#is this what you call being an opera queen

[vandroid-helsing]

I have to be the most fuckable person in this audience for Samson et Dalila

[repulsiveliquidation]

Impatient || Alexia Putellas

warnings : smut, somnophilia (consensual fucking while asleep), cunnilingus, anal fingering, pussy fingering, buttplugs (mentions and usage), strap-on, suggestive language.

summary : Alexia reminisces on the mindblowing fuck you gave her before she left for Paris.

Alexia sighed as she pulled the door closed behind her and locked the master bedroom. Her whole body was tired and desperate for a shower after training with the Spanish team. With the Olympics fast approaching, they were putting in extra effort to really prove themselves as the best team in the world.

Alexia undressed and brought herself to make a little effort in winding down. She lit a candle in the bathroom, turned the lights down low and started a nice, hot bath.

Getting into the warm water melted away all the struggles of the day, bringing comfort to the captain's muscles and bones.

It didn’t take long for her mind to wander, with her eyes closed and the ability to visualize your body, she made herself a nice image in her head to enjoy considering her time spent alone and far from you.

She thought about the last time you two had sex before she left for camp and Paris. It was everything she needed to last the tournament and who’s to blame her for having her waterproof sex toy conveniently charged and in the bath with her when it was some of the best sex she had ever had?

She closed her eyes and let her mind fill in all the gaps in her memory of that life-changing night.

You walked into the apartment expecting your wife to be up and waiting for you like she said she would.

“Ale?” you whisper-shout, hanging your keys up by the door and kicking off your shoes. The hospital called you in for an emergency surgery and you had to leave in the middle of date night the day before Alexia left for Paris. She was used to it, being married to a surgeon and all but it broke her heart a little that on a night before she left for a long while, you had to go.

“Oh darling,” you coo when you see her sleeping on the couch soundly, mouth a little open as she snored. She denied ever snoring but you knew better but kept up with her little secret.

You were about to turn the soap opera she was binging off when you caught a glimpse of her underneath the blanket she had over her middle.

“What the-” you begin as you pull the blanket off and you were not expecting what you saw in front of you.

La Reina was half naked and fell asleep fucking herself on the strap you knew she wanted you to use on her tonight.

“You’re such a fucking whore, Alexia Putellas,” you grin and mutter, leaving her right where she was to get yourself ready for her going away present.

Your scrubs were swapped for a black leather strap-on and some expensive black and red lingerie. You pulled your hair back and walked back into the living room feeling ten times sexier.

The thing with La Reina was, she loved a good challenge. You dared to suggest you made toast faster than she did? She was setting the record straight that very second. You’re sure you drove to her mother’s house in under 30 minutes in Barcelona traffic? She can do 29 minutes.

You knew that if she woke up during this little adventure, she’d be very disappointed with herself. Being the good little wife you are, you were going to make sure she succeeded.

Without disturbing even a hair on her head, you managed to get the toy she had been fucking into herself out of her and strapped to you. You were careful and didn’t wake her, eyes growing darker by the minute as lust took over.

She just looked so peaceful and dainty that a part of you didn’t want to ruin that for her but the idea of her waking up to an empty apartment the day after with panties still soaking wet from her arousal and that familiar pain in her thighs was too good to pass up on.

You’re just about to try and turn her over to fuck her prone bone when the queen begins to fidget in her sleep. She groans and turns over, head tilted to the side.

“It’s like you know I’m here, babygirl,” you growl a little, grabbing her ass to give it the softest knead.

Alexia grunts a little, almost pushing her ass up just a tad. You pull her legs open just enough to slip your fingers along her folds, feeling how wet she was.

There was a little bottle of lube, presumably her travel variation, beside her still open. You slip your fingers into your mouth and taste her, smiling and sighing when you taste her with a little hint of green apple from the lube.

You wet your fingers more, slipping them back into her pussy. You finger her gently, fingertips angled directly into her sweet spot. You notice a sheen of sweat on her skin and the throb of her heartbeat was stronger around your fingers.

“You feel that, don’t you sweetheart?” You whisper, thumb rubbing her asshole just a little. “Look at you, being such a needy whore even when you’re asleep.”

You’re getting giddy yourself, thumb tempted to press right into her ass. You give in and remember her desires to have anything she normally enjoyed done to her even when asleep, you spat a fat glob onto her asshole and pressed your thumb into her.

She gasped and your heart dropped, thinking you woke her up but she merely reacted in her sleep, hips almost pushing back into you.

The wet noises from between her legs were getting louder and louder so you switched your fingers out for your cock swiftly.

Alexia’s lips were ajar, the faintest snores leaving them. They looked a little too empty though.

So you filled them.

Wet fingers slipped right into the crevice and she immediately began to suckle, little whines muffled as you began to fuck her.

She took your cock well on regular occasions but there was something about her body that almost knew she loved being fucked while she was asleep that hightened her senses.

She opened up and took the big silicone appendage a little too easily, her pussy squelching was like music to your ears.

She whined a little more, asshole winking back at you just a little too easily. Your hips don’t slow down, keeping the perfect pace as your eyes scanned the room.

Foot rest? No, just Ollie’s hair.

Under the couch? Hmm, nothing there.

Coffee table? Now we’re talking.

A buttplug.

More specifically, one that had your initials engraved on the end that you had made for Alexia.

This was one of those items that she kept under lock and key, pulling them out only under special circumstances.

I guess tonight was one of them.

“Did you have a whole night planned for us, my darling girl?” You coo, pushing your cock deeper into her now also gaping pussy and putting the plug to the side for now.

Alexia begins to fidget so you slow down a little as she settles, cock buried to the hilt inside her. She whined, drooling onto the cushion a little.

Certain she was asleep again, you speed up and fuck right into her sweet spot. She whimpers as she gets close, pussy gripping tighter around your cock. You suck on your thumb and stick it back into her ass, fingering her backdoor in tandem with your strokes.

Just as she gets close to coming you pull out and turn her onto her back gently, noticing her breath go shallow and her sweat making her a little sticky. You push your cock back in, pressing down on her tummy as you fuck up into her cunt.

You swear you feel the bulge come through her thin skin, hips unable to keep a steady pace to avoid waking her.

You watch her eyes shoot wide open as she cries out your name when she comes, thighs shaking and eyes rolling into her head when you push her deep into overstimulation.

She begs and begs for you to stop but you don’t, knowing that if she really wanted you to, she would use her safe word. When her thighs stop trembling you stop, lips ravaging her neck and chest.

You pull out and push her legs back onto her chest, lips suckled tight onto her messy pussy. You eat her out savagely, two slender fingers pushed deep into her ass.

“AMOR!” She screams, squirming all over the couch as she tries to escape your hold.

She grabs your hair and grinds into your tongue, chest heaving in pleasure as you throw her head first into a second, mind-numbing orgasm.

“J-Joder! Por favor!” she begs before you pull away. Your fingers in her ass don’t slow down.

“Please what, princess?” You tease, thumb gently rubbing her swollen clit.

“Please,” she hiccups, “please let me cum.”

Your other hand slips three fingers into her cunt while the two in her ass make room for a third.

“Do you think you deserve to cum, pretty girl?”

“Yes! Yes please, please let me cum.”

“But you were such an impatient little girl today,” your fingers all slow down, dragging her pleasure out to a speed she did not like one bit.

“Couldn’t even wait for me come home to fuck your brains out, tsk tsk tsk.”

You pull your fingers out and move her to sit between your legs. Your lips sit right by her ear and you’re sure you feel the shiver go down her spine the moment you speak.

“Hold your legs open,” you say and she obeys, “thank you sweetheart.”

“Have you been using this these past few days, sweetpea?”

“Sí, just for you.”

“You love being reminded of who you belong to?”

“Sí, love feeling it inside me at training.”

“If only the girls knew what a fucking slut their captain was, what would they say?”

“Don’t care,” she slurred, feeling the cold plug circle her puffy asshole. “Only want to be good for you.”

“You’re a good girl?” You tease, pressing the toy into her.

“Ye-” she tenses, feeling the cold metal push into her, “yes, yours!”

The widest part of the plug sat inside her, the slight stretch was a welcome pain.

“My what?”

”Your good girl!”

You push the plug right into her and fill her pussy with your fingers to push her towards her second orgasm.

She squirts a little when she comes, literally melting into you when she does. You coo and hold her through it, watching as her chest and legs tremble beautifully. She tilts her head up and you kiss passionately, wet fingers holding her face close.

“I love you,” Alexia pants, fingers slipping past her cunt to pull the plug that sat inside her out in the bathtub. She grinned and placed it to the side to deal with later.

She calls you right from the bath, iPad propped up on a bench near the tub, wishing you were there to enjoy the hot bath with her. Or fuck her silly, she can’t decide.

“Hi baby,” you greet, smiling at her through the screen.

“Hola amor, how are you?”

“Good darling, training go okay?”

“Sí, it was good. I think we can win.”

“I know you can, amor. I believe in you.”

Alexia accidentally knocked the bench when she tries to turn the volume up on her iPad and the plug falls. It clangs loudly and you definitely hear it.

“Is that what I think it is?”

Alexia turns a deep shade of red in shame, her little secret now not so secret anymore.

“Alexia, you really are a cock-hungry slut, aren’t you?” You tease, watching the captain stutter to defend herself.

“Would you like some help relieving some stress, princess?”

[marybeatriceofmodena]

What did Andrew Lloyd Webber do to make Patti Lupone upset? Sorry, saw your tags and i was curious

Oh.

Oh honey.

You sweet child.

Anyway, get ready for one of the most infamous showdowns in all musical theatre history, with the guy who writes the straightest musicals on Broadway (derogatory) and the one and only, the matriarch, the queen, two three-time Tony award winner Patti LuPone.

So, Andrew Lloyd Webber was basically kind of a boy genius in his prime - he met his future collaborator Tim Rice when they were 17 and 20 respectively, he wrote his first big hit, Jesus Christ Superstar, at 22, with Tim Rice writing the lyrics. And it was kind of a big deal at the time because the topic was controversial (you know, the Passion with rock music), but also because Broadway wasn't that far off from its golden age and let's just say the music and style were very different from, say, My Fair Lady. Or The Sound of Music. Or Funny Girl. It was basically the Rent/Hamilton of its time. (Yeah, Stephen Sondheim was around at that time, he worked on West Side Story which was revolutionary in of itself, but he's kind of an oddball in this case. You'll understand why later.)

Their real follow up (I'm not counting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for a variety of reasons) was a little musical called Evita, which you might know mainly because of a song called Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Or at least, your mom has probably heard it once at the very least. It's that song that's oversung from a musical while being out of context along with I Dreamed a Dream for Les Misérables. Or Memory from Cats.

Evita tells the story of Eva Peron, the wife of an Argentinian dictator, who basically screws her way to the top and ends up becoming the mistress of Juan Peron and the most beloved woman in her country through guile and deceit. Yes, I know the historical accuracy is very much debated but I know jackshit about Argentina's history except the bare basics so don't come at me. It was first produced in the West End in London, with Elaine Paige in the role, but because of Equity issues, she couldn't reprise her role for the Broadway production. So a Julliard graduate who was mostly starring in David Mamet plays got the part instead, and that was Patti LuPone.

Patti... did not have a good time during Evita, because the part is basically the kind of score where you can tell the composer is used to writing male parts, but most female singers have a two-octave range (yes, you got Julie Andrews who used to have a three-octave range, and many others, but they're exceptions), so she struggled a lot. That being said, if you listen to live recordings of her, you wouldn't be able to tell, and it got a lot easier later on. But she had this to say:

"Evita was the worst experience of my life. I was screaming my way through a part that could only have been written by a man who hates women. And I had no support from the producers, who wanted a star performance onstage but treated me as an unknown backstage. It was like Beirut, and I fought like a banshee."

This is from Patti's autobiography, which she wrote in 2007 - 8 years after shit with ALW went down. With all that said, she won a Tony Award for Evita, and she pretty much became a musical theatre household name from then on. She played Fantine in Les Misérables, Nancy in Oliver!, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. Meanwhile, ALW's next big hits were Cats (I'm not even kidding, Cats was a hit), and, you guessed it, The Phantom of the Opera, which he wrote in part to showcase his then wife Sarah Brightman's triple threat talents.

So, you need to understand before I continue that ALW, from my perspective, has always had a bit of an inferiority complex. He's basically associated to writing these commercially successful musicals that show a big spectacle but aren't ultimately substantial. I'm not sure I entirely agree with that, but I do think that if he didn't have Hal Prince, Maria Bjornson, Charles Hart and Gillian Lynne backing him up for Phantom, it would have probably been a Rocky Horror Picture Show knockoff people would have forgotten about pretty quickly. This is what I mean:

Yep, that was Phantom before any of the people I mentioned above (and Michael Crawford) were really involved.

Remember how I said Stephen Sondheim was an oddball? The thing with him is that his musicals weren't always commercially successful, but in general, in part thanks to being Leonard Bernstein's protégé, he was generally pretty well-respected and it was considered that his work was bringing musicals to a whole other level. Without Sondheim, you wouldn't have Jonathan Larson, and you wouldn't have Lin-Manuel Miranda. I am convinced ALW is resentful of that, and when you stop and think about it for more than 10 seconds, it's so obvious he REALLY wants to be Sondheim or at least command the same level of respect, but that's a story for another day.

So, after Phantom, ALW had other musicals that followed that either got a meh reception or outright flopped. Then there was Sunset Boulevard, which is based on the movie of the same name with Gloria Swanson. Despite all of her griefs for Evita, Patti LuPone agreed to partake in the musical as Norma Desmond, for its production in London, with the promise that she would transfer to Broadway once that production would open. And overall, after a string of flops, Sunset was actually doing pretty well.

HOWEVER. One day, while reading the gossip column of a newspaper, Patti found out that contrary to what she was promised, Glenn Close, who was meanwhile starring as Norma in the Los Angeles production, was to play Norma on Broadway. That was a complete surprise for her since no one on the production team had bothered to tell her it was happening - and keep in mind that for the news to come up the way it did in a gossip column, it probably would have necessitated a delay of a few weeks between the producers and the newspaper, which would have given them plenty of time to break the news to Patti. And Patti kind of needed the leg up because she was pretty bitter that a) Madonna was cast in the Evita adaptation instead of her; b) they actually lowered the key to fit Madonna's voice range, and she still had to expand her own to be able to sing the (lowered) score. And trust me, Patti is mad about it to this day.

So of course, she trashed her dressing room, the cast and crew weren't even mad about it because they were as shocked and angered as she was by the news. Patti sued Andrew Lloyd Webber for breach of contract, namely for 1 MILLION DOLLARS (yup, those are the real numbers), won, used the money she got from the lawsuit to get a swimming pool, which she called (and I SHIT YOU NOT) the Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool. Since then, Webber is dead to her, to the point rumor has it she had part of a building blocked during an event so she could get out of it without coming across Webber, because she hates him so flipping much she doesn't even want to be in the same building as the guy.

(There's also drama that happened with Faye Dunaway who was supposed to replace Glenn Close after she went from Los Angeles to Broadway, except they abruptly closed the show down after Close left, but that's a story for another day)

So with all the bad press, and with ALW forced to pay 1 million dollars for Patti's lawsuit, that led Sunset's productions to close earlier than expected. ALW has stayed around since, with... mitigated output, so to say. The lowest point for a lot of people is Love Never Dies, the sequel to Phantom, which some people love, and that's fine, but it didn't do well with either critics nor fans of the original show, which ALW is EXTREMELY BUTTHURT ABOUT. And like, there are so many stories I could tell about LND alone, but I will share my own crack theory about it, since it does relate to the ask.

Anyway, buckle up.

So. There have been jokes going around for years that the Phantom in LND is basically ALW's self-insert, where he displays to the world that he's totally not over Sarah Brightman leaving him (in part because making Phantom kinda ruined their marriage lmao), despite, you know, having married since. (Aaaaaakward.) So LND basically becomes this really uncomfortable therapy session where a man writes a self-insert musical about how his ex-wife made a big mistake of leaving a sensitive artistic soul such as himself. The characters from Phantom who appear in LND are all more or less unrecognizable as a result, and one who gets it worse (in my humble opinion) is Meg Giry, who was basically Christine's sweet and loyal ballerina friend who basically went into the Phantom's lair on her own to save her friend despite the danger. In LND, she's basically a bitter hag (because ALW hates women, guess Patti was right about that), who really likes the swim and even has a stripping vaudeville number about it, written in universe by the Phantom, no less.

For comparison, here's Don Juan Triumphant (the Phantom's opera in the original):

And here's Bathing Beauty (the vaudeville number):

Yeah, so... do you see why people hate LND already?

And that's not the only thing with Meg! She's also pining for the Phantom to pay attention to her and threatens to drown the Phantom and Christine's secret love child when he makes it clear that he's gonna love Christine for EVA AND EVA.

So, with everything we learned today about ALW, would someone like him view someone like Patti LuPone as some sort of crazy, bitter diva who's obsessed with him for whatever reason? Absolutely. Would he be petty enough to insert Patti LuPone into his self-insert musical, which gave us the version of Meg Giry we got in LND? Of course. Why does Meg love to swim so much and why does she drag Gustave out ostensibly for a swim? Is it a dig at Patti's Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool? Maybe.

I kind of hope we find out one day if that theory is true. And maybe start a kickstarter so Patti can add this painting from the 2004 movie in her collection.

Fun fact: during the process of casting for the 2004 movie adaptation of POTO, ALW allegedly suggested Patti LuPone to play Carlotta... only for Joel Schumacher to have to awkwardly remind him that they were not on speaking terms. The idea was therefore promptly dropped.

[hotvintagepoll]

Edna May Oliver (Alice in Wonderland; Murder on a Honeymoon)— we're so back it's her time to shine shes scrungly to me for her snark and unique face. i called her the womens equivalent of the weird little guy when i submitted her for the main tournament and i was so right to say that. she used it to her advantage in her comedic performances, though her comments on her looks often came across as self defacing, commenting for example that despite her musical talents she never pursued theatre or opera primarily because "[with a horse face like mine] what else can i do but play comedy" well i just think shes swell is the thing! her performances as hildegarde withers give scrungle to me not due to appearance or weirdguy swag or the standard scrungly vibes i think most people judge characters by, but from the characters delicate balancing act between "NOT made for an investigative career" and "extremely fucking good at noticing details and therefore being SUITED for investigation"  

Donald Sutherland (The Dirty Dozen, M*A*S*H)—googly pale eyes and perpetually looks sick

This is round 1 of the contest. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. If you're confused on what a scrungle is, or any of the rules of the contest, click here. Reminder to please keep your propaganda limited to their work before 1970.

[additional submitted propaganda + scrungly videos under the cut]

Edna May Oliver:

This woman's energy in literally all of her films is INSANE. Yeah she loves fiercely but boy is she also ready to kill. In A Tale of Two Cities (1935) she literally fights a woman to the death. She also played a female sleuth in the 1930s which I think is pretty fucking neat :)

EDNA MY LOVE. a character actress extraordinaire and iconic female weird little guy (actually she was tall and spindly but weird little guy is a state of mind yn). she was frequently found in 30s and 40s movies playing a spinter aunt or something of that ilk, who was not about to take anybody's nonsense and had cutting retorts to spare. she also starred in a series of murder mysteries in which she is a DELIGHT as schoolteacher turned amateur detective hildegard withers, who waltzes in does the cops' jobs better than them and wears some really great hats. she pops up a lot in adaptations of classic literature, playing lady catherine de bourgh in pride and prejudice, the nurse in romeo and juliet, the red queen in the 1933 alice in wonderland which has an insane cast loaded with vintage scrunglers, aunt trotwood in david copperfield and others, but she was equally at home in modern comedies. whoever she was playing you know she probably had some hard truths and/or sharp witticisms to drop on everybody around her with her distinctive vocal delivery, or just volumes to speak with her terrifically expressive face.

Donald Sutherland:

[frost-queen]

The moment I knew // part 7 (Reader!Bridgerton x Tewkesbury)

Forever tag:@missmelodramatic, @merlin-dahlia, @alex--awesome--22, @elllie-does-the-posts, @floatlosers, @merlieve, @queen-of-books, @glimmering-darling-dolly,@denkisclown, @wildieflower, @meyocoko, @bubblybrianna, @justanothercoco,@subjecta13-thefangirl, @m-rae23, @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @swampthing07, @melsunshine, @panhoeofmanyfandoms, @venomsvl, @the-uncoordinated-house-cat, @rosecentury,  @imagines-by-her,  @evilcr0ne, @vviolynn, @cayt0123, @powwowsworld, @yomamacrusty, @mileyy22, @omgsuperstarg, @helen06dreamer, @misscaller06, @l4venderia, @dracoflaco, @loliakeoghan23, @emotionaldamageemotionaldamage, @reallysparklychaos, @ok-boke, @the-fifth-marauder7, @asgards-princess-of-mischief, @cherrysxuya

Summary: The social season goes on continuing with another ball. Yet this ball holds some surprises. Will it make a change for the better? [ part 1 & part 2 & part 3& part 4 & part 5 & part 6 & part 8 & part 9 & part 10 ]

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Tewkesbury tapped his finger mindlessly against the hard glass. His mind somewhere else, vision unclear. The upmost bored expression on his face. He heard his grandmother tsk loud for him to change his posture. – “Sit up straight boy!” – she called out as the carriage took a turn, riding on a gravely road. When Tewkesbury wouldn’t move she revealed her fan, giving him a hard slap against the hand with it.

“Au!” – Tewkesbury snapped awake, startled by the sudden whip on his fingers. His grandmother hummed loudly with a glance that it was his own fault. He exhaled deep rubbing his poor fingers. He straightened his posture, leaning back against the fabric as the carriage toggled a bit. His grandmother gave him a look for off judgement. Tsking her tongue again.

Tewkesbury tilted his head slightly knowing she just had a comment burning on her tongue. – “It’s the third ball already. When are you going to show any REAL interest in a young woman.” – she emphasized on the matter of real. – “I sure hope you don’t thinking to form an alliance with that wild girl.”

Tewkesbury knew she was referring to Enola. – “She was quite nice to return my child back to me, but good heavens her features aren’t standard. She has a heart too wild. Marrying a girl like that will only give you trouble, I’ll give you that.” – she spoke glancing out of the window. The skies light dimming out. A greyness colouring all that was bright away for the night to take over.

Tewkesbury turned to look out of the window. Watching the street lights being lighted up with their bright fires. Two men standing on a ladder to give the lantern light. A couple walking arm in arm just passing them by. – “What about the season’s diamond? She isn’t the fairest…” – his grandmother brushed her skirt with her gloves.

“Whatever possessed the queen to chose her. No foul words to her majesty.” – she quickly added as if speaking ill of the queen would cause her harm. – “Yet, she would be a good match. Marrying the season’s diamond always hyphen’s up once’s status.”

Tewkesbury sighed deep as a sign of protest. He wasn’t at all interested in the season’s diamond. There was only one calling his heart, yet she no longer wishes to commit herself to him. Perhaps it was partly his fault. He still didn’t know what possessed him that faithful night at the first ball. He had been exciting all day eager to see you again. A year. An entire year he hadn’t seen you. Only making him yearn for your presence more. It was nice to have you around. His feelings still a bit unclear at that moment. In the beginning it was merely out of boredom.

That was how it all started at the opera. The moment he found a willingly victim to laugh with him. To make the dreadful opera bearable. At first he teased a lot. Playing in on the signals you were sending him. A young girl gushing over a boy. Probably the first boy around her age she had met. As girls at that age were, falling hopelessly in love with each boy that flashed them a smile. Then he started to get to know you better. See more sides of you.

It was perhaps then that he had already started to fall for you, yet it wasn’t known to him yet. A bundle of feelings he couldn’t name yet, tumbling in his stomach. Spiralling and tumbling. It became clear to him the moment you returned the acorn to him. That stupid thing he foolishly had given to you in exchange for his ring. His father’s ring he should’ve never parted from.

Holding the acorn in his hand and watching you dance with someone else made him realize what he was losing. How much nights he had wasted with not being near you. It had created a drift between the two of you. – “No foolish sauntering this time. I expect you to be married off by the end of the season. It is my dying wish.” – she had clasped her hands together, looking up to the ceiling. Tewkesbury scoffed silently.

“To have me out of the house.” – he mumbled to himself. – “What was that boy?” – she snapped at him. – “Nothing grandmother.” – he responded quickly avoiding her stern eyes. – “Thought so.” – she flapped out needing to have the last word. Tewkesbury turned to look out of the window again seeing how much the sky had darkened already. The blinding estate of the next ball coming up in sight.

You had followed your siblings inside. Hand on Anthony’s arm. He sighed loud upon entering. You quirked your lips teasingly up. – “Oh how dreadful it is.” – you acted out dramatically with the back of your hand against your forehead. Your little act made Anthony look at you, puzzled. – “Another ball I have to keep my sisters save from. God forbid they find a match and leave from under my wings.” – you added sounding as silly as you could.

Anthony stared in shock at you as Francesca laughed loud. – “It isn’t funny.” – Anthony told you sternly. It made you press your lips together to withhold yourself from laughing at him. – “Oh come on Anthony.” – Benedict pitched in grabbing him by the shoulder. – “I thought Y/n did a great performance of you.” – he chuckled afterwards squeezing his fingers in Anthony’s shoulder. You let go of him arm, standing in front of him to curtsy as if being applauded.

Anthony brushed Benedict’s hand off him with annoyance. – “Poor Anthony being so teased by his younger siblings.” – Colin interfered wanting to have a say in it. Anthony turned to look at Mother. Violet tried her best to hide her smile, yet failed miserably. To Anthony’s annoyance as he stormed off. – “Oh Anthony don’t be so… it was a mere tease.” – Violet called out going after him.

Benedict came to your side, holding his palm up to you. You pressed your palm against him, snickering at your own tease. Arms locked in you followed mother who tried to reach Anthony. Anthony took halt by a set of vases. Half filled with flowers and peacock feathers. Francesca came running up to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. – “You are so easily teased.” – she said with a smile. Anthony looked up to the ceiling not wanting to give in, but when you joined her.

Wrapping your arms around him at his other side, he couldn’t withhold himself anymore. Holding both of you for a warmful hug. The moment was ruined when Benedict decided to join in from behind, giving him a good squeeze. Nearly making him fall forwards. He nudged his elbow back at Benedict to get him off his back. Benedict let go of him, winking at you. Benedict stretched out making Anthony roll his eyes at him.

“I thought you had learned manner yet.” – Anthony spoke. Benedict lowered his arms from stretching up. – “Oh brother you must know me.” – he chuckled out giving him a hard slap against his back. A gentleman came over around Colin’s age. He invited him for a game of cards. Colin accepted dragging Benedict with him.

You stood with Francesca and mama, watching the dancers. A girl you had met before once came running over. – “They have peacocks in the garden!” – she called out unable to control her enthusiasm. Francesca and you looked at each other with delight and shock. – “Girls!” – Mama called out the moment the two of you started to run. Wanting to get to the gardens and see a peacock for real. – “Oh I wish it would open it’s feathers.” – Francesca huffed out pressing herself between people to get across.

Holding onto her hand tightly, you were behind her, trying to squeeze through those your sister just went passed. You were near the glass doors that lead up to the stone pedestal with steps downwards into the gardens. Many people wished to gaze upon the peacocks to be found in the garden. Francesca and you came to a brief halt as you locked eyes with a certain girl on your right.

The one who had danced with Tewkesbury. Her expression neutral. She went on going through the glass doors as Francesca followed taking the doors on the left. You had remained still, allowing your hand to slip out of hers as she got swept up in the crowd. Somehow the moment seemed ruined. No longer you contained any excitement for the animals. Moving a bit backwards, you went back further in.

Yet you didn’t wish to return to your mother who was clearly searching for Francesca and you. Neither did you wish to return to your brothers. Not even being allowed in the rooms where they played cards and gambled on the side. It was a secret, a hush-hush but everybody knew about it anyways. You decided to leave the ballroom for what it was. The music fading out when you went into the corridor. Most of the doors were closed. Others were open.

A group of people chattering and laughing loud with drinks in their hands. You passed them all feeling no need of entering a room full of strangers without the presence of your brothers. By the end of the corridor you were intrigued by a door partly opened. Not enough to peer inside, but wide enough to see a warmth glow come from inside of it. You neared the door staring through the creak to have a look inside.

Eyes widening at the sight of Tewkesbury. You gasped loud when he suddenly turned around spotting you. It had startled you, making you bump your shoulder against the door and trying to make a run for it. Tewkesbury hastened himself to the door, opening it more. – “Y/n!” – he called out. It made you stop. – “I mean Miss Y/n.” – he corrected himself. You took a step forwards not sure if you wanted to be around him. A second step was impossible as you felt a force keep you in place by your skirt.

Looking over your shoulder down, you saw Tewkesbury’s grip on your skirt. Your gaze went up to meet his. Full of sadness his eyes were. Perhaps yours were too. – “Please…” – he whispered, a hush almost unheard. Taking a deep breath, your shoulders slouched down. Unspoken you followed him back into the room, not sure why you did. The room was not that grand. Rather small. An armchair and small table positioned in the room.

White curtains with patterns on them. Here and there some trinkets. You went to sit down on the armchair, hands folded in your skirt. Tewkesbury stood up straight looking down at a small table. It contained a perfume bottle and a fan. It felt weird. Awkward to say the least. As if you were strangers again. Tewkesbury cleared his throat picking up the perfume bottle. You turned your head to look around the room.

Tewkesbury leaned forwards trying to sniff the smell. Accidently spraying in his face. He coughed loud, waving a hand in front of his face. Setting the perfume bottle back. – “I saw that girl head outside to see the peacocks.” – you said having the urge to cut through the silence. – “Enola.” – Tewkesbury replied as it made you hum confused.

“Oh…” – hearing him say her name made you turn your head away. It felt strange. Strange how your heart still yearned for him. Even in this moment. You wanted to run over to him, leap in his arms and hear him say how much he wants you. Tewkesbury understood the notion of your reaction, looking down at the table. He picked up the fan to occupy himself. – “Where is your suitor?” – he asked. You hummed confused looking up to him. Tewkesbury looked back at you opening the fan with a smooth movement.

It made you blink startled. – “That boy you danced with.” – Tewkesbury flapped the fan at himself keeping his eyes on you. – “I’m sure he has proposed by now.” – He went on unable to stop himself from yearning for you. For hoping you’d contradict his words. As a response you snorted loud. It made him curl up a smile not fully understanding what was this amusingly. – “I’ve danced with him once. Let’s not get too far ahead.” – you responded with a smile.

Tewkesbury’s smile got brighter feeling the tense atmosphere from before falter. – “Besides he’s not a prince.” – you added with a smile. – “Or a Viscount.” – Tewkesbury whispered out of ears reach. – “Enola seems nice.” – you told him. Tewkesbury flashed the fan in front of him again near his cheek. To you unknown, but to him full of words.

“She’s a terrible dancer.” – he commented making you laugh. – “Laugh all you want, I have the bruised toes to speak for me.” – he added as you started to laugh even harder. Hearing your laugh made him smile widely. In this moment it felt like heaven to him. He drew the fan down his cheek again to you. – “What are you doing?” – you questioned seeing it was the third time he had performed it. – “Fanning.” – he responded with a cheeky smile. – “It is hardly warm here… unless you are doing something else…” – you answered.

“Nothing else.” – he muttered out, looking away. Having a sense of time, you got up. Tewkesbury hasting him to your side. – “My siblings must wonder where I am.” – you spoke hearing your heart thump louder in his presence. – “Of course.” – he answered staring smitten down at you. You wanted to open the door as Tewkesbury was ahead of you. Opening it for you and allowing you to walk out. You went on, looking briefly over your shoulder back to him.

Unable to hide the fact you still much desired him. Your plans of marrying him still present, never buried away. You entered the ballroom once more. You watched a few more dances with mama at your side. Then there was a sudden announcement. Maken everyone hasten outside. The sky full dark now. Starless and cloudless. A blank canvas ready to be painted in with delights.

You neared the already standing crowd. Mama spotted Francesca going over to her. Not far from her you noticed Enola. Getting on the tips of your toes, you couldn’t help but see if Tewkesbury was near her. A part of you hoping he wasn’t. Your brothers were coming outside too, laughing loud. Colin holding a little sack in his hands. Probably the coins he had won with gambling.

They were getting behind some people to wait for what was to come. Setting your heels back down, you felt a presence near your right. Slowly letting your gaze go to your right to see who it was. Your heart leaped, expression softening when he stood beside you. Tewkesbury. Staring right back at you. Half a smile on his lips.

A whistle went off followed by a loud blow. It startled you and Tewkesbury as the night sky busted with colours. First a bright red. Then a bright blue. Tewkesbury and you looked up to the sky as the fireworks exploded. Bright yellow, green and red filled the night sky. Colours popping in the air. People were pointing and reacting startled with laughter.

You were amazed by the colours, watching them with excitement. A gentle nudge against your knuckles made you dim your enthusiasm. Trying to figure out what it was doing to you. Another nudge against the back of your hand. Pressing gently against your hand. A tingle went up your spine as you continued to watch the fireworks.

Slowly turning your palm and stretching your fingers out. Fingers glided over yours as they caught your hand. Another firework popped as the green colours reflected on your faces. Two hands intertwined for no one to see. Standing together in a heaven of bright colours.

--------------------------------------------

Read more of my fics on my Masterlists! 

[cosmic-lullabies]

he's so down bad i know this is canon

Ok but imagine this??? pitiful Neuvillette doing dumb things just to see furina lolol

He's out there, visiting Furina's place like he's leaving breadcrumbs for himself to find his way back. It's like he's trying to build a nest at her house LMAO

Forgetfulness who??? that's just his excuse to swing by and get a peek into her life.

And those "walks" of his in the afternoons? oh let me tell you, they're more like dramatic strolls past Furina's house. He's acting like it's a casual thing, but we all know he's lowkey hoping she'll notice him. Like, seriously, the desperation is so real that Im getting secondhand embarrassment from him.

So, one day, Furina, being the sharp queen she is, calls him out on it. And what does he do? He can't even lie properly. It's like, bro, just spill it already. But no, he's over there, stumbling through an excuse about forgetting stuff and wearing scarves that don't even exist.

And the gifts???? they start off as "necessities," but we all know he's just throwing random stuff her way. Dresses, shoes, jewelry – it's like he's a one-man show trying to get her back on stage. Bless his heart, he thinks he's being smooth. 😭

The inner monologue? It's like a whole soap opera up in his head. "Ah, Neuvillette, you hapless fool. How many times will you return here just to catch a glimpse of her? Pitiful, indeed." Honestly, he needs a reality check, but it's kinda cute how he's just a lost fanboy in Furina's world.

Long story short, Neuvillette is out here, playing the pitiful card, thinking he's subtle. And Furina? She's just sipping her tea, enjoying the show, and occasionally leaving little hints for him to follow. It's a whole mess, but it's the drama we signed up for.

[thenightling]

Unexpected Goth music

In the 90s you had the curious dilemma of both trying to avoid the title of Goth and also being accepted in the perceived Goth community. And there was an unfortunately high number of gatekeepers. You'd get asked what your favorite Goth artist or song was and for whatever reason "That doesn't count." or "That's actually Punk." or 'That's Death Rock, not Goth." or "That's too mainstream, that's not REAL Goth." And it got very irritating. So I'm going to list some of the things I think fit under the Goth genre that many would either not consider at all or would think "don't count." Disclaimer: This list does not contain obvious bands like The Cure, Siouxsie and the banshees, or Bauhaus. Once you remove those you'd be surprised how limited the selection of "real" Goth starts to feel. ______________________ And now here are the things that have (in my own experience) been classified as not Goth despite really fitting the criteria. Aurelio Voltaire - Sometimes considered Goth folk or "Dark Cabaret" or even "Death Rock" (1988 version of The Night) Aurelio Voltaire pretty much personifies Goth music. From his Gothic Neo Victorian / pirate look to such songs as Raised by Bats, Land of the Dead, Vampire Club, and the Neil Gaiman's The Sandman inspired "Come Sweet Death." Aurelio Voltaire is so Goth that I can't help but think there are other reasons people may not want to count him such as unconscious racism. (He's Cuban and has released Spanish language tracks.) Danny Elfman - Perhaps today most well known for his movie scores, particularly the iconically Gothic Nightmare before Christmas (where he was multiple voices including Jack's singing voice), Danny Elfman used to be the front man for the band Oingo Boingo where he had such songs as Dead Man's Party, Flesh 'n blood, Weird Science, No one lives forever, and No Spill Blood. These are arguably Gothic themed but not Gothic "style." However I do feel there is some Goth leanings in his 2020 album Big Mess which was officially released as the genre Industrial Goth. The Hex Girls - This band was invented for the 1999 Scooby Doo animated movie, Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost. Representing Gothic fashion, Wiccan spiritual beliefs, and environmentalism the band was meant to be a Gothic inversion on The Spice Girls. Defined as "Eco Goth" though arguably pop their songs actually were really good including "Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air" (though admittedy it should be Earth, Water, Fire, and Air), The Witch's Ghost, and Hex Girl. Inkubus Sukkubus - Considered Pagan Rock, they are definitely Goth, including the songs Sweet Morpheus and Vampire Queen (and several other vampire themed songs!) Blackmore's night - Neo Medieval folk rock band. You know... I think once you get called "Neo Medieval" you get a free pass to call yourself Goth. That's just my opinion. Including the songs Locked Within the Crystal Ball, The Darkness, and Shadow of the Moon.

Within Temptation - Symphonic Metal / Gothic Metal. One question... have you listened to them? Just listen to Angel, Stand my Ground, The Fear, or A Demon's Fate. Eden's Bridge - Progressive Celtic Folk Rock. They have two songs dedicated to Oscar Wilde's The Canterville Ghost. I know one song isn't enough but still... Sonata Arctica - Metal but some of their biggest hits are about magic and more commonly werewolves. Cain's offering - Again, Metal, but the subject matter is decidedly Gothic. Kamelot - Power metal but they have two albums that retell Goethe's Faust parts 1 and 2 (Epica and The black Halo). In fact pretty much everything they do is of Gothic inclination. Richard Campbell - Metal but he did an entire metal opera retelling the novel Frankenstein. I think that's pretty Goth if you ask me.

Smashing Pumpkins - Considered Alternative rock. There was time where just about anything vampire related was advertised with Bullet with Butterfly Wings. And the band is named after a popular Halloween prank. The lead singer is also a professional poet.

Alice Cooper - Welcome to my Nightmare, Keepin' Halloween Alive, The Ballad of Dwight Frye (actor from classic universal monster movies), Gimme, Black Widow (With Vincent Price). He also performed in Tim Burton's Dark Shadows.

Marilyn Manson - Once Classified as industrial Goth, he was denounced by many Goths as "too mainstream" or "Not Goth enough." The man did covers of Danny Elfman's This is Halloween, David Bowie's Golden Years, Annie Lennox's Sweet Dreams, and Lost Boys' Cry Little Sister. That's pretty Goth if you ask me. My Chemical Romance (MCR) - Do I really need to elaborate wit this one? David Bowie - Mostly considered Glam Rock, Bowie has dabbled in all genres and Heart's Filthy Lesson was definitely industrial. Aurelio Voltaire did a Goth sequel to the songs Bowie wrote for Labyrinth. And Bowie's Scary Monsters and Super Creeps inspired Danny Elfman. You can't get more Goth than that (In my opinion). Even Bowie's album Hours drifts into Emo territory. Prince - At the very least he had a Goth aesthetic. I think if he wasn't black people would be quicker to realize he could fit as Goth. There's a lot of unconscious racism among some (not all) Goths. Michael Jackson - One word. Thriller. He also had The Boogeyman's Gonna Get ya with The Jackson Five, and later Ghost. But once you get Vincent Price to rap you should automatically count. The Rasmus - Rock but most of their songs are decidedly Goth and probably should count such as In the Shadows, Ghost of love, and Lucifer's Angel. Sarah McLachlan - Though considered pop let's be honest. Every Goth and person in the 90s "vampire Scene" had her Surfacing album or at least heard Building a Mystery. Before her music started playing in ASPCA commercials you heard songs like Adia on Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Savage Garden - Though definitely pop they get an honorary mention for having songs inspired by Anne Rice and for naming themselves after a phrase invented by The vampire Lestat to describe the nature of the world in The Vampire Lestat novel by Anne Rice. Sting - Though not always Goth, Sting was in the Gothic horror movie The Bride and wrote a song from the perspective of Louis in Interview with the vampire called Moon over Bourbon Street. Stevie Nicks - She got an American Horror story: Coven tie-in music video and practices witchcraft. That's like hitting a Goth bullseye. Johnny Cash - Wore all black all the time and did a cover of a NIN song that is considered better than the original version, Hurt. Sir Elton John - Glam / Pop rock but he gets an honorary mention for composing the Lestat Broadway musical and having a full demo album that was never officially released and can only be found through dubious / underground sources. (Or Ebay if you were lucky in 2006...) Honorable mention to Bobby "Boris" Pickett for having the first Gothic themed song to get banned in the UK (Monster Mash) for being "Too morbid." You can't get much more Goth than that.

[riacte]

Space Opera AU dashboard simulator

🥧 syrupstars Follow

Anyone else think that Red King racer is a little... y'know... fruity?

👑 falsewellsupremacy Follow

He literally says "ladies, gentlemen, everyone in between, get in line" so I think that answers your question.

🥧 syrupstars Follow

What about the "#Ally4Life 🏳️‍🌈" on his Twilight handle?

👑 falsewellsupremacy Follow

I genuinely have no idea. Maybe he thinks it's about him being an ally to cishet people

#idk ren's just like that sometimes #void knows what he's doing #also prev tags you do not want to get into the black hole of who ren has dated #he has rumours with 3/4 of the grid #edit: WHO MENTIONED BAD BOY TEENAGE REN IN MY NOTES #the shippers are here... oh no #edit 2: not ren at the club.

74 notes

🛑 bluebatshater Follow

oh my voiddd ofc That Duo got p1 again... i need them to dnf in the race. i hope they crash and burn and die and i need crastle to get podium for ONCE. i am so mad. i am calling for the goddess tsuki to curse them. dnf dnf crash burn DIE

🌻 lesbianlumian Follow

the goddess tsuki LITERALLY protects racers and that's why they pray to her? you think the goddess tsuki, creator of lumians, will curse an actual lumian? be so fucking fr

🛑 bluebatshater Follow

if you dont have anything productive to say get off my post. freak

#those blue bats stannies are SO ANNOYING THEY ARE EVERYWHERE #they're overshadowing all the other teams #cant even be a bitchy hater in peace #salt #negativity #hateposting

12 notes

🔮 queenofstarz03 Follow

OMG FALSE IS SO PRETTY SHES MY QUEEN OF HEARTS OMG OMGOMGOGM 💖💖💖💖💖💖 i tihnk im gonna pass out. HER HAIR FLYING IN THE WIND AND HER RED FRECKLES AND HER SMILE WHY IS MY HEART BEATING SO FAST and Ren is hot I guess he's tall like a ferris wheel

🔮 queenofstarz03 Follow

Looking at posts from five years ago is funny like how did I ever believe I was straight

🍦 jelliepopsicle Follow

OP, I think I recognise your url... did you write that viral Bad Boy Ren x QoH fic on Launchpad?

🔮 queenofstarz03 Follow

💀 Shut the fuck up right NOWWW!!

#STOP MENTIONING THAT FIC I WFOTE WHEN I WAS THIRTEEEN!!! #everything before my gay awakening is not canon. sorry #tbh... as much as a nightmare it was i kinda miss that stupid fic #it was from a simpler time #now im in university trying to contact my groupmates and i think one of them got lost in a blackhole last tuesday (again) #sigh. this keeps on happening to me #my cousin worked on one of the moons last summer for two weeks and came back like he'd aged six months #my friend's ex got sucked into a black hole and was briefly spaghettified but they managed to revive her and she gloats that she's finally taller than my friend's ex #whoops sorry for dumping in the notes #anyways. bad boy rk x good girl queen of hearts. awful idea. even more awful fic. yet i wrote it #i regret everything and nothing

25 notes

🗣️ peace-and-planets-deactivated63891092

PSA: Sunblr user @/summerheavens writes RPF of the Exterra 1 racers. She is a big name fan in the Miraculous Laserbug fandom so I thought you all would like to know. This is gross and disgusting behaviour and I implore you to stop.

🍬 summerheavens Follow

umm @/peace-and-planets i literally saw your kudos on my fic. the evidence is out there. girl what are YOU doing at the devil's sacrament. what are you doing on my roseduo rpf titled "hang your head low in the glow of the vending machine (we're not trying)".

but i'm glad you liked it enough to give it a kudos ^_^ will certainly be putting more on the starchive!

❄️ justwingit Follow

LMFAOOOO OP DEACTIVATEDDDDD 😭😭😭 sunblr user got killed by a rpf author. if you're gonna secretly read rpf maybe not leave a kudos?????

🚀 exterrablrheritage

Exterra 1 Heritage Post

⚡ littlewoodbabygirl69

It's been ten years since this post... @/summerheavens are you okay after recent developments

🍬 summerheavens Follow

am i okay? is ANYONE okay??? in these trying times??????? with the most chaotic gp to ever exist?????? i am PULLING OUT WIPS i dropped out of respect ten years ago. i've got to send my kid to daycare but once i'm done you bet you're seeing me on the starchive. miss swift even dropped her 20th album just in time for me to use lyrics as titles. i am LIVING and i am THRIVING

#ohhhhhhhhhh #let's go #also can't believe taylor finally addressed the vehicle manslaughter rumours from like twenty years ago #how fitting #also littlewood needs to get his shit together #why does he look like he's the one who hasn't seen his man in 32738102371 years and got his soul shattered #he's weak and won't survive the winter

27,408 notes

🧈 butteredbread Follow

WHAT is wrong with that lykos. i desire him carnally

🌳 treebark

@/handoftheking

🪓 handoftheking

I mean... yeah. Let's face it, we're all like that 🤷

⭐ nonbinarystar Follow

MR LITTLEWOOD WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE

#WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIM #I HATE HIM SO MUCH #PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CAN ALSO BE ABOUT HATE #THIS GLOWSTICK MF IS MY WORST ENEMY #he just canonised treebark for the sixth time #also prev tags so real #need to slingshot him into a faraway galaxy

34,091 notes

🫃 spaceshipmpreg Follow

Who put that Just a Dream FalseRen AMV on my dash again

🔮 queenofstarz03 Follow

Respect your roots!! That 125M views Just a Dream AMV raised a generation. Every kid in my school played it on loop on their ipods during recess

🔮 queenofstarz03 Follow

wait op can you explain your url

🫃 spaceshipmpreg Follow

No 👍

#i think we should get the dogwarts freighter pregnant

6 notes

[cosmichoneibeee]

Dating Reyna hc's

Reyna is strong and powerful, a true queen and a queen don't fall in love with any mere pawn.

You're truly special

Your abilities on and out field draw her attention first

And your shiny personality keeps her interested

Flirts 24/7

With Reyna, it's never 'if' you like her, it's 'when'

She's as charming as she can be deadly

It's not a surprise when you fall under her spell

"I like you"

"I know, cariño."

Loves to kiss you and is a very good kisser

She has so much fun when she leaves her crimson lipstick mark on your lips and you don't notice, walking around for the rest of the day like nothing happened

Can't go without kissing you or touching you in some way for many hours straight

When you are in the same room, her arm automatically goes behind your back, holding you close

Asks for kisses as a good luck charm before going on missions, even though she doesn't need luck, as she herself says

Missions together are a nightmare for the Valorant leaders

It's usually faster and more efficient, yes.

But at the same time, Reyna begins to ignore the call-outs and the other allies asking for help, striving only to protect and help you.

Loves to friendly compete with you

Likes to bet on things that makes both win, like kisses or dinner

Zyanya loves to show herself off to you, make daring kills, aces, or knife eliminations

She gets really mad if you're not looking when she does something impressive

Hurts her little heart

Makes her have certain passive aggressive moments with you

But she goes back to her passionate ways once you apologize, even though you weren't exactly wrong

Mission-free weekends are dedicated to the two of you. She loves to take you on dates.

You usually go out to dinner and she won't let you go to any restaurant, of course not, you only go to the fanciest restaurants of the region and eat the most expensive food on the menu

Baby you so much

Won't let you pay anything unless you say that's really important to you

Also loves to take you on shopping dates and will only leave if you two have both arms full of store bags

When she is tired because of missions during the week, she likes to stay at home and have a self-care night.

Order pizzas, shower together (if you want and without any sexual intent), let you go through her 15-step skin-care routine with her before finally sitting on the couch and watching a movie marathon or her favourite culebrón [soap opera] all night long

Like it or not, you will end up learning Spanish because Reyna always mixes languages

If you ask her to teach you more than just a few everyday words, she'll be more than happy to help.

A great teacher, despite the rigidity

Tries to learn your language (if it's not English) in secret, and aside from her heavy accent, she does it pretty well.

"It's about having discipline, cariño."

Your shoulder to cry on 24/7, anytime you need it

She would do anything for you, from boosting your self-esteem with honest words to helping you hide a corpse

And secretly hopes that you'll be there for her that way too

It is not a person with a stable psychological state to be honest, being with her is knowing that there may be outbreaks

She most commonly has nightmares, about Lucia and about losing you, in different ways.

But sometimes some triggers make her go beyond

After a particularly difficult mission, comes the obsession with keeping you safe and close..absurdly close

Or some odd noise in the middle of the night and the paranoia that someone is coming to kill you both

At these times, she needs her support and not only to tell her that everything is fine, but also to encourage her to seek professional help

Few of the Protocol know what happens to Reyna and having you help her overcome all these demons, she is very grateful

Despite all this, she is not a jealous partner at all

Zyanya knows her worth and she knows you, you wouldn't dare to do such thing

If someone tries to flirt with you, she just smirks, enjoying their attempt.

But that doesn't stop her from...talking...to this person if they make you uncomfortable

Loves you unconditionally

You are the reason she became a better and more understanding person

And she is the reason you became a braver and more confident person

You are the perfect match, besides all the differences and she would not trade you for anything in the world

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•٠

@ Do not copy any of my works, translate and/or post it on others websites.

[nikkisixxsmissingpick]

Just a unfortunate dream

==============================

Warnings: nightmares, mentions of death, Gerard cries, pet names

written by someone who's first language is NOT english

==============================

Gerard is the best partner you anyone could ever wish for. They were caring, they were gentle, not to mention absolutely stunning.

You couldn't be happier.

Every weekend you both would alternate sleeping in each other's places, because you felt as if being with him during college wasn't enough. Today was the turn to sleep at yours.

When it was around 6 pm Gerard knocked at your door, the only thing he he brought with him being the shirt he borrowed from you last month

"hi sweetheart"

you greet them with a little peck as they enter trough the door, handling you your Metallica shirt back

"I've missed you..."

They mumble looking down, as if a bit ashamed. He was always a bit shy around you, no matter how much time you guys have been together

"but, Gee, I've seen you earlier today to grab the movie and I called, like... Three minutes before you left home"

You say with a chuckle, hugging their waist to keep them close. He buried his face on your neck, breathing you in

"I know, but I still missed you!"

You smiled, kissing their cheek and walking with him towards your room. Both of you enter the poster-filled bedroom

Gerard sits down on your bed, taking out his shoes as you put your "a night at the opera" Queen vinyl to play, lowering to volume to let it be just a background noise.

==============================

3 hours later

==============================

You both are cuddled up on your bed by the time the "the shining" credits roll on the tv screen. You look down at your lover to see them sleeping soundly, griping slightly on your shirt.

You grab the controller and turn off the tv, covering both of you with the blanket as you slip down on the bed some more, wrapping your arms around Gerard's waist gently.

Slowly you also drift to sleep

==============================

Not even thirty minutes later Gerard starts to move around in bed, little "no"'s and "please stay"'s leaving his lips every now and then.

Gerard jolts awake, startled. They look around the room, their breath irregular and fat hot tears rolling down his cheeks

You slowly wake up at the faint sound of crying coming from your side

"sweetheart?"

You call, a bit groggy from sleep. When you sit up straight you bring a hand to cup his cheek, wiping away their tears with your thumb

"what happened, love?"

Gerard leans in your touch, but guilt starts to accumulate on his chest and he shakes his head

"it's stupid... I'm sorry for waking you up..."

He sniffs a bit and you frown, a small curve on your eyebrows as you look at them

"sweetheart, if you're sobbing then it can't be that stupid... And the last person to judge you would be me.."

You reassure, running your hand on his greasy black hair. Gerard just breaks down then and there, slowly resting his head on your shoulder as he sobs

You hold him close, rubbing his back soothingly

"i-i had a dream... You died... All because of me"

They say in between sobs and hiccups, his hands grabbing on your shirt tightly as to be sure you're really there

"and I didn't tell you, but I've been having this kind of dream over and over again... I can't take it anymore... I want to make it stop..."

He continues, all while you play with the ends of his hair and rub his back gently

"sweetheart... First of all, I'm very, very proud of you for having the courage to tell me... And the other thing is that I don't have a magic recipe to make the nightmares stop, but if you want I can be with you every night... I wouldn't mind a bit hold you every night if you think it might help in a way"

Gerard looks at you with wide eyes, as if they can't believe you

"you would?"

He asks in a whisper, looking at you in the eyes

"mhm, every night if you need"

You reassure with nothing but love resembling on your face

"I don't deserve you"

He says, a small smile tugging at their lips in the middle of tears

"yes you do... It was just a unfortunate dream, okay? I'm here... I'll always be"

You say, pressing a tender kiss to their forehead. For that night Gerard didn't have anymore nightmares.

==============================

This is shit, but I wanted to write something. I accept criticism

[elliemarchetti]

The Queen of the Quills - Jily Edition (Part 5)

Posting on Tumblr too because this fic's sister is already there.

Reading The Queen of the Quills - Blackinnon Edition will not be mandatory to understand the developments of James and Lily's story, but some details could be shared, therefore, for anyone wishing to fully enjoy the experience, I will leave this series' masterlist here.

This was @athenasparrow's gift for @jilymicrofics ' Exchange 2024, but if you like it and are willingly to reblog, it would be super appreciated since stories like this require quite some time and effort🥰

Taglist (if anyone wants to be added, please DM me or comment and I'll gladly add you!): @thaisthedreamer

Plot: James Potter, London's most evasive bachelor, an impertinent libertine, has decided to get married. He has also already chosen his wife, the debutante Lily Evans, a self-confident young woman who has not the slightest intention of being seduced by such a man. A Bridgerton inspired Regency AU.

Words: 4093

Mrs. Potter’s musicale proved to be a decidedly musical affair (not, this author assures you, always the norm for musicales). The guest performer was none other than Maria Rosso, an Italian soprano from the all-witch choir known as Spellbound who made their debut in London two years ago and has returned after a brief stint on the Vienna stage. With thick, sable hair and flashing dark eyes, Miss Rosso proved as lovely in form as she did in voice, and more than one, or it would be better to say more than a dozen, of society’s so-called gentleman found it difficult indeed to remove their eyes from her person, even after the performance had concluded.

The Queen of the Quills, May 17, 1813

Lily felt the exact moment he walked in the room. She tried to tell herself it had nothing to do with a heightened awareness of the excruciatingly handsome wizard, she couldn’t imagine that every woman didn’t notice him immediately, and furthermore, he arrived late – not very, but still enough he had to try to be quiet as he slipped into a chair at the front next to Mrs. Evans – still she noticed him before her own mother and sister did, and it rendered her unable to even breathe. He didn’t look her way, but several candles had been snuffed, leaving the room bathed in a dim, romantic glow, so the shadows must’ve obscured her face and the way she tried to keep her eyes on Miss Rosso throughout the performance, even if the woman couldn’t take hers off of Mr. Potter, and for some reasons, it didn’t improve her disposition. She should’ve rejoiced in the fact, it was just another piece of proof he was every bit the licentious rake she’d always known him to be, but she wasn’t feeling smug, or vindicated, she was just heavily, uncomfortably disappointed, so much so she felt herself slump slightly in her chair.

When the performance was done, she couldn’t help but notice how the soprano, after graciously accepting her applause, brazenly approached her suitor and offered him one of those seductive smiles, the sort Lily would never learn to do even if she had a thousand opera singers trying to teach her. There was no mistaking what she meant with that act, and he must’ve realized too, because he threw her a mysterious look and actually tucked an errant lock of her raven hair behind her ear.

Lily shivered in disgust. For Merlin’s beard, the man didn’t even need to chase women, they practically dropped at his feet and whispered sweet nothing in his ears! Maybe she praised him, or maybe she outwardly offered herself, because he leaned down enough to kiss her neck.

“Lily?” hissed her mother, decidedly irritated. “Stop watching Mr. Potter.”

“I wasn’t… well, all right, I was, but did you see him?” she whispered urgently. “He’s shameless.”

She looked back over at him, still flirting with Maria Rosso, no care in the world about who might see.

“I’m sure his behaviour isn’t any of our business,” replied Elizabeth, lips pursed into a tight line. “He has been kind in delivering the invitations to the musicale himself, but I’m certain he wants nothing to do with you after that fiasco in Hyde Park.”

If the situation had been different, Lily would have argued that it wasn't her fault that his dog had pushed her into the water and he jumped in to save her when she was already swimming toward the shore, but she didn't have the energy to argue right now, so she sagged her shoulders and followed her family as they greeted their lovely hostess. Mrs. Potter had fair hair and light eyes, and she was rather petite to have mothered such a large son, so Lily decided her late husband must’ve been a tall man.

“Mrs. Evans,” she said warmly, “what a delight to see you again. I so enjoyed our meeting at the last ball and I must say I’m very glad you decided to accept my invitation.”

“We wouldn’t dream of spending the evening elsewhere,” her mother rejoined. “And may I present you my daughters? The older one is Petunia, and the younger one is Lily.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both, and I would like to introduce you to Mr and Mrs. McKinnon’s daughter, Marlene,” she said, motioning to a young lady at her side. For some reason, Lily was convinced she had already met her, but maybe she was just a classmate she had passed a couple of times in the corridors at Hogwarts. After all, Londoners were used to minding their own business there too, and she had no doubt that someone so beautiful and seemingly delicate was constantly surrounded by flocks of other adoring young women. Anyway, Lily smiled warmly at the girl, who looked to be about the same age as her, even though the similarities between them ended here: her blonde hair were a perfectly styled field of lovely golden wheat and her face was angular, a rather sharp contrast with Lily’s roundness.

 “Is this your first season?” she asked, already friendly.

Both Lily and Petunia nodded.

“How lucky!” she exclaimed. “I attended a few parties last year and may I say they were a bit… boring? Everything was so new the first time, but by the end of spring I already remembered everyone’s name. This way, I thought I could get an excellent match, but as you may see by yourself, I’m still unmarried.”

As Marlene spoke, Mrs. Evans glanced at her son, who kept flirting madly with the Italian opera singer, and frowned.

Lily felt something very uneasy in her stomach: according to recent issues of The Queen of the Quills, Mrs. Evans was on a mission to get her son married off, and while he didn’t seem the sort of man to bend to his mother’s will, or anyone’s, for the matter, she had a feeling the woman would be able to exert quite a bit of pressure is she so chose. Maybe that was why he was so intent on courting her.

After a few more moments of polite chatter, the Evans left Mrs. Potter to greet the rest of her guests and were soon accosted by Mrs. Bones, who, as the mother of three daughters, two still unmarried, always had a lot to say to Elizabeth – she had long declared herself on a first-name basis with the Evans – although that day her gaze was firmly focused on Lily, who immediately began to assess possible escape routes.

“What a surprise to see you there!” boomed the stout woman, leaving her interlocutor puzzled. “Gossip said you were ill.”

“Don’t worry, it was nothing that serious,” Lily retorted, with a weak smile. How Amelia had managed to become a pleasant person to have around with a family like hers Lily just couldn't explain.

“From what I heard, you contracted it in a rather serious way,” Mrs. Bones added, brows rising a good half inch. It was evident she knew, maybe she was even at the scene, but there was really no need to talk about it at the Potter’s.

“A way of little consequence, as you can see,” Lily countered firmly, although she was finding it difficult not to growl at the meddlesome woman.

Mrs. Bones opened her mouth, a sharp intake of breath telling she was preparing to launch into a lengthy monologue on the topic of the importance of good deportment, or good manners, or good breeding, but her youngest promptly interrupted her, offering to fetch lemonade for everyone.

“Lily, would you be so kind as to help me?” she asked, turning to the one she set out to save. “Unfortunately, I still don’t have enough hands to carry all those glasses.”

Lily tried not to appear too eager to accept, but everyone must’ve noticed their urgency to flee from how quickly they walked away, dodging those present with skill.

“Thank you,” she murmured to her saviour once they reached the lemonade stand and grabbed four glasses, for everyone except Petunia, who said she wasn’t thirsty.

“I know how my mother can be, I’m usually her favourite victim, so since I could avoid you what would’ve sounded like a lecture from an almost stranger, I took advantage of it. I’m sure somehow she would’ve found the opportunity to insert me into the conversation just to define me an impertinent social failure,” replied the other, and although a part of Lily wanted to pity her for that cruel fate – no mother should behave like that with her daughter – another part told her not to do so, because the girl needed an ally, not yet another young lady looking at her like a hopeless cause.

“Can we go back for a glass for ourselves?” asked Amelia as soon as they reunited with their families, and her mother nodded in a matter that told Lily everyone must know her youngest wasn’t her favourite.

“Why don’t we go out for a bit of fresh air? Since we’re together, we don’t need a chaperone,” suggested the redhead, who wanted a little more space to investigate on what the wizarding society really thought of Mr. Potter. Was he a hypocrite? A scoundrel? Or even a liar? Had he by chance deluded women and then abandoned them without any prospect? Did he have bastards? She didn't know why she cared so much, after all he probably believed her a menace to society, or he wouldn’t have acted as he was doing with Miss Rosso, still she needed to know if it was the norm or just a game to get back at her. So she asked, rather forward, as she and her friend sank into a cushioned bench about ten yards from the music room. They remained there for several minutes, more than pleased with the comfortable intimacy of their gossip, until they heard one particular voice rise slightly above the low rumble of the crowd, followed by decidedly musical laughter. After a shared look of realization, they hitched up their skirts by a few inches to save themselves from tripping and ducked into the doorway next to the bench, hoping Mr. Potter and his paramour would walk on by, and they could scoot back into the music room and laugh about their little adventure. As their eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room, they realized they were in some sort of office, with walls lined with books, although not enough to be a library, the place dominated by a massive oak desk with papers laid on top of it in neat piles. Clearly the place was lived, not just for show, and as curiosity got the better of them, they wandered toward the desk, Lily running her fingers along the wooden rim. The air still smelled faintly of ink, and maybe the slightest hint of pipe smoke. All in all, she decided, it was a lovely room, comfortable and practical, a place a person could spend hours in lost in lazy contemplation, but just as she was about to lean back against the desk, savouring the quiet solitude exuding from the place, she heard and awful sound. The doorknob clicked, and with a frantic gasp, Amelia disappeared, leaving her with no other option than dive under the desk, squeezing herself into the empty cube of space and thanking the heavens that it was completely solid rather than the short that rested on four spindly legs. Barely breathing, she listened, cursing herself for not taking Apparition class seriously.

“I had heard this would be the year we would finally see the notorious Mr. Potter fall into the parson’s mousetrap,” came a lilting feminine voice. Lily bit her lip, recognizing the Italian accent.

“And where did you hear that?” came James’ unmistakable voice, followed by another awful click of the doorknob that made Lily shut her eyes in agony. She was trapped in the office with a pair of lovers. Life simply couldn’t get any worse than this, unless she was discovered, though it didn’t make her feel much better about her present predicament.

“It’s all over town,” Maria replied. “Everyone is saying you have decided to settle down and choose a bride.”

There was a silence, but Lily could swear she could hear him shrug: “It’s probably past time.”

“You are breaking my heart, did you know?” she asked, making Lily nearly gag.

“Now, my sweet signorina, we both know that your heart is impervious to any of my machinations,” Mr. Potter murmured, and Lily pictured him as close as they were before, his lips nearly on her skin, because next came a rustling sound, which she took to be Maria pulling coyly away to state she wasn’t inclined for a dalliance.

“I don’t look for marriage, of course, that would be most foolish, but when I next choose a protector, it shall be for, shall we say, the long term,” she added, low and husky.

“I fail to see the problem.”

“Your future wife may not.”

“The only reason to give up one’s mistress is if one happens to love one’s wife,” Mr. Potter chuckled. “And as I don’t intend to choose a wife with whom I might fall in love, I see no reason to deny myself the pleasure of a lovely woman like you.”

Lily tried to imagine the reaction of the couple if she jumped out of her hiding place, screaming like a madwoman, asking what made him think she was the right match if that was his plan from the start. It nearly made her laugh, and at the same time she wanted to cry, because there was no way she could make the entrance she wished to make when she was squatting like a frog with her hands wrapped around her ankles. A few unintelligible sounds distracted her from her fantasies, and she dearly prayed they weren’t a prelude to something considerably more intimate. After a moment, though, Mr. Potter’s voice emerged clearly, asking to the singer if she cared for something to drink. Maria murmured her assent, and James’ forceful stride echoed along the floor, growing closer and closer, until he came into view, his athletic frame displayed to surprising benefit from her vantage point on the floor. If he just kept his face to the window as he poured, she might escape detection, but if he turned so much as halfway she would be as good as dead, for she had no doubt he would kill her. Frankly, she was surprised he hadn’t tried last week at the Serpentine.

“Is everything all right?” Maria called out, when Mr. Potter clinked the tumblers slightly together as he set them down before pouring two fingers of amber liquid into each glass.

“Perfect,” he answered, although he sounded vaguely distracted, like a dog sniffing the air around in search of his prey. Maybe that was why Lily froze and stopped breathing completely, eyes wide and unblinking, as he started to hum slightly to himself and his body slowly began to turn.

Keep walking, she screamed in her head, keep walking to your lover and don’t look back.

But it didn't go that way, and she watched with complete and utter horror as his eyes scanned her starting from her shoes and pinned her where she was.

__________________

James knew quite well why he’d brought Maria Rosso back to his study. Surely no warm-blooded man could be immune to the charm of her lush body and her intoxicating voice, and he knew from experience that her touch was equally potent, but even as he took in that silky sable hair and those full, pouting lips, even as his muscles tightened at the memory of other full, pouting parts of her body, he knew he was using her. He felt no guilt in that regard – she was using him as well, and she would at least be compensated for it, whereas he would be out several jewels, a quarterly allowance, and the rent on a fashionable townhouse in a fashionable part of town – no, if he felt uneasy and frustrated, if he felt like he wanted to put his damned fist though a brick wall, it was because he was using Maria to banish the nightmare that Lily Evans was from his mind. He never wanted to wake up hard and tortured again, knowing she was the cause, he just wanted to drown himself in another woman until the very memory of his recurring dream dissolved and faded into nothingness, because Merlin knew he was never going to act on that particular erotic fantasy because he shouldn’t like her like that. The though of making love to her, and not just bedding her, made him break out in a cold sweat, even as it swirled a ripple of desire right through his gut. Bloody hell, the woman must’ve bewitched him, there could be no other explanation for the dream, and besides, even now he could swear he could smell her. It was that maddening combination of lilies and soap, that beguiling scent that had washed over him while they were in Hyde Park.

“Is everything all right?” Maria called out.

“Perfect,” James said, voice sounding tight to his own ears. He began to hum, something he’d always done to relax, and he turned, even started to take a step forward, because after all Miss Rosso was waiting for him, but the damned scent followed him and his foot hesitated in midair, his step forward proved to be a small one instead of his usual long stride, and he kept turning, his nose instinctively twisting his eyes toward where he knew there couldn’t be lilies until he saw her under his desk, crouching like a frog. It was a wonder he didn’t drop the whiskey as their eyes met, and he saw hers widen with panic and fright.

Good, he thought savagely. What the hell was she doing here? Wasn’t making a scene after he doused himself in the filthy water of the Serpentine to rescue her enough for her bloodthirsty spirit? Did she need to spy on him as well?

“Maria,” he said smoothly, moving forward toward the desk until he was nearly stepping on Lily’s hand. “I have suddenly remembered an urgent matter of business that must be dealt with immediately.”

“This very night?” she asked, quite dubious.

“I’m afraid so. Allow me to walk you to the door,” he said, and although the singer’s eyes were curious, she still took his arm and forgave him for his rudeness for not taking her back to the music room.

“I am a grown woman, I believe I can manage the short distance,” she laughed, a low, sultry sound that should’ve seduced him. “And furthermore, I suspect there isn’t a woman alive who could deny you forgiveness with that smile.”

“You are of a rare kind, Maria Rosso,” he replied, hoping she couldn’t feel how far his head was from this conversation. Not too much physically, since Lily was just a few steps away, but metaphorically…

“But not, apparently, rare enough,” she murmured before floating out, finally giving James the possibility to shut the door with a decisive click, turn the key and pocked it. At the sound, Lily crawled out of her hiding place, leaning on the edge of the desk for support, apparently unable to start the much-needed explanation she had to give about her presence.

“Well?” he asked, breaking the bubble of silence.

“It was an accident!” she exclaimed. “I was sitting in the hall and I heard you coming. I was just trying to avoid you and your lover, to spare the embarrassment to everyone...”

“So you decided to invade my private office?” he asked, suspicious.

“I didn’t know it was your office. I…” she started, but was unable to finish her sentence, probably intimidated by his deliberate proximity. He could swear he was hearing the frantic beating of her heart coming from beneath the bodice.

“I think perhaps you did know this was my office,” he murmured, letting his forefinger trail down the side of her cheek. “Perhaps you didn’t seek to avoid me at all, on the contrary, you desired something else, something more… insane?”

Lily swallowed convulsively, long past the point of trying to maintain her composure.

“What do you say to that?” he asked, his finger sliding along her jawline.

Her lips parted, but she couldn’t have uttered a word if her life had depended on it. He wore no gloves, he removed them during his interrupted tryst with Maria, and the touch of his skin against her was so powerful it seemed to control her body, for she breathed when he paused, stopped when he moved. He had no doubt their hearts were beating in time as his breath kissed her lips, and he smiled, victorious, when she deleted the little distance still separating them. It was evident she was an innocent who wouldn’t know what it was like to have a man so near the heat of his body seeped through her clothes, who wouldn’t recognize the first prickles of desire, nor would she understand that slow, swirling heat in the core of her being, but it was there, he could see it in her face with only one look of his experienced eyes.

James told himself that if she hadn’t kissed him, he would’ve stopped right there, left her bothered and breathless, but he knew he was lying, he knew the moment there had been barely an inch between their faces back in her house and he resisted the pull to give in to her beguiling scent only because the footman might’ve saw them. But right now, there was no chaperone, they were in the privacy of his study, her mother was probably immersed in conversation and the prickles of desire he’d meant to spark within her suddenly ignited him, sending a warm claw of need to the very tips of his toes. Although her kiss had been chaste, and rather desperate, the fingers he’d been trailing along her cheek to torture her suddenly became a hand that cupped the back of her head, and his lips took hers in an explosion of desire, making her gasp against his mouth, something he took advantage of to slide his tongue between them. She was pliant in his arms, so James pressed his suit further by allowing one of his hands to slide down her back and cup the gentle curve of her derriere.

It was madness, he knew he should stop and he damned well shouldn’t have started, but his body was racing with need and he felt so good he had no intention of letting her go. It was like when he was younger, with no care in the world, and his father was still alive, ready to rule the family and gift him with the chance to mess up without consequences a little more, and at the same time he found she possessed something that suited him like no woman ever had before. Something about her was just right, maybe her smell, or maybe the way she felt in his arms, and he knew that if he stripped off all of her clothes and took her there on the carpet on the floor of his study, she would fit underneath him, around him, just right. A low, triumphant growl emerged from James’ mouth as he moved it to her slender neck and further down, in the expanse of skin usually hidden by the bodice he moved slightly, enough to not expose her right away but still more than decency allowed. With ragged and fast breath, he pinned her to his desk, crazed, frantic, leaving small red marks wherever he sucked, regardless of the consequences.

“Do you still hate me?” he asked, and when she slightly shook her head, he cupped one of her breasts, covering it entirely with his hand. Just as he was plotting the best course back to her lips, he heard the perfectly awful sound of Sirius’ voice outside the door.

“James!” he shouted. “I know you’re here and your mother does too. She needs your assistance and asked me to tell you to stop fucking Miss Rosso.”

Miss Evans, blissfully unaware of how close she’d come to having been pleasured utterly senseless, threw a horrified look to the door.

“One of these days,” James muttered, “I’m going to have to kill him.”

[sillyyuserr]

Despite all i post about being terukane, i actually fucking love nene.

hence, 4 reasons why you should love nene too (+mini analysis at the end?)

Reason 1: shes cares so much

For one, when aoi was trapped in the far shore, not only did she cry, but so much so that even mentioning her name made her cry, like full on cry not even tear up. She let herself cry in a public infront of someone she deems ‘hottest guy in the school’ not really gaf cus she misses her bsf

And when she got aoi back, she didnt need aoi’s apology she just missed her, going in for an immediate hug, letting aoi tear up in her arms

At the end of the ‘picture perfect’ arc she thanked shijima mei for the painting, something no one else did

She asked what sumire saw in No. 6 to make her like him sm, again something only she did which caught hanako and sumire off guard

Reason 2: shes adorable.

idk how shes not as popular as aoi she’s actually so pretty. A moment of silence for our queen nene

Literally so gorgeous in anything she wears

Reason 3: She’s the mc, what are you doing NOT loving her??

shes the narrator, the character we’ve known the longest and are going to stick with until the end. How dare thee betray her and say she sucks? ‘She has a big forehead’ its called a hairstyle

‘she has big ankles’ yah and theyre cute. Its called having originality

‘copy and paste personality’ shes actually one of the more original mc’s ive seen in awhile. She isnt one of those girls who’re obsessed with just boys and makes that her whole personality, yes she does get crushes easily, but she’d rather die and lose the boy she actually has a chance with than let her bestfriend die. She has standards

Reason 4: shes cool as fuck?

she has a skull brooch, skull on her phone, horns ON HER PHONE, wears yin and yang hair pins, loves opera songs about forbidden love, loves scary stories, interested in supernaturals and the dead/ghosts and to top it all off, in the pilot she CURSED her ex to DEATH

FYM SHES MID??

tired and can’t think of anything else 😭 kinda starting to think chapter 113 IS the last chapter. I mean you’d think AidaIro would say something considering they’ve been making this manga for almost a decade now but the ‘sinister’ ending along with there being no ‘next chapter up on the 18th!’ Makes me kinda nervous 😭 as i said they’ve been doing this almost 10yrs no way they’d forget to put it there

AidaIro have publicly stated they both dislike/hate happy endings. And this i feel, is a perfect way to end it horribly. I absolutely hate the idea of this being an ending, but it would work out pretty smoothly in pissing off their entire fanbase. I mean theres so many unanswered questions and so many things left unsaid.

are teru and aoi really getting married? which yugi sibling is alive? will any of my previous ‘suspicions’ be definitively confirmed? what happened to hanako? what changed? whats happening with the clock keepers? what did natsuhiko do? what is sakuras role in this story?

this seems such a perfect way to end is so horribly😭 REALLY hope this isnt the case doh we’ll just have to wait and see. The topic strayed very far off from why you should love nene 😭 sorry lmao

[gabessquishytum]

The year is 1889. Hob Gadling is a realtor in London who because of the death of his wife has drunk himself into a small amount of debt. One day a letter held closed by a wax seal picturing a raven in flight.

The letter explains that a Transylvanian Count named Dream is hoping to purchase Hobs most expensive estate for double the price. The only caveat is that Hob will have to make the journey to the Count’s castle to help him with the paperwork. While the Count gives many good reasons why he himself can’t come to London or simply have Hob mail the documents to him, Hobs gut reaction is to simply burn the parchment and carry on with his day. But the fare has already been paid for by his potential client and his coffers are nearly empty. So off he heads for the back country of Transylvania.

After a montage of travel shenanigans including: meeting an American cowboy named Ollie (who absolutely blows his back out), the inn keepers wife giving him a rosary, and a blond carriage driver with darkened glasses who seems quite comfortable with the pack of wolves that run along side the buggy, he finds himself stepping into the gloomy castle.

And on the steps of the grand staircase holding a tarnished candelabra stands a willowy figure, dressed in fine black clothing covering skin as white as a pearl, staring at him with eyes the same shade as the ruby jewel hanging around his neck.

The regal man speaks after a moment “I am Dream.”

“Oh” breathes Hob taking off his hat, his gazing transfixed on the ethereal creature before him “It- it’s really good to see you.”

“I bid you welcome.”

A sexually tense week later finds them sat in the parlor celebrating with cigars and wine for completing the paperwork, Hob begins to tell the Count his life’s story, why he became a realtor after being a soldier in the queens army, and how after the death of his entire family and then his wife his greatest wish was that he never had to die.

Suddenly Dream leans in close, lips mere inches away from Hobs own. “What if I told you I could grant you that wish?” Dreams nails begin to trace along the veins in Hobs neck “All ask is for you to stay by my side, fear me, love me, obey me, and I will be your slave.”

Enraptured by Dreams eyes Hob can do little else but nod. The next thing he knows Dream is biting into his neck, yet somehow with every mouthful of blood Dream takes from him he feels more and more pleasure consuming him. Just as he is about to die from blood loss Dream slices the palm of his hand and allows the black blood to trickle into Hobs mouth. That night, they consummate their unholy matrimony both covered in blood with Hob tied to the bedposts being made to come on Dreams cock over and over and over again.

Hob returns to London, having left a barely middle class man he now attends parties only available for the highest of society, dressed in full silk and satin white dress, arm and arm with a handsome gothic benefactor.

No one dares to question the litter of bite marks and scars that cover Hobs neck and shoulders after seeing how sharp the Counts teeth are. Anyone who tries shame or insult Hob about his choice in fashion are found dead in some dirty alleyway the next morning. And the one man who dared to try and flirt with Hob was found strung across London bridge with the words mine carved into his chest.

Dream couldn’t stop fucking Hob to reinstate his claim for a whole two nights after that incident, filling Hob with his seed and shoving a crystal plug in to make sure none of it could leak out during the opera they are to attend.

Hob is just happy to have found his calling as Dreams eternally devoted and throughly fucked spouse.

-☘️

I gotta say, I ADORE the way you've written this! Who doesn't love a Dracula AU! I love how you've stuck close to the book, it really does work!

I love the image of Hob is his beautiful white dress, enjoying the fanciest parties. Wearing long white gloves and glittering with diamonds. He never lets go of Dream’s arm for a minute, and Dream really does take care of him with the most devoted care.

At one of those parties, they happen to come across Ollie - no longer in his cowboy gear but dressed in his finest and making his way as a society artist. Although Dream usually hates it when any man pays Hob an ounce of attention, he seems quite taken with Ollie's southern charms. He even asks Ollie to paint him and Hob as a celebration of their anniversary.

It's the first time Dream allows anyone to get involved in the action of their bedchamber. Turns out, Ollie isn't quite as human as he might appear (if vampires exist, Hob realises, it only makes sense that there are other creatures of the night. I'm imagining Ollie as a werewolf, but he could be something else). He watches in rapture as Dream feeds Hob on blood and cum, fucking him so hard that Hob’s legs tremble when he tries to stand up afterwards. Ollie gets a chance to eat him out and lick the cool, delicious seed from inside Hob’s raw, sloppy hole.

But in the end, it's Dream who owns Hob’s newly immortal heart. They live in debauched luxury, feeding mainly from the criminals that lurk in the shadows of London. Hob likes to think that he's keeping the streets clean and doing the locals a favour. Dream frankly doesn't care - as long as Hob is his, nothing else matters.

[tumblingxelian]

Oneshot Concept - The Chloe & Adrien - Childhood Friends Special

I wish there'd been a comedy episode centered on Adrien & Chloe's friendship & seeing other facets of them and the relationship.

It opens with Adrien being super drowsy at school as he had to wake up extremely early to finish a report because he won't be able to work on it over the weekend due to his jammed schedule.

He is barely keeping his head up & the others think its ridiculous, including a grouchy Chloe who storms up and promises to "Deal with this nonsense."

While the others fret over Adrien and muse ideas, one can see Chloe talking animatedly in the background, at times seemingly threatening her phone before suddenly shifting into pure professionalism and strutting back over.

Adrien has the weekend off, but cannot go out on Saturday because if he is sooo tired, he must need to stay home.

Adrien's only question is if he can sleep in to which she says yes and gets a drowsy thank you. Chloe adds she'll swing by after ten so Gabriel can't pull a fast one on them which receives a thumbs up as Adrien's head rests on his arms and she leaves.

Alya muses on how spending a day with Chloe is probably more tiring, Marinette is shifting into panic mode & Nino notes Adrien's already fallen asleep.

More under the cut:

At night, Marinette is seen sort of shaking off Tikki's advice that there are facets to even people one reasonably dislikes that you may not know & that presumably someone as nice as Adrien has some reason for sticking out his friendship with Chloe, but it largely falls on deaf ears.

The next day, Alya struts into her families store to 'steal her' because she & Nino figured she'd be stressing & needs time to relax with ice cream. Marinette muses on how Adrien & Chloe are probably dining on lobster and grapes & other fancy things on a super romantic date.

Cut to the Agreste manor & after Chloe enters his room Chloe reveals her purse is full of chocolate bars and other such things with both chanting "Hide the snacks, hide the snacks" with Plagg in the background doing the same as they begin racing around the room hiding snacks. Adrien revealing he's made new secret compartments, again Plagg in the background looking smug, & Chloe wondering where the wealthy would be without such things.

"Probably jail" says Adrien, Chloe agrees & they laugh.

On the way to ice cream, Alya shares what is meant to be an exaggerated jokey idea of what she thinks Adrien's day will be like, namely doing Chloe's make up and acting like her butler, shown in a comedic animation. Then it cuts to the actual scene of Chloe asking Adrien how he feels, revealing he has no had his face painted in elaborate, beastly fashion and he smirks like Chat Noir, "I feel ferocious, roar!"

Finally at the ice cream parlor, Nino has arrived and joins in on the speculation, though his is mildly more forgiving, suggesting Chloe is just incompetent at being a child cos she always tries to act grown up. With him thinking she'll want to watch an opera but not understand it or try a wine tasting with grape juice.

We cut to the manor zooming away from a film called "The Hyena Queen" to Chloe, also face painted, dangling off the rock climbing wall with a malevolent Adrien murmuring, "Long live the queen" before knocking her of the wall and she falls dramatically to the cushions below. Then he remembers how sad the next scene is & Chloe's frantically running for the remote, "I'll skip it, I'll skip it!"

Marinette counters that she thinks Chloe is probably going to use this time to brainwash Adrien and turn him against them.

Cut to them playing foosball & Adrien noting he wishes Chloe would be nicer to their classmates, or at least his friends. She counters, she almost but doesn't wish he were more ruthless & unforgiving, cos he wouldn't be Adrien if he were like her.

Things hang in awkward silence before their game picks up again.

Alya & Nino find it unrealistic, if only cos they doubt Adrien would listen & Marinette agrees and offers to get them some drinks still stressed but calming down. But she's cornered by a fan of Adrien's who asks if all the horrible things they said about the girl were accurate & Marinette goes on a bit of a ramble about her issues with Chloe before calming down and noting she may be exaggerating and feels better to get it off her chest.

Unfortunately, the fan is no longer listening and is holding an Adrien figurine as a butterfly emerges on her face & she swears, "My dear Adrien, I won't let that horrible girl torment you a moment longer!"

Cut back to Chloe strutting back into the room & dusting off her hands. Adrien asking how it went, as he could hear shouting from the other side of the house. Chloe waves him off, claiming to know how to talk to his father. Adrien wishes he could do the same, but also that it didn't necessitate arguments and asks what the damage is.

Chloe waves him off, reiterating its for the best he's not like his heartless father. Adrien counters, asking if she really wants to discuss heartless parents. She does a 180 and in a very tight, forced voice says, "I take it back Adrien, he's not heartless, and I am sure he will soon sell the company, let you retire from modelling and move you both into a townhouse… thing, and start coaching a soccer team to spend time with you!"

She adds an unconvincing smile that has Adrien cackling.

Meanwhile we cut back to Marinette fighting "Fan Queen" & talking herself out of using it as a chance to see Adrien, but she takes long enough that the Akuma does start approaching the house

"My darling Adrien, I am here to save you!"

Chloe & Adrien are enraptured in a very intense game of "Who can balance more stupid stuff on their head" Chloe is currently winning due to ballet & gymnastics training, but notes Adrien is doing better than he ever has before. He muses he must have been a cat in his last life.

Then Fan Queen kicks in the window and stops dead in her tracks as the pair stare at her, but also refuse to break their contest; its mostly Chloe.

Fan Queen is confused, Ladybug is confused, Adrien & Chloe fall over when she arrives and start trying to look cool and or getting fannish with her, but they keep stumbling over each others lines and poses getting increasingly embarrassed as they start squabbling over it.

Fan Queen just mutters, "Oh you're actually just a dork aren't you Adrien?" which just sort of nets an awkward shrug as Chloe makes some snippy comments about falling for magazine covers.

Just as Fan Queen seems to be getting upset, Ladybug snags the Akumatized item and the fight is over in short order, with her leaving the now very confused Akuma victim to the effuse praise of the pair.

After leaving she muses on what the heck she stumbled into there & if maybe Tikki was right.

Cut back & Chloe is asking Adrien if he's OK as that was his 'first' Akuma attack where he was the target. He waves it off, saying it was scary, but he figured as she wasn't scared he didn't need to be.

There's a brief moment where we see a sort of high speed flashback to several times Akuma have tried to kill her, but just as Adrien starts looking worried she forces a smirk and proclaims, of course she wasn't afraid, she is Chloe, and Ladybug adored her, so nothing bad could ever happen to her.

She's fine, really, pinky promise.

At night Marinette muses that maybe Tikki was right & that there's sides to people that can be unexpected, such as a cool charming guy getting flustered, or a normally mean person showing they can be a good friend.

As Tikki begins to narrate about how people often wear masks to be liked or get by in a difficult situation, we see Adrien waving Chloe off from his window, as the narration continues, talking about trust and the unique ways people can be there for each other as we see Adrien's dinner & then cut to him eating a chocolate bar.

She continues, that for other people they may not wear a mask to be liked but instead fiercer and more dangerous than they are, & we see Chloe moving through the hotel, eying everyone suspiciously even as she looks confident, members of the press obviously spying on her.

Before finally capping off on a moral about how even Marinette wears such masks, with how she is so easily able to express her worries and fears as herself, but as Ladybug she stays cool, calm and collected, which Marinette agrees with, adding a literal mask makes it easier to be who she wants to be.

The screen is divided into three, showing Adrien sneaking out as Chat, Marinette not wearing a mask, but very clearly carrying herself like Ladybug and a shot of Chloe putting on her Ladybug mask and looking wistful.

[ceruleanwhore]

I was just listening to the OtGW soundtrack in the car and I realized that there’s stuff in the music that actually backs up my kinda crack theory that the Queen of the Clouds is actually the Beast, or at least is tied to the Beast somehow (if we’re going with the idea that the show is Dante’s Inferno, the Woodsman and Adelaide could represent two of the three beasts from the Dark Wood of Error while the cloud lady could be the third.) First, I just want to take a moment to introduce my theory since I haven’t posted about it before. Basically, a while ago, as I was thinking about the ending of the series and trying to figure out what Greg wished for and how he ended up going from the Queen of the Clouds to being in that daze under the Beast’s control, it occurred to me that maybe they were one and the same. Part of this comes from how information about the Beast is provided to the boys and, by extent, the audience. We start off with generic fear about a nameless, nondescript ‘beast’ but, in “Songs of the Dark Lantern”, we are told for the first time that the Beast tells lies and also that the main thing he does is turn children into trees that he harvests for oil to fuel his lamp. To me, this says that he can’t just sneak up behind a child and turn them into a tree but, rather, that he tells lies because he has to lure them in somehow and trick them into becoming the trees. Also, the Beast is known for his lies and we see the Cloud Queen showing Wirt to Greg and lying to him about how Wirt has already been claimed and is too far gone and there is no way for him to go home with Greg. The other main piece of evidence for my little theory here is what Greg is doing with the Beast at the end, how he’s acting, and what exactly he’s saying. He’s doing stuff like putting a teacup on a rock so the sun sets behind it, because he had been told to catch the sun in a cup, and the Beast praises him for this, using a soft tone of voice like a normal person would use with a child that really isn’t befitting of a ‘beast’ at all. And yet, after being shown to do a task that the Beast asked him to do and praised him for completing, Greg is still saying to Wirt that he “did it,” that he “beat the Beast.” Well, if he was even the tiniest bit grounded in reality, there would be no way in Hell he’d be saying that as he’s been going around serving the Beast himself while his physical condition gets significantly worse and he even starts coughing up leaves. This clearly indicates that Greg is out to lunch, mentally, and I think it strongly supports the idea that Greg does not know at all that it’s the Beast who’s having him do stuff like catch the sun in a cup or that it’s the Beast who’s praising him. What I think it is is that, in his head, this is all stuff he’s running around doing for the Cloud Queen in order to set up for or earn whatever his wish was and she’s the one he sees and hears and thinks he’s talking to. Now, as for how the soundtrack further supports this, I’d like to start with singing in the series. Most characters don’t sing at all and few have their own songs, but something that just became clear to me is that, like what Lin Manuel Miranda did in Hamilton, each character who really does sing their own songs gets their own signature style of music. For example, Jason Funderburker (the frog) gets that kind of bluesy sound like in the opening theme and the song “Over the Garden Wall”  while Greg has that really upbeat kids’ music, like with “Potatoes and Molasses” and “Adelaide Parade.” More importantly, though, the only two characters in the whole thing who ever sing opera are the Beast and the Queen of the Clouds. Other bits include the part where Greg is ‘Greg’ to literally everyone except the Cloud Queen and the Beast, who both call him ‘Gregory.’ Additionally, there’s the scene at the start of the last episode when the Beast is talking to Greg and he says “Anything is possible if you set your mind to it, right?” which sticks out because we’ve never seen Greg say that to the Beast or even just around him, but he did just say it to the Cloud Queen not that long ago. This one’s a bit of a stretch but there’s also how the light reflects in Greg’s eyes both as he enters the dream and when he’s talking to the Queen of the Clouds which reminded me of the “you have beautiful eyes” part of the first episode when those wild, glowing eyes of the corrupted dog reflect in Greg’s own eyes. Moreover, the lyrics of “Everything is Nice and Fine All the Time” and “Forward Oneiroi” have some bits that sound kind of sinister, which doesn’t make sense if the Cloud Kingdom and their queen are actually just good and nice. Specifically, “Everything is Nice and Fine” has a couple mentions of lies, which is something that throughout the series really only comes up in the Unknown when it comes to the Beast or fear of him, and there’s one line that really sticks out to me of “Our songs are filled with love, the sweetest lie/And we can send them down to you with a little shove.” The cherubs in this Cloud Kingdom are literally coming out and saying that love, or maybe just their love, is a lie so their songs, including the one they’re singing about how everything is nice and fine all the time, are “filled with” a lie. Not to mention the line of “Lasso a cloud and make the flowers grow,” which is eerily reminiscent of the task Greg is given later on of “lowering the sun out of the sky and into this china cup” in how it’s such a whimsical yet surreal and impossible action. I’m also just going to put the lyrics to “Forward Oneiroi” here real quick so you can see them:      Forward, cherubs, hear the song      A child's wishes call us on      Descend! Descend!      'Ere he 'scapes, for dreams      Our winged wind hath made      For only beneath the veil of sleep      Can we Oneiroi act on men. The first thing I want to talk about here is the actual Oneiroi. From what I found, Oneiroi were lesser deities of dreams in some forms and areas of Hellenic paganism who were led by Morpheus, who tended to take a human shape in the dreams he visited. If the welcome wagon is all the Oneiroi who are addressed in the Cloud Queen’s song, then that means that she, as their leader, is the Morpheus figure, as in a powerful being who isn’t actually human but takes a human shape in dreams. Also, that second part of “Descend! Descend!/'Ere he 'scapes” sounds genuinely threatening. If the dream is so good and “everything is nice and fine all the time,” why would Greg ‘escape’? And now I’ll  put in the lyrics to Beast’s part of Come Wayward Souls too because I want to compare these two songs:      Come, wayward souls      And wander through the darkness      There is a light for the lost and the meek      Sorrow and fear are easily forgotten      When you submit to the soil of the earth Okay so where I’m going with this is that these songs feel very similar to me, both in tone and musicality as well as lyrical content. If you took “Forward Oneiroi” and swapped out the words “cherubs” and “Oneiroi” for “children” or “souls” and then just put it in a darker sounding minor key, I think it would feel about the same as “Come Wayward Souls” and I definitely could see that song being one of the Beast’s. I would also point out how the lyrics of both the Beast’s songs have this weirdly encouraging, light, hopeful tone, which makes sense given that he waits for kids to get lost and give up and then he comes in and scoops them up. In “Wayward Souls,” he says “There is a light for the lost and the meek/Sorrow and fear are easily forgotten/When you submit to the soil of the earth,” which yes, sounds kinda ominous with the part about submitting to the earth but, really, is putting light and hope out there. It’s saying that, if you just go with him and submit to the earth, there is a light for you, some beacon of hope, and you can forget the sorrow and fear you’re currently feeling. He does the same in “The Jolly Woodsman,” too: “When the fog of life surrounds you/When you think you've lost your way/Come with me and join the forest/Come with me and join the play.” Lastly, I want to compare the kids’ choir part of “Wayward Souls” and “Potatus et Molassus” to “Everything is Nice and Fine.” For reference, the full choir part is “Grow, tiny seed/You are called to the trees/Rise 'til your leaves fill the sky/Until your sighs fill the air in the night/Lift your mighty limbs/And give praise to the fire.” The first thing that sticks out is how much this choir of children who we know to be the souls in the edelwood trees are talking about reaching up to the sky with the branches of their trees, which reminds me of lines like “So hitch a ride into the sky,” “The softest clouds and rainbow skies ain’t gonna lie,” and “Everyone is sittin' pretty on top of the weather,” from “Everything is Nice and Fine.” I thought I’d already said it but I just looked back and apparently I didn’t say that, with the idea that the Cloud Queen is the Beast, there is also the idea that everyone we see in Cloud City is just the not-yet-sacrificed souls of the children in the edelwoods, and stuff like this kinda goes with that. Another thing I noticed that makes sense to me, though idk if it’ll make sense to everyone, is that “Potatoes and Molasses” is to “Potatus et Molassus” as “Everything is Nice and Fine” is to the children’s choir part in the Beast’s song. I would even go so far as to claim that the whole point of the “Potatus et Molassus” reprise is to draw attention to “Everything is Nice and Fine” and then call into question everything from the Cloud City stuff. I say this because, as I said previously, each character who sings their own designated songs has their own designated style and Everything is Nice and Fine is in a similar style to Greg’s own style (it’s a bit different though, so it’s not like they just used Greg’s style because it’s his dream or something) while “Potatus et Molassus” is in the same exact style as the “grow tiny seed” stuff, to the extent that the children’s choir is even used in that song. So, when I look at Greg in episodes 8 and 10, I think that what’s going on is that the Beast doesn’t just come up and talk to you as this ominous, scary shadow guy with antlers and weird eyes but, rather, he can be subtle and manipulative and do shit like get inside of your head and manipulate you. After all, Satan’s a liar and a conjurer too and, with the Inferno view of OtGW, the Beast is Satan. My bet is that, at the start of episode 10, Greg is aware enough to know that he’s no longer in his dream but he sees the Queen of the Clouds rather than the Beast and imagines that she’s there to guide him through whatever tasks he needs to do to get Wirt back and go home or whatever. Once there’s the tree starting to grow around him, I believe that, in his head, he succeeded and then was back home or maybe some other nice, cute, safe space like Cloud City with all the other souls. When he sings “Potatus et Molassus,” in whatever is going on in his head, he’s just having a good time wherever he is, singing “Potatoes and Molasses,” like how he and all those other children heard a lilting soprano instead of an ominous bass when the Beast sings. (Sorry this was so long btw)

[quitealotofsodapop]

Jiǔwěihúlí/Jiuweihuli - The Nine Tailed Vixen

By the way; Wukong in "The Monkey King and the Infant"/TMKATI au isnt the only monkey getting an adoptive parental figure >:3

Went down a little of a Huli jing rabbit-hole after recieveing this ask from @dorothygale123:

And while researching Jin and Yin in the book, I realised some stuff;

In "Journey to the West", the Jin and Yin's mother is frequently described as "aged/old madam", making it likely that she had them in the demon equivalent of middle-age.

Here's the poetry Wukong jots down (he does that alot in the book) when he sees her for the first time;

"Snow-white hair all tousled,

And starlike eyes all aglow.

Her face, though ruddy, has many wrinkles;

She‟s full of spirit though few teeth remain.

Charming—like the frosted chrysanthemum;

Rugged—like an old pine tree after rain.

A scarf of fine-spun white silk wraps her head,

And bejeweled gold rings hang from her ears"

For some odd reason, the monkey cries at the sight of her (his excuse being that he has to bow to her while disguised as a servant). Then he abruptly bonks her and her servants while travelling before stealing her divine Binding Gold Rope and disgusing himself as her to trick her sons. And of course the whole Calabash incident happens, the boys uncle calls down an army of fox demons to fight the pilgrims, and Lao Tzu has to show up and smack his lab assistants across the head.

Which leaves the question... how does Lao Tzu know the kids of a random fox lady???

Well you see, in the Han-era (206 BCE - 220 CE); Xiwangmu was often depicted with a white-furred Huli Jing among her ladies-in-waiting. But any worship of fox-deities was out-lawed in the Song dynasty (960 CE - 1279 CE) due to a cult religion that worshipped Su Daji (of the "Investiture of the Gods/Fengshen Yanyi" fame).

So my idea for Jiuweihuli in the extended LMK-verse, is that she's was once Xiwangmu's og bestie, even long before the celestial tigress became Empress. The fox being among many chaotic and infernal spirits in the future Queen Mother's posse.

Upon the abdication of Yuanshi Tianzun as the Divine Emperor; Jiuweihuli would assist the future-Jade Emperor in his ascension to the throne, gaining her the titles "Dragon-Crushing/Supressing Vixen" due to her defeating multiple draconic rivals in battle.

For many centuries, Jiuweihuli and her family were welcome members of the Imperial Court. The older vixen having a position almost equal to a head consort despite her and the Emperor not having such interest in eachother.

Then the Investiture crisis happened...

Within years, all that Jiuweihuli had built in the Celestial Realm crumbled. The actions of Su Daji soured opinion of the Celestials towards all fox spirits. Jiuweihuli was forced to be exiled from the Jade Palace down to Earth to prevent her being killed in an angry mob.

Penniless, alone, and with only her trusty pipa to her name; Jiuweihuli would travel and sing.

Eventually she gained a reputation as a grand preformer, drawing in audiences and tudis alike. Most of her trainees were unaware of her true nature, and those who did kept it quiet - drama kids loved the tragedy of the vixen's tale and would sing it throughout opera houses.

And one day, some time after the Monkey King tore through Heaven; Jiuweihuli gained a very unusual apprentice.

Jiuweihuli, sitting at her vanity table: "You look familiar." Macaque, stepping out of the shadows: "I was once the attendant to Princess Iron Fan, but I believe both of our places in the court have been absolved." Jiuweihuli: "Oh yeah, I went to that wedding. Had to wear a glamour. Is that Bull prince treating her right?" Macaque: "He is. He was even willing to sacrifice his place in his own court for her." Jiuweihuli: "Ah. Young love. But what brings you here?" Macaque, sheepishly: "I uh... heard you were the person to go to if I wanted to learn how to preform professionally." Jiuweihuli: "...your boyfriend's in jail, right?" Macaque: "Uh, yeah?" Jiuweihuli, getting up from her vanity table: "Good. 'Cus you're about to recieve many admirers." Macaque: :'D!

You see, the older fox spirit knew she wasn't to be the "Vixen of the Stage" for much longer. She was already thousands of years old, and had found herself in the family-way by means of a romance gone sour. So when the dark, mysterious, and deadly beautiful Six-Earred Macaque showed up in her dressing room asking for mentorship? Jiuweihuli knew she had found her understudy.

With the Macaque taking on her most famous roles, Jiuweihuli was able to focus on raising her twin sons; Jin and Yin. Macaque often found himself dragged into babysitting the little terrors by the maternal fox, even if he had to admit their thieving skills were very good. The vixen in turn would protect the monkey from more imposing audience members/fans and encourage his more sarcastic humor.

She was of the shoulders Macaque cried upon when him and Wukong had their falling out.

Eventually the vixen managed to get into contact with an old... "friend" (the twins gag at the thought) Lao Tzu to provide the reckless boys some decent education.

Aaand of course Wukong had to show up centuries later and cause havoc for the fox family when the twins got a little wild with their teacher's stash/artifacts. Luckily Jiuweihuli's brother, Hu A'qi, managed to smooth things over with heaven and offered his studious daughter as another lab assistant to keep the boys in check. Jiuweihuli, cleaning her wounds, sent a letter informing Macaque that his "idiot boyfriend" was out of jail...

Jiuweihuli soon lost her understudy.

The shadow monkey too blinded by anger to consider who would have to pick up the pieces if he failed. Jiuweihuli would eventually go on to teach a hundreds of aspiring actors and musicians, but she always would mourn for her little shadow.

Cue the events of "The Monkey King and the Infant" where Macaque begins frequenting and eventually working at the Megapolis Threatre House. He recognises not only his Brotherhood-era friend Jade-Faced; but a certain old master of his...

Jiuweihuli: "Do I know you?" Macaque: "I should hope so. I was your understudy for many years." Jiuweihuli: "I've trained hundreds of understudies, hon." Macaque: "You trained me during the Tang-era? I could manipulate the shadows?" Jiuweihuli: "Doesn't ring a bell." *sly smirk* Macaque, realises she's messing with him: *sigh* "My idiot boyfriend hit you on the head with a cudgel and I stupidly ran after him and got killed." Jiuweihuli, dropping the act: "Mihou! My little moonlight! Oh how I've missed you!" *gives him a big lipstick-stained smooch on the cheek*

The old vixen is very protective of her understudy now that she has him back. Her motherly side really comes to the surface when she's interacting with the shadow monkey, even if her interactions with her biological children isn't as soft. Jin and Yin get a slap of her sandal more than a few times for their foolishness.

If she learns that Macaque has a kid/kid on the way, Jiuweihuli is going full Grandma-mode. She's always considered her understudy as equal to her own kits and now he's all grown up!! (╥ ω ╥)

And you better believe a certain Monkey King is getting his ass kicked by an old lady the second Jiuweihuli learns he's around.