#i mean maybe the human guests are fairies

[clouds-of-wings]

Swedish language children's show about insects running a hotel in a mushroom. I searched for this far and wide a few years back, but had no luck. It seemed like my only option was to travel to Göteborg and rent the single, singular DVD they had at a library there. But now someone put it on YT!

In the first episode we pay homage to birds and learn that the hotel has no indoor plumbing, which is probably realistic for a hotel inside a mushroom. The existence of an insect-sized human with a high quality camera for bird watching leads to as many disturbing implications as the whole "Why do Pluto and Goofy get treated so differently?" thing in Ducktales, but let's not go there. Let's just watch the whimsical kids' show.

[yourlocalstranger123]

I HAD THIS DREAM WHERE I WAS A GOD WITH A VEIL WHICH COVERED MY FACE AND LONG SLEEVES AND IT'S LIKE A ROBE? AND OMG, IM NOT EVEN SURE IT WAS ME BECAUSE THE PERSON I WAS 1ST PERSON VIEWING THEN 3RD WAS HOT AS HECK.....BUT ANYWAYS, IMA WRITE ABOUT MY DREAM.

Gn reader/no specific pronouns used. (You/they/unknown person) (lol)

(I would be happy if you reposted my dream or like <3)

welcome, outlander God(S) ♥︎

CREDITS: [I was in a rush and my friend found it on Google for me, so I am not sure if it's correct so here's the title] Art, manga, boy anime #730263 on animesher.com [or you can just type what my friend searched "chained up hands manga"]

Traveler steps into a abandoned domain. They moved the tree branches that over-grown into the domain and searched around the area.

"Nothing seems to be here Paimon. I think we were just hearing things."

"But Paimon was sure she heard something!"

The traveler tries to reassure Paimon that they were just hearing things until the traveler leaned on the wall and pushed a hidden button. They both paused as they heard some stone moving.

Traveler carefully stepped into the new founded room...nothing...happened? They went in the room still cautious. It was pitch black so the traveler has to spread the arms out and just try to imagine what the rooms looks like and so they don't bump their head on something.

Suddenly, the Paimon screamed, the traveler quickly turned around and headed towards Paimon's scream. The traveler stood there shocked and horrified. They saw a eyeball staring at them. Black liquid drips from the opened eyeball as it stared at the 2 trespassers. Suddenly, the liquid that seems to come out non-stop became read then gold.

The light was suddenly on.

"WAS THAT EYEBALL THE LIGHTSWITCH?!"

Paimon was grossed out as the traveler tried to not laugh at her reaction. A chill went down on their spine, then panic as both of them couldn't move. Their heart almost dropped into their stomach as they heard a voice.

"Oh? I didn't expect guests to be here. My, my."

The unknown person chuckled. They got closer to them as the traveler shivered from the cold hands that touched their face.

"Quite a beauty. Such pretty golden hair."

The unknown person was finally revealed. Well...not really since seems like a veil is covering most of their head. It was quite a length. While the clothes were fully covering their body.

Both of them were stunned when they heard multiple voices that sounded exactly the same if some didn't sound like their vocals was damaged or something.

"Look! There's a flying kid!"

"You mean a fairy?"

"No. It must be a realistic, human machine"

"Emergency food?"

Paimon stomped her feet in the air, pouting from the comments.

"Don't be mean. I'm sure she's just a living person" [The original you]

Paimon almost broke into tears. You're the first person who hasn't called her emergency food or some fairy at least once.

Their voices was terrifying in a way. Some was fine, but one of them had some kind of glitch in their voice or maybe gurgle noises as if their Drowning.

"Ah. Don't mind them. I'm the original."

'Original?' The traveler thought before stumbling into your arms when they were finally released from the paralyzed state they both were in.

"So....their your clones?"

The unknown person (you) laughed. Clutching their stomach as they fell on to their knees and holding on to the wall for support.

"Pfft- haha! That's quite funny"

Gosh. Perhaps would you die from laughter with Cyno's jokes because of your horrible humor? They thought.

"Well....they aren't exactly clones. They are just....versions of myself? I have many, perhaps infinity of them. But there somewhere else. These are just "me's" who will go soon. So just ingore them."

The traveler was stunned, before they could say anything, they witnessed the "you's" turning into statue, liquid or anything then disappearing. Although, they didn't question further since you looked tired from the questions. They looked over to the chains on your legs and wrist. About to ask this one last question but you soon changed the subject.

"Oh. Are you...ah, yes! Lumine/Aether?"

The traveler paused. Sweat dripping from their forehead as they looked at you in fear. They haven't told anyone their name. How did you know?

"No need to fear me....I wouldn't dare to hurt such a beauty. You're quite too cute to do that"

The person chuckled, seeing the traveler face flushed a slight bright red. The traveler finally opened their mouth to say something after 5 minutes of awkward silence.

"Do you know....my brother/sister?"

You paused. Seemingly hesitating.

"And....what if I say I do?"

The traveler looks at you and went straight forward.

"Please! Help me find my sister/brother!"

The traveler begged.

"Well....sorry to disappoint you, I don't know their location. But I could help you on your travels."

You hold their chin while smiling. The traveler heart suddenly quicken and pounded into their chest. You and the traveler noticed that Paimon was passed out on the floor, cold. You gladly offered them to help lead the way to the exit while carrying Paimon.

*later*

"Teyvat....looks so different......how long did I sleep?? God damn, I slept better than sleeping beauty for real!"

The traveler looked at you cunfused before you coughed awkwardly and asked them where do you go with them. Suddenly, the 4 archon appeared.

"[Name]...is that.....really you?"

Zhongli asked. Hands trembling as he reached out to you.

"Yes Morax- wait. Rex Lapis? No, God Of Contracts?"

"Zhongli. It's Zhongli"

He awnsered. Ei interrupted,

"[Name]..! You look......exactly the same"

You nodded. You almost fell as Venti jumped on your back.

"Barbatos?"

"I'm going by Venti!"

"Venti, the famous drunken bard?"

You chuckled, Laughing at Venti's reaction. He pouted and hit you in the shoulder even though it felt like nothing.

You looked down, seeing a child.

"Oh? And who are you?"

Nahida looked up at you and fidgeted her fingers.

"I'm Nahida....I heard a lot about you from irminsul!"

She said excitedly. The traveler just stood there in the background, with Paimon in their hands. Although...you felt the presence of someone but quickly ingores it as you listen to everyone's words. Perhaps Nahida should introduce you to Wanderer

You should be careful with the Fatui and Tsaritsa

—to be continued—

[annabelle-creart]

11 + BumbleBlades + Humanformers: Kingdom of Light

Fuck, Bee didn't close the courtains, Bailey thought with the sun on her eyes, the last thing she wanted was to wake up after such night (that unfortunately include liquor) "Bee" Bailey called, her voice was heavier than usual "you didn't close the courtains"

"Hm" Bee replied with a tired and soft thread of air "just close it" he said

"You, close it, you didn't do when you got into bed" Bailey wanted to put the sheet on her eyes but it was too hot for it, fucking summer, Hector and Boulder couldn't find a worst date to marry, and now they had to prepare again because the formal fairy ceremony were celebrated on midnights, things that Bailey would never understand about fae

"Let's bet then," Bee was still sleepy, managing to talk, gosh, he was so sleepy that forgot to activate her voice-rune and sounded like a teenage girlie "am I thinking on scissors or rock"

"Rock"

"Duck you" Bee sighed, punching the bed, he tried to get in feet but the idiot accepted a lot of liquer bets last night, as first prince and as knight, his pride was too high to not to pay his part of bet "done" Bee closed the courtains, and instead of surrounding the bed, he collapsed above Bailey, who get him off inmediatly

"It's too damn hot, get out"

"I deserve it"

"No, you don't" Bailey pressed her head against the pillow, Bee did the same at her side, now that he couldn't even touch her or she would kick him off the bed

Both fell asleep inmediatly, but after a few time, that was actually some hours, the people started moving outside their room on the palace

Due to a bet Bailey made with Hector, she recieved the best guest's room of the palace, which means to have the best view to the garden, what Bailey didn't knew when Hector gave her that room was that he actually gave her the worst room, where the sun striked first and all the noise of the garden was hearable, right now, a tiny but great laugh and the servant's passing and chatting was the symphony of the moment. Good one, Hector, you're the king of jokes, idiot

For a moment Bailey thought she would handle the noise, until some knocks on the door finally wake up the prince and the duke

"Sir, Duke" a voice on the door called both "I have a delivery for you in name of His Majesty"

"Let it on the door!" Bee ordered from the bed "we'll get it later" no voice recall again, maybe the servant already go away "rock or scissors"

"Scissors"

"Fuck" Bee again got off the bed, not as silly as before but he looked like he had the world on his shoulders, he opened the door (as hidden as possible because due to the heat, he was half-naked) and took the last tray on the tray cart, bringing it to bed "there's a note on the plate" Bee tooked a little piece of paper from the grapes "use this cups to toast in my name for you to be the next royal wedding" Bee read the note

"Are you interest in a putsch?" Bailey joked, raising her head to reach the grapes

"Wow, easy on it, Birdie"

"Teach him to not be a jerk and then we will talk" Bee laughed at Bailey's stupid proposition, specially because all her curly hair was on her eyes "what's on the cup?"

"I don't know" Bee smelled the cup "I think it's one of those recipes to help with bad nights, that and a jar of water" he carried a grape and a piece of cheese of the plate

"Hm, he's definitely not human, no matter how much everyone says otherwise"

"Why do you say that?"

"He resisted last night enough to send us this, and he's orphan, we don't know who were his parents or granparents, maybe someone was a fae or an elf and we don't know"

"Or even part pixie?" It was obvious Bee joked, but that didn't stopped Blades from sending him a killing look

"Iu! Puack!" Bailey imitated some throw ups "those things are as tiny as squirrels! How is that supposed to happen in first place!" Bee at the reply, let out a lot of big laughs as loud as a war cries, Bailey used the distraction to get as much grapes and cheese as possible, of course, upsetting Bee, who got in attack as fast as the good knight he is to recover them

On the game, Bailey brought some grapes to her mouth, making impossible for Bee to get them on less hard ways, so, he took Bailey's wrists and nailed them to the bed, getting closer to her lips, so, by playing with Bailey's chin a little, she would finally open her mouth, letting Bee got some grapes by stealing kisses and sharing caresses on their chests

Both were on that play for some time, before the clock released their song, making crearly it was 12, my, that explains why Hector sended them the tray, whatever, they didn't payed attention to it when the song ceased and continued on their normal small talk and stealing kisses from time to time

Until the clock reached 3 and they needed to prove they were alive, they played their silly game as if they were teens, also remembering when they were teens and just met, how funny times, and how funny time they're hsving now

[jiliansky-blog]

The Nightmare and the Dreamer. Chapter 3. An exploration

Pairing: Morpheus x FemaleReader

Rating: PG

Words: 2170

In your dreams, you saw this world as beautiful and picturesque. It wasn’t so dark and covered in snow. Perhaps, Morpheus didn’t look like a nightmare either, but you didn’t see him. And you were curious, once again, what could happen to him.

And you were woken by the sound of knocking.  Is it Dad? Because your sister rarely knocks. But then you opened your eyes and saw that you weren’t in your room or even in the hospital. You were still in the castle. So it wasn’t actually a dream.

You heard the second knock. And it wasn’t in the door. Someone was knocking at the window. You didn’t see anyone, but that doesn’t mean anything since everybody, except Morpheus, was invisible. And you opened the window.

“Finally!” you said in a grumpy voice. “It took you long enough!”

“I’m sorry, I was sleeping”, you replied. “And I couldn’t realize immediately where I was. You could at least wait till I wake up”.

“Fair enough”, he sighed. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, I did”, you replied. “I suppose I see this place in its former glory. When it wasn’t so dark and lonely”.

“Oh yes”, he sighed. “But I didn’t remember these times”.

“Can you tell me what happened to you?” you tried to ask.

“No, sorry, kid”, he said. “But I should admit that you handled all this situation pretty well”.

“Well, I always like a good fantasy story”, you replied. “Or maybe I just don’t fully believe that it is real. I’m sleeping”.

“You are sleeping, but it is real”, Matthew said. “When I became a raven, I also couldn’t believe in it”.

“So you were human”, you said. “Or something else?”

“Human, yes”, he replied. “But no one prepared me for the fact that I became a raven. And an invisible raven in this dark kingdom”.

“Yes, I can understand you”, you said. “So what are you preparing for me today? Is Lord Morpheus going to show up for me?”

“I don’t know about him”, he said. “It depends on his mood. He can hide in his room for days”.

“And where is his room?” you asked with curiosity.

“In the west wing," he said, and he shut his mouth and started bouncing with anxiety. “I shouldn’t say that. Forget it”.

“Already forgot”, you smiled to calm him down.

“But you will have breakfast in the dining room”, he said, calmer. “Perhaps your boss will join you, but I’m not sure”.

“Alright, lead the way”, you replied. “Or give me a minute to change clothes”.

You put on a simple green dress and went to the dining room. There were toasts, coffee, milk, sausages, and eggs. And everything looked so delicious.

“That’s gorgeous”, you replied. “I didn’t know you could eat so much food in the dream. I hope I won’t become oversized in real life”.

“No, you won’t”, said Matthew. “Do you want me to show you around the castle and surroundings? Since the boss is not going to leave his room”.

“I will be glad”, you said. “Thank you”.

And after your breakfast, you went to explore the castle. There was no light, no sun, in these walls. Even the windows were closed.

“That won’t do”, you said, and you began to open windows. “We don’t need to make the castle darker than it already is”.

“Boss won’t be pleased”, Matthew admitted.

“First, he will need to talk to me”, you said. “Maybe he won’t ignore the sunlight”.

“Do you want so much to meet him?” he asked. “He can be very angry and put you somewhere in a less pleasant room. Or in the darkness”.

“To let the sunlight in isn’t a crime”, you replied. “And he didn’t forbid me to do it. Maybe, he will talk to me after that”.

The more light that came into the castle, the more fairy tale-like it became. And there were a lot of rooms that were empty.

“Why are they empty?” you asked.

“Boss designs them according to the situation”, the raven replied. “Or according to guests. Now he is not in the mood to design them”.

“I see”, you said. “It’s good that my room was decorated”.

“You know, it’s actually funny”, he said. “He saw it in your imagination and prepared it for you yesterday”.

“What?” you asked, confused. “But he closed me in an empty room”.

“I think he was going to invite you to this room of yours”, he said. “Later”.

“Do you really think so?” you asked.

“It’s his style”, he replied. “I told you. He can be charming and thoughtful”.

You liked that thought. Perhaps, he isn’t that terrible. Then you came to the big stairs.

“What is there?” you asked about another part of the castle.

“You shouldn’t go there”, he said. “It’s his chamber.”.

“Alright, alright”, you agreed, for now. “Can you show me what's outside the castle?”

Outside was a garden. There were still flowers covered in snow. It looked like winter took them by surprise. But they were magical, so they didn’t freeze and die. And there were roses. The reason is why you were here.

“Come on, I will show you a few more places”, Matthew said. “But after that, you shouldn’t go very far from here”.

“Why not?” you asked.

“It can be dangerous”, he replied. "When the boss locked himself in the castle, nightmares roamed these lands”.

“Alright”, you said. “Noted”.

Matthew showed me the half-destroyed bridge and iced river. And then brought me to two cute houses. They looked like postcards.

“Is there someone living?” you asked.

“Yes, Cain and Abel”, Matthew said. “We have a guest, open the door”.

The door opened, but you didn’t see anyone. Still, you see the light inside the house, and you smell the scent of food.

“Welcome to the House of Mysteries”, said a male voice. “We didn’t have guests for such a long time. I’m Abel”.

“Y\N,”, you replied, and you entered the cozy house.

“How did you get here, if I can ask?” he asked, closing the door. “Don’t think that I’m rude. Just curious”.

“My father was here”, you replied. “I just replaced him. Well, I wanted to find him in the dream, and he appeared here”.

“And you stay here now?” he asked.

“Well, Lord Morpheus made me stay”, you sighed. “I didn’t have a choice. My father wanted to pick the rose, and he got angry”.

“Oh dear”, he said. “He can be angry sometimes. Especially after this…”

“Abel, do you have something for us?” interrupted Matthew.

But you weren’t so easily confused.

“After this, what?” you asked. “A curse?”

“You don’t need to worry about that”, Matthew quickly replied.

“What are you hiding from me?” you asked.

They didn’t hurry to answer you. But you guessed that their invisibility, the monstrous form of Morpheus, and the darkness in this world are connected to the curse. But you wanted to know who cursed them, why and how to break it.

“What is going on?” you asked.

“We can’t tell you”, Abel says apologetically. “I’m sorry”.

“Guess, I need to find out everything myself”, you sighed.

“Please don’t”, he said quickly. “Our Lord doesn’t like when someone is snooping around. You don’t want to make him angry again”.

It seemed you could only gain answers from Morpheus himself. If he is going to talk to you eventually. If he comes out of his room.

“Now, let me treat you with some food and tea”, Abel suggested. “I’m so happy that I have a guest. Cain wouldn’t be so pleased”.

After the tea, you left his home. You want to explore more of this world. You didn’t know when you would have such an opportunity again.

“Can you show me more around?” you asked.

“No, it’s not safe”, Matthew replied. "And the boss will be furious”.

“Please, just a little bit more?” you asked. “It is so interesting here”.

“Okay, till an unsafe point”, he said.

And you went further. Then you can see the woods in the fog. Creepy. You can only imagine the nightmares that were hiding there.

“Now we can go back”, he said. “Don’t go to that forest. That can be dangerous”.

“Yes, I understand already”, you replied. “Let’s go to the castle”.

You imagine what life could be before that curse. That can be a marvelous place. And you start thinking about Morpheus again.

"When is he going to see me?” you asked.

“I don’t know”, Matthew replied. “When he will be in a good mood and calm down a little. You need to give him time”.

It wasn’t reassuring at all.

Morpheus

 That girl didn’t want to wake up or escape. She was wandering around the castle and the Dreaming. She came to the House of Mysteries. Why wasn't she afraid?

“My lord?” I heard Lucienne’s voice.

“Yes?” I replied.

“You need to join her for dinner”, she said. “I tried to talk to her at least”.

“I don’t want to scare her away”, I replied.

“My lord, she can be the one who set us free”, after the pause, said Lucienne. “She is the brave one. And she didn’t try to escape yet.”.

“Do you think it’s a good idea?” I asked. “I am a monster. Who can love me in this form?”

“You need to try to become her friend at least”, she said.

“Why?” I asked.

“If you want her to stay and help all of us”, she replied. “Just give her the chance”.

There was a very small chance that this girl could break a curse. But she was the first girl who appeared her in a long time.

“She is a real dreamer”, Lucienne admitted. “And the appearance isn’t everything”.

“Very well”, I decided. “I will meet her at the dinner. She is better off coming this time”.

“And it would be better”, Lucienne said carefully. “For you to be more patient and gentle. She can be a little bit scared by your appearance as it is”.

“Alright”, I sighed. “I will try”.

“A dinner?” you asked unbelievably. “With him?”

“Well, you wanted dinner with him”, admitted Matthew. “That’s your chance to break the ice. Or for him to make something nice”.

“Yeah, you are right”, you sighed. “I don’t need to hide like he did. I need at least to thank him for the room”.

“Just be careful with him”, said Lucienne.

“I will be”, you said. “I don’t want him to be mad at me”.

They made you wear a cute white dress. Now you looked like a pure innocence. But you like your reflection in the mirror.

“Time to go”, you said nervously.

And Lucienne took you to the dining room. For these few days, you started to think that you gave him a nightmarish look before you were angry and scared. But he didn’t change much when you met him at the dinner.

He was still like a shadow. His skin was pale under his silky black coat. He has long fingers with the claws. Hair was long and feather-like. He has fangs. And his eyes were like deep black pools. He didn’t look like a human. But for some reason, you weren’t scared.

“Lord Morpheus?” you asked carefully.

“You aren’t scared”, he said, almost hissing.

“I suppose I’m not”, you, sat to the table.

There was something in him outwardly. You thought who can do this him and why.

“Thank you for my room”, you said. “It’s charming”.

“I’m glad you like it”, he replied.

The food appeared on the table. And you didn’t know what to tell him.

“And thank you for all this food”, you said.

“You were wandering around the castle”, he said. “And opened curtains”.

“Yes, your castle is beautiful, but it’s lacking in light”, you replied. “I’m sure it won’t do harm to bring more light”.

“Yet it’s not your castle”, he said.

“I know, my lord,”, you replied. “I just want to make your castle brighter. And you're free to close up again here”.

“You are the brave one”, he admitted.

“Thank you”, you smiled.

“You take everything so calmly,”, he said.

“I read a lot of books about different worlds and places”, you replied. “And I’m glad to be in one of them”.

“Even as a prisoner?” he raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I am not locked up in a cell or a room”, you admitted.

You started to eat, but he didn’t. He simply watched you, and you started to blush. Why was he watching you so attentively?

“So, no one wants to talk about what happened here”, you tried. “So I thought maybe you can tell me what is going on”.

The mood changed. The room became darker, and Morpheus frowned.

“It’s not a concern of yours”, he replied.

“I am here”, you said. “So I have the right to know”.

“No”, he said coldly. “You have nothing to do with this. And you can’t do anything with us. So just…be here”. And he stood up and left the room. The dinner and the conversation didn’t work well for you.

@shadowqueen1318 @mypsychoticlove @justathirstyhoe​ @ladymoztaza @sapphireonline @deniixlovezelda

[mako-neexu]

[wip tag game] I am crawling into your askbox to see what happens when I poke the button labeled "obeguda fairy ball" with a stick (and maybe also the other obeguda button)

hello! thank you for the asks! as of now, i havent gotten to the part where oberon is in it yet but it is basically the fic in which i put ritsuka in a "bridal" gown i like and sending her to a dangerous mission that would also give me jealous/possessive oberon haha

-

Ritsuka smiles and curtsies just slightly as she and the elf she had talked to had finished their conversation.

As she moves along the crowd, she makes sure her mask was in place, her small faux fairy wings avoiding the crowds, taking care not to step on her white backless mermaid dress...a mystic code Miss Crane and Da Vinci had worked on for a little more than a month.

Ritsuka knew that they loved to add intricate designs such as the very faint stardust that gleamed just enough for a person to see as well as the embroidery but was the sweetheart neckline necessary? And these arm-length satin gloves seemed just for show as well.

She could only hope Da Vinci was telling the truth that she wouldn't get a scratch despite wearing the dress and gloves as well as a pair of matching thigh-high stockings… At least the golden flower hair ornament that was embedded in her bun wasn’t distracting. Besides, she would be lying if she said that she didn’t like the temporary change in her hairstyle.

At least the spells she included in it was enough for both offense and defense battles.

That didn't mean she wouldn't be able to run around with ease considering the heels they had her wear...and if it comes down to it, she’s prepared to tear a slit into her dress to run for her life.

Still, the important thing for the night is to lead one of the leaders of the ongoing war into a secluded area and have him get incapacitated by Oberon, who was watching the ball unfold below from the large rounded stained glass window high above them.

Though some of the security measures outside were now disabled thanks to Mash and Medusa, it was up to her to execute the final stages of the plan.

"Did you hear? The human bride he's going to choose tonight will be a special one!" Said one of the fairies, their excitement as apparent as day.

Ritsuka thanks the waiter after taking a drink that was offered, slowly walking past the fairies that gossiped.

"Naturally, as its a full moon, he would want one of those things again and turn it into a puppet for destruction. Y'know how he planned to turn the tides of war to his favor, right?"

She observes the couples that were on the dance floor, gracefully gliding across the room as they followed the music.

This step of the plan was the hardest.

Finding the leader should be an easy task considering his status and aura. But he was said to be a shapeshifter that liked to mingle among the crowd to personally pick his targets.

So on top of acting as one of the fairies invited to this occassion, she was supposed to discern which ordinary looking fairy he was before he revealed himself and announced who his bride was for tonight.

Because if he did, the final cycle of the war would be complete, eradicating the humans of the lostbelt regardless whether they were outsider or not.

She has to act fast and try her best to safeguard the girls that were likely candidates for him tonight. Though they were treated normally like the other guests, she'd like to save them too as she saw their ashen faces forced to smile amongst the crowd.

[dream-meister-translations]

DREAM MEISTER & THE RECOLLECTED BLACK FAIRY

TAMAYURA CHARACTER CARD #2

━

The other day, I was heading to the warehouse in the mansion with Shiranui.

SHIRANUI : Sorry to bother you with this. I just can't seem to find the ritual tools I put away.

EMMA : No problem. Hopefully we can find what you're looking for!

EMMA : …Huh?

It was there, under the shade of a nearby tree, I caught sight of a familiar figure…

EMMA : T-Tamayura…!?

SHIRANUI : Hm? What's the matter, is something wrong?

EMMA : Just… Look at him over there…

Many birds had perched themselves upon Tamayura's body, sitting peaceful on his head, shoulders and arms.

SHIRANUI : Oh, right, no wonder you're surprised, it's your first time seeing it.

EMMA : So he's always like this?

SHIRANUI : Yeah, it looks funny, doesn't it? Tamayura covered in birds!

As soon as we walked up to Tamayura, all the birds that had been perched on him took off at once.

TAMAYURA : …Shiranui, Emma. Whew… Good morning.

EMMA : That was amazing!

TAMAYURA : ...What was amazing...?

EMMA : So many birds were resting on you, Tamayura!

TAMAYURA : …Oh, yeah, we were just taking a nap together. They're all such good friends.

EMMA : Sorry, I chased all the birds away when I got too close…

TAMAYURA : …Ugh.

EMMA : So… You like birds, Tamayura?

TAMAYURA : Yes… That's right. I love them. I can't choose my favorite. They're all my friends.

Tamayura held a leather sack filled with grain in one hand.

EMMA : Oh, so you were feeding your friends, I take it?

TAMAYURA : …If the birds are full, then maybe they won't eat the bugs as much.

EMMA : Bugs?

TAMAYURA : …It's inevitable that we all have to eat to survive, but life is life.

TAMAYURA : Birds, insects, humans, we're all the same. The weight of our lives are equal.

TAMAYURA : So, even though what I'm doing right now is a very, very, small thing in the grand scheme of things…

TAMAYURA : I still… Wanted to do what I could to help…

EMMA : I see…

EMMA : So you want to take care of everyone, then? Birds, insects, people, even plants for that matter.

TAMAYURA : …Mm.

SHIRANUI : It's one of Tamayura's strongest qualities. He's kind to everything.

SHIRANUI : He's also so easy going and can joke around while keeping such a straight face.

EMMA : He can do that? …Tamayura can?

SHIRANUI : Yep! He's also a surprisingly big drinker! He loves to party and always takes the lead dancing at festivals!

TAMAYURA : ………

EMMA : (That's so surprising…)

From there, Shiranui shared all his stories and memories of Tamayura with me.

And by the time we'd found the ritual tools in the warehouse, I could safely say my image of Tamayura had wildly changed.

EMMA : Whoa, really? You danced 'til morning during that festival?

SHIRANUI : By the end of the night we were all so exhausted and drunk. Tamayura and I were the only one's left standing.

TAMAYURA : …I was having so much fun. I lost track of time.

EMMA : I wish I could have seen it. It's hard to imagine Tamayura getting in the groove.

SHIRANUI : Haha, it's only a matter of time now you're here.

━

On the way back to the house, Asahi noticed us and rushed over.

ASAHI : Tamayura, our guests from Koyomi no Kuni arrived earlier than expected. They are waiting for you in the guest room.

TAMAYURA : …Okay, got it.

EMMA : Visitors?

TAMAYURA : Yes. They have a request for me.

EMMA : Oh?

TAMAYURA : Emma, if you don't mind… Would you like to sit in on the meeting?

TAMAYURA : You said you wanted to see my work.

EMMA : Huh!? Yes, please, I'd love that!

━

TAMAYURA : …My name's Tamayura, Master of Talismans. Is your request in this package?

OLD MAN : Yes, yes. I hear the Master of Talismans here at Eternal Flower is very talented. I need you to do something about this…

The old man slowly unwraps the furoshiki to reveal a doll of a girl in a red kimono.

TAMAYURA : …It's beautiful. But it's on the verge of becoming something bad.

EMMA : What does "something bad" mean?

I glanced across to Tamayura and saw Mashiro standing in the shadows, her heckles raising menacingly as she glared at the doll.

The temperature in the room seemed to have dropped all of a sudden, causing my shoulders to shudder with involuntary fear…

[vanoincidence]

Baby Hatchet || Van & Vic

TIMING: mid april. LOCATION: vic's home. PARTIES: @natusvincere & @vanoincidence SUMMARY: van goes to find her missing package, and the post office told her it was at none other than vic's house! CONTENT WARNINGS: none!

Rosie had a beautiful, lush backyard to play in.  Vic had made sure of it when she bought their home- she even designed the landscape herself.  

At first, when Rose had been given to her, everything felt so temporary.  Surely she wouldn’t actually be expected to keep a human child alive, someone must have been coming to take her away to safety with some nice, normal hunters. But things started to almost seem normal- Vic had painted the walls of her guest room with lavish, detailed fairy tail characters from her own childhood, and it wasn’t long before Rosie started reaching for her for comfort instead of self-soothing.  And suddenly, Vic couldn’t imagine life without the small being by her side.  But the modest home she had owned at the time wasn’t big enough by any means, not for a growing little girl.

So, Vic went on the search for something newer and bigger, and, well… she found something bigger.  Bigger was about the only thing it had going for it.  The home was huge, massive, if she were being frank, but it was severely unsafe and outdated (sometimes she wondered if it was older than her). But there wasn’t much that could get between Vic and her plans, and so for the next year or so (she had gotten so much better at keeping track of time now that Rosie was around), Vic did everything she could to make the home look bright, shiny, and new as it ever did.  She spared no expense, because she didn’t have to, and because her daughter deserved everything.  Especially a beautiful, lush backyard to play in.

Except lately, Rosie had absolutely no interest playing in the beautiful backyard, but had instead taken a fascination to the front yard instead.  The front yard, usually home to Vic’s flowerbeds and elaborate landscaping, now had every inch of its driveway covered in chalk.  Vic, despite the circumstances, had accepted this change surprisingly willingly, and was sat upon the driveway with the three-year-old, the two of them creating their own doodles that seemed to interlace with the other’s.  Winnie, for her part, seemed more interested in the pedestrians passing by than their art.  Vic didn’t mind in the slightest, though, since that kept both the strangers and the hyper dog occupied.  

—- 

Van looked down at the piece of paper that had lines of ink scratched overtop of it. Tongue pushed against the roof of her mouth, she squinted into the distance. She wasn’t sure how somebody had screwed up a delivery this badly! How was it that every single time she ordered something, it just so happened to get delivered to the opposite side of town? Maybe it was her fault for online shopping. She should’ve been supporting local instead, not buying miniature statues of Acheron to fill the shelf she bought with the Ikea gift card Regan left behind. 

As she approached the house, she immediately took notice of the toddler, dog, and woman– a myriad of colors canvasing both the ground. She paused just outside of the fence, jumping slightly as the dog seemed to show interest in her. Van looked at the paper in her hands, then to the address that was posted on the wall next to the front door. Yeah, this was the place, but it didn’t look like there were any packages sitting outside of it. She should ask. Yeah, definitely ask. 

Van cleared her throat after a moment, pushing the paper into the space between them, showing the address on the slip of paper from the post office. “Hi, um– I– my figurines got sent here instead of to me? And um, this is the address that the post office gave me.” She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous. Would the woman think she was a scammer? God, all she wanted was her Acheron. 

—- 

Most people that walked by either ignored them or politely complimented the chalk art.  Vic had taken to smiling politely at the compliments, something she wouldn’t have considered a few years ago.  Somehow, Rosie was teaching her that not everyone had to be a threat.  But sometimes a lesson had to be taught a few times before it stuck.

 Winnie and Vic took the throat-clearing stranger in two opposite ways.  Winnie, sure as ever that this new friend was speaking directly to her, couldn’t contain her sudden burst of excited energy.  She zoomed around the front yard, circling back to the stranger with a lick to her hand before repeating the process a few more times.  Vic wasn’t as welcoming.  She stood up, placing herself between Rosie and the stranger.  The toddler, who  didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary, kept on with her drawing. She looked down at the paper, unsure she should grab it without more information.  She had been reading horror stories about phantom contracts on the internet lately, and worried just grabbing such a thing might somehow pass over ownership to her house or something.  She needed more information.

“Online shopping can be incredibly unsafe.  Do you often put the wrong address on your orders, or am I just lucky?”.  The paper she was holding did seem official, but Vic knew she had to keep prying.  She thought back to the small box that had been delivered yesterday, the one she’d meant to bring to the post office before her whole day got thrown off when Rosie scraped her knee.  Injuries with three-year-olds were expected, and Rosie had been so brave, but Vic felt the need to restock her blood supply so there were absolutely no slip-ups.

“Figurines… do you mean toys?  Are you a parent?”  She glanced back at Rosie, thinking about the positive outcomes playdates seemed to have in all the parenting books she’d read in the past three years.  “How old is your child?”

—

Van stumbled back slightly as the dog rounded to her side, hand covered in grass and dirt now from the way it’d surely been digging at something in the ground earlier. Van wiped her hand against the backs of her pants and looked over at the woman who immediately took care to step in front of the kid that was next to her. 

“I mean, yeah, but so can like… going to the store.” Especially here, she thought. The last big shopping trip she’d done, Debbie had ended up dead and she and the others earned stab wounds. “I didn’t put the wrong address! They said it was sorted wrong by the post office or something.” She stuck the piece of paperwork into the space between them, not quite crossing the threshold as the woman didn’t seem overjoyed to be in her presence. Van could at least tell that much. 

At the mention of being a parent, Van coughed, hand to her chest. “Me? Dude, I’m like twenty– well I mean, I’m twenty-one, but that just happened like last month. I don’t look like a mom, do I?” She looked down at herself, the cargo jeans she wore dragging haphazardly against the sidewalk so that the ends of the fabric were lined in dirt and mud. She looked up at the woman who (was clearly a mother) and coughed out an apology. “There’s nothing wrong with being a mom, but like, I’m not one, and I don’t think I could ever be one, because what happens if a kid gets knives, you know? I’m not even allowed to have knives. I’m twenty-one.” Van could feel heat rise to the back of her neck as she stumbled over her words. “I’m the child here, la– ma’am, and um, I’m just here for my figurine which is not a toy, it goes up on a shelf and you look at it because it’s nice to look at.” She couldn’t believe that this woman thought she was a mom. She’d be a terrible parent! She couldn’t even take care of herself! That was like, Erin and Jade’s jobs! 

—

At the girl’s words, Vic hesitated, her mouth opening and closing in thought.  She had a point, and for a brief, rare moment, Vic was at a loss for words.  It was the reason she started having her groceries delivered since her alarming interaction with Baby Bloodworth in the park.  She wouldn’t have been thrilled for this stranger to find out she was a hypocrite.  Again, she stared at the paper placed in front of her for a beat, but this time she grabbed it after a moment, reading through the words with furrowed eyebrows.  Behind her, she heard the gentle scraping of chalk- Rosie apparently having had enough of staring at the stranger.  “Stupid useless government agencies”, she muttered, passing the paper back to the girl.  “Are you planning on filing a complaint about this?  I can help you start the process.”

Vic found herself smirking at the fact that the mere thought that the girl in front of her could be a parent send her into a sort of spiral. She looked down at the girl’s clothing, her eyes raising in judgement and a bit of disgust.  Perhaps she misplaced her washing machine, too. Rosie, as sweet as they made them, heard the coughing and brought over the roll of paper towels Vic had brought out to smudge the chalk, shyly holding them up to the girl. Vic smiled down at her and tucked her wispy curls behind her ears as she spoke to the stranger.   “Both twenty and twenty-one are perfectly reasonable ages to be a parent.  Or they once were, I suppose.  The youth of today is much less mature… I’m thrilled you’ve decided to wait.”  Vic, for her part, was 307 before she became a parent.  “You don’t give them knives until after you’ve trained them”, she said as Rosie ran off to chase Winnie, their favorite game together as of late.  Her giggles echoed behind their conversation.  “My daughter is adept at hatchet throwing, too, but she’s a bit shy around strangers.”

She stared at the girl for a moment longer, and then opened the gate, gesturing for her to come in the yard.  Neither Rosie nor Winnie seemed threatened by her presence, and Vic was working on trusting people rather than hating them right off the bat.  A disorganized, dirty barely adult seemed like a good start.  “So it’s art, in a way?  I can appreciate art.”

—

“Yeah, the government totally sucks and everything, but the post office is like, the least of our worries even if they did mess this up.” Weren’t they severely underfunded? Probably. That sounded right. Van didn’t want to be mad at the post office, but didn’t mind being upset with the government, because the government totally sucked. “I don’t…. think so? A complaint is going to take a lot of time, and I just sort of want my package, you know?” A nervous smile crept across Van’s features as she brought her hands together, thumbs pressing against each other.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the toddler holding up something towards her. The roll of paper towels were bigger than her head, and Van, for some reason, was transported back to a time where her dad would look at her through the paper towel hole and then make noises, too. He had done a great elephant impression. Van wondered if this woman did that for her daughter, or if she showed love in other ways. “I’m–” She took the paper towels, unable to find it in herself to be rude to the toddler. “Thanks.” She looked down at them, not quite sure what to do now. She didn’t actually need them. Maybe she’d leave with the paper towels instead of her package. Maybe that would be the way this went. “I don’t know any twenty year olds who should be parents, actually.” Maybe if they really wanted to be? But Van couldn’t fathom it. It just wasn’t for her. 

“Trained…” Yeah, that made sense! She’d never been trained to deal with them, and hadn’t ever been taught how to hold them properly. That made a lot of sense. Van cleared her throat, tucking the paper towels to her chest with her arms crossed over them. “Hatchet… she’s so small though? How does she do that?��� That was a surprise, to say the least. Impressive, too. Van could barely hold anything above her head. Her arms were weak. A toddler was stronger than her which was a little belittling. Maybe she should hit the gym. “That’s cool though, um– didn’t mean for it to sound like a bad thing or whatever.” This woman was strange. She reminded her a little bit of Regan, actually. 

The gate opened, and Van padded into the yard, craning her neck to look at the chalk art from the correct angle. “Those are nice, and um– yeah, it’s like art, I guess.” That was a good way to put it, and it seemed to please the woman. Maybe she’d get her package afterall. “Are you an artist?” It was clear that was the case, as it was fairly easy to discern which chalk art was the woman’s and which had been the child’s. If it had been Van, both her attempts and the kid’s would’ve looked the same.  

—

Vic crossed her arms over her chest, barely listening to the girl defending the post office before she practically cut her off.  “But they inconvenienced you.  And me, for that matter.  They risked the integrity of your package with their careless mistake and they need to be held accountable so they understand that the choices they made to lead to this mistake are not acceptable.  Life is about learning, and the post office is not immune to this fact.”  There was no joking tone to her words, nor was there malice.  To Vic, she was just educating this poor, young girl about a fact of life.

As she watched the interaction between Rosie and the stranger, Vic wondered if this girl had ever interacted with a small child before.  “Maybe you’re right.  I mean, you’re practically still a child yourself.”  She couldn’t imagine the girl in front of her rocking a baby to sleep or gently combing tangles out of wet hair.  But then, three years ago, she couldn’t have imagined herself doing any of that, either.  “Is it something you want one day, do you think?  To be a parent?”

“Oh god, n- not real hatchets!”, Vic exclaimed, flummoxed.  “They’re rubber!  Do you think I would trust a preschooler with actual hatchets?  Her motor skills barely allow her a firm grasp on the leash, nevermind a throwing hatchet.”  She shook her head, completely flabbergasted as she looked back toward Rosie, not at all aware that the stranger her mother was talking too had wild ideas about small children.  “No”, she said, shaking her head as she turned back.  “She won’t try the real things until she’s at least 5.”

Vic glanced at their art as the two of them walked by, finding herself a bit embarrassed about being complimented.  For years, she’d been anonymously submitting art to contests around town, never venturing as far as to share her name for fear of being noticed.  She only started painting ‘professionally’ (if you called crude cartoons on storefronts professional) once Rosie came around, because bartending just didn’t seem like a job that a mother should have, but she often avoided feedback about that art, too.  Waiting to be scrutinized for her passion made her feel like a little girl again, being asked loud, harsh questions she didn’t know the answers to.  “I don’t know if one is entitled to call themself an artist.  I think that’s a title that’s meant to be bestowed upon you.”

Vic glanced toward the front door as they reached it, knowing the package the girl was waiting for was just on the other side of it.  She looked at Rosie, who was so covered in chalk dust and concentrating on what she was doing, then at Winnie, who was laying next to her, covered with a few chalk dust handprints herself.  Then, her glance fell to the stranger again.  It was so rare for her to bring people into her home, even less so strangers, but this would be okay, right?  The girl would barely be seeing the inside.  

—

Van stared at the woman as she dug into her opinion about the post office. So she was dealing with a Karen? Was that what this was? She wasn’t sure it was that serious, but what if it had been? What if Van had been waiting on something really important? Well, the Acheron statue was important (to her), but the lady had a point and she knew it, even if she didn’t feel particularly good about taking it out on underpaid government workers. “Um, I’ll… go and talk to them. For sure.” She wasn’t going to, but it wasn’t like this woman would actually know if she went and did, right? 

It wasn’t the first time she’d been called a child, especially by an older woman, and she figured it wouldn’t be the last. Though, in this situation, Van did nothing to fight back against the comment. She was a child who shouldn’t have a child, and that was her opinion. If other twenty year olds, or freshly twenty-one year olds wanted to go and have children, then so be it. She just wasn’t one of them. Choice mattered, even if she made the opposite one. “Yeah, exactly. I’m like, a super child, you know? Almost as tall as one or whatever. I don’t even think a kid would fit on this hip.” Her mom had been her height, but it was getting harder to remember those kinds of details with the years that passed. At the woman’s questions, Van shook her head, waving the paper towel around so that it became slightly unraveled. Now stressed, she began balling it around itself, “no, not at all, I’d be like, a super terrible parent.” Even if that weren’t true, she couldn’t fathom ever being one. “I can like, barely take care of myself. Instead of groceries, I’m buying figurines, you know?” She let out a nervous laugh, the paper towels now tucked to her chest. 

So they weren’t real hatchets, and maybe Van should’ve known that, but she had just figured that if they weren’t, then the woman would’ve noted that. Then again, she just did. “Until she’s… 5? That’s…” She looked towards the toddler that was dotted in different colored chalk. “That makes like, total sense.” Van had realized very quickly that there was probably no reasoning with this woman. She hated inconveniences, and Van was one big one, if she were being honest with herself. 

Yeah, the longer Van sat here with this woman, the more she was reminded of Regan. Maybe they’d even get along. Then again, maybe their opinions would cancel each other out and they’d actually hate each other. Not that Van would ever know, Regan was in Ireland and she was never coming back. “If you um, do art, I think that you can call yourself an artist? Or that you like doing it? It takes up time, right?” She thought of Nora in that moment and her chest tightened. She missed her friend, and she even missed Regan. “Plus it’s like, really good, so I mean…” She shrugged, not sure where else to go. If the woman didn’t want to be called an artist, then Van wouldn’t waste her breath, but it seemed like she was an artist. 

They were closer to the door, and Van was closer to freedom. Her Acheron statue (or in Thea’s words, Grimace), would be in her possession, and she’d be free to display it however she wanted after putting the delicate pieces into place. They stalled outside of the door and Van cleared her throat. “Um, I can… wait out here? While you grab it? These shoes are like, kind of hard to take off and everything.” They were double laced converse that were tied around each other at the top. Half the time, Van just wiggled her feet out, but she figured that might only make this woman (a near certified Karen), more upset. 

—

“Okay.  You can let me know how it went, if you want.  Don’t let them intimidate you.  I know how some people like to take advantage of young women’s perceived naivety.  You’re entitled to get what you want out of this interaction, so don’t take no for an answer.”  Vic considered offering to go with the girl, but it was just as well that this might be a lesson she had to learn on her own.  

She smiled, small and inquisitive, as the you woman demonstrated her lack of hips.  “You’d be surprised the sort of things they sell for infant care these days.  I’d bet your hips would have no issue propping a toddler up with the right equipment.” For a moment, she paused, ignoring the first half of the girl’s statement in favor of the second.  “Wait, but you do have groceries, right?  You’re not experiencing food insecurity for the sake of this statue?”  Knowing the pangs of hunger herself, she couldn’t in good faith let someone go without food, not when she had plenty stashed away inside for Rosie.  

“That would be true if people weren’t duct taping bananas to walls and calling themselves artists because of it.”  She thought on the questions, looking back toward Rosie as she continued to color.  Even the term art was subjective, in it’s own way.  Childhood was art.  So were flowers and music and memories of something she wasn’t sure even existed anymore.  She didn’t know how to respond, so instead, Vic just gave a small nod at the second compliment. 

At the girl’s offer, she hesitated.  She would be inside for barely a moment- would that be enough time for the stranger to snatch her happiness away?  Nothing this young woman had done had indicated that she’d do something like that, though, and Vic had been slowly learning that one of the best methods to quell her distrust for, well… everyone, was to try a little trust.  For a moment, she stared at the stranger, trying to communicate silently what fate might be bestowed upon her if she even thought about hurting her family.  To the young woman, it probably looked like she had to fart.  

Vic ventured inside, leaving the door open just in case, and reached the end of the front hall where the package was safely resting.  All the while, she was pushing thoughts away, the ones that told her all the awful things that could be happening just outside.  But her hearing was impeccable, and all she heard was Rosie humming contentedly.  As she walked back outside, she hoped the girl didn’t notice how embarrassed she was.  “Here it is, um…” she looked down at the package.  “Van.  And it was nice to meet you.  I’m Vic, if you’re wondering. Or if one of my grocery deliveries end up mysteriously at your house.”

—

Van nodded in response, speculating that if she were to further engage in the conversation about the downfall of the post office, the woman might decide that right there and now was the best time to go and have the conversation about their inability to do their jobs. Van didn’t want to offend the post office. They were the least paid, and they really only wanted to help people, right? Get their packages, connect loved ones who hadn’t entered the age of cellphones— all of that. 

While the woman’s comments could be seen as invasive, Van forced herself to imagine Regan in front of her, delightfully unaware of social cues. Maybe that was the same issue here. Van was bad at them, too, so she couldn’t really blame the woman! But still, there was something about her hips, and as she opened her mouth to respond, she was being prodded about her comment regarding groceries. “Oh! Um, that was like, a joke. I actually work at a pizza place, so I get unlimited pizza. It’s an okay deal for the shitty pay.” Oh god, now this woman would be able to parse out where she worked. What if she came looking for verification that she had gone to the post office? It was too late to take back the statement now. “Minimum wage affords me both the statue and pizza. It’s a good gig.” It was a terrible gig, but she wasn’t about to go into the details of why. 

The woman did have a point. A banana taped to a wall didn’t have the same emotion as something that somebody had spent hours on, but wasn’t art still subjective? She didn’t know enough about the politics of art to really get into it, but her mind kept wandering back to Nora and the abandoned paintings in her crypt. “I think that maybe somebody finds that artistic. I think it’s okay if you don’t.” After a brief pause, Van continued, “I mean— I don’t either. Not really.” She didn’t want the woman to get mad at her for possibly thinking a banana taped onto a wall was art, so she made sure to amend, “and like, sometimes art is bad.” Yeah, that was good. 

She was so close to getting her Acheron figurine and leaving. She could practically feel its energy from the other side of the door. Well, not that she actually could, but the lesbian power the figurine radiated was enough to let Van know it was definitely on the other side. Van blinked at the woman as she seemingly hesitated. What was taking her so long? Did she not actually have it? Was this whole thing just a facade? Was the baby even real? She looked behind her at the baby who was definitely real, still enamored with the chalk and the sidewalk. 

Finally, the package was hers. It was the same size as the Black Swan figurine she had gotten off of Depop, and she hoped that inside, she wouldn’t find a bunch of scattered and broken pieces. “Oh, thank god—“ She grabbed the package from the woman— now named Vic, and held it to her chest in exchange for giving Vic back the paper towels that the little girl had handed over. “I hope not. I mean, groceries are a lot harder to like, transport and stuff, you know?” She bit the inside of her cheek as she looked behind her, then back to Vic. “I mean, if that does happen then that’d totally suck, but I definitely would bring them to you. I wouldn’t just eat your groceries.” Van guessed that Vic probably bought the really good yogurt puffs for the kid, and Van might steal those. They were expensive and they were a good snack. She’d put a Red Bull in for replacement. How would Vic know that wasn’t on the shopper? “Thank you for keeping it safe though, I totally like, owe you one.” Did she? Probably not, but she felt like she did. 

—

All things considered, Vic’s fears turned out to be unwarranted.  If she were a petty person, she would be mocking herself from five minutes ago for being so worried about leaving Rosie with this sweet, confused, underdressed stranger.  She grabbed the paper towels with a grin, putting them on the sun table beside them.  “That would be very kind, but unnecessary.  We enjoy our evening walks, we could just venture over to wherever you are with our wagon and take them from there, if the situation should arise.  I doubt it will, though, really.  The odds of that happening are actually quite miniscule.”  Vic said this with her full chest as tourists were lining up to catch a glimpse of the giant leg currently resting in the woods.

“You shouldn’t say that to strangers, you know”, she said.  It was a lesson she’d learned after being burned by more than a few fae in her time.  She was glad to pass on 300 years of wisdom to the youth of today.  When Van had first approached, all of Vic’s apprehension had made her wish she could just imagine her away, but Vic thought perhaps she wasn’t so bad, with her baggie, ripped pants and her strange art.  “You let me know if you need help at the post office, okay?  I’m extremely adept at writing strongly worded letters.”  Maybe she should trust Winnie and Rosie’s judgements of strangers more often.

[baileyboo2016]

merry Christmas! it's me, fae-spy, your secret santa! I hope you enjoy. I'm not super good with angst so I hope it's enough! I hope you have an amazing Christmas<3

Link had no idea what the winter solstice celebration was.

He had heard it mentioned once in a blue moon, from the odd passersby. The first time Link heard about it he was five years old. A while ago, he had just lost his family, and was living by the kindness of a few fairies. Though, they could not talk and had very little understanding of human needs.

He was in the market, which was a rare occurrence, to buy something with a little money he found on the side of the road. An older woman had mentioned something about how “winter solstice has no meaning without her grandchildren.” Link had asked her what the winter solstice was, but she paid him no mind. People barely talked to others outside their family in Hyrule, much less strangers.

Later that night, Link couldn't help but wonder what the winter solstice was. It was the only thing that was keeping his mind off of the cold. He was unable to find a coat to buy with his money. He huddled against the dark walls of his cave in a desperate attempt to feel warm.He was sniffling and shivering. He was cold and alone. The only thing that kept him alive at that moment was the hope that things would be better next winter.

…

“Are you okay?” Hyrule asked. The Chain was staying at Lon Lon Ranch for a bit on account of all the snow that piled up outside. Of course, Malon gave them chores to do like she always did. Hyrule and Wind were tasked with cleaning the guest rooms, and while they were making the beds, Hyrule could hear small sniffles coming from Wind’s side of the room.

“I’m fine,” Hyrule saw Wind bring his arm up to wipe his eyes. Wind sniffled once more.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” Wind continued to make the bed.

“...Well, if you need anything let me know…” Hyrule went back to his chores. He was still awkward when it came to interactions with other people.

Not a minute later, Wind spoke up. “Do you think we'll be able to leave soon?” Hyrule thought that statement was odd. Wind always loved to see Malon and the ranch.

“Time says we can't leave until the snow lets up. It depends on if a portal appears or not then.”

“Oh… it's just… nevermind it's stupid.” Hyrule turned to face Wind. His eyes were glossy and red, matching his red, slight snotty nose. Wind usually looked small to the others in the Chain because he was the youngest. But Hyrule never thought he looked like the youngest, he always thought that was Four, because he was so short. However, right now, Wind looked like what he was, a child.

“Wind, what's wrong?”

He sat down on the bed. Gingerly, Hyrule sat down next to him. “I just miss Aryll… I mean, more than I usually do, since it's close to Christmas and all. I just wish I could make it in time…”

Hyrule had no idea what Christmas was since he grew up as an orphan in a crumbling country. Even though his curiosity was burning, he felt this wouldn't be a good time to ask. “Well… Legend has this theory that when we go through the portals we don't travel… linearly… through time I guess? Anyway, maybe you will be able to make it in time.”

“...yeah, I know I have you guys for Christmas, but without Aryll it isn't the same…” Hyrule didn't know how to respond to that. The only family he ever had were his dead parents and the fairies, so he didn't really understand.

“You two must be really close, huh?”

“Yeah…” Wind wiped his eyes again and stood up. “Don't tell anyone about this, ‘kay? …Promise?”

Hyrule nodded. “Promise.” He wasn't planning on telling anyone about Wind, but he was planning on figuring out what Christmas was.

…

Hyrule didn't really understand why he'd been sly with his inquiries, so he asked the first person he ran into after his chores were done. Which was Malon.

“Hey, Malon?” Malon paused cutting the vegetables for dinner. “... what's Christmas?”

Shocked features painted her face for a second before her lips formed into a soft smile. “It's just a celebration during the winter. People decorate, give each other gifts, stuff like that. Do they not have something like that in your Hyrule?”

Hyrule shrugged. “They had something called the Winter Solstice, but I never really did anything for it… when is it?”

Malon continued to chop the vegetables. “In a few days.”

“Oh, do you and Time celebrate it at all?”

“Of course! We were talking about doing it with y'all if your circumstances allow it. Wind has been seeming particularly sad lately, maybe it’d cheer him up, ya know.”

“You noticed too? …Maybe we could make it a surprise for him. Kinda like a surprise birthday party?”

Malon clapped her hands together. “That sounds like a great idea! I'll talk to Time and see what we can do!”

…

“Wind,” Hyrule shook Wind softly. “Wind, wake up. It's important.”

Wind rubbed his eyes and groaned. “What?”

“Come down stairs, quick!”

Eventually, Hyrule coaxed when to stumble out of bed. They walked to the living room together. A soft glow was drifting out of the living room paired with soft whispers.

As the two walked into the living room, they were met with the sight of a lit fireplace surrounded by presents and a tree decorated with red bows and candles in jars. Everyone sat in front of the presents. Time sat right next to Sky, making sure he didn't fall asleep.

“Merry Christmas!”

Wind grinned widely, now fully awake, “wow, thanks you guys!"

“Are you just gonna stand there looking stupid?” Legend remarked, holding a gift out to him. “Or are you going to open your present?”

Giddily, Wind grabbed the gift and quickly unwrapped it. Taking off the paper revealed the gift to be an ornament. A telescope one, in fact, just like Aryll’s. It was red and orange with small seagulls.

Wind eyes started to water slightly as he looked at the telescope. “Thank you!” He said to everyone. Then, he ran to Hyrule and tackled him with a hug.

Hyrule smiled, this might just have been his best winter yet.

awwww omg this is so sweet???? 🥺🥺🥺🥺 poor rulie, im glad he gets to have a good christmas with his family!! sky trying not to fall asleep is such a mood LMAOOO. and wind needs a hug too :((

thanks so much and merry christmas fae-spy!! 🥰🥰🎄🎄

[writedisaster]

thinkin bout Lip’s fairy tale verse again. discussion of disordered eating under the cut.

        I was originally thinking Lip’s fairy-tale verse might honestly by the verse where their relationship with food is the least complicated?  Which is hideously ironic, but like, when I say “least complicated,” I don’t necessarily mean “best.”  (Though it could also be that. Maybe. It’s difficult to untangle.  Either way, that bar is painfully low.)

        In Lip’s other verses, they tend to develop a lot of arcane rules about what they eat, when they eat, how they eat, how much they eat, why they eat, yadda yadda yadda.  In Lip’s fairy-tale verse, they have a rocky relationship with food because, as a frequent unwilling guest of fairyland, food is associated with serious danger in their mind.  But even so, as impactful as those fears are, they’re simple compared to Lip’s ED bullshit in other verses.  Either the food is safe to eat or it isn’t.  Easy enough, right?

        Or... maybe that’s only the way it is at first.  While they’re actively cursed, going to fairyland every night and returning to the mundane world every morning, it’s pretty easy to know where they are, whether they’re safe to eat or not.  Being in fairyland just feels different.  They can’t explain it, but they know.  They always know.

        And then when the curse is broken, it’s great. They don’t have to worry anymore.  They don’t have to starve at the feast every night. It’s all safe.

        But then they start to lose their grasp on that feeling of where they are. Their rhythm’s been disrupted, and that rhythm was so important to them for so long-

        It’s difficult.

        Time bleeds.  Place bleeds.  Sometimes they don’t feel safe.  When they don’t feel safe, they don’t want to eat.  When they don’t eat, it gets harder and harder to convince themself they’re safe.  And so on, and so forth.  When they’re alright, they’re alright.  But when they’re not alright... it’s very difficult for them to get themself back on track.

        Which might actually lead to them making conditions on eating similar to their other verses, despite what I said about this being simpler.  (It WAS simpler, for a while!)  When they’re struggling with feeling safe around food, it’s easiest for them to eat something unappetizing (fairy food is never unappetizing) and for them to eat alone (they were never alone in fairyland).  Which makes eating deeply joyless, but at least they can eat.  Usually.

        Honestly, as simplistic as it seems, it would be really helpful for them in those moments to have someone else tell them that they’re safe.  Tell them it’s just human food.  Tell them they can eat.  Even when Lip is doubting their place in reality, they know those things could never lie like that. Just tell them it’s alright, and they’ll believe you.

        ... but it would take a tremendous amount of trust for them to be vulnerable enough to let on that they need that.  Really, they don’t even want to let on that they’re struggling at all.  They’re just not hungry.  Leave them alone.

[mpwrites]

because it wouldn’t leave my brain as soon as the idea was planted, may I present:

The Quantum State of Adam “The Beast” Beauty-and-the-Beast

So you know how, in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the last petal of the enchanted rose will fall on the Beast’s 21st birthday? And in Be Our Guest we establish that for “ten years [they’ve] been rusting, needing so much more than dusting”?

That means Adam was 10 or 11 when the witch cursed them all to be a big furry slab of meat and various inanimate objects respectively. Yeah, turning away someone in need from your literal castle full of servants is a shitty thing to do at any age, but it does seem harsh; he was a kid!

…but he also wasn’t a kid.

Despite this frequent talking point among Disney fans, the image of Adam in the stained glass prologue is a grown-ass man, complete with crown and scepter.

And if he had been turned into the Beast as a kid, how would there be a portrait of his *adult human face* in the West Wing for him petulantly slash?

You could reasonably argue that everyone in the castle is locked in time. Chip wasn’t birthed as a teacup; he was turned into one as a kid and stayed a kid for all that time. But everyone else are inanimate objects, they wouldn’t grow or age. Adam, on the other hand, is still a living mammalian creature with no reason to be frozen in time. More than that, if he were stuck in time, *why would they be counting his birthdays*? Rose petals don’t fall in a closed time loop.

Now, we’re having a lot of fun here trying to George Lucas our way out of a plot hole in a kid’s movie about a fairy tale, but I think it’s important to remember that telling stories is hard. Making a movie, particularly an animated one, is a long process, and sometimes the years of decisions you make telling a story layer over and obscure one another.

In some ways, this makes Beauty and the Beast a pretty accurate depiction of what it’s like to try to find a “definitive” version of a fairy tale that would have been altered over and over by time and the teller.

My guess is that they didn’t want Adam to be significantly older than Belle or to age Belle up to him (whether for nonsense sexism reasons or maybe legitimate demographic ones), and the curse only lasting a couple years wouldn’t have carried the same weight. In the end the job gets done either way; fairy tale’s gonna fairy tale.

It’s often a beautiful thing when you glimpse the person behind a creation, and mistakes should be part of that. Just because something has an error or inconsistency doesn’t mean you can’t like that thing or you have to focus on the piddly problems it has; how much we love this movie and how rarely this plot hole comes up is proof of that. It doesn’t matter whether Adam was a kid when he was cursed, by the end he learns to be a person who wouldn’t do that.

We don’t need every little thing to make sense or to headcanon our way out of a plot hole most of us didn’t notice.

But…there is one way that might work. I think it would go a little something like this:

The winter winds howled around the castle, just as the forest howled with its hungry creatures, filling their bellies to best the cold.

Prince Adam pushed his plate aside and wandered toward the fireplace he never lit himself. Before his plush robe could meet his plush armchair, a knock came at the door.

He looked around; if any servant had heard the door, they made no move to answer. A blustering wind blew snow up the windows, and another, more insistent knock followed.

His silence threatened, the Prince stalked down the stairs and opened the door.

At that moment, presumably in a lull from their eternal bickering, Lumiere and Cogsworth were passing the foyer when they heard their master’s voice and felt the draft of an open door.

With a look at the Prince and one at each other, they could sense their master’s mood, but curiosity gripped them.

“Please sire, once I enter, your home is large enough you’ll never see me again,” they heard over the creak of their tipped toes.

“I won’t see you again, lest I be more ill than this cold would make me.” Lumiere stifled a chuckle for his master’s barb.

“Beauty is only skin deep, as my lord must well know from his mirror, that being the only thing to reflect beauty on him.”

The servants’ eyes went wide, first that someone would speak to the Prince in this way, then with the understanding that as the voice spoke it changed—it grew younger, louder, more terrible in its confident lilt—and a flash of light knocked Prince Adam to the ground.

As they reached the end of the hall, the pair glimpsed the enchantress at their doorstep and ducked behind the swung open door. Adam’s eyes met Cogsworth’s then rose to Lumiere’s; fear and silence gripped them—and silence had never once fallen over the pair of serving men.

“For your unfeeling heart,” the witch cried, “you and your castle will be cursed…”

The wind stood still, the snowflakes held their place in the air.

“Until your twenty-first year.”

Adam hadn’t a strong grasp of numbers, but he was fairly certain he was near two decades if not past it. His fingers were locked to the floor and so unavailable for counting.

The ageless witch looked down at the chiseled young man, “Is there a problem?”

Lumiere found his voice, “Sire, listen here—more women have cursed me than they have their washboards; I know what to do.”

“Nonsense, Lumiere, there’s no such thing as curses.”

“Then what do you call that?” Lumiere cranked Cogsworth’s head to the crack in the door.

“…a witch.”

Lumiere somehow grew more smug, “With a face like yours, I’d assumed you’d met one before.”

“Lumiere!” Adam whispered, “Speak!”

The enchantress held her chin on her wand, surveying Adam on the floor, “I’ve lived for centuries, you see, so ages are difficult. You must be—what—ten, eleven years old? A decade being cursed seems sufficient.”

Adam’s confusion was wrung upon his face, but Lumiere nodded so hard his chin dug into Cogsworth’s scalp.

“Yes?” Adam said. “Oh. Yes! Oh no, my twenty-first year—so far away!”

“Very well,” the witch said, and as she wove her hands ‘round, snowflakes gathered and grew verdant until they formed a thorny stem in front of her.

“Yes, sire, well done! Now spring it back in her face,” Lumiere said, “tell her she’s been duped.”

“No, you fool,” Cogsworth clocked Lumiere in the shoulder, “she’ll just change the curse. Let her finish and leave us in peace.”

Still more snowflakes gathered to her, now sanguinating and attaching themselves to the stem until a rose floated before her; a bloom made of winter.

“I needed to know how many petals I needed,” she said.

Adam’s face had almost found relief, but it grew tense again. “How many?” he said. And the tension spread into growing discomfort as his jaw clenched and his teeth seemed to grow larger in his mouth.

“Yes,” the enchantress said, “one petal for each year. Ten years, as I said.”

Lumiere and Cogsworth didn’t see the rose fly to the tower, didn’t see the enchantress fade into the resuming snowfall or their master fold into himself in pain and anguish. Their minds were filled with the growing sensation of change in their limbs and how the castle seemed to grow around them.

“All that time…” Cogsworth said.

And it was written on his face.

[inbetween-beast-and-man]

Pier, you know where I stand and what I do. I dont know what you want me to do or say. Im a hunter. I kill blanks. ive killed ghouls. ive killed fairies. ive not yet killed a lupine but there was an attempt. ive killed a mage. multiple even.

I am not a good man. I do horrible things everyday and I train others to do the same. I dont enjoy the death of any of these people. its still once human life and we lose that. its life that got removed from this world and its horrible.

but this is war. we will not meet eye to eye. and I dont expect you to be kind to me. I am a huge asshole. the biggest here maybe. but. I do not lie about what I am or what I do. and I did mean it when I offered you a way out. I still do. I dont want anyone to die. but the world we live in just doesnt work like that.

if you want to go all out and start killing innocent folk who aint got nothing to do with this be my guest. Youre nowhere near me. I cannot stop you. all youll accomplish is that Ill think youre an asshole too. and then Ill continue on doing the things I do cuz they need doing.

@inbetween-beast-and-man

I sure as fuck am tempted to.

Edit: Ok, I stopped being emotional. No. I won't do anything. I'm just pissed.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Is it just me or is anyone else creeped out by Rollo being so nice to MC?? He goes out of his way to say nice things to us which is weird almost like he’s trying to get on our good side for some reason. He also suspiciously knows a lot about MC already. I’m thinking Rollo wants to use MC for something maybe related to Malleus. What are your thoughts on this?

I don’t know if I’d call it outright “creepy”, but I do feel mildly unsettled by it?? There’s also a few scenes where Rollo is implied to just be… staring at the NRC group (his portrait shows up on screen, but the dialogue box only reads as “. . . . .”), which I personally find a lot more disturbing. I just don’t like being watched 😭 I feel like it could all be foreshadowing something!! (… though it’s also possible that I’m totally overthinking this 💦)

For context, Rollo greets the NRC students when they arrive on Noble Bell College’s campus. He speaks politely, but the NRC boys remark that he looks angry. (Note: Rollo’s character portrait is not actually glaring most of the tome; the NRC boys are likely referring to him as having a resting bitch face 😂)

While showing the guests around campus, Rollo reveals that he knows who everyone is, as he read the materials provided to him by Crowley. Rollo lists off their full names, as well as relevant positions and titles—but when he noticed Yuu and Grim, he notably becomes a little chattier and even… friendly? (Like, he even smiles a little bit.) “It must trouble you (someone who cannot use magic) to be surrounded by magic users everyday,” Rollo says. He lifts his arms and invites Yuu to relax, then adds (with the scene shifting to include Malleus), “… and that goes for the rest of you as well.”

***CONTENT WARNING: I will be briefly discussing a theory which involves racism and war below the cut, so please read at your own discretion.***

If these lines have any meaning in the grand scheme of things 🤔 I think (well, considering Rollo’s Disney inspiration) that this could play into any potential prejudices that he holds? A lot of fans are already speculating that Rollo holds anti-fae sentiments, and, from a certain angle, one could argue that his off-handed remark to Yuu supports that theory.

Think about the wording and the history of Noble Bell College. What the students at NBC value above all else is maintaining fairness and righteousness, just as its founder, the “Just/Righteous Judge”, did. Then, consider that Rollo seems to express sympathy for a non-magical human stuck at a school of mages in training. And then add the fact that fairies are implied to be more magically inclined than the other races; only a mere 10% of humans can use magic (and at the most basic level), whereas fairies have magic so plentiful that they utilize it for everyday activities like flying to their destinations.

With all of that in mind, it’s possible that Rollo’s line of thinking is this: “if this world were truly just, then magic users and non-magic users would be equal”. However, because fairies are a race that are more magically inclined than, say, humans, this causes an imbalance. Perhaps Rollo thinks that this disparity is not “just” as the Just Judge would want the world to be, and goes about administering his own judgment to “right the wrong”. Maybe Rollo himself isn’t a strong magic user (we’ve only seen other characters so far assume he must be powerful due to his position as student council president) and must rely on tricks or magical items to get ahead, which amplifies his hatred for those born lucky or gifted. (Alternatively, maybe Rollo is a powerful mage, but just cannot compete with Malleus’s natural abilities, which causes jealousy to brew??) And maybe he despises Malleus in particular because he’s the very public embodiment of all that Rollo sees as “unfair” in the world?? (Malleus has political influence, money, magical powers beyond belief, etc.) Maybe this all ties back to the aftermath of the human-fairy war that is sometimes mentioned???

It’s very… twisted logic, but sometimes it’s the worst of people who think they’re the best of people. They so deeply believe they are in the right and try to go out and act on those beliefs 😔 If this does end up happening, I think that would actually make Rollo one of the most disturbing antagonists we’ve seen so far in TWST—because that arrogant way of thinking perpetuates a lot of hatred in the real world too.

… Buuut of course, that’s just a theory 😅 A gaaaaame theory

I think the other popular theory floating around right now is that Rollo actually admires Malleus and wants to be his friend...? But his behavior comes off the wrong way because of Rollo’s face naturally looking like he’s always scowling or unhappy. That’s a more light-hearted take, I guess!

[flowerslut]

6 - Candles, Lanterns, Fairy Lights

Rating: General Audiences (K+) Words: 1,457 Summary: The Cullens were all on their best, most human behavior during the wedding. Not just for Bella and Edward, but because no one was going to mess this up for Alice. One-shot set during Breaking Dawn.

A/N: a surprise @flufftober prompt? from me????? hm, how weird?? except that it's @allicekitty13's birthday today! and boy are we sorely lacking fluff around these parts. you only get it from me like, once a year if you're lucky. (punches @volturialice who came up w/the idea + edited/proofread) Allice, we love you! Happy birthday! <3

Best Behavior

He trailed after her like a shadow, and he had to admit, despite all the noise and fuss over this (admittedly, ridiculous) event he was getting a moderate amount of amusement out of it.

(Alright, maybe there was a bit of enjoyment, too.)

Alice’s small measure of annoyance had evaporated the instant the first guest arrived—what it had been caused by, even Jasper couldn’t tell. She’d been irritated last week only by a flicker of a vision. Apparently, Alice had told him after some prodding, Emmett had momentarily considered forgoing a piece of his carefully tailored outfit (why, Jasper had no clue) because of some small annoyance. 

Emmett had, of course, decided against that very quickly, sparing him from Alice’s direct wrath.

But even so, Alice had been annoyed for two entire days over it.

Now she pranced up the back stairs and into the house, the feathery hem of her dress trailing after her, leaving a slight shimmer flickering from the reflection of the lights above. The gems sewn in had been a small touch—Jasper wasn’t even sure the human’s eyes would be able to pick up on the tiny detail—but she’d worked meticulously on it well into the night before.

Same with all of their outfits.

And the decorations.

Sure, she’d used him and Emmett and Rosalie and Carlisle and Esme as pack mules. She’d put them all work and directed them with what to put where and exactly how she’d wanted everything arranged and for the love of all that is holy none of you are allowed under the tarp in the backyard between 5:01 and 5:04 and I mean it.

But despite their helping hands, the entire household (minus Edward, annoyingly) could barely be given even a morsel of credit for the event that was currently transpiring in the backyard of their Forks property.

Alice’s touch was everywhere and it was a sight to behold.

It was hardly the canopy of carefully woven flowers dangling overhead or the meticulously sandpapered, hand carved tables and chairs that held his attention (and that of all their guests). He was barely remembering—but he was remembering, knowing the promise that he and all of his family had made to Alice—to be as gracious a host as possible.

He smiled at the humans, exchanged pleasantries and small talk when needed, and even pretended to be unbothered when one of their older guests (Bella’s mother’s aunt or something) forced him into the chair beside her for five minutes, reaching over and patting his cheek before dismissing him from her disjointed conversation with a hand wave and a “you kids are too handsome, I can hardly stand to see it!”

He’d fled from the area then, trying not to make it obvious that he wasn’t breathing and was uncomfortable in so, so many ways, and ignored Emmett’s snicker as Jasper passed where he and Rosalie were making equally-agonizing small talk with some other unheard-of members of Bella’s (strangely large and notably aging) extended family.

He’d crack him real good over the back of the head later for that one.

Despite the beautifully constructed event his current focus was Alice’s unbridled pride and complete bliss at seeing her carefully designed vision coming to life in the most literal sense.

The atmosphere of the evening was overall intensely positive even with the suspicious and curious air of judgement wafting through, but even the excitement from their array of guests, it paled in comparison to how utterly happy Alice was as she skipped to and fro, ensuring that this wedding went exactly as planned.

“Bring me that bundle of utensils wrapped in twine.”

Alice didn’t point and she didn’t need to. Everything had been arranged so deliberately this morning. It was the only thing sitting on the counter beside him in the large kitchen.

Jasper handed it to her and she frowned, humming. “Actually,” she passed it back to him. “Not yet.”

He didn’t quirk an eyebrow. He didn’t even consider questioning why. 

This may have been Edward and Bella’s wedding, but this was Alice’s day.

“We’ll cut the cake a few minutes after I’d planned,” thankfully, she didn’t seem bothered by the admission. Everything may have been planned down to the minute but of course Alice had planned wiggle room here and there. Everywhere, probably. “Edward is giving Bella her ‘present’ soon,” she lifted one hand to do half-hearted finger quotes, frowning at that. She did always hate not being able to see the wolves.

The one in attendance had been enough for her to work around, but the three additional Quileute boys lingering close by forced a tick of frustration to pulse from her before she batted it away and redirected her attention.

“What now?” He asked, knowing that she had the answer.

“Small talk,” she spoke as if the answer should have been obvious. She blessed him with an explanation anyways. “Our presence isn’t required right now—I made sure of it. But it’ll be fun.”

He snorted at that. “I’m sure.”

Her expression would’ve made anyone else think she was properly upset by that comment, but he could feel her emotions. Alice was pouting just to do it.

“Are you not having fun?”

He laughed outright then, stepping closer to her as he watched her lower lip jut out further. Underneath her whining he felt her amusement as she teased him. A familiar glint of mischief reflected in her eyes. His voice was an even monotone when he spoke. “Tons of fun.”

“Bella’s Aunt Katherine might need more company,” her lip jutted out further and she batted her eyes. He fought back another smile.

“Is that what her name was?”

“You could always fetch Charlie another beer.”

He crossed his arms over his chest as he approached her, not bothering to hide his grin now. “Ah, so you’re trying to get rid of me?”

Alice pretended to be offended by the insinuation. “I would never.” The dramatic tone in her voice almost exposed her teasing for what it was. “I’d go with you of course!”

“Of course,” he repeated, and then bent down to kiss her forehead. She, of course, had anticipated that and pressed up onto her toes to kiss him on the mouth. Then, her attention was diverted from the kiss. She backed up and he exhaled another laugh. “Where to?” He already knew what that interruption meant; a vision.

A wicked grin crept onto her face as she reached forward and grabbed his hand. “Bella’s friends are about to go admire the cake.” With her other hand she reached out and grabbed the bundle that held the pair of cake knives, pushing them into his opposite hand.

“And we have to go talk to them about it?”

The mischief was fully exposed to him now. Alice’s devious expression and barely contained smile told him all he needed to know.

Yes, they absolutely had to go see what Bella’s friends were saying. There was something in the twitch of her smile that told him that he’d likely enjoy what was about to happen, too.

She snuck one more kiss before they exited the kitchen to head back toward where the wedding was in full-swing, pulling him down swiftly by his arm to press her lips warmly against his.

The sensation of Alice’s emotions were a marvel. Her excitement and amusement and cheeky satisfaction rendered him unable to focus on anything but the enthusiasm radiating of off her like a sun.

It had been a while since she’d been this excited about planning a wedding. And Rosalie and Emmett’s last one had been six years ago. In his blissed-out state, as her lips moved against him, a fleeting thought flickered through his mind.

Alice backed away, breaking the kiss with a breathy laugh. “We don’t need to get married again.” Her love made him warm and mesmerized and just about ready to suggest anything to let Alice have another day like this where she could feel this way again. “I’m just having fun. After all,” she grabbed his hand again and started pulling him toward the backdoors. “We’re never going to have all this funny human company again. I’ve got to have fun with them now.”

He followed her closely, fighting back the stupid smile that was threatening to take over. “What fun are Bella’s friend’s going to be providing?”

“You’ll see.”

Even before they were in their sights, Jasper could hear them muttering about the elaborate cake, their comments full of awe and barely-contained judgement. Alice’s excitement radiated straight into his body from her hand and he knew, that like always, she was right.

This was going to be fun.

[therobotmonster]

I've pointed out that the walrus, while perplexing, is not that that strange in a world that has youtube and tiktok pranksters. In my youth, my mind would have immediately gone to Candid Camera.

A fairy, once pranksterism and hallucination are eliminated, literally changes everything. "Oh, they're real" has implications and consequences for nearly every aspect of science, theology and history. It's the lack of recognition of these consequences that's distressing.

Let's start with religion. If you're any of the Abrahamic faiths, you are likely locked into an unpleasant binary choice, the entity you are facing is some manner of demon or djinn or your faith is wrong. There's no pixies in Genesis, and if every neighboring god was a demon, so's Puck. But if fairies are real and aren't demons or impossibly surviving nephalim, o'l Yahweh should have had the wherewithal to tell you about it.

Though that's also true of soap, so maybe it won't have the kind of impact it ought to on the average tither.

Your non-monotheist takes are less impacted, they can always claim these critters are their various spirits and imps. But how do you know that any god, prophet, angel or demon wasn't one of these creatures being misinterpreted or impersonating the being in question? Was the Buddha actually enlightened, or was a pointy-eared magical prankster messing with him?

As to science, this isn't like finding the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot. A surviving breeding populace of plesiosaurs or giganthrolopithicus descendants, while way more unlikely than a door-walrus, is nothing compared to a fairy. A fairy would upend either physics (if it came from some literal other hidden world) or it would upend biology, the degree to which would vary depending on the type of fairy.

Because we aren't talking about a thing people mistook for a fairy, we're talking about an actual fairy. Surviving homo floresiensis escaping from Flores island, living on the margins of homo sapiens society and being mistaken for gnomes, redcaps, and other spirits isn't the scenario posited, nor is some species of insect with surprising intelligence and a convergently humanoid shape.

But a proportionally miniaturized living humanoid, possibly with insectoid wings? The human form can't operate at small size without adjustments to proportion, and it certainly can't operate at the pixie scale. Never mind the impossibility of a humanoid form convergently developing functional insect wings. This means it's either an alien interloper from someplace where that DOES work (trigger societal change for aliens and/or parallel/pocket dimensions being real) or a created being (supernaturally or via genetic engineering)

And as to History, well, any mystery can now be filled in with "fairies did it".

And all that hits before you even come to the question of whether your particular fairy and fairies in general are hostile. Prank or not, the walrus is likely a one-off scenario. A fairy may be a friendly guest, an ambassador, or it may be part of an incursion. And no matter what they are, you're going to be grilled, poked, and prodded by a host of G-Men just for having run into them. Because if a walrus is on your doorstep, it's an issue for the evening news.

If a fairy is on your doorstep, it's an issue for global geopolitics.

I can understand existential crisis in this situation, I can understand excitement and wonder at the potential for discovery, but I can't understand "meh."

The walrus/fairy thing has genuinely been revealing to me about how a lot of people process the world, and not in an encouraging way! People prioritizing a mental narrative over objective likelihood is at the root of a lot of problems in the world, and I think it'd be better if people worked to unlearn it. To me, the idea of saying the fairy is "more likely" is pretty alien, like genuinely there's a big modes-of-thinking gap there between me and others.

Not to like, make the fairy/walrus shitpost out to be super important or anything, just something I've been thinking on.

[kim-poce]

On the Ground 7 - Truth

CW: tiny whumpee, fear of death.

Previous | Next

Masterlist

=-=

Tom was terrified, their mother showed up out of nowhere, and any other day and it would be fine, but not on the day they bring a FAIRY home, to make things worse she acted like always, reckless, treating the murderous creature like some kind of guest.

And the fairy is trying something, it started crying after Joana took it, it must want to turn her against the twins, Tom can’t let that happen, but how can they stop it? If they try something and the fairy gets angry it will harm their mother, won’t it?

So Tom held themselves back, even as the fairy cried as when it hadn’t ordered them to bring it home, even as Joana scolded them for something that is not their fault, Tom held back even as they started to eat together, they really did.

“Thank you, Mom,” the creature said as if nothing.

Tim’s face went pale, Joana’s eyes widened, and Tom finally lost it.

“What in the hell are you planning?” They shouted, getting up, “Just say what you want already!”, The creature looked up in shock, and for a second it didn’t look terrifying, it looked frightened.

“So-sorry,” It said, curling into itself, it looked so defenseless, and Joana was right, she did raise her children to be kind, and Tom felt bad for a second.

NO! They shook their head, They asked to be brought here.

“I I sho-shouldn’t say your names wi-without asking, sorry,” the creature said in a small voice, trying to disappear under the handkerchief, it almost looked real and Tom had to shake their head, it asked to be here.

“You thought Mom was my name, little guy?” Joana asked with a smile. The fairy froze for a few seconds before and nodded weakly, “Oh, sweet, Mom is not a name, my name is-”

“MOM!” the twins shouted at once.

“Okay, you say it then”, Joana said, it was really a bad idea to say her name this easily, the twins didn’t react this time, “It was rude of me not to introduce myself, I’m the mother of those two, Tom is the loud and angry one.” she said gesturing to Tom, “And Tim usually can’t shut up, he is just quiet today.”

“Mom…” Tom tried, looking between her and the small creature, Joana glared at them for a second, “Damn… her name is Joana,”, they said angrily, scared.

“Don’t you know what mother is, little one?”, Joana asked and the fairy looked up at her, confused, “Okay, let me explain.”

- - -

Flamo eyes widened when Joana explained; it was a progenitor, and the other giants were its cubs, Flamo felt his blood on his face and he looked down in shame, “s-sorry, I d-didn’t mean to, I’m sorry”, The giant called Tom was glaring at him, Flamo wanted to disappear, for fear and shame, to be somewhere else, Joana said it was okay, it told Tom to sit down again and told Flamo he should eat now.

Flamo did, he put the now not-so-hot thing in his mouth and it was delicious, maybe it was because he was so hungry or maybe the pie thing was really that good, it was sweet and soft, it have apples but so much more too.

Tom was still looking at him, but he tried to focus on eating, on doing what Joana told him to.

- - -

Tom waited for the creature to finish eating, it liked the pie, of course it did, Joana’s pie was simply perf- not the point, the fairy looked scared, but it couldn’t be scared, it has no reason to, “So, what do you want?” they asked the creature, when everyone finished eating, “You asked to come here, you must want something.”

Joana didn’t stop them this time, she was curious too, so she just smiled at the little fairy and waited.

- - -

No! I didn’t! Flamo wanted to shout, but he couldn’t, should he tell the truth? should he tell that he was left behind? Maybe the humans wanted to keep him in order to attract more fairies, but it wouldn’t work, and they would be so mad if they found it out later.

Flamo didn’t know what else he could say, he had managed to go this far, to stay alive this long, but he didn’t know what else he could do, and he was so tired, the fear was exhausting, the day was too long.

“I-I’m… b-b-broken,” he hid under the red thing, he should just tell everything and get over with it, “I-I-I have no no wings a-a-and t-t-they l-l-eft me and and,” he started to cry again, “please.”

He felt a hand approaching him and flinched, “N-no, please, please don’t,” he didn’t see the look on the humans’ faces, “please,” he started sobbing again, “P-p-please b-be fast.”

=-=

Taglist: @octopus-reactivated, @jadeocean46910, @cupcakes-and-pain, @wolfeyedwitch

[imtoohotmilk]

I had a dream and the basic premise was Thomas opened a interactive museum (although my mind forgot ab the interactive part halfway through)

that feature the sides rooms.

Me and my sister wanted to check it out so we went while it was still under construction (all the rooms wernt finished).

We started with Janus's room witch was HUGE. A bunch of people in fancy Victorian era outfits were there as guests. Everyone had to have a top hat on to enter the room.

There were a bunch of features such as chess, swimming (???), and snake judging. I asked out loud if "is anyone really qualified to judge snakes here" to witch Thomas Sanders walked up to me and said with a dead look in his eye "No" and walked away.

The next room to tour was Logan's.

(my brain gave up on the interactive part here)

I don't remember exactly what it looked like but it was very blue and very bland. It was a a basic Hotel room and nothing more.

Patton's was next.

It was my kitchen but sqished so there was no walking room and you had to crawl on top of the counters instead of walking.

The counters were also detached from the walls so you could see 4 small doors witch is how you got out. We opened the cabinets and this is what I found.

- go gurt pouches (apple flavoured)

- various bags of chips

- red vines

- too many hot chocolate pouches

- a stuffed animal (cat)

after that we got out of the room via the weird behind-the-counter doors.

We went to the middle of the lobby where there were two big dogs who were there for protection. One of the dogs name was buckaroo

At this point we saw the under construction sign for Romans room and left to come back another day.

The next time I came back without my sister.

Roman's room.

Roman's room was more of a story.

He had an outdoor room that was a lot more of a wooden ramp than it was a room. If you know jungle wood planks from Minecraft that's what it was. I walked up the ramp where I found Roman (?)

It was open air and there was a Street near by where a car drove up and out stepped someone who looked like the human version of the king from SpongeBob and a kinda princess.

Roman and I met them halfway down the ramp and the King (who was Roman's father) addresses him as "-- Bifvord"

And I started laughing bc that means Roman's and Remus's last name was Bifvord and I found that funny (?).

Roman kissed the princess's hand and the King started saying stuff like "it's time for you to marry here I've found you a bride" and Roman Looked Horrified. This was a good a time as any to leave so I'm gone.

I then spent a while looking for Remus's room witch was next to Virgil's.

It looked like one of those Pinterest rooms but very messy. Fanart of himself was on the wall and it actually looked like a normal bedroom.

(side note: up to this point Logans was the only room to have a bed)

Remus's bed had white really fluffy sheets and there were fairy lights sparked about.

On the wall was fanart of him in the sides dress. It was an off the shoulder with a corset top? It was kinda light green (sage?) and very floral.

he was surrounded by pink petals.

I then got excited at the idea maybe he put my fanart up in here? So I walked around and at the top of his bed coverd by a little cloth was my fanart of roman.

(I looked through my entire Tumblr this morning because it actually looked like something I drew but couldn't find it)

He also had a drawer witch just had a bunch of colourful socks.

Then it was time to leave the museum.

I guess I didn't want to see Virgil's bc it was already in the show and didn't feel like it'd be any different? though I got a weird sense it would be hello Kitty themed for some reason??

I think it's a good time mentioning that went we left the museum the first time I woke up check the time and fell back asleep.