#febulous newt 2023

[afrenchaugurey]

Day #5

Today's prompt was Newt's cutest moment.

That's not one specific moment that pops in my head, but more an atitude, the "Mommy Newt" moments.

They're the moments I really find the cutest. But they're also the moments where he's himself, without the pressure of the world, in his element, what he knows and master.

These moments are cute, often funny. I really treasure them.

I also love these moments, and find them cuter, because in these, because he knows what happens with creatures, that's when he bonds with humans : jacob and the occamies (and others creatures), Tina and occamies then zouwu, Theseus and the Qilin. I love how the transfert of "Mommy-ing", the passation of knowledge occurs, and helps him to create links with humans, to understand humans and to be understood by them

Well, and Newt is cute, creatures are cute >>> these scenes can only be cute

[scamanderishredmayniac]

Newt Appreciation Month, day 23: Favourite Newt fanfic!

I think I’ve already answered this in the question about favourite AUs. I initially wanted to say The worst case scenario, by @newt-and-salamander because it was gifted to me, and I totally loved it. It was such a fun read, and I thought it was well written.

There are loads of others as well that I really like, and that come under favourites as well. It’s really hard to chose but most of those aren’t exactly finished yet. I was really enjoying reading more than enough by @themysteriousphoenix beautiful writing, wish we could have more chapters and want to read the whole complete story. But I know she’s busy with little ones and work. I liked without the word by blatheringbluejay as well, but I don’t see that one getting finished. Very similar and well written like more than enough.

I like the fics written by @uefb as well. They write some amazingly good stuff. There so many other fanfics out there, with other amazing writers like @afrenchaugurey

Others like the series with the Sudenese girl by jnckles on ao3 as well are really good. It’s so hard to think of favourites, but those are just a few. There’s quite a few out there, but I won’t name every single one.

I find it’s a lot harder to find good Newt fics to be honest, to find the best ones you have to really search for them, which can be hard. But if you look they are there. Basically I don’t have a singular favourite one. I love all of these, but the worst case scenario is just number 1 out of those few favourites.

[afrenchaugurey]

It's day#10 !

Today's prompt was "favourite Newt moment"... OK, honestly it changes everyday, depending on my mood...

I've already mentioned it, but I love how Newt interacts with Credence in the subway, it "talked" to me a lot as when I first saw the movie I worked mostly with "human phobic" dogs. Asking like this for consent, and the postures... Well after that I knew that he would be my comfort character forever.

I also love the mirror scene in the third movie, showing as much Credence's character evolved, and Newt "just has his back" now, but Credence/Aurelius is strong enough to speak for himself. I wish Newt and Tina had a proper closure with Credence/Aurelius, I'm pretty sure it won't happen now, even if we get the chance to have FB4.

Another scene that I love is the goodbye to Jacob. I love how Newt realize that Jacob is indeed his friend, and how it's so meaningful for him. I love how it seems a surprise for both of them to realize that the other feel the same way. And I also love how Tina realize that it's OK not to look strong all the time, just by looking at Newt

Well... I love the babies niffler scene too...

These were my today's favourite ... 🙈. It could change tomorrow

[afrenchaugurey]

Day #11

Today's prompt was "favorite Newt platonic relationship"

If I settle on what we see on screen, I would say Jacob (well, I could almost say Tina too, but that makes me sad), but I already talked a lot about their friendship. But I really love how it evolved in the course of the 3 movies.

Then, to be honest, I love almost all relationships that are portrayed, or, at least, how I build them up in my head. I have so many HC...

With Theseus : I really like how their relationship evolved since the beginning of CoG, from a bit overprotective Theseus, to a Newt who actually is the one to save his brother. I love how Newt is little by little closer to his brother. It's sad that the bound have probably been helped by Leta's death.

With Queenie : I really think there is a huge potential. Because he has difficulties to share with others, because she can "hear" him, at least a part, because they share values, and weaknesses (and Tina).

With Leta : I'm really sad they wasted Leta's character (like they did with almost... hum, all... women...). They had so much potential as friends, then as family. Their dynamic was complicated, but, I believe, interesting. And they helped each other to go through teenage years... I would have liked to see more of that too.

With Bunty : well I know a lot don't like her, like she's annoying, or even a stalker. I believe she brings a lot to him. Because she (if we use ITW as referenecs) makes him understand that he can't do all by himself, he needs help for his creatures. She helps him to learn how to cooperate with something else, despite how difficult it his, and in particular for something he knows so well (beasts). Yes, she has a crush on him, yes he's oblivious, and yes I don't think this part of the plot was necessary (but I don't mind, it was, maybe just for the "insignificant person" thing and, then, SOD plot, but... meh...). But the character is nice and important for Newt's development. I believe at least.

With Lally well, we don't have many information but I love how they seem fan about their respective works, and how he's comfortable with her, despite the fact they didn't met before, probably because they exchanged letters. And because they share some knowledge.

Well, I guess that the relationship I have some reservations about is with Dumbledore.

Oh, and I don't count the creatures, as they are his children...

[afrenchaugurey]

Day #14

Today's prompt was about theories.

To be honest, I don't think I have so much theories about Newt, he's so unpredictable ...

But I can't get out of my mind that in each movie he rides a "dragon like" creature and every time it contributed a lot to the story.

In the first movie, it was the occamy. That's how he saves him, but also how Newt and Tina really work together for the first time. And occamies are related to Jacob AND Tina first visit in the case (and that's at that precise moment that Newt realizes that he can really trust them)

In the second, it was the zouwu. The zouwu helps them to be safe out of the Ministère des affaires magiques. But zouwu is also pretty important in NewTina story : even when Tina believes Newt is engaged to Leta and lost for her (and that she's pissed), she looks and learns how to handle her. And helps Newt after that.

It was also the kelpie, but here there wasn't a huge contribution to the story. And the kelpie isn't based on a dragon like creature, even if they chose a serpentine form for him.

In the third movie, Newt doesn't exactly ride the wryvren, but it's a dragon based creature, and the creature saves him (again) and deplaces him.

My theory here is that in the end, for the final duel with Grindelwald, Newt will have to ride a Dragon. And his past in the Easter Front could be the reason he was there all this time.

Or ... it will involves the kelpie (I know a theory was that Newt's patronus was a kelpie, which could be just metaphorical in this case. Even if I think that, at least begining in the COG area, his patronus his a salamander).

I don't know what to really think about that (that's why I labellize this as theory and not HC), but that's something I have in my head for a long while now.

[afrenchaugurey]

Second post for today, a little snippet of my current WIP, a modern NewTina AU.

This one takes place a few weeks after Newt's birthday, when Newt and Leta reconnect after haven't seen each other since highschool.

It's not the best one, I wrote that on Wednesday, but that's all I have about Newt's birthday for now...

Meanwhile, they had walked to an art gallery, and an almost religious silence had suddenly fallen between them as they began to admire the few pieces they could see from the outside.

“So, you say your work is inspired by hers ?” had finally asked Newt, in a whisper, as his body was almost shivering as all the colors engulfed him, scratched on his skin and tinkled in his ears. Leta just nodded her head, quietly, almost imperceptibly, making him add “Then, I’ really love to see your work. Really. If you are agreeable, it goes without saying.”

Fighting against tears that would invade her eyes anyway, Leta hid them by rummaging through her purse, after another discrete nod. She took out a small package wrapped in some printed paper and gave it to Newt, all smiles.

“Happy birthday, Newt, I can’t believe I almost forgot !”

“Aww... Thank you. You didn’t have to, you know.”

“Well, I wanted to. And… it’s really nothing. Open it !”

As if it were the most precious thing on Earth, and maybe it was, Newt opened the paper, this symbol of their renewed friendship, with caution and delicacy, to discover a tiny stuffed animal which looked like a platypus. Of course. He burst out laughing. A brilliant, exploding laugh, as vibrating as the oscillation of the crystal. “You didn’t…” he managed to say between two uncontrolled hiccups.

“Oh, yes, I totally did. Even if I wanted to, I could never forget about the platypus, and the fact that for years people thought he was a chimera. Or that he’s the only mammal to reproduce by eggs, and that, during the reproductive period the male is venomous, or... No, Newt, I don’t think I can forget. I don’t think I won’t ever forget… So, YES, I did.”

Newt blushed, hoping that the pale light of the night would hide this. This species had been one of his fixations during highschool. Hard one. “Thank you Leta. And sorry about that by the way.” His hands were methodically patting the little toy, running through its fur, his eyes locked on his own hands, his thoughts soothed by the soft and almost tickling sensation on the tip of his fingers.

She brushed off his words with her hand. “Don’t be. That’s some nice piece of trivia. Oh, he needs a name …”

It didn’t take long for Newt to decide. “Shaw. As George Kearsley Shaw who was the first scientist to make a description of the platypus at the end of the 19th century.”

“I see.” she laughed gently. “Now, I count on you to give me updates about him. So you won’t wait another more than ten years to talk to me again. We’re friends. I guess. I hope. I want pictures of him. I hope he’ll travel. I hope he’ll travel as much as this garden gnome in this French movie…”

“Amelie ?”

“Yes, that’s the one !”

“Well, I’m not an air hostess, and I don’t know any.” 

“So you’ll have to travel, as you once said you would...”

[afrenchaugurey]

Day #24

Happy Birthday Newt !

I'm not good at drawing, but I post it anyway (I'll post a snippet of my WIP fanfic later today).

[afrenchaugurey]

Day #25

Today was about edits. I'm not usually into these, I prefer words as I'm distracted by voices, but I love this one (made by @uefb ) to the bones.

Probably because of the physical feelings and sensation that the video produces. And Eddie Redmayne reading the book with his soothing voice. And... well.

Also, I didn't know the song before, and I love it.

[afrenchaugurey]

Day #23

Today was about fanfic'. I can't say I have a favorite, because it will change depending of my mood and needs. Unfortunately, I fail to have a good bookmark system and my favorites get lost in the crowd.

I love absolutely all @uefb fics' because of the writting, the feelings, the references (inside and outside the text). Maybe "Head full of fairies" has my preferencies (today), just because it represents a lot for me.

Recently, I LOVED Mirrored Feelings by Asexual_Enjolras on AO3. I really enjoyed that OS, this is one of my favorite "Newt and Tina are opening up".

A third author : RedSnow1. I love her style, and her fic' "I just want you to be happy" is one of my comfort fic'.

I also loved @themysteriousphoenix fic'...

And all that got lost, and that I'll read and discover again soon...

(I have to mention @exasperatedtinagoldstein "worrying universe" even if her fic' are more about NewTina family, but they are also comforting, despite the permanent rollercosters)

[afrenchaugurey]

Day #13

Today's prompt was "favorite head canon".

Honestly, I have A LOT (why do you think I -try to- write fanfic...). I'll put some I really like here for today, but I can't choose, sorry.

It's canon in my head that Newt calls him "Mommy" in front of his child(s) sometimes (often), especially when they are in the case/basement (or whatever they have in their house at this point. It's an attic in NYC in my HC).

As a consequence, his (their) child (ren) call him M'Dad.

The second one is about Dougal. I don't think that Dougal's babysitting duties are coming from nothing, or just for the occamy. I'm pretty sure he takes care of Newt. He makes sure he eats and sleep. But most important, when Newt has a shutdown/meltdown, he stays close. But if his physical presence is still too much, he uses his invisibility to be here, just in case, but avoiding to be a additional stimulation. He probably foresees the situations too.

(this one is based on one of my dogs TBH, excepted the invisibility part, but he truly knows before me when I'll have a meltdown, and what distance is OK for me at any point of time)

A last one for the road (but I have pages of HC about Newt) : Newt almost never uses magic on the creatures, not matter if it puts him into danger. For the capture of the occamy, he could have sent the bug in the teapot, he could have used a tracking spell on Dougal, he could have magically removed the chains on the zouwu, or magically sent the ointment on the kelpie. He only uses it in the emergency (or if he's really pissed), and mostly on Teddy.

I believes he does that because he thinks that could be detrimental on the creatures, and probably mostly on a "psychological" point of view. Many of the creatures suffered abuse by wizards. Without using magic he doesn't trigger that. Maybe that could physically hurt them, but I don't believe it, or he wouldn't have used Accio on Teddy.

That's all for today, even if I would have loved to mention that I'm sure he will collaborate with ICW during WWII and after (and that Tina will have a very high position in it, which is my HC about RR law), and that I'm certain that he'll teach in a way or another, probably as a guest lecturer in all schools of the world (no matter their importance).

[afrenchaugurey]

Day #18

Today's prompt was about hairstyle.

Again, my favourite is the one from the first movie, it's a good balance of mess and chaos (yes, I love paradoxes).

That said, I have a theory about hairstyles : the more insecure and worried Newt is, the longer and messier is his hair. Which is the exact opposite for Tina's : with insecurity, her hair his shorter, and straighter (I wrote an entire OS about Tina's hair... that quite obsessed me at some point, which I would love to do for Newt too, but I don't have the time RN).

[afrenchaugurey]

Day #7

Today's prompt was "favorite Quote from Newt".

This one is super easy. I mean I love a lot of his quotes but "My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice" beats everything (even if "“They’re in alien territory, surrounded by millions of the most vicious creatures on the planet. Humans" is close, but this one, I could have said it a billion times)

I'm a pessimistic person. Who worries. A lot. About everything. And takes reckless decisions after (and despite) that. I mean, he's right, and I really try to apply this on a daily basis.

[afrenchaugurey]

Day#16

Today's prompt was "Favourite Newt's costume".

This one was easy. The first movie blue coat and mustard waistcoast, with the tweed costume (aww, tweed).

For many reasons. The waistcoast is very "earthy" and fits well Newt's personality (and Hufflepuff). The overcoat is of course blue, and a good metaphor for Scamander. Also blue is for many the colour for autism, and even if I'm not a lot in it, that could be another cue to put Newt on the spectrum (before all the ITW).

But I also see a peacock symbolism with this association of colours (+ the iridescent eyes, like the bird's feathers). And well... I really could write something long about it.

I know the first thing we think about (at least in France) when we think about peacock is pride. Which isn't really a Newt's trait. Well, it is, a little bit, if we consider overconfidence which he has (and has not, regarding to people), regarding to his creatures (the playful thing in the shed with the swooping evil, how he interacts with "dangereous beasts", the "I'll catch you thing", etc). This is not a bad thing and one of the side of character, even if it's not the biggest part.

An other important thing regarding to peacocks is immortality, in Middle Age this was the believe and they ate peacocks for that reason. This one is very interesting, because of all the alchemy things that gravitate around Newt (the runes, Newton, Artemis, ...), and the fact that we know he'll have a long life.

Peacock's feathers are associated to "wind of change" too. And that is something that I cleary relate to Newt. He created his own field of study, he uses unconventional magic, and he'll change many things in the WW (American laws about Thunderbirds protection, then all magical beasts, the breeding ban - for the law about the werewolf registry, I have some other thinking that would take me too long to explain). His role during WWII/GWW is probably also another very unconventional thing (at least, that's how I imagine him, and why he's implicated in everything).

But the reborn symbolism can also be linked with Newt's evolution during the first movie, how he opens to people, and meets significant ones who'll share his life until the end. (some even associate peacock with phenix... well...)

In China, the peacock is associated with peace and prosperity. Well, peace is just everything that he tries to do, at least in the "avoiding conflict" part (but he also fought during WWI).

To finish with this part, and something I didn't know until lately is that peacock is associated with water. Some beliefs say that if you want some water, a source, you need to have a peacock (to make things simple). The peacock's cry would mean "the rain is comming" (which, considering all the water symbolism that is in the first film, is very interesting).

I also love how this costume, as is the case, cries how much it lived. I'm one to almost always wear the same clothes, to buy them again when they're completely ruined (and can't be patched anymore). It talks about his time in the field, it talks about his way of life (maybe).

Just saying ...

Well, I planned a 2 min post and wrote for almost an hour. Oupsi.

[afrenchaugurey]

Day #9 :

Today the prompt was favourite moment with others.

Honestly, I would say a lot of moments in the first movie (the cell, the dinner, the bank, the goodbyes to Jacob, ...), but they also include Tina. I really miss the dynamics between these four.

That said, I also love without any limits the first time Jacobs goes inside the case.

First, because we discover Newt's world at the same time. And it's a moment I'll never forget. For me it's the most magical moment in the WW ever (with the discovery of his basement, which was even more meaningful for me, but, maybe, a bit less magical).

But I also love this moment for all it represents. Newt trusts Jacob enough to let him enter his world. He could have taken the potion to heal him in the sisters' bedroom. But he invited Jacob.

And when Jacob is in the case, Newt understands that it was the right call. Because Jacob is amazed. Jacob understands his point and isn't really affraid. At this moment their friendship bond is really scelled. And I think that's why he ask him for advices in the street just after that. He observed him, but after seing him and his reactions in the case, he trusts him. That makes that moment even more magical.

Last, again thanks through Jacob's eyes (but he's the No-Maj here, so that's logical) we see how confident Newt is in his case/world, how talented he can be. How he's different than in the "normal world". That is something so important about Newt, but that's also something that resounds a lot in me.

Well... that makes a good moment, right ?

[afrenchaugurey]

Hello, it's day #20 already

Today's prompt was about songs.

When I think about songs that remind me of Newt, I almost have only instrumental in mind (but a lot), which isn't the case for the others, and/or relationships coded songs...

In the end, that's... logical, right ?

When I hear this one I always think about Newt. I believe it's all about the mostly water and aerian thoughts, the serenity, the meditative spirit. I just can't really explain. I have a few from Her soundtrack by arcade fire too.

But most of the actual songs that I have in mind are more NewTina or friendship/family coded.

And this track from the bonus CD of Fantastic Beasts and where to find them is just perfect I believe. Most of the themes are here and the final jazzy part is *chef kiss*

Jazz suits Newt I believe, especially old school jazz, with impro...

[afrenchaugurey]

So it's day#3 and the prompt was "Describe Newt in 3 words". Which is... difficult because Newt is so many things.

That said, I'm still out of words.

LOYAL : this one is pretty easy I guess... But it defines a lot the character, his kindness, his forgiveness when people do mistakes, but also how he lets himself being dragged into impossible situations

INGENIOUS : I couldn't find a better word (even in French...). He didn't have the opportunity to finish his education but he's still able to perform unbelievable magic. He also has solutions really outside the box, which makes him unpredictable. All his abilities and hard work made him at the top of his field, even creating his own field.

CHAOTIC : let's be honest, wherever he passes, there is some resulting chaos. And he even doesn't try. I really loves this aspect about him, his clumsiness, and how situation can degenerate, but he still manages to deal with it (which is very impressive, I do so BAD when I have to deal with unplaned situations ˆˆ)

Well, I think I could have found so much more words to describe him... But these were the first 3 that came today in my mind ...