#blizzard of oz

[theglitterdome]

Singer Ozzy Osbourne

Happy 76th Birthday!

Born December 3, 1948

[rolandrockover]

Some Trains Don't Turn Me On

Bon Jovi are back, and they're not alone, because this time they've brought Ozzy Osbourne along as reinforcement!!!

[note: This would have been my originally intended introduction for today, dear people, but in the end I opted for the following, somewhat less flashy version.]

Tinkering hour with Turn on the Night (1987), and how to put together a hit that didn't want to become one, but preferred to eke out its modest existence as an eternal insider tip in gradually enlightened hardcore fan circles.

There are those who claim that Turn on the Night is a rip-off of Bon Jovi's She Don't Know Me (1984) (1), others, on the other hand, swear their first-born child that they clearly recognize Ozzy's Crazy Train (1980) in it. Even if I personally think that neither party is wrong with their respective assumptions, I belong to the faction that unmistakably recognized the intro of a popular German pop talk show called Na, sowas! from the Saturday evening prime time TV program of the mid-80s in Turn on the Night's anthemic keyboard intro and chorus.

The Bon Jovi comparison certainly applies with his intro and the chorus melody, and Ozzy's verses rather reinforce the impression that Bongiovi and Co. might have already had their way with them before. But if we now add the first few verse lines and Spencer Davis Groups' Gimme Some Lovin' (1966) and above all its flow and feel, this wild affair could slowly become a well-rounded one.

It's written somewhere on the holy internet how Paul spoke out about Diane Warren being the main contributor to Turn on the Night, and Diane Warren herself expressed her surprise that the song didn't become a hit.

My idea to this subject is, it's a bit as if a food designer had designed and developed an attractive and appetizing fast food product inspired from the most popular offerings of the three best-known providers in Western culture in this field, only to be completely ignored by the entire analyzed and potential customer base. Which makes me think once again that sometimes it's not the product itself that counts, but the brand, or at least its promotion (2). I don't know what kind of crazy world we live in that Turn on the Night shouldn't be a hit.

I guess Unmasked's (1980) Tomorrow must have felt something like that.

Side Notes:

(1) You could just as easily accuse Holly Knight of using Bon Jovi's She Don't Know Me for The Best (1988/89), which would of course be complete nonsense, because these kinds of melodies were something of a junction for pop and rock music in the 80s, just as the riff from Smoke on the Water (1972) was more or less a blueprint for rock riffs from the 70s onwards. But it was all up in the air at the time an all you had to do was reach for it and pick it like a ripe fruit.

(2) As I'm writing this, I'm feeling a deja vu to one of my previous entries, namely Nothing Can Keep Me From You (1999), also written by Diane Warren.

The links are all highlighted somewhere, but don't ask me where exactly, because I wrote the above lines more than half a year ago. Let's just trust that everything will be all right:

Turn on the Night (1987)

She Don't Know Me (1984)

Crazy Train (1980)

Gimme Some Lovin' (1966)

1980-F (1980)

[randyrhoadsstudent]

Lots Love for Randy from Ozzy at the RnRHOF

[bayareabadboy]

[randgugotur-6]

This Day in Metal 🤘

𝙈𝙖𝙮 8𝙩𝙝 1981 #𝙊𝙯𝙯𝙮𝙊𝙨𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 #𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙒𝙖𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙖, 𝙅𝙤𝙝𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙨𝙮𝙡𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙖

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙊𝙯𝙯𝙮’𝙨 #𝘽𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙯𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙤𝙛𝙊𝙯𝙯��𝙤𝙪𝙧 #𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙮𝙈𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮

[taintandviolent]

Baby, it's cold outside ; Oz Cobb x Reader

summary: It's Christmas Eve in Gotham City, and it's bitterly cold, but you're warm up in Oz's penthouse. When he comes home from an event, you're waiting, wrapped up like a little present.

word count & w a r n i n g s: K | older man/younger woman, established relationship, making out, shameless smut, unprotected sex, foreplay in a Santa outfit, santa kink????, christmas themes, very inappropriate use of christmas puns/phrases/themes, fingering (female receiving), festive dirty talk, praise kink, very brief and light bondage, .

a/n: requested by a few anons! I hope it satisfies your festive whore needs for this man!!! not beta read and kinda rushed, but such is life. I wanted to get this out before Christmas Eve. Also speaking of Eve's.... Eve is... MIA I don't know, it's a plot hole, it didn't work out between them, yada yada, but she's not apart of this. all in the name of spice / reader's benefit! banners by @/strangergraphics!

↓ full fic under cut! ↓ / playlist here / ao3 link here! / I don’t have a taglist anymore, but please turn on post notifications if you’d like to be notified of future fics!

Gotham had been hit by a massive blizzard, but you weren’t complaining. It was Christmas Eve, and the snow was welcomed. At least by you, who didn’t have to be out in it. Big, fluffy flakes drifted down from the clouds, and you had a perfect view of the snow-covered city from the large windows. With the music that you’d put on, it felt altogether very Christmas-y.

You were enjoying the snow by yourself for the time being. Oz had left late that afternoon in a Santa suit. Some favor he had to do – couldn’t get out of it. The way he bristled every time you brought it up told you not to ask for too much information.

Christmas was really important to Oz – you assumed it was a favored holiday of his mother’s or something. Which was unsurprising. Everything, in some way, rooted back to his mother. You had come to terms with that, and accepted it. Played into it, even. 

He was insistent on a tree. A big one.

By the first of December, he had a massive one picked out for the living room, and a smaller (but still substantial) one for his mother’s room and had them delivered to the penthouse. You two decorated the big one that night, with cocktails and music. As with everything in his life, Oz was particular about decorating. After a few drinks, you could admit, your tree decorating skills were lacking. You’d lazily hang them in clusters, and Oz would fuss after you, rearranging it until it looked like it had fallen out of a magazine. 

But tonight, the tree was perfect. You crouched down in front of it, flicking a particularly ample bow atop a package. It wobbled and glittered, catching the twinkling lights above it. Most of the presents were yours – you knew this. Every time you turned around, it seemed there were another two tucked under the tree. 

“Doll?” 

Oz’s gruff voice comes from the hallway, echoing against the walls. Your head snaps up, and you straighten, pushing yourself off of your knees – you hadn’t heard him come in. You wrap the fluffy white robe tighter around your body, making sure that it isn’t revealing anything of your surprise. You’d been in the lingerie for a few hours, not knowing when he’d get home.

He rounds the corner, lumbering in with the signature gait that you’ve come to love. Though he’s ditched the hat and beard, he’s still in the classic red and white suit. It suits his stature and you screw your lips up in an amused smile, trying not to laugh at how miserable he looks. Like an excited child, you gallop over, pressing your hands against the plush suit. You trace circles in the fabric and look up at him with your doe eyes and pouting lips. 

“Ohohoh, Santa,” you coo, playfully. “You’re early.” 

Seeming embarrassed, Oz pulls your hand off his chest, holding it for a moment before bringing it to his lips. A small kiss is placed upon your knuckles before he finally speaks. “Ah, cut it out. Lemme’ get outta’ this fuckin’ thing and I’ll –” 

“Ozzy…” You back up, your hands falling to the tie of your robe. “You know, it’s customary to open a present on Christmas Eve.” 

He stops, mid-turn, and squints at you. He knows you well enough to know that mischievous glimmer in your eyes ain’t going away.

“So, open this one.” 

In a fluid motion, you untie the sash and shrug the robe off your shoulders. It falls to the floor, revealing your festive lingerie that you’d picked out weeks ago. You watch Oz’s eyes light up as he takes in the visual in front of him, starting at your feet, which are covered in a pair of red nylons, thigh highs. His gaze travels upwards, pausing to savor the look of the garters stretching over your lush thighs. Your bare stomach tenses at his gaze, before finally, he gets to the bra; a giant red bow that conceals the majority of your ample breasts. He can’t see it, but your nipples harden under the fabric, a reaction to the chill of the room and the heavy weight of his gaze. 

“Fuck…” He shifts, turning back around to face you fully. 

“But I dunno’.... Only good boys get their presents.” 

The words hit him like a ton of bricks. Oz swallows hard and licks his lips. He jerks his head to the side and lets out a breathy laugh, before holding his hands out.  

“Baby, who is dressed like fuckin’ Santa here? I think I’m the one that gets to decide who is naughty or nice, huh?” 

Your fingers toy with the edge of the bra’s bow, teasingly. “Hmm. Well, we all know that I’ve been a good girl this year.” 

“Yeah,” he says, limping over to you. His hands ghost over your nearly bare hips. “Yeah, you fuckin’ have.” 

You look down at his hands, then shoot your gaze back up to his brown eyes. Languidly, you grab his hand, bringing it to your lips to graze your teeth over the pads. Oz shifts his shoulder, trying to fend off the oncoming erection, no doubt. Something about pitching a tent in a Santa suit feels immoral, but you clearly ain’t on his side on this one. 

 “Don’t I get to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what I want? Huh?” 

You drop your hands, pulling his with them and tugging him towards the velvet sofa. It faces the windows and the tree, which is an incredibly picturesque and romantic background to fuck to, you think. You yank a little harder, though he’s standing stiff, watching you with hesitant eyes. 

“C’mon Ozzy….. C’mooooon.”

Finally, he concedes to your pulling and follows you to the couch, allowing you to guide him to the middle cushion. With a sharp shove, you push him backwards. He hits the couch with a grunt and looks up at you with those big cow eyes of his  – the ones that you can’t resist, no matter what you do. 

He licks his lips again. “What is this, huh?” 

You tap his nose and bend at the waist to stroke his plush-covered thighs. He’s being good; his red trousers aren’t straining yet. You frown playfully, making sure he sees your pitiful little pout. “Where’s your Christmas spirit, hmm?” 

Your hands continue their trailing up to his groin, and one hand palms his cock outside of his pants. Oz shifts his hips backwards at the sudden contact, and he hisses through his teeth.

“Movin’ your way down the list, sweetheart.” 

“Me?” You gasp. It’s a gentle, girlish sound and you feign shock. Your hand grips his cock a little tighter. “I’m the best girl in the world. I’d never be on the naughty list.” 

He chuckles low and looks down at himself. He feels the telltale heat rushing down between his legs, and it won’t be long before the fabric fights against his hardening length. “I dunno’...”

Your hand abandons its post and moves up to his wide stomach, where you quickly unbuckle the large black belt, sliding it through the loops. You throw it around his neck and pull him forward until his nose bumps into your cheek, and his lips meet yours. You kiss him long and hard, tasting him and whatever alcohol was leftover from the event. 

All at once, Oz lets out a deep groan, and reaches up to pull you into his lap. “C’mon, sweetheart. Sit on Santa’s lap, then.” 

You titter happily, and replace the belt with your arms. One knee at a time, you straddle him and lower yourself down. He doesn’t bother putting on a Santa-esque accent when he asks you what you want for Christmas this year, but does throw in a teasing ‘little girl’. 

You hum and raise your eyes to the tall ceilings, thinking. “Well let’s see… should I play Santa Baby for you? Been an awful good girl…” 

“Why don’t you tell me what you really want?” 

Your gaze falls heavy to his, and you smirk, leaning forward. You position your lips next to his ear and whisper a string of festively phrased, lewd desires that make his lips quirk up in a pleased smirk. 

“Stuff your stocking, huh?” he repeats. 

You nod and as if to punctuate your sentence, you grind your hips against his lap and take note of the stiffness that’s there now. A pleased smirk contorts your lips as you look below your bodies. Amidst all the red fabric, there’s a distinct outline, the fabric tenting as his cock swells from all of your teasing. 

You push yourself up on your knees. As you grip the sides of your panties, you lean forward to tug them over the curve of your ass. The position puts your bow-clad cleavage in Oz’s face and he snags the opportunity to kiss the tops of your breasts. “Mm-mm…” 

You pull them down your thighs, until they rest in the crook of your knees. Oz wastes no time in bringing one of his hands up to her. His fingers stroke her delicately, admiring every inch of her, watching as your hips buck and jerk when he nears the already slick slit. 

“This all for me?” 

“Baby, it’s always all for you. ‘Cause you’re always so good, aren’t you, Ozzy?”  

Between your legs, you feel his hips rise instinctively. He’s hard now, and the tip of his middle finger glides between your folds. You whimper and grip his broad shoulder tight, digging your perfectly manicured nails into the fabric. 

As an afterthought, you bring both hands down to his chest. Fluidly, you slip both hands underneath the jacket, and push it over his shoulders, revealing the white shirt underneath. He’s got his suspenders on, which you immediately tug on. You find them incredibly sexy, something that while he never understood, he appreciates. 

His finger plunges into your warm, wet cunt and sets there a moment, just feeling her.You clench around him, and he pulls out, replacing it with two. The girth of his two fingers is always so satisfying, filling you as he pumps in and out. 

His tongue juts out, mere centimeters from your center. He’s not close enough to taste her, but god he wants to. You can tell; the way he licks his lips repeatedly, his eyes locked on his fingers as they slip repeatedly from your slick cunt. She clenches around his thick digits while you moan above him, resting your cheek on the side of his head.

Finally, after a few more pumps, he withdraws his fingers and you immediately reel back, disappointed. He brings them to his mouth, sucking them clean. 

“Fuck,” he murmurs around them. 

The visual has you leaking and clenching around nothing. You long for the filled feeling again, and wiggle your hips to remind him. You reach behind your back, and unclip the bra, letting your tits fall free. “Ozzy, don’t stop…” 

Without another word, Oz lifts you up with both hands, and sets you down on the sofa next to him. Using the arm of the chair, he pushes himself up and turns to face you. Slipping your hands over the silky velvet, you flip over and push your ass up into the air. He makes a fist around your panties and tugs them down over your ankles. He flings them towards the tree, and you can’t help but let out a little chuckle when they catch on a branch, hanging there as one of the most lewd decorations you’ve ever seen. 

Oz pulls your attention back, taking a fistful of your exposed ass. “This pussy is the best fuckin’ present, sweetheart. There ain’t nothin’ I want more than this….” 

You let out a humiliating whine as he toys with her from behind, his fingers sweeping over your entrance. His thumb catches the side of her, and he pulls her apart, exposing the slick, glistening flesh. 

“Shit, baby… fuckin’ soakin’ wet.” 

He pulls the suspenders off his shoulders, and kicks the trousers down. It’s a bit of struggle to get his briefs down, but he finally does it, and grunts, shuffling closer to you and hoisting his good leg up onto the sofa behind you. 

Taking himself in one hand while still holding you open with the other, Oz slips his fat tip inside. It’s enough to make you whimper, desperately, but you know the moans will come as soon as he plunges himself inside. Though Oz loves every position, he particularly likes taking you from behind. He loves watching as he disappears into you, your dripping cunt swallowing him whole with every thrust. 

“Fuck me, Ozzy… fuck me, please, baby…” 

“Heh, don’t gotta’ ask me twice.” he replies, before pushing himself a little further in. His thick cock stretches you wide and you arch your back up, unable to contain the moans that tumble from your mouth. 

“That’s it… mhm…. Just like that - fuck!” 

Your hips meet him halfway, and Oz sinks himself all the way in, fucking into you hard with an immediate rhythm. Your stomach tightens with the waves of pleasure, your hands gripping the side of the sofa hard. 

“Oh my god, oh my g— You’re… you’re so fuckin’ good, Oz. You’re so fuckin’ good, oh my god. N-nobody’s better than you, baby…” 

Though Oz usually fucks you speechless, you’ve gotten in the habit of verbally praising him. If you don’t, he’ll ask for it anyway. It’s something that deeply arouses him, and makes him fuck you all the harder. Which he does. He groans and ruts his hips against your ass, filling the room with the slapping of your bodies as they collide. Silently, you’re glad for the music, which disguises some of the erotic sounds. 

“How’s that dick feel, huh? Tell me it’s good.”

You nod, your mouth dry from breathing so hard. “It’s so good. Big, thick cock feels s-so….” Your sentence is shattered by a string of high-pitched moans, but you quickly regain composure and finish it off. “...good!”

He continues humping your ass, driving himself as far in as he can. The head of his cock repeatedly hits the deepest part of your core, and your eyes roll back in your head. You only need a few more moments of his relentless bullying before your cunt flutters around him, glazing him in warm slick. The dizzying high of the orgasm wraps its hands around your head, forcing it to fall heavy onto the sofa.

The sensation sends Oz over the edge – and he’s genuinely surprised he’s lasted this long. He tenses, his hips lose their rhythm as he shudders over you, bucking and stammering words of pleasure. His release coats his cock as he pulls out of you. 

“God damn,” he pants.

You nod, smushing your face against the cushion. “Yeah. You really…” you swallow. “ Decked my halls.” 

Oz wants to tell you to knock it off, but all he can do is laugh. As he pulls himself from you, his gaze falls to an oblong present under the tree. It’s a necklace; diamonds, with a purple garnet and an amethyst dangling in the middle. Once he showers, he decides he’s gonna give it to you. 

“I’ll be back, doll. Don’t get dressed. I wanna see this present on ya’. Stay just like that.”

 So, you do. 

His cock was enough of a present, but you aren’t about to complain to a man like him. 

[lisaloutwo]

Meal 1 (9:00 AM): Blended Breakfast Purée

• McDonald’s Big Breakfast with Hotcakes (3 orders): 4,020 calories

• 6 Hash Browns: 960 calories

• Large Caramel Frappuccino: 470 calories

• Maple Syrup and Extra Butter: 450 calories

Preparation:

Blend the Big Breakfasts, hash browns, syrup, butter, and frappuccino into a smooth purée. Add water or milk as needed to reach a thin enough consistency for a funnel.

Total: 5,900 calories

Meal 2 (11:00 AM): Doughnut and Coffee Smoothie

• Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts (12-pack): 2,280 calories

• 6 Chocolate Iced Doughnuts: 2,280 calories

• 2 Cinnabon Classic Rolls: 1,760 calories

• Large Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha: 620 calories

Preparation:

Blend the doughnuts, Cinnabon rolls, and white chocolate mocha into a rich, sugary purée. Add water, milk, or cream to thin out the texture.

Total: 6,940 calories

Meal 3 (1:00 PM): Pizza and Soda Purée

• Pizza Hut Large Stuffed Crust Meat Lovers Pizza (2 pizzas): 6,960 calories

• Garlic Cheese Breadsticks (8 pieces): 2,320 calories

• 2 Large Pepsi (32 oz): 400 calories

Preparation:

Blend the pizzas, garlic breadsticks, and Pepsi together into a savory purée. Add additional soda or water as necessary to thin out for the funnel.

Total: 9,680 calories

Meal 4 (3:00 PM): Burger and Fries Shake

• Five Guys Bacon Cheeseburgers (3 burgers): 3,180 calories

• Five Guys Large Fries (3 orders): 3,930 calories

• Five Guys Large Chocolate Milkshake with Whipped Cream (2): 2,000 calories

Preparation:

Blend the burgers, fries, and milkshakes together to create a rich, thick purée. Add more milkshake or milk as needed for consistency.

Total: 9,110 calories

Meal 5 (6:00 PM): Nugget and Fries Combo Purée

• McDonald’s 60-piece Chicken McNuggets: 2,820 calories

• 3 Large Fries: 1,470 calories

• 4 McDonald’s Apple Pies: 920 calories

• 2 Large Coca-Colas: 620 calories

Preparation:

Blend the McNuggets, fries, apple pies, and Coca-Cola together. Use additional soda or water to ensure smoothness.

Total: 5,830 calories

Meal 6 (9:00 PM): Dessert Frenzy

• Dairy Queen Large Oreo Blizzard (2): 2,280 calories

• Large Brownie Batter Blizzard: 1,340 calories

• 2 Cheesecake Blizzards: 2,280 calories

Preparation:

Blend all Blizzard desserts together for a thick, ice cream-based purée. Add some milk or cream to reach the desired consistency.

Total: 5,900 calories

Daily Total: 30,360 calories

🤯🤯🤯

[fizzing-imagines]

Girl Next Door Part 2

Notes: I think I can make a series out of this, if any of you would like that. You can find part 1 here

Words: 1.8k

Warnings: Descriptive mourning

"That's...definetly words written on paper.", you said while reading over the lyrics that Eddie write for a new song. If there's one thing he adored about you, it's that you had a smart mouth as soon as you got comfortable around someone. "Wow New York, didn't take you as a mean one.", he joked before taking the paper back from you. "It just feels forced.", you defended yourself. "Maybe I don't know enough about rock music, my CDs consist of Bananarama, Madonna and Whitney Houston." Gareth laughed at that, remembering how you two couldn't agree on music that same morning.

To be clear, you and Gareth weren't a couple yet. You two knew that you had feelings for each other, and Gareth made it more than clear that he wants to make you his girlfriend. But after everything that happened a few weeks ago, he really wanted to proof himself. And that was more than fine with you. In fact, it's been so good to be wooed over. You thought Chance was treating you well in the beginning, but Gareth took it to another level.

"What are you laughing at, I caught you singing along to Bananarama!", you joked and playfully slapped his shoulder. "I did not!", he defended himself. "Oh you absolutely did, you love Venus." He couldn't deny that. Although it was mostly due to the fact that it was your favourite song. "He's getting soft.", Jeff teased with a grin. Your joking conversations was interruptions by Chrissy Cunningham tapping you on the shoulder. "We've decided to have some extra practice tomorrow before the big game, we need you there.", she explained after you turned around. Chrissy was one of the very few nice cheerleaders who remained kind even after you hung around Hellfire more. What was satisfying is that the entire squad knew that they couldn't loose you as a member, which is why they let you be. "I'll be there, don't worry.", you said to her with a smile. She smiled back and then left to get back to her table.

"Got the evening free today, do you wanna hang out?", you asked Gareth while both of you walked to your US history class. "Sure. Any plans on what to do?" You thought for a bit, going through all the possibilities. "Well, my parents won't be home until the next morning. We can watch a movie in my room, maybe?" Your parents didn't let you bring Gareth into your room, at least not without having the door open. Now that they were gone, you could finally watch a movie uninterrupted. Meanwhile, all that Gareth heard was that your parents weren't home. He's been wanting to kiss you for a while now, and while it almost happened many times it was always interrupted by a parent, sister or cat. "Sounds good. I'll bring food, you get the movie?" You nodded with a wide smile on your face.

And so it was. He came over later that day with pizza and your favourite cookies, and was greeted by your beautiful face and a cat in your arm "Hey, come in.", you said in a cheery tone and made space for him in the doorway. As he stepped in, he scratched your cat behind her ear. You always loved how he naturally got along with your pets. "Just a warning, I did not pick a horror movie.", you said while he took off his shoes. There was a small grin on your face, knowing that he usually didn't watch anything that wasn't horror or thriller. "What are we watching?", he asked. You let your cat down and took the food from his hands. It smelled so good. "Wizard of Oz.", you replied while leading him upstairs.

Your room was always the most comfortable to him. Even with the pink sheets, heart-shaped pillows and and fairylights all over your room, he loved spending time in there. As long as it was with you, he'd sit outside in the freezing cold during a blizzard. While you put in the movie, he shut the door behind you and got comfortable on your bed. It smelled like you, which was heaven to him. As soon as you sat down next to him, your head found his shoulder and remained there while the movie started. His arm wrapped around your shoulder and pulled him closer to his body. Eventually, the both of you cuddled while eating pizza and cookies.

"I think you'd feel a lot like Dorothy when I take you to New York.", you said after a while. He chuckled at your words while playing with your hair. "When you take me?", he asked. You moved your head and looked up at him from his chest. "I still wanna take you.", you stated. "Maybe after we graduate?" He tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear, and his hand remained on your cheek. There it was again, the tension that has build up so many times before. "I'd like that.", he said with a soft smile. His thumb ran over your cheek in a slow, soft way. "I'd go anywhere with you." With a soft smile, you leaned in to kiss him, and finally it happened.

Gareth kissed you, so carefully and so loving. Butterflies flew all around your stomach during the kiss, and they only got stronger when you two deepened it. Breathlessly, you broke the kiss. "That was even better than I imagined it.", he said with a smile. You chuckled and put your head back on his chest. "You know, I really enjoyed the last few weeks with you.", you said to him. Gareth assumed that you were going for something, so he interrupted you. "I wanna ask you to he my girlfriend. But I have a plan and I'm working on it tight now, okay?" A small, schoolgirl-like giggle left your mouth. "Okay.", you squealed. God, you're adorable.

But everything came crashing down after a week. Chrissy and Patrick were murdered, there was an earthquake and Eddie died in it after being suspected of mentioned murder. The entire Hellfire Club was in shambles, and the Emerson family was displaced since their house was affected by the natural disaster. While his father and Georgia stayed with one of his work friends, and Ginny was with her mother at a friend's house, Gareth stayed with your family until their house was build up again. Right now Gareth was laying in your bed, curled up under the sheets and listening to music from your CD player. He's been like this on most days while mourning the loss of his friend, only finding his comfort in your smell coming from the pink sheets. The only person he really spoke to was you, and even those conversation didn't have much depth. "Gareth, I warmed you up some lasagna.", you said while walking into your room. He turned in bed to look at you. "Thank you, (Y/N).", he mumbled. You sat down on your bed while he sat up and took the food from your hands. "Dad went through the rubble today and found some things, maybe you can look through it and see what belongs to you." He nodded quietly while eating the food you warmed up for him. At least he's eating again, you thought. "You wanna cuddle later?", you continued. Again, he nodded. That was honestly the only thing he enjoyed lately, besides your presence in general. Two of your cats walked through your open door and jumped on your bed, curling up at the end of it.

After he was done eating, you went downstairs to look through the bag if things and a box of paperwork. Fortunately, all birth certificates were fine. He also found his college acceptance letter and some report cards. But the college acceptance letter struck out to you, because you recognised the logo. "Hunter College?", you asked. "The one in New York?" Gareth wanted to surprise you with it. He knew you wanted to go back to New York for college, and he'd do anything to go with you. Especially after you've been accepted into Baruch College. "I wanted it to be a surprise.", he said. You fell into his arms and pulled him into a tight hug. Not only did he apply for a college in your hometown just for you, he also got in despite the acceptance rate being under 50%. "I'm so proud of you.", you whispered. His arms snaked around your waist and held you tight. The two of you shared a kiss after before going through the bag of whatever your dad found in the rubble. Between his sisters dolls, a few family pictures and his CDs, you found a pink beanie with a clumsily stitched strawberry on it. "Georgia's?", you asked him while holding it up. Gareths eyes lit up when he saw the beanie in your hand. "That's...just look inside." A bit confused, you turned it inside out and look for whatever he meant. Where the tag with wash instructions was supposed to be, there was a tag that read 'Will you be my girlfriend?'

You looked up at a loss for words. His face, for the first time in days, looked hopeful. "Do you want an answer now?", you finally asked. He laughed awkwardly before nodding. "Of course I'll be your girlfriend, Gareth." Once again, you tackled him in a hug before kissing him once more.

For the first time in a while, he felt whole again.

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"Come on, we're gonna be late!", you yelled through your small one-bedroom apartment while putting on your pink jelly boots. "This is New York, the subway comes every 5 minutes!", Gareth yelled back while looking for his schoolbag. You were almost ready to leave while Gareth hasn't even put on his boots. "I can't find my bag." You stood at the front door of your shared apartments with his bag in hand that he left by the shoe rack. "This bag?", you asked in an ironic tone. He walked over, gave you a quick kiss and took his bag from your hand. "Thank you, babe.", he said before putting on his shoes. Meanwhile, you put your pink beanie on your head and wrapped a matching scarf around your neck. He got you that scarf for your 3-year anniversary, along with an engagement ring. "Alright, let's go.", he said while grabbing his keys and phone. Your fiance held your hand while walking through the busy New York streets with you towards the subway station. Unfortunately, you had to go into different directions since the apartment your parents paid for was perfectly between your colleges.

"Coffee later?", you asked him while saying goodbye. "Sure. See you later." He kissed you once more before sending you off into your subway and getting into the one he had to take.

With you, even the busy city of New York felt like home.

[wawamouse]

Oz 4x13 → "Blizzard of '01"

[randyrhoadsstudent]

Just wandered onto this, Ozzy recalling Blizzard of Oz.

[outsidersheadcanons]

The gang during a natural disaster? (Tornado or a Blizzard)

Thanksss!

So these guys are from Oklahoma. They are no strangers to tornadoes (but they are still scared to death when they happen) EXCEPT for Dally. He had no idea what a tornado even WAS until the sirens started blaring and the sky got all dark.

Darry usually takes charge in these situations and herded everyone into the bathroom (since it has the least amount of windows in the house (one tiny window) and bathroom walls are pretty sturdy). Despite this he still went outside. Just to check

As soon as it started getting loud Ponyboy started to FREAK OUT (Darry told him to start praying, which helped him a lot w/ focusing on smth else that wasn't the tornado). Johnny was sitting next to him in the empty bathtub and they both clung to each other the entire time. Soda got in with them and tried his best to comfort them. He was pretty scared too but he didn't want anyone to know.

Dally made everything so much worse by also. losing his mind. He genuinely thought the house would fly away Wizard of Oz style (which it didn't. Thankfully the most damage was a few fallen trees in the street and a LOT of trash in everyone's yards). But he really started to reevaluate his life choices in that bathroom 💀

Steve was frustrated with the situation since the tornado "wasn't even that bad 😡" (but Darry would NOT let him outside. Lol).

Two-bit. got tired of the howling wind and the awkward silence so he started singing and joking around. He was kinda drunk anyway so the tornado didn't bother him too much (and his antics DID end up making Johnny and Pony laugh so it worked out).

[mask131]

Would you mind me asking you another Oz related question in this since your Oz blogs inbox has been closed

Does the Oz witches represent the calssic elements (fire, water, air, earth)?

It has been closed? Damn, thank you for telling me! I had opened it when I created the blog, I never closed it... And I was wondering why everybody came here to ask their Oz questions X) Tumblr is doing its silliness again...

While I will reblog this to my Oz blog (and re-open my ask-box there...) I will answer you directly, with my apologies for you being forced to come all the way to this hell-hole to express your curiosity X(

So, originally, in Baum's books (or any of the Oz books), the witches are NOT element-inspired or based. They do have specializations in their powers (like Mombi with illusions and transformations) but there is no elemental motif in there. However, the idea of the witches of Oz being linked to the four elements has been reused several times in adaptations.

Technically speaking, the association of the witches with the elements started with the MGM movie - where the water-vulnerable Wicked Witch of the West wields fire, while the Good Witch Glinda opposing her manifests things such as bubbles and snow, evoking a water-motif. [Interestingly, the MGM movie only invented the bubbles and fire part, the idea of the Good Witch of the North having snow-based power comes from the stage-musical-adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Baum himself, where he had the Witch of the North - Locasta - commanding over spirits of the wind and the cold].

This elemental motif was taken back and expanded upon by Disney's not-a-prequel-but-still-sort-of "Oz: The Great and Powerful". Since it is based on the MGM movie, they took back the idea that Theodora's magic allows her to naturally wield and create fire. Evanora/Wicked Witch of the East got a control over lightning and electricity (which seems to be a nod to how the protective spell of the Ruby Slippers in the MGM movie takes the shape of electric bolts). Glinda still is linked to water in the shape of bubbles and fog/mist (she was supposed to also unleash a blizzard and snow-storms in the first drafts of the movie), but she is also added a light-motif (as it is pure light that comes out of her wand when she confronts Evanora).

The other major work I know of that explores the idea of the Witches being elements-based is "Emerald City". It is strongly implied and hinted at in the show per se, it was explained in more details by additional material - in their universe, the four "breeds" of Witches have specific affiliations with the elements from which their magic depends. Eastern Witches are linked with air - with the Witch of the East being in charge of controlling and regulating the weather of Oz, from tornadoes to snowfalls. Western Witches are linked with water - seen with how much Mistress West appears or uses waters of all sorts (and a joke on the Wicked Witch of the West' weakness being originally water). Northern Witches are linked to stone, with their most terrifying ability being to turn people into statues (probably a nod to what Mombi wanted to do to Tip in "The Marvelous Land of Oz"). As for the Southern Witches they are fire (spoiler alert, but the existence of a young witch with pyrokinesis is the proof needed to reveal that Mother South is still alive).

However this is all from adaptations derived or inspired by the MGM-tradition: in the Oz books, and in a lot of other adaptations, the Witches are not truly elements inspired... However there are many elemental spirits in Baum's cosmogony - from the Nomes (rock) to the Mist Maidens passing by entities like Polychrome the Rainbow's daughter. LOT of nature spirits going around. The witches themselves however are not really "aligned" to any element (the Good Witch never shows mastery over snow, the Witch of the West never uses fire, etc...)

[yanderejustforyou]

Day 2 ❄️ Little lie

Summary:

"No," he said, his voice a soft promise, a promise laced with something darker. "I'm here because you lie to yourself about what you need."

Day 2 ❄️ Little lie

 

The icy winds howled outside the small, dimly lit room, rattling the windowpanes with an ominous promise of the blizzards still raging within the streets. The air felt charged with an electric tension, the sort that made even the bravest hearts hesitate. But inside, cocooned from the harsh reality of the weather, the warmth of the fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows against the dark, worn walls. Oz reclined back on the plush, deep burgundy velvet couch, a rich glass of amber scotch cradled in his hand. He lifted it to his lips, savoring the warmth as it slid down his throat, his eyes transfixed on the flames dancing lazily, their soft, hypnotic movements drawing him into a reverie filled with heat and longing.

Across the room, Victor—Vic, as Oz insisted on calling him—stood near the large windows, his silhouette a stark, dark, imposing figure looming against the faint glow of the streetlights outside. The swirling snowflakes caught the light, illuminating a world blanketed in white, but Vic’s shadow remained a formidable presence amidst the winter's cloak. He embodied a sense of distant power, unreachable yet hauntingly near, adding to the intoxicating complexity that fueled Oz’s desire. This magnetic pull between them drove Oz wild; it was a dangerous rhythm, punctuated by the thrill of their unspoken connection, that lingered in the air whenever Vic was near.

“You’re quiet tonight,” Oz’s voice broke the silence, an inviting lilt dancing through the stillness. He leaned forward slightly, studying Vic’s posture and the way his muscles tensed even from afar.

Vic didn’t turn around as he stood, focused on the snow-laden streets outside. He never did when Oz spoke like that—when his words slid out like a subtle tease, an invitation that made the air crackle with untold possibilities. But Oz didn’t mind; he knew better than anyone that Vic’s silence was not distance; it was merely another layer of their intricate game, played out in glances and charged words.

“I’m thinking,” Vic finally answered, his voice smooth like velvet but cold as the relentless snowstorm outside.

Oz raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips, intrigued. “Thinking? About what?”

Without any warning, Vic turned, those sharp, penetrating eyes locking onto Oz’s with an intensity that sent a shiver racing down his spine. The atmosphere shifted, the room feeling as if it had dropped a few degrees as Vic moved toward him, slow and deliberate, each step echoing slightly through the heavy silence. There was an understated power in his stance as he stopped just in front of the couch, towering over Oz, the intensity of his stare igniting something deep within him, making Oz’s pulse quicken with both fear and raw anticipation.

“You,” Vic said softly, his voice barely rising above the crackling of the fire, and yet the weight of that single word hung heavy in the air between them. “I’ve been thinking about you.”

Oz’s heart skipped, the usual cool facade slipping for just a moment , revealing an exhilarating vulnerability. He took a long, measured sip from his glass, his eyes never leaving Vic’s unwavering gaze. “Oh? And what about me?” His voice remained casual, though the undercurrent of tension threaded through his words, a flicker of something deeper and more dangerous igniting between them.

With a calculated movement, Vic bent down, closing the distance until his face was just inches away from Oz’s. The warmth of his breath contrasted starkly with the chilling intensity that radiated from his very being. “I was thinking,” he said, leaning in tantalizingly closer, brushing against the barrier separating them, “how much you lie.”

A flicker of doubt passed over Oz’s features, but it was fleeting—just enough for Vic to notice. He thrived on this; he relished how the balance of control teetered precariously between them, how effortlessly he could keep Oz on edge, allured yet uncertain.

“A little lie?” Oz asked in a whisper, soft and teasing, his fingers curling more tightly around the glass as if it were the only lifeline amidst a growing storm.

“You lie to yourself,” Vic’s voice dropped, taking on a deeper, more primal growl as he reached forward, his hand brushing lightly over Oz’s jaw. The touch was electric, igniting flames of desire that he couldn’t ignore. “You say you don’t want this, but you crave it. You crave me.”

Oz’s breath momentarily caught in his throat, his lips parting slightly as the air thickened with unyielding tension. His heart thundered in his chest, thumping loudly in his ears as he briefly wondered if Vic could hear it—could feel it. “You think I’m lying?” Oz whispered back, his voice low, thick with a mix of defiance and smoldering desire. “Is that why you’re still here?”

Vic’s lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile, the sort that sent chills cascading down Oz’s spine, awakening every nerve ending. “No,” he replied, his voice a soft promise—a promise laced with something darker and more compelling. “I’m here because you lie to yourself about what you truly need.”

At that moment, the space between them evaporated as Vic closed the distance entirely, his lips capturing Oz’s in a kiss that was a tempest of heat and dominance. Oz melted into it, his hand instinctively reaching up to tangle in Vic’s hair, urging him closer, coaxing him deeper into their shared storm.

Vic pulled back just as Oz began to lose himself completely in the delicious chaos of their connection, leaving him breathless, heart racing. “You lie,” Vic repeated, his voice rough yet tender, almost affectionate in its timbre . “But I’m starting to think… maybe I like your little lies.”

Oz’s lips parted in surprised intrigue, his mind racing with possibilities. Was Vic simply toying with him, or was this something altogether more profound? The ambiguity made his pulse race even faster , yet it didn’t matter—certainly not at this moment, not with Vic standing before him, those piercing eyes smoldering with a mix of danger and captivating beauty.

In a surge of defiance, he leaned in again, pulling Vic’s lips back to his in a fierce kiss, daring to challenge the boundaries that defined their precarious equilibrium —a silent confrontation that spoke far louder than words ever could.

Notes:

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this story, feel free to leave a comment or share your thoughts. I’m always open to taking requests for any ship or prompt, so don’t hesitate to reach out with your ideas. I love creating more dark, twisted, and romantic tales for you all!

[blizzard-of-ozz]

《★~ Into Post ~★ 》

My name is Ozzy, I am trans and go by He/They pronouns. I am a minor. I'm from 🇺🇸, sadly. I have Autism, ADHD, and severe anxiety. I aspire to be Catholic.

Some emojis that describe me:

🏳️‍⚧️🦇✍️🌈🫀🥀⭐️📽️📚

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

Main Fandoms (💚 = active)

- Doctor Who ( 1963/2005 TV series) 💚

- The X-Files (1993 TV series)

- Maurice (1914 Book/1987 Film) 💚

- Dead Boy Detectives (2024 TV series)

- Shoot From The Hip (British Improv Group) 💚

- The Picture Of Dorian Gray (1890 Book) 💚

- Our Flag Means Death (2022 TV series)

- Fight Club (1996 Book/1999 Film) 💚

- Good Omens (2019 TV series)

- Interview With The Vampire (2022 TV series) 💚

- The Thick Of It (2005 TV series)

- Broadchurch (2013 TV series)

- Horrible Histories (2009 TV series/1994 Book series) 💚

- Yonderland (2013 TV series) 💚

- Ghosts (2019 TV series) 💚

- Red, White, and Royal Blue (2023 Film/2019 Book)

- Young Royals (2021 TV series)

- Heartstopper (2022 TV series)

- Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818 Book) 💚

Feel free to talk to me about any of those !!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

Some random things I like:

- Antiques !!

- Poetry

- Allen Ginsberg

- History (Industrial Revolution esp)

- Richard Siken

- Shakespeare (My fav play is Macbeth and my fav sonnet is sonnet 130)

My other socials:

CapCut- blizzard_of_oz

Spotify- blizzard-of-oz

(I've got some really cool playlists go check them out)

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

I love writing, reading, film, and literature.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

My Fav Bands !!

- The Smiths

- The Cure

- Belle and Sebastian

- Depeche Mode

- New Order

- Joy Division

- The Pet Shop Boys

- Wham!

- Siouxsie and the Banshees

- Bauhaus

-

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

I'll probs add more to this when I get more ideas, but yeah.

[cainluvr69]

Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 26

Previous Chapter

Hwylryn: …Balthazar…Balthazar…!

Mithra: … Is there a point in continuing our fight if that person has turned to stone?

Hwylryn: …

Mithra: Let's be done. This is enough for tonight…

Hwylryn: Mithra…

Mithra: …Hey, Hwylryn. Isn't this enough?

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur: We need to stop that light, or something terrible is going to befall Borda Island!

Murr: We need to get back to the island to intercept it! Oz…!

Oz: Wait.

Oz was staring at the ends of the sky, and then turned his gaze to Mithra.

Oz: Mithra!

For a moment I'd wondered if he'd heard him, but then Mithra looked down at Oz. He was so far off, I couldn't tell what expression he was making.

Oz: I will kill him.

Mithra: …

Oz: We do not have enough time to wait until dawn.

Mithra: …What are you talking about?

Oz: You need not do it with your own hands!

Mithra: …

Mithra silently looked back at Hwylryn. I couldn't see his face, but I could still tell he was bewildered. Hwylryn's huge mouth moved a bit, as if trying to tell Mithra something. Whatever it was Mithra heard, his head fell heavily for a moment, until he looked up again. A strange light began to gather in his crystal skull, though he didn't take his gaze off Hwylryn even for a moment. And Hwylryn flexed his claws and bared his fangs. A blizzard kicked up around them. It was the same snow that fell upon their homeland.

Mithra: Oz. Don't start saying things as stupid as that. I know where my prey is.

Mithra laughed. For a moment, Oz's expression turned bitter. He gripped my hand and examined my face, trying to ascertain what was in my heart.

Oz: I will stop Balthazar's attack. We will depart from here and return to the island. …Is that alright?

But before I could respond, Hwylryn and Mithra, clad in light so harsh it hurt to look at, dove down into my line of sight. I didn't think I'd be able to forget that sight for as long as I lived.

Akira: Yes.

Oz squeezed my hand tightly. I kept my grip on his hand firm, too. I needed to make sure he knew what was in my heart.

Oz: <Vox Nox>

✦✧☾✧✦

Nero: …! Hey, somethin's comin' this way outta the ocean!

Bradley: That ain't good… We need t' intercept it!

Mitile: Okay!

Riquet: Look! There's a dragon in the sky…!

Mitile: I see Mithra, too…!

Oz: <Vox Nox>

Riquet: …! Oz…!

Arthur: Riquet!

Riquet: Prince Arthur! And Shylock's here and okay, too!

Shylock: Yes, I am. My apologies for worrying you.

Mitile: My brother and Cain are okay, too! And Lord Snow, and Chloe and Rustica, and all of the other Eastern wizards, too!

Arthur: Thank goodness!

Murr: We can get all emotional later! It's almost here…! <Eanul Lambru>!

Shylock: <Inviebelle>!

Bradley: <Adnopotensum>!

Nero: <Adnodis Omnis>!

Riquet: <Sunrotea Edif>!

Mitile: <Scintilla>!

Arthur: <Pernoctant Nixzo>!

Oz: <Vox Nox>!

Everyone brandished their magical focuses, chanting their spells in unison. A swell of pale light burst forth, wrapping itself around us in an effort to stop the red light from the sea. Its force dwindled, just a bit. But not enough to stop it. Mermaids and dolphins poked their faces out from the waves, having noticed the path the red light was taking. Vivid blue lightning arced across the sky, silhouetting Hwylryn and Mithra's fight in black-and-white snapshots.

Akira: (At this rate, Borda Island will…!)

✦✧☾✧✦

Heathcliff: …! Mr. Faust, look!

Faust: What is it?

Heathcliff: There's something that looks like a dragon in the distance, that way!

Shino: I can feel something dangerous approaching us, too…

Figaro: …

Snow: …Fear not… We will have everything under control…

Faust: "We"…?

Figaro: Then, Lord Snow…?

Snow: …Hoho… I found him… Come back to me, White. <Noscomnia>

Figaro: …! Lord White…!

Snow: Let us speak as one. One, two…

Snow & White: <Noscomnia>

Heathcliff: Lord White!

Shino: Thank goodness! I'm happy for you, Snow!

Snow: You came back, dearest White.

White: You brought me back, dearest Snow.

Snow & White: We are one. In life, in death, and forever after--we are one.

Figaro: …Whew… Things are finally back to what I'm used to…

White: Is that Hwylryn?

Snow: Yes, it is. But he's not what we need to be worrying about right now. Spirits from the bottom of the sea are on their way to sink this island.

White: We'll stop them.

Snow: Oh yes, we'll stop them.

Figaro: Thank you, you two!

White: Hoho. All of you can wait right here. Let's be off, my dearest Snow!

Snow: Let's be off, my dearest White!

Snow & White: <Noscomnia>!

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur: …ghh… It's too strong, we can't…!

Oz: …If only the sun would rise…

Oz took a long look at the sky--still dark and full of stars. The red light was carving its way towards Borda Island, slowly but very, very surely.

Akira: (Was I not focused enough?!) (I need to stop thinking about Hwylryn…) (…I can't. I can't do that.) (Not when he's right there in front of me.)

Shylock: Master Sage! Look…!

Akira: Huh…? Ah…! Snow! White!

Sacrificium: …!

Akira: You brought Saku-chan, too…!

Snow: Ohoho! Sorry for making you wait!

White: Ohoho! Sorry for making you worry!

Oz: White…

Arthur: Lord White! I'm so glad you're okay…!

Bradley: Heh. Cheatin' death again, huh? We need you to get to work, so don't get too comfortable!

White: I'm well aware! Now, dear Snow…

Snow & White: <Noscomnia>!

Mitile: …! The red light is getting smaller…!

Arthur: We only need a little more! Let's do this!

A small fleck of light joined with the wave of magic pushing back the relentless red onslaught. More little sparks joined the first, their number increasing bit by bit. I thought that seemed strange, so I looked back over my shoulder. And there they were: the wizards that we'd met in the island market.

Market Wizard: We're here to help.

Market Wizard: We heard the details from the little miss, the new lord. She said they might try sinking the island!

Market Wizard: This island's our livelihood.

Market Wizard: We've gotta put in the effort to protect our home ourselves!

Akira: Thank you, all of you…

Market Wizard: And it's not just us wizards showing up, either! The humans are putting their boats to sea, getting ready for whatever happens!

Market Wizard: Master Sage! Let's all put our backs into it and protect this island together!

Nero: You guys…

Bradley: We've got some serious backbone on display here. Alright, then I'll step up, too. Time to get ourselves in sync!

Owen: Oh, you think you get to take charge?

Bradley: Man, don't argue! Let's do this! Three, two, one…!

At Bradley's command, the wizards in attendance all strengthened their spells. The sparks from the market wizards, the mere flickers of light, turned the wave of my wizards' magic into something bigger, something brighter--something that could gently embrace the spirits that threatened to destroy their home. Embraced by light, the spirits' dreadful red glow slowly weakened, losing force as it faded away. Soon, there was nothing left on the other side but the clear sky, awaiting dawn. And then… The red light that Balthazar had called from the depths of the ocean glittered and vanished into the blue waves.

Mitile: Yes…!

Riquet: We've protected the island…!

All the wizards in attendance, both Sage's wizards and those from the market, started shouting and cheering happily. And then… I thought I heard someone say my name.

—Akira.

Akira: …

I turned and looked up at the sky. I heard Mithra's voice on this aerial stage, backed by the gentle glow of dawn's first light.

Mithra: <Arthim>

It was such a beautiful morning. Blue and red extended off into infinity, past the gentle curve of the horizon, a sash tied neatly around the circumference of the world. Under that beautiful sky, a gem resplendent with all the colors of the rainbow shattered, its crystals raining down upon the sea. They fell into the water, plip, plop, the inauspicious sound of rain heralding those rainbow gems' descent into the depths of the sea. It was a beautiful sight. One better suited for a dream. The mermaids and dolphins watched the crystal rain with a solemnity typically reserved for prayers. And I…knew that I'd just lost a friend.

✦✧☾✧✦

Borda Island Resident: What just happened…?! Did the wizards over the ocean save us…?

Borda Island Resident: Ah… Look… There's gemstones falling into the water…

Borda Island Resident: You're right… …It's so pretty… It's the kind of thing they write songs about… Like the one about the lost prince's legacy… The rain of jewels…

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: …

Arthur: Master Sage…

Oz: …

Arthur was looking at me, worry clear on his face. I knew that he was worried and yet, I couldn't get my tears to stop falling. All I could think about was my beloved Hwylryn's innocent smile. The way he spoke so cheerfully.

—Do you want some too, Akira? —It's a promise. —I'm glad we met.

Mithra: …

Mithra was staring at something in the palm of his hand. Hwylryn's stone. He turned and looked at me and then, saying nothing, stepped through one of his doors through space and vanished. I didn't know where he went. And, just like that, the strange incidents plaguing Borda Island were over.

✦✧☾✧✦

Dianne: Master Sage, I sincerely apologize for all the trouble I have caused. And I must thank you as well for saving Borda Island from its imminent catastrophe.

Dianne was very grateful once we returned to the castle. It felt a little bit like the air around her had changed somehow. Before, she'd had a powerful and commanding presence, if an overly rigid one, but now her smiles felt…genuine.

Dianne: I deeply troubled everyone in the castle, and the townspeople as well… I plan on restarting my studies from the beginning to try and avoid doing this again.

Castle Butler: Lord Dianne, are you certain about reinstalling the magical technological oven in the kitchen?

Dianne: Yes. Yes, it's just fine. It's something that needs to be done if I ever want the former head chef to return to his position here.

Castle Butler: I'm sure he will, your Lordship.

Dianne: Thank you… When that time comes, Master Sage, please come visit Borda Island again. We will be eagerly awaiting you!

Dianne smiled a bright and carefree smile. The expressions of all the castle servants seemed more at ease now, too.

Claudia: Master Sage, I'd be delighted if you could return to be Dianne's companion again.

And Claudia was also kind and friendly with us to the very end of our visit. She'd said she'd known Vincent a long time ago, but hearing her stories would have to wait until next time, too.

✦✧☾✧✦

Heathcliff: Goodbye, Vespa. Thank you so much for everything.

Vespa: …

Shino: Hey, she's holding something. Put your hand out for her, Heath.

Heathcliff: What is it? Woah, what pretty shells… You're giving all of these to me?

Vespa: ……

Shino: That's a lot of nodding. Yep, they're all yours.

Heathcliff: Thank you. Let's see, which one should I give to Shino…

Shino: Are you stupid? You don't know the first thing about a girl's heart.

Heathcliff: I…don't think that's true.

Shino: Are you for real? Man, I just know blood's gonna get spilled over you in the human part of the world.

Heathcliff: Don't say scary things like that! Thank you so much, Vespa. I'm pretty good at detailed craftwork, so I'll make you a new accessory for the next time we meet. Like that barrette you're wearing.

Vespa: …! …!

Shino: Ahaha! Look how happy she is! If she keeps smacking the water with her tail like that, she's gonna splash us.

Heathcliff: Ahaha. I'm just happy she's happy. Well then, I'll see you again sometime, Vespa.

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox: I'm sorry for troubling you, Lord Faust…

Faust: No, you didn't do anything of the sort. If you want to say thanks to someone, you should be thanking the others…

Lennox: …

Faust: … This incident has made me reflect on a few things. You have a very strong heart. The fact that you could get possessed like that despite that strength must mean that my…halfhearted demeanor towards you made you falter.

Lennox: …

Faust: So I want to say it again. I have no intention of being happy, and because of that, there isn't a place for you at my side. But…if I were to want something similar to happiness, even just a little bit… I'd want to be able to watch over you being happy. That's all I'd want.

Lennox: Lord Faust… … My happiness is…

Faust: Yes…?

Lennox: My happiness is your happiness.

Faust: …

Lennox: If you can't be happy, Lord Faust, then I can't be happy, either.

Faust: But… You… I…

Lennox: Never.

Figaro: Both of you are so stubborn…

✦✧☾✧✦

Riquet: I learned a lot from this incident. In particular, I now understand just how difficult it is to act as a guide to the people.

Mitile: Yeah.

Rutile: I've learned the same thing from teaching. Trying to gather all my students and their different views and lead all of them is a really difficult thing to do.

Riquet: Yes. For instance, Mitile.

Mitile: Huh, what?

Riquet: If the path that I wanted to lead you down and the path that Rutile wanted to lead you down were different, whose guidance would you follow?

Mitile: Wh--what?!

Riquet: Incidentally, I'd want you to pick my side.

Mitile: That's… Um, well, I… I-I'd want to make my decision based off what you both want from me, instead of just picking you or Rutile.

Rutile: Wonderful. That's a good path for you to take, Mitile.

Mitile: Riquet, would you listen to me if I was the one guiding you?

Riquet: The other way around…?

Mitile: Hehe… Watch out, I might get strict with you.

Riquet: That's kind of exciting, actually.

Mitile: Exciting…?

Riquet: Please let me follow your guidance when we have the chance.

Mitile: I'll do my best!

Rutile: Ahaha! The two of you get along so well. You know, it's almost time for us to go back to the manor, but I haven't seen Mithra anywhere.

Riquet: I wonder if he already returned to the manor without us.

Rutile: Maybe… I hope he's doing okay…

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur: The Sage doesn't seem to be doing very well right now…

Oz: …This is true…

Arthur: I'm worried about you too, Lord Oz…

Oz: … I want to see…you talking, eating, sleeping, laughing… For another thousand days.

Arthur: … We do still have to contend with <the Great Calamity>, Lord Oz.

Oz: I suppose we do…

Arthur: I'm very happy to have you watching over me. But I'd like to have the chance to watch over you, too. I recently asked Lords Snow and White if they know if you've been getting enough sleep these days.

Oz: So that was your doing…

Arthur: It's quite nice here in the sunlight. Why don't you lay down and take a nap? I'll be right here to protect you.

Oz: Haha… So the opposite of how it has been until now.

Arthur: Ahaha! Yeah, I suppose it is.

Oz: <Vox Nox>

Arthur: Woah, a bed.

Oz: It is daytime. Such a triviality is of no consequence.

Arthur: Alright, time to lay down… Rolling around on a fluffy bed surrounded by sand and sea, listening to the sound of the ocean breeze, feels awfully decadent…

Oz: It does…

Arthur: The sun feels so nice…

Oz: It does…

Arthur: … …zzz…zzz…

Oz: … You must have been exhausted… … I never tire of seeing you so at ease.

✦✧☾✧✦

Chloe: You did soooo much this time, Rustica! It was rough, but I wanna say job well done!

Rustica: Why thank you, Chloe.

Chloe: But I think you should learn how to swim just in case we have to fight underwater again.

Rustica: You have a point. However, I am already fond of myself, unable to swim though I am.

Chloe: I'm already fond of you, too! And so… Tada! I found something just for this.

Rustica: And what would that be?

Chloe: Leather boots that'll keep you super buoyant! I even altered them to fit your legs better. Come on, try them on!

Rustica: Why thank you again, Chloe. Let's see… Like this?

Chloe: They suit you perfectly! Okay, now try walking on top of the water!

Rustica: Alright. I'll give it my best shot. Without further ado… …glub blub blub…!

Chloe: Wahh! The boots are floating, but Rustica's sinking!

Rustica: <Amores Viesse>

Chloe: Rustica, are you okay?!

Rustica: …gasp… Yes, I'm fine. These boots are a bit frightening, however.

Chloe: They areeee! I'll come up with something else!

Rustica: I shall eagerly await your next idea.

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: How about you be done here?

Owen: Excuse me? I can eat however much I want to.

Cain: Well, I guess so, but… Either way, you really are strong, huh. I was really impressed by how fast you can think on your feet while watching you fight that dragon.

Owen: You do the same when you have a sword in your hands, Sir Knight. But you did only just start using magic, so it's only natural you'd think that.

Cain: I guess so… By the way, why did you turn yourself into Natalie?

Owen: Who?

Cain: The lady you turned yourself into. With the black hair and kind of sexy vibes? Sounds like she was scamming rich folks. They said it was a good thing you identified her.

Owen: Hmph.

Cain: Oh, you've got some coconut on your face. Let me get that.

Owen: Hah?

Cain: I think I'll get a refill on my coffee. Do you want anything to drink? I wonder if there's anything like drinking sweet cream?

Owen: Hah?

Cain: Excuse me. Can I add to our order?

Owen: Don't treat me like you would Riquet.

Cain: Riquet eats way more neatly than you do. Let's see, can we get a coffee, and… What did you want?

Owen: Hot chocolate.

Cain: Won't torta di cocco plus hot chocolate be kind of overwhelming?

Owen: I'm the type to open my trunk when overwhelmed.

Cain: Hmm, well, I guess I'm the type to push my body to the limit, too.

Owen: What? What does that mean?

Cain: A coffee and a hot chocolate, please.

✦✧☾✧✦

Bradley: Good grief. They really made me work this time.

Nero: Hey, Brad… I've got somethin' I wanna talk to you about.

Bradley: Nn?

Nero: 'Bout Figaro and the twins.

Bradley: Oh, yeah…

Nero: You wanna take care of 'em yourself, right? Or should I take the honors if I get the chance?

Bradley: You can't do it on your own. So obviously I'm gonna be doin' it. If you're alone, don't lay a hand on 'em.

Nero: Izzat right…

Bradley: But hey, we're only gonna be goin' after 'em once we beat <the Great Calamity>, yeah?

Nero: …! Damn, I almost forgot…

Bradley: Are you kiddin' me… Can't believe this is the kinda thing you get hasty about…

Nero: Th…that ain't true!

Bradley: Sure it is. But that's why you're my number two. You can be pretty damn scary when you want, Nero. You had the new recruits tremblin' like a leaf. Well, y'sure made me popular with them instead. Heh.

Nero: Now that ain't true. Sorry, but I was way more popular with the new meat than you were.

Bradley: No, I was.

Nero: I'm tellin' ya, it was me.

Bradley: Me.

Nero: It was me.

✦✧☾✧✦

Sacrificium: …

Shylock: …I see… So that's what happened between you and that sea dragon, Master Sage…

Akira: …Yeah… I… …I'm sorry, I'm still… I can't really get the words out…

Shylock: You don't need to force yourself to say anything. Simply being at your side like this lets me know what you're thinking. I've spent quite a long time doing just that… I'm quite proud of that ability.

Akira: …Thank you… …I think…I hurt Hwylryn…

Shylock: Why's that?

Akira: …I had Mithra bring torta di cocco for him. I thought he'd be happy to get it and want to listen to what we had to say, but… …But yesterday, we promised we'd go get some together… I broke our promise… Instead, I took advantage of it to try and negotiate with him… I thought giving him cake would make him happy, I thought I could talk to him, I thought he'd understand where we were coming from…I was being so shallow… …I feel like I…walked all over Hwylryn's feelings, even though I was trying to treasure them…

Shylock: That's not true. I'm sure he understood that you were thinking of him, and that your actions were the result of careful consideration on your part, even if you lacked the words for it. He was a very clever dragon, after all.

Akira: …sniff… If you say so…

Shylock: I am sure that he was grateful that you never gave up on being his friend… I am sure you made him happy.

Akira: …sniffle… …Thank you…

Shylock: I have also…found myself wishing I could have spoken with Balthazar under better circumstances.

Akira: Why did he kidnap you like that?

Shylock: Perhaps it sounds a bit presumptuous given I'm the one saying it, but he was attracted to me.

Akira: Attracted?

Shylock: Yes. I, who could do what he hadn't been able to, sparkled in his eyes the way a hero does. To be attracted to someone in such a way puts the idea that you're "lesser" than them into your head. But that adoration mixes poorly with Northern pride. He couldn't separate it from his envy, his hatred, his possessiveness, or his desire to "conquer" me. Northern wizards aren't the only ones who go through these sorts of things. It can happen to the rest of us, and even humans as well. When one's emotions get all mixed up like that, it can be difficult to make out what is what, like a half-finished painting…

Akira: …Losing track of your feelings…

Shylock: It's very important to keep things neat and tidy in one's own heart, just as in one's own room, so that you do not lose track of such important things. We are just as liable to have our souls shatter to pieces as a certain someone was.

Akira: That's right… How did Murr help you, Shylock? I mean, back when Adams Island sank…

Shylock: Why, he didn't. He was so wrapped up in his research he didn't notice the huge mess I'd gotten wrapped up in at all.

Akira: R…really? Then how did you escape the island?

Shylock: Balthazar simply released me. He didn't kill me. I was what he wanted so badly, after all. I imagine he didn't want to see the world with that desire of his shattered to pieces.

Akira: … That makes sense…

Chloe: Master Saaaage! We're gonna go home soooon!

Akira: Okay…! (Mithra…never came back…) (When we get the time, I want to…) (I want to talk to Mithra about Hwylryn a bit more.)

The sound of the waves drew my eyes back to the sea. I thought about the world of endless blue that surrounded that undersea city. The place that had once been Adams Island. I imagined Hwylryn, Mithra, and myself walking down its stone steps. In a world where Adams Island had never been destroyed. In a world where we were just…people, walking down its streets and waiting to meet up with each other. In that world, I'm sure I would've kept my promise. And we'd be chatting and laughing happily. Beneath the endless blue sky.

✦✧☾✧✦

Shylock: … Welco…

Murr: Shylock!

Shylock: …

Murr: Wheeze…wheeze… …cough…! …Huh?

Shylock: …What's wrong? Did you catch a cold?

Murr: No, I flew here on my broom… Cough…wheeze…! …Adams Island…

Shylock: Oh, yes. You finally heard about that? All of that went down a month ago. And Professor Murr Hart was wrapped up in his work the whole time. Even the City of Nectar itself feels awfully neglected.

Murr: … Are you…

Shylock: Are you asking about how I fared with Balthazar? Don't tell me you came all the way here just because you were worried about me?

Murr: Haha. Of course not.

Shylock: Of course not. Was it because you were worried about your laboratory on Adams Island, then? Unfortunately, it's at the bottom of the sea now. I certainly hope you had notes on all your research materials.

Murr: Well, I have enough. I've still almost certainly lost some things, though.

Shylock: That's good to hear. Now, what would you like to drink?

Murr: …Just water, for now…

Shylock: Water? You?

Murr: No, give me my usual. …cough, cough… …I changed my mind…water…

Shylock: What a strange person you are…

✦✧☾✧✦

Snow: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play!

White: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play!

Snow: We love you! Gwawlyn! Hwylryn!

White: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play again sometime!

Snow & White: Waaahhh! We loooost!

Snow: We hate you! Gwawlyn! Hwylryn!

White: We're never playing with you again! Gwawlyn! Hwylryn!

✦✧☾✧✦

Snow: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play!

White: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play!

Snow & White: Yaaaay! We woooon!

Snow: We love you! Gwawlyn! Hwylryn!

White: Gwawlyn! Hwylryn! Let's play again sometime!

Snow: Gwawlyn…?

White: Gwawlyn, dear?

✦✧☾✧✦

Mithra: …Hey, Hwylryn. Isn't this enough?

Hwylryn: Mithra. Just because I left the North doesn't change the fact that I was born there. There's nothing more humiliating than being told I'm not worth killing by someone who's acknowledged my strength.

Mithra: …

Hwylryn: Akira decided they're the Sage. Because they treasure all of you.

Mithra: …

Hwylryn: So, what will you do?

✦✧☾✧✦

Dianne: Master Sage, and all the Sage's wizards! Please take care…!

Claudia: Come visit us again sometime!

Akira: Yes! We will!

People waved at us from the ground as we sat astride our brooms--well, I sat astride one of the wizards' brooms. Even the Borda Island townspeople looked up and waved at us as we passed them by. The dazzlingly blue sky and glittering silver clouds reminded me of his white scales. The sound of the ocean breeze suited the sight of white-tipped waves on the horizon. And in the interstice of sea and sky hung the moon--big, white, radiant. <The Great Calamity>. That which had woven the first link in our bonds. The day of our fight against it, one with the fate of the world lying in the balance… Was coming ever closer.

[zriviepotions]

Superior Blizzard

2 oz sea buckthorn-inflused gin*

2/3 oz myrtle-calendula simple syrup**

1/4 oz lemon juice

3-4 dashes fee brothers foam OR 1 egg white

4-5 drops mossy mushroom bitters***

Pinch of blue spirulina

Pinch of green edible glitter

Tonic

Combine gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, fee foam, blue spirulina, and glitter in a shaker. Shake with ice for ~1 minute and strain liquid into glass. When there is only foam left in the shaker, add mossy mushroom bitters and shake for a few more seconds before straining the foam into the glass. Top with tonic.

*combine ~1tbsp dried sea buckthorn berries and ~8oz of your favourite gin in a jar. Let sit for 4-5 days, shaking occasionally.

**combine ½ c water and ½ c sugar in a small saucepan. 2-3 tablespoons dried calendula petals and 1-2 tablespoons dried myrtle leaves. Heat on medium-high until sugar is dissolved, then turn off heat and let it sit covered for a  few hours.

***I don’t have exact measurements for this, but here’s the basic gist; Start with 151 proof spirit and add a 10-mushroom powder blend, oakmoss, usnea, and cedar wood shavings. Let it infuse for 2-3 weeks, shaking daily. Strain, bottle, and done!

I’m really excited about the way these mossy mushroom bitters turned out! For some reason I just love anything that tastes like a wet forest. The sea buckthorn and myrtle give this a nice bright flavor to balance out the wet forest undertone xx