#event: briar's bash

[blackbutlerfandomnerddomain]

September 25th - Masquerade / Puppets

The flowers of the City of Flowers were in full bloom of the autumn season, the dahlias were beautiful in various colors spread across the garden beds of homes, and beautiful reddish to yellow sunflowers stock the fields wildly like a fresh oil painting.

Little chimes of bells echo the cobblestone paths of the beautiful town rich in history as a little girl runs across. Her hair was dark as a raven’s wing, her skin a snow white, her adorable bare feet decorated in a little link of bells mimicking a fairy’s whisper in every step she takes.

A shadow flew above her before two strong arms scooped her up, earning a squeal from her tiny body. Emerald gray eyes look up, the girl giggles a fanged grin, “Papa!”

Footsteps walk forward, causing the two to look up to witness a group of people walking towards them. Two redheads, two blonds, two hairs of flame, two hairs of green, two separate shades of light, and two hairs of dark, each of them a child of two in toe.

Dark lips stretch into a warm smile as the royal back bends straight, cradling his child in his arms still. “Welcome my dear friends.”

The warm taste of French Vanilla lotte dances across taste buds as chocolate and bread fills the sense of smell as sixteen males sit in a local cafe in the city eating a simple lunch as the autumn shines above.

A heavenly sigh is sounded as a man with short hair of gold leans back, “Comme c'est beau, to be blessed to see such beauty in a beautiful city, the red trees a perfect backdrop for my dear Roi Du Poison’s gorgeous complexion~” He said, looking lovingly at the man next to him who calmly sits his cup of coffee with little bashful reaction towards the sing-song tone of love beside him, his golden and lavender hair curled inward to a simple bun with a lone black velvet ribbon that works well with the dark turtle neck he wears.

A giggles leaves the Prince of Fae across the table, “You never change, don’t you Rook.”

Lots of things have changed since Night Raven Collage, lots of emotional changes to be more specific alongside the physicals.

Many shocking relationships began beside the obvious of Riddle’s and Ace’s, during that same time Azul Ashengrotto and Idia Shroud announced their own romance blossomed in time of Idia’s preparations of graduating. Thanks to their love, Azul’s physical appearance changed in a nice way, he looked more fed and had this happy glow about him, while Idia’s social skills have gotten so much better in both a friendly sense and business sense. The two even worked together after they both graduated their universities, with help from the Shroud family who were very happy to hear the word their eldest was in love with someone, they make about 12k Madols a year living in a lovely home by the water with their three children, twin daughters Vanessa and Melody and their son Thanatos or Than for short.

Another shock couple was actually one that to many besides the dorm leaders and those closest to them were aware until the announced wedding a full three years since graduation, Malleus Draconia, Prince of Briar Valley, most magical mage of the entire world of Twisted Wonderland, and Rollo Flamme, a once strong willed man who slowly let down his armor and hatred to all magic one faithful autumn day as today.

The pair seemed to have sensed that spark many saw the night of the beautiful masquerade event the school was invited to, but neither were ready to fully accept it. They messed with the idea a bit, yes, but it was until Malleus was getting ready to rule his kingdom did they finally accept the obvious: They were in love.

Outside of being a now crowned king, Malleus works alongside Rollo in a quaint bakery and bookshop in the countryside Briar Valley and the Shaftlands, sending nice memories and knowledge to those who leave their store. He’s a simple dragon after all, only wanting his research of gargoyles, his love, and his cottage in the forest to make him happy alongside his family including their son Philip and their daughter Esmerelda.

The least shocking of all relationships to come from the magical school was Vil Schoenheit, actor, model, icon of the ages, and Rook Hunt, proud lover of all things beauty in many ways. If you saw them in the walls and assumed they were completely platonic you were to be deemed a liar on the spot! They were constantly arm and arm, cheering meals, and even spot kissing hands or pressing their foreheads together. “But that’s just how Rook is—” People would argue then, but as soon as the posts on social media of Vil, now becoming a scriptwriter alongside his acting skills, and Rook, who has grown to be a man who travels around the world photographing and filming all the beauty not many can dare see did people suspect more to their story.

The only thing that grew as a shock was what happened after the wedding of Prince Leona Kingcholar of the Sunset Savannah and his loyal once-Vice Dormhead of Savannaclaw Ruggie Bucchi, an affair many had raised eyebrows already due to the social status clashes. . . When the blonds moved into the pleasant chateau with the recently married couple.

And there they remained living comfortably with two children to love and care for, little Princess Nahla, and brave adventurous boy Kovu who many are trying to figure out if the blond hair tied to princess’ dark hair is tied with Ruggie or one of the two or if Kovu’s dark hair was merely a chance of surprise.

Only the lab who helped them be born can now.

Now, the most shocking couples to come were the Leech twins. Yes, they are handsome, and yes they indeed come from well off families, but no one truly expected them to find anyone ever!

Well, that was until the final years of both their years did they announce the relationships of the crowned then-Prince of Briar Valley’s human family member and star of films and Fairest One of All from Royal Sword Academy.

Jade and Silver were a bit of a shock but not very surprising after graduation, the pair traveling to new adventures jotting down research and pressed plants and writing history that was long lost. Currently they live near the edge of the Queendom of Roses by the coast with their little one Bryony.

Floyd and Neige on the other hand, that was a shock the world was not ready for. After a scandalous picture of the two kissing in the street after their senior year, the world had many MANY questions. Where did they meet? What started the relationship? What drove you to him? Why him?? Etcetc.

But…in the end…they simply just… work… Them and their cute little girl.

Speaking of which���

“Serena, be careful with the doves sweet heart!”

The little girl in question looked towards her father with ebony hair and giggles before running to the kids again by the fountain.

Floyd snorts and pulls Neige back in a snuggle. “Oh relax, harp seal~” He cooed, nuzzling his sharper face, “Let her get her energy out before the wedding.”

Ace sighs, stirring his coffee with a chuckle, “I still can’t believe they’re so good together.”

Riddle quirks a brow, “Better than us?”

“Oh are you going to start an argument now?” Joked Azul, his chin resting on his folded and locked fingers with a smirk.

The adults chuckle and playfully bicker back and forth. Tales of memories are swapped.

For some it was the party that was held here in this fine city years ago while for some it was something connected to the said wedding they’re traveling for—

“But seriously, how were you so in the dark with you two?” Ace asked, his hands presenting Ortho, now much older, feeding a slice of a chocolate cake slice to a cat beastman with red wood tuff for hair.

Ah, yes, the most shocking couple. Actually, if you want to give credit, the very same couple who started two the same night. . .

8 years ago, right down to the day, a year has passed since the masquerade party of Nobel Bell Collage, a bit of a magical adventure came to present itself in front of Ace and a group of others either in need of fun or simply was dragging themselves along were whisked away by a very convincing wildly fox named Fellow Honest and his companion and cat brother Gidel with promises of everlasting fun and wonder in their carnival of nostalgia and magical dreams.

It wasn’t as whimsical as promised however, that’s how scams are at times. But, somehow, in the aftermath of it all the little robotic Shroud and the mute feline discovered they had more things in common than meets the eye.

Cue some hangouts, cuddles, some dates, and imminent approval of their older brothers until the two began a mostly secret relationship. With Ortho’s help, Gidel was able to be fed and learned to read and write much better. And with Gidels help, Ortho was able to rebel once and a while and act more like his age than before with things like ding-dong-ditching and spending a whole night watching the stars swinging on some swings in the closed parks in town.

And cue the first six months of them starting was the day a certain eel invited a certain card soldier to the Mostro Lounge for a discount, leading him in search of a plus one to join, getting turned down by Ortho since he had a mystery date that weekend, and soon leading him to asking out a certain red haired dorm leader.

And cue that date being one magical night that triggered the first romantic gesture of many between a certain merman and a certain shy gamer who was doing a helpful favor for a friend and crush and working together on making the redheads’ date more special...

"But, I guess I have to thank you, Gidel..." Mumbled Ace, his shy face a nice refreshing sight for the table since they've been used to his rebellious face for years now.

Gidel, now long since grown taller and stronger thanks to Ortho's support and the hard working job of puppet making he has now, smiles a sweet freckles smile. He brings his hands up, "[You are most welcome Ace,]" He signs, his smile never leaving his face, "[You two honestly are a great pair. And if it wasn't for you being you I wouldn't have never found my Wish Come True.]"

Ortho giggles, planting a gentle smooch against his fiancé's cheek.

OKAY, DAY THREE IS DONE!

I am currently editing this in 12:56 AM and am tired so if there's any misspellings I am sorry!!

I didn't have time to draw ALL their kids but here's Serena!

The first half was originally for the Free Day LAST YEAR so I decided for this prompt to do this as a call back among other stuff.

So the canon couples in this AU are:

Riddle and Ace

Deuce and Epel

Jack and Sebek

Ortho and Gidel

Kalim and Jamil

Malleus and Rollo

Vil and Rook with Leona and Ruggie (Yes that means they're poly I love Leovil but also adore Rookvil so MLEH-)

Trey and Cater

Azul and Idia

Jade and Silver

Floyd and Neige

Crowley, Divus, and Sam

And last minute, Fellow and Vargas. (I just think they could be a funny cute couple)

The reason only some would've been drawn is cause Esmerelda wouldn't go to NRC since she attends a school in the City of Flowers, same goes for Melody and Vanessa, and I didn't have time to draw everyone else sorry!

I do have fic PDFs ready to share/in middle of editing to share if you're curious, it's mostly stories/drabbles of the other couples, some NSFW just warning ya. Just shoot me a DM and I'll share a quickly as I can after I crash upon posting this to be Qued

EDITING RAE HERE: FORGOT THE TAG! @ridoaceweek

[commanderjuni]

[OUTDATED]🦋SRABBA TALK | PERSONAL STORY AND LWS1

SOOOO guess who just finished living world season ONE today? that's right. this guy. first and foremost I LOVED IT? i played through it before but sorta blew through everything, but actually taking time to experience the story was very fun

and now, the even funner part... writing about what srabba was up to during it all! i'll be doing this for each part of gw2's story for fun, and to articulate my thoughts about it!

⚠️ MAJOR SPOILERS FOR PERSONAL STORY (1-80) AND LIVING WORLD SEASON ONE BELOW THE CUT

Beginning with the personal story, Srabba actually has no involvement with the war and eventual death of Zhaitan.

Srabba is only 13 when the events of personal story take place, and thus she has no real place to be at on the battle-field. However, she kept tabs on the new research and theories springing up as more was uncovered about the elder dragon of death.

While she was doing pre-college studies in Metrica Province, Srabba kept up to date on the situation mainly through research papers, news articles and word of mouth. Zhaitan wasn't exactly a quiet affair, so there was plenty of hubbub about the dragon and the three orders— the Vigil, Priory, and Order of Whispers— coming together (for once) to take down the dragon.

The breakthroughs during this time: the confirmation of one Professor Gorr's theory— the dragons consume magic, thereby taking it out of Tyria and growing stronger in doing so— has monumental affirmations and implications, and Srabba finds herself more and more fascinated in the topic.

Because of this, she sort of... nudges her other projects aside. Chaos magic can be put on hold, she'll keep her hearing aid development on the back-burner— this, this dragon research... It was incredible, and Srabba was eager to know more.

Thus, Srabba decided that after turning 14 and enrolling in the college of Dynamics (after proving herself with a clever invention called the Transatmospheric converter— a blend of asura intellect, mesmer chaos magic, and elemental magic), she'd make a name for herself in becoming an expert in dragon magic. Alongside chaos magic, of course. You can be a genius in two things, after all.

Srabba's choice in enrolling in Dynamics was a success in keeping aligned with her goals. Statics only focused on what they already had, and Synergetics... bleh. Too theoretical and philosophical for her tastes. Dynamics got things done in new and innovative ways, and Srabba made a name for herself in her class with her bright, cutting-edge ideas. She was regarded positively by her professors, albiet some of her peers found her a bit... egotistical... and some of her professors found her a bit too smart.

Nonetheless, Srabba was thriving in college.

And then... Scarlet happened.

First it was Dragon Bash. Then it was the Queen's Jubilee. Then it was the wretched tower in Kessex Hills. It didn't take long for word to travel back to the asura side of Tyria, and Srabba once again found her putting her projects aside for a new interest: Scarlet Briar.

Now, Srabba could care less about Scarlet as a person. As far as Srabba cared, she was a crazed Sylvari who liked explosions and bombs a little too much. It was her machines— her alchemy and magitech and gizmos galore— that Srabba really cared about. Srabba found Scarlet to be a genius, and she needed to study some of this genius' work.

Thus, Srabba sort of... Oh.. Y'know... Snuck out under everyone's noses and onto one of the sites of Scarlet's latest monstrosity: the Clockwork Marionette. She wasn't there for the fight, personally, but was found by Logan Thackeray snooping around in debris and fancy shiny bits and rubble. Not only did he have one nosy progeny to deal with, but now two nosy progeny.

Srabba and Taimi had no prior interactions, and as far as they knew before this moment, the other didn't exist. However... If it meant annoying some dumb human...

And with that, a beautiful friendship was born.

Upon being dragged back to Lion's Arch to be sent away to Rata Sum upon a guardian taking ownership of them, Srabba and Taimi got to actually chatting, and found they both had quite a lot in common.

One, they were both orphans. Two, they both were disabled and hated getting pitying looks because of it. Three, they were both brilliant prodigy progeny, and hated even more when people doubted them for their age. And four, they both were fixated with Scarlet and her work.

... As far as Srabba figured, though, Taimi was more curious about Scarlet as a person, and the two had plenty of slight bickering about who knew the most about her or was going about thinking about her the right way— much to everyone else's dismay.

It is around this point Srabba begins to become not the leader, but a facet in the budding new guild, composed of Marjory Delequa, Kasmeer Meade, Braham Eirsson, and Rox— Oh! And Frostbite, too.

In canon, the Commander eventually brings everybody together, but fate somehow managed to gather all of them in one place, and it didn't take the group long to bond.

They have two brawn, two investigators, and now two brain. A perfect even number!

... Odd, if you count Frostbite, though. But Srabba doesn't like odd numbers, so it's an even number now. Hmph.

However, the guild doesn't have time to frolic around. Scarlet clearly is planning something, and the group is determined to figure out what. Srabba manages to participate in some evidence scouring with an asura by the name of Vorpp, and Kasmeer and Majory. To everyone's horror, they all put together that Scarlet isn't just planning something big, she's planning to strike Lion's Arch, and she's about to strike it hard.

Scarlet soon unleashes her greatest atrocity on Lion's Arch: an all out catastrophic attack.

Lion's Arch is gunned, bombed, and a thick miasma soon takes over and claims anyone who is exposed to it for too long. All forms of terrible enemies— Flame Legion, Inquest, Aetherblade pirates, Krait, Dredge, and Nightmare Court— lay siege to Lion's Arch and kill anyone who doesn't escape or tries to stand in their or their leader, Scarlet Briar's, way.

The attack reaches Srabba— who away tending to her studies and research— and the news mortifies her. Although she's dealing with college and papers and exams and her own mini research projects, she feels a strong calling to head out and help.

She has a rendezvous with Taimi at one of the refugee/rally camps nearby the Vigil headquarters, and to see all the damage up close... Survivors recounting the horrors and losses, resources spread thin, people dying with little hope to save them... It takes Srabba out of her comfortable bubble of research and onto the field, and the sight not only horrifies her, but it sparks something in her usually cold heart— forget all about studying Scarlet; the only thing Srabba wants to study is a way to put that wretched sylvari down for good.

However, the rest of the group makes an effort to keep Srabba out and away from danger— they don't want to bring anyone else in to the battle, where the probability of death for a 14 year old with only three years of magical experience and little to no combative experience... Eh, it's better if one doesn't say the exact numbers. (NOTE: They aren't high.)

This enrages Srabba, but despite her anger she knows they aren't exactly wrong.

After Scarlet is slain, something... Happens.

Srabba was in the midst of studying artificing when even she heard a wretched noise— it was a loud, rumbling sound on par with a growl, or a howl, or a roar.

It didn't take long until Taimi urgently contacted her via digitized mail, and despite initial suspicions, Srabba came to the same conclusion as Taimi: that was the roar of a dragon.

Srabba didn't take long puzzling why the roar happened in the first place. Scarlet had descended upon Lion's Arch with some horrible platformed drill that struck into Lion's Arch's sea. Previous discoveries unveiled that Scarlet had been toying and pin-pointing and probing for ley-lines, and Lion's Arch had been the main target on her maps.

Synergetic research dictates that all of Tyria is loaded with ley-lines: rivers and streams of (usually) invisible magic. Wherever magic travels, it travels along ley-lines that dot Tyria's entire expanse. Scarlet Briar had dug up a ley-line, and made a racket so loud it may have drawn the attention of a dragon.

Srabba had plenty of papers to back it up, but not even she wanted to believe it. She knew Zhatian— with it's risen minions and death magic— was bad enough, but what Scarlet could have woken up... It could be much, much worse. What was worse was that Srabba couldn't figure out which dragon Scarlet's infernal drill had woken up, and this put her on edge... Thankfully, her newfound friends could try and soothe those nerves after calling everyone to the Dead End Bar for some food, drink, and light celebration in taking Scarlet down.

However... Srabba knows something lurks on the horizon.. Something bad.

To be continued...

[disneyemojiblitz-unofficial]

NEW DISNEY EMOJI BLITZ EVENT

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024

It's a new event! And this one happens to be Snow White themed. Rather short but like always with these specific ones, lucky and required emojis are here. Let's see what we need!

Lucky emojis for the first map are:

Snow White

The Prince

Magic Mirror

The Evil Queen

Lucky emojis for the second map are:

Dopey

Doc

Grumpy

Sleepy

Bashful

Sneezy

Required emojis for the third map are:

Platinum Snow White LEVEL 2

Winter Snow White LEVEL 2

The Witch LEVEL 2

Magic Mirror LEVEL 2

The Evil Queen LEVEL 3

Required emojis for the fourth map are:

Purple Diamond Dopey LEVEL 1

Bashful LEVEL 2

Sneezy LEVEL 2

Obsidian Snow White LEVEL 2

BOXES YOU CAN GET AT THIS TIME

💎 The Diamond Box is here, priced at 200 gems, it is available until November 7th! 💎

Bashful (5%)

Sneezy (5%)

Doc (10%)

Dopey (10%)

Grumpy (10%)

Sleepy (10%)

Snow White (15%)

The Prince (15%)

Magic Mirror (10%)

The Evil Queen (10%)

🔮 The Crystal Magic Box is here, priced at 800 gems, it is available only today! 🔮

Winter Snow White (15%)

The Witch (15%)

Magic Mirror (15%)

Peridot Maleficent (10%)

The Evil Queen (15%)

Briar Rose (15%)

Dragon Maleficent (15%)

🧍‍♂️🧍‍♀️The Group Collection Box is here, priced at 300 gems, it is available until November 7th! 🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️

Bashful (10%)

Sneezy (10%)

Doc (20%)

Dopey (20%)

Grumpy (20%)

Sleepy (20%)

❄️ The Seasons Box is here, priced at 600 gems, it is available until Novemver 7th! ❄️

Winter Snow White (10%)

Diamond Elsa (5%)

Abominable Snowman (20%)

Winter Pete (10%)

Ice Cream Mickey (15%)

Shaved Ice Stitch (10%)

Topiary Daisy (10%)

April Showers Bambi (10%)

Pumpkin Minnie (10%)

[ao3feed-toshinko]

My Hero Academia: The Demon Slayer

by PhoenixCurtis3579

I'm Still Learning On How To Write On This Site So Apologies If It Seems Like I'm Just Adding Space Since I Just Started Using This Site Long After My Account Was Approved

Words: 557, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English

Fandoms: 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia (Anime & Manga), 鬼滅の刃 | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Manga), 鬼滅の刃 | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Anime), SPY x FAMILY (Manga), SPY x FAMILY (Anime)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Rape/Non-Con, Underage

Categories: F/M

Characters: Midoriya Izumi, Yagi Toshinori | All Might, Midoriya Inko, Uraraka Ochako, Midoriya Izuku, Original Male Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Eri (My Hero Academia), Toga Himiko, Shigaraki Tomura | Shimura Tenko, Shimura Nana, Shimura Hana, Shigaraki Tomura | Shimura Tenko's Parents, Sensei | All For One, Past One For All Users (My Hero Academia), Yor Briar Forger | Thorn Princess, Yaoyorozu Momo, Jirou Kyouka, Kirishima Eijirou, Kaminari Denki, Meta Liberation Army (My Hero Academia)

Relationships: Other Relationship Tags to Be Added, Original Male Character(s)/Harem, Midoriya Inko/Yagi Toshinori | All Might, Uraraka Ochako/Original Male Character(s), Asui Tsuyu/Original Male Character(s), Jirou Kyouka/Original Male Character(s), Midoriya Izumi/Original Male Character(s), Yaoyorozu Momo/Original Male Character(s), Toga Himiko/Original Male Character(s), Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead/Fukukado Emi | Ms. Joke/Kayama Nemuri | Midnight, Tsutsumi Kaina | Lady Nagant/Original Male Character(s), Yor Briar Forger | Thorn Princess/Original Male Character(s), Hagakure Tooru/Original Male Character(s), Ashido Mina/Kirishima Eijirou

Additional Tags: Yagi Toshinori | All Might Being an Idiot, Yagi Toshinori | All Might Bashing, Parent Yagi Toshinori | All Might, Quirkless Discrimination (My Hero Academia), Quirklessness (My Hero Academia), Midoriya Izuku Has a Harem, Alternate Universe - Harem, Rape/Non-con Elements, Bakugou Katsuki Faces Consequences, Toga Himiko is Not a Villain, Quirkless Midoriya Izuku, Midoriya Izuku Does Not Have One for All Quirk, Midoriya Izuku is Not a Hero, Villain Bakugou Katsuki, Midoriya Inko's Bad Parenting, Yagi Toshinori | All Might's Bad Parenting, Midoriya Izuku is a Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba), Original Character Replaces Midoriya Izuku, Sensei | All For One is Not Midoriya Hisashi, Some Events Will Technically Be Rape

https://archiveofourown.org/works/55523875

[fabiansacharmer]

when: Friday, 27 September, 1978, after 10 pm where: No. 6 Low Street who: Fabian Prewett & OPEN

“Anyone want another round?”

[just-patchy]

Diamond Ring | Cater Ship Week

Day 1: Diamond

Pairing: Cater Diamond/Malleus Draconia

Rated: T

Notes: I haven’t written Cater a lot before I decided to make this event so excuse any ooc-ness!

Cater used to hear his sisters gush about proposals and marriages with the biggest diamonds on their rings. He listened, but never joined in, partially because he didn’t want to be roped in when he finally had some peace and quiet, partially because it’d never apply to him anyway.

It’s not that he’s never thought about it. He’s entertained the idea occasionally, when he lets his mind wander off away from MagiCam posts and whatever leisure he can salvage from his unforgiving loneliness. That was all to it, at the end, a wandering thought. Never would it come true, for he was chained to roam the vast land like a ghost.

When he struck up a friendly conversation with Malleus, he didn’t expect anything. It was the usual spiel of getting close to famous figures in hopes that he himself could leave some sort of mark. The times they held hands beneath the fireworks and the stars, the times they snuck kisses in between classes and club activities, it was just a simple step up from that. Cater accepted the expensive gifts with a cheery, bashful smile and guilt and shame weighing down his heart. He grew to love Malleus’ little quirks far too much to be appropriate, and yet he was willing to let himself fall down the rabbit hole if it meant he could mean something to someone of the outside world.

He could only stare, dumbfounded as Malleus, in all his elegant royal glory, presented him with a delicate gold band encrusted with peridots and a single, glimmering diamond in the centre. He wanted to argue, that Malleus was the future King of Briar Valley, that he should marry some faceless noble lady in some sort of grand fancy occasion surrounded by his court and maybe Diasomnia. He had no place confessing to a foreign commoner in some dim corner of the school campus, surrounded by fireflies and grass and stars.

Yet, Malleus looked so sincere, for once looking his age (in fae years, Cater had no doubt Malleus was much older and wiser than himself), hope mixed with slight embarrassment in those enchanting green eyes. He knew the risks, and decided to take the plunge anyway, and Cater didn’t have in him neither the heart nor the selflessness to refuse the man that had him intrigued from the very beginning.

They sat together beneath the moon, hands laced together with matching rings twinkling softly.

[maryhelencochranlibrary]

No better way to start the school year than with a Library Bagel Bash!

[shimmershae]

Just a few random thoughts and observations about Daryl’s Origins episode.

Basically my stream of consciousness bullshit brought over from Twitter, lol.  I almost didn’t watch the episode after seeing all the drama over there, but ultimately I decided to because frankly?  I don’t trust certain fans’ perceptions of events.  For reasons.  It’s best, I feel, to always watch with your own eyes and form your own independent opinions because this fandom is teeming with people that delight in tormenting other fans by being very selective and oftentimes downright misrepresentative about what they pass along.  

More under the cut because this is random and all over the place and basically excerpts of my live blogging while watching the special.  Did I mention it’s random?  

You know.  It sure would be nice not going into one of these things so apprehensive.  Maybe one day, hmm?  

First things first.  From the very beginning of this Origins episode, I’m reminded of two things:  1).  Our introduction to Daryl, his colorful Dixonese, and his particular brand of humor certainly stands out as one of show's more memorable introductions.  2).  TWD certainly regressed on the deer front. I mean.  Daryl's deer>Richonne's deer.

I’m never going to get over "On Golden Pond."  Never ever and look.  I actually liked Dale but Daryl spitting those words at him still makes me laugh until I'm weak.

Daryl's still searching all these years later.  Or is he?  Really?  Seems to me the man's found exactly what he's been looking for and he's been chasing it since he came back from those woods:  a future with his soulmate.  The one that happens to be his best friend.  OFC, I’m talking about Carol. Who else?  

How pretty and soft are baby Daryl and Carol?  Too pretty and soft for this tired heart to withstand.  Like I love all versions of them, but baby Daryl and Carol just hit different.  

My immediate thought re: the Beth comment-- Misreads the situation?  WTF?  Whoever wrote this script just had to re-inject some eww into the narrative didn't they?  All those damn dirty spoons.  Ever think about how much it probably reeks in that office space?

Moving along, though.  Here’s some real facts.  Carol is so intrinsically woven into the fabric of Daryl's story, the only way she can be removed is if they are literally both destroyed and cease to exist.  Something happens to Carol?  The man is going to be a reanimated body without a heartbeat.  Basically a Walker.

 An aside, I know they're not making me rewatch a scene I haven't watched since the first time it aired.  The way Negan's head bashing tendencies had me seeing red and wanting that barbed wire bat shoved up his ass every time I saw his face.  My JDM love really took a serious hit for awhile.  I'm never going to forgive the character that hateful act.  I just can't.

Somehow I wasn't expecting this to be a teleprompter-fest.  Like who wrote this script?  Hmm.   Sorry.  Don't mind me.  Lost in my thoughts per usual. You know.  It still strikes me as hella insensitive that Rick had Daryl leading the Sanctuary community knowing what he suffered there.  There's no way Daryl would have returned that kind of favor.  

Yep.  Leah still feels tacked on last minute.  A means to an end.  Sigh.   They completely glossed her over here.  Too bad they had that lapse in judgment with some other toxic waste.  I cannot believe they touched that with a ten foot pole.  It's just cringe-worthy and wrong.

"Daryl can't say no to Carol."  They say those words and I’m like “Join the club, my dude.  Join the club, lol.”  

You know.  All the Carol-related moments in this Daryl Dixon recap speak for themselves.  She's his person, dammit.

Okay though.  That reunion in the tall grass with the sun shining on them all golden and picturesque, after Alpha’s taken Daryl to show him her horde?  That's some romance novel shit right there.  "Look at me.  Just look at me."   I'm never going to recover from that moment or the discovery of Sophia.  They break my heart so.  

This recap is literally 2/3's Carol and the other 1/3 Rick and everybody else.  I mean.  It's so obvious.  Utterly and completely misrepresented by some agenda-driven folks.  

"We have a future."   Oh.  Just some pretty, meaningless words you say everyday to all your friends, lol.   Just friends my whole entire ass.  

"I'm never gonna hate you."  Okay, AMC.  Back up all the talk with some action that even the most willfully blind cannot deny, m'kay?  Because they're not going to buy it until you're explicit about it.  Just saying.

The amount of times "Carol" has left this man's mouth during this recap, lol, and some people keep wanting to ignore it. 

Aww.  Guess who they showed when Daryl mentioned family?  How sweet.  And when they mentioned purpose in connection with C0nnie, it was not any indication of romance, IMHO.  

Let me explain.  

By the time C0nnie is lost,  Daryl’s floundering because he feels he hasn’t been able to help Carol despite giving it all and pushing back his previously established comfort zone(s).  Enter these pair of sisters.  And they put him in mind of the good parts of him and Merle.  Probably they make him remember  the Greene girls when things were good and hopeful before they went sideways.  In some small way, he’s probably reminded of other family units like Rick and Carl and Lori and Carol and Sophia and later Henry.  And all of those people have something in common.  Well, besides being people Daryl has known and cared for.  They’ve seen their family units fractured and/or destroyed by tragedies wrought by the world they live in.   They made a point and emphasized that Daryl’s a searcher and also that family matters to him.  In some way or form he’s been doing his best to help repair or reunite all these different family members since the beginning and ultimately he’s failed to succeed each time.  So yeah.  He’s been given a purpose in a time of uncertainty again with her because this time he’s determined to get it right.  This time he wants to bring the two sisters back together the way he couldn’t do for the Greene girls.  Like I did not, do not read anything romantic at all into that comment. Just my take on things.  Obviously, everyone else’s mileage may vary.  I’ll step off my soapbox now.  Hopefully, maybe these words might comfort.  

So relax, lovelies.  It wasn't as bad as I feared.  Sure, they could have left that one icky comment out but they didn't and honestly?  I don't think it's a positive for that particular 'relationship' because it's something that's brought up to show just how messed up Daryl was.  Because grown men that have their heads on straight don't usually have those type of misreads.  They know they are inappropriate.  Like I'm not putting Daryl into the pedo category because I don't feel like he belongs there.  But I can see how him being so emotionally stunted and naive so far as interpersonal relationships and the nuances of friendship and non-toxic family could lend itself to him maybe reading more into those moments than were really there and not really knowing how to deal.  

Whoever wrote that teleprompter script though?  That particular asshole is probably grinning like a donkey with a mouth full of briars at all the unnecessary drama they stirred up yet again. Like newsflash, goober.  There are better ways to foster interest in your show.

They should hire a team of fans to do the promotion.  Fans that represent all factions of this fractured fandom so the promotion is well-rounded and not so heavily slanted toward any one of them but the diverse fandom as a whole.

Stop fanning the stupid ship wars and just celebrate the damn characters and the overall story.   Nothing new or groundbreaking to see on this first Origins story but hey.  Who doesn't mind a decent recap now and then?  That said, don't sweat not having AMC+ or feel like you missed all that much because you didn't.

I do have to say.  Them pretending B3th was the first girl to be nice to Daryl really had me going WTF.  

I mean, there’s this little exchange from Carol, the first woman to be nice to Daryl, probably the first person from the group--

"You're every bit as good as them.  Every bit."   

  AMC?  TWD?  Do you even watch your own show?  

There you have it.  My bullshit stream of consciousness, originally posted over on Twitter as I liveblogged the show.  Hope you got something helpful or of entertainment value from this.  

Goodnight, lovelies.  

Until next time.  

[shikasaku-week]

Hello, fellow ShikaSaku lovers! Guess what time of the year it is?

Yes, it’s ShikaSaku Week 2020! The main event of the year, during the worst year of the millennium, of course. We don’t do things by half, here at ShikaSakuWeek Ltd. For this edition, we have an interesting mix of prompts for you, and we hope you’ll be inspired by them and give us even more content than last time! Fun fact: ShikaSaku Hanami 2020 was the most prolific week since the event was created, and we know you can do even better this time! Let’s get started ♥

— The Rules

• you can post anywhere! Tumblr, AO3, FF.net, DA, Twitter, Pillowfort, go wild! • please send us a link to the fanwork so we can add it to the masterpost • tag it with #shikasakuweek or @shikasaku-week to help us find it • the only requirement is for ShikaSaku to be the main pairing in your fanwork. It can be a fic, a fanart, a fanvid, a gifset, an edit, it’s up to you!

When: Sept 30th to Oct 7th. We would have loved for it to match with Shikamaru’s birthday like we usually do, but we want to let people know a bit in advance, so herewe are.

Please, no character bashing. We’re here to create content for our ship, not ruin other people’s day.

This time, you get two prompts, like for Hanami, with a twist! One prompt is our traditional group of obscure words and obtuse metaphors. And the second prompt is a song from which we picked two lyrics and you have to find a way to work one of them into your story (bonus point if you use the quote word for word, but it’s not mandatory, you can just be inspired by the lyrics).

You get to choose if you’d rather use our pretentious word prompts, or the song lyrics (and if you’re not inspired by the lyrics we picked, you can still use the song prompt and pick your own lyrics in it to integrate in your story! We just encourage you to challenge yourself with the limitation of the lyrics we picked).

We tried our best to pick as many different genres of songs as possible, so everyone can find something they like. So there’s pop, rap, folk/trad, indie, hard rock, glam metal, you get the idea. Have fun!

— The Prompts Light & Shadow Theme

DAY ONE streetlights at dusk Insomnia by IAMX Lyrics #1 “ Oh, my god, you're beautiful Why do you stay with this neurotic fool?” Lyrics #2  “ I don't know what is happening to me Or if I'll die, 'cause I just never sleep”

DAY TWO like a moth (to flame) Moby Dick by Jakey Lyrics #1 “I'm not the one that you wanted But damn it I think I could be what you need” Lyrics #2 “I know you better than you know yourself Well, my self said "you can go straight to hell"

DAY THREE chiaroscuro/clair-obscur The Seed by Aurora Lyrics #1: “Through dirt and shadow I grow I’m reaching light through the struggle” Lyrics #2: “Suffocate me So my tears can be rain” 

DAY FOUR eclipse (looking for the moon) Bushes and Briars by McDonnel Trio Lyrics #1: “I overheard a voice, it rang so loud and clear Long time have been waiting for the coming of my dear” Lyrics #2: “Sometimes I am weary and troubled in my mind But if I should go to love, my love he will say, "Nay." If I show to him my madness, he'll never love me again”

DAY FIVE Well then, kiss me,—since my mother left her blessing on my brow, There has been a something wanting in my nature until now” “Though my soul may set in darkness, i will rise in perfect light; i have loved the stars too truly to be fearful of the night Only The Good Die Young by Kissin’ Dynamite Lyrics #1: “I'll never sleep, how long the game will go? I have to burn bright like a star” Lyrics #2: “Only the good die young Living as a rebel, dying as a rebel”

DAY SIX (like a crystal) he diffracts the light

The Chain by Fleetwood Mac Lyrics #1: “Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise Run in the shadows, damn your love, damn your lies” Lyrics #2: “Break the silence Damn the dark, damn the light And if you don't love me now You will never love me again”

DAY SEVEN the night is ours (i want, i want) Her Sweet Kiss by Sonya Belousova & Giona Ostinelli Lyrics #1: “I'm weak my love, and I am wanting If this is the path I must trudge I'll welcome my sentence, give to you my penance Garroter, jury, and judge” Lyrics #2: “A storm raging on the horizon Of longing and heartache and lust She's always bad news, it's always lose, lose”

DAY EIGHT (bonus day) free day or remix challenge

If you’re interested in the remix challenge and didn’t participate in it last edition, here’s a quick explanation: Basically, you browse through the masterposts of the previous years and pick a story or art you like a lot. Then you write/draw an interpretation of that fanwork! Summarize in your head what the core idea of the fanwork you picked is (for exemple: Shikamaru and Sakura are captured. The story is their escape.) and use that to make your own, based on that same premise. It’s basically like making a movie remake, or writing fanfiction based on the canon of something you like (we have a feeling you know how to do that, don’t you?). So there you go, that’s the remix challenge! We hope you’ll enjoy yourselves and that you’ll rediscover works from previous years!

Once again, thank you for participating in ShikaSaku Week. I (Mako) can’t believe how far we’ve come, from this little event in 2017 where two people and a half knew about it, to the massive (for a rarepair, at least) amount of content from the last edition. Thank you so, so much for being here every year, you’re the best. Let’s celebrate ShikaSaku one more time!

[orkzrul3]

nasha's journal #1

Today is going to be good I think it's been A little under three years since I have set off on my own Venturing from settlement to settlement. As of currently I'm staying in the step right inn Located in the Port City of Briar Glen. I was feeling a little tired today as I could not sleep great the night before .So for my workout today I only did 100 push-ups 100 sit-ups and 100 squats Instead of my regular 250 Of each.

Then I went downstairs And had breakfast 12 pancakes with all the usual dressings like always. After a hearty meal I usually like to Take a walk down by the pier and look at all the passing ships. After a time I had decided to go down to the shopping district And Look at the plate Armor on display in the blacksmith It is polished to a mirror shine and I can see my orcish features in the steel. Steel so well Smithed that nary Bastard Sword or arrow and all of the land of Azrael Could Pierce its exterior

But alas 1500 gold pieces is far too Expensive. I'd wager to bet if I were the best adventurer in In the city It would take me an entire year so that kind of coin. Just as that thought crossed my mind I had realized that I was getting hungry. So I had decided to stop back in to where I was staying to eat lunch They they were serving mutton so I Ordered the largest Leg They had.

After that it was around 3 p.m. so I had Decided to Go up to my room And pray for Thor's blessing. After that it was about 3:30 And My throat was getting dry So I had decided to go downstairs and quench my thirst at The bar. It was Quite busy at the inn People were bustling about enjoying late lunches and early dinners; I walked up to the bartender a man by the name of Gregory And requested the strongest drink he had.

And for any Tips on where I could find Work he kindly directed me to the job board across the room from the bar.

Just then An Athletically built Elven woman had walked Up to the bar and I ordered a cold glass of water She then proceeded to drink it like a shot. I said I “Wow...I like your style ,my name is Nasha What is yours?” She said her name was Astra And explained that she was also a woman of the cloth Who worshiped Helm

Just then we Had both noticed a rabbit Folk Who seemed to be very hyperactively Hopping around the Inn bothering many of the patrons. Just then I approached her which Seemed to make her nervous. Although she was very interested in my Winged helm. Which I was gifted by The clergy of my temple When I had set off on my adventure. In addition to my Warhammer Which I had learned that I had a natural ability with from an early age. She was Wielding a Quarterstaff And as she was presenting it a sharp blade of ice formed at one end And I stepped back a little bit in Surprise.

All three Of us had seen a job posted by the golden Covenant which entailed going to the town of Farwater A small fishing Village Which Had been experiencing Bandit attacks for one reason or another and doing away with said Ne'er-do-wells.

Just then the guild leader of the golden Covenant Walked into The very same inn that We were staying at her name was Hollan A stunningly tall and Incredibly muscular Breathtakingly beautiful half-orc Woman Adorned in shiny golden plate armor. And Tado had the Brilliant idea Of bothering her while she was enjoying a drink at the bar. I quickly stopped this and Barely manage to get out a very shaky apology.

Hollan asked If we were interested in the job I said yes again Very shakily My voice trembling with every word. That feeling was a very strange mix of desire and intimidation Something which I had never Felt before. I decided it would be preferable to Hide myself behind Astra To save myself at least a tiny bit of embarrassment and leave with A shred of my dignity intact.

And so we Headed out And Took a wagon provided by the golden covenant about a day and a half during which time we made light conversation and got to know each other eventually made it to The town of farwater proper. As soon as we did however we were accosted by a Duo of Bandits Although Astra punched one of them out and I had scared the other one off.

When we got there The streets were completely empty the marketplace that was usually bustling with activity was Barron and cold breeze blew in and took a tumble weed with it which is weird because We are nowhere near The Crimson desert.

All three of us had decided to take different routes Astra had decided to shout And call out for a residents. Tado Had thought it wise to Go from house to house wrapping on every door. As for me I decided It might be a wise idea to Check out the town hall.

As I proceed very cautiously I saw a small face peeking out of one of the windows Just Then tado Thought it might be a good idea to Ram The door full speed with her staff Although she stopped short and the door opened to reveal a Halfling Woman by the name of Vaora Hillbough Who was the mayor of the town.

Her voice was shaky and she was reluctant to give us information she said that Bandits were Ram sacking The Village and they must have been looking for something in one of the shipments but she Did not have the foggiest idea of what. We explained we were with the golden Covenant and she opened up almost immediately she said that the bandits were holed up in a cave a little ways from town And that we should head there if we wanted to put a stop to them Vaora Said that anything we needed they'd be happy to give us. Tado asked if there was any candy the closest thing this town had was fish on a stick tado being Vegetarian of course turned It down Although Astra and I, Took two of them out of politeness.

As soon as I took a bite though I threw up a little bit in my mouth Although our elf companion seemed to be enjoying hers and asked if I was going to finish mine I handed it to her and then we set off.

Singing old folk songs about Dungeons And the dragons that could sometimes be found inside of them as we walked. Just As we had finished singing the one about how scary the Demogorgon is we made it to farwater cave. We hear faint voices from inside Astra almost announces our presence but before she can I put my hand in front of her mouth and put a stop to it. And then Tado as an actually brilliant idea And she stomps her foot faster and louder than I have seen anything of her kind do before so it was so loud in fact that it created a thunderous boom which bounced through the Narrow Chamber Of The Cave entrance and took out at least three of the bandits.

Before I enter the cave I also have a moderately smart idea The pendant around my neck begins to Glow and a thick sphere of fog emanates from it. as all three of us cautiously enter we are then confronted by An additional Trio of Marauders. Several events happen in quick succession first Tado Used her druidic magic to freeze the water in the Mist into ice freezing the criminals in place. Secondly Astra used Powerful fists to a dispatch one of them in a singular blow

Sensing what was about to happen the evil-doers tempted to free themselves from their icy prison but were unsuccessful.

Thirdly I Bashed Brains using my beautiful boisterous Wonderful Warhammer. And Finally Tado cast ice knife As these Blades of cold and frost sunk in to the Flesh of this Bandit and then exploded outwards viscera flew everywhere and flecks of blood got in Todo's Soft brown fur and as I gazed into her eyes the only thing I witnessed was Pure unfiltered Delight.

As we move through the cave we heard sounds of Someone searching for something faster and faster Their motion is getting more and more frantic and panicked as the three of us moved closer. Hold up my shield as we Very deliberately move through An area with several bedrolls. We make it down another narrow passageway to the final chamber of farwater Cave.

What We find in this room is the Bandit chief she is a man very frantic in his mannerisms and action he looks incredibly focused on finding whatever he's trying to fight and I walk out to him and say "looking for something”? Understandably he gets quite frightened by my presence From there Astra Scoops him up and puts him under her arm key is thrashing and trying to escape very desperately I say listen either way can kill you right now or if you can tell us what's going on here and we can bring you back to the golden Covenant for Hollan to deal with. So he explains he's looking for an orb Some “kind of magic” he says He explains that She is worried that they are going to get his family also she would not explain who They were exactly.

Just then Astra finds that there is a secret compartment under one of the chests. she opens it To find an orb it Floats inside of container glows blue And Sparks a bit. Just then we hear the clatter of two sets of bony fish walking toward us two skeletons with evil grimaces and glowing green eyes Paralyzed us with some kind of poison darts Slaughtered the Bandit Chief In Cold Blood and make off with the orb.

So currently I am sitting paralyzed In between a very Punchy elf and a sort of bloodthirsty rabbit And I don't know where the rest of my day is going to go from here guess I'll find out soon enough.

[spideynonny]

Desire and Decorum Drabble

Here’s a short Drabble for @princess-geek

I hope you don’t mind it’s gonna be a high school AU. (sorry I'm the best at cheesy modern day) Super rough draft level, but this was fun to write!

   “Earth to Clara,” Briar waved her hand in from of Clara’s face. 

   “What? What?” she shook her head out of her trance. 

   “Drool much?” Annabelle giggled in the desk next to her. 

   “I don’t know what you are talking about,” she denied. 

   “Oh please, you could see the heart eyes from Mars,” Briar gushed,”crushing much??” 

   The bell rung and the trio continued their conversation as they left History.

   “I already told you I am not crushing on Ernest,” she assured. “Besides I couldn’t date him, do you know what people would say?”

    “What would people say about what?”

   Clara turned around, her boyfriend Tristan Richards, threw an easy arm around her. She looked over at Ernest as he walked by her, sending her a glanced as he rounded the corner. Pulling a strand of hair behind her ear, she tried to blot out thoughts her friends had placed in her head. 

   Three weeks later a messy fight between Tristan and Clara had resulted in her cutting things off with him, much to the distress of her grandmother who thought he was the perfect match (pun intended?). 

    “Oh come on,” Briar laid out an amazing dress, “its about time you come to another party, Clara.”

    “Please,” Annabelle pouted, “it will be so much more fun with you there.”

    “Fine, but I reserve my right to leave if things get awkward.”

    “Yay!!” Briar squealed.

    The party was loud and booze filled as most of their schools bashes. She stood off to the corner, but things still got too intense and she walked out to the backyard.

    “Yo, Clara!” 

She turned around, Tristan again, red solo cup in hand. This the very interaction she was trying to avoid after all. “I don’t wanna talk to you.”

   “C’mon, C,” he ran a hand through his hair. “You’re still mad about that?”

   “I am not doing this now, can you just leave me alone,” she began to leave, he reached to grab her hand. 

   “She said leave her alone,” a figure emerged from the shadows.

   “Sinclair,” glared her ex. “We were talking so if you don’t mind,” he grabbed Clara by the arm. “Let’s go.”

   Without hesitation, Ernest swung a hard hook at Tristans jaw, knocking him to the ground. Clara’s mouth dropped open as people began to notice the event that had just occurred. 

  The boy breathed heavily, “c’mon,” he offered her his hand locking eyes with her. She took his hand and they ran out past the street, stopping on a park bench a block away.

    Clara caught her breath, “you don’t think anyone saw that right?!” she asked.

   He shrugged, “who cares?”

     “How do you do that?”

     “Do what?” He asked.

    Clara looked up at the boy, his usually carefully groomed hair flopped over his left eye. “Not care so much.”

    “I don’t know if most people would find that a charming or desirable quality.”

   She huffed, “there are so many things I haven’t done. So many things I haven’t said, so much I wish I could do?” She looked down at his lips, she could add another thing to the list of what she wished she could do. She took a short breath in. He was close, too close. But also not nearly close enough to her.

    “You know what I always tell myself?”

    “What,” she breathed.

    “I ask myself if I’ll regret not doing what I want more than what people will think.”

    Clara paused, before pulling his lips to her own, holding his face in her hands. He was surprised, but soon kissed her back. And, this boy, he knew how to kiss. She pulled back, looking at him under the glow of the streetlight near them. 

    “What was that for?”

    “I am entirely done not getting want,” she said. 

    “Am I want you want? That’s awfully forward of you.” 

   “Shut up,” she pulled him back for another kiss under the moonlight.

     hehe there you are! hope you enjoyed! 🕷

[silyabeeodess]

Disney Princess Appreciation Post: Part Three

Been a long while since I did one of these, but moving on down the line is probably the princess that gets the least attention or approval given that she barely does anything in her own film: Sleeping Beauty, otherwise known as Aurora.

You might be wondering what there even is to talk about here: She doesn’t do much besides get her musical number with the prince and, well, sleep through the bulk of the film.  However, I feel that people severely underrate her because she doesn’t get much screentime.  

First and foremost though, I want people to keep in mind that Sleeping Beauty hasn’t exactly been a “fairytale” as we know them today.  In the original tale, Sleeping Beauty was raped by the prince and only woke up as she was giving birth to a child.  But, Disney being Disney, our childhoods were spared from such plot-points.  Disney’s Sleeping Beauty gives her a much more fitting happily-ever-after, but better yet is that the film actually critiques what a lot of people try to bash it for: The idea of simply accepting one’s place in society, specifically in the case of arranged marriages.  

Let’s review where Aurora’s been during her short life prior to the main events in the story: She was taken from her life as a princess shortly after birth to be raised in the woods by Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather in order to protect her from the Maleficent and the curse she put upon her.  She thought they were her aunts, that her real name was Briar Rose, and that she was just a normal peasant girl.  (I could also bring up the point that she might’ve had little to no interaction with the outside world or other human beings, but we don’t know the full situation regarding how isolated she may have been kept in order to keep her safe, so... that’s in the air.)

The main thing about this though is that Aurora thought she had the freedom to choose who she’d fall in love with and the time to let her do just that.  However, once she finally meets someone she’s interested in having a relationship with and tries to do the responsible thing by having her “aunts” meet him, she finds out that, no, she can’t have those choices, her entire life is a lie, and everything changes for her because they’re taking her back to the castle that very night. You can see the scene below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxsGabU45Cs

Great birthday surprise Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather...

But, yeah, the girl had a lot more to comes to terms with than “you can’t be with that boy you just met.”  She was being told that she was going to be forced to marry someone she didn’t know at all. As far as Aurora was concerned, her life was over.  

Gonna give a quick kudos to the Prince Philip here by the way, because he was going through the same thing with his dad and was willing to break society’s rules in order to fall in love with Aurora despite knowing full well his situation.

Below is another scene from the film shortly after the one posted above where Aurora is snuck into the castle.  I want people to take a good, long look at her expressions.  She’s still not thrilled at all about what’s happening.  She doesn’t want to be a princess: She doesn’t want to be forced into an arranged marriage.  If she’s not crying, then her expression is one of blank, bleak acceptance.  She looks like someone heading to their execution rather than to be crowned a princess.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR5J4aBCTYU

Then comes the part where she really breaks down: At Flora’s mention of the crown being her “right and royal duty.”  To Aurora, the crown is not a jewel to be gladly accepted, but it acts as her shackles.  She is bound by this “royal duty” to a life she doesn’t want.  

Fortunately for Aurora, her groom-to-be ended up being the guy she liked.  Thanks to Disney magic, she got lucky. But had that not been the case, it would’ve showcased a lot more of how tragic a character she really is.  

For her personally, she shouldn’t have had any reason to accept her duty, but there was also a lot for her to consider.  She’s the missing princess and the king and queen’s only child: The kingdom was counting on her as the next figure in the royal bloodline.  Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather supported her all through her life as her guardians: She loves and respects them and they want her to go through with this, so she might’ve felt that she owed it to them to do so.  Then there’s the matter of her real parents: There’s too much left unresolved with them for her to deal with now that she knew who they were, and how could she abandon them if they really did love her and want her in their lives?  

So what makes her so special and worthy of notice for young girls?  It’s because Aurora is a strong character, almost to the point of martyrdom.  She’s not at all happy about it, but she accepts this duty that is forced onto her.  Nothing was stopping her from making a beeline out of the cottage before the fairies could notice, but she didn’t.  She has a strong sense of responsibility and acts out of selflessness, even to the point of it becoming a cost to her own happiness.  And while everyone should try to find a balance of sorts for that in their lives, there isn’t anything quite as admirable a trait to have as that.  

We’re happy you got your happily-ever-after, Aurora: You deserved it.

[japanpowered]

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“If I were asked to explain the Japanese spirit, I would say it is wild cherry blossoms glowing in the morning sun!” — Motoori Norinaga (1730-1801)

Japan’s flower language isn’t as well develop as the West’s. Japan’s stories and theatre focused on humanizing plants as opposed to using them to convey emotions and messages. Victorian Europe took the language of flowers to an extreme, but Japan had its own set of symbols. Because anime has developed into an international medium, I’ll examine both Japan’s flower symbology and the West’s flower language. You will see both styles mixed in anime. 

Japan’s Language of Flowers

A chrysanthemum seller in Japan, ca. 1890, photographer unknown, via Photographic Heritage

During the Heian period, the symbolism of flowers took off, appearing in noh, poetry, and the world’s first novel. However, Japanese language allows for an identification between human emotions and nature that English doesn’t really allow (Poulton, 1997). In Japanese culture, natural phenomena has a spiritual life and power of its own. Noh showcases this in its more than a dozen plays that feature a flower or tree revealing itself as an incarnation of a god or Buddha. Various folk stories feature trees and flower spirits that can marry humans and bear children. The Willow Wife is one of my favorites. This aspect of Japanese culture remains unique. We don’t find many European stories that allow plants to be Christian saints or to marry humans.

Hanami, or flower viewing, was popular during the Heian period. The cherry blossom became a favorite, representing the fleeting moments of life. But each season had its own flower. And not everyone loved the sakura. The poet Saigyo found his hermitage invaded by visitors wanting to see a nearby tree’s blossoms (Poulton, 1997). He doesn’t refuse them when they visit, but he grumbles about it in a poem:

The cherries’ only fault: the crowds that gather when they bloom

Despite its popularity, the cherry blossom wasn’t the most important flower. Chrysanthemums became the symbol of the imperial house soon after they arrived from China. The flower became the imperial crest and the throne of the emperor was even named after it: the Chrysanthemum Throne (Lombardi, 2014). The flower meant the opposite of the cherry blossom: it represented longevity and power as opposed to transient beauty and gentleness.

While most flowers associated with Japanese women, the chrysanthemum directly associated with men. In the story of The Chrysanthemum Spirit, a young woman falls in love with a handsome courtier. She eventually finds out he is an autumn flower–the chrysanthemum–that took the shape of a human. The story “uses visual and poetic imagery traditionally associated with women to reframe reproductive potency in male terms (McCormick, 2013).”

Murasaki and Floral Characters

While shapeshifting flowers remained popular in noh and traditional stories, Murasaki took the idea and converted it into indirect story telling in her Tale of Genji. The novel tells its story indirectly through what is left unsaid and it’s imagery. It’s a difficult read because of it’s layers. Murasaki used various flowers to represent character personalities, future events, themes, and more. She relied on the reader to put everything together.

Murasaki weaved the names of flowers into chapter titles to suggest the events that will happen and the characters associated with each chapter. Flower included: evening glory, saffron flower, hollyhock, orange blossoms, lavender, morning glory, plum, cherry blossoms, carnations, and many others. She gives many of the women in Genji’s life the names of flowers. They act as shorthand for the character of each woman and stand in for her.

In one scene, Genji and a woman named Yugao were having an affair. Yugao was a common flower at the time. It blooms only at night and dies soon after. During their trist, Murasaki makes repeated references to a blooming yugao, foreshadowing Yugao’s early death just a few scenes later (Kido, 1988). Murasaki makes other flower references to foreshadow Genji’s other affairs and the fates of each woman. Even Genji’s fall from grace can be seen in these flower symbols. Centuries later, Charlotte Bronte would adopt the same technique for her work.

The Victorian Language of Flowers

A flower is not a flower alone; a thousand thoughts invest it.

During the Victorian period, women often became amateur botanists. They began developing a complete language using flowers, but early dictionaries often contradicted each other (Engelhardt, 2013). Many of the definitions extend deep into history, such as the idea olive branches symbolize peace, roses symbolize love, and so on. Although the Victorian period saw codified symbols and expansion of the language, most of the floral code date to medieval and Renaissance literature (Rothenberg, 2006; Engelhardt, 2013).  But Charlotte Bronte and George Eliot used the symbols to construct a language fairly similar to Murasaki. Jane Eyre used flowers as sexual codes and to describe characters in shorthand as Murasaki did. For example, during a scene when Jane and Rochester take a walk, flowers appear throughout the description.  Engelhardt (2013) drops the emotional associations and meanings of the plants during the walk:

…edged with box [stoicism]; with apple trees [temptation], pear trees [comfort], and cherry trees [deception] on the one side, and a border on the other, full of all sorts of old-fashioned flowers, stocks [lasting beauty], sweet Williams [sensitivity], primroses [first youth; if evening, inconstancy], pansies [thoughts], mingled with southernwood [jest/bantering], sweet-briar [I wound to heal], and various fragrant herbs. (249)

According to Engelhard (2013), Bronte seems to use the flowers to reveal the feelings of the lovers and of Rochester’s mysterious behavior in the scene. He is tempted (apple trees) to open his heart after years of being a stoic, but he realizes this would require deception (cherry trees) and ruining Jane’s beauty (stocks) because of her inexperience with love (primrose) and her sensitivity (sweet Williams). So Rochester jokes with her (southernwood) and hopes he will heal the pain of his marriage to Bertha (sweet-briar).

Most of the time, people used flowers to express embarrassing feelings, on par with what Bronte outlines with Rochester. In these floral dialogues, a lady or gentleman would ask a question or express an emotion by showing a flower. The other would then respond with their own flower. Flowers can be combined to form entire sentences, and the color of the flower can shift the meaning. So to carry Bronte’s illustration:

pink rose + cherry blossom + pink rose = desire to be educated in passion.

Pink roses have three meanings: desire, passion, and joy of life. Cherry blossoms equate with education. So the combination can also mean passion to be educated in desire, which still has the same general meaning.

Flowers and Their Meanings

Because the meanings of flowers were in dispute throughout the Victorian period, you may encounter some dictionaries that contradict what I list there.  As with any language, time and use can change the meanings of words.

Apple blossom “Temptation”

Cherry blossoms “education, fleeting beauty”

Cornflower “delicacy”

Deep red rose “bashful shame”

Daisy “innocence, purity”

Hollyhock “fertility, ambition”

Yugao “fleeting”

Hyacinth “game”

Periwinkle “happy memories”

Sweet William “sensitivity”

Chrysanthemum “longevity, imperial power”

Paulownia “birth, girl, dowry”

  References

Endresak, David, “Girl Power: Feminine Motifs in Japanese Popular Culture” (2006). Senior Honors Teses. 322. htp://commons.emich.edu/honors/322

Hoffman, Michael (2012) Sakura: Soul of Japan. Japan Times. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2012/03/25/general/sakura-soul-of-japan/.

Kido, Elissa (1988) Names, Naming, and Nature in the Tale of Genji. Literary Onomastics Studies. 15. Article 4.

Lombardi, Linda (2014) Chrysanthemums are more than just a symbol of autumn. Japan Times. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/10/27/national/chrysanthemums-just-symbol-autumn/

McCormick, Melissa. (2013) “Flower Personification and Imperial Regeneration in The Chrysanthemum Spirit.” In Amerika ni wattata monogatari-e. Tokyo: Perikansha.

Poulton, Mark. (1997) The Language of Flowers in the No Theatre. Japan Reveiw. 8. 39-55

Rothenberg, David (2006) The Marian Symbolism of Spring ca. 1200-ca.1500: Two Case Studies. Journal of Musicology Society. 59 (2) 319-398.

Japan and the Language of Flowers “If I were asked to explain the Japanese spirit, I would say it is wild cherry blossoms glowing in the morning sun!”

[misguidedsims]

“sink” chatter & replies

hey, hey. 

so i’m not sure if i’m too tired to attempt loading the queue for tomorrow. i think i probably am -- it was crazy hot today and it zapped all my strength. in any case, there’s some lazy-man’s replies under the cut. 

(here have this outtake of briar and desi that never happened bc i’m the worst person ever and briar’s dead) 

i wanted to say a couple of things about sink first though. i meant to when i started gen 3, and i’ll probably go back and edit the “cover” image post to include some general info/trigger warnings at some point. but my organizational skills are horrible lately, so... here goes.

while this is a continuation of the pope legacy, i obviously am doing things a bit differently than i was before. this is mainly because it got too character heavy for me to keep up, so i needed to limit the perspective/pov when i was posting things. this will allow me to condense how i tell the story (so the gen doesn’t go on for years like gen 2), without dropping all the characters. i also am trying to improve my pacing, so that things are happening more. i feel like that’s my biggest weakness in writing. so hopefully i get better at that! 

now some important things to note about sink in terms of things changing... 

as everyone knows, tumblr has implemented it’s own censuring tools. a lot of sims 4 posts get marked (and obvs everything rn) as nsfw even when it isn’t. my blog is no different. i do go through a request review, but the process is slow. so if you’re under 18, just know that i do my best to keep up with that but i’m sorry. 

that being said -- a lot more of my posts are actually going to be nsfw this gen. 

because my teens will be tackling some heavy topics. i’m just going to tell you there will be some serious trigger warnings 

[[ HEY -- SPOILERS LAY AHEAD ]] including eating disorders, teen sex, teens talking about sex, so many sex references listen... i think sex is all these guys plan to talk about i’m srs, teen pregnancy, suicidal tendencies, mood disorders, violence, sexual preference bashing, bullying, drugs, alcohol, terrible parental units, possibly child abuse... those are the things that i know about. [[OKAY SPOILERS ARE BEHIND ]]

i will use trigger warnings and nsfw tags. i will also try to make a warning post the week or day (depending on how i load my queue) beforehand. 

but if any of this scares you... well... the best i can tell you is we’re not in kansas anymore. so if you don’t like oz, hey no hard feelings... i can’t keep doing the popes the way i was doing it before, it was making me yawn a little. i love you guys as my followers, but also i gotta like loading this queue or it’ll keep going dead so ^_^ 

hopefully, you enjoy what’s coming. i’m excited for it. thank you guys for reading, liking, following, commenting... all that! 

replies under the cut.

darkhunters13 replied to your photoset

I was hoping Desi would inherit the blonde hair but she is still so beautiful 

sweetchocolateysims

replied to your photoset

“when no one answers, chlesea pauses flipping pancakes to glance over...”

Did Desi make it??

yes! she looks like some kind of tiny super-model, idk what to do with myself honestly. she’s crazy adorable! 

sweetcocoberry replied to your photoset

LISTEN HERE! How could you... how could you bring these tears out of my body. These tears should never be outside this body.

nvaleee replied to your photoset

Why are you breaking my heart????

darkhunters13 replied to your photoset

I'm not crying, it's just raining. Inside my house

malyenoretsev replied to your photoset

HOW DARE YOU

darkhunters13 replied to your photoset

I'm crying

malyenoretsev replied to your photoset

How dare you though

pretty much all of sink is brand new eyes (plus every other sad paramore song ever) so... you know... prepare to die. i mean... it is called “sink” so... i kind of warned you??? 

sweetchocolateysims replied to your photoset

Getting a very OG Liam and Chelsea vibe and I'm loving it! Most definitely looking forward to see what happens to the two.

yes, this is very much so the case. when i planned grace, i knew she was a lot like chelsea. evan’s not a lot like liam though (well he is but... well you’ll see liam now and the liam you knew are so not the same, so). anyway! i’d buckle up, it’s gonna be a long ride lol

darkhunters13

replied to your photoset

“yeah? what kinds of things are important to you?” evan asked. he had...”

Dump him

about ashley & evan ... yeah. they get better, i think. but they get worse too. so, you know, you’re right. but ashley lacks the self-esteem and self-respect to heed that advice, so. yeah... she’s not gonna. unfortunately for all of you. and all these teens too, bc i think they’re all over ashlevan already. 

sweetchocolateysims

replied to your photoset

“dylan: “if you try to make my new life difficult, i will destroy you....”

Huh, well that kinda answers my question. But I'll ask anyway. Would Dylan ever kill the kids? Even his "daughter"?

you asked this forever ago, but hey! hi! i think dylan would do anything to protect himself (so yes, if he had to) and unless he has some serious character development that’s not likely to change. but, also, i love character development. so maybe it will get better. but also, allison -- sadly bc she’s gorgeous and her storyline is awesome -- does not  have a huge role in my outline rn for “sink” so... probably we won’t find out.

simpyre replied to your photoset

no, seriously. wtf. bringing Akira back to their place? you WANTED to get caught, didn't you?

ugh. i had an entire side story for akira and like his criminal adventures but i just don’t think i have the time. to my eternal disappointment. also, there was a whole scene i cut out (i cut out a whole lot of ronan and reese scenes in gen 2 bc there was too much else to tell, sadly) of ronan’s where akira shows up there to say goodbye to him bc he’s leaving town. and that’s why he was at the apt. but also, yes, ronan wanted to blow up his relationship. that is also true.

i’m sure there were many things i didn’t reply to. but this was mostly bc by this point i think events have replied for me. i’m always saying i’ll get better about replies, so i just won’t even lie to myself! i’ll try! do know i always read your replies though and love them. so much.

[thornstocutyouwith]

                   You Are Fucked                                                                    Summary                                

               Bloodbath

Xian's trap kills Secret.

Blair bleeds out due to untreated injuries.

Malakai convinces Hermes to not kill him, only to kill him instead.

Eclipse kills Micah while he is resting.

Day 1

Simon ambushes Briar and kills him.

Abunai bashes Travis's head in with a mace.

Night 1

No deaths occurred.

Day 2

Jax dies trying to escape the arena.

Night 2

Asher kills Malakai with his own weapon.

Day 3

Eclipse sets an explosive off, killing Pan.

Night 3

Belphegor dies from an infection.

Arawn dies from an infection.

Day 4

Asher sets an explosive off, killing Simon.

Night 4

No deaths occurred.

Day 5

Timber stabs Xian while his back is turned.

Abunai dies trying to escape the arena.

Night 5

Xander dies from an infection.

Moros kills Asher Cooke with his own weapon.

Day 6

Asher dies of thirst.

Night 6

No deaths occurred.

Day 7

Zion, Ezra, and Timber turn on Alexei, killing him.

Eclipse dies from hypothermia.

Arena Event

The arena's border begins to rapidly contract.

Ashton trips on a tree root and is unable to recover fast enough.

Night 7

No deaths occurred.

Day 8

Timber dies of thirst.

Night 8

No deaths occurred.

Day 9

Moros dies of dysentery.

Night 9

Zion stabs Ezra in the back with a trident.

The winner is Zion from District 4!

[thornstocutyouwith]

                   You Are Fucked                                                                    The Bloodbath                                

Briar gathers as much food as he can.

Xian's trap kills Secret.

Alexei, Asher Cooke, and Ezra work together to get as many supplies as possible.

Pan finds a bag full of explosives.

Belphegor takes a handful of throwing knives.

Xander gathers as much food as he can.

Ashton breaks Timber's nose for a basket of bread.

Blair bleeds out due to untreated injuries.

Travis searches on top of the cornucopia.

Simon clutches a first aid kit and runs away.

Abunai, Asher, and Moros work together to get as many supplies as possible.

Zion breaks Arawn's nose for a basket of bread.

Malakai convinces Hermes to not kill him, only to kill him instead.

Jax finds a backpack full of camping equipment.

Eclipse kills Micah while he is resting.

                   Day 1                                

Simon ambushes Briar and kills him.

Pan constructs a shack.

Moros steals from Malakai while he isn't looking.

Timber defeats Alexei in a fight, but spares his life.

Xian overhears Arawn and Jax talking in the distance.

Belphegor tries to sleep through the entire day.

Abunai bashes Travis's head in with a mace.

Eclipse, Asher, and Ezra search the arena together for other tributes.

Zion and Asher Cooke work together for the day.

Ashton chases Xander.

Asher falls ill from contaminated water. Jax looks at the night sky. Zion cries herself to sleep. Asher Cooke looks at the night sky. Xian, Xander, and Alexei sleep in shifts. Malakai climbs a tree to rest. Moros looks at the night sky. Ashton fends Abunai, Arawn, and Eclipse away from his fire. Simon looks at the night sky. Ezra looks at the night sky. Timber and Pan run into each other and decide to truce for the night. Belphegor screams for help.

                   Day 2                                

Timber receives a hatchet from an unknown sponsor.

Jax dies trying to escape the arena.

Xian searches for a water source.

Zion searches for a water source.

Xander receives medical supplies from an unknown sponsor.

Moros and Simon work together for the day.

Belphegor is pricked by several thorns while picking berries.

Pan daydreams of home.

Malakai explores the arena.

Eclipse receives fresh food from an unknown sponsor.

Alexei receives clean water from an unknown sponsor.

Arawn, Asher Cooke, and Ashton search the arena together for other tributes.

Abunai receives a hatchet from an unknown sponsor.

Asher steals from Ezra while he isn't looking.

                   Night 2                                

Arawn loses sight of where he is.

Ashton and Timber sleep in shifts.

Asher kills Malakai with his own weapon.

Xian destroys Alexei's supplies while he is asleep.

Belphegor, Xander, Moros, and Simon tell each other ghost stories to lighten the mood.

Zion, Ezra, and Abunai discuss the games and what might happen in the morning.

Asher Cooke screams for help.

Eclipse screams for help.

Pan is awoken by nightmares.

                   Day 3                                

Eclipse sets an explosive off, killing Pan.

Timber constructs a shack.

Arawn, Xian, and Asher Cooke search the arena together for other tributes.

Alexei is pricked by several thorns while picking berries.

Xander steals from Abunai while she isn't looking.

Belphegor receives medical supplies from an unknown sponsor.

Zion discovers a cave.

Asher runs away from Ashton.

Ezra runs away from Simon.

Moros fishes.

                   Night 3                                

Eclipse, Xander, Abunai, and Zion tell each other ghost stories to lighten the mood.

Alexei loses sight of where he is.

Xian and Timber sleep in shifts.

Asher Cooke tries to treat his infection.

Simon and Asher sleep in shifts.

Belphegor dies from an infection.

Ashton and Moros huddle for warmth.

Arawn dies from an infection.

Ezra tries to treat his infection.

                   Day 4                                

Zion is pricked by several thorns while picking berries.

Timber explores the arena.

Ezra practices his archery.

Ashton makes a wooden spear.

Asher sets an explosive off, killing Simon.

Xian tries to sleep through the entire day.

Alexei begs for Abunai to kill him. She refuses, keeping Alexei alive.

Asher Cooke receives clean water from an unknown sponsor.

Moros remains in his hiding spot.

Eclipse stalks Xander.

                   Night 4                                

Moros screams for help.

Asher is awoken by nightmares.

Xian stays awake all night.

Ezra screams for help.

Eclipse is awoken by nightmares.

Abunai is awoken by nightmares.

Timber climbs a tree to rest.

Zion and Ashton sleep in shifts.

Asher Cooke sees a fire, but stays hidden.

Xander tends to his wounds.

Alexei sees a fire, but stays hidden.

                   Day 5                                

Asher stalks Xander.

Timber stabs Xian while his back is turned.

Zion fishes.

Moros chases Ezra.

Alexei camouflauges himself in the bushes.

Asher Cooke overhears Ashton and Eclipse talking in the distance.

Abunai dies trying to escape the arena.

                   Night 5                                

Eclipse, Ezra, Ashton, Zion, and Alexei crowd around their fire.

Asher tries to find other tributes, but is unsuccessful.

Timber thinks about winning.

Xander dies from an infection.

Moros kills Asher Cooke with his own weapon.

                   Day 6                                

ts

Ezra attacks Moros, but he manages to escape.

Eclipse practices his archery.

Zion and Ashton work together for the day.

Asher dies of thirst.

Timber diverts Alexei's attention and runs away.

                   Night 6                                

Moros, Eclipse, Ezra, Timber, and Ashton crowd around their fire.

Alexei sets up camp for the night.

Zion tries to treat her infection.

                   Day 7                                

Ashton chases Moros.

Zion, Ezra, and Timber turn on Alexei, killing him.

Eclipse dies from hypothermia.

                   Arena Event                                

               The arena's border begins to rapidly contract.

Zion survives.

Ezra survives.

Timber survives.

Ashton trips on a tree root and is unable to recover fast enough.

Moros survives.

                   Night 7                                

Zion sets up camp for the night.

Moros and Ezra run into each other and decide to truce for the night.

Timber climbs a tree to rest.

                   Day 8                                

Moros chases Ezra.

Zion injures herself.

Timber dies of thirst.

                   Night 8                                

Moros looks at the night sky.

Ezra sees a fire, but stays hidden.

Zion sees a fire, but stays hidden.

                   Day 9                                

Ezra receives a hatchet from an unknown sponsor.

Zion receives medical supplies from an unknown sponsor.

Moros dies of dysentery.

                   Night 9                                

Zion stabs Ezra in the back with a trident.

The Winner

The winner is

Zion

from District 4!