#c: calcifer

[spiteweaver]

previous | next

(Note: this story takes place in May of 2020!)

--

The sharp rapping startled Branwen out of a comfortable doze. His library was cast now in heavy shadow, save for what little of it the light from the dying hearth could reach. There was no color along the horizon, and the night beyond his window was deep. He feared, for a moment, that he had awoken at the breaking of a second time loop, but relaxed at the sound of Calcifer milling about in the kitchen. The smell of tea roused him further. Sighing, he set the book he’d been reading aside and got shakily to his feet.

Another series of quick, almost frantic knocks sounded at the door. His ears flicked forward and then back. It hadn’t been a dream; someone, very real and very persistent, was standing on his front stoop. He couldn’t imagine who it could be at such a late hour and turned to the window once again to confirm that the capital was not in flames. As before, all was quiet and dark.

“I’ll get it!” Calcifer called.

“No,” Branwen replied as his mate hurried out into the foyer, “stay behind me.”

Calcifer raised a brow. “I’m a foot taller than you, Bran.”

“You’re also wearing a frilly pink apron,” Branwen pointed out, and before Calcifer could protest further, strode forward with only a split second’s hesitation.

On the stoop stood a dam, her figure obscured by an ashen grey cloak, and in her hands was a gently glowing glob. Even without the meager light it provided, however, Branwen would have known her. He did not need to see the silhouette of her face, her warm, dark skin, or the wisps of smoky hair poking out from beneath her hood. Her scent was enough to evoke vivid imagery in his mind of roaring flames—and the cinders they left behind. They danced before his eyes, a translucent mockery of a pain he had never quite managed to rid himself of, before flickering and dying against the bitter chill of a late spring evening.

The next thing Calcifer knew, his mate was throwing himself at their guest. He reacted swiftly, getting his arms around Branwen’s waist and hoisting the enraged Spiral up in a bear hug meant to disable him. Instead, it only incensed him further, and he shed his scaleless guise, slipping between Calcifer’s fingers like sand.

“You,” Branwen fumed, “you monster!”

“Calcifer,” the dam said, stepping back to avoid one of Brawnen’s blind swipes, “had I known you had taken a mate, I would have brought wedding gifts.”

“We aren’t—” Calcifer gripped Branwen by his tail and pulled back with a grunt— “married yet, Oya!”

All at once, Branwen’s squirming ceased. He turned in his mate’s grasp, but rather than anger, there was a misery so deep and so poignant in his eyes that Calcifer dropped him then and there. Branwen’s scales gave way to soft flesh again, and in the tiniest, most pitiful voice imaginable, he asked, “You know her, Calcifer?”

“I—I—” Calcifer’s mouth was suddenly bone dry. “Well, yes. I helped her construct a suitable home for her, ah—Ogun is a bit hard to explain, but I helped her make his hearth.”

Oya, meanwhile, was examining Branwen with renewed interest. She recognized him, though she wished she hadn’t. “You’re that hatchling,” she murmured thoughtfully, “from the Emberwood.”

The Emberwood—Calcifer knew it well. Colloquially known as the Scorched Forest, it stood on the border between the Ashfall Waste and the Shifting Expanse, not far from Emberglow Hearth. Very few clans called it home, as it provided little in the way of shelter or smithing. In fact, most of its residents were magic-workers, who found its isolated locale inviting.

Magic-workers…

…like Branwen.

“Whatever happened,” Calcifer said, “I don’t know anything about it, Branwen.”

“How could you not?” Branwen asked. He seemed to curl in on himself then, growing smaller with every word. “If you know her, you must know what she did.”

Calcifer reached for him, but he pulled away. “Branwen, I swear—”

“Listen to your mate,” Oya said. “Do you think I speak of my wretched work to every dragon who crosses my path? I come to him now not because we were intimately acquainted, but because, as he said, it was he who built Ogun’s hearth.”

“You came to my home,” Branwen began, his fists trembling at his sides, “the home of the drake whose clan you slaughtered, to commission my mate?!”

Oya glanced down at Branwen’s quivering hands. “Yes.”

“Go,” Branwen spat, “before I kill you.”

“I will not,” Oya replied. She did not flinch when Branwen rounded on her again. “Allow me to rephrase: I cannot.”

Before Branwen could make good on his threat, Calcifer stepped forward. “Can he survive in our hearth for a while?” he asked. “I’ll need to gather the proper supplies and dig out my old blueprints.”

“How long?”

“A week at most.”

Oya looked to the glowing glob in her hands, as if for confirmation. It pulsed once, twice, and she nodded. “A week,” she said, “no more.”

“Did you miss the part where I said she slaughtered my clan?!” Branwen asked, his rage so potent that it forced his voice up by several octaves. Typically, Calcifer would have found this amusing. Tonight, he was sweating like a pig. “I know you aren’t stupid, Calcifer! Quite the contrary, you’re meant to be the emotionally intelligent one in this relationship!”

“I’m not doing it for her, Bran,” Calcifer replied. “I’m doing it for Ogun.”

“The glob?!”

“He’s not a—” Calcifer pinched the bridge of his nose. He loved Branwen, but he was still learning how to communicate with him. “Oya,” he muttered in a tone that suggested he was struggling not to rip fistfuls of his hair out, “you can explain it better than I can.”

“Ogun is a homunculus,” Oya said with a shrug.

Branwen cast his mate an exasperated look. “You could have just told me! I know what a homunculus is!”

“I don’t!” Calcifer replied. “Whatever they are, they aren’t exactly commonplace! I’ve certainly never met one, and that’s not how Oya explained him to me!”

“I suppose I went into more detail,” Oya conceded, “seeing as I was entrusting the building of his hearth to you. All your mate needs to know is that I created him as a tool to use in my work. Yes, I see you glaring at him.” The dam’s molten gold gaze snapped up to meet Branwen’s. Neither was willing to back down. “He had no free will then. In the matter of your clan’s destruction, he is blameless.”

“He’s the figure I saw in the fire,” Branwen growled lowly. “He’s the one who enacted your will!”

“Because he could not refuse me,” Oya said again, “which I regret deeply. Over time, free will grew within him. That is why we are here. He—” She faltered, and Branwen cursed himself for feeling a pang of sympathy— “he begged me not to use him again. He knew that the Grand Circle would order us to quash Por’s rebellion. The thought of it made him sick. Perhaps it made me sick as well.”

There was more Branwen wanted to say, but for once, he bit his tongue. “I want your word that neither of you will harm myself, Calcifer, or any of our clanmates.”

“You have it.”

“If you put a single toe out of line, Dreamweaver will hear about it.”

“Of course.”

“You know Dreamweaver, don’t you? You’ve heard of them?”

“I have, and I do not wish to cross them.”

Seemingly satisfied, Branwen turned back toward the open door and motioned for the pair to follow him. “You can stay in the guest bedroom,” he said, “until you’ve secured your own housing.”

—

“So what’s all this about a clan?”

Branwen answered Calcifer’s query with a drawn-out sigh. After ensuring that both Oya and Ogun were comfortable, he had slipped away into his study for the express purpose of avoiding this very conversation. It was complicated, and he was tired. Unfortunately, Calcifer had come with a bribe. Smiling softly, the Imperial crossed to where he sat hunched over his desk and offered him a mug of piping hot tea. It had been made just the way he liked it, sweetened with sugar and honey.

Begrudgingly, he accepted the bribe.

“I thought I made myself quite clear,” he mumbled, blowing the steam from his mug and taking a quick sip. “Oya slaughtered my birth clan, every last drake, dam, and rook. Knowing that she was working for the Grand Circle puts things into perspective. We were a rebellious lot, and the Grand Circle doesn’t like rebels.”

“You told me that no one had ever loved you,” Calcifer said as he took up residence in the only other chair in the room that wasn’t piled high with books, “and that you had never loved anyone else.”

“That’s what makes it…complicated.”

Calcifer reached out to squeeze his knee. “Take it one word at a time.”

“I…” The words stuck in Branwen’s throat. It was an admittance he had promised never to utter. “I may have loved my parents, despite their many failings. When Oya came, I was still young, only a hatchling, but I was old enough to know that I was unwanted. My mother and father were rebels. They didn’t have time to raise a well-behaved hatchling, let alone one of my choleric disposition. I was a picky eater. I demanded constant attention. I was often ill. They shunted me between caretakers, whoever’s schedule was the least hectic on a given day. I was the only hatchling in our clan.”

“How did you escape?” Calcifer asked. “Someone must have loved you enough to bring you to safety.”

Branwen shook his head. “It was Oya who spared me. I remember wailing over my parents’ bodies. A shadow fell across me. I thought—” He sucked in a sharp breath— “I wanted her to kill me, but she didn’t. She told me to leave the Ashfall Waste and never return, and I obeyed.”

“I’m—I’m so sorry, Branwen.”

“Don’t be.” Branwen drained his cup in a single gulp, hoping that the heat of the tea would settle his stomach. “I can never forgive Oya for what she did, but my life there would have been a miserable one.”

“If it’s any consolation,” Calcifer said, “I’m sure your parents didn’t hate you. It sounds like you were born at an inopportune time, and they were unable to adequately care for you as such. That doesn’t mean they didn’t love you, though.”

Try as he might to suppress them, tears sprang unbidden into Branwen’s eyes. They fell into his empty cup in fat, silver drops, and Calcifer, seeing them, spread his arms in a welcoming gesture. The pair embraced. Branwen sniffled pitifully into his mate’s chest, and Calcifer ran his fingers through the witch’s wild ginger curls.

“You know I’ll never let anyone hurt you,” Calcifer whispered, “don’t you?”

Branwen nodded.

“We’re doing the right thing.”

Another nod.

“Once Ogun’s hearth is built, you’ll never have to speak to her again.” Calcifer’s grip tightened, his fingers clutching the back of Branwen’s shirt like a lifeline. “If she ever comes near you, I’ll…”

“You’ll what?” Branwen asked with a snort. “Kill her? I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“I’d do it,” Calcifer replied, “if it was for you.”

Heat rushed into Branwen’s cheeks. He forced his face deeper into Calcifer’s chest to hide it, but Calcifer knew by the twitching of his tail tip that he was flustered. So, before his mate could tease him, he blurted out, “We should get married!”

“Wh…?” Calcifer pushed him back to hold him at arm’s length. This, of course, exposed Branwen’s beet red face, which only flustered him further. “What did you say?” Calcifer managed to wheeze. “I think I misheard you.”

“We should get married!” Branwen repeated. “This Flameforger’s, we should do it!”

For a moment, he was certain Calcifer would reject him. They had been together for two cycles and readily called one another mates, but weddings were official business. In the eyes of their Patron, marriage would bind them eternally. It was a lot to ask, perhaps too much. In fact, Calcifer deserved better. Branwen was hot-tempered, and socially inept, and pessimistic to a fault. That settled it. He would pass it off as a joke, and they would go back to their comfortable, uncomplicated mateship.

Then Calcifer broke into a tearful smile, and all of Branwen’s doubts shriveled and died.

“Yes,” he said, “let’s do it!”

[vaguely-concerned]

Random Assortment of Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle Thoughts

Because I rewatched it today for the first time in many years and it’s one of those miraculous works that not only remaine as magical as I remembered it through childhood eyes, but if anything was even more magical as an adult and in more complex ways. I’ve finally got words for at least some of the things I was processing only subconsciously as a kid, so here we go. 

- The sneaky underlying theme of deeply flawed mother figures in this movie. Drives me nuts. The narrative doesn’t go out of its way to condemn these characters, it takes a characteristically phlegmatic nonjudgemental view of them, but it feels like this is low-key a stealth Mommy Issues story. (Making it go 🤝 with Dragon Age 2 in my head lol) Sophie’s mother does not seem to be consciously malicious but is intensely smotheringly self-absorbed and immature to the point where it has clearly been neglectful, and on the other side of the ‘Overly Permissive/Neglectful to Overly Authoritarian/Controlling’ scale of shitty parenting Suliman is controlling and invasive and heedless of boundaries. (Notice that her real complaint about Howl entering the contract with Calcifer and thus losing his heart seems to be that it means she can no longer control him and his grasp on magic, more than actual worry for him as a person. Her presence in his life is largely, ironically, paternalistic. She even frames it as something he blundered into incompetently — phrasing as him having had his heart stolen, rather than the mutual agreement we see Howl and Calcifer make even if they couldn’t know all the consequences it would have.) In the end Sophie breaks the circle by managing to be an engaged and responsive mother figure to Markl and making an actual home with the people closest to her. 

Interestingly Howl at his worst seems to be much more like Sophie’s mother than like Suliman — he leaves Markl to handle things he really shouldn’t have to alone all the time and is noted to barely be home anyway, in the beginning especially he’s flighty and vivacious and evasive (not to mention aggressively blond haha) in some of the same patterns we see her mom exhibit. Since Lettie is quite like their mother in terms of looks and sociability, we might infer that Sophie takes more after their father (including in choice of spouse lol). But crucially when the chips are down Howl is ready to protect Sophie and their home with his life rather than abandon her, in sharp contrast with her mother. I like that the movie doesn’t vilify Sophie’s mom for what she does, as such, it’s a pretty impossible position to be in for anyone… but it is just an extension of what she’s apparently been doing for a long time anyway, privileging other parts of her life and her own comfort over her daughter’s wellbeing and happiness. (Adds a certain spice and heartache to how scared Sophie is that Howl is going to leave them, too. And her fear that it would be because she’s fundamentally not good enough, beautiful enough, clever enough for anyone to choose her and stay with her. Ooof. Girl he’s been looking for you everywhere girl he thinks you’re the most beautiful thing in the world girl it’ll be okay)

- Relatedly: the unspeakably sinister vibes and implications of Suliman’s fucking… army of little Ersatz Howl page boys. When I was younger I sort of bought that he was just being a coward in refusing to go back, but honestly looking at all those kids with smiling empty eyes like painted marbles — you know what maybe it was good he got out of there when he did and in whatever way he could, huh. I don’t feel like there were wonderful things ahead here. Between that and the Witch of the Waste — who must have been much, much older than him when they seem to have sort of had a thing, since he seems to be like… mid-twenties-ish? at the time of the movie — there’s some really uncomfortable subtext going on if you want to read into it that way. I don’t think it’s the only way to read it by any means, but there’s something icky and clandestine sticking to Suliman’s whole deal that makes some form of grooming feel potentially relevant, especially taken along with the shame and fear that seems to cling to Howl around it and the recurring symbolism of him being stuck at a child state beneath it all — he slipped away from Suliman one day but never really grew up. (I’ll readily admit this is some fully Vibes based ramblings on my part, so YMMV on how convincingly you find this present in the text vs. how much is conjecture in my overthinking overheating noggin lmao)

- The fact that the first thing that allows Sophie to heal is to get to be angry — to finally get to say ‘this is all such absolute fucking bullshit *aggressively scrubs all the shit away about it*’. So much of her arc is about reclaiming the full spectrum of her emotions instead of having to make herself small, to prioritize her own inner experience and expressiveness above the need to be acceptable or pleasing to someone else's gaze. It’s not doing quite the same thing as the book in this regard (which if memory serves does more complex work around societal dynamics around gender and sexuality and aging vs. the more internal personal approach the film takes), but what it is doing is very interesting in its own right. The castle being a space (a home!!!) where all the inhabitants can eventually express themselves freely, including Howl dropping the uncannily imperturbable smiling facade to show the sad wet pathetic drama queen beneath (deeply affectionate) and Markl just getting to be a kid running around having fun. And Sophie makes that home for everyone possible by being herself unfiltered for the first time in her life. What the fuck I’m not crying don’t look at me — 

- The little one-room cottage in the fields being the forerunner to the castle… 

- Something so pleasing about the irony that Howl is said to eat hearts when really he seems to have basically had to tear his own heart out and set it on fire to keep it safe. And then after people have tried to get their hands on it to possess it (the Witch) or dictate how he uses it and who he gives it to (Suliman) for the whole movie, Sophie gives it back to him without a thought at the end; it’s more important to her for him to be whole than to own his heart. Hmnngh. (also so funny that the first thing he does upon waking up is plaintively whining about it fhdasj. Yeah having feelings again can take a person like that) 

- Howl’s bad dye job freakout is still very funny and silly, of course, never change you giant drama queen slime the place down, but there’s something about the fact that he’s apparently been dyeing his hair the colour Suliman seems to favor/uses to mark ‘her people’ all this time even when he hasn’t been able to face her, especially since the flashback shows black is his natural hair colour, and how badly it freaks him out to not meet that standard anymore… Huh. Hm.Hah.

(This time I actually wondered to myself if part of the reason he made the deal with Calcifer was to be able to get away from her and the plans she had for his life (and that he clearly would have hated, if their fundamental philosophical disagreement about warfare is any indication!). I think it says some very sad things that his happiest childhood memory is of a secret place where he got to be entirely alone because it was the only place he felt safe. Howl’s Moving Giant Coping Mechanism Metaphor. You see the castle is the Flight response made. Well not flesh. Timber, I guess. The Flight response made timber. In this essay I will etc.)   

- It hurts me that Howl brings Sophie’s old bedroom into the castle. He wanted so badly to make her happy and he seems to assume that because his memory of childhood solitude is a… if not happy then comforting thing to him, it would be for her too. But to her that’s just a reminder of the stagnancy and loneliness and… indignity? of her life before, and makes her feel like he’s treating her like a housekeeper, relegating her to that tiny room all over again, unwanted and ignored. Augh. At least she seems to understand what he meant to do for her when he shows her the meadow, though, and he doesn’t stop trying to communicate it to her even though his gesture didn’t land the way he’d hoped at first. This movie is so quietly kind about people trying to learn how to understand and love each other. Everyone is allowed to stay at the castle in all their imperfections, even the Witch. 

- Something something the Witch curses Sophie with not being able to tell anyone what’s happened to her… and in the end that doesn’t even really matter because the people around her either grow to understand without having to be told by actually paying attention to her (like Howl) or just accept her exactly as she is anyway, age yo-yoing and all, no questions asked (like Markl). And in the same way Sophie immediately recognizes Howl in his monster form and isn’t afraid of him even when he tells her it’s too late. Suliman warning her about ‘what he really is’ and Sophie immediately hugging him in his full monster form because he came home and that’s all that matters to her. Howl thinks her white hair is the most beautiful thing in the world and worth coming back to the world fully for. Sobbing. 

- The implication that part of the reason Calcifer wants out of the contract (other than just being stuck in the hearth of a place slowly falling into depressing disrepair and neglect around him) is that he’s genuinely terrified of what Howl is doing to himself. There’s something kind of sad and very funny about that. What if you went into a deal with a demon and the demon had to keep telling you ‘uh. Uh bro that’s kind of fucked up you know that right. Hey are you listening to me you’re molting monster feathers onto the carpet Sophie is gonna LOSE IT and don’t come crying to me when she does’. I wonder what would have happened to Howl’s heart if he turned completely — it seems that their contract has kept it safe and unchanged in every other way, if frozen in time, so presumably it would just… keep going the same way? (Calcifer telling Sophie that ‘it’s still the heart of a child’ got me so bad this time around. Bawling all over the place haha.) The idea of being stuck burning around a homeless heart forever is — well Calcifer I guess I get where you’re coming from here

- Of interest only to a very few people, I suppose, but the Norwegian dub of this movie fucking rules, I’m glad to find my childhood self was right about that. Calcifer is so cute in it it almost makes me dizzy sometimes, Aksel Hennie went ham on this one. Also an incredibly calming and charming performance for Howl — whenever I hear the English dub I just start laughing b/c like uh okay that’s Batman, takes me right out every time, that is not my lil guy fhsakjd. (I suspect his characterization is a bit different and softer in Norwegian too, just from the differences in translation I’ve seen?) 

- The first time Howl takes Sophie flying he holds her hand through it the entire time and guides her, the second time he takes her flying he lets her steer the flying machine for a while under his supervision before he goes off to make the distraction (there’s something so sweet about it as much as he’s being a little shit about it, honestly, he believes in her in such a quiet undramatic way even as she’s freaking out), and then after walking away from Howl’s childhood memory she walk-flies confidently on her own exactly like he showed her at the beginning. At the end the whole castle flies, with all of them safe and comfortable within it. Thoughts. Feels. Agony.

- There’s something so… weirdly achingly beautiful about the non-linearity of love in this movie. To properly meet each other as themselves here and now, Sophie and Howl have to flicker through polar opposite ends of life where they’re both stuck: old age and calcified (ahaha) childhood, resigned depression and overwhelmed fear. The promise Sophie makes at the end that is the beginning for Howl and probably kept him going in the meantime — love and a feeling of home that echoes even through the part of your life when it wasn’t there yet, love as hope. He finds her in the future, she finds him in the past, their hearts call to each other across time and space and they both work so hard to be able to actually meet in the now. The castle is kind of a wheezing overwrought monstrosity, the result of having to keep your heart outside of yourself and be constantly running from everything… but how can you begrudge it for it, when it works so doggedly to keep you and all you love safe while you look for that home? (To me Calcifer is basically a metaphor for dissociation, for what it’s worth, and he always has been)

TL;DR One of my fave movies of all times and touches me to the soul, I can't help but be distressingly earnest about it

[luvyurself]

apple cider

a/n : I’m a freak for him omfg.

flufftober masterlist

c/w : she/her pronouns, howls fucking dramatic, as usual tbh, never tried apple cider so bear with me

______

she didn’t know how he moved so fast, she literally just blinked and now he’s leaning over the table to stare at her as if she’s grown two heads.

she took a quick bite of her food, covering her mouth as she talked, “….what?”

howl gave a slight scoff, his tone of voice laced with disbelief, “what do you mean, ‘what?’ you know exactly what.”

a slight furrow in her brow, “…no, I-“ she swallowed the food in her mouth, moving her hand away, “I…I don’t exactly know.” she responds, making the man sputter a bit.

“what-what do you mean-?” he leaned back down in his seat, “you never tried apple cider before?”

markl, who was ignoring them the entire meal, stopped eating his as soon as he heard him say that, “what?!” he shouted, his mouth stuffed with food.

she grimaced a bit, “markl, honey, don’t talk with your mouth full.” she then turned to howl with a confused expression, “I….I don’t see the issue here?”

howl only gave an exasperated gasp, clutching his chest where his heart would be. “if I had my heart, it would be breaking in two right now.” he dramatically spoke.

“your heart doesn’t really care about it.” she heard calcifer speak behind her, making her stifle a giggle.

howl ignored the comment, walking up to her and placing his hands on her shoulders, “no, this cannot do,” he spoke, glancing up at markl, “go fill a glass of apple cider, this is an urgent matter.”

markl eagerly nodded, scurrying to find a glass to give her. she hummed as she felt howl’s hands rub her shoulders, “is all this really necessary?” she asked, looking up to stare at him.

howl only tutted, “I will not let the love of my life live in a world where she hasn’t tried the sweet taste of apple cider, it’s very necessary.” he stated, thanking the boy as he set down a glass infront of her.

she stared down at the cloudy, golden drink infront of her, feeling both of their eyes on her as they wait for her to taste it.

she rose it to her nose to smell it, immediately being hit with a sweet aroma making her hum in delight.

markl and howl lean closer as she rose it to her lips, watching as she took a sip and stayed silent once she placed the cup down.

a few seconds past, howl’s fingers tapping on her shoulder, “…sooo?” he drawled out, leaning his face closer to hers.

the boy next to her had a giddy smile on his face as he practically bounced on his heals, “what do you think?” he asked, his fingers fiddling with each other.

she lets the taste linger on her tongue, humming in thought as she pretended to think.

“…..you were right, it was necessary.” she smiled to herself after hearing the two cheer in success.

[ticklygiggles]

Lovelynim's tickletober Day 19: Makeup

Howl x Sophie

A/N: big thanks again to always sweet @squeenxart that knows perfectly well that Howl is baby and need his ticklies! I hope you enjoy this~

"How do I look, Sophie?!" Markl asked excitedly, looking up at Sophie as if she wasn't the one that spent hours painting that skull all over his face.

"You look so terrifying, of course!"

Markl giggled happily and he rushed out of the room, probably to show Calcifer and Howl. As Sophie put away all the paints and brushes, she couldn't help but laugh when she heard a perhaps too high-pitched scream coming from the kitchen.

"But who did that to your face?! No, of course I know the answer - Sophie!"

Sophie rolled her eyes and continued packing everything into a small bag. She soon heard Howl's hurried footsteps and didn't even turn around to see him as he entered the room.

"Sophie! You can't do that kind of thing on Markl's face! What will we do if you accidentally use your magic on him and he looks like that forever!"

"I want to look like this forever!" Markl yelled from the kitchen and Sophie giggled.

"I didn't use my magic, I just said he looked terrifying and he does!" Sophie finally turned around, an eyebrow raised as she looked at his very agitated husband. "Do you want me to do your Halloween makeup too?"

"Are you insane?! Of course I don't want to- no! Don't come near me!"

Sophie giggled as she rushed towards him. Instead of leaving the room, Howl walked further into it, trying to put the bed between himself and Sophie, but he was a mess even in his own home, tripping over a piece of furniture and falling face first into the bed.

Sophie wasted no time, she quickly climbed onto Howl's back and lifted up his white shirt to expose his milky skin. Howl screeched and tried to escape from under Sophie, but Sophie pressed the paintbrush in her hand against Howl's side and the wizard burst out laughing.

"Let's see, let's see," Sophie said, painting up Howl's side. "Since Markl looks like a skeleton, I think you and I should be one too, Howl! How about I draw some ribs here on yours, hmm? Don't move too much or I'll have to start over."

Howl was cackling, squirming and jerking as Sophie carefully traced his ribs, drawing them over his skin.

"It tihihickles! Stohohop! F-Fihihine! Fine! Mahaharkl can gohoho trick or treating! He c-cahahan gohoho!"

"Ah, I'm glad you want Markl to enjoy the festivities, but I still haven't finished your costume. Now stop moving."

"Sohohophihihie!"

[wanderingsimsfinds]

WanderingSims Fave CC - Contemporary Asian CC List

1, 5-6 - mykpopsimsworld - Ateez Set (Posters, Albums, Lightstick Up)

2 - Epiphanysims34 - 4t3 CherryOnKpop SKZOO Plushies

3, 58 - HydrangeaChainsaw - Konpeito Candy & Anime Rugs

4 - HydrangeaChainsaw - Japanese School Bag Deco

7-8, 18 - mykpopsimsworld - TXT Set (Albums, Lightstick, Posters)

9-10 - mykpopsimsworld - Stray Kids Albums & Lightstick Up

11 - Martassimsbook - 4t3 Aira Pinkie Set Dumpling Light

12, 19-21 - HydrangeaChainsaw - Cinnamoroll Set (Rug, Plush, Pouf, Armchair)

13 - Ameriko-Steelie - 4t3 Kirika Sanrio Kawaii Notebook Clutter

14, 23 - HydrangeaChainsaw - Plush Separate & Bean Bag Onigiri Plush

15 - HydrangeaChainsaw - Luna Lamp

16-17, 25-29, 56-57, 59 - Martassimsbook - 4t3 Flirtyghoul Otaku Set (Figure Toga, Figure Makoto, Billy Bookcase, Mangas, Figure Yuji, Figure Todoroki, Figure Shoyo, Posters C, Posters A, Posters B)

22 - HydrangeaChainsaw - Maneki Neko Stickers

24, 52-53 - johziii - Studio Ghibli Rugs (Soot Rug, Totoro Rug, Jiji Rug)

30 - HydrangeaChainsaw - Totoros

31-37, 40-41, 44-49 - Martassimsbook - 4t3 Aira Ghibli Set (Calcifer Light, Ghibli Clay 1, Ghibli Clay 2, Ghibli Painting, Ghibli Cross Stich 1, Totoro Holder, Ghibli Cross Stich 2, Susuwatari Plate, Ghibli Pencil Holder, Susuwatari Bowl, Susuwatarai Cake Pops, Totoro Candle, No Face Incense, No Face Cups, Ponyo Bucket)

38 - SweetPoyzinCreations - Studio Ghibli Posters

39 - Martassimsbook - 4t3 Neriney Kawaii Totoro Lamp

42 - Metisse - Studio Ghibli Paintings

43 - Epiphanysims34 - 4t3 channel4sims Ghibli Movie DVDs Laying V Japanese

50 - WanderingSims - 4t3 yu Studio Ghibli & OTGW Posters

51 - HydrangeaChainsaw - Totoro Inflatable Chair

54-55, 60 - tragicpixel - JJK Posters (2, 3, 1)

61-62 - HydrangeaChainsaw - Managa & Small Manga Shelf

63-66 - WanderingSims - Grunge Wall Stickers 1, 2, 3, 4

67-69 - WanderingSims - Black Wall Stickers 1, 2, 5

70, 73 - WanderingSims - Korea Maps & Japan Maps

71 - LiaSims - 8 B&W Wall Art

72 - WanderingSims - 4t3 yu Summer of the Bear Posters

[defectivefanboy]

Howl J. Pendragon x Gn!Reader

this is pure self indulgence. No I am not apologizing. No I am not sorry and yes I am a glutton for punishment.

Overall Notes: Stories written on this blog are GN until specified. While this story uses they/them pronouns, and I don't mind female readers on my blog, I do not write for y'all, and if you are a fetishizer fuck off????????????????? ew.

C/W: Angst no comfort. Howl being a low-key asshole, and a man whore. Self deprecation.

Notes: I have been rewatching this movie like a psychopath

Steps to loving a fool...

People will tell you all the ways they fell for a fool and how they loved a fool.

How they whisked them away off their feet with such carefree nature.

But they also recall how it hurt to let them go at the end.

They always say a bird does not belong in a cage

Because there are many steps to loving a fool, but there are only a few key steps you need to keep in mind.

While the enjoyment and wonder of it is exciting at first a person can only take so much before they finally collapse in on themselves like a star.

Step 1: A fool is as free as the wind.

For as long as you could remember he's always moved as if he was the wind himself.

Maybe it was because he could fly and walk? on air

Being with him was like you were floating

God, to be above the clouds with him once again

To feel as free as he does every day of his life

But you've never seen him settle down, even within his own home.

Always adding a new room, or waking up in a new place with new doors.

That amazement you feel when you hear the click of the door and then the new location or sight before you

Oh is that a new book? What does that trinket do?

The fascinated look on his face always captured your attention more then the trinket did most days

His magic never failed to excite you, only brought you more wonder in what he was capable off

Every time he came through the door he always brought something new

Always something new, something that brought change within the castle

Something was always changing.

Step 2: A fool changes like the seasons

Never get too comfortable and never get used to anything.

As cozy as the house was, he was changing it to how he liked at that moment.

It would become a maze of new rooms and halls.

All the more room for him to make a mess.

Sometimes even a new explosion, opening a new window in the castle.

Yet, you can never develop a habit. Can never maintain a routine

Never able to get a schedule down

Never able to understand what he was doing

Never able to even assume what he's doing

Never able to assume you know what he's thinking.

It's only a matter of time before he changes his interest.

Last month it was simple Science

Today? making a plant into a horse

Tomorrow? Only he knows.

Markl, while a good kid, was on the back burner of the wizards mind sometimes

maybe even a lot of the times, but he always made it up to him with long lessons and studies with the boy.

Guess you weren't even on his mind now a days

You can't blame him though

it's not like you had an altitude for magic or anything.

You didn't have any knowledge from a great beyond

You honestly should've known

The first few months were bliss was him

then it became every few days, every few weeks... every few months... every few y-

Step 3: A fool is never shackled down

When was the last time you made a proper friend?

Calcifer and Markl were both a lovely chat.

But, you could only talk about so much within an ever moving home.

Sure, you've made a few acquaintanceships, but never more than that.

You didn't have enough time to make friends anyways

Didn't stay long ever to keep them either

You would leave town as fast as you came in.

Appearing one night then disappearing the next.

And the excitement of it disappeared just as quick.

Realization only hit quicker.

Watching fling after fling after fling after fling after-

What was it that made them different?

Maybe thats why he's always running away

Being around too long would make too much of an attachment

That means commitment

It means it's no longer just him

A fool carries their own burdens, they don't need the burdens of other as well

He already has his own worries

what made you think he would care for yours?

At first he was attentive, the soft grazing touches he gave felt as if he was treating you as fragile glass

Any force and you would shatter

When did you shatter?

Do you remember when you did?

Did he even realize that you did?

Step 4: A fool won't listen to anyone, but themselves

The house was a mess

Covered in waste from failed potions and experiments.

Molded food and trash everywhere, no matter how much it got cleaned

You had told him that witch wasn't good news

You said she was hiding something from him. From everyone.

Everyone could see he was gonna end up hurt

Yet, you were the wrong one

He's was in love couldn't you see

You wanted this to happen, didn't you?

For him to settle down?

You always said to slow down

Why was it an issue now?

If you don't like it why do you care about it?

You shouldn't be here anymore then

"Why do you always incise on being a nuisance?!"

You have over stayed your welcome.

Silence lingered in the room

The ever so witty fire demon was at a lost for words even

All he could do was watch as you turned away from him and walked to your room.

He watched the ground as you walked away and slammed the door.

He was about to let out a sigh before a second slam followed again.

This time a few steps away

"porthaven door..."

He watched the door in surprise, the dial clicking into place.

sighing finally he turned to the stairs

"Calcifer, warm up a bath"

Step 5: A fool only learns after they have lost themselves

He was sure you would be back the next morning

You always came back, even when he was clearly in the wrong

Even when he would spew hateful words at you for the littlest of thing

You always came back

But when morning came, the castle was as still as it was left the night before.

He realized it’s gone too far

The soft cracks in the glass finally broke

that prideful wizard finally began to break

ode to the boy who shallowed a star in exchange for his heart…

who had lost the only thing that filled the space…

[guiiarts]

• C A L C I F E R •

LOOK AT THIS CUTE!!! Calcifer is the biggest icon of Howl's Moving Castle, I'm reading the first book in the trilogy so I made this little art.

[PLEASE DON’T REPOST MY ARTWORK ON THIS OR ANY OTHER SITES WITHOUT MY PERMISSION]

[ahamkara-apologist]

Got a concept for Eliksni reproductive biology that's been rattling around in my brain recently, so I had to draw it. Alien fuckers and specbio nerds come get y'all juice

Notes and explaination under cut:

Synopsis: Eliknsi have a bi-phase reproductive system that allows not only for a more even split of resources between sexes, but also for reproduction to go on hiatus between the sperm-depositing stage and the egg-depositing stage, which allows Eliksni to wait out harsh conditions before developing their eggs (though once the eggs are deposited into the broodpouch, development can only be slowed for so long before the critical laying period comes). Sperm can also be stored in the sperm storage tubules for a long duration of time, which allows for reproduction to occur in the absence of favorable mates as well as mixed-sired clutches. Seminal fluid (male) and lubricating fluid (female) also have differential functions and are laced with hormonal cues that jumpstart the process in a partner.

Reproductive process: Physically male Eliksni mate with a receptive female, depositing as much sperm as possible in the vaginal tract, where it then gels into a sticky consistency against the ducts to the sperm storage tubules. Physical stimulation and hormones in the seminal fluid initiate ovulation. The female then mates with as many physically male Eliksni as possible (or the same mate multiple times, as monogamy became socially common during the Golden Age of Riis despite Eliksni being a naturally polygamous species) before accumulating enough ovum in the uterus for fertilization to occur, when the accumulated sperm in the storage tubules is then transferred through a duct into the uterus for fertilization. Once the eggs have been fertilized, they can either be placed in developmental hiatus, or oviposited into a receptive broodpouch, where the nutrient-rich lubricating fluid secreted by the ovipositor both introduces a hormone that tightens the broodpouch sphincter, and assists in further development of the eggs.

Once the eggs have been oviposited, development continues, with the eggs absorbing water and nutrient-rich material through diffusive exchange in blood-rich vessels near the surface of their pourous membrane, gathering nutrients and oxygen from the blood-filled lining of the broodpouch and the sticky binding fluid left by the female parent. Building a suitable yolk sac takes priority over feeding the embryo, but development of the zygote into an embryo continues; this process can be slowed with adequate stress, but cannot be halted. Once the yolk sac is as developed as possible, calcification of the shells begins to occur, and a week or so after that, the eggs are laid. After laying, the embryos develop rapidly, and hatch not long after.

When breeding can be put on hiatus: after deposition of sperm, after fertilization of eggs

When breeding can be slowed: after deposition of eggs

-> This means that it is possible for an Eliksni to go months to years between mating cycles, yet still produce viable offspring. Needless to say, this is a major factor to why their species are so persistent in the face of adversary

a.) Hemipenis: Used for depositing sperm. Residual barbs on each hemipene are used to scrape away the sperm of rival mates, as well as help lock into the vaginal canal for ensured deposition of sperm.

b.) Testicles and Seminal Vessel: Used for producing and accumulating sperm. The long shelf life of Eliksni sperm relative to mammalian sperm allows for seminal fluid to accumulate in the seminal vessel between matings, giving Eliksni that do not mate as frequently (ie, lower-ranking) a reproductive advantage over those who do (ie, higher-ranking) if the opportunity arises, as they are capable of releasing more sperm at once.

c.) Broodpouch + Broodpouch Sphincter: Where fertilized eggs are oviposited, the broodpouch is essentially a muscular sack that is heavily lined with blood vessels to maximize the surface area for cross-current exchange to occur with the eggs. The broodpouch sphincter becomes relaxed during the breeding period, but tightens after eggs are oviposited and remains tight until laying needs to occur. If a dominant female is replaced, the pheromones from the replacement female cycling + stimulation can elicit relaxation again for forced expulsion of eggs (typically done to get rid of a rival's clutch).

.

d.) Ovipositer: Modified hemipene, used for depositing fertilized eggs into broodpouch.

e.) Vestigial Hemipene (clitoral-analagous): Modified hemipene, remains in sheath. Stimulation of the vestigial hemipene through vaginal canal aids in eliciting ovulation.

f.) Ovaries: They're ovaries. They've got oocytes.

g.) Uterus: Where fertilized and unfertilized eggs are stored until they can be oviposited.

h.) Vagina + Sperm Storage Tubules: Where seminal fluid is deposited, and sperm is stored for fertilization. Constriction of muscles from orgasm move sperm through duct to uterus; partners can subliminally influence a female to preferentially utilize their sperm in this manner

*Despite the apparent complexity of the Eliksni reproductive system, hormonal fluxes are capable of morphing sex over time. This is a long, slow process, but was favorable in the past, as only older high-ranking Eliksni were historically allowed to mate. Being flexible in reproductive ability allowed for individuals to increase fitness by maximizing reproductive odds when rising up the ranks.

**Historical (pre-Traveler) Eliksni reproduction involved a higher-ranking, typically much older individual (Kell) being free to mate with whomever they wished, while mate options became increasingly limited as one moved down the hierarchy; low-ranking (overwhelmingly young) Eliksni were pretty much incapable of mating. Many of the adaptations listed here were selected for to match this system, though Eliksni partnerships became increasingly less rank-dependent in their Golden Age. Post-Whirlwind saw a reversion in rank-based mating systems as well as a trend towards short-term monogamous partnerships.

[theboneturners]

(this entire post is ooc)

HELLO!!

THIS IS A FLESH (TMA) THEMED RP BLOG!!

All characters played by us are ocs!!

MEET THE MODS!:

MOD1: TEN (she/her) ( also mod in: @10thalliance , @doyouthinkeyestellstories , @the-river-of-time ) as AMELIA ‘AMI’ JAMESON (sze/ze)

MOD2: ECHO (he/they/it) ( also mod in: @3biograftsandaphone , @somewhereelse-inphinity , @therealsubspace ) as XAVIER ‘XAV’ CALCIFER (he/zey)

OUT OF CHARACTER TEXT WILL BE WRITTEN LIKE THIS:

<< ooc - text in colour

IN CHARACTER TEXT WILL BE WRITTEN LIKE THIS:

“Text in colour.”

DNIs:

- Normal dni stuff (eg; racists, proshippers, homophobes n transphobes, misogynists, etc.)

- No NSFW please <3 (both mods are minors)

- Avoid discussions of heavy topics when possible (eg; r@p3, $h, su!c!de, politics/real life wars, etc.)

OTHER THAN THAT, GO WILD!

There is currently no lore planned for this blog, so it’ll basically be up to yall to help develop it <3

HAVE FUN!!

[bittersweetstargazer]

ppl who've seen howl's moving castle and not read the book would be stunned to know that

A. The real world exists in that universe and Howl is from Wales- his real name is Howell Jenkins

B. Sophie is a witch; she speaks life into things like hats, sticks, scarecrows, etc.

C. The scarecrow wasn't just some prince who got cursed and left on the side of the road, he's a prince who was taken apart by the Witch, who used pieces of his body to create the perfect man. He's wondering around looking for the missing pieces of his body

D. Howl has a human skull in his castle that belonged to the prince. When the scarecrow puts it on it can speak

E. In the book, it doesn't show howl & Sophie's relationship change like in the movie. They hold hands at the end of the book while ignoring everyone talking to them

F. Markl's name is Michael, and he's dating Sophie's youngest sister Martha, who runs the bakery that Lettie ran in the movie

G. Sophie has two younger sisters, Martha & Lettie, who switched places because Martha wanted to work at a bakery and Lettie wanted to learn magic, so they used a spell to disguise themselves

H. Howl courted Lettie for a period of time

I. Howl has a sister, Megan, who doesn't think too highly of him

J. Howl went to college

K. The black section leads to the real world, not the war scene you saw in the movie. There's no color for that in the book

L. There are more than 4 colors on the door selection

M. Heen is supposed to be a human cursed to be a dog, and he doesn't work for madame suliman

N. The person who taught howl was actually Mrs. Pentstemmon, who is killed by the Witch of the Waste

O. Madame suliman isn't a character in the book. She (might) be based off of wizard suliman, also named Ben sullivan (who is from wales), who went off to go kill the Witch and ended getting killed himself, and whose body parts were also used by the witch to make the perfect man

P. The witch of the waste was killed very quickly. Her demon, a woman from the human world named Mrs. Angorian, set out to find Howl and kill him.

Q. In the book, Howl spends a very long time in the bathroom preparing himself to go out and get another girl to fall in love him with him :/

R. Howl gets a cold and he basically convinces Michael that he's gonna die and gets him to do everything for him

S. Sophie's not allowed to mess with the spiders :/

T. Sophie doesn't get Calcifer to like her by telling him she likes his spark. She just bullies him into listening to her.

U. Sophie and Calcifer still have the deal, but Calcifer is trying to give her hints throughout the story so she can figure out what's up w Howl & Calcifer

V. Howl gets drunk. Very drunk. He says he is "cone sold stober" when he is, in fact not

W. Sophie gets mad at him and cuts up one of his suits.

[tadeocapuleto]

starter call rapidinho

primeiro: diga uma letra - a ; b ; c ; d .

segundo: indique com qual char você quer interagir - 🔥 pro calcifer; 🌙 pro sandman.

terceiro: escolha uma frase das seguintes sentenças.

espere. você tem cócegas? 🔥 @hienadois

volte aqui! ainda não terminei com você! 🔥 @heartevter

você tem algo em seu rosto… bem aqui! 🔥 @coelhinhodapascoa

parece que estou em vantagem agora! 🌙 @lcstdina (mistério sobre a personagem escolhida)

não vou deixar você me vencer dessa vez! 🥰 @devsndrs

isso foi muito fofo. faça isso novamente. 🌙 @theatrangel

dissemos isso ao mesmo tempo. 🥰 @swampdolyn

isso não é justo! você trapaceou! 🥰 @bluestcr

você vai compartilhar isso comigo? 🥰 @girlonfirc

você acabou de fazer esse barulho? isso foi adorável.

não precisamos de música para dançar! 🥰 @arainhabranca

isso me fez pensar em você quando vi. 🌙 @snowhitcs & @ratoderua

ps. se tiver mais de um personagem, coloque o @ dele, caso queria que ele diga a frase acima, coloque - reverse.

[page-matcha]

TXT as studio ghibli characters!

a/n - I was doing a studio ghibli marathon with my friends and thought I'd do this for fun ♡

---☆

Yeonjun - Howl (Howls moving castle)

honestly I don't even know how to explain this. Yeonjun just gives off that sort of vibe you know? 😭 Also Howls ego 😭😭😭 'if I can't be pretty there's no point in living 😔' I think this matches Yeonjun pretty well.

He'd be so cool, composed, and mysterious when you first meet, but once you start getting to know him he's just this big pouty adorable baby 🙃

Also imagine Yeonjun in Howls clothing 🫠 You know howls white top and tight black pants?

kind of like this?

Also fun fact: the female lead of howls moving castle has the same name as me so it makes the movie that much better 🙃

---☆

Soobin - Haku (Spirited away)

I think it's just because Soobin is so calm most of the time? Haku is also a leader of sorts to the other people at the bath house so yeah 🙃 (I'm sorry am I even making sense rn? 😭)

He may seem super blocked off at first but ends up being a huge help to you and a very close friend c:

Honestly I was kind of tempted to give this character to beomgyu just because of the long hair 😭

---☆

Beomgyu - Calcifer (Howls moving castle)

Calcifer is just so mischievous you know? (And dramatic but anyways) He's loud playful and just fun to be around 🤷🏻‍♀️ Calcifer is honestly like my favorite studi ghibli character ever.

I think he's also just really loyal. He can be super chaotic at times but when it comes to your time of need he'll be right by your side.

Like in the beginning of the movie, I don't think calcifer liked Sophie that much, and was always messing with her. But when she and howl were in danger he tried his best to help in any way he could.

---☆

Taehyun - Jiji (Kikis delivery service)

I mean Jiji is a cat so... do I really have to day anything more?

Jiji is probably one of the most down to earth and honest characters in studio ghibli.

He makes a great companion, great friend, and great advice giver. (Also super sarcastic but you know-)

He's the type to be super honest with you and tell you straight up if you've done something stupid. But that also makes him an amazing advice giver. Hence, leading to a great friendship 👍

---☆

Hueningkai - Sosuke (Ponyo)

I don't know how to explain this one 🙃

Sosuke is like this little ball of energy. Always curious and super energetic. He also has a huge imagination!

Throughout the movie I feel like Sosuke didn't really know what was going on, but he knew his friend needed help and was willing to do anything for them.

So huening might be clueless/ innocent at times, but he'd be willing to put himself at risk for you.

---☆

a/n: I'm so sorry that this is all over the place 😭 have of what I said makes basically no sense, but I hope you enjoyed my rambling still...?

[tenebriism]

The famously charming, yet notoriously SECRETIVE wizard cannot recall when last he came across someone so . . . timid. Seems his ' CELEBRITY ' status 'round the town is more a JOKE to him, or rather, he'd prefer not to acknowledge it at ALL, if he could, because it usually meant there were EXPECTATIONS alongside it.

With expectations came T R O U B L E.

" Please, make yourself at home. CALCIFER ! " In the corner, the fireplace bursts to life--- quite literally. Sentient flames manifest in the center, as if SUMMONED by the exclaimed name. " We've a guest ! "

" Oh, that poor soul. What did you do, LURE them here with a bag of shiny coins ? RUN, stranger ! "

If Howl is BOTHERED any by this flame's humorously FITTING fiery personality, 'tis not shown, at all, in the way he seems to GLIDE about the room, pulling things from the piles of CLUTTER spread throughout. " Are you hungry ? "

continued ( moved for the beta editor ) // @tenebriism

It nearly startles them when he touches them ( be still their fragile heart ! how unused to this they are ! ) , though they o b l i g e , obediently lifting dark blues to meet his gaze.  ❝ … Howl , sir , o'course. ❞  Cannot escape the urge to remain polite ; it seemed fair , it seemed necessary— Ears flick upright , stoney features twinkling.  He’s accepting ?  He’s inviting them in ?  Oh , oh !  The Godling had not thought this far ahead , what were they to do ?  Kaen’s steps into the home are nervous , tentative , like a doe walking into an unfamiliar clearing for the first time.  Shyly , they gaze ‘round ‘fore looking to the wizard again.  ❝ Thank ye fer lettin’ me stay a bit. ❞  Kaen offers once re-gathering their courage , small smile pressing ‘pon their sweet features.

[flame-face-off]

Flame Face-offs

i blame adhd and my thirst for violence for this tournament. hi! i'm mod dahlia, the mod of @ascent-descent-bracket! i love characters with fire motifs and/or fire powers so why not do a competition for it :D

what up what up it's ya boy mod moth, I'm the other mod who will be helping out. You'll know which posts i'll make because ill sign off with -mod moth. I'm also a fan of fire, its pretty.

♡ about submissions ♡

we accept characters from all types of media (anime, mythology, books, video games etc)

no real people please! also no submitting fucking c!sapnap from dsmp, i hate the dteam <3

your nomination must have some relation to fire be it fire powers, they have a fire motif, being quite literally fire, just to name a few

submissions close on 29th of March at 2am GMT, bracket will officially start when the other competition i'm running ends

submit your flames here

♡ characters in the bracket by default ♡

Calcifer (Howl's Moving Castle)

Fire Boy (Fire boy and Water Girl)

Yanfei bc i love her (Genshin Impact)

Kai (Lego Ninjago)

if i get another mod, they can add more if they want :))

♡ inspirations ♡

@epicdivorcemantournament @aroaceswagcompetition @monstershowdowns @best-fictional-cat

[ember-owlet]

Do you think maybe you could possibly do Howl Jenkins Pendragon caregiver head canons?? Or maybe a little fic about little reader playing with his hair? Or sort of reacting to his blue hair?

-M💚

a/c: i absolutely can!! since you've sent me a request before i made the reader gender-neutral, but please let me know the next time you request if you have a certain preference in mind dear (/nf /nm) thank you for your request M! i hope you enjoy the rather short fic ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

dynamic: cg! howl jenkins pendragon x gn!regressor! reader

reader is referred to as: sweetheart, little one, starlight

content warning: none ᡣ𐭩

((stay safe little firelights, you can always come back to this when you're ready))

"sweetheart, what are you doing up there?" howl grasped under your arms, bringing you down with ease to face him. howl neglected to mention such a drastic change in appearance, the stark contrast of the raven-black hair brought your hands out in a grasping motion. the wizard smirked at the wide-eyed expression that left a twinkle in your eyes as he moved to place you on his bed. "oh! so you've noticed." he states, brushing his slender fingers through his hair till the natural color shone against the light like a smooth river rock.

"papa pretty..." you remarked in awe. despite the menagerie of items that sparkled around the room, your caregiver's new look was the only thing that had your attention. your body began to wiggle in a happy rhythm, not being able to contain your immediate approval.

"thank you little one, papa likes it too." howl turned his head to gaze into the reflection of an ornate golden mirror that sat angled on its side. he gasped at how out of place everything was; the way each strand intertwined with another in a maze of its own, and with the dark contrast of his hair it made even the smallest specks of dust that fell all the more apparent.

sophie and markl were out having an adventure of their own, and howl had completely lost track of time spending it with you. and, with the day nearly coming to a close the two of them were probably expecting supper already being fixed and awaiting their return.

howl groaned, dramatically flattening his palm towards his face and slumping backward to the possible scolding the two of you would face from sophie for slacking off the entire day. through the gaps of his fingers, he could see you staring at him and giggling, the ever-flamboyant outbursts from howl never ceased to make you laugh.

"oh? that's funny, is it? well, luckily for you your papa is going to fix this with a flick of his wrist." he waved you over, palms facing toward him. as soon as you hobbled over to his side he picked you up. one endearing trait of your caregiver being gifted in magic was no matter your size it was rather easy for him to lift you off your feet.

howl quickly conducted the kitchen into order, and, despite calcifer's whining, whipped up four steaming plates of food fresh off of the skillet. you clapped to the finished product, a sparkle in your eyes as your stomach rumbled to the delicious, savory fragrance.

the familiar ping on the dial filled you with excitement, the familiar figures of markl and sophie entering that rushed you into their embrace, with howl quickly accompanying your side. "welcome home!" you echo alongside your papa's greeting. the sudden sounds of your rumbling stomachs cause an uproar of laughter. "well, what are we waiting for? the food will get cold."

sophie entered with humble steps, breathing in the warm aroma surrounding her senses. "my, it seems the two of you were busy today." howl held your hand to assist you up the steps, the two of you sharing a mischievous glance. "busier than ever. don't know what i'd do without my little starlight."

[strawbrryrush]

.⛇⋆☃︎ Ho ho! -or whatever, this is my plotting/starter call for the mini winter event !! .⛇⋆☃︎

i'd love to get more plots going with everyone!! in fandom- or out of fondom! so if you wanna plot more- pls don't be afraid to like this and we can dm stuff c: -and once in dms- and we create pairings/we can decide who does which starter! just to keep my life a little more organized.

🦌* ︵❅࿔:･°°‧❆⋆࿔:･:⋆.ೃ࿔*:❅࿔ muses who are shopping around/looking for gifts for loved ones, or themselves!!/and you'll most likely catch them at a vendor or stall..🦌* ︵❅࿔:･°°‧❆⋆࿔:･:⋆.ೃ࿔*:❅࿔

elena gilbert, homura akemi, momo ayase, yor forger, nami, jackie taylor, calcifer, vaggie

🦌* ︵❅࿔:･°°‧❆⋆࿔:･:⋆.ೃ࿔*:❅࿔ muses who are participating in the stalls/activities 🦌* ︵❅࿔:･°°‧❆⋆࿔:･:⋆.ೃ࿔*:❅࿔ draculaura ( elf asst), martha hatter ( serving custom hot drinks), mabel pines ( making sweaters/scarves!) tifa lockhart ( bartender at the ice bar) mari perry ( selling plushies )

🦌* ︵❅࿔:･°°‧❆⋆࿔:･:⋆.ೃ࿔*:❅࿔ muses who doing their own thing/probably mischief..🦌* ︵❅࿔:･°°‧❆⋆࿔:･:⋆.ೃ࿔*:❅࿔ jinx ( tho she'll be bothering shen qiao at his stall, gotta support the cause ), mary ( tho assisting Didyme when and if she needs it), stiles stilinski ( he's just hanging around- might get hot coco or two- here for the food.)