#family + wayfinding

[shallowseeker]

Pre-13x06 Tombstone moments were among Jack's best

Jack’s Heaven was the car ride to Dodge City

(Image from Naomi Aria)

Some fun observations about the scene:

They stopped for food at an adorable dog-theme diner called "Skipper's Beach Cafe"

Which....BEACH. The ghost of happiness -> toes-in-the-sand beach!

Anyway, it's adorable that they're lost, but it's also a little sad that the very act of getting lost is what led them...to the symbolic beach.

But wait! On the other hand, the specter of this beach COULD BE a false beach promise, symbolizing that whole "checking out and running away" temptation

When viewed as such, it makes SAM's proximity to Skipper's Beach Diner / Miracle / False Salvation a little disturbing, especially when viewed with the 15x20 finale in mind; it could be a figment

It could be read either way, that SAM's the only one who finds salvation by becoming lost and not adhering to a plan; OR (since Sam's app sucks) it's a danger sign, that Sam's off-road "checking out" is being led to a false dream. Apps tend to give instructions and steps, but maps must be interpreted in a spatial context

This would imply that Dean/Cas + Jack are actually the ones finding their footing here (at this moment in time in the story, anyways)

But back to cute things: Sam's phone app sucks ass & he's not happy about it

Sam is even whining about it, which makes me think that his whining in 12x12 Stuck in the Middle (With You) is totally a legit thing that Sam does often, because Jack has no reason to exaggerate here (God bless my annoying, tall man-child)

In this memory, Cas gets associated with maps, as he pulls an old-school map from the glove compartment and hands it over to Dean

(Cas is often associated to maps; he is the navigator-commander to Dean's captain-of-the-course to Sam's field marshal)

Cas is that holy North Star, the symbolic "North is up"

He's the thing that the boys put their faith in; a family protector; "angelic defender"; the thing that grounds Dean in particular

We see this dynamic again later, in 13x21 Beat the Devil. That is, Dean & Cas, as a UNIT, get the bearings for the group:

DEAN (snapping into business mode): Yeah. Thought we’d get spit out in the same spot, but this isn’t it. All right, well Charlie -- the other Charlie -- said that Mary and Jack have an outpost in Dayton. SAM: Okay. Let’s get our bearings and head that way. Cas, where are we? CAS (closing his eyes and concentrating): Uh, Kentucky. Northeast Kentucky. Or what used to be Kentucky. DEAN (looking at the sky then pointing): Which means that’s north. Okay, so Dayton’s that way. Roughly. Two days by foot but...that way. SAM: All right. [The group begins to move towards where Dean pointed.]

In AU earth, in later episodes, Cas even draws a map for them to reference as they go; Cas is keeping them grounded

Overall, Cas helps Dean get his bearings, and together, they help the group get their bearings (especially when Sam's way isn't working--in 13x06’s case, the app).

So, in 13x06, after Cas hands Dean the map, Dean is calm, maybe even grounded for the first time since Cas died.

Immediately, Dean begins teaching Jack to "read a map," perhaps taking on the role as PARENT TO JACK for the very first time (Jack and Dean have known each other ~20-25 days at this point). Dean is passing down the legacy of wayfinding.

Side note: Jack is shown gobbling down a burger, the thing that CAS loves in 5x14 My Bloody Valentine, and the thing that Dean makes, even as late as 15x14 Last Holiday (specifically with the goal of getting Jack out of his room):

SAM: What’s with the apron? DEAN: Burgers! But the pilot light keeps going out. It’s like the third time this week. Between that and the hot water, I thought this place was supposed to be state-of-the-art. SAM: It was, in the 50’s. DEAN: Hhm. Ah, Jack come out of his room yet?

Here in the 13x06 scene, when Jack crams the burger in, Dean nags him.

It's a contrasting callback to their first real "meeting" in 13x02 ("You can slow down, you know. That stuff’s not gonna disappear.")

The warning against eating too much, too fast, is a nod to parental nagging, sure, and that's cute.

But it's also tacitly associating Jack to overconsumption, which a key motif to both his Nephil-status and status as a rival, Usurper-God (not to mention, his zombie obsession):

[in Jack’s Heaven, working the case from 13x06 Tombstone, Jack gobbles a burger while the rest of TFW stand by Baby researching their route to Dodge City with their food laid out on the car’s hood. Sam is in the background on his phone] DEAN: Jack, take it easy. You don't have to cram it all in at once, right? SAM: Still no signal. DEAN: Yeah, 'cause I told you, that app blows. CAS [emerging from the car with a map]: I found this in the glove compartment. DEAN: Ah! Old school! A real map. Let's find our way to Dodge City. C'mere, Jack. I'm gonna teach you how to read a map. So, rule number one-- rule number one-- rule number one-- JACK: Dean? DEAN: North is usually up. [the sun appears to flicker on and off, and Jack looks up at the sky] JACK: Something's wrong. [Jack leaves his personal heaven and wanders out into the stark white hallway of Heaven, where the lights are also flickering. A tidal wave of black goo fills the hallway and chases after him as he runs away.]

He's recalling Dean specifically here, in order to get his bearings. He's using the wayfinding skills symbolically gifted to him by Dean & Cas.

It gives more weight to Dean & Cas in the prior scene, because this skill allows Jack to see the truth (about Heaven, about The Empty).

[holleighgram]

[ruuari]

vanitas's wayfinder

[the-au-collector]

There is something so intrinsically interesting to me about Eraqus’ relationship with his students. The fact that he raised them, trained them, cared about them, and then he hurt them all the while thinking what he was doing was what’s right.

What’s even more interesting is, how, if he would have lived, the Wayfinders would have taken it. Would they have forgiven him, or refused forgiveness? Would they let him back in, or be hesitant? How would their relationship change?

There’s something very interesting in Eraqus being able to change and the Wayfinders being able to get the closure they want/need and being able to move on to a brighter future for all of them, where Eraqus is more open-minded, and is the adult the others (*cough* Sora, Kairi, Riku, and the Sea Salt Family *cough*) so very much need.

But, there’s also something so interesting in them never being able to get that happy ending. They have to move on, and they will, through blood, sweat, and tears they will. But they have so many questions they can never get the answers to.

What’s also so interesting is Eraqus coming back to a world that’s so different. How would Eraqus react to a new world? To Riku, who reminds him oh so much of Xehanort yet proved every inch of Eraqus’ deep-rooted beliefs wrong? To Sora, who in every way reminds him of himself when he was young? To Roxas and Xion and Namine, three kids who were never meant to exist and who were used the same way Ventus was? To Lea, who goes far beyond lengths of reason to get what he wants and protect who he loves (and who reminds Eraqus so much of himself, dear Kingdom Hearts Eraqus also will go to extreme lengths to protect who he loves, and it led him astray).

GAH I just love this messed up family.

[ok4ru]

Yeah, this is them

[ashes-onthewind]

I'm finally letting his in game model out of the basement..... say hello to my oldest gw2 character and Commander, Adrian Demonrider! I made him when I was... God, twelve? Thirteen? and he's been in my mind ever since. My little bean... Been through so much with me. Traumatised and transed (he was always the male model but i decided he was trans) along with me.

[monorays]

birth by sleep got me messed up Big time

[keeperthemultiversemom]

While I'm a lil' too busy to finish asks, have some doodles I made a week ago !

Archivist : @ask-archivist-frank

Wayfinder belongs to @bloomenvogel

Courier : @ask-courier-eddie

Observer : @ask-observer-wally

Scripter : @apileofscripts

[vibrantshoyo]

Land of Departure residents

Just a lil part of an AU where Vanitas redemption is a thing that happens in kh3.

Some design notes:

The wayfinder trio is mostly the same but I wanted to change the little bits of armor they have to match their full set.

Vani, on the other hand, I tried to take a lot of inspo from Ven and from his original suit. Chose to make his shirt be the same type as the others, but white to make it more obvious he's a later addition to the group.

Also, Aqua with brown eyes solely for aesthetic reasons. But, I did give her Master's Defender bc it just looks so nice in her hands.

Vani has Missing Ache to link him and Ven together with who they were before. Freckles and wavy hair for Ven and Vani bc I refuse to make half the cast with the same exact face. Basically: Vanitas is a Ven Base + Sora flavoring.

[goldensunset]

if you ask me what my relationship dynamic headcanons for the bbs main characters are i could not give you a straight answer. it’s like yeah terra is eraqus’s son for certain. aqua is also eraqus’s daughter but only half of the time. terra and aqua are not siblings though. terra and ven are siblings but only sometimes. ven is eraqus’s son but also his grandson. terra and aqua are definitely not ven’s parents though except for when it’s funny for the situation. aqua isn’t related to any of them but also she is spiritually the eldest daughter with all the pressure that comes with. none of them are related to each other they’re exactly what it says on paper: classmates and friends. terra and aqua are dating but only when it would be cool for the situation. the three of them have a super tight bond but it’s also always been shaky and filled with a competitive spirit having been raised in that particular sheltered environment so maybe they’re kind of just all each other has. but also they would choose each other anyway. aqua is for sure ven’s older sister though

[24blogs]

[kitsunico]

[⭐️] Kingdom Hearts Charm Leftovers up! SHOP LINK

[sugary-daydreams3]

Key Brothers - Family Cook

Link to full series

Story Summary: Every town has that fun but dysfunctional family folks can't help but keep track of. Well, the Key family is Destiny Island's. Four brothers. Contrasting personalities but all cut from the same cloth. They argue, they tease, they joke, but when the going gets tough they're willing to take a blade to the heart for their own. Follow the daily shenanigans of four colorful boys and their mother of blue. [Vanitas, Roxas, Ventus, and Sora are all siblings]

Chapter Summary: Roxas makes breakfast while the family rises and shines.

Genre: Slice of Life, Drama, A.U.

Word Count: 1.3k

A/N: A remake of a fanfiction I wrote a while back on FanFic.Net. Writing this story brought me a joy I didn't realize until after I abandoned it so here I am to revamp it. Expect (mostly) wholesome slice-of-life family-centric shenanigans between four boys and their (very pretty) blueberry mom. We're starting off strong with our favorite s8kter boi, Roxas! Being the family "cook" regardless if it's for breakfast or dinner can get pretty exhausting. Stay safe out there and enjoy!

Flips of the bacon hisses within the iron skillet. The thick smoky beefy aroma becomes Roxas's morning oxygen. Ghosts of bacon strips satisfies his appetite, the smell tricking his stomach that he was ready to take on the day. Roxas steps back and leans against the corner, the sizzling mingling with his thoughts.   

Vanitas, the eldest and most obnoxious, slings his loyal gold necklace over the black bush stuck on his head. Strutting over, he steals two pieces straight from the pan then pinches a portion of scrambled eggs off his plate. His mouth motions slowly, the egg and bacon combo overwhelming his taste buds. Roxas shoots him a look that not just could kill, but eliminates. He throws a jab on Vanitas bicep. 

“You can’t wait one fucking minute?” Roxas scolds. 

“You look like a housewife.” Vanitas grabs his keys and heads for the door. 

“Did you at least wake mama up so she won’t sleep in?” 

Vanitas opens the front door, “Don’t have time for that.” 

“Really?”  

“Yeah, really.” He muffles through his chewed-up food. The door sweeps close, Vanitas leaving with the conversation.  

Roxas fixes the plates, a groan or a sigh leaves him, he’s too annoyed to decipher it. Once the table is set, he moves on to fixing his saving grace, lunch. The tediousness of it all sucks, but the mediocrity of school food gives enough determination to prep his own meal.  

Turkey melted down by mozzarella cheese, all smooshed by white breads. Don’t tell his mama, she’ll just complain about buying the loaf of wheat bread for nothing. Four small chocolate chips cookies his mom baked last night, a sweet tooth impulse. Ten-dollar apple juice to wash it all down. It’s a shame that this apple Juice cost so much, he blames Ventus for influencing him to replace the watery cheap kind. 

Ven. The other 50 to his 50. The orange glow from a candle that brings comfort to his empty, dark blank. His... He could give you an essay but his twin was eating at the table, giving him conscious concern.  

Ven opened with, “You alright?”  

“Yeah, just lost in thought.” Roxas lingo for “I’m Fine.”. 

“When are you not.” Ven joked. Roxas shoots him a look. Ven doesn’t know how Roxas conveys it but it was a mix of nonchalance and annoyance.  

“Taking the bus?” Roxas set all of his lunch in a paper brown bag with a marked “R”. He sets it on the kitchen corner hidden beside the microwave. Ven shakes his head as he savors the syrup-soaked waffles. “Someone from class is taking me.” 

Roxas rolled his eyes, “We just started school two weeks ago and you already have new friends.”  

Ven chuckles, “Sorry for wanting a social circle to help me survive tenth grade.” 

“Whatever.” Roxas brushed off with a slice of envy. “You know, you could make more friends besides Xion and that redhead college friend. What’s his name? Allen? Alex?” Ven trailed. 

“Axel. The redhead’s name is Axel.” Roxas corrected. 

“Yeah, him. You only have one friend that’s our age. How did you even become friends with a college dude?” 

“A long story I don’t feel like getting into. I only need two close friends to keep me going. I have other friends that’s close in age anyway.” 

“Ah yeah that’s right. Skaters that disregard people’s property and smoke trees on a Wednesday.” 

“Stereotype much. Skaters are chill, cool people who inspire me more than anything. They... forget it, you wouldn’t get it.” Roxas shakes his head as he shields himself from Ven. 

“Rox, I’m just suggesting that you make some friends in our grade. I see you on the days Xion isn’t at school. It’s hard to watch.” 

“People say that after graduation you lose touch with people you go to school with. What’s the point of having friendships that’ll last three years max?” Roxas challenged. 

“So you can have fun memories to look back on.”  

Roxas was ready to bite back but nothing of substance followed.  

HONK!  

A car horn cleared the tension left from the back and forth, snapping Ven out of his concern and out of Roxas’s cynicism. Ven stuffed the last bit of eggs in his mouth then goes for his green backpack. 

“Just try, okay?” Ven muffled through the eggs, but the warmth was still there. 

Roxas doesn’t respond, idly watching his best friend brother walk out the door. He fixed his own plate then sat down to scarf down his hard work. Ever since he become (somewhat) good at skateboarding, he didn’t need the crowded, dingy school bus anymore.  

Sora bolts downstairs, hair more messy than usual (if that was even possible), mechanical pencils falling to the floor, shirt wrinkled. His homework floats out of the open zipper, alerting him to snatch the papers and shove them back in his cluttered bag. Typical shenanigans from the baby. He throws Roxas a look and waves his way. 

“Hey Rox! Bye Rox!” Sora shouts as he ran past the kitchen. Roxas points at his food. “At least eat your food first. Why are you--” 

“Okay!” Sora bounces from the living room to the kitchen island to the door within a few seconds, taking the plate of food with him. “Can’t chat or I’m gonna miss the bus!” 

Roxas pinches the bridge of his nose, being a witness of Sora’s tornado left him with a headache. 

“That dude is gonna be the death of me one of these days.” Roxas checks the clock and sees that homeroom starts in half an hour. He walks over to the stairway and lifts his hand beside his mouth to project. 

“Mama, your food is in the microwave! I’ll see you!” 

“Okay, be safe.” His mother had this magical ability to make her voice heard without shouting. Gentleness guarded by a firm shell. 

Roxas walks out the door. The skateboard gliding against the concrete becomes faint the more time past. 

Aqua walks downstairs with her silk blue robe flowing behind her. She heats up her food then consumes her breakfast, soaking in the silence that follows after all of her boys leave for the day. She didn’t need any entertainment nor any conversation. The quiet of the birds talking, the lawn mower in the distance, and the subtle creaks of the large house provided a pocket of peace that was all she needed. Worth enduring the chaos triggered by too much young testosterone. 

Aqua hums as she chews her bacon, allowing emptiness void her mind before responsibilities cram it yet again. She takes a drink out of her teacup yet no warm tea bathes her body from the inside. She sets the cup down to see that she forgot to make the comforting morning beverage. She pouts. 

“Fudge...”  

“You think I should hang out with them after school?” Xion asks, hoping he objects to give her an excuse. 

“Hell yeah. I think it could be good.” 

Xion shifts, “I might be boring though.” 

“You ain’t boring to me. So why should they?” Roxas challenged. 

For a moment, Xion stares at her locker. She turns to him with small nods, registering his logic. “Okay, sure. I’ll give them a try.” 

“You’re cool Xi. If they don’t vibe with you, it says more about them than you.” He reassures. 

Slices of encouragement eases her social anxiety. Forming a small smile, she carefully closes her locker. “Are you standing in line for lunch?” 

“Nah, I gotta get mine. I’ll meet you there. Save me a seat this time, okay?”  

Xion nods, “I’ll try. That group can be really intimidating sometimes.” 

“Screw them, that’s our spot. I won’t be gone long.” 

Roxas goes upstairs then jogs through the second main hallway to finally reach his locker. Grabbing hold of the lock, he starts turning.  

7, Right. 21, Left. 29, Upturn. 37, Pull. Click! 

He wastes no time to pull back the locker, his mouth pooling with hunger. He scans for a brown paper bag tucked in the angled corner. Ragged notebooks, piles of textbooks, skate tools, and... an unfinished water bottle. Roxas blinks, delusionally hoping for the bag to magically appear. 

No bag. No leftover snacks. Not even cash to settle for mediocre school food. Roxas slams his forehead against the cold, dull steel.  

“Are you fucking serious.” 

[dullahandyke]

Envisioning aqua kingdomhearts hanging out w the ace attorney cast. The world is so beautiful she would make so many friends

[shallowseeker]

"Are you okay?"

Oh, this is so warm and tender...

Dean tries so hard to always, always welcome him home. Even if he's angry, even if he's sad. ("Whatever. Welcome home." Or, like here, "I do. Welcome home.")

///

From Tombstone scripts (x):

From above: SAM: I-- I don't know what to say. DEAN: I do. He moves in-- HUGGING CAS-- DEAN: Welcome home.

///

From above: CAS: How long have I been gone? DEAN: It's been-- it's been awhile. (Dean chokes down his emotions) CAS: Are you okay? DEAN: Yeah, much better now.

It's clear that Dean is experiencing such gut-wrenching, tremendous joy. And it's clear that he's hazy and disoriented with regards to Time, particularly how much Time has even passed since Cas died. In season 12, Cas counted the days that Dean and Sam had been missing ("Six weeks, two days, and ten hours").

When Cas died, Dean was completely untethered.

-Amalgamation of the Tombstone scripts.

//////////////////

(Text Attributions// Supernatural scripts here via @spnscripthunt. Transcripts are located here via SPNWiki. Visit their Tumblr to donate.)

[ok4ru]

Now I’m curious lol, what do you think about Eraqus maybe having kids/grandkids?

No, now that I think about it. I wouldn't be surprised if he grew up hated being related to a famous Master due to expectations from his family and others.

But I like to think Eraqus decided at one point in his life that "Nah this bloodlines end with me. I'll just adopt!"

The only way I think Eraqus could get Grandchildren is if Aqua and Terra decided to have children in the future or something.

Although, I do think Terra at least is related to Xehanort OR maybe Eraqus??? He could just be from anyone of their bloodline though. (Would be interesting if he was related to the Player lol)