I am fun. But I don’t care about anyone!”

“So you don’t care about me? Or your father?”

She went silent. “W-well, that’s different! Daddy’s my, well, Dad!” She stuttered. “And you’re my best friend!”

“And what about Mana? You don’t care about her?” You pried further.

It looked like you had just offended her. “No! I-“ She began defending herself, but she went silent once again. You watched her eyes. You could almost see all the thoughts rushing in her mind through them. It reminded you of a saying you’ve heard somewhere: ‘Eyes are the windows to the soul’. You thought that was ridiculous before, but now, you thought of it as genius.

“Regina”. You interrupted her thinking. “I want you to know this.” Stepping over to her, you took a seat next to her on the sofa. “It’s my job to look after you, and to keep you safe and happy.” You placed a comforting hand on her head, just on top of her big red bow. “So no matter what you choose to be, I’ll be right here with you.”

Regina choked up a bit. “B-but what about Dad?” She looked genuinely scared, as if that one decision could lead to terrible things if she chose wrong. And you weren’t sure if that belief was entirely false. Seeing what her father had done to her in the past, you knew there was an array of other options on the table. He simply brainwashed her last time. He could do it again. Or maybe something way worse. Something that gave no chance of the old Regina ever coming back. But for her, you’d do anything to make her wish come true. Even fight her father.

“I can’t say what’ll happen. But I can say that I’ll be by your side the whole time. No matter what happens, I’ll be there. I’ll protect you the very best I can. Even if it means going against the King.”

Tears welled up in Regina’s eyes. She head butted your chest, and just cried softly. You placed a hand on her back, rubbing it slowly to comfort her.

You knew the journey ahead was not going to be easy. But what kind of knight’s job was? If it’s all for the sake of protecting Regina, then you’d face it head on. Even if the danger’s head was fifty times bigger than your own body.

~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~🎀~~~

~~baileypie-writes

[bridgyrose]

So to somewhat get my thoughts together, this far there's definitely a running theme with Weiss. In her own way, she truly does care about her team, her friends, and the childhood she had wanted. Throughout the dream, we've been told she imprisons the sillies and locks up what she holds dear, no doubt her own reaction to seeing her happiness get ripped away from her and not wanting to lose anything more than she already has. And as such, pieces of Klein act as the doors that help keep her "precious" things locked away where its warm, fun, and they can stay out of her way and be protected. Dopey Klein keeps the sillies locked in the jails, sleepy Klein was supposed to keep Ruby, Yang, and Blake locked in the tower, and now Bashful Klein is meant to keep those that she deems unnecessary to the kingdom, out. Which, is still interesting that she's banished both Yang and Blake there, and attempted to get Ruby there too. Almost as if she's still wanting to keep them safe by keeping them out of reach of the grimm...

And the farther we go into the nightmare, the more we see how the nightmare grimm has twisted Weiss's anger and fears. We see Jacques constantly watching in the form of statues, the AI-esque figure that looms over her to remind her of the responsibility of the Schnee family, the citizens of Atlas and Willow are just shadows, never fully there and merely filling in the gaps where people should be, Whitley is a pest and a constant reminder that while she's the Heiress, he's right there, watching her every move and savoring in every mess up, even Nicholas is a giant statue tower that looms over the city, the burden that Weiss carries to impress him. The faunus are grimm-like in looks and almost seem to be a constant threat to the trains in such a way that even Weiss doesnt try to stop them, accepting the narrative the nightmare is pushing to her: that her fears and anger towards the faunus is not only still present in her heart, but that she cant do anything about it.

Once the dream starts to fall apart because of RBY"s and Jaune's actions, the nightmare starts to twist Weiss's feelings and manipulate her into seeing them as the enemy. And we saw this with the way she spoke to Ruby, Blake, and Yang in previous episodes with the talk of betrayal and being led astray by Blake. That when she found out that Blake was a faunus and part of the White Fang, that she had thought she was betrayed by one she considered a friend. And then we see the walls start to come up around Weiss's heart once more. She leans more into Winter, her book of guidance and rules she wants to follow. She starts locking away the sillies once more in a desperate attempt to keep herself under control, pushes her friends away and banishes them from the kingdom to do what she can to regain her control, all while the nightmare twists more and more of the nightmare, breaking the known keys to Weiss's heart and ultimately offering her the poison apple in order to keep the girl under her control. After all, what more could a grimm ask for than a young adult who's world view had shattered and caused the fear and anger in her heart to go to war with her own thoughts?

Even with the nightmare in flux and the grimm manipulating Weiss to push everyone away, Weiss still fights and tries to protect her friends. By banishing them from the kingdom, they're no longer in danger of the thorns. By locking them up in the jail, she attempted to keep her childhood desires and the rest of her "undesirable" friends out of reach of her father. Pyrrha is Weiss's cry for help to try to get her friends to understand the loneliness she is feeling. And the manor that she banished Yang and Blake to, no doubt holds another key to help Weiss finally free herself. All because Weiss finally started to understand that her friends were trying to help her as she saw their actions with the train, and she knows she needs their help and cannot fight this grimm alone.

[oxenfurt-archives]

When the Time Comes - witcheress Ważka aka Dragonfly

The Witcher Lore (143/∞)

Gra Wyobraźni

Gra Wyobraźni, A Game of Imagination, is a pen-and-paper role-playing game published by MAG in 2001. There's no English translation of the system other than the ones created by fans, and even those are more focused on the mechanics of the game than the bits and pieces of lore. And there's surprising a lot of lore. Most of it obviously no longer applies to the versions of canon presented in the CDPR's games and Netflix show, but are still pretty interesting.

Gdy nadejdzie czas

On wiki the title is was translated to When the Time Comes. The story was published in polish rpg magazine Gwiezdny Pirat (issue 8 from 2004) written by Joanna and Maciej Szaleniec, writers involved in never published expansion about the Falka's Rebellion. Gdy nadejdzie czas was supposed to be one of the adventures leading up to that expansion, but unfortunately the publishing house MAG ceased to exist before it could be finished.

The adventure takes place in the 1160s in Gemmera, before the kingdom was conquered by Nilfgaard. The party should be composed of the Prince, heir to the throne, son of late prince Wodaryk and Dairida, who after 16 years returns to the homeland his mentor and other friends. The Prince had to fly from Gemmera when he was 12 - Wodaryk was killed by his own brother, Ponderyk. Ponderyk wanted to make it look like Dairida and her son were responsible for Wodaryk's death, so he could easily take the throne for himself. But the Prince managed to escape and only Dairida was imprisoned. The new prince of Gemmera locked her in a tower, Wieża Wiatrów [Tower of the Winds], from where she never escaped, lost her mind within the wall of her cell and eventually died. When the Prince and his party visit the tower they can't find anything that could have belonged to Dairida, no one other than her was held there, but it's just an abandoned place. Only the ones with really keen eyes can notice the traces of writing on walls, floors, and even the ceiling. All that can actually be read is a nursery rhyme:

Aa-a, kotki dwa, zaśnij już, córeczko ma, nie płacz, nie kwil, będziesz śpiewać, gdy nadejdzie czas.

My rough translation: Aha, two kittens / sleep my daughter now / don't cry, don't whine / you will sing one day / when the time comes.

[Also it seems to be to some extent based on the most popular polish lullaby Ach śpij kochanie that was first performed in the movie in 1938. So that's a fun fact.]

In this seemingly crazy rhyme, the Prince finds a clue that will help him fight Ponderyk - in her prison Dairida gave birth to Wodaryk's daughter and trusted Destiny to keep her safe.

As the Prince learns from common gemmerians, there was a legend about Wodaryk fighting a monster, just a few nights before he was killed. The seven-headed dragon lost most of its head to Wodaryk, but had the prince pinned to the ground, reading another attack, and then the vedymin from Stygga appeared. He proposed Wodaryk a deal, Vedymin will help with killing the dragon, and the prince will give him "what he already has at home, but doesn't expect". Wodaryk agreed and Vedymir cut off the seventh head of the monster. This story leads the Prince to believe that Dairida believed that her daughter will be safe in Stygga castle among the witchers of the school of the cat.

The party travels to Stygga, a grim, full of cruel mutants castle. The is plenty of gossips about the cat witchers and their experiments, who they change even the youngest ones, even the unborn ones. Cat witchers are fast and capable warriors and mages, with shattered minds - unable to coexist with the rest of society. But they greet the Prince and his companions and point out the child that was found years ago on a beach underneath the Tower of the Winds.

Ważka is a 15 years old witcheress - she's the monster slayer, not a princess. Uncannily agile. The only thing that makes her look anything like Dairida is her strong and healthy golden hair, braided in a single thick braid. She doesn't care about her legacy, but she agrees to go with the Prince back to the Tower of the Winds and try to find some other clue their mother could have left behind.

[Ważka is a name of insect, dragonfly, but it can be also a feminine form of somewhat old-timey ważki, meaning important, crucial]

Before the party reaches the Tower of the Winds they are however met with forces of Ponderyk and the prince himself. Most of the people of Gemmera heard of the return of the Prince and they start to doubt the legitimacy of Ponderyk's claim to the throne. That's why Ponderyk is forced to meet with his nephew and speak with him. Ponderyk tries to persuade the Prince to join him, as the fight between the two of them would inevitably lead the country to ruin. Ponderyk's speech is so successful that the Prince is ready to agree to do whatever uncle wishes of him. But Ważka doesn't feel the same - she's immune to Ponderyk's magical words and without even climbing down from her horse, she simply kicks uncle right in the jaw. The party regains their senses and realizes that they were under the charm - Ponderyk wasn't really speaking, his mouth is empty. Years ago he gave his tongue away for the magical powers of persuasion. The party fights Ponderyk's forces.

After the battle, the Prince notices that Ważka's clothing was ripped revealing her naked back and a weird old tattoo on her skin. The shape is deformed but still resembles Gemmera's coat of arms. All her life Ważka believed that the mark is just an ugly deformation after the Changes she did undergo during her training. Instead, it's a clue Dairida left their children - she tattooed on newborn's skin a map of one of the provinces of the country, with a single dot marking a spot there.

It's deep in the mountains where people rarely wander, where the party finds a cave occupied by the same monster years ago fought Wodaryk. The monster was placed there by Ponderyk, to guar whatever is deeper in the cave. After the party kills the monster they go inside and discover the old abandoned shrine dedicated to Coram Agh Tera, The Cult of the Lionheaded Spider. Years ago the cultist convinced young and ambitious Ponderyk to join them. They promised him power and the throne, and Podaryk cut off his own tongue and offered it to the Spider, who gave him the power of manipulation. As long as the tongue is within the temple, Ponderyk can use his dark powers. Cultists planned to use the prince and blackmail him, but Ponderyk was smarter - he killed all of them but Strażniczka Bramy [Keeper of the Gate]. The old woman was imprisoned in her temple where for years she performed rituals preventing the Spider God from leaving the mountains.

Sixteen years ago, just a few days before Ponderyk killed Wodaryk, the priestess used her powers to give Wodaryk a dream - revealing to him the location of her cave as well as warn against the brother. Wodaryk went to investigate this, fought the monster, was saved by the witcher, and wounded returned to his castle where he was killed by Ponderyk. Now knowing everything the Prince can destroy Ponderyk's tongue, leaving him mute, decide what to do with the traitor, and take back his throne.

The story seemingly has seemingly a happy ending, but as it turns out while Ponderyk was a greedy dictator, his dark powers made him also a remarkable diplomat. It was he who negotiated Gemmera's independence from Nilfgaardian Empire... And soon after his dethronement, Nilfgaard once again begins to pose a threat to Gemmera.

[marshmallowprotection]

Calluna

Pairing: Saeran Choi/Reader

Fairytale AU.

Description:

The Prince has been bound to the castle walls, and he’s never been able to leave from it. The only place that he has to escape to are the books that he reads and the garden that he’s allowed to venture into every evening. But, what happens when he encounters someone that has eyes that know a world unlike his own?

Inspired by a drawing by @sensetenou​

Chapter Index

Chapter One: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Two: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Three: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Four: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Five: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Six: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Seven: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Eight: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Nine: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Ten: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Eleven: Tumblr | AO3 Chapter Twelve: Here! | AO3

Chapter Twelve

Impatience. 

Meaning irritation with the irrationality of the people that worked for the palace. 

Saeran could say with the utmost certainty that he despised anyone who wouldn’t connect the dots and figure out what it was that he wanted. He was the king, they were supposed to guess his needs and be ready to sate them at a moment’s notice. So much for that. These people were far too complacent and daft.

How dare they not listen to him and know what to do? Honestly, he thought with a scowl as he settled back on the throne, one hand tucked into his chin against the armrest as he spread his legs. It had been only a day and a half since he had awoken from his slumber and yet, it was hardly enough time to let him know what he wanted. 

Ray had let gone complacent and it showed in how nobody respected him. By all means, it was the reason that he was hurt in the first place. The little airhead had trusted a thief and what did that get him in the end? Oh, yeah, it got him a broken heart and the inability to function. 

That was why he had to come out and fix everything. 

As if awoken from a slumber that had been against his will for more than he was comfortable with, all he knew was the magic pouring into his veins made him stand at alert and with frothing rage. All he knew was that he had to destroy every single thing that caused him to wake up in the first place. 

And why was he on the throne? 

Because Ray let himself trust the villain and it burned him. He got too close to the sun and it burned him to a crisp. It had proven that he shouldn’t be in charge anymore, Saeran thought, if he couldn’t be trusted to function and keep himself safe, then Saeran was going to have to take it into his own hands to ensure that never happened again. 

He would start with the problem that had started it all. 

The queen had sent out her men to scour the land for the rest of Red Hood’s gang and he knew that that would likely take a while to fully discern. There was no telling how far their reach went and he’d already started to formulate a plan for what would become of every last one of them. Oh, Ray wanted to save all the people from their chains like a good boy. 

But, so many of those deviants and ruffians were happy to do what they were. The glimmer in their eyes was the true monster, their greed knew no bounds. If someone was willing to go as high as the prince to destroy everything to gain all the money in the world that they could ever dream of, then they were going to face the music for their crimes with no mercy. 

They were asking for it, simple as that. 

This is why he was excited, nearly giddy with sadistic glee at the thought of what he would do to you when he saw you again. The late-night prior had been too fraught with Ray’s devastation for him to fully appreciate the freedom that he now held in his hands and he was going to take his time learning who you were and how to make you repent for your sins. 

The thought of your begging and pleading that was soon to fill the halls of this room made him so enthused that he almost allowed himself to laugh. 

The queen had been right, there was nobody that he could trust in this world except for the person that had always been there for him. No amount of staring at the shell that you had given Ray told him anything about you or the person that you had led him to believe you were. Some thief that had wrapped him around their finger by gaining his pity. 

A wolf in sheep’s clothing, someone who knew how to manipulate others to get what they wanted. It was you that had said that you were inspired by Robin Hood. You delighted in taking from those that had and giving to those that had not, but it seemed like you were the only one that you considered a had not. No surprise, really, given what he knew of Red Hood. 

Stained with Greed and desire, you took everything you wanted from others until it wasn’t enough and you had to move onto the next thing. You had almost done that to Ray. Tricked him and taken him for a fool before you almost parted with the crown that was to be his. It was now in Saeran’s hands and you were going to face his wrath for your choices in life. 

You would regret ever crossing his path in the first place. You would wish that you had turned yourself into the guards instead of letting Ray take you to safety. They would have made your suffering over in a moment and he would surely prolong it to make sure that you knew exactly what your actions meant to everyone here. 

No amount of punishing the goons that they caught in the streets satisfied him enough. It would be nothing until he could take down the boss. That would be you, and you were just waiting for him to give you the end of your suffering in the darkness. Too bad the darkness was protecting you from the true terror. 

“...”

The sound of footsteps broke him from his thoughts.

Just on time, he thought as you were brought into the room and carelessly dropped onto the hard stone without a warning. You grit your teeth to hide the pain but he knew the look in your eyes and that was one that couldn’t hide the pain that you understood to be your fault. If you hadn’t done any of this, then you wouldn’t be pitifully groveling at his feet for your life, now, would you?  

This was his first time seeing you since his anger flared. The first real-time that he was getting a good look at you, some petty criminal, and it was hard to imagine you as the mighty Red Hood when you weren’t even fighting back. Where was the fun if you submitted so quickly? There was nothing in that that would sate his thirst for retribution. 

“You may leave,” he dismissed the guard with the wave of his hand. “I wish to speak to the criminal alone.” 

“As you wish, my liege.” 

You hadn’t lifted your head to meet his gaze, no, you continued to stare at the ground in front of yourself with your hands wrapped tight around your shoulders. 

You were trying to make yourself small to hide the fear in your heart. Good, you should have been scared. Your life was in his hands and this was a power that he relished in. There was so much that he could do that he still wasn’t entirely sure what would please him the most. For now, he wanted to learn what made you tick so that he could break you. 

Break you in the same way that you broke Ray. 

So you knew what it felt like to have your pathetic heart crushed into a thousand pieces. 

Saeran would say that you had a sense of preservation. As you knew better than to look at him or say a word, why would you? You both understood the line of power that existed between the two of you, as you were one that told Ray that you very well understood how much power he held compared to you in this land.

He rose from his seat and circled you, getting a good sense of what you were. “Is this all that the mighty Red Hood has to offer? I have to say, for a crime lord, you don’t fit the bill at all. Groveling around like some pitiful beggar, and as much as I want to see you beg and plead for my mercy… Well, I thought you would put up more of a fight now that you’re secret has been revealed to the kingdom.” 

You didn’t respond. 

He gritted his teeth. Were you patronizing him? He wasn’t Ray. He wasn’t going to let you lead him into a false state of security. Saeran snapped to attention and yanked your face up so that you would have to look at him, and of course, you winced and whined when his fist gripped your cheeks too hard for your liking. 

“All I see is a pitiful thief that got fucking lucky,” he sneered. “And that luck ran out the moment you tried to turn against Ray. Don’t get me wrong, he’s also a pitiful bug but he’s not the one that’s been lying and scheming for weeks, now is he?” 

You blinked. 

Silence. 

Then confused lined your features as two and two started to come together, you couldn’t rationalize where your so-called precious Ray had gone. Now, that tasted all the sweeter to him. If you knew that your actions had brought out his anger and the protector, well, the shame and guilt that he wanted to throw on you… haha… he wanted to see you squirm for it. 

“What…” your voice spoke in a broken whisper, searching his face for someone that you would not find no matter how hard you looked. “What are you saying? You’re… You’re Ray.” 

Saeran only smirked. He tipped his head back and laughed at your face. It hadn’t clicked yet? You hadn’t realized? Did you really think that Ray could do what he was doing? Now, that was an insult that he didn’t appreciate.

“Me? Oh, no, Sparrow. I’m not your precious Ray. I’m somebody much stronger… much better. I suppose some people have called me the better Ray, but I’m not Ray. My name is Saeran.” 

“Saeran…?” 

His name sounded foreign and unsure on your tongue but he loved the way it sounded. It filled him with delight to know that you had started to understand the price of your actions, as just the crown that lay on his head had been the very thing to open up his eyes to the true cruelty of this world. It was as easy as a name rolling off your tongue. 

“I won’t repeat myself,” he continued to say, eyes focused on your own. “So, how does it make you feel to know that you’re the reason that Ray isn’t around anymore? You shattered his little heart into tiny pieces with what you did and you’ll pay for it, don’t get me wrong about that. But, you can’t blame me for wanting to get to know the person that caused me to appear.” 

“I…” you stopped yourself short. 

What were you going to say? 

What was your excuse? 

You had none. 

You had been caught red-handed, multiple witnesses, and people speaking out against you, there was no excuse that you could say that would prove innocence in his eyes. Yet, he wanted to hear what you had to say so that he could laugh in your face at the weak attempt of besting the king. It was the price you’d pay and you knew it. 

The dejected look in your eyes said it all. "You're not going to believe me no matter what I tell you, right?" 

He chuckled, "Maybe you're not entirely stupid, then. You're right, but humor me, what would you tell me to save your skin? I can't remember what you tried to sell Ray the other night. Whatever it was, it clearly wasn't enough to make him believe you. How does it feel? Knowing that you broke a man all for a crown and a couple of jewels? Knowing that you damned yourself?”

“That’s not what happened,” you tried, but he shoved you away, and your back collided with the hard ground once more. You covered a wince though it did nothing to hide your terror that was slowly but surely growing. 

“That’s not what happened,” he taunted. 

Saeran scoffed at the pitiful look in your eyes. Even to the end, you were going to lie and pretend that you did nothing wrong, weren’t you? He expected you to put up a fight instead of playing around to be the pitiful sob-story. As if he was going to believe you. You tried to lie right to Ray’s face and he did not doubt that you would continue to act that way.

It made sense to him, how else would someone like you kill the original Red Hood? You played like an innocent child and stole his power for your own. Yet, a part of him thought it didn’t make sense. Someone as weak as you killing somebody for their power? You seemed hardly strong enough to bust out a window, much less a man.

He turned away from you, his eyes resting on the window that showed the world outside the castle walls. He strode over and watched from the high balcony as members of the guard were hard at work trying to piece together lists and plans to hunt down the remaining members of Red Hood’s gang. It was just as he ordered them to do. 

They had already caught some of the former members but there was a long way to go. That man with red hair and golden eyes had promised to turn over anyone that he knew to work for Red Hood, and the queen was hard at work with him, hunting down anyone that was against the crown. He left that work to them, but the punishment was his. 

He got to decide how they ended. 

“Stand up,” he ordered you.

You didn’t listen to his command, so he repeated himself, and his stern voice made you scramble to your feet. You stood behind him, a gasp on your lips as you saw the sight down below. People in chains and shackles trapped in what was once a lovely courtyard filled to the brim with flowers and nature. 

It was nothing more than thorns and bramble now. Your bound hands wouldn’t allow you to cover your whimper. 

He smirked, “Like it? I do. We’re starting to round up all the traitors and liars that have been working for you in the village one by one. I won’t rest until we’ve caught all of them. They’re all just as guilty and greedy as the leader that charged them. So, you know what that means. Once we’ve made an example of you, they’ll be begging for forgiveness that will never be given.” 

“You… you can’t do this, this isn’t right,” you tried, but he silenced you just as quickly as you spoke with his anger rising alongside his blood pressure. He wasn’t looking at you but he feel how you were starting to shake and tremble. “Those… those people… they don’t work for Red Hood. You can’t just punish everyone.”

Saeran snapped to attention. He looked back at you, mint eyes darkened and face covered in a kind of unspeakable rage. He cocked his head, waiting for you to try and say more but when you didn’t dare say more, he gripped your shoulder tight. “Listen, Red Hood, I don’t give a damn if they were working for you directly or not. There are dozens of people out there that let you blindly steal and deceive them knowingly. If they let you exist without question, they’re all guilty.” 

“That’s not—”

“That’s not fair? That’s not right? Who are you to tell me what’s right and what’s wrong? You? The pathetic thief that lies, that cheats, that steals, and that continues to pretend to be something they’re not? You think you have the right to tell me, your king, that I’m in the wrong? No, that’s not how it fucking works,” His voice spoke with bitterness and vitriol. 

He was so loud that it echoed off the stone walls. 

You couldn’t look away from him. This wasn’t the Ray that you had come to know and love so dearly, no, this was a man that felt vindicated by his fury and felt righteous and just in his actions. It wasn’t the man you knew, but, he wasn’t the man you knew. He was someone else and because of that, you had no choice but to listen. 

“And, you know what’s better, [Y/N]? You could only know who works for Red Hood if you were Red Hood,” his voice dropped to a whisper. He laughed when you tried to back away but his grip would not allow you to do so. “So, stop lying to yourself and me. Be honest. Maybe I’ll spare you if you come clean and beg for my forgiveness.” 

Beg. 

You just kept looking at him pathetically. You wouldn’t beg and plead. Why were you fighting this and prolonging it? 

Beg.

“...” 

He should have known that you would continue to do this. 

Beg. 

Your eyes had centered on his crown, the one that had been given to him by the queen, by the loss of his father that had protected him until his last day. You were still thinking about taking it from him, he knew it. You were trying to trick him so you could take it and run, you thieving, lying, pathetic, dumb, monstrous person. 

They’re lying, a voice whispered. They want your power… they want your crown… they’re trying to trick you as they tricked Ray… be cruel… be mean… be malicious… break them down and make them pay for their crimes. 

Even though you trembled, even though you had every right to be scared, you kept looking at him with the smallest trace of hope that didn’t seem to shatter. Your voice was quiet now, but you shook your head. “I’m not Red Hood, I’m being completely honest with you! I’m not him! That man is lying to you, the queen is lying to—”

LIAR!

A resounding sound boomed in the room as he slapped you down onto the ground once more, his breathing heavy and his eyes wild with anger and confusion. His breathing became ragged and hard, something burning in the back of his head that made him want to scream and shout. He didn’t know why, nor did he understand why the voice was so loud. 

All he knew was that he was angry and the voice said it was your fault. 

“You,” he seethed, pointing a finger at you as the doors to the chamber opened and some guards came in to check on the commotion. “You’re a liar, you’re a traitorous liar that thinks that you can deceive me even as I hold your life in my hands! Unworthy of my pity! Your days are numbered, do you fucking understand me? When the sun has risen, I will decide your punishment and you will accept it, kicking or screaming, you will reap what you’ve sown.” 

The guards took you away almost as soon as they brought you to him, and that took off some of the headache that had started to brew in his mind. The pain eased but the feeling of confusion lingered in its place when you were gone. It was like he couldn’t hear anything but the sounds of his own anger and rage over the voice telling him what to do. 

He needed to destroy you to kill the voice that commanded him. 

It was the only way for the pain to stop and leave him be. 

However, why did his heart feel empty now that you were gone?

[ariainstars]

Star Wars: Fatalism Against the „I Wish” Moment

Here it goes again, the question as to why The Rise of Skywalker sucked. Sigh. It just can’t leave me alone, can it?

After the first two chapters, honestly, I was expecting the sequel trilogy to become as good (or almost) as the original one. But precisely the last chapter set the seal on one of its worst problems: the lack of agenda. 

I love musical theatre. And one of its most beautiful sides is that it teaches you so much about storytelling. Now what makes a story, a character truly compelling? The conflict. Without a conflict, something that has to shift the narrative from A to D going through B and C, nothing makes sense. And in a good story, the conflict is set up right from the start. We meet someone and we are supposed to identify with them due to their agency. 

  Heroes With An Agenda 

To name an example, there is “Into the Woods”, one of my favorite musicals which retells some classic fairy tales with own interpretations and unexpected twists; and it opens with an iconic ensemble number called “I Wish”. (If you’re unfamiliar with it, you might want to check out the 2014 film.) We get to know a bunch of people who all want something, and we follow them through the narrative as some of them get their wish (though not exactly the way they expected it); then are confronted with the backlash, the consequences, the price to pay for the things they wanted. 

With Star Wars now belonging to Disney, it is only legitimate to make a few comparisons with Disney movies.

In The Little Mermaid, Ariel’s song is “Part of That World”, setting up her character as someone who wants for something that fascinates her: the world of humans.

Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, wants to leave his tower and live among other humans, even if only in for a day.

Belle from Beauty and the Beast is introduced to us explaining how she wishes to explore the world outside of the small village she’s living in.

A somewhat disappointing Disney heroine was Merida in Brave: despite the films’ title, the story fails at making its protagonist compelling due to her lack of agenda. Merida knows what she does not want, i.e. becoming like her mother, because she’s a different kind of girl: but she does not know what she actually wants from life. It is quite fitting that in the end she manages to restore and improve the relationship to her mother but does not really change her, or her family’s or her kingdom’s situation. Merida does not grow up. Her story is nice enough, but not really compelling.

Disney “princesses” are often criticized for wanting nothing but a partner from life, and sometimes settling down with a man even if that was not their main goal at the start. But we have e.g. Moana, a girl who wants to help her family and her people and to restore balance in nature. Not surprisingly, her story is interesting and convincing.

Antiheroes With An Agenda 

Perspective is hugely important for a narrative: authors can use it in order to manipulate the audience’s perception of a story in order to make us identify with someone although he is a negative character. Two examples I came across with lately are Joker (Arthur Fleck) and Hannah from the Girls TV series. Both these characters have personal agendas that in the end don’t get their fulfilment. 

We know from the beginning that Arthur will become the Joker, but the film follows him and his social background so closely that we watch everything from his point of view, which makes us sympathize with him despite what he becomes in the end. 

Arthur is poor, mentally ill, in charge of a sick mother, friendless; but he believes he can make a great breakthrough as a comedian. He is at the bottom of the social scale and still believes he can make it to the top; it is only all too clear that he is deluded and that none of the people he admires would move a finger to help him. Though he becomes a criminal, his story is a tragedy; he was born and raised under circumstances that hardly offered him room for a simple, satisfying life. His dreams were all he had. Which is why we feel with him, even if from a moral standpoint we know we shouldn’t. 

Hannah is a toxic personality if I ever saw one onscreen; but she officially is the protagonist, she’s female who wants a career, she has “friends”, she is “sexually independent”, so as female viewers we will automatically identify with her, or at least try. (Personally, after a while I came to the conclusion that about 75 % of the other character’s problems would quickly find an end if they simply shot Hannah and buried her without a funeral, with a few silver crosses to make sure she never comes back.) 

However, Hannah is not from a poor family, she has an education, she has friends. She has things she wants, nothing she desperately needs, like Arthur needs employment or medication. Her whole attitude is subject to her desire to become a famous writer, so her story is about exploring and observing other people’s weaknesses, often even eliciting them for the worse. I find it interesting that when we learn how she first met Adam, he caught her stealing. Apparently, Hannah never understood that you can’t simply take but also have to give something back. Their relationship is so typical for the story because it looks like Adam is using her (mostly sexually), while she is using him in order to make “experiences”, playing with his feelings instead of giving him the chance to grow and mature into a responsible man. Girls always had a bleak undertone; but by manipulating our perspective making her the pivotal character, the authors made us care about Hannah although she is someone who did not deserve it in the first place.

My guess: what makes these two antiheroes in the first place, from a moral perspective, is perhaps the fact that both feel entitled to their dream and won’t settle for less. Disney heroes usually get their wish fulfilment because they go through the moment of openly and innocently admitting their dreams without Arthur’s or Hannah’s latent arrogance.

Now to Star Wars... The Classics

One of the reasons why we so easily identify with Luke Skywalker in A New Hope is because he is introduced to us as someone who dreams. He has a personal wish - leaving his home planet, meeting new people, living adventures and contributing to the future of the galaxy. The “Binary Sunset” scene is not iconic without reason: in a musical, this would have been the moment where he would have broken into song. 😊

Don’t kill me, but Disney’s Hercules reminds me a little of Luke in his first grand scene: he also looks at a sunset, saying that he would go most anywhere to find where he belongs. (Maybe Lucas knew well why he sold the rights to Star Wars to the Disney studios of all places.)

This continues through his other two films: Luke always has a strong agenda. He learns the ways of the Jedi through Obi-Wan (who interestingly never actually questions whether he wants that at all) and Yoda, but his first priority always are his friends. Saving who he loves is what drives him on all of the time, even if this may seem foolish at times - like traveling all alone to Bespine where Han and Leia are kept hostage, or wanting to save his father although he is a dangerous criminal. 

  Star Wars In-Between

Rogue One and Solo are well-made, interesting films, too, because the protagonists know what they want. The Clone Wars is one long story explaining Ahsoka’s development from a Jedi to someone who relinquishes the Jedi’s ways. The Mandalorian wants to follow “The Way”, i.e. his code of honor, in order to help as many war foundlings as he can. This is what you need to do in order to make a story compelling. 

  Star Wars Prequels 

One of the weaknesses which I see to this day in the prequels is that we so rarely witness someone’s personal agenda; the stories are more driven by the plot than by the persons. A few desires are hinted at and never pursued. 

“I’m going to be the first to see all of them” (the stars). - Anakin in The Phantom Menace

“At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge.” Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace 

What became of Anakin’s desire to explore the galaxy? And revenge from what, if you please? I can understand that the Sith were a byproduct of the Jedi’s rejection of the Dark Side, their weaknesses all projected unto them: but this also is never explored. 

What did Anakin, Padmé, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon etc. want, after all? When did they ever say or show clearly what they wanted, and what they would do for the purpose? Qui-Gon wants to train Anakin by will of the Force, Obi-Wan wants to train him because Qui-Gon asked him to. The Jedi want to keep the status quo of the Republic and the Jedi Order. There is no actual heart-felt wish from their side. The only person relentlessly pursuing his aims is Palpatine, the mastermind behind the stage. 

Padmé has her political aims, but they are not a really personal agenda for her. She wants to help people who were enslaved or hungry or otherwise suffering, but she does not know such situations from own experience. Her personal wish is having a family, but in her case it is not as passionate as in Anakin’s, who had lost the only family he had with his mother. Add to this that the scene where she talks with Anakin about this desire of hers was unfortunately cut out from Attack of the Clones. 

The compassionate and protective Anakin wants to keep the ones he cares for safe. Interestingly though, the films rarely show us his perspective, we usually rather see other people reacting to him; and since the Jedi always brainwash him not to “let his personal feelings get in the way”, Anakin comes over more as a whiny brat than as a conflicted human being we can sympathize with.

Revenge of the Sith is, though a terrible story, a very well-made film and emotionally very demanding because Anakin finally takes his destiny into his own hands. But it is also not very satisfying, because he wants to prevent things from happening and doesn’t actually have a definite, positive aim in mind. Still when he speaks to Padmé on Mustafar he tells her that he would overthrow Palpatine for her and rule the galaxy according to their wishes; but even in this moment he sounds insecure and confused, and his ideas are everything but clear. 

  The Sequels

The same procedure all over again. Finn wants to get away from the First Order, but where does he want to go? It is only hinted at that he wants a girlfriend (“Do you have a boyfriend?”), and not thematized again. Poe already is a Resistance fighter from the start, no personal aim there either. Rey wants her family back: she does nothing but waiting. On Takodana, we literally see her running from her fate after her vision with the Skywalker legacy sabre. In The Last Jedi, she says she needs someone to show her her place. She says to Luke that she is afraid. Again, she has no agenda.

Kylo was pursuing Luke, but why? What exactly had happened between uncle and nephew before the fatal night at the Temple, why was Kylo’s resentment so deep? He killed his father because he was coerced; he did not actually want it. Later he wanted Rey, but why, if she was almost always aggressive towards him? 

The Last Jedi finally seemed to make up for all of these lacks. Rose was such a powerful character because while she always did everything in her power for the cause, she never forgot or let go of her personal feelings and desires, like keeping Finn safe, inspiring hope in the Canto Bight children, freeing the fathiers. 

The moment Rey ships herself on the Supremacy, Ben kills Snoke and then both team up against the Praetorian Guards is so powerful because both of them, at last, have an agenda, and they pursue it together. It’s a moment of relief for the audience, what we had been waiting for all along: finding out what all of this was about - the Force working in balance. Naively, many of us then assumed this trilogy would be about Ben and Rey finding balance and a happy ending together.

Then The Rise of Skywalker made our frustration flare up again. Rey wants to become a Jedi because Leia expects her to; she kills Palpatine because he wants her to do it; the voices of all Jedi encourage her… great. No personal agenda all over again. Ben saves her from death because he loves her, very well. Then he dies. Han, Leia and Luke all wanted him to come “home”, i.e. back to the Light Side, and they died for the purpose. It seems wanting something is dangerous in itself in this galaxy. And Rey ends up alone on Tatooine. Again, what does she want there?

So It Was All... Fate?

Han, Leia and Luke were much more compelling characters than Rey - their aims were sometimes misguided, but at least they had them and they were clearly defined. Even Palpatine has an aim: it is veiled (typically for him), but it is there. He knows that his spirit will live on in the person who manages to kill him. So, he is still more powerful than Rey. It looks like Rey defeated him, but the truth is that he used her naïve faith that she could erase him by killing him in order to reach his own aim: living on in a younger, more innocent person who believes that being a “Jedi”, she is doing the right thing. 

We may of course argue that the Force is behind all of this; but as intriguing as the Force is, it is not a person. When we follow a story, we want living persons to think and feel and suffer and be hopeful and joyful for. It is all very well if characters want different things or maybe want the wrong things; but at least, their wishes ought to be understandable, and if they don’t come true, we would like to know why, instead of being left with... “reasons”. It is hard to identify with a character if we never learn what drives them after all. I daresay it would be more satisfying to see them pursue an aim and fail, than never to understand what they’re about, what their heart’s wish is. 

I have argued over and over that the ways of the Jedi, i.e. sacrificing everything to a cause, and individual aims are naturally opposite to one another. If there will ever be Balance, future Force-sensitive creatures must find a way in between. But again, this is not openly said and the audience has to either resign to the fact that the films are badly made, or to scavenge them for months searching for messages. Of course, there is nothing wrong with using ones’ own brains. But I would like to leave a cinema after a Star Wars film feeling satisfied. The Rise of Skywalker did not only leave many questions unanswered; in many instances, it did not even start posing the questions.

“Into the Woods” is not a story with a happy ending. One of its messages is that you need to be careful about what you wish for, but I think that’s all right if the moral implications of getting one’s wish are explored. Which with the Star Wars prequels and sequels was not the case - people suffer and die for decades, and in the end, the story goes nowhere. The events of the prequels took place because “they were meant to”; same with the sequels. Anakin turned evil because it was his fate, his grandson the same because it was fate, Rey took over the Jedi mantle although she is not in the least suited for it, but it was her fate so we have to accept it. No wonder everyone is disappointed. 

Star Wars saga, what do you have in store next? After more than 30 years, I dearly hope, someone who actually has an aim and purses it this time. And doesn’t have to die in the process, thank you very much.

[mobius-prime]

235. Sonic the Hedgehog #167

Mobius 25 Years Later (Part Two): Tempus Aeternus

Writer: Ian Flynn Pencils: Tracy Yardley Colors: Jason Jensen

Lien-Da is incredibly happy with herself on this fine evening, sipping a glass of wine and bragging about how she and King Shadow orchestrated the arrests of Tails, Lara-Su and Sonic, and how as a result she's had a hand in "bringing down the line of Edmund." Rutan watches silently from the nearby stairs, looking conflicted and upset, while Dimitri (still confined to being a head in a bubble) coldly remarks at how ashamed he is to be related to her due to her behavior, even more ashamed than when he in the past worked with Dr. Finitevus. Wait, what?! That hasn't happened yet! A hint of what is to come in the main comic, perhaps…? After all, though Lien-Da implied that Dimitri was dead during the Return to Angel Island arc, we know he can't actually be if he appears in this future. In the dungeons beneath the castle, Sonic, Tails, and Lara-Su have been chained up next to a despondent Rotor. He is frustrated that the three of them don't seem to be taking their position seriously, as the first two mostly joke around about this "bringing back memories" while Lara-Su complains that Rutan will make fun of her for all this. At that moment, Knuckles walks in, looking very stern.

What, did you think Knuckles was gonna be the villain of this piece? Nah, he has way too heroic of a spirit to end up like that! (I mean, so does Shadow, but we already saw how that's being ignored in this arc, so.) Apparently, he was even counting on Lara-Su to overhear his conversation with Tails, precisely so that she would rebel and allow him to set up a coup like this without Shadow realizing that his head enforcer wasn't loyal. Tails says that he'll hack the castle's security systems to allow the others to get a clear path to the throne room, and Knuckles says he'll keep Queen Sally safe while Sonic battles Shadow. Lara-Su wants to come along, but Knuckles convinces her that now the best way for her to help is to get the injured Rotor to a hospital, which she reluctantly agrees to. Sonic and Knuckles race along the hallways to the throne room, where Sally quickly follows Knuckles to safety. Apparently, she too seems to know about the other timeline, surprised that her husband does as well. With Sally safe, Sonic tries to attack Shadow, but his punch has barely any force behind it.

Ouch. I mean, yeah, saw it coming, but ouch. Things are looking bad, until suddenly Lara-Su bursts in, ready to continue the fight on her own terms. Shadow becomes irritated at her smack-talk, and reminds her that he wields Chaos powers, only for her fist to glow as she smugly invites him to "join the club." Shadow tries to fire off some Chaos Spears in her direction, but she merely dodges them while reciting Tikal's prayer (you know, the "Chaos is power enriched by the heart" one) and performs a Chaos Control, freezing Shadow in place.

Bit of an ignoble ending to Shadow's story, don't you think? I said it last issue, but again, I'm really not okay with how this AU just wants to turn Shadow into this brutal villain. I mean, especially considering his whole character arc in the games - the only times he ever acts truly violent and uncaring of others' wellbeing is when he's being manipulated by an actual villain or otherwise brainwashed, and once he discovers who he truly is he's never anything less than a goddamn hero. I just think that turning Shadow the Hedgehog into Shadow the Evil Dictator is doing a huge disservice to him as a character, and not even bothering to try to work in an ending where he realizes the error of his ways is at this point just spitting in his face.

Meh, whatever. Knuckles comes running back in, concerned, but Lara-Su just excitedly informs him of how she defeated Shadow. She then says a seemingly nonsensical line about how she "already took care of him" that only makes sense if you assume that Knuckles asked her something along the lines of "But I thought you were taking Rotor to the hospital," so I can only guess that they forgot to include that dialogue bubble. Sally and Sonic walk into the next room, and she tells Sonic how Knuckles explained all the timeline shenaningans to her, and how she always felt that something wasn't right all these years. She then awkwardly explains that she never married Shadow for love, but only to try to bring stability to her kingdom. Frankly, I find that to be a pile of crap. Sally Acorn, the lifelong ringleader of the rebellion against not one but two different Robotniks, passively married an evil autocrat who likes to use torture on his enemies? Not fricking likely. Sally would have been at the head of the resistance against Shadow from the very start. It seems that even under a different writer, Mobius 25 Years Later is doomed to have every member of its cast acting completely out of character.

Wow, it's that easy to get back together after twenty-five years apart? *sigh* Look, I think the reason this two-part arc fails is because it's ultimately working off an already-flawed base. I understand that some closure needed to be brought to the tangled mess that Kenders set up at the beginning of this era, but hell, I think it could have been done a lot better. Some people do like the whole King Shadow and dystopian future thing, but personally, I think it's just as inexplicable and out of character as everything in Kenders' version of events. I'm just glad to be done with it, as next issue we actually get to go back to the normal, interesting stuff.

Hedgehog Day

Writer: R. Chacon Pencils: Dave Manak Colors: Josh Ray

Well, we do have this little story before that happens. Apparently everyone in Knothole has decided to put together a second birthday celebration for Sonic several days after the previous one, the one Scourge crashed. Sonic wakes up at 10am on the morning of the make-up party, and begins his morning routine as his alarm clock informs him that Mina's latest hit "Soldier Boy" has just finished playing (note that this issue came out one year before "Soulja Boy" was released, so it's not a reference), that it's going to be in the mid-70s (Fahrenheit) today, and that many important people will be at the celebration such as the king and queen and Mina herself. However, the announcer on the radio then says that everyone is wondering where Sonic is as the party has already started, which wakes Sonic up out of his sleepy daze. He realizes that he accidentally set his alarm for the time the party was to start rather than when he actually wanted to wake up, and rushes to get ready, racing out the door and nearly barreling into a bunch of reporters looking for him.

Ouch! Well, at least there's always tomorrow, right? The next morning, Sonic wakes up at 10am on the morning of the make-up party, and begins his morning routine as his alarm clock informs him that Mina's latest hit "Soldier Boy" has just finished playing, that it's going to be in the mid-70s today, and that many important people will be at the celebration such as the king and queen and Mina herself. However, the announcer on the radio then says that everyone is wondering where Sonic is as the party has already started, which wakes Sonic up out of his sleepy daze. He realizes that he accidentally set his alarm for the time the party was to start rather than when he actually wanted to wake up, and rushes to get ready. However, he hesitates before he races out the front door, struck by a strange suspicion that there's reporters outside waiting for him.

Hmm, something's a bit fishy here… The next next morning, Sonic wakes up and shuts off his alarm, a bit disappointed that he didn't wake up in time to listen to "Soldier Boy." He asks the alarm clock if it's going to be in the 70s for his party today, and the announcer dutifully reports that it will be, repeating the same spiel from the past two mornings.

I mean, maybe if you walked instead of ran, you might make it there in one piece, bro. But then again, this is Sonic we're talking about. He buries himself back under the covers to avoid the prying eyes of reporters looking in through his windows, but that doesn't stop them. They start looking for another entrance, ultimately climbing on top of his roof, which buckles and collapses under their weight. This time, Sonic isn't the only one stuck in the hospital, as all the reporters are injured from their fall as well. Finally, the next next next morning, Sonic has had enough and wakes up three hours before his celebration, making his way there and sitting in one of the folding chairs as everyone sets up around him, confident that now, there's no way he can miss the party!

Though the title of the story is a parody on the movie Groundhog Day, I do find it kind of funny that despite this clearly seeming like another fantastical and silly plot device, stuff like this actually does happen to people. They're called false awakenings, and consist of dreaming that you wake up and perform your morning routine, only to then "wake up" into another similar dream, and this repeats until you finally do regain consciousness for real. They can also be paired with stress dreams, meaning that you might wake up in a panic that you're late for school or work, only to wake up into the same situation again and again in a bizarre loop. So, in a way, this story is actually one of the most realistic in the entire comic! I'm sure that wasn't the intention, but the point still stands!

[thesunlovesmuses]

One Word (An Introduction)

Prompt: Describe each character in the works with just one word

Author’s Note: So i’m using this prompt as a sort of introduction to my characters for my short stories just in case anyone get’s confused as to who the characters used in the prompts are, or if anyone's interested in learning a bit more about them past the short stories. Unfortunately, I’m not great at drawing, so I hope the description of them will do them justice. It’ll mostly consist of My main fantasy groups. But if I feel the need to write a random piece about different characters, I’ll include them below as well. But without further ado... Here we go!

The Mylanthia Series (Main Series):

Main Characters

Katiana Pensworth (An adventurer and storyteller who’s village gets burned down at a young age and gets taken in by a wizard and his partner. Now she wishes to make her own way in the word, making her own stories and maybe finding out where her biological family is now and who attacked her village) - Peacemaker

Izax Salisca (A royal wizard and teacher at the Fabalan Academy, who takes Katiana in after her home is eradicated. He taught Katiana all he knows about basic magics and how to defend one’s self on the road.) - Practical

Azra Bhaskera (A part time singer at the Cloven Cart Tavern in Serden Village and Izax’s Partner. He taught Katiana all he knows about storytelling and acting diplomatically in a confrontation) - Pacifist

Luka Harrington (Katiana’s Adoptive brother, who was also taken in by Izax after his parents died, who happened to be the old royal wizards of the kingdom.) - Intelligent

Mylanthia’s Gods

Eerina (Goddess of Beginnings, Life, Safe childbirth & Peace) - Loving

Mophy (God of the Sun, the Day, the Sky & Mountains) - Thrill-Seeker

Kisala (Goddess of Spring, Scholars, Knowledge & Nature) - Wise

Ilmari (God of Storms, Oceans, Wild Nature & Fertility) - Irritated

Aezir (Goddess of Literature, Stories, Music & Performers) - Flirter

Amion (God of the Night, Dreams, Summer & Magic) - Imaginative

Rosdia (Goddess of Love, Marriage, Happiness & The Moon) - Silent

Hendorr (God of Commerce, Fortune, Merchants & Luck) - Frivolous 

Rasulla (Goddess of Fire, Forges, Autumn & Deserts) - Bold

Iktar (God of War, Strategy, Wisdom & Perseverance) - Cold-Hearted

Zelara (Goddess of Winter, Ice, Family & the Hearth) - Motherly

Odum (God of Endings, Death, Glory & Remembrance) - Respectful

Mylanthia’s Royalty

Lawrence Farbridge (The current King of the Kingdom of Lenoa, who walks a fine line between party animal and tactical genius) - Boisterous 

Esmerelda Farbridge (The old Queen of the Kingdom of Lenoa and Ridge’s old lover, who sadly died in the war against the Angurian Empire) - Benevolent 

Pablo Coppermore (The King’s Royal Advisor, who spends most of his time trying to keep total war from breaking out between Ridge and Andreas.) - Overworked

Leonides Angura (The Emperor of the Angurian Empire, who only thinks of the survival of his kingdom, no matter wat the effect on the others he’s supposed to be in an alliance with.) - Vengeful

Lynn Angura (The Deceased Empress of the Angurian Empire , who died after giving birth to her son.) - Angelic

Dillon Angura (The heir of  the Angurian Empire, who doesn’t agree with his father’s methods at all.)  - Meek

Parvati El-Hassam (The duchess of Al-Bascriya, and puppet to her advisor and older sister.) - Exploitable

Zena El-Hassam (Parvati’s older sister and her advisor, who manipulates her in order to enact laws that benefit her and her lifestyle.) - Tyrant

The Fabalan Academy Arc

Iris Al-Hajjar (A knight student at the Fabalan Academy of Messengers, who only wounded up there through an accident involving uncontrolled magic.) - Tomboy

Luka Harrington (A magic student at the Fabalan Academy of Messengers and Professor Izax’s Assistant.) - Intelligent

Holly Willingham (A messenger student at the Fabalan Academy of Messengers, who caused the accident that made her and Iris come here.) - Butterfingered

Asriel Talasen (A knight Student at the Fabalan Academy of Messengers, who originated from the Nation of Al-Bascriya and is the #1 fencer in the academy) - Charismatic

Finnigan Fenrir (A senior magic Student at the Fabalan Academy of Messengers, who’s said t be the best magic user of his generation.) - Untouchable

Dillon Angura (A magic Student at the Fabalan Academy of Messengers and the Prince of the Empire of Angura, who fled to get away from his tyrannical father.) - Meek

Izax Salisca (The Magic Teacher at the Fabalan Academy of Messengers and the Royal Wizard for the king) - Practical

Diamond Jack (The Message Teacher at the Fabalan Academy of Messengers, the royal jester and a spy for the king) - Deceiving

Zula Flintward (The Knight Teacher at the Fabalan Academy of Messengers and well known mercenary across all of Lenoa)  - Apathetic

Midelia (The Fairy Queen and Ruler of the Fae, who holds the barrier between the mortal and fae worlds) - Alluring

The Rebellion Arc

Allister Sutton (One of the leaders of the rebellion and Lucien’s best friend. Fighting for his home so everything can go back to normal.) - Determined

Lucien Ingleton (One of the leaders of the rebellion and Lucien’s best friend. He was also the next in line to be mayor of Serden. Fighting so everyone exiled can live in peace again) - Sorrowful

Simon Ingleton (Lucien’s little brother who likes to talk big and had a fondness for explosives and spells) - Hyper

Tobias Creede (Simon’s best friend who abandoned his home so he can camp in the woods with his best friend.) - Caring

Comet (A villager bitten by a werewolf and hunted down, as the new mayor believed he would turn and kill them all.) - Sharp

Clarissa Nightingale (A friend of Lucien’s and Allisters and the daughter of the town’s cartographer. Doesn’t trust outsiders easily.) - Protective

Eenix (The new Mayor of Serden Village, determined to completely obliterate the vision the Ingleton’s had and turn it into a solely profit based community.) - Power-Hungry

The Mylos Village Arc

Ridge Astaril (A demigod and wizard who tries his hardest to squirm out of tasks the king gives him to do, so he can work on his ascension instead.) - Ambitious

Mikhail Belleville (Head Priest of Mylos Village, who’s family moved in as soon as Miles’s moved away) - Conniving

Samuel Belleville (The son of the Head Priest, who despite the kind nature on first looks, has a strange and sinister air about him.) - Deceiving

The Roaming Angels (The best guild members in their classes)

Felicity Mayweather (A Human Bard who is welcome in the Borealis court of the fae after being abandoned there, and explores the world to bring stories back to them) - Diplomatic

Kosmeros (A Tiefling Warlock and university student who had his voice stolen after making a pact with the Prince of Frost, and now roams the world looking for a way to break the pact.) - Graceful

Blaze (A Fire Genasi Artificer who searches the world looking for rare materials and rumours of a thief stealing other artificer’s projects, wishing to put a stop to the thief before making his own Magnum Opus.) - Perfectionist

Caspien Aquilus (A Triton Monk who fled from his home under the sea with his cousin to protect soome ancients texts of their god from a mercenary who will do anything to take it from him to her client.) - Soothing

Gareth Mordecai Faolan (A Shifter Bloodhunter who’s family got killed in a bandit raid, and now uses all the cons and ticks he knows to get by and find information on the head of the bandits, so he can kill him himself.) - Trickster

Scora Criashi (An Aarokocra Ranger on a mission for the princess to disband an underground crime ring and black market.) - Attentive

Irisa Nemli (A blind Aasimar Sorcerer who literally fell from the sky to come to the mortal world, in order to find a way to control her wild magic she was cursed with.) - Scatter-brained

Keiji (A Tabaxi Rogue, born an orphan, who steals to fund the orphanage he grew up in, and who’s currently on the run from a mafia group in the capital.) - Explicit

Sidra (A Half-Orc Druid who wants to destroy the artefacts stolen from a temple in the swamp her tribe guards, so no-one can raise the monster named Iblis again) - Feral

Arlayna Doncaster (A Half-Elf Wizard who ran away from home and is on the run after her family didn’t accept her loving a member of a rival house; Safira) - Proper 

Bradir Azzanurth (A Dragonborn who became a Paladin after his dad died protecting others. Taken under the wings of his dad’s friends, he now roams the land helping everyone he meets and aspires to be just like his dad.) -Rambunctious

Fengryra Brenfyx (A Firbolg Cleric who was raised by her grandma with three other apprentices, who’s looking for a way to stop the Twilight Forest from dying and turning to ash) - Welcoming

Kruznek Honeydew (A Dwarf Fighter who left his wife and kids after his entire battalion died in a fight against a pack of Orcs and Kobolds, on a journey to find himself and get rid of the guilt he feels) - Inhospitable

Rhodelia Shiendroth (A Centaur Barbarian who was sold as a child to a gladiator house. She escaped the house along with three other gladiators and now works as a mercenary.) - Fearless

One Shot Characters:

Zephyr’s Rising (Sky Island Fantasy, based off of a book in the main series)

Zephyr Redgrove (A sky pirate who stole a ship in order to explore the archipelago) - Cocky

Petra Halton (A villager and flutist who’s parents went missing during an exploration, who wants to see if she can find them after finding her mum’s diary.) - Timid

Abbi Krivanek (Zephyr’s friend and Navigator, who’s joined his ship to make sure he doesn’t kill himself while exploring the World) - Cautious

Almac Vegner (Pirate and Treasure hunter who Zephyr hired in order to find all the best spots and to help fish treasure from out of the cloud sea.) - Charlatan 

Orion Bizeron (Animal Tracker and adopted younger brother of Tamari, who’s helping Zephyr find a rainbow coloured Phoenix). - Thoughtful

Tamari Bizeron (A cloud ray rider who adopted Orion when she found him on the street. Went with Orion to hunt down a phoenix and now acts as the ship’s gunner.) - Outgoing

Esien Perisey (A friend of Petra’s who runs the library in town, who has agreed to help Zephyr only to make sure Petra stays safe. Also the only person who can cook onboard the ship.) - Sarcastic

Ferdinand Everton (The Assistant to the council members of the Cardinal Council, who has been sent to stay aboard the S.S. Cloud Ray to keep an eye on the crew for the council) - Stubborn

Galatea Sauroak (Head of The Cardinal Council and in charge of dolling out punishments to pirates) - Reliable

Jett Palinsky (A member of The Cardinal Council, who is also the number one Cloud Ray Surfer in the Archipelago.) - Heart-Throb

Jasper Denholm (A member of The Cardinal Council who is stuck in the traditionalist ways and believes all pirates should be hung.) - Cold-Hearted

Aamina Al-Jabour (A member of The Cardinal Council who gives all of her work to other people to do so she can do what she wants instead) - Lazy

S0-L4R-1S (Space Adventure)

Kai Rutherford (The Face of the operations and Captain of the S0-L4R-1S, delivering goods and people for any faction in space, as long as they have enough coin to do so.) - Laid-Back

Erinne Briggs (The Ship’s onboard engineer and the only one in the galaxy who knows how to fix such an old and outdated ship.) - Spunky

Atul Kusari (The Onboard Weapon’s Expert who keeps pirate’s off of their back when trying to deliver goods to people.) - Eager

Rymond Heisenburg (The Navigator onboard and Zarinah’s Fiancée. The only one allowed to choose which jobs the crew goes on... ever since the accident.) - Composed

Zarinah Heisenburg (Rymond’s Fiancée who helps to create disguises for the rest of the crew when they have to do something dodgy.) - Ditzy

[lotornomiko]

The Ones Left Behind Chapter Four (Not Safe For Work)

At long last, after many years, chapter four of my Catra Adora fanfic is here. Not safe for work, Adora POV, sorry it’s short. You can read the other three exisitng chapters over here at archive of our own (NOT SAFE FOR WORK AND HEED THE WARNING TAGS!)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/3952798/chapters/8862691

My mind is unable to truly rest, so wound up tight with thoughts and suspicions, and even old familiar anxieties where the Horde was concerned. That we have not seen a single sign of even one of their rank, does nothing to soothe, this restless night without end, and plagued with many a doubt and even an insecurity or two. I’m wound up so tight by them, that not even this past eve’s vigorous workout, exhausting though it had proven to be, and on so many levels, could usher me into the escape I so truly needed.

I was running on reserves that were dwindling ever closer to empty, yet pumped high on the anticipation of what the coming days would bring. Since arriving at this port town, at the far eastern edge of the kingdom of Mystacor, my body and my mind have been on high alert. Always waiting, always ready, it was almost a disappointment to not have the Horde appear. I couldn’t trust in this temporary peace though, not when I know the Horde better than anyone else in the Great Rebellion could lay claim to. For almost the entirety of my twenty one years, I have lived, breathed and actively partaken in the Horde way of life. That brutal conquest, the never ending wars, and the millions upon millions hurt, even killed. Tortured for the one thing they had all wanted, the one thing that the Horde itself would never truly be able to abide.

Peace.

The dream of many, that intangible thing, a state of being so against the Horde’s way. Chaos is what they embraced, strife and devastation the likes of which no other warring caste has ever known, or surpassed. Their is the total sum of despair, a nightmare made real, greed, cruelty, and an almost maddening lust for the hurt that they could and did so often inflict, no one had been safe. Not man, not woman, not child. In the vast empire that Hordak and many others like him, had help build for Horde Prime, might has been the only right of it, trillions of the meek trampled, tortured, and otherwise killed, it had been an eat or be eaten kind of lawlessness that didn’t just cater to the wicked, it gave rise to them.

All manner of vile creature is drawn to the Horde. Everything from bullies and thieves, to murderers and rapists, all clawing over everything, even each other, to try and achieve the ultimate award. That of the title of Force Captain. It’s been all manner of scum, and no matter the origin story, they—we, had shared all of one thing in common. That of being the worst of our kind.

I shudder each and every time I think on it, on what it had meant to be a Force Captain. Practically birthed into the life, taken from my true home and family just days into my newborn existence, I couldn’t, wouldn’t make excuses. I didn’t care that I had been drugged, trained, even had my mind tampered with through magic, the blood of many was on my hands. Good and bad both, it hadn’t mattered, my position as Hordak’s adoptive daughter, making me thirst harder and act crueler in an attempt to prove myself worthy. I don’t even know for sure if the pride I had taken in my accomplishments was another part of Shadow Weaver’s manipulations, but the shame and regret I suffer with now is all too real.

It borders on pain, those very real feelings of guilt, and the knowledge that I will never be able to do enough to atone for my sins of the past. I keep on trying though, throwing myself into the rebellion as Adora and She-ra both, Etheria is just the first of the many planets I will need to help set free from the Horde’s evil. It is a forgiveness I won’t be able to give myself otherwise, no matter the truth of my circumstance, the little baby that I had been, finally growing into the woman I am now, and not that hateful witch that I had been groomed to be through magic and manipulation and an overwhelming desire to please.

That desire is an ingrain part of me, that need warping from trying to prove myself to Hordak, to instead the people of the Rebellion and Etheria in particular. That want I have, that urge to please, is as unsettling as it is real, leaving me to wonder just how much of my personality still remains shaped by my experiences as part of the Horde. It’s never easy to confront such a truth, for though there are parts of me that bear little resemblance to the woman I had once been, there are others, habits if you will, that remain the same. That insatiable lust that sends me from partner to partner, and always they are found lacking in some way or another, through no real fault of their own.

They are not enough. No one may ever be enough. It doesn’t matter the gender, or the color of their hair, or how considerate a lover they might be, I am left yearning for the forbidden. For that one thing, that could make a mockery of all I try to accomplish NOW. It’s not the soft, gentle romance, nor is it the outright cruelty of rape, it’s a brand of passion all its own, a lover whose memory won’t let me forget, her existence taunting me with what else might have been real amid Shadow Weaver’s mental maneuvering.

That I hold this obsession still, that those particular memories are still so dear, make a part of me doubt just who I am. What I am. They mock me, whispering words whose accusations make me wonder how much of it had been brainwashing magic and drugs, and how much of that had truly been ME. Just what, who, is the real face of Adora? The Force Captain, or the rebel? Or am I an amalgam of the two? I tell myself I don’t know, but deep down it is a truth that I fear has already been answered.

It haunts me, colors every real choice that I now make. From the war that I struggle to end daily, to the lives that I affect, to even the lover that is currently in my bed, it is all me spiraling about in a tight bid for control. Trying to deny what is the real truth, and the who that I am missing. The woman I had left behind. There’s a guilt there, what she, what Catra, represents, a great many things that I have never wanted to face. That I still don’t, running in the only way that I know how, throwing myself into the art of vigorously arousing the night’s latest conquest.

The tavern wench from earlier, with her hair so dark a blue it is almost black, with sharp boned cheeks and a stubborn set of her lips, in this dim lighting, could almost pass. She doesn’t purr like Catra does, doesn’t curl claws over flesh in a way that borders between pleasure and pain. Her honey isn’t the same, lacking that sweet spice that marks my former lover, as so uniquely her own. She’s everything that the Force Captain isn’t, all kindness and light, and carefully restrained passion. She doesn’t make it hurt in that wild way that feels oh so good, like a whip breaking skin, her cries nothing like the pleasured screams I am longing for.

It makes me angry, makes me try harder to get this woman to drop the reserved act, and go crazy. I bury my face between her thighs, feel the wet proof of her arousal on my tongue, lips and chin, and still she does little more than lay there, muffling her moans, and biting at her lip. I bite, nibble and suck in turn, roll my tongue over and around her engorged clit. I even catch at it with my teeth, giving a tug that nearly arches the tavern wench right up off the bed. If I’m not careful, I will hurt her with my anger, with the frustration that I feel. I battle her body, as much as my mind, tongue laving in bold purposeful strokes, focusing on soothing the sting of my teeth, and the blow to my wounded pride.

It is unfair to compare them, the memory nothing like my reality, and yet I do it all the same. My nails dig into her bottom, any harder and I will draw blood. I tease and torture this woman, not with violence, but with an angry pleasure, every whimper and muffled squeal only fueling my frustration. I can’t get her to outright scream, to do that howling kind of satisfaction that Catra was so good at voicing. It’s not the wild cat in my bed, but some kind of kitten, cute to look at, and tame, but holding none of the feral passion and danger that rutting with a beast would bring.

I want so much more, want to feel nails digging into me, teeth biting at me, hands pulling at my flesh and my hair. I want to bleed, and I want to hurt, that masochistic sadism a euphoric rush like no other. I truly am broken, caught between the desires that my past has well established, and the image I’ve worked so hard to cultivate now, if this wench knew of how hard and how fierce I wanted the sex to go, she’d try to run screaming from this room.

The resentment inside me, I bring her crashing over the edge with not just my tongue, but fingers as well. With the plunge of them deep, curling and then scissoring apart, caressing over soaked flesh that positively gushes over, there’s a sudden touch in my hair, a gentle petting that is also too reminiscent of the woman I had loved and left behind. Catra for all her lustful violence, had had some gentleness to her. Always appreciative of a good fuck, my wild cat had also been one hell of a cuddler. It was the feline in her, fickle one second, attentive and demanding the next, she had loved nothing more than to curl around me and purr while roaming her hands over my curves.

“A...Adora?” That uncertain tone, cause an unsteady blink of my eyes. That shy expression, the awe on her face, is so decidedly what I DON’T want, that I am pulling away, as though hit with a blast of icy cold waters.

“We should get some sleep.” I tell her, already rolling off to the side of her. I can feel the hesitation in her, the uncertain energy even before she asks.

“But what about...”

“I’m fine.” I insist curtly. “Got an early rise in the morning...we should both get some sleep...”

There’s still that hesitation felt, but she makes no other attempt, as though accepting my decision. A certain wild cat would never have settled for anything less, Catra always the type to give to me, as well as take. I hold in my sigh, and insist to my mind, that I am not missing it, missing HER. It’s a lie I tell myself every night, every encounter, trying to deny that there HAD been one good thing, twisted though it had been, about my time with the Horde.

I cast it, her, aside, denying that one part of my past, that had been true.

To Be Continued…

I have been stuck for years on how to get this chapter written...I debated on and off over having Adora get it on with the tavern wench or not...I still feel unsure about the end result. But I wanted to make the effort, especially since there are other scene sin my notes, I was looking forward to writing out someday….

I haven’t seen season five of Netflix yet, cause I just canceled my membership and then like a week later, they announce season five. ARGH! I’ll probably be restarting it for June...or July...I am spoiled on certain aspects of it, cause of I went looking for Utena on you tube, and someone did a comparison scene of Utena and Anthy versus Catra Adora….so yeah, I am spoiled on what happens with them at least, and it’s partly why I got motivated to try and force this chapter out. In celebration of my ship becoming cannon! XD

I also tweaked the existing chapters, in that I tried to fix some little bits here and there, just mainly sentence structure, or word placement. If you follow me in my other fandoms, you’ll already know, I am never happy with my writing, and constantly trying to fix and improve it…

So I went over the first three chapters, though I didn’t think I’d get over my block...and I know this is a short chapter...but I’m trying here...really am. I debated skipping this content, and getting them right to the planet Argo….though that would have felt like cheating, or taking too big a short cut, and I don’t like doing that with my writing either. XD

I have no idea who will be the POV for five. Leaning towards Adora though, and having the representatives from Argo arrive!

It’s also my birthday today! (May 23, 2020)

----Michelle

[shivae]

Finished it at 9 chapters and 23k words.  I still have last lines to write, but I’m done so posting a celebratory update today. :D  

Obsession

Under the effects of the love potion, Bog stays with the fairies, with Dawn treating him like her new best friend and Marianne irritated that such an awful fairy is their guest, until he does a few things that make afar better impression on her.

Dawn twirled around the room Dagda offered Bog, a guest room on their family floor. The room was next to Dagda’s room, and he gave him explicit instructions not to leave the room until morning. Bog looked around the brightly lit room, finding the lighting harsh and glaring. In his own castle, the lighting was soft, warm, welcoming.

“Do you need anything?” Dawn inquired politely.

“No.” Bog smiled at her, but his eyes held a troubled light. “Is yer sister back?”

“Do you want to talk to her?”

“I would like to see her, yes, to say good night.” Bog fidgeted with his fingers.

“I’ll go look for her!” Dawn bounced out of the room, leaving Bog by himself.

Bog clasped his hands together, trying to sort through his thoughts. He could only think about Dawn and Marianne. Trying to think about anything else made his ears ring, and his head buzz like it was a hive full of bees. His ability to hold onto any thoughts outside of the two princesses was impossible. He wanted to see them, talk to them, just be around them.

He had a difficult time remembering who he was. Bog ran a hand over his head and down the back of his neck. This was wrong. It was all wrong. What was wrong? A voice was screaming somewhere deep inside that this was wrong, and now that the princesses were out of sight, he could hear it. What was wrong?

Bog racked his brain, thinking hard, but the only thing he could think of was it was wrong that he couldn’t see either of the princesses. They were both gone, and he needed to look for them. They could be in trouble.

*

Marianne scowled at her sister, angrily eating a piece of fruit. “Marianne, go and tell him good night.” Dawn pleaded sweetly. “He’s so sad!”

“I don’t care,” snorted Marianne in response, taking a bit bite of the berry in her hands.

“Why are you being so mean to him?” Dawn pouted. “He’s our guest.”

“He tried to kidnap you,” groaned Marianne.

“Okay, I’ll tell him not to expect you,” grumbled Dawn, turning to leave.

“No. I’ll go see him and let him know how things are going to be.” Marianne rose, wiping berry juice off her face.

*

Bog was pacing when Marianne stepped through the open door to his room. His wings buzzed behind him, and he looked upset. Marianne cleared her throat, letting him know she was there.

“Marianne!” The amount of glee in the Bog King’s eyes when he looked at her was disarming. He seemed truly happy to see her as he turned and bowed. She stood in the doorway, staring at him, uncertain about what to do.

“My sister said you wanted to say good night, and I have a few things to say to you.” Marianne strolled into the room, hands clenched into fists, her voice stern.

“I love ye,” stated Bog, rising up to his full height. “I love ye, Marianne.”

“No, you don’t.” Marianne rolled her eyes at the proclamation. “It’s the love potion, Bog. You don’t even know me.”

“I would like to get to know ye.” Bog bowed his head politely, tucking his hands in front of him, curling his fingers in an effort to make himself less threatening.

“You’re our guest until this works out of your system,” stated Marianne. “You’re too easy to manipulate, and I don’t want to do that to you. You’re probably going to be furious when this is over.”

Bog nodded slowly, gazing at her. He gave her a drunken smile, “Ye are beautiful.”

“I am not,” groaned Marianne. “It’s just the potion making you blind. Trust me, you would not be attracted to me if it wasn’t for the potion. Nobody would be.”

“How, how can ye say that?” Bog gasped, eyes widening. His voice dropped low, in a soft growl. “Yer hair is like a ripened field of wheat, wild and golden. Yer face, is a vision, with yer amber-lit brown eyes, eyelashes so thick and dark. And yer mouth, it’s…” Bog stopped himself, barely. Despite the fact he could see he was making Marianne uncomfortable, he wanted to tell her how beautiful she was, while a voice inside screamed at him to stop talking.

Marianne’s mouth gaped open at him, her eyes wide and staring at what he was saying. She coughed and licked her lips, backing away from him. “It is the love potion, Bog King. That’s all. You do not love Dawn or me, it’s all fake.” Marianne took a deep breath. “I apologize for what I had you do earlier. It was wrong to use you like that.”

“Use me?” Bog looked bewildered, as though he couldn’t figure out what she was talking about. “I will always protect ye and do whatever it is ye need doing, evening rose.”

Marianne groaned, running her fingers through her hair and tugging on a lock. “Why don’t you get some sleep, Bog. Maybe you’ll be over this in the morning.” She motioned to the bed, backing out of the room. “Good night. I’ll be down the hall, but please, don’t bother Dawn or me until morning.”

“Good night,” whispered Bog, reverently lowering his head.

Marianne closed the door, grimacing at the way Bog looked at her. She didn’t have any experience with love potions, but that look on his face, it seemed so sincere, and his words. They were all lies; however, they were unintentional ones. The Bog King had no control over what he was saying or doing, and it was sad.

Conflicting emotions ran through Marianne, the need to be polite to their love-stricken guest, at the same time, he kept looking at her with those bright, shining blue eyes. Hours before, she had wanted to drive a sword through his chest while he cockily walked around, taking over the elf festival.

What she was seeing wasn’t really the Bog King any more than his feelings of love were real. He was a vicious, selfish monster. There was not an ounce of kindness beneath all that armored plating, teeth, and claws. This was all fake, a reaction to the potion telling him he loved her and her sister.

Marianne entered her room, her thoughts swirling around their problem. She closed the door as it hit her, a thought rising up and pointing out, love potions don’t change a person’s personality. It locks them into a dream state where they act exactly like they would if they were in love. Most of the stories were comical, about fairies doused with the potion giving the object of their affections smothering attention, only able to think of that person they saw first. Typically, anyone who used them regretted it immediately.

This was actually how Bog would be if he were in love with someone, and it was a bizarre thought. It didn’t fit everything she knew about him from the stories and official reports. He was known to be cold, calculating, aloof, not wanting anything to do with fairies. The only kindness he displayed was just to keep on good terms with his neighbors.

Still, those words he said to her in that soft growl, his eyes shining with passion. And he was incredibly polite and considerate. This was what the Bog King really was. He couldn’t lie about who he was under the effects. It was impossible, and it bothered Marianne. Her preconceived notions might be wrong.

He had the capacity to love, and he was ridiculously cute about it.

*

Bog didn’t sleep.

He tried, but the bed was too comfortable, and his nature told him he should be awake, protecting the two females he loved. Instead of sleep, he went out onto the balcony, where he could see everything going on outside the rock. The night was silent, and there were guards on the king’s balcony nearby. He caught the scent of more guards, Dawn and Marianne, wafting on the breeze.

Bog tried to tell himself they were fine. They had guards. He needed to sleep like Marianne told him to. He perched in one of the balcony windows and remained there until morning, catching a few minutes of sleep here and there.

The sun was just beginning to lighten the sky when he heard a rustle of wings coming off one of the balconies and spotted a pair of violet wings gliding away from the rock. Bog stared after her, his wings rustling with the need to follow her. However, he would be leaving Dawn unguarded. He thought the problem over quickly. Dawn was safe here. She had guards. Marianne might not be. She did not have any guards, but she did have him. Bog stepped off the railing and flew after her.

*

Marianne kept to her usual routine. She was up before the sun rose and out of the castle, flying to her favorite training area, a stout log crossing a stream near the castle. She had her sword strapped to her hip and had tied a white piece of cloth over her forehead.

The morning was invigorating, crisp, with the first brilliant colors of dawn streaking over a dark sky. For the moment, she could forget about their little problem a few doors down in the castle. This early in the morning, the people of the Fairy Kingdom were just beginning to stir. She was alone, and she preferred it for her morning practice.

Folding her wings, Marianne landed on the log and pulled the cloth down over her eyes. She began going through practice moves with her sword, a well-rehearsed routine of moves she had picked up observing the soldiers practicing. Over the last year, this was how she had learned to use a sword. Female fairies were never trained, and truthfully, she was the only one who had wanted to learn.

Marianne tried to get the sword trainers to take her in and teach her, but none of them wanted to defy her father, who didn’t forbid it but also didn’t want to encourage it. No, her father wanted Marianne to get through this ‘phase,’ as he called it, come to her senses, and prepare to be a queen and all that entailed. Marianne felt it was a little unfair, but she loved her father. When she eventually became queen, she would change things, at least for herself.

Twirling, jabbing, parrying a fake sword away, Marianne moved up and down the log, blindfolded. Occasionally, she lifted into the air, always coming back down onto the log perfectly. She had done this long enough she could dance up and down the log blindfolded for hours and not slip once.

Marianne struck out as hard as she could, spinning in the air, and her sword hit something with a resounding clang that made her falter as she came down. She corrected by back winging in the opposite direction, a scowl on her face. Someone else was here.

“Ye got good power, but yer form needs work,” stated Bog, reminding her he was around.

Marianne made a face at him, lifting the blindfold up, over her forehead. “I am self-taught.”

“In that case, yer doing quite good,” Bog smiled at her, hovering a few feet away with his staff held out in front of him. “I mean no offense, princess, just that if yer going to use a sword, ye might want professional instruction.”

“Princesses don’t need swords,” snorted Marianne, scowling at him.

Bog blinked, stating the last thing Marianne expected, “Why would anyone say that? Royalty always needs to be able to protect themselves. Ye can’t be expected to wait on someone else to protect ye in a bad situation, can ye?”

“That is what I keep telling my dad!” Marianne exclaimed, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Would ye allow me to spar with ye and not be offended if I give ye instruction?” Bog landed on the log, twirling his scepter.

Marianne stared at him for a moment, landing in front of him. Someone wanted to spar with her? And not just anyone, but the King of the Dark Forest, who was known to capably wield a number of weapons, including swords. Nobody had ever offered to spar with her, let alone instruct.

“I understand.” Bog took a step back, lowering his head at her hesitation. His wings drooped, and Marianne sighed.

“Let’s spar.” Marianne smiled, pointing her sword at Bog. “Teach me.”

The smile that lit across Bog’s face was astounding, making Marianne wish he wasn’t under the effects of the love potion. It sent a small ribbon of warmth through her chest that it was her words that put that smile on his face.

*

The effects of the love potion were still strong on Bog, his mind focused on Marianne and Dawn. Continually, he had to push thoughts of needing to return and check on Dawn away. Giving instruction to Marianne was more critical. She wasn’t bad with the sword, actually, she was quite impressive for someone who hadn’t been formally taught, but a few words of instruction from Bog and she was even better, and she knew it.

For Bog, his entire world was Marianne and Dawn, but something was nagging at his thoughts. Occasionally, a voice broke through the fog, telling him he should get away from the princesses, that he did not want to be in love, that he despised the emotion with his entire being. They faded as he interacted with Marianne.

His memories were clouded, but if it was something Marianne needed, those thoughts became clear. Marianne needed instruction, and all of his memories of being taught how to fight erupted within him. This was love for him, teaching the woman he loved to defend herself.

Marianne was in far better spirits than she had been the evening before, most of which was forgotten by Bog. By the time they were done, the sun was well over the horizon, and sweat glistened off both their bodies, and they were breathing hard from the continual sparring, but both had smiles on their faces.

*

They were finishing breakfast in the castle when Dawn got up and sat next to Bog, looping an arm around one of his, “Okay, so you spent time with Marianne this morning now I want you to spend time with me!”

“Okay.” Bog smiled, glancing at Marianne as if asking if it was okay.

“Go ahead.” Marianne made a face at them, swirling her spoon around in a bowl of hot breakfast porridge and fruit. “I’ll be in my room.”

Dagda frowned, not at all comfortable with Dawn being alone with Bog. “Keep your door open and remember, Bog, you are too old for her, and she is too young for you.”

Bog actually looked insulted. “I am not like that.”

“You are still under the effects of the love potion,” groaned Dagda. “How do I know what you are and aren’t like?”

“I would never take advantage of a lady,” snorted Bog in response, rising from the table. Dawn giggled, walking out of the dining room, arm in arm with Bog.

“I believe him.” Marianne tilted her head to her father.

“Why? I saw the two of you come in together, Marianne. What were you doing?” Dagda turned a curious eye to his daughter.

“Sparring.” Marianne smiled. “He taught me a few things.”

“Just what I need,” groaned Dagda, biting into a pastry with a note of anger.

“Love potions don’t alter a person’s personality, they just amplify it and direct it,” stated Marianne thoughtfully. “He can’t think about anything but Dawn and me, but he wouldn’t do anything he wouldn’t normally do, and well, he hasn’t been anything but nice and polite.”

Dagda stared at his daughter in disbelief. “You like him.”

“Haha, no, I do not!” Marianne’s laugh was nervous, her eyes evading her father’s. “I don’t even know him. Not really. But maybe after this, he won’t be as bad?”

“I don’t know,” grumbled Dagda. “I don’t see why he would change his ways, especially not after being embarrassed about this whole situation.”

“Maybe if we’re just nice to him,” mused Marianne, running her fingers over her chin. “Maybe he never wanted much to do with us, because he never got to know us. Maybe he’s… afraid.”

“I doubt there’s anything the Bog King is afraid of,” snorted Dagda. “When it wears off, he’s going to vanish back into his forest and act like it never happened. At least, that’s what I hope happens, because I do not want to deal with an enraged Bog in my castle.”

“Dad, I don’t think he’s going to be like you think he will. Whatever social inhibitions he has, have been temporarily wiped clean by the love potion.” Marianne drummed her fingers on the table. “I remember how he was the last time I saw him, all rigid, stern, and no-nonsense. Maybe that’s a front he puts up to keep everyone away from him and his kingdom.”

“Marianne, take care,” warned Dagda. “You are walking down a path that could lead to disappointment. We do not know Bog at all.”

“But we can,” stated Marianne with a small smile. “Even if he doesn’t really love me, I think we might be able to be friends.”

Dagda blinked at his daughter, taken off guard by the statement and the strange look on her face.

[pmiller1]

Kairi’s Fate Debunk

Hello everyone. And welcome to another debunking of the Sleeping Realm Theory. And oddly it the 1st one that see you and is the most problematic. So to how that there de-characterized a curtain Heroine. As if she have more disrespected push on her.

And Wild I do love Kairi as a Character. I can agreed that she was under played and was damsel in distress yet again. But hey, there how the story want and she did good for what she did and how deep there relationship with Sora want.

But from this seem like Kairi is not only her but also seem like she was a antagonist. Something to do for “Why a Dream?”

Witch by the way, I don’t buy it. But I getting ahead of myself.

The Intro is predictive

I can just say that what intro are we talking about? Are we talking the open where Young Xehanort playing Chess in a storming night the “Face My Fears” one, Or the one in the day where Young Xehanort and Young Eraqus. And we see flashback of curtain action, talking it as part of the Chess.

Because the Ladder, show what Kingdom Hearts story up to KH3.

In Fact here: https://youtu.be/PYAlnhy88Y4 that is the link to  Kingdom Hearts 3 - Title screen opening. Note that it have Chain of Memories (with Namine), Re:Coded and Dream Drop Distance. Even the end of 0.2. So in away, The Opening doesn’t need to, do the the Title screen opening does it better then any other.

In Fact we see that the Title screen opening have the counterplayed, Like hello there Lil Eraqus.

The Face My Fears opening part only show that what Xehanort have done, the darkness have done to drive apart of Wayfinder, Destiny, And Seasalt Trio. Sora being the bring them free from the darkness and the battle of keyblade war 2. With Sora in his KH3 gear in the final world.

Personally. I can forgive them for missing Title screen opening, Like you can skip it. But it is fishy that there fail to mention Title screen opening.

Xehanort’s plan

You know can I talk about the oddity of how the people seem to fail that Kairi chess pieces is white. I mean, say what you will with Xehanort being a Chess Mastermind here, I mean, being a skill in Chess show that there are a skill manipulated. However by that logic Eraqus is a  manipulated to. Just on the side of good and light. The White pieces are his to controlled.

But to borrowed a line from @bluerosesburnblue (For real this time)

It couldn’t possibly be because she’s the Light in the Darkness or anything!

She Princesses of the Heart. Her Heart is Pure.

As for the Ansem Report 11 (KH1). Yeah he talking about how the gummi blocks are made and how losking the keyhole of the world hearts, making it safe for that world to fall into the darkness. As for the highlighted part. Dude, Ansem, the Some Other Dude. Was lucky that Kairi was a princesses. He may not know that Kairi was a princesses. He heck, we don’t even know if it was Kairi, All we know it would be subject X that he chosen. But every way. I should point out that it was 10 year ago!

Next there implying that Ansem was there because of Kairi. Like I said that Kairi end up in Destiny Island for 10 year. Thank to the Light the Aqua give her. And it not like Ansem follow her. He still carry his Report.

Ansem Report 12

The body is gone; the heart should have returned to the Heartless. And yet, nothing. This one is unlike any other. Its memories remain and it has yet to take the form of a Heartless. A close eye must be kept on the situation. Much is still unknown. To get to the realm of Darkness, one must go through the doors of Kingdom Hearts, the place where the world's hearts connect. Beyond this world is a place in which darkness reigns. (Details shall be archived in a separate report.) There are many worlds in existence, some of which we know nothing about. The world in which we live. The realm of Darkness. The realm of Light. And the world in between. Wherein lies true nirvana?

I don’t think he was carrying his Report in Destiny Island. He was ponder the body from a heartless. Foreshadowing the “Nobody.” in his Report 13.

However I will say that yeah is part of this plan, Along with every other that Xehanort have met. It not really a big deal.

But however I will say. That “The cave drawing” and “Leading Sora out of the darkness” are stupid if there are Xehanort’s plan. 1st of, why would he care how the feeling of Sora and Kairi, why would he want there bond stronger, how he able to make Sora and Kairi draw Paopu Fruit on there the drawing of their face when there was 4 year old! Yes. Xehanort know that the two bond are strong, why else did he kill Kairi to make Sora give him the last strake that he so need.

As for “Leading Sora out of the darkness“ why would even want Sora out of Darkness. Sure he was missguided and want Light and Darkness to be balance. But Sora is the guy that almost foil your heartless plan. Heck, he doesn’t need there Soul. Just the heart to get what he wanted. Given you claiming that Kairi saving him and rewriting the fate. Witch by the way, isn’t what Xehanort have in mind.

Even the “The Final battle“ is silly if you think about it. So Xehanort have instead use Kairi to trap Sora and Kairi, surrounding them two. Failing to see the other player stepping in to defend the King and Queen of this chass metaness. Would he also set them up a trap or block them off, to prevent then from saving them too. Or even killing the other chess pieces. You know, Xeha is a sitty class player. That you was lucky Eraqus was as bad before he “cheated.”

Star Crossed

Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nononono. NO! That is not what Star Crossed mean, Wild sure it does mean that the two love are unable to get togethers by outside forces

That outside forces Xehanort. If anything fate, or the light itself are trying to get the two together. It just darkness, Xehanort and maybe Master of Mastery that are trying to keep them apart. Also technically Kairi’s heart was inside Sora for mostly of KH1, the two must have some time together when there was living home when Coded happen. And also there been living together destiny islands for 10 year to the point that Kairi see that as her home world!

Also I google “star crossed lovers symbol” and I don’t see the cave drawing in it. There is this lovely drawing:

By Sarah Airhardt

And wild there no defalt symbol for a star crossed lovers. It doesn’t mean that the cave drawing is a symbol of a star crossed, I mean, who know, maybe it two person given the other there star or something like that.

The Paopu Fruit

Speaking of. Let talk about this. I will not say that weather Kairi did taken a bit or not. Nor that she didn’t want to have the bad fate she have.

Because Kairi offer Sora the Fruit. She made the call. And Sora only allow himself to share it, because he want too. He would be glad that she made to move for him, As he was too shy (well more like he didn’t know what Love is and that he was in love to her. Thank @qazawsxs2 to remind me of that) and unsure of himself to share it with her. In Fact he was glad that Kairi draw her given him a Paopu Fruit when he saw it. Just as Kairi saw it herself. Show that the two know how there feel for each other.

And you have to ball to say Kairi not only offer to share, but didn’t taken a bite herself? As if Sora was the one that offer it? That is some BS right there.

KH3 Logo

Have nothing to do with Kairi fate. Even if Kairi was on the right,where “incomplete” I is. You’re just looking to deep. Moving on.

Kairi’s Death

You know I do have to ask, Is Strelitzia death normal? I mean it kind surreal if it is. After all we see Strelitzia walking outside with her Chirithy. And then we see the heart flying of the door. Something tell me it not normal.

And you said that is also resembles Xion’s death. Witch could mean that she a replica, that  Xehanort just kill a copy of Kairi. Witch I get to say, I have to debunk that too. After all, why would Xehanort make a copy of Kairi after she was taken. And where did you put her the real Kairi too? Yeah... I think that is real deal, More so that Namine did able to her own replica to live outside of Kairi, Who was able to be to do so (and how she was in final world in the 1st place) when Kairi was strage down.

And no. Kairi heart wasn’t missing. She was able to awaken herself in the darkness, waiting for Sora outside of the Keyblade Graveyard.

Worldline Hopping

DARKSIDE ISN’T KAIRI HEARTLESS! SHE HAVE NO DARKNESS TO EVEN HAVE A DARKSIDE. Sorry, Sorry. I don’t know what make me allcap there.

But yeah... I don’t think that can be Kairi. I mean how can some who was a sleeping body when she lost her heart have a Darkside in the Final World?

Personally. I like to think this is Sora inner darkness here. Given that Data Sora face Sora Heartless who was Darkside in his 1st from.

The Chirithy Ears

Like with Darkside, I don’t think she can be a Chirithy too, Given there are dream eater and there are made out of darkness.

Also Chirithy Ears have white fluff inside wild Kairi hoodly ears does not.

She doesn’t even have a Dream Eater Symbol on her back too. She doesn’t even have a cape as Chirithy have to hide it.

And you know the funny thing even if she is a Chirithy. That would contradict Kairi being a Darkside on the top. I mean Kairi would not only help Sora, that mean that she always with Sora, witch given how that keep getting separated that is impossible.

If Kairi is a Chirithy, she will always be there with Sora, Just like with KH1, But having the awareness that that Kairi is there, even if she somehow become Sora’s Chirithy. She wouldn’t be with Lea, training with Merlin to be combat ready with a keyblade.

All I’m saying that, it would make them be closer than before and nothing would keep them apart.

There also the oddity how Kairi able to retainer her human form, even if she dress like differently. She still the red hair cute woman, then you know... a Gray Cat... em... dog... Fluff-ball Dream Eater. And where is her cape?

(And @qazawsxs2 have also point out that, Kairi and Riku lack a Dream Eater Symbol and that there didn’t changed into those new wear, it was a give to YenSid and the Fairies. The fact there don’t have a symbol in those new clothes and Kairi doesn’t have a cape and bag, mean that she and Riku are not Dream Eater.)

Also is this Xehanort plan to turn Kairi into Chirithy? HOW?! How did the heck did he do that and did he know about the Chirithy. I mean I guess Luxu told him about it if he was his master. Even if, what the benefits for making a Princesses of the Heart and Guardian of Light, devold of Light, Fill her with Darkness and make her be a Chirithy? I mean come on, what the plan here?

Or did you want like this. Kairi Death -> No Heart -> Heartless -> Water Darkside -> Water is Dark. -> Chirithy!!! Is that what you want us to think here.

And say it with me.

What do this have to with “Why a Dream?” part? In fact it the only thing that is under.

You see what I mean, there turn Kairi into a Darkness Pawn that also Darkside and Chirithy. Implying that Kairi isn’t Kairi. All for what, to make it easy to ship Sora and Riku. Who also a Dream Eater by your logic. So it doesn’t mean anything. I could say that Riku isn’t Riku and turn your Theory agent you.

Well I think that all from me. Feel free to repay or reblog if you like to add more.

[ironforgedrp]

♛ CASSANA MORMONT

↳ details; female, 24. 482 ↳ status; bisexual, unmarried, no children. ↳ faceclaim; poppy drayton. ↳ hails from; bear island. ↳ loyalty; house mormont & house stark

↳ title; lady of house mormont & hand to the lord of bear island ↳ religion; old gods ↳ magical ability; greensight ↳ spoken languages; common tongue, ↳ reason for being in sunspear; attending as advisor to her brother, lord bannen, and as a loyal banner of the warden of the north

♛ PERSONALITY

↳ type; the adventurer. ↳ alignment; chaotic good ↳ star sign; leo ↳ positives; staunch, adventurous, empathetic, spirited, zealous, fighter ↳ negatives; rebellious, quick-tempered, headstrong, anxious, manipulative

♛ BIOGRAPHY

↳ family lineage.

when cassana was born, most might think her father would be displeased with the birth of a daughter. a strong man such as the lord of the bear islands might want another son to continue on his legacy. but that was not the case this time. instead, cassana’s father was overjoyed at the birth of his daughter. she was strong, she had faired the harsh cold days and was looked at a beacon of hope for him. unlike her older brother, it seemed like cass would not be a sickly child, overtaken by the harsh climate that surrounded him. so her father was pleased, boy or girl he just wanted an heir he could be proud of.

growing up cass was raised to be the next ruling lady of the bear islands, since he figured her brother bannen would not survive long enough. from a young age cass was afforded so many opportunities that many high ladies were not given. her father wanted her to have all the skills necessary so he taught her things that were beyond what a normal “lady” might learn. he lectured her on the rich history of bear islands and the country. he would talk to her about what made a good leader. he tried to teach her finance. and cass’ favorite thing he would teach her was how to fight. cassana remembered her father saying “that all worthy lords should have just as much skill with a book in his hand, a quill or a weapon.” he was not going to let that lesson slip by him. from her young age she quickly took to the bow and arrow, finding that she was honing in on a deadly accuracy.

her father passed away when she was rather young, but he set in place teachers to further her education. her father assumed she was ready to move her brother aside and take over his spot as ruler, but he was far from the truth. cass had always known that she would never be leader of the house of mormont, she knew that spot was rightfully her brothers. while their father saw a weak and frail child in bannen, cassana saw her strong and intelligent older brother. since she was a little kid she’d always looked up to him and wanted to copy everything he did. she was very loyal to him, but she still planned to reap the benefits of her father’s training.

she was not a naive girl, she knew what a rare opportunity she had in front of her. what high lady was getting full training course like this. what lady had the north’s best archers coming in to perfect her skills. there was no way she was letting go of any of that. while the idea of being the leader of the bear islands was never in her radar, she saw so many other doors opening for her. not being the head of the mormont house gave her the freedom to explore the north. cassana wanted to see things, she wanted to experience what she could with the skills she had been given. she could see all her chances at the tips of her fingers and she took any chances that came her way.

some of her study teachers referred to her as “the chaos child of bear island” because she was always looking for something to do. if she saw other kids climbing a tree, she’d want to do that too or climb a high one. the old scary house hidden in the woods? cass would be the first one to go in search of it. even in her teenage years she’d always find herself looking for her next adventure her next discovery. she continued her studies but had an intense focus on her archery. she feels as if she’s one of the best archers in the whole of the north, and she isn’t afraid to show that off if someone challenges her on that. she’s yet to be bested by someone who challenges her.

but despite this all she’d always found time for her brother and for the people of bear island. she knew there was still a responsibility on her shoulders, even if she wasn’t their leader. she found the best way she could help was to become an advisor to her brother. before long he appointed her as hand of the lord, something that means very much to her. they both had a deep respect for each other, and while she did understand her brother’s ruling she found at times it may lack a certain, empathy or grace that she could help with. cass knows how to walk that fine line of standing up to her brother, while still respecting him as ruling lord.

there have been somethings has been troubling cass deeply. over the past few years she’s begun to have odd dreams that make very little sense to her. she sees flashes of images or small moments between people that often makes little sense, and seem very odd for a dream. at first she just tried to think of these as a dream, and odd dream she could not explain. but slowly a few of these dreams began to come true. it was only a dozen or so the first year. but the next year it was more and more. they began to become so frequent she has started to feel like she’s gone crazy. to make matter worse the dream has started to invade her beyond her sleep. she’s begun to see visions of what might happen during the day. she’s fully assured she’s either crazy or something magical is happening. after doing much private research she’s come across people who have “greensight”. she’s begun to look into it more, but the whole idea scares her. she is afraid to tell her brother about what is happening, fearing that he might think she is unfit to be by his side anymore.

when the opportunity came up to join her brother on a trip down to kings landing, cassana was happy to jump at the chance. arriving shortly after her brother she wasn’t totally ready for all that was thrown at her. after that she struggled to get used to the more rigid customs of the south, having been used to how things were done on bear island. and after a few heated arguments with some lords she found it a little easier to manage.

all seemed like it was going well until the kidnappings started. suddenly overnight dozens of nobles disappeared from their beds. cassana was in a constant state of panic until she discovered that no northern lords or ladies had been taken. suspicion quickly started arising that the north had something to do with this, and cassana felt the harsh stares of lords and ladies all around her. however the next shock seemed to come in the form of several announcements of ruling lords that they were splitting from the kingdom and forming their own. the sudden fracturing of the kingdoms seemed like a foolish move when someone was clearly trying to hurt the ruling families with these kidnappings.

a grand tournament ragged on soon after everyone was returned. cassana was determined to do well in it, wanting to prove herself against the stuffy southern lords. she practiced for hours each day and when the time came for the tournament she got her wish. she was able to place second in the archery tournament, only losing to her brother. cassana felt a deep sense of pride, feeling that she was starting to prove herself.

her next decision was perhaps the most foolish one she’s made. cassana didn’t want to see anyone else hurt, so she decided to take a little risk. in her visions she began seeing a troubling idea of someone wishing to cause harm to the king of the reach. she had planned on simply giving him a warning and letting him figure it out for himself. but it backfired heavily as emeric tyrell was not pleased and was able to figure out what she actually was, a greenseer. he is now the only person who does. before she departed to the north he informed her that he would not tell anyone her secret as long as she continued to feed him more information. if she stopped giving him information then nothing would stop him from revealing her secret and hurting someone she loved. cassana kept the blackmail to herself, agreeing to the terms to keep herself and everyone else safe.

cassana was happy to head back up north, back home. she quickly settled back into her everyday routine with bannen on their small island. a few months back home, cassana adventured to winterfell to visit with friends as well with bannen stark. he informed her of the trip down to sunspear the north would be taking. both lord stark and himself wanted a strong presence of the north in dorne. cassana agreed to travel with him to dorne for many reasons. she had never gotten to see the country before, plus she wanted to spend more time with certain people on the trip.

↳ personality.

cass has always had an adventurous spirit embedded deep within her. she often finds that she gets bored fairly easy with normal day to day tasks. she finds part of the “court life” rather dull compared to what could await her on the open road. cass is normally the first one to suggest something to do or the first to lead a group. along with her adventurous spirit comes a real curiosity. she’s curious about the world around her or what might be lurking down a dark hallway. she’s been told often to control her curiosity since it will always lead to trouble, yet there is still a pull that beckons her into the unknown.

much like her strong-will, she also inherited her temper from her father. cass is always ready for a fight. sometimes she finds it difficult to control her emotions. she feels things so strongly, especially with her dreams and visions haunting her. if she’s feeling sad she will be sad or happy. but anger she finds the hardest to control, it boils within her and bubbles over the top before she knows how to stop herself.

while she gained her temper from her father, she gained her empathy from her mother. while she was still put through the lessons of being a leader her mother still found time to try to teach her the ideals of a proper lady. but also the ideals of compassion for others. cass feels very deeply for people, especially those who are down-trod. if it’s in her power to help someone she wants to be able to do it. she’s always found there is beauty in both power in someone but also the ability to look at the plights of others and help.

since she learned so many conflicting things from her parents, she has gotten very good at the flip between the two. she’s very good at knowing what face to put forward to people. she can be the high lady of the mormont family. graceful and poised. but knows how to fight and be strong-willed and cunning. underestimating someone like her would be a mistake since often she holds back parts of to different people just in case.

↳ the splitting of the kingdoms.

cassana isn’t sure how to feel about the kingdoms splitting. she doesn’t think they should have split up as quickly as they did and without much thought of consequences. but now she only hopes for continued peace amongst the group. the only way for all for all the kingdoms to coexist is to set up treaties and trade amongst each other, so she hopes the trip down to sunspear will help with this. she’s never traveled to sunspear before, despite all the travels with her father. he claimed to never like the heat there so they never traveled. part of her is very excited to travel to somewhere so new but the other part is nervous about how a bear like her is going to be able to handle it.

♛   STATUS:   TAKEN

[superleeleehipster]

I haven’t said much in regards to recent spoilers and what will happen tonight during the finale b/c, if I’m honest, everybody has basically said exactly what I think about this new development and what it could possibly mean about our favorite couple.

But before the episode airs (I know it was leaked but I’m just going to wait until it airs tonight to watch it b/c my wifi sucks), I just figured I’d throw in my two cents into this already blazing inferno that is now the Caryl fandom once again.

Spoilers and thoughts on thangs below the cut...

From what I’ve heard both from TSDF as well as the folks who’ve already watched it, I’m actually very excited about this episode and what it’ll mean for Caryl. I know I wouldn’t be the only one to admit that, when the Carzekiel spoilers first came out, I was pissed off and much of my hope for Angela K to bring my favorite show back was shot down (not all of it, but quite a bit of it). Now with what is going to happen in the finale, I see now that it was supposed to be written this way because it was supposed to come full circle.

And I will humbly admit, that it seems to be one of the best written arcs/circles between two characters I’ve ever seen in this show...

Now in regards to the Carzekiel relationship, after recent spoilers, it pretty much confirmed to me all of the arguments that we have been saying all this time. That relationship was safe, it was convenient, it was normal, things that Carol had wanted for a while. But the catalyst of that relationship has always been Henry. Henry helped Carol through her self torture from the last few seasons by showing her that she can keep him safe and that he is worth trying to save. That she shouldn’t turn a blind eye and push him away. She couldn’t help but fall in love with that kid, so she moved to the Kingdom after Henry had asked if she could move there. And with the motherly bond she had made with Henry, it was a no brainer to allow a relationship to form between her and Ezekiel b/c he’s Henry’s adopted father.

In the early part of this season, we saw how Carol wasn’t really into the idea of marrying Zeke. But it is only when, after she glances at Henry, that she decides to put the ring on her finger. She doesn’t do it for herself and Ezekiel, she does it for Henry more than anything. She wanted to give Henry what she couldn’t give Sophia, and that was a loving family with a good life. She did what she sought to do with Tobin, which was create as normal of a life as you could in the zombie apocalypse by playing house and raising a child with a loving husband and father. That was the dream she had that I’m sure she had wanted for Sophia but her biological father was nothing more than a sperm donor who abused her mother. With Henry, she was able to live that dream for the both of them. 

Was she ever in love with Ezekiel? I’m sure she was in some way, but I don’t think it was a soulmate kind of love, especially with what will happen in 9x16. I think she wanted to fulfill that dream within herself of wanting the normal life she never had, and give it to Henry b/c Sophia never got it. I also think she in some ways became secondary to Ezekiel b/c she just wanted to make him happy. The Carol we knew wouldn’t waste time, energy, or ppl over a lightbulb for a movie, but she did it b/c she knew it was Ezekiel’s positivity and dream that was at stake. She changed some of herself to accommodate his dreams, and she settled as well. So that’s why it’s not so much of a shocker that the moment Henry was killed, it popped their blissfully ignorant bubble that Carzekiel had created for themselves. It was an extremely heavy dose of reality, and because of the loss of that catalyst, their marriage crumbled very quickly. 

Now keep in mind I’m not saying that the death of the child equals the death of the marriage, far from it. I personally know real life couples who’ve lost kids via miscarriages, stillbirths, or accidents past the womb, and every single one of them had held each other up and became stronger with each other. In Carzekiel’s case, however, we can see partially why their relationship in particular had disintegrated. 

Carol wasn’t confiding in Ezekiel, and instead, confiding in the man whom she would deem as her best friend. Some could argue it was b/c she didn’t want to put even more pain on Ezekiel b/c he was the coparent in all this, and some could say it’s because she didn’t feel comfortable enough talking to him about it. We may never know for certain. But considering how jealous Ezekiel seems to be about Carol confiding in Daryl instead of him makes me question why she wouldn’t go to Ezekiel in the first place. Obviously the man wants her to talk to him but she’s not, so it does make you wonder if she trusts him or feels comfortable enough to do so. Which brings a whole new list of questions as to how strong their relationship was IN GENERAL b/c you would think she would feel confident enough to talk to him after being together with the man for 7 years, but hey, I’m no relationship expert...

Anyways, I find it interesting that Carol would rather speak to Daryl about her woes, and I find it very interesting the differences in how both men interact/react in regards to Carol. Ezekiel has always been a bit forceful when it comes to Carol. Not in a horrible abusive/Ed kind of way, just more of a manipulative way. He never let her be in S7 even when she asked him not to come, and kept hounding her to marry him even when she said no initially. In 9x16, he apparently speaks for her as he’s telling Daryl that he shouldn’t stay in Hilltop, that he’d rather spend some alone time with Carol. That manipulative tendency comes out full force when he tries to use Daryl’s own emotions against him to try and convince him to not stay at Hilltop.

Daryl on the other hand, questioned him immediately and asked “is that what Carol wants?”. Same situation when Daryl and Carol spoke at the Sanctuary, where Daryl (that amazingly selfless and precious man) wants whatever Carol wants to happen, happen. Her happiness is above his, first and foremost. If she tells him she wants to stay in Hilltop and he needs to leave ASZ so she could work on her marriage, you bet your ass Daryl would swallow his pride and do it because that’s what kind of man he is. He loves her unconditionally, which means he will do anything for her in spite of his own personal pain. That’s the amazing difference between the two men that Carol could see right away. Daryl will do anything for her happiness, and Ezekiel will do anything for his own happiness. 

So Carol decides to end things with Ezekiel because 1) he was being an ass to her best friend, and 2) she knew that she needed to do some healing and she couldn’t do it with Ezekiel. That latter reason is very significant to me b/c of that conversation she had with Zeke in S8. How she credited the ppl she was with for saving her after Sophia died and that she could come back again and again if she had to. But her decision to end things with Ezekiel tells me she knows she might not come back if she stays with him. All the same that she knows that she could heal and recuperate from this recent trauma by staying with Daryl and TF. She chose Daryl over Ezekiel b/c she knows that it will help her in the end. They may not be canon yet but holy jesus that speaks for itself how strong the Carzekiel ship itself actually was. 

I know someone else had mentioned this before (I think it was you @silversundown2) that it is more powerful that Carol had ended the relationship instead of finding Ezekiel’s head on the pike b/c she ended that relationship willingly instead of a death, and I have to agree. What happens in 9x16 feels like both Daryl and Carol come to a full circle. The beginning of the season you find Carol living in her fairytale with Ezekiel, describing it as “really nice” comparatively to her relationship with Ed. Yet she was still hesitant to marry him. It wasn’t until she decided for Henry’s sake to say yes. On the other hand, Daryl was still reeling over the effects of what happened with the Saviors. He didn’t trust them at all, and just wanted to get away and go back to how it was before. Daryl and Carol even had a conversation at the Sanctuary about their woes. 

Fast track to 9x16, and Caryl has another conversation at the Sanctuary, where Carol realizes that what’s best for her is to stay with Daryl and TF at Alexandria, not Ezekiel. And Daryl is going to stay with Lydia b/c he’s taken it upon himself to make sure that she’s okay and to take care of her by going to ASZ w/ TF. Both Daryl and Carol are wanting to take care of Lydia b/c they recognize themselves in her from their own past, and of course she reminds at least Carol of Sophia. Instead of running away from their demons (Carol) or taking out their anger on everything else in a vengeful irrationality (Daryl), we see them decide to go back to where they believe is the best place for both of them to heal, and to help Lydia heal from her traumas as well... 

A FULL CIRCLE

I can go on and on about how this development has basically destroyed all other paths like Miley Cyrus’s wrecking ball and left only one way to go from here, but I think I’ll save that for another post b/c this one is already long enough. 

Caryl on my loves, and enjoy tonight’s episode!!

Gif credit to @lapicesypantones. If you don’t follow her PLEASE DO BECAUSE HER ARTWORK IS BALLS TO THE WALLS AMAZING!!

[thecosmicjackalope]

A CAVALCADE OF RANDOM THEORIES FROM SOMEONE WHO JUST ENTERED THE “AVA’S DEMON” FANDOM

in no particular order. some are a little dark. tw: suicide mention, sexual assault/abuse mention spoilers below. 

-Gil’s demon is Nevy, who represents Envy. He is confirmed gay and seems to have a small thing for Odin, if his blush at the snacks Odin gave him is anything to go by. He will eventually fall for Odin, who will eventually fall for Ava, and thusly, Gil will end up making a pact with Nevy to “save Odin from Ava” (AKA get rid of Ava so Odin can fall in love with him instead). He won’t quite understand his driving motivation is romantic love, and instead believes that he simply “deeply cares” for Odin.

-Nevy will either lie and manipulate Gil into killing off both Ava and Pedri in revenge for them having broken her heart in their complicated love triangle, or she will be completely for Gil killing Ava so she can have Pedri instead. 

-it’s no coincidence that Gil’s color scheme is the exact same as TITAN’S. just as TITAN serves as an antagonist to Ava and Odin, Gil, in his lovesick jealousy, along with Nevy’s baggage, will be an antagonist as well. There might even be a chance that Nevy and Gil will partner up with TITAN in order to go up against Ava and Odin. After all, if Gil can’t have Odin, and Nevy can’t have Pedri, then no one can.

-Gil being gay and being unable to see Maggie in a romantic light will lead to Maggie’s pact failing and her and Tuls fusing together into a terrible monster.

-Tuls is lying to Maggie when he is explaining the magic of his flowers to her. They aren’t “love potions” that induce romantic feelings. He’s the demon of lust, not love. His flowers are just potent aphrodisiacs that could MAYBE guarantee a night of passion between Maggie and the flower’s recipient, but are unable to guarantee a healthy and lasting relationship in the long run. Maggie is doomed to have her heart broken, no matter what goes on between her and Gil, or her and whoever her flowers are for. And once she doesn’t even have the hope of falling in love, and Tul’s magic is gone, it’s up to her to save them both from becoming a fusion monster by finding Ranunculae and letting Tuls speak to her.  Though, if the above ever happens, Maggie MAY just intentionally fail the pact out of spite, so she AND Tuls are doomed forever with no one to love.

-Maggie’s pact is doomed to fail no matter what happens in the story. She chases love but doesn’t understand what it really is and will therefore not have a happy ending, no matter how hard she tries.

-Alternatively, Maggie’s pact might be to find someone who loves her. She might fail with Gil, but since Ava is still with her and trying to help her because she too, in some way, loves Maggie, Maggie might already be protected from failing the pact because there is one person around who legitimately loves Maggie, even if it might not be in the way she had hoped for.

-Whatever happened between Maggie and Ava in the past led to Maggie having some very dark thoughts. In Maggie’s dream world, we see that she has a necklace made of her own hair around her neck. At first i thought it was some sort of odd keepsake, but it’s actually a cut noose. Maggie once experienced a point in her life so grim and so low, she made a noose out of her own hair and tried to hang herself.

-Maggie’s past involves being the victim of sexual abuse/assault. Maggie is 15 years old, but would be what some might consider hypersexual with some of the things she says and does, i.e. making innuendos, making sexual advances, having a long string of romantic partners (at least six, according to Tuls), and getting very attached to people she doesn’t know due to her attraction to them. Though this could easily be chalked up to Maggie being 15 years old and in the throes of puberty and all the hormones it brings on, it should be noted that a common response to sexual trauma at a young age is becoming too focused on sex and relationships than is normal.

-Odin’s sisters represent the two ravens from Norse mythology who acted as the god Odin’s eyes and ears and messengers. Crow and Raven are both loyal to Olai. Olai knows something about the disappearance of Magpie. It will be revealed that Olai sold her to Titan, killed her, or otherwise did away with her. The other two triplets will be so heartbroken and enraged by this, they will defect and join Odin’s quest in finding their/avenging their lost sister.

-Olai, Odin’s brother, is based off of Loki from Norse mythology. 

-Magpie’s real name is Magdalai. Magdalai sounds a lot like Magdelene, and the most popular Magdelene was Mary Magdelene of Bible lore. In Bible lore, Mary Magdelene was “cleansed of evil spirits” and became a follower of Jesus, following him and serving him until his resurrection. Magpie was very certain she was a Vessel and carried within her one of Wrathia’s warriors, and she was so sure of it, she even told Olai. However, that proved to be a very big mistake. Olai sold her away for - something, possibly more scavenger tech to work with - and Magpie eventually wound up with some of TITAN’S followers, who recognized her for what she was and forcibly removed the “demon” inside of her. Magpie is now a brainwashed follower of TITAN. If they found a way to control the demon inside of her, along with her, then she could be a powerful warrior for TITAN, possibly a dangerous antagonist that the four, especially Odin, will have to fight in the future.

-A very common theme with TITAN is mice, or rats. All the elite soldiers are given “ears” and a mask that makes them resemble mice/rats. TITAN even refers to Strategos Six as “my little mouse.” This might be in order to showcase that TITAN sees everyone beneath him as “lesser beings” or even “vermin,” and it might also align with the technology motif (Labs have rats that they use for experiments to further their knowledge), but it might also be a clue to who he’s based on. There are lots of gods, some goddesses and even characters in literature with mice/rat motifs, but I have yet to find someone that “fits” TITAN. (MAYBE Apollo? but i feel like that’s not quite right). I mean, TITAN is supposed to be the “Crystal Dragon Jesus” of this world, but that doesn’t mean ALL of him is based on Jesus, right? maybe looking more into this motif will clue us into his true nature more.

-Nevy’s whole character is partially based off of The Little Mermaid, from H.C. Andersen’s story. She, too, sacrificed all for love and paid a high price for it. One could say that The Little Mermaid was driven by envy for legs and the world above the ocean, and was punished for her foolish actions. There are a lot of similarities between the two characters. Nevy, like the Little Mermaid from the fairy tale, loses her voice and cannot speak for some time. She also, like the the Little Mermaid, is trapped in the afterlife after her great loss and cannot move on, just as The Little Mermaid becomes an air spirit in the original tale and cannot enter heaven/earn a soul until she does 300 years of good deeds. At one point, she even dissolves into sea foam, which was also part of the actual Little Mermaid’s final fate.

-Ava made a pact with Wrathia for a new life once she helps her defeat Titan. Over the course of the story, Ava will forge the life and experiences she wants with Odin, Maggie, Gil and everyone else around her she considers an ally. When they eventually do defeat Titan, Wrathia will uphold her end of the pact, and gleefully so, thus causing Ava one last bit of pain before Ava is gone forever. HOWEVER, Ava will then be reborn as Wrathia and Pedri’s offspring in their egg, and the multi-galactic kingdom that Wrathia sacrificed an innocent child’s entire life for will then belong to the reincarnation of that innocent child. poetic justice, and Ava has a whole new kingdom to keep her friends safe and happy in.

[sanjuno]

It’s too late for a GoT/Code Geiss isn’t it? Not sure if Britanian Royalty as Targaryens is awesome or terrifying. Lelouch as Viserys and Nunnally as Daenerys would be, interesting. So would Lelouch as Aegon.

Technically, yes, but what the hell. One more for the Old Gods!

8/7 GoT Crossover Fix-its: A Code of Fire and Ice

So I know it’s kinda becoming a theme with these fix-its, but one of the best ways to fix GoT is to give Robert a legitimate heir that Tywin Lannister and the rest of the Baratheon Loyalists will support on the Iron Throne, so I’m going to sling Lelouch in here as a replacement for Cersei’s first canon pregnancy. (Also it’s hilarious to me how many of the Britannian names from CG sound like they belong in Westros.)

So Lelouch Baratheon is born within a year of Robert and Cerise’s marriage. The gods make it very obvious that they approve of the Baratheon rule in the form of the new Crown Prince. Lelouch is black of hair and violet of eye and the red shadow of a dragon spreads its wings over his heart. The Targaryen loyalists grumble, but the common folk chatter about the Crown Prince being chosen by the gods themselves to inherit the Dragon Throne.

Lelouch Lamperouge vi Britannia is kicked out of the World of C by the Dimensional Supervisor and told to go make miracles again in a new world. He’s born prince (again), then son of a warmonger (again), and the empire that he will someday rule was created through violent subjugation of indepentandt countries by refugees who just happened to have superior force multipliers (again). At least Dorne and the North manages to keep some of their cultural individualism. The world is primitive and the politics even mores, but it’s not until Lelouch look at his new baby brother and realizes that there’s no way Joffrey is Robert’s son that Lelouch realizes how hilariously outmatched the other players in the Game of Thrones are. Especially when compared the the Demon Emperor. The first thing Lelouch does is Geass Cersei into skipping her Moon Tea because Joffrey reminds him of Victor and that’s not on.

The twins are born with dark silver hair the colour of rainclouds, their eyes lightning bright Baratheon blue. Nunnery and Rolo Baratheon are doted on by Lelouch, and it’s agreed on by most of the servants that the twins learn to walk as fast as they do just so that they can follow their eldest brother more closely.

Lelouch is 100% involved in everything that happens in the Red Keep and realizes with some hilarity that his parents have switched roles. Cersei’s the one who reminds him of Charles, obsessed with eugenics and her brother and gaining power so she can rule. Robert is the one who reminds him of Marianne, having won a crown through War and rising above his birth station by killing off all his rivals.

Lelouch starts undermining his parents in every way he can as soon as he’s capable of coherent sentences. When Nunnally and Rolo are born Lelouch adjusts some Baratheon names to suit them and is delighted when they start helping him torment Robert and Cersei.

Arms training is hilarious to watch because Lelouch is still lazy as fuck but he’s also aware that people are going to try and kill him with pointy metal at some point. As the children grow it’s pretty obvious that Joffrey is Cersei’s favourite and the brat only gets more spoiled because Joffrey doesn’t even have to pretend to be a decent person because he’s the spare and not the Heir to the Iron Throne. So Joffrey’s still convinced that he’s hot shit with swords because of his “bloodlines” and Lelouch can smell the crazy from across the courtyard. So Lelouch takes his arms training seriously because Joffrey is all but rabid.

Lelouch is used to the idea of half-siblings, so the “stain” of bastard birth doesn’t really concern him, but Joffrey is the kind of cruel and delusional person that would try to kill off his litigate siblings to become the heir and causes bad reputations for all the other illegitimate children. One of Lelouch’s best jokes on his mother is that he’s collecting Robert’s bastards and setting them up to be the core of his household, because familial relations are a surefire way of ensuring loyalty when you leverage it the right way. Especially since there are already rumours about the Queen killing the Kings bastards if she gets her hands on them. Which means that Lelouch’s many half-siblings are well aware that he saved them from being killed or forced to live in exile. So Cersei is all but frothing at the mouth over the sight of so many Baratheon-coloured children. Plus the Baratheon Herd have all fallen prey to Lelouch’s cult of personality, and their loyalty to their Royal sibling makes Joffrey look bad in comparison.

Now once they get old enough Rolo and Nunnally are also going to train hard. Lelouch manages to arrange things so that Nunnally (and Robert’s other daughters) also get arms training. Nunnally is Whitecloak Legend level of good with a rapier. Lelouch and Rolo are shameless about letting their sister fight their battles for them. Rolo is primarily an assassin and Lelouch is a strategist, neither of which really lend to Robert’s “bash it with a hammer” approach to combat. Lelouch avoids tourneys by expressing admiration for Northern Values and Robert lets it go without argument.

Robert is painfully easy to manipulate even without Geass and Lelouch almost feels bad about it. Not bad enough to stop, but it’s still sad that Robert tore apart a Kingdom or Seven for love of a woman who died before he was ever crowned. Lelouch straight up delights int tormenting Cersei because she’s like the worst parts of Victor and Charles combined into one bitchy, petty, brother-fucking package. Irony is that Cersei does love her children while also hating that three of said children are obviously Robert’s while also loving the Targaryen features that they got from Robert while also loving Jaime’s children the most.

Lelouch corresponds with Tywin on the regular, and asks for Joffrey to be named Tyrion’s heir, as Tyrion is Jaime’s heir, as both lack offspring of their own. The logic progression of inheritance is enough to soothe Tywin’s long-stung pride and he agrees. Cersei is now kept busy fighting to keep Joffrey from being fostered with Tywin and is too distracted to scheme much. Lelouch is giving Joffrey until he’s fifteen to stop being a monster otherwise Joffrey will never see his sixteenth birthday. Lelouch has trimmed his family tree before, so become a “kinslayer” again doesn’t bother him.

Lelouch, Nunnally, and Rolo throw off the legitimacy questions, because of Valyrian and First Men blood magic nonsense, and so Jon Arryn is pretty obviously poisoned be another set of players in the Game. Instead of the Lannisters falling under suspicion, Cersei is being her usually overdramatic self about getting tasters for her children’s food. Super paranoid Queen is super paranoid. Lelouch has Lysa confined to the Tower of the Hand when she tries to run off with Robin. He calls is “giving her time to recover her spirits” and he makes sure that Robin is handed over to Stannis for proper fostering because Robin will be “safe” on Dragonstone and that way no one can accuse Tywin of anything underhanded.

Irony is that Lelouch is called the Black Prince because he’s the only one of his “trueborn” siblings with actually black hair. He thinks this is hilarious since he’s already collected something like five or six of Robert’s bastards for training in various fields by the time the epithet starts being used. Lelouch is heard to publicly say that “they are not any less my siblings for being my father’s natural children” when he hears the reasoning behind the nickname, and that pretty much means he’s got their loyalty for life.

Robert will want to go North when Jon Arryn dies, of course. Lysa is going to be dropped off at Riverrun on the way up. Lelouch is aware that Robert wants a Stark/Baratheon marriage and starts scheming. Tommen is betrothed to Shireen so the Baratheon name will stay on Dragonstone, and because Tommen isn’t forceful enough to displace Shireen’s authority as the Lady of Dragonstone. Rolo has been made Renly’s Heir “until Renly marries and has a son of his own”. Lelouch offhand mentions that the Targaryen’s denied the Starks a Royal Princess as a bride, and Robert stops looking at Lelouch as is now giving Nunally some consideration.

Lelouch wants Nunnally to be happy with her husband, and he knows that he can’t avoid her marrying forever, not in their current world, so the Starks sound like the best of a bad lot. For now Robert is torn between having Lelouch marry one of the Stark daughters, and having Nunnally marry the Stark Heir, so Lelouch can keep that indecision up until he’s satisfied with the choices for the matches that need to be made for the siblings that Lelouch likes. That’s why Tommen was matched with Shireen. Tommen is a bit like how Clovis was before he got into politics and he needs a smart wife who won’t be mean to him. That the match was politically expedient was just gravy.

Lelouch lays eyes on the eldest Stark daughter with her red hair and dreams in her eyes and nopes the seven hells out of that. Sansa is far too similar to Shirley for Lelouch’s comfort. Of course, then he gets ambused by Jon and Arya Stark and immediately recognizes Suzaku and Kaguya.

/…/

Jon Snow has eyes like glacier ice, sometimes Stark grey, sometimes dark as pine needles. Shifting and mercurial as the bastard’s moods, shadowed by the tangle of his dark brown hair. Catelyn Stark doesn’t know how to react to the boy who Ned has claimed is his blood, but she looks at Jon Snow and it’s not Ned she sees. (No, who she sees is Brandon with his wild energy and vibrant ferocity. There is some of Ned’s solemnness in the boy, but…) 

When the fever takes him Catelyn Stark prays for Jon Snow’s recovery, she prays and she begs and she offers the gods all she can. Catelyn makes a vow to do better by him, to be better, and when Jon Snow wakes up the first thing he does is apologize. Jon tells the Lady Stark that he’s sorry for hurting her by being alive and that he’ll try not to bother her any further. Catelyn, who has all those Southron prejudices against bastards softens towards the boy. This is her son’s brother, and that angle of thought is enough for her to start healing from the hurt she felt.

So there Starks are far more peaceful this time around, with less buried resentment lurking in their interactions. Suzaku has years of dealing with Nunnally and Cornelia and their anger at him over the slights done to their respective favourite siblings to help him get on Catelyn Stark’s good side. Of course, Suzaku also sulks a lot over being alone in the new world. At least until Arya is born and Suzaku realizes that she’s Kaguya and then he regrets ever voicing the complaint. Old gods please, he doesn’t need the chaos gremlin take it back.

Kaguya has a much easier time of it than canon!Arya because she knows the importance of appearances, and so she does the bare minimum of training in Westrosi “ladylike” pursuits so that she can fit in with the new world setting, but other than that she starts looking into training with the unfamiliar weapons. This time “Needle” is a set of hair sticks and Mikken is tasked with learning how to craft tessen. Arya is still the “wild” Stark daughter, but this time she’s canny enough to get what she wants without getting in trouble for it. Arya and Jon bond during hunting trips and long horseback rides.

Robb, Theon, and Jon are the terror of the keep and Suzaku is glad to have friends. Kaguya is delighted by the idea of her large family and refuses to let anyone push Jon aside. She saw where isolating Suzaku from his family led last time and she’s not going to let it happen again. So things are better for Jon, and he’s not planning on going to the Wall. Not much else changes with the Starks until the Royal Party shows up. At which point Suzaku and Kaguya nearly lose their shit because Lelouch is there.

/…/

Across the Narrow Sea, Viserys Targaryen sells his sister to a Dothraki Horse Lord and goes to bed dreaming of conquest.

Daenerys Targeryen rolls her eyes, steals everything she can carry including the three dragon eggs that she can feel the life stirring in, dyes her hair green, and takes off into the night. CC is done with this bbullshit, she’s going to go find her accomplice.

/…/

Then there are politics and plotting and ice zombies. Jon becomes Lelouch’s sworn sword, Lelouch is betrothed to Arya, the War of Five Kings never happens, and people are very confused by how well the Black Prince’s betrothed gets along with his mistress.

The dire wolves are still a thing, and at some point Lelouch, Suzaku, and CC all end up riding dragons. Then it’s all over but for the fire and the screaming.

[techouspeaks]

Sailor Moon VS Winx Club

Is Winx Club really a rip off of Sailor Moon with fairies?

Read more to find out my answer to this question.

In the world of magical girl fandom, there seems to be two big rival groups. Those that love Winx Club and those that love Sailor Moon but surprisingly hate Winx Club, saying it’s a rip off of Sailor Moon with fairies. Why is that? Well let’s look at the similarities.

1. You have a main character that is a princess, that doesn’t know she’s a princess until later on the series, because her kingdom fell into disaster thanks to a great evil, so she’s sent to the human world to live a normal safe life.

2. The main character possesses a power that the bad guys want. 

3. The girl is a teenager when she discovers all this. 

4. There are other female warriors that try to help and fight along side her.

5. The main character has a cute magical creature.

6. The main characters can transform and can control an element of some sort. 

7. One of the symbols of her powers is a heart and then she has another mystical symbol to go with it.

When you look at all these similarities, you kinda can see where people are coming from. However, the same tropes that both series follow, is kinda the same tropes with most magical girl anime and shows. Shoot, even other shows like TMNT has tropes that follow a basic formula, such as having a hot temper team member, a wise teacher they follow and a comedic relief character. 

To keep it interesting and different, a company or team has to do their own spin on the story that’s been told dozens of times. Refreshing it so it looks like you’ve heard the story for the first time and that’s what Winx does.

Usagi/Serena and Bloom are similar but very different from each other. Usagi is a cry baby, a bit of a ditz, clumsy and isn’t specifically talented in anything. She takes an interest in manga art but it sorta comes out of no where. When she first becomes Sailor Moon, she doesn’t want to be a warrior and tries to run away until Tuxedo Mask encourages her.

Bloom is the opposite. She starts out kinda tomboyish, she’s a little quirky, adventurous and when she discovers her magic powers, she thinks it’s cool. She loves the magic and the fairy tales. She dreams and grew up with such tales. I mean sure, the pressure of having magical powers does get to her from time to time but that’s a natural thing like for Usagi. They’re both teenagers that have their own problems and own strengths and are done really well. They’re both relatable but they’re very different from each other.

Both their team of friends who fight along side them are very different too. Some of the Winx actually share traits with two Sailors. Tecna is kinda like Ami being she’s a genius but she’s also very snarky like Rei. Flora is shy like Ami but she loves plants like Mako/Lita, also very good at cooking (though it’s debated. Sometimes she cooks something gross like her tea). Aisha is like both Rei in which she has a hard time trusting others, but she’s also very tomboyish like Mako and also very strong. Stella is kinda like Mina except that instead of being into sports like Mina, she’s more into fashion and is good at designing. Musa is kinda the only one that doesn’t share many traits with any of the sailors. I guess she’s laid back like Mako is, but in her own way and that’s all the Winx. 

At the same time having these similarities, the Winx are much different. In fact, as big a fan of Sailor Moon as I am, especially with how they do the story and animation, the one thing I do give Winx credit, besides the interesting concepts  is how they write teenagers. 

Sailor Moon has wonderful characters but I can’t help but feel like the main inner scouts not including Usagi, kinda feel slightly lack luster. They’re not bad but they kinda don’t feel as deep as say the outer scouts or Usagi. They just don’t seem to be as fleshed out as you want them to be. Part of the reason is while they do have back stories, it’s more so explained and not fully fleshed out. We don’t see much of their family life, except for Rei’s because they hang out at her place all the time. The manga goes a little further about their back story, but even in Crystal, you kinda get gypt off from their stories. This may explain why most of the time, people tend to favor Usagi or any of the outer scouts more than the inners, which is a shame. 

The Winx all have back stories and act like a teenager would. They go through things that a lot of kids do go through. Example is Musa who lost her mother tragically and not just when she was a baby like most of these kinds of things. She literally watched her die and witness her family fall a part because of it, which was a big thing for shows for kids at the time. You didn’t see that for kids, let alone girl’s shows a lot at the time.  

Stella’s parents are divorced and you see how it effects her. Bloom finds out she’s adopted and for the first 3 seasons struggles in finding out what happened to them and how to save them.

Another thing is the Winx don’t really control that many elements to be honest. You have Flora who controls plant life, Bloom that controls fire and Stella is light, but then you have Musa who controls music and sound, Tecna is aura or energy I guess but she also controls technology and Aisha has some command over water, but mostly uses her own kinda thing called Morphix. A pink substance that can change shape, texture and even concentration. That’s a pretty clever idea, which kinda makes them a little more different than W.i.t.c.h even.

They go to a magic school and town where magic is normal and Bloom’s adoptive parents actually know that she’s a fairy. Yeah, there’s no hiding it, they find out the first time she does. (Though accept it a little too well...My parents would have freaked the hell out if they found out I had magical powers...) So yeah, Winx does do a lot to be it’s own thing and that’s the main important part.

When it comes to story and development, Sailor Moon is a little stronger, especially since it’s an anime, it kinda follows a more towards story and better writing, but when I want more on the character stories and interesting concepts I turn to Winx.

As for Winx and WITCH, I watched WITCH before and I found it alright,but I don’t see much similarities other than the girls become fairies.  Again the girls are all different in their own way from each other and WITCH is set heavily in it’s world rules, like WITCH fairies are bound to this crystal and the girls are just suddenly chosen. Winx has it’s own rules but everything is explained well of why they have powers and they explore more worlds and come across more characters and creatures.

That’s another reason why I like Winx too. WITCH and Sailor Moon have their own rules of who can be a guardian and whatnot. Not everyone can use magical powers and while some people like that idea, I like how imaginative you can be with the concepts of Winx. If you don’t like the story or characters, you can make your own characters with the same concepts or even make your own concepts and rules. It’s like MLP, you can create a character and do your own story, even manipulate some of the laws, if you really want to. It’s just great if you want a show that inspires your creativity, even if it’s just for fanfic stuff. But hey, some people do this to help eventually inspire some original works, so it works if you’re an artist and writer.

But yeah, is it a rip off of Sailor Moon or even WITCH? Not really since similarities that it does have with the shows, really are tropes that a lot of shows follow. It’s all about what you do with the concept and how you write the story. They do have some ideas and some concepts were obviously inspired off of Sailor Moon, but SM also took some liberties from other older magical girl shows, such as the brooches looking a lot similar to Akko-chan’s mirror seen below. There were other magical girl shows before SM that were about princesses trying to get better in their magic, in order to become better people, thus better rulers. The major difference is that Sailor Moon had a team and fought evil instead of just solving problems, which set off a slue of other magical girl shows that would follow after.

Take it for what it’s worth. In my opinion, they’re all different enough to be it’s own thing and that’s the main thing. I’m Tech and seeya in the next review!

[evswiftie]

Full breakdown on how I relate look what you made me do to all the past times I've been sexually assaulted

" I don't like your little games" -When I was 11 and swimming in the public pool at the YMCA and this 30 year old man asked if he could play with me in the pool and pick me up and throw me in the water but he "had to touch me here first (he digitally raped me) ( I didnt even know what a Vagina is or does as that age) -When I was 12 and my dads best friend who lived in my house would tell my parents he would watch after me when they went out but instead forcibly touched me and made me touch him. And he would bang on my bedroom door when I was pressing up against it shut because it didn't have a lock, he would offer me to play outside with him on my trampoline just so he could be on top of me and suck in my nipples again but I screamed to leave me alone. When the guy in sophomore year of high school who I had my first real big crush on told me I could trust him so I told him all about my life and he was my first kiss but then right after, he threw me on the ground grabbed my hand and made me give him a hand job and then went around school taunting me by mocking me with my secrets I told him and told people I was a slut. And he call me during the middle of the night threatening that if I didn't send him nudes he would make worse rumors and spread them around. When the 20 year old guy who took my virginity from me raped me when I was 16 tried to email me, text me and follow me on Instagram as if time passing had changed everything. BITCH DONT TALK TO ME. When the guy who molested me outside of a bar gave me the excuse the next day that he was to drunk to know what he was doing even though I saw him get in his car and drive away and text me that night he made it home safe. IF YOURE SOBER ENOUGH TO DRIVE YOURE SOBER ENOUGH TO NOT SEXUALLY MOLEST SOMEONE WHO IS TO INTOXICATED TO STAND STRAIGHT. " I don't like your tilted stage " AKA an uneven playing field. When the guy who "had to" digitally rape me in the YMCA swimming pool knew i was to young to know what was happening to me and I was easy to listen to adults so he told me not tell anyone so I stayed quiet about it until I was 17. -When the guy who was my dads best friend knew I was a caring kid and wouldnt tell anyone so my dad wouldn't loose a friend so he took advantage of me. And when I finally told my dad and he made his friend come to the house to confront him DUDE WAS SPEAKING 100% Spanish so I couldnt know what he was saying against me. -When the guy I trusted in high school majorly taunted me outside school and was so sneaky about how he did on school grounds so he wouldnt get in trouble -When the guy who raped me at age 16 asked me if i was ready and I said "I dont know, I think I am" but he was controlling and forceful and went on top of me and I hated it and was to scared to run away or tell him to get off me. -When the guy who molested me outside the bar did it where no one could see and theres not cameras so there was no proof and he apologized the next day. "The role you made me play, of the fool, no I dont like you" All of these people made me play the delusional crazy girl whose making shit up for attention " i don't like your perfect crime, How you laugh when you lie -When I was tired of staying silent for ten years so I finally decided to report something horrible happening to me , at the age of 22 sobbing in the car feeling worthless and like nothing but a sex toy, like my feelings dont matter because all Ill ever be is my body and nothing more, I picked up the phone and called the police, they told me that because I was talking to the guy in the bar before him molesting me he probably thought I wanted it so they told me I should accept his apology. They told me that because I cant remember because I was to intoxicated to remember clearly if he forcibly grabbed my hand and put it down his pants or if I put my hands down there it doesn't even count as sexual assault. Even tho I KNO I was screaming to get out. "You said the gun was mine, isn't cool, no, I don't like you"(oh!) They always tell you to report things but then when you do they dont do anything to help "But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time, Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time" -After being denied of reporting my most recent sexual assault I was in hysterics sobbing in my car realizing that anyone can do anything they want to me and feel like such a low life and absolutely nothing and get away with it. Snot and tears were everywhere and I was messaging my friends saying I cant live like this anymore, whats the point? When Im just going to be tossed from guy to guy simply for their pleasure while they take my dignity from me, when all I get is cat called and harassed and pressured to give myself to them I lifted my head up and realize that if 22 year old erica can't get justice then 11year -16 year old Erica can, NO MATTER what those abusers say to deny it or beat around the bush they WILL go fucking down because I was a MINOR. And theyre not getting out of it with that crime "I've got a list of names and yours is in red, underlined" -after realizing im gonna come for blood I picked up the phone and called up the police dept and said I'm reporting a sexual assault from 10 years ago and this was at midnight when the police showed up at my house to get a written statement and proceeded to list off every other time I was sexually assaulted . To which the officer accused me of "cop shopping" BITCH YEA. Because I didn't get what I wanted from the first one. BITCH YOU RIGHT IM GONNA KEEP REPORTING IT UNTIL SOMEONE LISTENS. "I check it once, then I check it twice, oh" -Did they really sexually assault me if I didnt scream "no" and "rape" and push and shove my way out ? Yes okay ! Just gotta double check I know what happened to me before others tell me over exaggerating! "Ooh, look what you made me Look what you made me do Look what you just made me Look what you just made me Ooh, look what you made me Look what you made me do Look what you just made me Look what you just made me do" -the next morning after listing off these names to the rude police officer I slept until noon, got up in my grown up boss ass outfit, got in my red buggy and zoomed to the YMCA with my sunglasses feeling like a bad ass scene from a movie, I catwalked into the YMCA to the chorus of LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO and I said I need to see a manager and report an incident then that manager came over and I told her everything that happened in that public pool to me and she was dumb founded because they have a "no tolerance policy" "I don't like your kingdom keys, they once belonged to me, you asked me for a place, locked me out then threw a feast (WHAT?!)" -Every single one of these manipulating sexual abusers have affected me in so many ways for the rest of my life. I went to couseling in high school and my recent new Doctor , those two told me that a lot of how I act, talk and think has to do with the after affects and symptoms of being sexually abused and that a portion in my FUCKING BRAIN paused on developing and has a fog over it and cant pay attention to things and I am easily forgetful and space out way more often than the normal person. I DONT LIKE HOW THESE SICK FUCKS HAVE THE KEYS TO THE PERSON I AM TODAY. I don't like that the like psychos who molested me when I was a pre teen took something from me I never had,finding myself at such a crucial age and my confidence I had as a kid. "The world moves on, another day, another drama, drama." While I've been in the deep state of depression and feeling empty I stand there and notice how everyone else lives goes on and theyre happy mean while Im dead on the inside "But not for me, not for me, all I think about is karma" -But while Im standing there feeling like everyone can just pretend like it never happened to me even when I told them , I cant help but think of the the sexual abusers getting put in jail or getting their lives taken away from them because they deserve that. "And then the world moves on, but one things for sure Maybe I got mine, but you all get yours" -Maybe for now my karma for trying to go out for fun was to be molested by a boy ll be punished for what you did. " I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me be the actress starring in your bad dreams I dont trust nobody and nobody trusts me" -when the boy in high school spread all these awful rumors about me and showed the nudes I sent him (because he threatened me) to his classes, I lost friends at school , no one wanted to talk to me and in return I was left being fearful for the rest of my life that anyone could leave me at any moment. .. " I don't trust nobody" -I turned to all the people whose ever told me " I'll be there for you if you ever need anything "but when that something i need is to tell someone about how I was sexually assaulted they tell everything except things that will actually lift my soul up and make me feel better but no one cares enough to actually check up on me after hearing a horrible traumatic thing happening to me because I don't have the energy to come to people myself every day and come forward on how low I feel. I had people tell me to "just go home" when I'd call them up sobbing in my car and ask them if I could come over for them to comfort me. I've had people literally leave me because I confronted them about only sending me a sad face or "I'm sorry" and nothing more. LIKE. MAYBE SEND ME THE CLEAN SOEECH IDK. I'm desperate to hear some words of encouragement but no people HATE confrontation So much they'll just leave me instead of owning up and offering me anything more then a sad face through a text and their sympathy. "I'll be the actress starring in your bad dreams" -Im coming for revenge , I'm gonna make you pay for what you did to me so I'll be in your nightmares "I'm sorry the old Erica can't come to the phone right now, why? OH , cuz she's dead" It's been months since I was sexually assaulted last and the scared old fragile me is dead and I'm becoming this new fierce woman who protects myself. I have two open sexual assault cases open right now and I'm looking for mental health help and okay, I'm overly distracted , it's like there's this fog over my mind and I can't see or think clearly and it's affecting my every day life, I can't do well at work and when I'm in a normal conversation , and cry myself to sleep when I feel worthless. But I've found time can heal most anything. P.s Taylor I admire you so much for defending yourself during your sexual assault trial, I heard you got sassy.. I would have to... it's pretty annoying when you have to relive the incident numerous amount of times and people don't believe you so you have to say it over and over again until you just start to cry because you just want justice. My parents didn't report to the police about the guy who was my dads best friend touching me when I was 12 because they knew all the interviews and questions I would be asked and they didn't want me to relive it m, I was 12 and scared..... 10 years later I got the guts to do but only because i can't live like his anymore unneeded something to matter so i went for justice, I had a interview for a detective and police man in an office in the police station, it was video recorded and everything, they asked me about every little detail of all the 4 times he molested me, it was awful and I cried so much during the whole thing I told them how he took something away from me I never really had as a 12 year old.. my confidence and finding who I am. And saying that out loud made me cry even more but I felt like it was necessary to say so they could believe me and see how much he hurt me. They said it's going to take a long to time to be able to find the him and when they do I need to be prepared for him to deny it and if so we might go to court. I Do NOT have the money for that at all but taylor, I heard you are donating to foundations that help girls defend themselves and I might have to use that and in SO BEYOND THANKFUL. For those foundations and for you helping out. They thanked me for my time and as the detective walked me out to the the main door she said " maybe you'll be able to inspire other girls and let them know it's never to late to report it" and in that moment I felt so inspired... now I feel SO passionate about being a mental health advocate, I have my AA degree so I'll be going back to college and get my psychology degree. I'm gonna kick ass. P.s.s I'm sorry if this post triggered anyone with anything I talked about but I really wanted to let taylor know how I relate to her music P.s.s Taylor i am SO sorry for what you had to go through being sexually assaulted, it really does turn a light off on your personality and I wish I could just take all your pain away, you have been there for me through EVERYTHING and I just want to be there for you and hold your hands through every step . @taylorswift