#but what would i know i'm just the scullery maid

[pomefioredove]

Black cauldron event, you say??? Go on!

How would that look?

grins. call me sebek the way I'm really interested in briar valley lore/history and want to know everything about it

so this is how the WHOLE event goes. it's long. and a little macabre, of course. I don't have a name for our twisted Horned King, I've been calling him Corry, short for Cornelius (get it. cause horn)

the characters in this event are Yuu, Grim, Malleus, Lilia, Epel, Rook, and Jamil. weird combo? yes. but I have my reasons and that's the perfect amount of characters if you'd ask me. I don't have little outfits in mind for them but REST ASSURED they'd be getting them

see my vision:

it's October. during preparations for the NRC annual Halloween event, Malleus receives a mysterious invite to a rural part of Briar Valley from an unnamed cousin. Lilia recognizes the address on the letter and goes "Hm, that's strange. That castle hasn't been lived in for thousands of years," but shrugs it off, since he hasn't been keeping up with the politics in Briar Valley, and a noble fae taking up an abandoned castle isn't unheard of. plus, Lilia recognizes the coat of arms and can say for certain that this is a distant relative of the Draconia family. and Malleus, of course, is beside himself with joy for being invited to something, so he couldn't possibly refuse

Lilia insists he go along since it's been "a while" since he's visited the backwoods of Briar Valley, and it's, according to him, beautiful! he assures Sebek and Silver that it's only a weekend, and he can look after the Prince himself

Malleus, with the other Diasomnia boyz, invites Yuu. obviously. and they tell Yuu they can bring whomever they please

...and, believe it or not, no one Yuu asks is exactly into the idea of visiting a random ruined castle in rural Briar Valley

Lilia is, of course, shocked at the disinterest. "Kids these days can't go without their electricity and running water for a weekend?" and then Grim is like, what's the big deal anyway? what's so great about it? do they have food?

and Lilia goes, well, kids, lemme tell you a very popular very old children's story from Briar Valley, possibly one of the only with human heroes

~long, long ago, before even the Thorn Fairy ruled, there was a king, who lorded over this quaint kingdom in what is now modern Briar Valley. he was distantly related to the Thorn Fairy, but he was greedy and cruel, and wanted to conquer the rest of Briar Valley with an army of the dead. he was stopped, however, by a group of brave young humans- a pigkeeper who became a great hero, a scullery maid who became a powerful mage, a minstrel whom everyone disliked, and their hungry, fuzzy friend~

...and THIS sparks some interest. Epel is captivated by the story of the weak boy who eventually became a strong and powerful hero, Rook likes the minstrel (because he's Rook), Jamil is intrigued by the scullery maid, though he doesn't show it, and Grim is hungry. these guys agree to come along with Malleus, Lilia, and Yuu, who promise them a great time!

let's say, for background, that Kalim had relatives in town and doesn't need Jamil for the weekend so he's free. oh, and Pomefiore has a big event coming up, so Epel and Rook are on a strict diet- EVEN AND ESPECIALLY WHILE ON VACATION, as put by Vil

(I think Lilia would also level with Yuu abt the trip being more for Malleus' social skills, because it'd be good for him to make more friends his age, and this "distant cousin" likely isn't scared of him if he felt brave enough to send an invite)

I haven't put like. a LOT of thought into the twisted horned king, but he's definitely around Malleus' age (like 170 or something) and probably just as tall. obviously also has horns but they look different ofc. I need to think of a better name than Corry for him but I'll do that LATER. I'm sorry welsh speakers </3 I'll find a good one

noww!! they arrive at the castle and it looks like ASS. like Lilia was saying that someone might have fixed up the old place, since it is, again, VERY OLD, but nooope. it's barely standing. but there are fires lit and warm food, so no one really complains. they're given some local drinks first thing (Epel indulgences bc fuck you Vil isn't here, but Rook brought his own snackies), and then they do the usual event stuff, exploring the castle, the surrounding woods and fields (full of beautiful ruins mmmm) and talking to this freakish cousin of Malleus', who, to everyone else, is noticeably. strange

there's just... something off about him. almost like he's never really interacted with people his age? or this is his first day on earth? Malleus doesn't even notice cause he's lowkey the same but Jamil, at least, is side-eyeing him. at some point, Jamil pulls Yuu and Lilia aside and is like "is this guy not extremely suspicious to you" but Lilia wants to believe that he and Malleus are getting along, so he brushes it off as "social awkwardness" and leaves Jamil with Yuu, who is now like. I Do Not Trust the Tall Man. later on Jamil and Yuu see some of the castle staff hauling in these huge wagons full of... something. but they're covered. highly sus

Malleus, however, is glowing. like, SO happy. he's geeking out about all the ruins, the gargoyles on the castle, he feels so at home here and he's just trying to show Yuu how great Briar Valley is!!!1!1 whilst Jamil is giving his weird cousin a deadly side-eye. "Yuu get behind me" vibes

at some point something tips off Epel, too. Jamil is like THANK YOU can we fucking LEAVE. but again he gets shot down by Lilia, who is blinded by his paternal instincts (his Achilles' heel). Malleus and the cousin are getting along, talking about the architecture and whatever other freaky Briar Valley stuff, after all, and he really wants this to be a positive experience for his son. nothing's been poisoned, the staff are friendly, and besides, this is the great Malleus Draconia we're talking about! no one would even dare step to him

at dinner the question of how exactly Malleus and Corry are related comes up, and this cousin gets very. VERY quiet. Lilia recognized the coat of arms, after all, but couldn't exactly place which noble family it belonged to

someone (lowkey probably Rook whose just been dicking around uncovering secrets this whole time) changes the subject and the conversation moves on, but Corry is sort of quiet and serious for the rest of it

later on, someone mentions feeling tired and the others agree and so they return to the banquet hall to rest (nix Rook he wandered off again), and they see this... cauldron. like a big one. THAT definitely wasn't there before

NOW Lilia is like. okay I think we have to go. I don't like this even one bit. and Jamil is like "So NOW you see reason, over some random cauldron?" and then we have our villain reveal

Corry had lured them to his family's ancestral castle because he needed to use their magic to find the place of the Cauldron which his ancestor, the king from the story, had used to try to conquer Briar Valley thousands of years before. being a powerful mage himself, he had enchanted the DRINKS* that were served to the guests to use their power, and once he found the cauldron, he had it brought to the castle. and now, with his soon-to-be living dead, he's going to fucking kill all of them and add them to his army to conquer Briar Valley as his ancestor set out to do a millennia before. he claims that HIS family is the true royal lineage of Briar Valley, and the Draconias had stolen their throne from them, and he's only reclaiming his rightful place as heir, and as a god amongst mortal men

oh btw those wagons Jamil and Yuu saw earlier were full of skeletons for his army. as if this couldn't get any more insane

so Corry sends the NRC gang to the dungeons deep under the castle while he raises the dead. they're like welpp we're fucked. drained of their magic from eating and drinking the food they were served, they basically have no hopes of stopping mr. crazy before he KILLS THEM

then, of course, as he does, Rook crawls out of the floor from a stone trapdoor, scolds Epel for indulging (if he had listened to Vil then he wouldn't have drank/eaten anything and would be able to defend his friends LMAO vil win), and then frees everyone

much like how they had to ascend the bell tower in Glomas or scamper across the park in Playful Land, the boys now have to play dungeon escape, fighting the literal undead, to get back to the banquet hall. you guys know how the gameplay goes. final boss battle, whatever, Corry's on his crazy monologue about how the people of Briar Valley should be worshipping HIM, how long he's thirsted to rule, etc, obviously the NRC boys kick his ass

I'd like to imagine that it's Grim who manages to stop the magic of the cauldron. gurgi-style (traumatizingly)

everyone's okay though, the evil is defeated! I have no idea what happens to Corry but nothing good! he definitely gets more than the slap on the wrist that Rollo did. and nothing like Fellow did. and then they escape before the whole castle comes crumbling down LMAO

then everyone's like. well. that happened. and they leave.

THE END!

*this is a confusing part I just want to say that it's referencing Hen Wen's powers in the movie. the pif. the pig. she drinks from a water trough and the ripples of the water shows visions. this makes sense in my head

[agent-whiskeys-sweetheart]

Guilty Pleasures

Pairing: Loki x F!Reader

Summary: You are a maid living in the palace on Asgard. When you hear of a plot to kill Prince Loki you know something must be done. After saving his life he offers you a wish in return. After struggling with your decision, you come to Loki with an interesting proposal.

Warnings: some violence, some blood.

Word Count: 5,012

A/N: I do not know much about actual Asgardian traditions and folklore based in Norwegian mythology. I'm kind of just making this up as I go along lol. So please don't study technicalities too closely.

Dear Ingrid,

I'm at my wits end, dear one. I am plagued by worries. Now that my brother has sealed the marriage license, Ragnar and I have only three months until our wedding. Not only did I not agree to this marriage but now I am being driven mad with anxieties about the match.

He is a palace guard. Surely he knows much about love. However I find myself defenseless at the thought of romance. Perhaps he will make a fine husband and will one day make me happy. However, I know this can only be if I please him in turn. How can I ever hope to do that when I don't know the first thing about lovemaking.

I need a tutor. One who can guide me through the delicate act of intercourse. If only such a thing were real. I would spend every coin I had to know the things which I do not. Perhaps I might find a book in the palace archives about such carnal acts. That may be a good place to start. I only wish you were still here with me in the palace my friend. I'm happy to see you working so closely to animals in the stables. But I do miss you dearly. Especially in times such as--

Heavy footfalls caught your attention as you picked up your pen, looking down the long corridor. Just as you were about to set about finishing your letter, two burly men appeared from around the corner up ahead. You were currently stationed at a small writing desk which was just around the corner from the back tunnels which led to the kitchen. It was a quiet place where you could write to your friend in peace. In fact, before today you had never seen anyone use these passages. Despite there being plenty of walking room, the two men marched in the middle of the hallway where they would surely cross paths with you. Before you could think to move, the man closest to you caught the back of your chair in a large fist and set it off balance. You wobbled for a moment before finding your footing again.

"Watch it, scullery maid." He spat gruffly over his shoulder before the two men vanished around a corner. Something about them was odd to you. Asgardian soldiers, while tough, were often kind. The clear act of disrespect did not ring true for a man of Asgardian honor. The urge to stay seated was strong but you found your curiosity was stronger. Shutting your journal, you crept off in the direction the two men had gone. It didn't take long to find them since they lumbered quite slowly under the weight of their armor. You kept around corners and in shadow as you followed their silent march to who knew where.

They were running out of places to go, you thought as you noticed where you had ended up. It was a crude escape route which let out into the throne room. It was hidden behind the King's throne, which was impressively large. What business would these men have there?

They stopped before the exit, fidgeting with their armor. You stood behind, around a dark corner. With their backs turned you were able to try and get a better look. They wore classic Asgardian armor like the rest of the palace soldiers. That's when you saw it. Their capes were fastened incorrectly. As if by clumsy hands that didn't know the proper uniform etiquette. These men weren't Asgardians. That's when you knew your bad feeling had turned into something dangerous. They talked quietly but you were close enough to hear.

"Alright, you remember the plan?"

"Do I-- Bloody hell, yes I remember the plan. I sneak in and subdue the prince, then I spear him through the neck. It's not fucking hard."

At this you threw a hand over your mouth. Assassins.

"It's about time someone showed that cocky little raven headed prick that a Jotunn does not belong on the throne of Asgard."

They were plotting against Prince Loki. You couldn't wait to hear anymore. If you, a maid, had any chance of saving your Prince you had to act fast. You knew a passage that would lead out into the throne room so you beelined there. At this point you had absolutely no plan. You just knew you had to get the prince away from his throne before those bloodthirsty men got to him first. Soon enough you found yourself at the grand doors which would lead you into the throne room. With a steadying breath, you pushed them open.

You had expected the room to be filled wall to wall with politicians and nobility, allowing you to slip in unnoticed. However you were offered no such grace. It was empty, save for the royal family on their thrones. All eyes were suddenly on you. To burst into the throne room unannounced certainly would mean death for you. But if it meant your life for the Prince's then you'd happily make the sacrifice.

His was the first form you assessed. His chin had been propped in the palm of his hand until you'd come into the room. At the disturbance he perked up, a smile gracing his lips as if he was thrilled by the disruption. His eyes didn't leave you for a moment, studying you hungrily. Who was this delightful mischief maker, come to relieve his endless boredom? Your eyes however darted nervously to the side of his throne, keeping an eye out for his unwelcome guests.

Running down the center aisle until you were standing before the throne, you fell to your knees in humility. "What brings a young maid before me with no summons?" Boomed the Allfather.

"Husband, lower your tone. Look at the poor thing. She's frightened. Hear what she has to say." He seemed reluctant but eventually spoke.

"If Frigga commands it, so do I. Tell us, girl, what your business is here. Pray that it pleases me." You took a calming breath.

"Forgive me, O Great King, for this unacceptable breach of tradition. I sit humbly at your feet today because--" Before you could continue, you could almost swear you heard the latch on the secret entrance clicking behind the King's throne. You were running out of time.

"Because what, child? My patience is growing thin."

"Because ... I have come to seek Loki's blessing."

This made all of them perk up in curiosity. It must have been a long time since Loki was asked for a blessing with the way they all peered back at you incredulously. Then the Allfather shifted in his seat, adjusting his robes as if he had made a decision.

"Trickery, which I'm sure has been plotted by the Trickster himself. I suggest you go, girl. Before I find myself in an unforgiving mood."

"No, please--"

"I didn't plan this father." Loki interrupted you, speaking up for the first time. His voice was like warm honey to your ears. "Frankly, I'm quite curious what else the little mouse has to say." The two stared each other down for a moment before the Prince once again took the lead. "Why do you seek my blessing child?" He leaned forward on his elbows, as if he were on the edge of his seat awaiting your response.

"If it pleases you, My Prince, this is one request which I should wish to remain private. Thus I wish to share it with you privately." Everyone in the room focused their attention on Loki, whose expression gave no indication of what he might be thinking. The moment felt eternal before he finally stood and strode across the room until he was standing just in front of you, only inches away. As he leaned down to whisper in your ear you caught a glimpse of his throne. Just beside it you saw one of the men from earlier with a compact crossbow aimed at the Prince's back. This was the moment. Just as the arrow was unleashed from the bow, you pushed the Prince aside just in time for it to find its home in your shoulder rather than his back. It stung like Hel but you knew Loki was safe. You had done your duty.

Everything around you began to happen rapidly, plunging your mind into a dizzying frenzy. Guards emerged from the hall, the royals were off their thrones and rushing to Loki's side, the assassins were being whisked away to what would surely be a painful death. And all the while Loki stayed by your side, keeping you still and looking deeply into your eyes. Whatever happened now, it was worth it.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Time had passed. Of that you were sure. How much time had passed, however, remained a mystery. The room around you was empty. And quite large, you noted. This recovery room was easily three times the size of your personal quarters. You were awestruck by the ornate gold fixtures on the walls and the plush deep comforter which laid atop you. This was much grander treatment than you'd ever been given.

As if on cue, a healer came rushing in from the double doors. "You're awake. I hope you slept well. How are you feeling?"

"Confused. How long have I been sleeping?"

"Don't worry. You've only been asleep a day. With an arrow in your shoulder, I'm surprised you didn't sleep longer." You looked to where the arrow had been and saw nothing but a bandage stained red. It didn't hurt at the moment though you were sure it would soon enough. While you would have gladly given your life, you were still grateful for the miracles of Asgardian medicine.

"You seem to have done a good job of repairing me."

"Of course. Each healer is highly skilled and trained in their craft. Of course Prince Loki made sure that you received extra special care."

"He did?" You gaped. Royalty had never treated you special before.

"Absolutely. No expense spared for the girl that saved the Crown Prince's life." You nodded, feeling somewhat embarrassed by the praise. You had only done what any Asgardian would. There was no reason why you should receive better treatment because you were simply following your sense of duty. "Speaking of the Crown Prince, he wished to be the first to know if you woke up. I've already sent a messenger to his rooms. Expect to see him shortly." With that nerve wracking news, the healer saw herself out. You wished she had at least closed the door on her way out. Now every noise in the hallway set your nerves alight. You decided it was best to just shut your eyes and try to rest a bit more before the Prince was to arrive.

Those ideas were quickly squandered as the sound of very precise heeled boots entered your chamber. Cracking one eye open you saw the silhouette of the Trickster God in the doorway. My, he moved fast. You opened both eyes fully and let yourself take him in. He was dressed quite simply now though he still had a cape flowing behind him in a dark emerald billow. He took slow calculated steps as he approached your side, eyes never once leaving yours. Your breath left your chest as, for the first time, you realized that you were in the ever closer presence of royalty. Your entire life you'd never been in the same room as royalty despite working in the palace. Now the Crown Prince was at your bedside, hand tenderly retrieving yours.

"I am elated that you are awake. I was afraid things might turn for the worse. Yet you are strong. You fought well my little mouse. You should feel proud. You've done your ancestors well." You could do nothing more than nod, transfixed by his deep gaze. "How are you faring?"

"I've only just woken up but I feel no pain as of yet."

"Good. I can make sure the healers help keep it that way." You winced. You were about to do yet another stupid thing. Refuse the Prince.

"Please don't do that, my Prince. There are many others more deserving of the healers' help. You truly honor me by treating me so nobly but I will be fine on my own. I assure you, I am no hero."

"But you are, sweetling. You saved my life today. You, a humble maid, saved the life of a god. If you think you dishonor me by treating it as a proud accomplishment I assure you that will not be the case. In fact, I would like to show you just how truly grateful I am."

"All of this has been more than enough. Really."

"I'm afraid that while I fully intended to reward you regardless, tradition dictates you must receive the proper honor for your actions. Each royal family member must designate to you, a gift. One they feel is worthy of the act of saving my life." You couldn't help the groan that escaped your throat. This whole thing had started out of service to the royal family. Now they wished to serve you? You couldn't let this be. "That is why I've come here. To designate to you mine, the most important gift." You squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze, unsure of what he was about to bequeath you. "To you I give ... a wish. Anything your heart desires, you may wish for it and I will make it so. Absolutely anything you desire. If you take my hand, the deal will be sealed with magic and I must concede to any wish you make."

"No. No, I'm sorry my Prince but this is far too much. I could never accept something like this. It wouldn't be right."

"Your humility in the throne room made me feel as though you'd say that. So I discussed things with my father. He is willing to forgo the proper tradition. Under one condition. You cannot refuse his gift ... or my gift. But that's only half of the gifts you were meant to receive. Can you accept this compromise? I can assure you that my Mother's gift would be sickeningly extravagant." He teased with a smile.

You hesitated. This level of kindness was unlike anything you'd ever received. Why was a god pouring so much into you, a simple girl? After a moment, you knew you had no choice. So you nodded.

"I need your words and your hand, or else this magic means nothing." You lifted your hand to meet his, taking his grip firmly.

"Yes. I accept the wish." With this, a brilliant green light snaked between your arms as if binding you before disappearing as quickly as it had come. You blinked for a moment, unsure of what to say now. "The Allfather ... has he decided upon a gift yet?"

"He has and he bade me tell you. He would like to promote you to a higher paying rank with a better set of living quarters. He feels that one who is such a true asset to the royal family should live as grandly as she wishes." You nod in resignation. For a moment, you look around the room and imagine that they were your own personal living quarters. It didn't seem so terrible when you looked at it that way.

"Now, little mouse. What is it you wish?"

"You want me to name it right now?" You asked frantically.

"Calm down," He laughed. "If you need time to decide, of course I would be happy to grant you that. However, I should warn you ... as much high respect as I hold you in, I am still a prince and a god. I will not be made to wait forever." You nodded your understanding.

"Of course, My Prince. If I may, I have a journal which got misplaced before this endeavor. I had started a letter to a friend in it. If this notebook were able to be retrieved so that I may finish my letter, I will make a decision as soon as I've heard from her. I'm afraid I'm sorely in need of advice on this matter. It isn't often I'm given a wish like this."

"Consider it done. Just tell me its location and I'll have it brought to you as quickly as possible. This friend, where does she live?"

"The palace, My Prince. We used to work together as maids before she was promoted to stable hand. Her quarters are by the stables."

"Excellent. I'll be expecting a speedy response then." With that, he stood and began to make his exit. However before he could completely disappear, he turned back to you. "If I may give my own advice ... I know a 'royal wish' seems frightfully intimidating. If I were you, I'd just think of what is most important to you. Then think of how you can accomplish this goal. That way you can make your wish as effective and meaningful as possible. Just make sure it's something that you want. You more than deserve it." Then he was gone.

Sweat beaded at your forehead as the adrenaline of having a candid conversation with the dark prince coursed through you. However the cool air calmed you down soon enough. With a heavy mind you began to contemplate what you might wish for. If better pay and living quarters was already taken care of, you were unsure of what else you might wish for. There wasn't much you truly desired.

Just as you were about to run yourself rampant an attendant arrived at your door with the journal and a fountain pen. "Thank you." You bid him well before hurriedly cracking open the page you had left off on.

By the Norns, what a day this has been! Before I could even finish my penstroke a couple of men crossed my path. Men with plans to assassinate the Crown Prince Loki. Through what I can only describe as equal parts bravery and stupidity, I tracked them down and saved the Prince's life while injuring myself in the process!

I now write this from the grand recovery room. I do so wish to indulge you in every detail but I've been put on a dreadful timeline. For saving his life the Prince has granted me a wish. He said that anything I desire will be mine. He expects a response quickly but I could not decide without your wisdom. Please ... I have nothing to wish for. Help me on this matter my dear friend. I will eagerly await your reply.

Signed, Y/N

Folding the paper haphazardly, you called out for a healer who would deliver the message to the right people. Once it was out of your hands you nearly collapsed from exhaustion. You had been through a wave of every intense emotion one could possibly feel in just a few short hours. You needed rest now more than ever. Knowing that it was out of your hands until receiving her reply, you decided to get some rest while the medicine made it easy for you to fall asleep.

"By all the gods, please. Show me the right path." You called into the night before tucking yourself in and falling into a dreamless sleep.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A few days later you received a knock on your door. You had fully recovered by now but they had left you in the recovery room until a new chamber could be found for you. In only a few short days you had already become more accustomed to a grander lifestyle. However you felt yourself shrink into that tiny maid again upon hearing the knock. There were only two things it could be. A messenger with news from Ingrid. Or Prince Loki, having grown impatient and ready to hear your final answer. With a shaky hand you opened the door. It was a messenger. Joyous day, you thought.

He handed you the letter. You thanked him wholly and closed the door, tearing the letter open as you sat on the edge of the bed.

Dearest Y/N,

Such excitement! Of course I miss the biggest event of the year while brushing manes. You ask for my advice on this but if you read your last letter in it's entirety, you've already answered your own question.

The thing which plagues your mind above all else; your impending wedding night. You've just earned a royal wish from the god most well known for his sexual prowess. Ask him to tutor you! While he may find you brazen, that's the worst result that could come of the request! If he must fulfill the wish, then I say this is your opportunity to know that which you do not. Please keep me appraised of the situation. I will look expectantly and impatiently for your next letter.

Signed, Ingrid

As soon as your eyes finished scanning the words you were utterly dumbfounded. What exactly was she suggesting? No, it was quite clear what she was suggesting. There was no way in Hel you could ask for sexual lessons from the God of Mischief himself. He was a god. He would not lay with such a low creature as yourself. In fact, you were sure he would laugh at the idea. But then again, he had said he would honor the request no matter what it was. And Ingrid was right. Loki's ... skills weren't exactly a well hidden secret. You had heard he actually quite enjoyed corrupting an innocent thing like yourself in the ways of desire. Maybe it was the best thing you could wish for. You fought with yourself endlessly as you tried to think of something, anything else. The thought alone made your cheeks heat.

So many wishes in all the nine realms, and this is what you had come to? You felt as though something better waited out there for you. However, Ingrid's little idea stuck far more than you had hoped. With a deep sigh, you opened the door to your room. There was a guard stationed there at all times, per Loki's request. "Please tell the Crown Prince Loki that I've decided on my wish." You told him to which he nodded and immediately marched in the opposite direction towards the Prince's chambers. Every second you spent waiting was like agony. You paced and read and slammed your head into a pillow but still you waited. After an hour and a half a guard finally knocked at your door, telling you that Loki was ready to see you now.

With a deep breath and a brush of your skirt, you followed the tall man across the palace to the threshold of the Prince's chambers. The walk was much quicker than you'd expected which hadn't allowed you much time to breathe. Thus with a head of scrambled thoughts you entered, ready to acquire your wish from the Prince.

"Nice to see you again, mouse. I apologize for the delay. I was stuck in a fruitless debate with my father. However, I'm delighted to see you've come to a decision. Sit." He gestured to the sofa beside him which looked deep and lush. You obliged, taking in the sight of his royal chambers as you did so. Corner to corner, the room was exquisite. Gold plating and fixtures, surrounded by velvety green curtains and furniture. If you had thought the recovery room was large, it was nothing in comparison. The room you stood in now was only the front room of many. The walk seemed miles long. Once you were sat snugly beside him, you finally took a much needed breath.

"Still nervous, I see. Perhaps it would make you feel better to make your wish now, without hesitation. Get this weight off your shoulders and the hard part will be over. What is it you wish, pet?"

"I can't believe I'm going to ask this," You mumbled under your breath. "You see, my Prince, I am to be wed in three months' time. Yet I know nothing of what it means to be a proper wife. How to properly please my husband. I'm sure you know that your reputation exceeds you when it comes to certain ... skills. I'd like for you to show me what you know so that I may collect my own knowledge to please my husband with." You were absolutely certain that the god's lip would be turned up into a disgusted sneer. However the expression you found upon looking at him was quite different. Rather than repulsion you saw genuine delight and curiosity, a playful fire lighting his eyes.

"My, my. Such sweet proper words for such a ... filthy request."

"I'm sorry, My Prince. You're right. I don't know what made me so bold. I never should have asked for something so clearly inappropriate. Not that I wouldn't like to-- you know what I-- you're very handsome is all I mean. I'm afraid I've made such a mess of this. Perhaps I shouldn't have made the wish at all. I'll see myself ou--"

"Enough!" Loki's thundering voice filled the chamber, giving you your first real glimpse of fear by his hand. You sat back down and held your gaze on your lap. However he was quick to stop you, drawing your chin up to look back into his eyes. "I'm sorry to raise my voice, sweetling, but you've become frantic. Are you afraid that I am displeased? I can assure you it is quite the opposite. As you've so boldly pointed out, I'm quite well known for my talents. How do you think I acquired such talents in the first place? With the help of bold little morsels such as yourself. It would be an honor to pass on my legacy of pleasure to one less experienced in its ways. Besides ... you yourself are not by any means an undesirable prize. If I might be so bold myself, you are one of the fairest I've laid eyes on in several moons. It will be a treat to unravel you bit by bit before dressing you back up all nice and sending you off to pleasure your husband."

"Really, My Prince? This doesn't upset you?"

"Far from it. I consider myself quite up to the challenge." Seeing the enjoyment in his eyes made a small smile creep to your own lips. You weren't sure if you were happy this was happening or if you were just grateful to have the answers. Was some part of this because he was so handsome? Was it because he was the prince? Right now, you couldn't make out what you were feeling. All you could do was breathe.

"I must say, I expected this conversation to turn out quite differently. Forgive me if I seem shocked or lost for words. Only a few days ago was my first time sharing the same air as one of royal blood. Now, the Crown Prince himself says he'd be delighted to give me such intimate lessons. I hardly know what to think. My thoughts are a mess."

"My first piece of advice; stop thinking. You're so caught up in thinking about the future and the past that you can't see the moment right in front of you. It's passing you by. Just breathe and stay here with me, in this moment." You did as he instructed and took a cleansing breath. This time your breathing somehow made you feel ... lighter. After a moment, Loki continued. "That very much applies to your sexual encounters as well. If you are invested in each moment as it comes, everything will feel new and exciting. If you can show your husband how engaged you are with him, you'll have him wrapped around your finger. Then he'll be willing to invest in you as well. Like a well fitted puzzle. And with my help, you'll do so with ease mouse."

"I certainly don't doubt you. Your words alone-- I can tell you know of what you speak. I just hope that I am up for the challenge myself."

"Whether you see it or not, you've got a fire inside you dear. Just waiting to burst forth. I have a feeling you'll see it too. Soon enough." The man began to lean forward slowly before placing a small peck on your cheek. The intimate display of affection made you blush deeply. "What a pretty sight. Already blushing for me. I can't wait until the lessons start. Perhaps you should see yourself out now. I feel as though I may forget to be a gentleman if you linger."

"Oh." You blurted, confused by this. You were sure that he had already begun his lesson and yet he was asking you to leave. You blushed harder but it wasn't pleasant as before. It burned like shame.

"Don't seem so downcast, little mouse. You asked me to teach you and I do have a scholarly way about me. I'd like to formulate a curriculum and a plan for making this work successfully. I'll send for you once I'm ready to begin properly. Until then, think dirty thoughts for me pet." He gave you a dashing wink which was your clear cue to hustle back to the recovery room. Every step made your body feel more and more like lead. By the time you were in your room you had just enough strength to collapse on top of the comforter. You didn't even bother moving as you shut your eyes and let sleep take you.

The past several days had seemed like a blur. You never would have imagined in your wildest dreams that you'd be awaiting luxurious quarters in the comfiest bed you'd ever slept in after striking a magic sex deal with the God of Mischief. If you ever said it aloud you would burst into laughter. It was all so fantastical. So far beyond belief. You were sure the next time you awoke it would all prove to be a dream.

[echantedtoon]

Love's Poison

He hated her. He was made to hate her. He did for her nativity, blind kindness. But love is infectious like a poison. Well one man's poison is another's passion.

(I own nothing/Everything belongs to Disney. Coverart not mine and found on Pinterest.)

(Warnings: Snow White getting poisoned and mistreated by her stepmother and mentions of the evil queen's death.)

He was made to hate. Made to serve.

That was the first thing the child was told opening his eyes and staring upon his creator. But most importantly he was made to follow her every command. Her. EVERY. Command. No matter what it was. He learnt early as a young child that disobedience or not living up to expectations good enough would come with deadly consequences. He was sure to correct himself accordingly. After all he was content with his purpose and would live up to his Queen's expectations better than she was expecting him to be. It was easy to do after all for many years. If she wanted to know something tell her straight to the point. If she told him to do something it would be done by the hour. If she told him to jump he'd ask how high. If she asked him if she was beautiful then he'd tell her she was the most beautiful woman in existence. That pleased her the most. 

Although he thought she was always quite vain 

He never said it outloud and it was none of his business. He only had to serve and obey and she'd be happy. Of course there was one touchy subject the Queen always hated. And he saw said problem often amongst the maids scrubbing the floors or with the cooks washing dishes or with the gardeners often removing leaves from the garden. He hadn't paid the second child much mind at first assuming she was a daughter of the staff. And quite frankly it wasn't any of this business. His only business was to serve his Queen. However he hadn't expected her to literally come up to him one day carrying books with a big smile.

"You're new here. Are you going to scrub the floors too? Maybe we can keep each other company then!"

He only frowned upon her. "No. I work for her majesty. I'm not scullery maid like you."

She annoyingly looked happy at him. "Oh. That's a very important position. I'm impressed someone as young as us got it! That must mean you're very smart to have caught her attention."

He hummed... Perhaps she wasn't as naive as she looked if she figured that out. "That's between her majesty and myself."

"What's your name? My name is Snow White!"

He had to do a double take. Snow White? ...As in PRINCESS Snow White?! The one the Queen always mumbles disdain about?! He looked her up and down ... before deciding that she wasn't worth delaying his duties. 

"My name is of no concern to you. Excuse me. I have things to do."

Unfortunately that wouldn't be the last time the child princess would bother him. Often waving, smiling, and saying hello to him as he passed even if he outright ignored her. Her insistence was annoying and bothersome..But he supposed her didication to bring kind to everyone despite her situation was admirable. He's come to understand her situation more as the years pressed on. Of the Queen's cruel treatment of stripping her of the luxuries a normal princess should have and order her to be treated even worse than an ordinary maid being given nothing but rags to wear and scrapes from the kitchen to eat. It wasn't any of his business of course and he wasn't planning on making it his business but he couldn't help but wonder why she didn't just give up that kindness if all she's ever being shown is contempt and misery and disdain. Well as if to answer his ironic thoughts he just so happened to overhear a conversation between the unfortunate princess and another maid while walking by. 

"Princess you are such a kind soul. How are you able to show such gentleness as fate dealt you a bad hand?"

She only smiled that sweet smile he'd always seen her wife. "Because I would never want for anyone to go through anything like I have. It is better to show kindness where there is sorrow than to let that sorrow change you."

Her answer ... actually surprised him. He would not expect her to give such an answer but he still saw flaws. She was still naive with that kindness of hers. And he thought that again when she attempted to approach him again. He was unsure why she always did. Perhaps it was because they were both the only ones who were a similar age to one another? This time however was different than before when she presented him with a gift. A tart she had made in the kitchen. 

"What is that?"

"It's a tart, Silly." She only smiled that wide smile of hers. "I made it for you!"

He could only slowly blink at her slowly processing what he was told. "You made this..for me? You do know that I don't have any need for these things right? If I'm hungry I can order food from the servants anytime."

"I know but it wouldn't hurt to try one, right? You'll never know if you'll like it if you don't try it."

....He narrowed his eyes suspiciously looking between her and the desert before sighing and holding his hand out. "Fine. If you'll leave me alone to work then I'll take it."

Her eyes blinked wide in surprise but happily handed it over. "That makes me so happy! Does that mean I can know you're name now?"

"This doesn't make us friends in the slightest."

"I know but we've seen each other forever now and I can't address you by name. Think of how rude that is not being able to address someone properly at all despite seeing each other so often. You know my name so is it not courteous that I know yours?"

He hummed again. That sounded... reasonable. And the Queen never told him that he couldn't tell her his name. Just his work was off limits. "Alright...You may know my name but only out of courtesy. My name is Apple Poison."

"Apple Poison?" She hummed. "Quite an uncommon name."

"Says the girl who was named after the paleness of snow."

"Oh. I didn't mean to be rude. I've just never heard of it before is all. It's nice to finally meet you,  Apple Poison. It's a very nice name."

She giggled at him and he quite ignored the heat in his cheeks. However misfortune only followed her more as they slowly grew into adulthood. Everyday Snow White got more beautiful and every day the Queen would ask her mirror who was the farest in the land. Her self conscious and vanity getting worse and worse than the day before. But he never brought it up. After all it was none of his business. However what was his business was serving the Queen in everything she needed which usually involved her witchcraft. So often he found himself in the very hidden witches lair he was born from. A creation of the most poisoned apples and dark magic. It truly was a drab place even if he was used to it by now. His interactions with the ever growing beautiful princess continued. Every day she'd become more beautiful and it became apparent to all whom saw her. Ladies who used to gaze in envy at the Queen's beauty now looked on in awe at Snow White. Men who used to imagine marrying a woman like the Queen now gazed on with adoration at the princess. He found it quite annoying really as it annoyed the Queen and her bad mood always put harder work on him. So logically he should hate Snow White for this but..for some reason...

He just couldn't.

It annoyed him more that there was stares on the Princess now. And then it all came to a head. The day the magic mirror finally gave his Queen a different response. However he didn't know so at the time as he was attending to another matter at hand...And was absolutely NOT distracted by the beautiful sweet singing voice outside of the Queen's window. He was...merely looking outside waiting for Prince Florian's diplomatic arrival. Yes. That was what he was doing. By orders of the Queen. It was just a coincidence that Snow White happened to be scrubbing the steps and singing at the same time he decided to await for the Prince and it was more of a coincidence when the Prince arrived sneaking up to Snow White and frightening her back into the castle. A clear view of his face telling him that Prince Florian was enamored at her beauty by just one meeting. And it was just just a coincidence that his fists tightened in disdain knowing that. Pathetic. Being enamored without even knowing her first. There was more to life than just looks... Someone else could know that too. But it wasn't a coincidence that the Queen approached him also having seen the entire scene.

"Prince Florian has arrived in time for the diplomatic meeting with you on his father's behalf, Your highness."

"I can clearly see." She spoke calmly but with an underlying venom and rage in her soul. "Very well. I have other things that aquire my attention. Show him in. Fetch me my huntsman after and tell him I shall see him afterwards."

He rose a brow at this in question but it wasn't his business to question his orders so he just bowed. "It will be done."

He was not a part of any of the diplomatic affairs or any affairs of the Queen and her huntsman. Only knowing of the matter afterwards that the Princess disappeared unexpectedly and the huntsman had slain her. And only after the Queen told him of this fact. He-...

He never felt a shock of panic spear his chest harder than with those words but he didn't show it outwardly to the Queen other than maybe a flinch and his eyes going wide. The princess was...dead? Snow White was killed by her orders! The smiling face of kindness that always greeted him no matter what was.. gone. He should be happy about it. It meant that the Queen was happy and in turn he should be be happy too. So...why wasn't he? Why did it feel more like a great.. disappointment? Or dare he say sorrow? However both would be surprised when the Queen presented her usual question and proof of her crimes.

''Magic mirror on the wall. Who now is the fairest one of all?"

Like the dutiful servant they both were, the face in the mirror answered her truthfully. "Beyond the seven jeweled hills, beyond the seventh fall. In the cottage of the seven dwarves dwells Snow White fairest one of all."

That made him give pause. She was...alive? That can't be. Then how could the Queen have such a disgusting piece of evidence?

"Snow White lies dead within the forest. The huntsman has brought me proof. Behold. Her heart."

He had to slightly turn his eyes as to not feel that disgusted feeling in his stomach.

"Snow White still lives. Fairest in the land. The heart of a pig you hold in your hand."

"The heart of a pig?!...Then I've been duped."

She was so angry. He's never seen her throw something so hard and with such rage despite the almost calm face she wore. But ..If Snow White lived, then that meant that the Huntsman deliberately lied about what took place and failed to end the Princess's life. He immediately offered his own services to the angry Queen as a loyal way to pacify her anger.

"Your Majesty,  allow me to be tasked with completing this. I promise you results."

"No. If I want her death then I will do it myself. Leave and tend to the castle in my stead."

He didn't like that response but could do nothing but bow and agree with a bad feeling in his chest. "It shall be done."

He really didn't like this. Leaving the Queen for hours as she stormed off leaving him in her absence. The knots grew worse and worse before the temptation was too great and he gave in making his way down into the lair hours later where he'd last seen her. She said to tend to the castle and the lair was a part of the castle so he wouldn't be disobeying orders if he checked in on the drab place. Only to find it completely empty and barren. No living creature in sight. So where was the Queen? Only the thick smell of poisonous herbs were lingering in the air. He followed the smell over to a still bubbling cauldron and an open spell book. One look at the page it was on sent him frozen shocked.

Poisoned apples.

This page contained the potion recipe for poisoned apples. One of the ingredients used in his creation. Why would she be brewing this recipe? She hadn't done it since he was a child. Unless...UNLESS SHE WAS PLANNING ON USING THIS TO POISON SNOW WHITE. A piece of HIM!! SHE WAS GOING TO USE A PIECE OF HIM TO USE AGAINST HER!! Perhaps that was the part that made him snap or cause him lunacy enough to go after the Queen. But not before reading through the page in the spellbook and seeing vital piece of information.

The victim of the Sleeping Death can be revived only by love's first kiss...

The rain was pouring down from the harsh night sky. No moon or stars to light the way through the woods. Trees screamed from the winds' torment pushing their branches about and making shadows dance. The rain pounded against his body soaking him down to the bone and freezing his body to the core but still he pressed onwards and didn't stop. He came too far to stop now. He followed the magic  mirrors directions to a T.  Beyond the seven jeweled hills and beyond the seventh fall. Snow White resided inside a cottage waiting..And hopefully still alive. Mud and water squelched and splashed under his boots the farther and farther he went. Until a noise could be heard distantly above the rain and wind.

THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD.

Like a loud banging over and over again. That must mean something was close right? He continued on following the noise until he pushed a bush aside and was beheld with a sight. Down from him was a dim light. A dim light shining in through a window of a straw roofed collage. It looked completely abandoned right now other than a dim candle in the window. The banging was the door leading into the cottage being slammed repeatedly over and over again by the harsh winds. Instantly he approached but cautiously in case there was danger afoot. The darkness of the cottage didn't welcome him with any warmth as he approached the door and a strong hand grabbed it to stop it's harsh barrage and it was opened.

The inside was dark and quiet. Devoid of any signs of life. It was quiet...too quiet. Where was everyone? The Door was opened wider and he stepped inside carefully looking around. It was dry inside from the rain and warmer than the outside. The only signs of life was a single candle still lit on the nearby table. That must've been the light he saw. It..didn't look like anything was disturbed. Perhaps he was wrong? Perhaps the Queen did not come here. Perhaps everyone was asleep and accidentally left the door open? But then how was no one awakened by the constant door banging? Either everyone living here was a very deep sleeper or something was obviously wrong. He approached the candle raising a brow at how short it was. It obviously had been lit for a while so why leave a single flame? He stepped forward and paused as his foot thudded against something. His eyes widened as a red apple with a single bite rolled along the floor and thudded against a hand lying on the floor barely lit up by the dim light. 

His form froze for a good moment before he scrambling around the table and again freezing at what he saw. On the floor laid a limp body. Looking as though it collapsed all of a sudden. The eyelids closed on a pale but familiar face.

"Snow White!"

He was quick to kneel next to the beautiful woman and gently pushed her onto her back before lifting her upper body into his lap elevating her head. She limply laid there as his hand gently held her cheek unresponsive. His eyes went from her lips to the apple with a single bite and his worse fears were confirmed. She'd been cursed by the same thing he was made from. The closest thing he had for a friend. The only on whom showed him unwavering kindness despite everything. His eyes looked almost panicked. He was...too late. The Queen had already been here and either tricked her into eating the apple or something else more dastardly.And now she was gone.

...Or was she?

His gazed forlornly at her lips. True love's first kiss. But Snow White hadn't even fallen in love with anyone. She was never given a chance. And no one he knows of had fallen in love with her. Everyone just had an infatuation with her beauty at most. He found it bothersome, stupid even. However the longer he gazed at her ..Well.. Perhaps he'd...He leaned down. With a soft breath he leaned over and met her soft lips with those of his own. Soft. That's what she's always been. Nothing but soft and kind to him. His connection to her was broken and he waited. For a long moment nothing happened and he felt a pang in his guts. It.. hadn't worked. Of course someone as poisonous as him wouldn't remove more poison. His head hung but froze seeing her chest rising and falling. She...SHE WAS BREATHING! His head snapped back to her face. Until eventually her eyelids moved a little bit and they opened. Soft lashes fluttered as beautiful eyes peered out dazed into the world. The first thing she saw being his face..and her brows furrowed confused but not afraid.

"Apple...But what are you doing here? I must be having a nice dream."

He continued to stare at her before a relieved breath left him and he held her closer. "It is. Just the ending of a bad dream now."

[crowandtalbot]

still kicking myself in the ass for not realizing sooner that Disney's Snow White and her Prince Charming were already dating before the events of the movie, but she was being hidden from courtly life by the Evil Queen. like it literally says outright that Snow White was made into a scullery maid to hide her "growing beauty" in the beginning, and the first 4 lines of the movie are "I'm Wishing":

I'm wishing

for the one I love

to find me

today

Not wishing to find true love, or to fall in love, but for a specific person to find her again. And right after wishing into the official Wishing Well™️ the prince does find her.

Her I want song "Someday My Prince Will Come":

someday my prince will come

someday we'll meet again

[...]

someday when spring is here

we'll find our love anew

Again, not to fall in love, not to find true love, not even to be rescued. But she longs to reunited with a specific person

The Prince's I want song says it too:

Now that I've found you

Hear what I have to say!

One Song

I have but one song

One song

Only for you

[...]

One song

My heart keeps singing

Of one love

Only for you

He's not waxing poetic about a new love, he's not singing about her beauty or some other thing he likes, this is not "Now I See the Light" or "So This is Love", he's assuring her that he has been faithful. Like he doesn't know why she hasn't been seeing him and may be worried she doesn't trust him anymore or something.

In the beginning, he doesn't hop a fence just because he heard singing, he hopped the fence and ran to her because he recognized her voice.

She doesn't run away because she's afraid. She runs away because she's embarrassed to be seen in dirty, ragged clothes. She comes back at the balcony so she's at an angle that hides the worst of her clothes, she even checks that her hair is neat and patches of her skirt are pushed down.

At the end he's not just wandering the forest, he knows she's gone missing and is likely looking for her again. The dwarves know who the royalty is, they aren't just letting some random guy plant a face hole on a dead girl. They recognized her, they recognized the queen, and so they must recognize him.

It was his interest that probably tipped off that Snow White was getting old enough for formal marriage proposals, and if the queen is her step mother then when Snow White married the queen would loose her position. The queen is vain, but also her competition for sovereignty.

Also there was an old rumor that he's in his 30's and she's 14, but there was never any official clarification on his age. He doesn't even have a name in the credits, he's just garden variety "Prince Charming". While it would not have been illegal to arrange a marriage like that in the setting of the movie, we can just imagine he's a teen. He is dressed in the high fashion of 14th-ish century clothes that emphasizes youth, like he is coded to be "young" and children were dressed as just small adults at that time. And it would make sense that Snow White's dress is a little too small and out of date if she's been neglected by a queen who doesn't want her to be noticed in court.

Also, if he's living close enough to just be wandering by the garden fence and then wandering the nearby forest whenever he wants, he's either formally betrothed to her and trying to get married (child fiancées would have been introduced to each other at pretty young ages, even if they wouldn't be married until they were considered an appropriate age) so he's staying nearby or they lived close enough to already develop a deep enough relationship for him to be actively looking for her when she disappears (which is indicated at least by the word "find/found" in the songs they sing to or about each other)

I feel it would be incredibly disingenuous to dismiss "they were already in a relationship" as only "it's a children's movie it's not that deep" when it is supported by the actual songs they sing about each other and also explains other awkward plot contrivances, like the awkwardness of the first on screen appearances. Everything else is just gravy tho

[minijenn]

Jen Tortures Herself With Every Dreamworks Animated Movie Ever: Trolls

So uhhhhh this movie. Kind of took me by surprise??? I went in expecting to hate this, thinking it would be annoyingly loud and bright and simple. What I got... wasn't quite what I thought it would be. Let's get into it.

The Trolls are a fun-loving, happy-go-lucky race of singing and dancing creatures, though they're constantly at ends with the miserable Bergens who want to eat them to get a taste of happiness. After escaping from the Bergens 20 years ago, the Trolls are thriving, until they're discovered by the ousted Bergen Chef, who captures a handful of Princess Poppy's friends, so she sets out with the perpetually grumpy Branch to rescue them. Along the way, they discover there may be a way to bring happiness to the Bergens and save their fellow Trolls alike.

So yeah, a very fantastical, fairy-taleish plot, one that took a few actually interesting, unexpected twists and turns. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a very complicated film, it wears its message of "Happiness is inside you" on its sleeve shamelessly. And yet... I don't know how, but it managed to... genuinely engage me?

Yeah, seriously. I actually kind of liked this? I don't know if it was because the emotions actually managed to hit or if I found the Bergens to be compelling antagonists/anti-heroes or if I started to really enjoy the dynamic between Poppy and Branch or what but like... fuck. Trolls is actually kind of ok? I feel like I'm going crazy just saying that. Like LOOK at that image up there and tell me that's the kind of movie anyone over the age of 6 would enjoy. And yet... I sort of did?

The movie, however, is certainly not without its faults. Its a jukebox musical and that's really not my cup of tea. The pop songs they picked for this are... tolerable, I guess, but hearing a lot of them kind of abruptly pulled me out of the plot so damn fast. Like I said, this is also a very simple movie, one with simple humor (save for a few insane adult jokes I couldn't believe they managed to sneak in there), and simple characters.

Poppy is... ok. She's kind of a bit too perpetually upbeat and cheery for me and yet she's not too over the top like I'd feared she'd be. By contrast, I really liked Branch! He's the straight man to literally all of the other Trolls around him and his dry sarcasm brought a lot of texture to what would have otherwise been a zany, goofy cast. The Bergens do much of the same, from the conflicted King Gristle, to the lovestruck scullery maid Bridget, to our villain, the insane, girlboss Chef, who just stole the show whenever she was on screen.

The visuals in this are also really nice? Like yes, its agressively bright and colorful but it works, I think? Like everything in this world feels like its made out of felt and fabric, very soft and fuzzy to the point that you can practically feel it. The designs for some of these creatures and backgrounds is actually really pretty in their own unique way? Of course, this is coming from someone who likes a lot of color anyway. If you like something a little more grounded visually, this probably isn't the movie for you.

So yeah, Trolls was... ok. Again, I'm fucking shocked, because I'd always been lead to believe this was Dreamworks in their peak cynical cashgrab era but... there's something to this movie that I didn't expect would be there. It's not fantastic by any means, but it has... some substance. And based on what I knew about this film going in, that's certainly more than I was expecting.

Overall Rating: 6/10

Verdict: SINGING KILLED YOUR GRANDMA

Previous Review (Kung Fu Panda 3)

Next Review (The Boss Baby)

[valandhirwriter]

For the character game: Ciri (because I'm me 😆) and Boromir 😊

thank you @andordean for the tag. I'd love your version for Ciri, Regis and Geralt. (If you have opinions on boromir, I'd be curious about them too)

Ciri

How I feel about this character: Ciri is complicated character for me. I didn't really care for her in the books and the books came first for me, prior to games or TV. I never really came to like book Ciri. Game Ciri was a definite improvement, and oddly TV Series Ciri grew on me. I also appreciate her story - the direct escape from Cintra - much more than the book version of the events. I think I will always end up writing a slightly AU version of Ciri, but I have come to appreciate her character and have fun with certain stories about her.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Morvran, several Witchers, Eskel and Letho among them. Coën

Morvran - the main pairing in my mind. Empress or Witcheress ending both. In the Witcheress ending Ciri would be free to chose, and when she falls for General Voorhis, she'd not even know he is the man, her father wanted her to marry. And Morvran is simply fascinated with this kick-ass Lady, no matter who she might be. In the Empress ending their start would be a bit more rocky, until Ciri realises that Morvran is willing to accept her the way she is, and to wait for her until she is ready.

Letho/Eskel/other Witchers: Witcheress Ending only. Ciri living the life of a Witcher and ultimately falling in love with one of her brothers in arms. Or maybe with two.

Coën - is my AU ship at the end of Song of the Dragon. Only hinted at, but it is there. He followed Ciri on that long journey to discover her true heritage, and he chooses to stick with her, giving up on returning home in the end. They'll grow closer and ultimately fall in love. Ciri deserves a knight in shining armour and our Griffin is just that.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Regis

The way they encountered in Stygga should have left some impression and I see Ciri and Regis becoming close friends after B&W. I also see Regis as someone who might see Ciri's scars, and slowly help her to deal with the nightmares of her past. Regis will understand the things that Geralt, as a Witcher, cannot.

My unpopular opinion about this character: She never even considered returning to Cintra, or negotiating as the Princess for some type of vassal state for her homeland. She never thinks of what her people go through under Nilfgaard, she just runs away. Even as she gets older and realises that Nilfgaard wants some kind of legitimacy for their claim, she never even tries to make use of that. In that way she is a spoiled Princess brat, not seeing her responsibilities towards her people.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon. That instead of becoming a murderer among the rats, she'd have considered the slower and unglorious way of finding honest work. As a farmhand, in the stables, as scullery maid, whatever - she goes down the way of the thief, plunderer and murderer too easily, and I wish she had a crossroads there, where she went a different path.

And ABOVE ALL: I wish canon, especially the books, would not objectify Ciri the way they do.

Boromir

How I feel about this character: This was the character that fascinated me from my first reading of Lord of the Rings on. I was 13 at the time, and to me Boromir had clear Hagen of Tronege vibes. And I was a fan of Hagen. What fascinated me was that Boromir came from the direct border of the dark lands, so he must have experience with the enemy they are faced with, but somehow no one thought to ask him. I also wondered what drove him to turn on his companions and my earliest conclusion was, that he did not see how they could succeed. Gimli and Legolas were bickering about whether Axe or Bow were the better weapon, Aragon was focused on becoming King, so he could marry Arwen and the hobbits had no clue about anything - so i thought he felt his companions did not really take the whole danger serious. Later, as I grew up, that view evolved on a more psychological question, and also considered the burdens Boromir already carries, as a commander and the son of a deeply unhappy family.

To this day Boromir is my hero, he always will be. Even as the picture of him that I had in my mind, got deeply changed thanks to Sean Bean's wonderful portraying him.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: None actually. I got told my story had vibes for Boromir/Kili and also for Boromir/Shakurán. (Shakurán being an OC Easterling soldier, invented by me so Boromir would have a named opponent to scheme and fight against). Both pairings are absolutely imaginable, only I was maybe never able to write them.

I always wondered why Boromir in the books wasn't married. He was 42 when he died, and coming from a noble house with only two children, I'd have expected him to be married at a young age. But he wasn't. One can wonder about the reasons, which would allow even more speculation on potential pairings.

My non-romantic OTP for this character:

My AU: Kili

This only makes sense if you read my story, but their story is one of a friendship that transcends destiny and death itself.

In canon: Faramir I'd say. The two brothers against the rest of the world.

My unpopular opinion about this character: he was a better leader than Aragorn ever was.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon. There are two. One is of course that he survived Amon Hen and made his way home, to fight in the war of the ring.

And the second: that he had a family. As i said before: according to Tolkien Boromir is 42 when he dies, and there is no logical reason why he wasn't long married, and be it to secure the Stweard's line. It would have been fascinating, and hopefully deeply shaking and uncomfortable, if Aragorn reached Gondor, became King, only to be faced with Boromir's widow and sons. It would have been such great drama and emotional hurt potential. (I had even started writing a story in that vein, but never got far)

[braveclementine]

 Asgard

Warnings: None

Copyright: I do not own any Marvel characters or locations. However, I do own my OC Elizabeth Lightwood. I do not condone any copying of this.

Elizabeth stopped as they were in the dungeons. Thor and Rocket continued to sneak past Loki's cell, but Elizabeth couldn't, her breathing suddenly shaky. Neither Thor nor Rocket noticed as they quickly hurried through the end door.

She watched Loki then, watching him as he laid down. He was flipping an object in his hands, seemingly bored.

Her eyes filled with tears and she stepped closer, putting her hand against the glass. She couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.

He suddenly looked over and sat up, "Pet?"

A tear fell down her cheek without her noticing. He frowned and stood up, "You're not. . . you're not her." He paused and then said confused, "No. . . you are, but you're from the future."

"Loki." She whispered. He put his hand on the glass by hers.

"Pet?"

She blinked, realizing she had just let herself be seen but. . . it couldn't be that bad. She hurried to where she used to use her entrance and stepped into the cell. "Loki." She repeated, before running into his arms, sobbing.

She felt his slender arms around her body as he hugged her back tightly. "Oh my little kitten."

He pulled back, cupping her face. "I'm guessing the future isn't kind to you?"

"I- I shouldn't have let you see me." She whispered. She suddenly realized. . . if she got out of the suit. . . if she stayed here. . . she would be with him. But. . . there was another version of her here. And if she remembered the day correctly, her second person wouldn't be here in to much longer. "But, I forgot."

Loki looked down at her, "Why is your future self in the past?"

"I can't tell you." Elizabeth whispered, eyes filled with tears again. "I miss you so fucking much."

Lokis' eyes filled with terrible understanding, "Ah. . . I see."

"I should make you forget." Elizabeth mumbled.

"But you won't, will you." Loki said.

"I can't do it to you." Elizabeth said, full out crying now.

"Shh, pet." Loki whispered softly. "Pet look at me."

Elizabeth looked him, trying to control her tears.

"I love you." Loki whispered softly. "I don't know if I get to tell you that later or not. But I love you. Now you must go. Your present self will be here any moment."

Elizabeth nodded and reached up, kissing his cheek. "I love you too."

"Go." Loki said softly. Her sight was to blurry to see anything in front of her as she stumbled out of the room. She ran down the hallway, sobbing loudly, before closing the door behind her. She found the closet and slid down on the other side, wrapping her arms around her legs. She rocked back and forth, sobbing her soul out and realizing that maybe she shouldn't have come here after all.

🎃 :::::  🧡  ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━  🧡  ::::: 🎃

"All right," Rocket said in exasperation as he jumped down from the stone he'd been standing on. The mission hadn't even started and they'd already lost Elizabeth. Thor said she'd probably stayed behind in her dungeons, the man they'd been hiding from was her dead soulmate or something sappy like that.

"Here's the deal, tubby. You're gonna charm her and I'm gonna poke her with this thing." Rocket said, brandishing what was going to get the Reality stone in his hand. "and extract the Reality stone, and get gone lickety-split."

Thor sniffed, "I'm gonna be right back okay. The wine cellar is just down here. My father used to have this huge barrel of Aakonian ale. I'll see if the scullery has a couple of to-go cups."

"Hey. Hey!" Rocket hissed, "Aren't you drunk enough already?"

Suddenly, they both had to hide as they heard large noises and Rocket ducked.

"If you could send Loki some soup." The lady leading about four maids or so said.

"Yes, milady." One of them answered.

"And ask our librarians- no never mind ask Elizabeth to pull some volumes from the astronomy shelf. . . "

"Whose the fancy broad?" Rocket asked, climbing back up on the rock.

"That's my mother." Thor whispered. "She dies today."

"Oh, that is today?" Rocket asked, getting a bad feeling about this.

He watched Thor started to break down, breathing heavily. "I can't do this. I can't do this. I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't have come. It's a bad idea!"

"Come here." Rocket commanded.

"No, no, no I think I'm having a panic attack." Thor panted.

"Come here. Right here." Rocket demanded, before slapping him hard across the face so he shut up. "You think you're the only one who lost people? What do you think we're doing here? I lost the only family I ever had. Quill, Groot, Drax, the chick with the antennae, all gone. I get you miss your mom, I get she misses her soulmate, but they're gone. Really gone. And there are plenty of people who are only kind of gone, and you can help them. So, is it to much to ask that you brush the crumbs out of your beard, make schmoopey talk to Pretty Pants, and when she's not looking, suck out the Infinity stone, and help me get my family back?"

"Okay." Thor said.

"Are you crying?"

"No." Thor squealed as he cried. "Yes. I feel like I'm losing it."

"Get it together! You can do this. You can do this! All right?" Rocket asked, watching as Thor took deep, satisfying breaths.

"Yes, I can." Thor said.

"Good." Rocket said, hoping down. They'd have a hell of a hard time trying to find Elizabeth in the entire palace though. "All right heartbreak, she's alone." Rocket said, approaching the doors. "This is our shot." And as he turned around, he saw that he was alone. "Thor? Thor!"

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"My ladies, I'll see you after." Thor heard his mother say as he hid on the other side of the pillar. "I'll see you after. Go on ahead." Thor watched his mother walk around the other side of the pillar and then heard, "What are you doing?"

He screamed, jumping a little as she appeared on the other side of him. His mother screamed equally.

"Oh god," His mother said, "You're better off leaving the sneaking to your brother."

"No. I wasn't sneaking. I was just going for a walk." Thor said, trying to cover his face and walk backwards at the same time.

"What are you wearing?" His mother asked.

"I always wear this. It's one of my favorites." Thor said. She touched his face.

"What's wrong with your eye?"

"Oh my eye. You remember the uh Battle of Harokin when I got hit in the face with the broadsword?" He laughed nervously.

"You're not the Thor I know at all, are you?" She asked softly.

"Yes I am."

"The future hasn't been kind to you, has it?" Frigga asked softly.

"I didn't say I was from the future." Thor laughed.

"I was raised by witches, boy and. . ." She looked over her shoulder and Thor looked to see a red eyed Elizabeth come from around the corner, "She's been crying in a closet over Loki."

"Yeah, I am totally from the future." Thor cried.

"Yes, you are, honey."

"I really need to talk to you." Thor nearly hissed, trying to keep his emotions together.

"We can talk." Frigga nodded. And then she pulled him into the hug that he had really missed.

🎃 :::::  🧡  ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━  🧡  ::::: 🎃

Elizabeth stood at the window, overlooking the kingdom of Asgard. Her and Loki were going to rule this place once. Them and then their children because Thor would never have an heir. And their children's children. . .

She smiled a little, though she was close to tears.

She could look down and even though she was high up, she saw the real Thor, talking with Fandral and Hogun and Volstagg. She watched herself approach with Sif. In a few hours time Loki would be freed from his cage. Odin eventually banished. Her and Loki would live in peace, even with the heartbreak of losing his mother.

She had managed to convince him not to get rid of Heimdall when he'd wanted to. Heimdall was one of her favorites besides Hogun. Maybe one day she'd name a boy after Heimdall. . . if she ever had another one.

Her smiled fell off her lips and she closed her eyes. It was okay though. She would have seven children to love and protect. Watch them grow and meet their soulmates.

Besides, watching Steve be happy with Bucky would be rewarding. . . she loved him so much. He deserved to be happy. And she'd make sure that Steve got to see Rose and Delilah plenty. Maybe. . . maybe even let him have majority custody and let her be the weekend mom. Then he and Bucky could be parents. . .

The thought saddened her though, not having majority custody of her kids.

"Everyone fails at who they're supposed to be, Thor." She heard Frigga say softly behind her. "The measure of a person, of a hero is how well they succeed at being who they are."

Who was she? So long ago she would have said, Princess, future Queen of Asgard, Loki's wife and soulmate, mother of his children.

And now?

No. She was still a princess and maybe more a future. . . President(?) of Asgard. Loki's soulmate and the mother of his children still. A magician and a warrior. And someone who could learn to move on.

Rocket suddenly came running in, "Hi. . . you must be mom. I got the thing. Come on. We gotta move." Rocket said, holding up the container which had the red liquid in it.

"Oh, I wish we had more time." Thor said, looking at his mother.

Elizabeth stepped next to Rocket. In a moment, she would have to see Steve again. She would have to feel that heartbreak.

But she knew she couldn't stay. No, the idea of staying in the past, trying to live in the past when from the future was the real pipe dream. Besides, if she could move on from Loki who was her soulmate, then she could move on from Steve, who wasn't. And at least Steve would still be alive, still be happy.

"No, this was a gift." Frigga answered. "Now you go and be the man you're meant to be." She squeezed his hands and turned to Elizabeth, cupping her cheek. "You'll be a good leader my daughter."

"I love you mom."

"I love you." Frigga said and they hugged. "And eat a salad."

Elizabeth actually smiled at that.

"Come on, we gotta go." Rocket said.

"Three, two-"

"NO wait!" Thor shouted. He thrusted his hand out and both Rocket and Elizabeth looked at him in surprise.

"Wh- What am I looking at?" Rocket asked.

"Oh, sometimes it takes a second." Frigga said.

Thor laughed as the hammer came to his hand. "I'm still worthy."

"Oh, boy." Elizabeth and Rocket said together.

"Goodbye Mom."

"Goodbye."

The normal attire changed into the time travel suits again. And they were gone. 

[hazbinextgeneration]

Love's Poison

He hated her. He was made to hate her. He did for her nativity, blind kindness. But love is infectious like a poison. Well one man's poison is another's passion.

(I own nothing/Everything belongs to Disney. Coverart not mine and found on Pinterest. It's a bit au-ish but meh.)

(Warnings: Snow White getting poisoned and mistreated by her stepmother and mentions of the evil queen's death.)

He was made to hate. Made to serve.

That was the first thing the child was told opening his eyes and staring upon his creator. But most importantly he was made to follow her every command. Her. EVERY. Command. No matter what it was. He learnt early as a young child that disobedience or not living up to expectations good enough would come with deadly consequences. He was sure to correct himself accordingly. After all he was content with his purpose and would live up to his Queen's expectations better than she was expecting him to be. It was easy to do after all for many years. If she wanted to know something tell her straight to the point. If she told him to do something it would be done by the hour. If she told him to jump he'd ask how high. If she asked him if she was beautiful then he'd tell her she was the most beautiful woman in existence. That pleased her the most. 

Although he thought she was always quite vain 

He never said it outloud and it was none of his business. He only had to serve and obey and she'd be happy. Of course there was one touchy subject the Queen always hated. And he saw said problem often amongst the maids scrubbing the floors or with the cooks washing dishes or with the gardeners often removing leaves from the garden. He hadn't paid the second child much mind at first assuming she was a daughter of the staff. And quite frankly it wasn't any of this business. His only business was to serve his Queen. However he hadn't expected her to literally come up to him one day carrying books with a big smile.

"You're new here. Are you going to scrub the floors too? Maybe we can keep each other company then!"

He only frowned upon her. "No. I work for her majesty. I'm not scullery maid like you."

She annoyingly looked happy at him. "Oh. That's a very important position. I'm impressed someone as young as us got it! That must mean you're very smart to have caught her attention."

He hummed... Perhaps she wasn't as naive as she looked if she figured that out. "That's between her majesty and myself."

"What's your name? My name is Snow White!"

He had to do a double take. Snow White? ...As in PRINCESS Snow White?! The one the Queen always mumbles disdain about?! He looked her up and down ... before deciding that she wasn't worth delaying his duties. 

"My name is of no concern to you. Excuse me. I have things to do."

Unfortunately that wouldn't be the last time the child princess would bother him. Often waving, smiling, and saying hello to him as he passed even if he outright ignored her. Her insistence was annoying and bothersome..But he supposed her didication to bring kind to everyone despite her situation was admirable. He's come to understand her situation more as the years pressed on. Of the Queen's cruel treatment of stripping her of the luxuries a normal princess should have and order her to be treated even worse than an ordinary maid being given nothing but rags to wear and scrapes from the kitchen to eat. It wasn't any of his business of course and he wasn't planning on making it his business but he couldn't help but wonder why she didn't just give up that kindness if all she's ever being shown is contempt and misery and disdain. Well as if to answer his ironic thoughts he just so happened to overhear a conversation between the unfortunate princess and another maid while walking by. 

"Princess you are such a kind soul. How are you able to show such gentleness as fate dealt you a bad hand?"

She only smiled that sweet smile he'd always seen her wife. "Because I would never want for anyone to go through anything like I have. It is better to show kindness where there is sorrow than to let that sorrow change you."

Her answer ... actually surprised him. He would not expect her to give such an answer but he still saw flaws. She was still naive with that kindness of hers. And he thought that again when she attempted to approach him again. He was unsure why she always did. Perhaps it was because they were both the only ones who were a similar age to one another? This time however was different than before when she presented him with a gift. A tart she had made in the kitchen. 

"What is that?"

"It's a tart, Silly." She only smiled that wide smile of hers. "I made it for you!"

He could only slowly blink at her slowly processing what he was told. "You made this..for me? You do know that I don't have any need for these things right? If I'm hungry I can order food from the servants anytime."

"I know but it wouldn't hurt to try one, right? You'll never know if you'll like it if you don't try it."

....He narrowed his eyes suspiciously looking between her and the desert before sighing and holding his hand out. "Fine. If you'll leave me alone to work then I'll take it."

Her eyes blinked wide in surprise but happily handed it over. "That makes me so happy! Does that mean I can know you're name now?"

"This doesn't make us friends in the slightest."

"I know but we've seen each other forever now and I can't address you by name. Think of how rude that is not being able to address someone properly at all despite seeing each other so often. You know my name so is it not courteous that I know yours?"

He hummed again. That sounded... reasonable. And the Queen never told him that he couldn't tell her his name. Just his work was off limits. "Alright...You may know my name but only out of courtesy. My name is Apple Poison."

"Apple Poison?" She hummed. "Quite an uncommon name."

"Says the girl who was named after the paleness of snow."

"Oh. I didn't mean to be rude. I've just never heard of it before is all. It's nice to finally meet you,  Apple Poison. It's a very nice name."

She giggled at him and he quite ignored the heat in his cheeks. However misfortune only followed her more as they slowly grew into adulthood. Everyday Snow White got more beautiful and every day the Queen would ask her mirror who was the farest in the land. Her self conscious and vanity getting worse and worse than the day before. But he never brought it up. After all it was none of his business. However what was his business was serving the Queen in everything she needed which usually involved her witchcraft. So often he found himself in the very hidden witches lair he was born from. A creation of the most poisoned apples and dark magic. It truly was a drab place even if he was used to it by now. His interactions with the ever growing beautiful princess continued. Every day she'd become more beautiful and it became apparent to all whom saw her. Ladies who used to gaze in envy at the Queen's beauty now looked on in awe at Snow White. Men who used to imagine marrying a woman like the Queen now gazed on with adoration at the princess. He found it quite annoying really as it annoyed the Queen and her bad mood always put harder work on him. So logically he should hate Snow White for this but..for some reason...

He just couldn't.

It annoyed him more that there was stares on the Princess now. And then it all came to a head. The day the magic mirror finally gave his Queen a different response. However he didn't know so at the time as he was attending to another matter at hand...And was absolutely NOT distracted by the beautiful sweet singing voice outside of the Queen's window. He was...merely looking outside waiting for Prince Florian's diplomatic arrival. Yes. That was what he was doing. By orders of the Queen. It was just a coincidence that Snow White happened to be scrubbing the steps and singing at the same time he decided to await for the Prince and it was more of a coincidence when the Prince arrived sneaking up to Snow White and frightening her back into the castle. A clear view of his face telling him that Prince Florian was enamored at her beauty by just one meeting. And it was just just a coincidence that his fists tightened in disdain knowing that. Pathetic. Being enamored without even knowing her first. There was more to life than just looks... Someone else could know that too. But it wasn't a coincidence that the Queen approached him also having seen the entire scene.

"Prince Florian has arrived in time for the diplomatic meeting with you on his father's behalf, Your highness."

"I can clearly see." She spoke calmly but with an underlying venom and rage in her soul. "Very well. I have other things that aquire my attention. Show him in. Fetch me my huntsman after and tell him I shall see him afterwards."

He rose a brow at this in question but it wasn't his business to question his orders so he just bowed. "It will be done."

He was not a part of any of the diplomatic affairs or any affairs of the Queen and her huntsman. Only knowing of the matter afterwards that the Princess disappeared unexpectedly and the huntsman had slain her. And only after the Queen told him of this fact. He-...

He never felt a shock of panic spear his chest harder than with those words but he didn't show it outwardly to the Queen other than maybe a flinch and his eyes going wide. The princess was...dead? Snow White was killed by her orders! The smiling face of kindness that always greeted him no matter what was.. gone. He should be happy about it. It meant that the Queen was happy and in turn he should be be happy too. So...why wasn't he? Why did it feel more like a great.. disappointment? Or dare he say sorrow? However both would be surprised when the Queen presented her usual question and proof of her crimes.

''Magic mirror on the wall. Who now is the fairest one of all?"

Like the dutiful servant they both were, the face in the mirror answered her truthfully. "Beyond the seven jeweled hills, beyond the seventh fall. In the cottage of the seven dwarves dwells Snow White fairest one of all."

That made him give pause. She was...alive? That can't be. Then how could the Queen have such a disgusting piece of evidence?

"Snow White lies dead within the forest. The huntsman has brought me proof. Behold. Her heart."

He had to slightly turn his eyes as to not feel that disgusted feeling in his stomach.

"Snow White still lives. Fairest in the land. The heart of a pig you hold in your hand."

"The heart of a pig?!...Then I've been duped."

She was so angry. He's never seen her throw something so hard and with such rage despite the almost calm face she wore. But ..If Snow White lived, then that meant that the Huntsman deliberately lied about what took place and failed to end the Princess's life. He immediately offered his own services to the angry Queen as a loyal way to pacify her anger.

"Your Majesty,  allow me to be tasked with completing this. I promise you results."

"No. If I want her death then I will do it myself. Leave and tend to the castle in my stead."

He didn't like that response but could do nothing but bow and agree with a bad feeling in his chest. "It shall be done."

He really didn't like this. Leaving the Queen for hours as she stormed off leaving him in her absence. The knots grew worse and worse before the temptation was too great and he gave in making his way down into the lair hours later where he'd last seen her. She said to tend to the castle and the lair was a part of the castle so he wouldn't be disobeying orders if he checked in on the drab place. Only to find it completely empty and barren. No living creature in sight. So where was the Queen? Only the thick smell of poisonous herbs were lingering in the air. He followed the smell over to a still bubbling cauldron and an open spell book. One look at the page it was on sent him frozen shocked.

Poisoned apples.

This page contained the potion recipe for poisoned apples. One of the ingredients used in his creation. Why would she be brewing this recipe? She hadn't done it since he was a child. Unless...UNLESS SHE WAS PLANNING ON USING THIS TO POISON SNOW WHITE. A piece of HIM!! SHE WAS GOING TO USE A PIECE OF HIM TO USE AGAINST HER!! Perhaps that was the part that made him snap or cause him lunacy enough to go after the Queen. But not before reading through the page in the spellbook and seeing vital piece of information.

The victim of the Sleeping Death can be revived only by love's first kiss...

The rain was pouring down from the harsh night sky. No moon or stars to light the way through the woods. Trees screamed from the winds' torment pushing their branches about and making shadows dance. The rain pounded against his body soaking him down to the bone and freezing his body to the core but still he pressed onwards and didn't stop. He came too far to stop now. He followed the magic  mirrors directions to a T.  Beyond the seven jeweled hills and beyond the seventh fall. Snow White resided inside a cottage waiting..And hopefully still alive. Mud and water squelched and splashed under his boots the farther and farther he went. Until a noise could be heard distantly above the rain and wind.

THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD.

Like a loud banging over and over again. That must mean something was close right? He continued on following the noise until he pushed a bush aside and was beheld with a sight. Down from him was a dim light. A dim light shining in through a window of a straw roofed collage. It looked completely abandoned right now other than a dim candle in the window. The banging was the door leading into the cottage being slammed repeatedly over and over again by the harsh winds. Instantly he approached but cautiously in case there was danger afoot. The darkness of the cottage didn't welcome him with any warmth as he approached the door and a strong hand grabbed it to stop it's harsh barrage and it was opened.

The inside was dark and quiet. Devoid of any signs of life. It was quiet...too quiet. Where was everyone? The Door was opened wider and he stepped inside carefully looking around. It was dry inside from the rain and warmer than the outside. The only signs of life was a single candle still lit on the nearby table. That must've been the light he saw. It..didn't look like anything was disturbed. Perhaps he was wrong? Perhaps the Queen did not come here. Perhaps everyone was asleep and accidentally left the door open? But then how was no one awakened by the constant door banging? Either everyone living here was a very deep sleeper or something was obviously wrong. He approached the candle raising a brow at how short it was. It obviously had been lit for a while so why leave a single flame? He stepped forward and paused as his foot thudded against something. His eyes widened as a red apple with a single bite rolled along the floor and thudded against a hand lying on the floor barely lit up by the dim light. 

His form froze for a good moment before he scrambling around the table and again freezing at what he saw. On the floor laid a limp body. Looking as though it collapsed all of a sudden. The eyelids closed on a pale but familiar face.

"Snow White!"

He was quick to kneel next to the beautiful woman and gently pushed her onto her back before lifting her upper body into his lap elevating her head. She limply laid there as his hand gently held her cheek unresponsive. His eyes went from her lips to the apple with a single bite and his worse fears were confirmed. She'd been cursed by the same thing he was made from. The closest thing he had for a friend. The only on whom showed him unwavering kindness despite everything. His eyes looked almost panicked. He was...too late. The Queen had already been here and either tricked her into eating the apple or something else more dastardly.And now she was gone.

...Or was she?

His gazed forlornly at her lips. True love's first kiss. But Snow White hadn't even fallen in love with anyone. She was never given a chance. And no one he knows of had fallen in love with her. Everyone just had an infatuation with her beauty at most. He found it bothersome, stupid even. However the longer he gazed at her ..Well.. Perhaps he'd...He leaned down. With a soft breath he leaned over and met her soft lips with those of his own. Soft. That's what she's always been. Nothing but soft and kind to him. His connection to her was broken and he waited. For a long moment nothing happened and he felt a pang in his guts. It.. hadn't worked. Of course someone as poisonous as him wouldn't remove more poison. His head hung but froze seeing her chest rising and falling. She...SHE WAS BREATHING! His head snapped back to her face. Until eventually her eyelids moved a little bit and they opened. Soft lashes fluttered as beautiful eyes peered out dazed into the world. The first thing she saw being his face..and her brows furrowed confused but not afraid.

"Apple...But what are you doing here? I must be having a nice dream."

He continued to stare at her before a relieved breath left him and he held her closer. "It is. Just the ending of a bad dream now."

[adamwatchesmovies]

Cinderella and the Secret Prince (2018)

While I didn't enjoy this film, that doesn't mean you won't. No matter what I say, the people involved in this project did it: they actually made a movie. That's something to be applauded. With that established...

There's something particularly devastating about watching a bad movie that could’ve been good if circumstances beyond the filmmaker’s control hadn’t mucked things up. Right before the end credits of Cinderella and the Hidden Prince, we see concept art of what the characters should’ve looked like. They look great. As good as anything Disney has put on-screen. I'm certain the voice actors saw these images and got all excited. I can picture the art director/character designer telling their friends and family about this animated fairy tale they were working on and then dying of shame once they saw the final product.

Ella “Cinderella” (voiced by Cassandra Morris) is forced by her wicked stepmother and step-sisters to work as a scullery maid in her own home. When her mouse friends Alex (Chris Niosi), Manny (R. Martin Klein) and Walt (Tony Azzolino) discover an apprentice fairy godmother in the woods (Crystal, voiced by Kirsten Day), Ella gets the chance to go to the royal ball and meets the kingdom's prince. Unfortunately, Olaf (Stephen Mendel) isn’t a prince at all. He’s a puppet of the Wicked Witch (Stephanie Sanditz), who has transformed the real prince into a mouse!

If you’ve had the misfortune of seeing 2012’s Cinderella 3D, this one’s cut from the same cloth. Ugly characters are REALLY ugly but not in an intentional way. The "handsome" prince has his eyes set just a bit too far apart, making him look like he’s a fish man. Cinderella’s mouse friends (well, two are mice, one’s a hamster) are hideous creatures whose size changes from scene to scene. At best, this looks like a bargain-bin knockoff of Tangled. Most of the time, it doesn’t even reach the level of Happily N’Ever After. Some assets were obviously taken from an animation library because you can see their cycles end in the middle of a scene.

Despite the lackluster visuals, you can picture the movie this could've been if it weren’t trying to tell the Cinderella story. When you think of the classic fairy tale, certain elements come to mind: a poor girl forced to do labor, a fairy godmother and most iconic of all… a crystal slipper left behind at midnight. That last one? not in this movie! Instead, we have a quest for a magic ring to restore the not-so-secret prince to his human form. This mission takes over the entire film, which would be fine if it was what we’d signed up for.

As Hoodwinked has taught us, all could've been forgiven if the writing had done some heavy lifting. At several points, it feels like there are scenes missing. One moment, Cinderella and her friends spot a colossal ice mountain all the way across the forest. Seconds later, they’re inside, exploring a cave that looks like it belongs to a completely different film. The characters are thin, unlikeable, or both. At several points, the story contradicts itself. We learn, for example, that the prince was turned into a mouse when he was five years old. When he’s restored to his true form, he suddenly knows how to ride a horse and is an expert swordsman. Did he master these skills when he was a toddler? Then there’s a reveal about the evil witch that makes no sense and an epic conclusion that raises far too many questions. It’s clear some people on the team were trying but they were outnumbered by people who just didn’t care.

You can appreciate a film wanting to take a familiar story in a new, fresh direction but good intentions don't mean anything if the end product is kind of ugly, often annoying and poorly written. Don’t get me started on the one musical number. It’s so bland and generic you'll forget the lyrics as soon as the following line begins. Even for little kids who don’t discriminate, Cinderella and the Secret Prince would be a hard sell. (May 7, 2021)

[cypanache]

I can’t wait to read more of unintended and countdown!!! They’re absolutely amazing!!! I love how you’ve written Padme/Obi Wan. I mention these two cause I’m still new and I haven’t caught up with everything else, I also see that you have another one named Trap, and I have no doubts it’s also amazing!! 💜💜💜

Aaaah!! I so glad you're enjoying them. And yay, for new Obidala readers! Always yay for more obidala love.

Oh Trap my beloved. It's actual legal name is 'A Trap of Your Own Making' and it's currently my only in universe fic. But it's very near and dear to my heart and I hope you wind up enjoying it as well. Though be warned since that's an actual attempt at fully canon-compliant obidala it's a doozy and definitely on the guaranteed pain side.

The next chapter of Countdown should be up very shortly. I'm about 2.5k in and working on wrapping that chapter as we speak.

Unintended will take a little longer, mostly because I'm trying to just plow through Countdown and wrap it before January is over. Whereas Unintended is very much a 'story' with a long way to go. Plus we're having to jump backwards to deal with the Anakin of it all which it taking a bit to get right. But here, have a tiny proof of life, set during their carriage ride to Stewjon post 'most poorly executed elopement ever' as they're just getting to know each other and Obi-Wan's trying to make her comfortable:

"We've met before."

Padme doesn't turn her gaze from the window. Of course they have met. He attended nearly every party with Anakin. And even if he usually retired to the library before the dancing was over, he would have hardly been called a hermit.

"I know. You danced with my sister once."

"No, I mean, when you were younger. My uncle came to stay at the Organa's for a few weeks in the late spring while i was on leave and I came up from Coruscant for a house party, which I believe your family attended. And you managed to convince me you were a scullery maid."

She turns slowly to face him, eyes going wide, mouth forming a slight 'O' of amazement as the memory rushes back to her.

"That was you. But you were--"

"I know. I was quite serious. Imagine my embarrassment when I discovered I had asked the daughter of one of the guests to re-make the fire."

That hadn't been what she'd been about to say at all. Yes he'd been serious.

And dashing.

And mysterious.

So much so that she'd convinced one of the scullery maids to give her a uniform just so she could be alone in the same room as him. Only to nearly die of mortification when the third morning he'd asked her to perform a task she had no idea how to accomplish.

[dapper-shipping-forever]

also *lays down on my bed and kicks my feet in the air* tell me more abt the royalty gillvash au. what are the outfits? the drama? is there a ball at any point in the story? a festival????

Girl you know there's a ball AND a festival ! I'm gonna toss all the bullshit in there at some point or another lmao

Lyric is just gonna be the MOST passive aggressive to Vash the like whole time they're partners. He knows he can't outwardly disrespect Vash because the princess would be mad at him, and he's just trying to constantly undermine Vash, make him look bad, box him out, and generally keep him away from the princess where he can, "accidentally" sabatoges him, gives him assignments fucking in the complete opposite direction of where Gill is gonna be for a bit.

Vash and Gill keep getting closer, and they're just the sweetest pair. Like they're Uber polite, Gill with her royal decorum and Vash respecting her as her royal knight protecting her and they're both just generally bby. But yknow, sometimes their hands brush, sometimes he pulls out her chair at her table and his hands linger on the back of their seat and his eyes on her eyes, and like sometimes he is accompanying her on a walk and when there's like a step he offers his hand to help her and they won't release their hold right away and when they do their fingers slide along each other to prolong their brief contact just a little longer there.

And I do have some ideas around a ball right now ! Vash has never learned to dance before but Gill has a lot of lessons, and they're alone in the ballroom like days before it and he expresses that he can't dance properly but it's alright since he's going to be guarding her and won't be dancing anyway, but she tells him that's unacceptable and if he dances with her then he'd technically be guarding her and she offers to teach him how to dance and they dance together in the empty ballroom, no music just the rhythm of their dance echoing in the grand space, their eyes locked, his hand gaining confidence settled on the small of her back, her hand on his chest, and their other hands clasped securely in each other as they dance. And Lyric, coming to find them, sees this. He says nothing, just stares. Silently, within the shadows, his anger brews.

And like the dynamic between the three, Gill and Lyric were kinda raised together, he has noble ancestry, they were allowed to play together as children and there was talk of him being a POSSIBLE candidate for marriage for her and that definitely got into his mind and STAYED. He idolized her, and just completely wrapped her in his mind as someone above the droll of everyone else. To him she is perfect and despite him being a best friend of her's, someone she cherishes, he is always formal with her. That kinda upsets her, she wants to have him be casual with her, that's what she craves it's for more friends to be casual with her. Like in this au, Meryl and Milly are scullery maids and Gill sneaks into where they work often to hang out with them and she gets casual friendship with them, she wants that. She is constantly trying to encourage Lyric to be casual with her but he always refuses and she like smiles about it but like she is upset by him. Then when Vash comes, he starts by acting formal towards her. She soon encourages him to be more casual with her, and it's his ability to do that, gradually in private, that brings them closer and creates a bond between them that Lyric hasn't been able to achieve in the years he's been her constant companion. Lyric hates Vash, but Vash respects Lyric as his superior. He's just a nice guy, though he does start noticing more weird things about him the more he is with him this closely, since he never spent much like time just with him or like close to him before being assigned to this with him and the princess.

And now outfits ! I have some inspirations for each of the versions of this royal au ! 🌸

First, princess Gill. Dresses similar to this.

Her kingdom's royal knights wear uniforms similar to this. They're in white.

Prince Vash. Suits like this.

Bonus, prince Nai. Suits like this.

Mercenary Gill. She and Lyric dressed a little like not as fancy before being hired as royal bodyguards but then they get fancier clothes as their guards to yknow adhere to royal standards kinda.

Mercenary Lyric. After getting hired.

Here's a dress for princess Gill. Like something she'd wear to the ball.

And a suit for prince Vash. Something he'd wear to the ball.

[chuuyagum]

I'm unironically asking for the maid dress history rant im v interested and would like to know

OKAY SO this isnt gonna be coherent at all but here i go. the classic long b/w maid dress (used most in the Victorian/early 20th century periods) is best known as a French maid dress simply bc it was the common uniform for lady's maids - and the most popular lady's maids were French, bc they were seen as more knowledgeable about trendy things that would elevate the status of her employer. multilingual to better aid when traveling Europe, up to date on high fashion, ect. the typical uniform looked like this

and depictions of their attire in art has some variety, see aside from servicing the household servants were also a way to show off wealth - lots of rich folks had more staff than they actually needed. and if you're gonna show off the help you want them to look nice too [George Lambert. The Maid, 1915]

but there was a hierarchy to the staff! and the more the servant was to be seen by the public the nicer their uniform. so! lets sort through them for a sec

Lady's maid: the position associated with the typical b/w dress, she reported directly to the lady of the house but ranked beneath the Housekeeper. did her ladies hair and makeup, managed her wardrobe, and was sometimes a confidant

the lady's maid in art is often shown servicing her lady, and you can see variety in the style of the aprons, but it was typically a long sleeved black dress (other colors like red and blue existed but black was more elegant) made of silk or satin and worn with the hair up. she had to look nice beside her lady but not outshine her. she wasn't just a servant, but an accessory too [Henry Caro-Delvaille. Tea Time]

i'm not gonna get to the housekeeper or other positions that sometimes existed above the ladys maid, but here are ones that were bellow her. the lower, the simpler and more utilitarian the uniform. these servants were more likely to get dirty managing the household tasks - remember they have to do basically everything by hand bc lots of household appliances just. dont exist yet - so their uniforms are designed to take a beating rather than be pretty for showing off

House-maid: broader term for maids whose function was chiefly "above stairs", usually a little older and better paid. there was a hierarchy of its own with these maids as follows 》

Head house-maid: the senior house maid, reporting to the Housekeeper

Parlour maid: this is the maid you rang a bell to summon. she would clean public areas like sitting rooms and the library, and sometimes served tea or dinner

Under house parlour maid: the general deputy to the house parlour maid in a household that only has two "upstairs maids"

Chamber maid: they cleaned and maintained the bedrooms and tended to the fireplaces

Laundry maid: maintained the laundry for the entire household, all clothes and towels and bedding. including what belonged to other servants

Nursery maid: also an "upstairs maid" but only tended to the children. she reported to the Nanny rather than the Housekeeper.

[Little Girl with a Doll and Her Nurse - Christian Pram Henningsen]

Kitchen maid: a "below stairs" maid who instead of the Housekeeper reported to the Cook, she helped in the kitchens

Head kitchen maid: in larger households with multiple kitchen maids, the "head kitchen maid" was a deputy to the Cook and usually prepared the servants meals

Under kitchen maid: again in a large household, this maid prepared vegetables, peeled potatoes, and helped present meals

Scullery maid: the lowest grade of "below stairs" maid who reports to the Cook. she was responsible for washing cutlery, crockery, and glassware, and scrubbing kitchen floors, as well as monitoring ovens while kitchen maids ate their own meals

Between maid ("tweeny"): roughly equivalent in status to scullery maids and often paid less, these maids serviced the senior servants (butler, housekeeper, and cook) and therefore answered to all three department heads, often leading to friction (oooo workplace drama!)

Still room maid: a junior maid employed in the still room, basically managing the household supplies. alcohol, cosmetics, medicines, and cooking ingredients. they were part of the "between staff", answering to all three department heads

thats a lot of fucking maids!!!!! but not everyone could afford this much staff, but still either needed the assistance to run the household or desired a sliver of status

maid-of-all-work ("skivvy"): in more modest households this maid was was often the only staff and did the work of all the above - which is clearly a lot lmao. this didn't pay as well as having a specialized position in a larger household

so how did the b/w maid dress become something sexy when it used to signify status and position? its a simpler answer than expected. towards the middle of the 19th century the French maid outfit began to be used for burlesque dramas! it makes sense that the well known and liked French maids would be a public figure that some desired to emulate

entering the modern 21st century the French maid became popular for hen nights, fantasy play, Rocky Horror Shows, and more. thats how we now have both burlesque style maid costumes - remember that the role of a maid has evolved to be "help" that goes unseen, rich and powerful people aren't showing off their employees in the same way anymore, theres now distinction between a maid as a job and a maid as a play-pretend role. thus the uniforms are more utilitarian - many now include pants, but you do see dresses used by Housekeeping in hotels and such. which leaves us with the modern maid uniform as workers clothes (made to get dirty and be durable), the sexy maid costumes used for fetish play (usually of higher quality materials - latex and PVC are popular), and the sexy maid costumes for Halloween (mass produced and cheaper low quality materials - theyre always itchy and for what?)

and thats my maid dress rant! this doesn't include subcultures that emulate the style for the sake of fashion, like goth and lolita. once a well respected uniform, the French maid dress left its impact on history

[kushielsmercy]

An Error Presumptive (T)

CW: Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Threats of Violence

Read on A03

It's not until they get to the topic of marriage that Ciri realizes she can't do this.

"You'll be married to General Voorhis, of course. Anyone else will anger the trade guilds irreparably and your reign will be over before it begins."

It's a side note to their conversation. Emhyr presses forward with topics that merit deliberation, something about the circumstances under which it would be pertinent to reinstall a tax on Koviri textiles.

Ciri's not naive, she knows she lost her right to a love match the day she popped out as high nobility. But after everything -

This, she has to choose.

Emhyr desperately needs a successor, that much is obvious. Without a clear heir the nobility will be emboldened to jostle for power, a struggle certain to end in war. Ciri's seen enough of that for one lifetime. She was ready to trade away her freedom and her swords for the chance to build something good from Emhyr's power hungry crusades.

But fuck, she thought she'd have some say.

She had told Emhyr he was forgiven. The truth was unnecessarily complex, how does one tell the White Flame himself that he’s only a convenient pawn. Why fear men when you can use them instead? Yennefer taught her that. Besides, their interests were aligned. There was an empire to manage and few with the skill to rule well. An Emhyr who believed that Ciri was claiming her birthright out of sentiment was easier to manage so Ciri had pushed her disdain aside and adopted a careful neutrality.

How foolish of her. God knows she has enough to do untangling the lies of others, why did she heap on trouble by lying to herself?

Suddenly, Ciri looks at this man with specks of grey in his hair, rubbing absentmindedly at his reading glasses to clear a stubborn smudge, and sees nothing but a monster. How simple it would be to gouge out his eyes and snap his spine.

She thinks about how his blood would drip down her fingers as he continues pouring over the maps, pointing to points of strategic interest like she should care. Like it's not his fault that she knows what blood feels like in the first place, that she knows the point of hunger where you'll trade a life for a loaf of bread.

Emhyr then has the gall to move on to the Cintran province like it's nothing more than another territory that she will hold. Like she shouldn't be on that throne - but not for years yet, her mother should be in the midst of her rule.

General Voorhis, huh. Maybe he is a good man, Ciri doesn't know. She hasn't heard his name whispered by the scullery maids which is as good a recommendation as she’ll likely get.

Mistle took good care of her too. Auberon wanted to save the world. Somehow no one ever thought to ask Ciri what she wanted.

Ciri clears her throat. "I'm afraid the continuation of this meeting is a waste of time for everyone involved, we should adjourn."

Emhyr looks away from his papers for the first time in hours and furrows his brow. "I must disagree, you are to take the throne in a matter of months and have years of missed preparation to make up for."

"I had plenty of education," Ciri gathers her sword from where it's been propped against a wall, "just not of the kind you wanted. Which I've somehow just now remembered is entirely your fault."

“I never intended for you to be harmed”

"Make up whatever story you need to your advisors, I don't care. And should you need, I'm happy to serve as an ambassador to the Northern Realms. I'm uninterested in any more wars."

Emhry’s fingers dig into the map that’s probably worth a small fortune. "I forbid you to leave. You are the only heir to the Nilfguaardian throne and - "

"I'm only the heir to the Cintran throne, actually. My family was murdered before they could gather up any more kingdom's for my dowry. And my first act as royal ambassador is to advise you to tread lightly in case I yet decide I'd like my homeland back."

"...You'd incite a war?" Emhyr says.

"We both know you'd be the one to do that. But I promise you I'd end it. Don't ever.forget that I'm my mother's daughter; I could drop you in a destroyed world right now and leave you there to rot."

Ciri decides that unsettled is a good look on Emhyr. She'll strive to see it more often.

"Tell General Voorhis that I do wish him the best of luck finding another broodmare to carry his children."

[peaamlipoetrydoctor]

Revisiting The Sealey Challenge 2021 ~ 7

I came across Charlotte Mew during the first London lockdown. Not on a bookshelf but by walking past the blue plaque on her childhood home in Mecklenburgh Square. A double-take (because I "didn't know there were female poets in the 19th Century in England" - other than the female writers famous as novelists who, I conceded, might also have dabbled with verse). I'm repeatedly confounded by my brain's persistence in starting from a position that if I didn't already know about something, then it never happened. It seems to be a mirror of the repeating surprise I get when I go for a walk and find that a dog I KNOW I encountered last time wasn't there when I went back. Clearly I can distinguish between "landscape features" - say, a tree - and "temporary occupants" of the landscape. But somewhere inside my mapping function, a bit of my brain simply records that those features were present, without making a clear distinction.

So it's a repeating refrain of "of but - ah, of course" when I walk a route (any route? not sure) for the second time. And in fact, the echo can be quite persistent - my brain not persuaded to delete the dog from the location file simply because I failed to re-encounter it.

So, I looked up Charlotte Mew - and didn't really get on particularly well with what I think was her most famous poem in her lifetime (?) - The Farmer's Bride - but did find resonance in The Trees are Down:

Informally, the poem resonated because I could - ALMOST - place the street where this must have been happening. Only almost because I believe this was the view from Mew's later home in Gordon Square, which I haven't taken the time to identify. But only a couple of streets away from the Blue Plaque house - oh, on reflection, I think it's in the part of the square which turns into Doughty Street. (Yes, one of the streets that Dickens lived on - the Dickens museum is in the next block along, south of the intervening road junction.)

It resonated because from the start of my regular walks in London - let's say, 2017 - the London Plane trees have been my plant heroes. Like the Marvel Superheroes of the London park scene.

The idea that a developer could - just decide to chop down an entire street's length of mature trees... seems like vandalism by my values but was surely consistent with a value system that actively coded humans to be allowed to consume everything else in nature for our own benefit. I mean, that's how the Genesis story is coded in Victorian capitalism, right? That Adam had dominion over the natural world* and could farm it (/use it up) as "he" saw fit.

[*See also, women, people of colour, children, poor people... ]

Returning to the poem itself, here's a formal guide by Molly Peacock:

Does it make a difference to me that Mew had a rather genteel-tragic life? Shamefully, there's a kind of ghoulish energy about that. A kind of "it could have been me"? (Of course it couldn't have been - in this scenario in Victorian and Georgian Britain, I would have been the present in the household only as scullery maid, if I was there at all.)

Wikipedia says -

British writer Charlotte Mew was born in London in 1869 into a family of seven children; she was the eldest daughter. While she was still a child, three of her brothers died. Later, another brother and then a sister were committed to psychiatric hospitals, where they would spend the rest of their lives.

And here's The Guardian's review of the biography of Charlotte Mew by Julia Copus published in 2021:

[magiclwritings]

The blood pounded in his ears like drums of war. He could barely focus on what Quintus was saying. What he was really just saying to make the prince feel better. Because at the end of all of this, he knew he could never stop the man that stood in his arms. It didn't matter how much he tried to give, to help, Quin was going to do whatever his mind told him was right and it didn't matter what the other options were. And it was then that he knew he had to throw himself entirely into whatever he was doing, even if he thought it foolish. At least he'd have someone looking out for him. Even if he thought otherwise. Because at the end of all of it, Max would live and so would Quin.

"Being here has provided you the opportunity to gain some clarity. The fact that your uncle sought out people all across the way as a precaution only demonstrates how crazed he is. Because if this is all still for the crown, he's not going to stand a chance of being loved or feared or led like your parents managed to do." His words were exact and calm. It was then that he'd realized just why his father had taught him to be as he was. To be observant and mindful. And while the prince still had a long way to go as far as keeping everything in check, he could see the fear that plagued Quin and there wasn't anything on this earth's surface more terrifying than a man driven by it. "You have more working in your favor than even you realize. Trust in your people too. In your scullery maids, wall guards or even your bar keeps. The support those people have for your family is unmatched."

He couldn't begin to imagine what he would do if he'd had all of this put on his plate. And while in a way he head, the magnitude for Quin couldn't be imagined. "I can't stand here and tell you that I'm going to be okay with anything that you say or do. It'd be a lie and we both know it. I've never lied to you and I don't intend to start now." His hands finally relaxed and he pulled them up to inspect the damage he'd inflicted upon himself. Nothing but but broken skin and swelling, bruises were sure to follow. As well as a lesson in etiquette from his mother he was almost positive. "We will speak to my father and figure out the best course of action. What happens in Vivec affects my people too. It affects more than just our two countries. Any treats or bargaining we have going on could cease and the same goes for your people. The implications of what he's doing will ripple throughout the rest of the kingdoms and I can't imagine he's ready for the magnitude of all that."

Cesare knew that their sole concern was Max and all of their men still in his uncle's grasp. But this was going to be bigger than just their hail Mary of a rescue attempt. "I got you out because that's what Max would have wanted by the way." He spoke softly, bringing his hand up to touch under his chin gently. They'd need to clean up before they saw the king. "Despite my feelings for you, he's still my best friend and sometimes what he wants will outweigh what you do." It was a half truth, Cesare would at least consider and try to incorporate both but the bond he and Max had meant more to him than anything else. He was a truly good person and he couldn't have been more relied to have a confidant as well as ally in Max.

"I know you're ready. Waiting here is hell for you, I know." He sighed and let his thumb stroke over the other's chin before he dropped his hand. "Come, we'll find my father and see what there is to be done about it. And you're going to have to tell him about Renly." The prince moved to take his hand and lead him from the stables. It was difficult to grasp his hand properly but he squeezed his fingers, looking into a face he knew he'd lay down everything for. It was impossible not. "Thank you." He spoke softly, his chest tightening as they moved into the night's air. "For not making me chase you down like a dog. Because this would be a very different conversation for all of us if that were the case. We can't be selfish with this. There's too much at stake for everyone."

He took a step back involuntarily when Cesare stalked forward, his gaze shifting down to his tightened fists, keeping a weary keeping out an eye. While he knew that Cesare would never struck him in anger, and this was something Quin trusted in very deeply, he had never seen the man quite this angry before. But after hearing Cesare’s thoughts laid out in front of him, the prince of Vivec found he would have preferred the firsts. “No,” He spat out quickly, eyes narrowing into a heated glare. “I did use my body to manipulate you. I did not use sex as a tool to pull one over on you. Yes, I had it set in stone that I would offer to leave early with Renly tonight but everything with you…” Quin ended off on a sigh, waving his hands around crazily as if that could possibly explain what he had felt. “Everything tonight with you was because I knew I couldn’t leave not knowing what that felt like. I needed to know that it could be like that, that it was like that with you. If I really was going off to my death then I had to know.”

“I didn’t stop to think about how this would affect you or Maximus. Is that what you want to hear?” Quin asked. His hands gripped at the sides of his hips and he narrowed his gaze at Cesare. “Because I didn’t. I couldn’t if I was going to go through with it. I wish I could sit in your big, safe castle and be okay with that but I’m not. My only living relative, the only hope for my country is injured and I can’t talk to him or see him. I can’t step a foot back into my country because I’m being set up. And being here hurts, Cesare, it hurts because you got me out when it should have been him. So yes, I didn’t factor what you were losing into this. Yes, I cannot sit here and wait around for a plan, and yes, I don’t care about the collateral damage between my uncle and me. I can’t care about it because then I would do nothing.” Quin’s chest heaved as he tried to control his breathing. He crossed his arms over his chest, tucking his chin against his shoulder and rubbing it lightly. “It is not finished because you declare it so. It’s not finished until my brother is on the throne and my uncle is nothing but bones and ash.” 

Quin wasn’t fast enough to sidestep Cesare the moment he decided to move. He fought against the grip on his face at first, eyes closing as the smear of metallic liquid coated his face. He needed room to breathe, space to collect his thoughts but all of sudden, his senses were filled with Cesare. Quin stilled, pressing his body to Ceare’s, seeking out his warmth and stability. His arms were still crossed, one last final barrier for Quin to continue standing his ground. All he heard were more rules and shackles keeping him here in Adros. He heard that Cesare had loved him since forever, the same way Quin had loved him. And he wished, more than anything, that alone would be enough to keep him stagnant. “I need my brother back,” He whispered pathetically, cursing the way his voice shook as he spoke. “I can’t pass up an opportunity to get back to him. If anything happens to him, Cesare, I will never recover from it. If my uncle gets what he wants and kills my brother I will never come back from that. I wish I could see a way that Maximus and I both come out of this alive, that is my biggest hope but if it comes down to it I will see that he is the one to make it out of this.” 

He hated that Maximus and Cesare both valued his life in the way that they did. Because he knew if they knew the truth about him, of what happened to him, of what he was tainted with, that they wouldn’t. Maybe that was the real reason why Quin was so ready to throw himself on every fire. They would never understand. He tainted them by gluing himself to their sides. They deserved better. Or maybe it was the idea that this was a way to redeem himself and go out as the hero so he could prove to his people and himself that he wasn’t as horrible as he was made out to be. “You know this will come down to him and I,” Quin said softly after a moment, tucking his face further into Cesare’s chest. It muffled his words but he knew that Cesare would hear him. “You know if he truly wants me back in Vivec he will find a way to get me there. He got so close that your blood is involved, Cesare. He already has ties here in Adros and I would imagine he has others under his thumb than just Renly. You only believe I’m safer here because you’re here but you can’t be with me every second of every day. You have duties and responsibilities to uphold. Being here is borrowed time. There’s still a countdown over my head waiting for the moment he’s ready to strike. You don’t want to believe it but you have to.” 

Quin pulled back, tilting his head back to look up at Cesare. He waited until the man stubbornly met his gaze. “I give you my word that I will not slink off into the darkness again. I will run any scheme or plot past you before I decide to act. But you need to accept that when they come for me at the end of this week I will go willingly if it means keeping you and the people under your care safe.”

[dukereviewsmovies]

Duke Reviews: Snow White And The Seven Dwarves

Hello, I'm Andrew Leduc And Welcome To Duke Reviews Where Today As I Said We Start Our Look At A Company That's Been About Families For Generations, Disney!

Yes, Disney, We Love Their Movies And Parks So Much That Some People Believe That People Who Like Disney Are Slaves To The Almighty Mouse Known As Mickey But To Those People I Just Laugh...

For The Next Few Months We'll Be Looking At Everything Disney, From Animated Movies By Their Own Company Or Pixar To Live Action Movies To Their Animated Direct To DVD Sequels To The Disney Channel Original Movies While Also Looking At Things Connected With Disney On My Sister Site, Duke Reviews Xtra...

While Taking A Break For Duke's Monsterween And Duke's Yultide Reviews In October, November And December

And What Better Way To Start With The Disney And Pixar Animated Movies Starting With The One That Started It All, Snow White And The Seven Dwarves...

An Adaptation Of The Brothers Grimm Fable, This Movie Sees An Evil Queen Attempting To Have Her Stepdaughter, Snow White Murdered In Jealousy Because Of Her Beauty, But Escaping From The Evil Queen, She Is Given Shelter By Seven Dwarves Who Live In A Cottage In The Forest Who Hide Her From The Queen As Long As She Takes Care Of Their House...

Sure, We'll Take Care Of You As Long As You Be Our Maid...

?

Will The Queen Find Snow White?

Let's Find Out As We Watch Snow White And The Seven Dwarves...

Our Story Starts With A Book Giving Us The Backstory Of The Movie...

Before Our Story Actually Begins In The Room Of The Magic Mirror, Where The Evil Queen Asks Him Who Is The Fairest One Of All Only For Him To Reply That There Is A Maiden Fairer Than Her And It's Snow White...

We Meet Snow White In The Courtyard Where She's Dressed Like A Scullery Maid Cleaning The Courtyard As She Sings Our First Song Before She Meets The Prince Who Sings Our Second Song...

And While They're Both Good Songs The Prince And Her Have No Real Chemistry...

I Suppose You Could Say It's Love At First Sight, But Even For That It's Riddiculous...

Also To Tell You The Truth It's Also Kind Of Gross When You Discover That Snow White Is 14 And The Prince Is 34...

And It's Also Boarding On Jailbait Too...

Summoning Her Huntsman, The Queen Orders Him To Take Snow White Far Into The Woods And Kill Her Bringing Her Heart To Her As Proof...

While Reluctant To Do So At First, He Does Take Her Deep In The Flowers Before Attempting To Kill Her. But When He Does He Can't Do It And Begs For Her Forgiveness, Telling Her About The Queen's Intentions Before Telling Her To Run...

Running Through The Forest, Her Fear Manifests Itself In What She Sees Around Her, Eventually Falling To The Ground, Snow Is Comforted By The Forest Animals As She Sings Our Next Song...

And While It's Not A Bad Song, It's Just Not My Favorite Of The Songs In This Movie...

Asking The Animals If They Know A Place Where She Can Stay, The Animals Lead Her To The Cottage Of The Seven Dwarves, Which She Finds Pretty Empty And Pretty Dirty..

Thinking It Could Use Some Cleaning, Her And The Animals Clean It As We Get Our Next Song...

And Seriously Who Hasn't Sung This Song When Cleaning Either Your House Or Your Apartment? God Knows I Have Especially When Doing The Dishes...

Meanwhile, We Meet The Seven Dwarves As They Work In The Mines, While Singing Our Next Song...

And This Is Probably One Of My Favorite Songs Of The Entire Feature, It's A Great Scene And I Absolutely Enjoy It...

After Cleaning The Cottage, Snow White Falls Asleep On The Dwarves Beds, But When The Dwarves See Light Inside The Cottage, They Approach Cautiously Thinking A Monster Is In The Cottage...

Well, I Doubt That It's A Hephalump Or A Woozle...

Eventually Going Upstairs After Searching The Ground Floor, They Discover Snow White Sleeping Only For Her To Wake Up. Befriending All Of Them Except Grumpy, They Allow Her To Stay...

Remembering She Left Soup Downstairs She Rushes To Prepare It While The Dwarves Go Wash Up Which Leads To Our Next Song...

And Like "With A Smile And A Song" It's Okay Song But It's Just Not My Favorite, Hell, With A Smile And A Song Is More Memorable Than This One, If This One Is Remembered For Anything It's Probably For The Comedy In It...

Back At The Queen's Palace, The Queen Asks Her Mirror Who The Fairest One Of All Is Only To Tell Her That It's Still Snow White And That's A Heart Of A Pig In Her Hand...

Furious Over Being Tricked, She Descends To Her Lab In The Dungeon Where She Decides To Do Away With Snow White Herself By Making A Potion To Turn Her Into A Peddler...

(Start At 0:41, End At 2:19)

Afterwards She Plans On Using A Poisoned Apple To Send Snow White Into The Sleeping Death...

Back At The Dwarves House, It's Party Time As We Get Our Next Song...

And While Heigh-Ho Is One Of My Favorite Songs From This Movie, This One Is Definitely My Second Favorite As It Makes Feel Like Dancing Every Single Time...

But Unfortunately We Don't Get A Break As We Go Right Into Our Next Song And Unfortunately It's The One That Bugs Me The Most...

And I Know What You're Saying Right Now, "Duke, How Could You Hate This Song? It's A Great Song" And I Agree That It Is But If You Wanna Know Why It Bugs Me Then Ask My Mom...

Ever Since We Taped Disneyland's 25th Anniversary Special Where Joanne Worley Sang It, She Has Bugged Me With It Whenever It Plays...

And No, I'm Not Posting A Clip Of It As It'll Just Send Me Into A Murderous Rage Like Doug Does For The Nostalgia Critic...

With The Poison Apple Prepared, The Peddler Queen Looks For The Possibility Of A Cure For Sleeping Death Only To Discover That It Can Be Broken By True Love's Kiss, Which She Quickly Dismisses...

Uh, Why Are You Dismissing That?

You Saw A Guy Talking With Snow In The Courtyard, So, Shouldn't You Consider Him As A Possible Candidate To Foil Your Plans? Come On, Queenie, Maleficent Was Smarter Than This...

Leaving The Castle, The Peddler Queen To The Dwarves Cottage On Board A Gondola...

Leaving For The Mines The Next Morning, Snow White Kisses Each One Of Them On The Forehead Before They Go To Work, Though Grumpy Resists...

Arriving At The Cottage After The Dwarves Leave, The Peddler Queen Arrives To The Cottage, Offering Snow White The Poisoned Apple...

But Sensing Danger When They See Vultures, The Animals Attack The Peddler Queen Only For Snow White To Feel Pity For Her And Let Her In...

Rushing To The Mine, The Animals Alert The Dwarves Of The Danger, Realizing What's Happening, They Rush Back To The Cottage...

Persuading Snow White To Take A Bite After Telling Her That It's A Wishing Apple, Snow White Falls Into The Sleeping Death As The Peddler Queen Cackles In Triumph..

(Start At 0:39, End At 2:12)

They Mourn Snow White At A Private Funeral With The Only People In Attendance Being The Animals And Themselves...

And They Lived Creepily Ever After...

This Film Is...Okay...

While For A First Attempt At A Full Length Animated Feature It's Good, Snow And The Prince's Relationship Doesn't Have Any Spark Or Chemistry, The Queen Is Not That Smart Of A Villain Cause If She Was She Would Have Dealt With The Prince Before Going After Snow And I Don't Know That Fact About Snow Being Just 14 Bugs Me But Despite Those Things, I Did Like The Dwarves And The Animation Is Pretty Good So For That I Say See It...

But If You Want A Snow White And Prince Relationship With Actual Chemistry And An Evil Queen Who Is Very Smart Then Watch Once Upon A Time, You Won't Be Disappointed,..

Till Next Time, This Is Duke, Signing Off...