#like. yes all of that. but more importantly:

[erensfeed]

winter & christmas moments | hcs

featuring. rafayel, sylus, zayne, xavier & caleb + reader

content. fluff + random things they’d do during xmas/winter as your bf

note. happy holidays !! pls i wrote this to cope with how i feel about them not being under my tree this year and most importantly.. under ME.

i don’t wanna talk ab it.

rafayel.

buys a big cozy house in paris just to spend the holidays together privately with you.

when it would be time to open up your gifts, he would watch your reactions to his christmas presents all through.

i’m talking studying your micro-expressions.

gets you this rare gorgeous heart shaped locket

“i also got a tiiny photo of us in there too. see? that way, when you open and close it… we’re kissing.”

gently takes it from your hand to show you, as he opens and closes it many many times with this excited look across his face.

eyes and plans to burn each and every gift to you by everyone else though. especially the ones by thomas.

and does.

because he felt your reaction to thomas’ gift was way better than his

when you’d eventually find out (again)…

“hey what don’t take his side, it’s his fault for getting you flammable gifts in the first place”

you’d make him promise to gift him back money in return and he would be all grumpy pouty about it but still does so

ends up re-buying you all the gifts he burnt, so it feels like they're all from him and were all his idea first.

anyway, you’d spend christmas indoors this year because your company is all he needs and by the fireplace, you would share your warmth with him in more ways than one..

sylus.

flies you out to your favorite snowy country, where you’d come to find out that he secretly bought a house near its snowy mountains just for you.

decorates your huge christmas tree with you and carries you (and uses his evol to), to help you place an angel on top of it.

“cute.”

“ikr omg” you’d say

he was talking about you

you’d think you would’ve at least seen/guessed all the unwrapped gifts he got you under the tree 

no

here comes more ON christmas day AND the day after. and the week. and the month

up until new years. and valentines. and—

would gift you all you talked ab like once. specially gets you stunning (garnet) jewelries and more in your favorite gemstones

you’d somehow convince him to wear this big floofy matching christmas polar bear onesie with you btw

tells you he though he ‘doesn’t do cheesy’

matches with you anyway

tucked diamond earrings in the pocket of your onesie just to see your reaction when you find it.

surprises you with a private winter concert performed by a band

you’d try to pull him to dance with you in the snow and he would purposely stay rooted in his spot at first, just to see you struggle to pull him with all your might before he complies with a chuckle.

yes you'd both be wearing your onesies as he dances sweetly with you.

knows how much you LOVE the holidays so he makes it worth remembering

yeah you take that as you will too

zayne.

wakes up earlier than you to quietly add more decorations to the entire apartment by himself while you’re asleep, so that you wake up to fairy lights and your favorite seasonal flower

“omg zayne, you… you did all this? for me?”

“yes.”

LMAOO SORRY ITS SO FUNNY FOR NO REASON WHENEVER I REMEMBER THAT HE

ok

says yes as he comes up to you to kiss your forehead

“merry christmas:)”

keeps a detailed list of your favorite winter activities to do in his pocket

and lots of candy canes & peppermint candies too when you go out together

would take you to a private snow resort and he’d try to teach you how to snowboard

looks even hotter on a snowboard

hot when on a snowboard

hot

when on

a snowboard

makes you hot chocolate drinks with smiley faces marshmallows as you watch your favorite christmas movies.

xavier.

admires you as you bake cookies until you ask him to try making a batch after watching you. 

he successfully does… until he adds an excessive amount of much sugar

gives you the exact same look he does when he loses a plushie LMFAOOO

“… i think i added a little too much.”

is a pro at building gingerbread houses

eats all the gingerbread men

“idk what happened.. i tried to save them but a christmas ghost ate them all before i could”

adorable thoughtful gift giver

stared jeremiah DOWN when he handed you his own gift and flowers

felt the need to tell you he gave jeremiah the idea to gift you those.

THAT BOY IS LYINGG

gives you a very festive night that same day (week)

whispers soft promises of forever while the snowflakes fall

possessive freaky xavier yum

#needthat

caleb.

wears a santa hat as he’s wrapping gifts for everyone you both know

“caleb what are you doing to that poor wrapping paper” you’d ask

“hey what i thought it looked good :(”

“it doesn’t”

ok it does if you squint hard enough

(if you close your eyes)

gets you matching gorgeous ugly christmas sweaters for when you go out together in it.

“we’re not wearing that”

you wear it.

helps the elderly you come across cross the street and wishes them merry christmas / happy holidays

purposefully steps under every mistletoe to get a kiss from you

“coome on pipsqueak ;) bring it in”

takes you ice skating

loves when you cling onto him so you don’t fall.

kisses all over your face to make you laugh after a deep sad/meaningful convo ab life after talking about nothing and everything under the stars while sharing a big scarf together

[arc-misadventures]

I Don't Want To Take That Class...

Today was now, Jaune's second day at, Beacon Academy for, Beast Masters. And, Jaune's school experience was so far: Not that great.

Well, at least today he could learn what his classes would be. Beacon had a system where on the first day of school students would orient themselves with the school, get settled into their room, but most importantly they would show off their, Spiritual Beasts so the teachers knew what monster they had, and how to best teach them to master their, Spiritual Beasts powers.

Jaune wasn't sure what he would be learn, considering, Salem's powers were so fast, and how certain members of the teaching staff were giving him, and more importantly, they were giving, Salem some very questionable looks. Particularly, Headmaster Ozpin.

Salem had told, Jaune about her rather interesting past with the man. Only the brief rundown of things, but he figured it would be for the best if she explain everything in detail. Less he walked into something he didn't want to be in.

~~~

Jaune: Okay... Where am I...?

: Oh, hi, Jaune!

Jaune: Hmm? Oh hey, Ruby.

Ruby: Here to find out what classes you're in?

Jaune: Yeah. Have you found out what classes you're in?

Ruby: Yep!

Jaune: Can you tell me what classes you have? Maybe we have one in common.

Ruby: Sure! I have classes for, Shadow, and Wind magic. But, since you are omni-elemental we'll probably have the same classes. You're probably have the same classes as everyone.

Jaune: Probably. I'll also be in the flight class since I can... well: Fly. Regeneration though... yeah...

Ruby: C-Can you actually regenerate...?

Jaune: Yes.

Ruby: Are you going to elaborate?

Jaune: Do you really want to know how that works?

Ruby: ...

Ruby: No...

Jaune: Smart lass.

Ruby: Okay, but can you tell me about.. Ooph?!

: There you are, Rubes! I've been looking all over for you!

Jaune was taken aback as an older, far more well endowed blonde woman put, Ruby in a headlock, and started giving her a little noogie.

Ruby: Yang?! Stop it!

Yang: Alright, alright I'll stop. I'll... Oh? Well hello~! You must be, Jaune Arc, the guy with the, Spiritual Deity!

Jaune: Yep, that's me. And, you are...?

Yang: Yang Xiao Long! This little twerps big sister! It's a pleasure to meet you!

Jaune: Pleasure.

Yang held out her hand for a hand shack, and Jaune moved his hand to shake it. But, it stopped when her hand was slapped away from his. Yang, and Ruby turned to look at her hand utterly perplexed. All the while, Jaune turned to left as he scowled at the air.

Jaune: Why did you do that? It was just a handshake!

Yang: Uhhh...?

Jaune: We just met her, what's so untrustworthy about her?

Yang: Who is he talking to?

Ruby: Oh! He's talking to his, Spiritual Beast!

Yang: They can talk to each other?

Ruby: Yeah, they do it all the time!

Yang: That's true? I thought that was just a joke?!

Ruby: It's true! Although, Jaune does look a little crazy since he's talking to 'nothing.'

Yang: Yeah, that does look a little...!?

Jaune: What?! Just because she's wearing a midriff, and showing off her belly does not mean she's a harlot?!

Yang: The fuck did you just call me?!

Jaune: Nothing! I did not call you anything at all! Salem called you a harlot though...

Yang: You wanna go missy?!

Yang pointed in the air, as she challenged a god to a fist fight.

Jaune: She's behind you.

Yang: Eh? OWW?!

Yang turned around, and then reeled back as she felt someone's finger flicked her forehead.

Yang: D-Did she just flick my forehead...?

Jaune: Yeah, sorry about that. Salem is... possessive to say the least. She doesn't like it when other girls get too close to me.

Yang: Sounds like a possessive wife.

Jaune: If you knew why she's so possessive of me... you... you wouldn't blame her... that much.

Yang: Are you going to tell me?

Jaune: Best you don't know. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to learn what my classes will be.

Jaune quickly left to go see what classes he was placed into, leaving the sisters alone.

RY: ...

Yang: Well... He seems like a pretty nice guy... It's a bit weird to have an invisible girlfriend batting everyone away from him though.

Ruby: She's actually his wife!

Yang: Really?

Yang: It's still weird that she does that.

Ruby: Yeah it is weird...

~~~

Jaune: Do you see my name on any of these lists, Salem?

Salem was floating over head the crowd of students, searching for her beloveds name among the. She was phasing through the ones who were to close to the board overhead for those she couldn't see.

Salem: Afraid not my love. I've scoped all of these lists, and I haven't found your name on any of them.

Jaune: That's not good...

Salem: Oh, and why is that?

Jaune: Because of you, Salem, it means that they've no doubt come up with a special class of some sorts exclusively for me... And, since i am one of the rare few to have a, Spiritual Deity as my, Spiritual Beast they'll want to run some tests on us.

Salem: Are you sure of that?

Jaune: It's been over four thousand years since the first person became a, Spiritual Beast Master. And, since there have only been just over two dozen, Spiritual Masters who have formed a bound with a, Spiritual Deity. And, to make matters worse, I am the first person you've ever formed a bound with. They are going to run some tests on us.

Salem: These tests... I will have to show myself before them then... This feels like a trap...

Jaune: But, is it for me, or is it for you?

Salem: That doesn't matter! You are my husband! If they come after one of us, then are coming after the both of us, and if they dare harm so much a single golden lock of hair from your head, I will introduce them all, I will remind, Ozma of what is a, Spiritual Deity's FURY!

Jaune watched as a whirlwind of elemental powers swirled around, Salem. Fire, ice, lighting, earth, shadows, and light rage in a kaleidoscope of raw power hang in the air about her. It was a beautiful sight to behold, his beloved showing off the full range of her powers.

To him that is.

Jaune: Salem, you look beautiful, honey. But, everyone is looking at me like I'm crazy since they can't see the, Oni Queen making a storm of elemental powers in the air, they just see the elemental storm ball.

Salem: Eh...?

Salem looked to her side seeing a crowd of students looking on, some in awe, others in fear.

Salem: Whoops...

The storm slowly faded away as, Salem nervously floated down in front of, Jaune. She bashfully looked away from him as a fierce blush was spreading across her face.

Salem: Sorry...

Jaune: It's okay, Salem. It was a good way to flex on everyone.

Jaune rubbed his hand along, Salem's cheek as she swooned into his hand. This loving moment between couples was swiftly brought to the end, when the were interrupted when someone unexpected appeared.

: That you are, Mr. Arc. Lady, Salem...?

Standing before them was the deputy headmistresses of, Beacon Academy. Who looked rather cross...

Jaune: Hi, Professor Goodwitch! C-Can we help you with anything?

Glynda: Can you.. two come with me. Headmaster Ozpin wishes to have a word with you.

Jaune: About our classes?

Glynda: Yes, since you have made a contract with a, Spiritual Deity we've had to come up a unique set of classes for you to do.

Jaune: I expected as much...

Glynda: Will you come with me so we may discuss it?

Jaune: Alright then... We'll come...

Salem: Are you sure this is a wise idea, Jaune?

Jaune: Nope, but what else can we do?

Salem: Improvise?

Jaune: That'll work...

~~~

"Ding~!"

The elevator doors slowly opened, and Jaune, and Salem were greeted to the sight of a trio of teachers, Jaune didn't want to see.

Before him was, Professor Peach, Dr. Oobaleck, and lastly, Headmaster Ozpin.

Out of the three, Professor Peach was the one, Jaune was the least suspicious about. She was a medical doctor, so she was probably here to see about his regeneration abilities. He could understand her curiosity about that, everyone was curious when it came to his regenerative abilities. However, based upon how she wanted to test these abilities, that's where he started to grow cautious of her.

Dr. Oobaleck put, Salem's nerves on end, and in turn, Jaune's as well. He was a scientist, so of course he was curious about the capabilities of, Salem's powers. But, Jaune had read enough science fiction books, and shows to know that the most dangerous scientist there is, is the one who was trying to test the bounds of science, and no one was there to tell them this one simple thing: "No."

So many terrible events that happened because science gone crazy could have been solved if someone just said, "No, bad scientist, no!"

And, lastly he had, Headmaster Ozpin. Out of the three, Jaune was most cautious of this man. Salem had told him plenty of things about, Ozpin, and the results of his, Spirit Curse. So, unless everyone didn't behave. Things were going to become very bad, very, very quickly.

~~~

Ozpin: Ahh... Hello, Mr. Arc. Do you know why we brought you here today?

Jaune: Considering that I didn't see my name on the list of classes, I assume you asked me here to tell me what my classes are?

Ozpin: You are correct, Mr. Arc. Because of your unique circumstances, being partnered with a, Spiritual Deity, and all. Along with your wide variety of spiritual powers, we had to come up with some unique classes to teach you, Mr. Arc.

Jaune: I expected as much... what classes will you be teaching me?

Ozpin: Well, start with, Professor Peach. Professor?

Peach: Thank you... Hello, Mr. Arc, I am Professor Padma Peach. We won't be having too many classes together. Mostly we'll be having tests.

Jaune: Trying to determine the capabilities of my, Regeneration abilities?

Peach: Why, yes! I am most looking forward to learn how that ability of yours works!

Jaune: That's one of us...

Ozpin: Bart.

Oobaleck: Hello, Mr. Arc! My name is, Doctor Bartholomew Oobaleck! I will be teaching you how to control your basic elemental powers! Earth, fire, water, and air! I have never taught an omni elemental before! My fellow teacher, Peter Port will also be assisting me during your teaching! He was busy monitoring the students so he couldn't be here! But, I can assure you, he is most excited to teach you as well!

Jaune: O-Okay...?

Ozpin: And, lastly, Mr. Arc, I will be teaching you how to use your light, and dark magical powers. We will be dividing these class for three to be spent learning ight, and dark magic, and the rest will be spend on your other elemental powers. Professor Peach will only be available during your other elemental powers. But, that should offer her enough time to study your regeneration capabilities.

Ozpin: We will be sending you a timetable of these, and your various other classes you will be taking. We look forward to teaching you, Mr. Arc!

Jaune took in his words with a grain, no, a heap of salt. Professor's Port, and Peach, and Doctor Oobaleck all teaching him in tandem made sense, he was omni elemental after all. But, having a class all alone with, Ozpin.

Jaune mulled over this news, but as he looked to the side, and came to a simple conclusion.

Jaune: I don't want to take that class, Headmaster... No, I won't be taking that class...

Ozpin: Excuse me?

Jaune: Deputy Headmistress, Glynda Goodwitch already teaches classes on dark, and light magic, I want her to teach me those classes, not you.

Ozpin: What are you talking about, I am the most skilled teacher of those elements the world over. I can assure you, I can help you master those powers.

Jaune: And, I can assure you, Headmaster... We will not be taking any classes with you...

Ozpin raised his mug to his face to take a drink, but paused as he took in his wrods.

Ozpin: 'We?'

(Smash.)

Ozpin: What was...?

Ozpin dipped his drink to far, and his drink spilled out of his mug. But, instead of a splatter of how bean water, a solid chunk of coffee ice fell out, and shattered on top of his desk.

Ozpin: What the?!

Ice. Ice emanated from the floor around, Jaune. The temperature in the room fell rapidly, one could see their air as they breathed. For all, but one that is. Jaune stood before, Ozpin, his body was at ease, calm. He didn't seem to be bothered by the coldness building in the room, or it didn't appear that the cold was affecting him at all.

Jaune: Now you've done it, Headmaster...

Ozpin: Done... Done what?

: Not taking my 'hint!'

Within a fraction of a second, The Oni Queen, Salem appeared before Ozpin. She was floating in the air before him, a calm smile played across her lips as the tempest of the storm loomed over the, Headmaster.

Ozpin: Hint... What hint...?

Salem: You think I flicked your forehead as some sort of 'playful teasing?' Hmm...?

Salem cocked her head to the side, her voice was loud for all to hear. Jaune could tell she without seeing her face that she was giving him a cold, an emotionless toothy smile. And while, Jaune knew she had a beautiful smile, it was a predators smile. She bore fangs that could rip through metal with ease, and when she showed off her fangs, the likely hood she was threatening you was very, very high.

Salem: No, that was a warning... a warning to tell you to keep your hands to yourself...

Ozpin: Keep my hands to myself...?

Salem: Yes. For it has come to my attention that you do not seem to remember why you were cursed with immortality. And, we are all too willing to remind you of why that all happened. But, if you dare touch a single hair on my lovers head. I will show you why my daughter held me back the last time you received divine punishment! Understood, Ozma.

Ozpin's body has slowly begun to freeze to his chair as, Salem lowered the temperature more, and more to the point his, Aura's protective barrier was failing to withstand the extreme cold. With a shaky, and cold breath, he answered her.

Ozpin: O-O-Okay...! I-l-l-leave you two alone!

Salem: Good~! Now then...

Salem soon floated over, and appeared before, Glynda, the pair locked eyes before, Salem gave, Glynda a toothy half smile, before she returned to address, Ozpin.

Salem: Glynda here will be teaching, Jaune how to master his light, and dark magic works. Understood?

Ozpin: Y-Y-Yes...

Salem: Good~! Now, let go, Jaune. I'm done with this worm.

Jaune: Alright then. Goodbye, Ms. Goodwitch, Professor, Peach, Doctor Oobaleck. I look forward to seeing you in class.

With that the pair walked into the elevator, and left. Leaving behind the three freezing, and frozen teachers behind.

Glynda: Ozpin... I do not care for whatever schemes you are planning, but I will take you down before she gets a chance to if you push things too far! Understood?

Ozpin: P-Perfectlly... Miss Goodwitch.

Glynda: Good!

Ozpin: Now then... B-Bart?

Oobalek: Yes?

Ozpin: Can you call, Port up here at once... I-I-I'm frozen, and can't move...?!

Oobaleck: On it!

Well, Jaune now would have his class schedule, and Salem had given, Ozpin's final warning. The school year was finally about to begin for real!

Hopefully things didn't go to hell too quickly...

[glitter-stained]

I always feel like a little sad seeing posts about how Jason's character is inherently tragic and that's what makes it good, how him being unloved, a tragic consequence of his own actions, is inevitable, and how that shouldn't change because any change on that regard is a fundamental misunderstanding of his character. Yes, Under the Hood is a tragedy. Yes, Jason survived and for a long time people have been pretty confused at what to do with the character that survives the tragic ending. That doesn't mean he should continue to be trapped in the tragedy, that there's only value in him as long as he's unloved. And maybe that's me preaching and being a party pooper again but the idea that the teenage-to-young adult character with a mental illness that has damaged all his relationships is doomed to be lonely and have bad/upended relationships forever, that he's only good as a character as long as he's hurting others and/or himself (and usually both) and isolated because of this... It's sad, at the very least. I refuse the presumption that tragedies are the only stories wise and worth telling.

Also I personally really dislike the idea that Jason isn't and shouldn't be anyone's favourite, because he made himself nobody's favourite on purpose. Did he make himself a villain on purpose? Fuck yeah. Does any of his early attempts at reaching out to people hurt them? Indubitably. I maintain that this is because he wants to be someone's favourite as he is, at his worst, with his hands covered in blood. And I think he should be. (Without contradicting or damaging, by comparison, the relationships between other characters, that's the tightrope we need to be weary of when making such things, of course.)

It's like this: love, in most relationships, is conditional: you don't owe your friend or your partner to continue to love them if the relationship changes, if you change, if you become violent etc. If my girlfriend started murdering puppies, I would stop loving her. Ideally, however a parent's love for their child is unconditional. That's very often unfortunately not the case, but ideally it'd be, it's really not great for a kid to have zero parents that love them unconditionally. And most importantly, it's not just about actual unconditional love, it's about it being perceived. So it doesn't matter in the debate if Bruce actually loves Jason in spite of the murder, it matters that Jason asks for confirmation of it at the end of UTH and receives a negative answer. (similar arguments to be made about Catherine loving Jason and dying of drug overdose and Willis going to jail and dying - it's the potential perceived abandonment of it that would matter, not their agency and actual love. And it's not a question of whether he would be angry at it so much as that he'd yearn and hurt for it. And of course Sheila didn't love him at all.) That's why he, upon learning about Mia and reaching previously unknown to man levels of projection*, tries to rally her with the hope that, because she's "so similar to him" she would understand him. That's why upon learning about Dick "killing" Blockbuster Jason, again projecting more violently than a bullet, Jason makes Dick into his new favourite person (god, the concept behind BiB has so much potential why did it have to suck so bad...) Anyway, Jason to me is a character with a very intense, very overwhelming conception of love both in who he loves and how, who struggles to understand that other people love and show it differently, and it makes so much sense for him to keep looking for a person who will love him unconditionally (something that's both very rare and not necessarily healthy since, again, most relationships aside from parent-child relationships do not and probably should not include unconditional love). This is particularly interesting in the context of him having bpd (again, using bpd because i'm focusing on the interpersonal dimension that's been mostly studied within that frame) because BPD often functions around a vicious circle of "is afraid of rejection/abandonment -> does maladaptive behaviour in attempt to prevent rejection/abandonment OR protect oneself by being the one to leave first" which is what leads to the instability in relationships. It's a doomed prophecy: i have maladaptive patterns that make me think my girlfriend is gonna leave me at any time, I keep demanding to see her phone, assuming she's cheating everytime she leaves and thus demonizing her even though I was glorifying her five minutes earlier" then she's going to leave me, which is gonna reinforce my thought pattern that everyone always leaves me. But that also means that in rare instances in which the other person in the interact, for whichever reason, sticks around through that, then these incorrect thought patterns begin to change through the sheet logic of extinction: if i think that people always leave me because of something fundamentally wrong with me and people don't leave then eventually the idea that people are doomed to abandon/reject me is going to lose its power. That's, btw, an important part of why therapy works.

(*that one's a joke, btw. He's not projecting onto mia and dick to levels impossible to mankind, just pretty intensely. Very human levels of projection, might I add'. Just to clarify.)

Now, be mindful: I'm not saying make Jason an abusive boyfriend. I'm not saying put him in a relationship where the other stays because they're afraid of him, that's not unconditional love or acceptance that's just fear. Of course, the ideal version of it would be Jason goes to therapy but because dc hates me specifically this is never gonna happen, but imagine him being in a relationship, romantic or otherwise, with someone who is as intense and "unwell" about him as he is about them. I'm not saying it would fix him (again, get him so goddamn therapy jfc) but it would change him. And just as it doesn't have to be healthy it doesn't have to be tragic.

I was asked a while ago my thoughts on Jason's current stagnancy as a character and if I thought he could become interesting again, and I said yes and talked about the directions I dream would be explored with his character and their potential. My answer hasn't changed, and it's completely compatible with this, but I will add: I think Jason as a character has largely and for long enough been defined through his yearning to be somebody's favourite, and that if you want his mode of interacting with others and dynamic with different characters to change then this is a very logical way to do it. And it would make a lot of sense for it to be the catalyst for other changes in his character (ie in his name or philosophy).

Get that boy into a super intense long-term codependent situationship, is what I'm saying. Please.

[thewrittenqueer]

It starts with Regulus taking up gardening

He’s an exceptional potioneer and if he’s going to go far in that career he needs to know how to make his own ingredients. Plus, though, he is one of Slug’s favorite students he can’t just regularly take supplies from Slug’s stash (especially for personal use)

However he can’t make a garden in the dorms. It’s a usually cold dungeon, with the only sunlight being reflected through murky lake water, and only a finite space to work with. So he had to find a place on the grounds to do it.

It’s on one of his late night broom rides or stargazing at the astrology tower when he can’t sleep that he finds it. He only sees a glint of glass from up there, so he goes exploring during one of his free periods.

It’s on the very outskirts of the forbidden forest. A very rundown cabin and an equally rundown greenhouse. Regulus guesses it’s the old caretaker dwelling’s before they were moved closer to the castle.

Regulus spends months fixing it up until he can start planting. He’s pretty much the only one who goes there and he only plants what he needs.

It’s stays that way until, of all things, w**d. Barty keeps complaining about the hufflepuffs raising the price

(Glaring at Barty as his reading is interrupted for the fourth time by this rant, Reg says, “Your dad’s literally the Minister of Magic, Barty. It’s not like you're hurting for money,”

“It’s the principle of it, Reg!”

Not even looking up from the newest witch weekly she’s reading Dorcas adds, “Yeah fuck capitalism and all that,”

“Yes! Thank you Cas!”

She merely flips him off when he turns his glare on her)

Unable to deal with any more of Barty’s complaining, he adds a corner to grow it for him. Which of course leads to the skittles wanting their own area too. In the end its covered in so many various fruits/veg, flowers, and plants (muggle and wixen alike) that it leads outside of the greenhouse

Eventually this leads to all the skittles spending more and more time over there until it goes from Reg’s place to all of theirs

——

The cabin is a perfect hideout. There’s a tiny fireplace that Reg has to chop wood for.

James does start to notice that Regulus’s arms start to get bulgier and more defined. He starts paying more attention to Regulus. Obviously because he has to be doing some over the top quidditch training to win the house cup that James has to steal it (no other reason)

On top of that there’s a cozy little reading nook where he can read muggle books and “trashy” wixen ones without judgemental eyes. As well as a comfy living room and bedroom.

Though the cherry on top is that he’s allowed to relax and be him. He doesn’t have to wear a dozen masks and appear to be the utmost perfect heir to everyone. Most importantly, though, he can freely hang out with all his friends too.

Not only the skittles but Remus and Lily too. (Yes they get their own spots in the garden too and they sit around trading books, reading together, studying together, etc. in the nook. Barty and Evan, the a**holes that they are, loves to call them the swot squad)

Plus through it he becomes friends with Marlene, Xeno, and Mary.

Lily, Dorcas, and Pandora refuse to hide things from their partners. (It does help that they’re free to make out without prying eyes there) He doesn’t have to worry about anyone reporting this back to his parents

Sure they can hang out in the library (a place he never has to worry about his brother or James coming in) but they either have to be tucked back in hidden corner so no one can see or hear them or pretend not to know each other as they sit at the same table (it’s the same way with Slug Club)

Somehow Lily manages to get a whole muggle telly and other electronics in there (no one knows how she manages this as they are hella expensive + it's the middle of the year but even Barty is afraid to ask) and her and Mary make it their mission to catch the group up on Muggle culture, especially pop culture.

He loves it

——-

For close to half a year they manage to keep a secret.

However with Remus disappearing constantly (which alone raises Sirius’s radar) there’s not someone there to reel Sirius and James in. Plus with Peter busy with chess club + his new girlfriend and promising to tone down their pranks as they’re older now, they get bored quicker.

Sirius deals with this by paying more attention to the other people at Hogwarts, or more specifically the slytherins. Snivellus and Mulciber and their gang are as awful as usual, but there is something going on with his brother’s gang. Immediately he believes it to be something nefarious or evil and becomes determined to see what his slimy brother and his friends are up to

James deals with this through trying to find Lily and Regulus. With so much time spent watching Regulus trying to figure out the man’s secret quidditch practice routine, he can’t help but admit the man intrigues him. He wants to learn more about the man outside of his preconceptions from Sirius’s rants. It’s kinda the same in Lily’s case. After spending so long pining after her and getting turned down at every turn and then learning that she has a girlfriend he’s given up. Now all he wants is to be her friend to make up for her putting up with all his antics and shit over the years. Though both he can’t seem to find either of them anywhere

So one day, after curfew, they follow Evan back to the cabin. They wait by the tree line as Evan goes inside. Before James can stop him, Sirius tosses off the cloak and slams the door in. Hoping to catch his brother and friends red handed.

Neither of them except what is actually happening inside.

Xeno and Remus are busy in the kitchen making hot cocoa and snacks

Barty and Lily are about to throw hands over a game of monopoly with Mary cracking up from the sidelines and adding fuel to the fire once in a while

Marlene and Evan are entranced by what’s on the telly and playfully slapping each other (this will eventually lead to roughhousing then full on wrestling with the rest of the group placing bets on who will come out on top)

Dorcas has bullied Reg into letting her paint his nails black as Pandora does his hair with promises of him doing the same for them

Bottles of elf wine and firewhiskey being passed through the groups

They all freeze when the door slams into the wall and Sirius’s resulting shout of “What the absolute fuck is going on here!”

[gildatheplant]

I love Loki, and Endgame does turn the gag into a 'gag', but Loki is famous by this point for being the God of Lies- gagging him is a logical step.

Also, Thor does return to the line of questioning (or tries to) when he confronts Loki near the end on Stark tower, which Loki stabs him for. Now, later films show that this was probably Loki trying to deter Thor from finding out about Thanos out of fear for BOTH of their safety, but Thor has no way of knowing this because Loki refuses to tell him.

In The Dark World it's true that both Thor and Odin (especially Odin) seem to refuse to listen to Loki. However, Loki doesn't help his case by arguing with Odin and acting like his attack on New York was out of spite instead of mentioning the others involved. Before you say "that's because they wouldn't listen" sorry, but both Odin and Thor know that the Chitauri army didn't just come out of nowhere, and that Loki had to be working with someone else. From their perspective, Loki seems to be protecting his co-conspirator.

More importantly, Frigga is portrayed as absolutely willing to listen to him, even going behind Odin's back to visit Loki in spirit form. Frigga tries to get him to open up to her, but he shoots her down so brutally that it ends up haunting him after she's murdered.

Lastly, we can't ignore the fact that the Battle of New York is not the first time Loki has attacked another realm. He attempted to destroy the realm of Jotunheim entirely of his own volition. Yes, he was suffering from severe mental distress at the time, but it was still a planned and coordinated genocide. From Thor and Odin's perspective, this makes it a lot harder to tell if Loki really is the one pulling the strings or not for New York.

All that in mind, despite what Odin said about Frigga being the only reason he didn't execute Loki, it's pretty obvious later that it isn't true. As angry as Thor is with Loki in The Dark World, he makes it very clear he still loves his brother and there's no doubt that if Odin called for Loki's execution Thor wouldn't have let it happen. As for Odin, we have to wait until Ragnarok, but that movie makes it pretty clear that Odin wouldn't have gone through with executing Loki.

Thinking about how they made Loki wear a muzzle in the Avengers like Noooooo his jaw was probably so sore and also he has a beautiful voice and you’re taking away his ability to use it… Like noooo he’s the most innocent angel and has never done anything wrong in his life why are you doing that to him :(

He’s just a baby please stop leave him alone please

Please this is so evil they shut him up

[sgiandubh]

Why is ash always in Glasgow when she comes in the UK? As a marketing manager what is new to make her come and train at Everyday athlete gym and watch a rugby game with S?

Dear Always Anon,

Oh, and here we have the second type of in-house troll: the 'reasonably deductive' one.

And why not? It's a free country, after all. Yes, her boss took her to a rugby game - perhaps she is a fan or has an interest for the game, as I do myself? Yes, she went work out at that EDA gym - perhaps she asked her boss to recommend her a nice, open local venue, as many Americans do while traveling abroad (you know, asking their friends around, for good hotel, restaurant and leisure recommendations)?

Also and perhaps more importantly, her friend Siobhan Mackenzie (of Clan Mackenzie), the fashion designer, is based in GLA, troll:

They hinted about 'more adventures" in an earlier IG post where Ashley called Siobhan her 'Scottish sister', so that was totally expected:

And then she hinted again about missing her 'champig':

But no, you did not see that - you just wanted to stir some festive shite around, of course.

Have you ever traveled abroad, troll? Have you got any friends? What do you know about this hard-working young woman's life, so as to chase her around like that and immediately start spewing your insinuations? Have you no shame? No life?

Dear Ashley Hearn, if by any chance you happen to read this shitty Anon and its answer, know that we are many mothers, aunts, sisters and daughters who know exactly what a formidably strong individual you are and who admire & root hard for you. All around the world.

Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum. Don't let those bastards grind you down, Miss. You did nothing to deserve that.

[sandywitchboi]

One day late into the night in the HexTech Lab as a telephone radio softly played latin music in the background.

Jayce: Have you ever thought about your life being different.

Viktor: Different how?

Jayce: I don't know. Just Different.

Viktor: Planning on running away from it all?

Jayce: No, more like if one choice could shift everything.

Viktor [turns up the mic on the tele-radio to let a guest listen in]: Is this about the little box locked in the utility closet?

Jayce: If I did marry Mel could we really work? What if she sees I'm figuring this out as I go! It would dry up the love in our marriage. She'd be too invested in our relationship to get a divorce. I'd have to do it.

Viktor: Do what?

Jayce: Be the 1st one to say, "I want a divorce".

Mel [through the tele-radio]: Are you hypothetically divorcing me!

Jayce: What! You're on a call?!

Viktor: Yes. That's why we turned down the music, Jayce.

Jayce: That was hours ago. No one was even talking. I though she hung up.

Mel: Not talking with words. Viktor and I hear each other perfectly clear. once the conversation has finished, we would say something like, "talk to you later". More importantly, you are already building hypotheticals around our divorce.

Viktor [holding in laughter]: Yes, very presumptuous of him. The man has yet to propose.

Jayce: It was only a hypothetical?!

Viktor and Mel: A hypothetical.

Mel: Then I, hypothetically of course, leave you with all the money and the rights to HexTech because you signed a hypothetical-prenup without paying close attention.

Jayce: Fine, I'm taking the hypothetical-kids. Only weekends for you!

Mel [scoffs]:

Viktor: Can I be the hypothetical-homewrecker?

Jayce: Sure!

Viktor: That answer was fast. It's not you I'm stealing away. I'm trying to romance my gorgeous emotional fragile financial patron. It's in my best interest Jayce, you understand.

Mel: All hypothetically.

Viktor: Of course. But if you ever break up with him I would like to apply for the position of your personal lovesick buffoon.

Mel [laughter]: Wow, already such a romantic.

Jayce: Are you two done teasing me?

Viktor: But it's so much fun.

Mel: Jayce, when you come to my place tonight bring Viktor along with you. I can't allow my hypothetical-sugar-baby to sleep in that cold lab.

[salt-clangen]

Moon 11

Leaf Bare

“Let all cats old enough to swim gather for a clan meeting!” Wolfstar called from a top one of the large rocks surrounding the camp.

The clan gathered below her, Lynxpaw taking her spot on one of the slightly shorter rocks.

“You’re pretty pleased with that announcement.” She whispered to the leader. “All cats old enough to swim?”

“I am, took me two days to think up.” Wolfstar smiled, tail twitching.

Once everyone was gathered she beckoned Burnpaw forward to join her on the rock, he smiled and nervously hopped up.

“Burnpaw you joined Saltclan 3 moons ago to become a camp keeper and in that time you’ve not only shown your skill as a keeper, but also your patience and warmth.” She paused to let the group cry out their agreements to her words. “But there’s an issue we must address before you can receive your warrior name.”

The crowd fell silent, even Snowspeckle looked confused, Burnpaw shifted in place nervously.

“What is it?” He asked quietly.

“Your name, you were born Redkit, but after a tragic mistake made in Duskclan, you were named Burnpaw as a dishonor title. I don’t know what your former leader would’ve done with your name after you graduate, but I believe you’ve more than atoned for your actions and shouldn’t have to live with that mark.” She smiled at him, almost laughing at how the anxiety melted off his face. “But most importantly, I want to know what you want. Burnpaw would you like to receive a new name?”

“Yes! Yes I would!” He didn’t hesitate for a moment, his eagerness making the clan laugh.

“Then by the powers of Starclan, I name you…Mallowstripe.” She touched his nose with hers. “I give you this name for both its clerical use and what the flower represents, healing, harmony, and resilience. Traits you embody as a camp keeper, our first camp keeper, and I’m very happy to have you here with us, my friend.”

The crowd cheered and began to chant.

Mallowstripe

Mallowstripe

Mallowstripe

That evening Wolfstar joined Mallowstripe on the north most rock on the camp border. The red tabby hadn’t started his silent vigil yet and she wanted to give him something before he did.

“It’s a rough night for a vigil huh.” She joked, surprising him when she leapt onto the rock beside him.

“Ye-yeah. But worth it.” He murmured, tucking his chin against the cold.

“Good answer.” She chuckled. “Here.”

She took a pelt draped over her back and laid it across his shoulders.

“Thanks Wolfstar.” He leaned against her so their shoulders touched. “And thank you for… for my name. I would’ve been happy being Burnstripe or Burn-whatever, but this…this makes me feel at peace, you know?”

She purred loudly at that, leaned to rub her chin on his cheek.

“I’m so glad you like it, I wanted it to be a surprise. I even when to moon spring to discuss it with Starclan and the other clerics. It was Darkfold who suggested Mallow.” She confessed.

“What did the others suggest?”

“Heh Mousefoot recommended Fire, which isn’t a good idea. Lynxpaw said Spark, but between your cousin in Duskclan and the fire theme I figured no.” They laughed together. “And Rosedrift suggested Rose or Rosehip but I think she’s just got a big ego.”

“You may not know this but mallow honey is actually my favorite food.”

“I didn’t, we’ll have to ask Snowspeckle to get some for you at her next trade with Honeyclan.” Wolfstar wrapped her tail around her paws.

“Isn’t it supposed to be a silent vigil?” A voice called from below.

Both cats peered over the rock’s edge.

“It’s not yet night fall, Shadowdive.” Wolfstar teased, though he didn’t seem to be in the mood, tail flicking back and forth as he watched them. “I’ll be down shortly.”

The large tom didn’t seem to like being dismissed like that, but followed the unsaid order anyways. Stalking off back towards the center of camp, by the fire.

“Will you be sleeping in the warrior’s den again?” He asked.

“No, I asked Lynxpaw to sleep in my nest tonight.”

“You…” He hesitated.

“Go on.” She urged, already knowing what he’ll say.

“You should tell her about your nightmares.” He murmured, shuffling to face away from her.

“I don’t want to worry her, she has enough to worry about with her training and leaf bare.” Wolfstar dismissed. “They go away when I sleep with someone anyways.”

He didn’t respond, just sighed and stared off towards the dark. The sun was fully set now, so she said her good nights and jumped down to the sand.

She joined Shadowdive by the fire, waiting for it to die down before going to her nest. From here she could see Lynxpaw putting jars away in her den. Across the camp the nursery was quiet, Snowspeckle convincing her kits to go to bed early due to the cold.

“Where’s Fennelheart?” She asked him, curling her tail around her paws.

“Am I his mentor?” He mumbled.

“Excuse me?” She hissed, surprised.

He sat hunched over, a soured look on his face.

“He went to bed already.” He finally said.

“Whatever’s troubling you, you need to get a handle on it. You have plenty of cats who’d be more than happy to help you.” She bit out, annoyed and trying not to pick a fight.

“You’d certainly know.”

“Is your little tantrum because of Mallowstripe?” She asked, hackles rising, she was tempted to swat him.

He didn’t respond, just glared up at the rocks where the red tabby was posted. His tail thrashed but he didn’t get up from his spot.

“Do I need to ask to borrow a mediator for you?” She asked. “Or are you gonna tell me why you’re acting like this?”

The large tom stayed silent, glaring at the fire. Wolfstar let them sit in the quiet until finally she let out a sigh.

“Go sleep, I’ll watch the fire.” She ordered, he didn’t even glance at her as he did, stalking off towards the warrior’s den.

“That was awkward.”

She jumped, Lynxpaw scaring her from her den’s entrance.

“Yeah, I don’t know what to do.” She admitted.

“I’m sorry. I wish I could help, but he won’t tell me anything either.” The apprentice bumped her head to her friend’s shoulder. “At least his paw is better, he’ll be back to normal soon.”

“Yeah, I think you’re right. Otherwise, I might have to actually ask for a mediator.”

The pair sat by the dying fire, bathing in the warmth before it faded. Feeling the weight of their responsibilities sit like a rock in their stomachs.

“Is it permanent?” Snowspeckle asked, voice hushed.

“I’m not sure, Ripplekit’s been showing symptoms since he was young. I suspect it started when he had kitten cough and has worsened since he was stuck out in the cold last moon.” Lynxpaw explained.

“So he may never hear again?”

“His left ear can still hear louder sounds and shouting, but his right ear is almost completely deaf.”

“Is he in pain?” Snowspeckle’s eyes misted up.

“No, but he does seem more sensitive to the cold. I suspect it aggravates the issue, like arthritis.” Lynxpaw hoped this could be a small comfort. “He may be more susceptible to ear infections, but we’ll just be mindful of his grooming until he learns to do it himself.”

The pair pause and glance over to the kits playing by the tide pools. Otterkit has to shout for Ripplekit to hear him, but otherwise they don’t seem bothered by his diminished hearing.

Ripplekit had wondered by the ocean had gone silent and he couldn’t hear the waves from camp anymore. When he asked his mother she’d brought him to Lynxpaw who did a series of tests to see which sounds he could hear.

“I should’ve brought him in sooner.” Snowspeckle choked back a cry. “He kept saying his ears hurt after he snuck out but I thought he was just trying to get out of punishment.”

“It’s not your fault, even if you had there wouldn’t be much I could do. The damage was done, he was going to go deaf whether you brought him in the first day or never.” Lynxpaw nudged her head into the deputy’s shoulder. “Now we focus on giving him ways to communicate. Do you know any cats who know clan sign?”

“Yeah…yeah there’s a few in Honeyclan for sure, I don’t think Oakclan has any fluent users.”

“Okay I’ll talk with Wolfstar and we can work on the clan learning to sign.” Lynxpaw gave her shoulder a fond lick. “Do you need any help telling the kits?”

“No it’ll be alright. I’m sure they have an idea of what’s going on.” Snowspeckle returned the lick and sighed.

It still felt like her fault, but at least they had a plan and her kit would still have a chance to thrive.

“I blame you.” Shadowdive coughed out.

“I know.” Mallowstripe mumbled, burying himself into his nest a little more.

“Knock it off, Shadowdive.” Snowspeckle grumbled, her voice nasally as she tried to talk around her stuffy nose. “It’s not his fault.”

“He was sick a full day before us, he gave it to us.”

“That’s not how green cough works.” She sighed, though it turned into a rough cough.

“Try not to talk, dear.” Lynxpaw said as she brought in their meals. It was a thin soup, a few bits of meat, but mostly herbs.

“What’s in here?” Mallowstripe sat up, looking curiously into the bowl.

“I thought you quit being a cleric.” The brown tabby groused, pulling his bowl closer.

“If I had another place to put ya I would. Stop being mean.” She swatted at his ears, but there was no force behind it.

Lynxpaw knew why he was so bitter, his paw sprain had finally healed earlier this moon and now he was back in the cleric’s den with green cough. He knew the clan was suffering though him being an ass didn’t exactly help.

“He’s been like this all day.” Snowspeckle hacked, sipping on her broth.

“Well, Mallowstripe to answer your question, I gave you guys a hearty dose of cat mint oil and some feverfew sprigs. In a bit I’ll bring some juniper berries made into a jam from Honeyclan.” She listed off, keeping her distance from the sick cats. “Everyone else is getting rosemary in their bowls to help immunity.”

“Are your stores ok?” Mallowstripe asked, for once his words not undercut by snide remarks.

“I won’t lie, this is a big hit. But ever since I learned how to make oils and balms and tinctures, I’ve been slowly making our stock into various forms. That way they’ll last longer.” She tried to sound optimistic. “You guys just worry about getting better, I promise the herb stocks will be ok.”

As she left a chorus of Thank you, Lynxpaw followed after her.

While the three cats tried to recover, leafbare showed its claws to the world, flurries of snow and sleet bathed the camp in white. The hardwood and pine sap torches the clan had prepared were nearly useless, though Lynxpaw kept two burning close to the elder’s den where the sick cats were staying in an effort to keep them warm.

Nights were spent in the nursery, all healthy clan members piling in to keep the kits safe and warm while their mother recovered. Both kits were surprisingly well behaved, neither one interested in mischief after getting lost in a snow storm. Most of their days were spent in Lynxpaw’s den watching her work while they stayed warm by the fire or briefly playing in the snow before they got too cold.

When the full moon gathering came Wolfstar only took Lynxpaw, leaving Fennelheart to watch the kits and feed the sick cats.

“Thank you.” Snowspeckle’s said hoarsely as he passed her a bowl, keeping his distance.

Once everyone was fed he sat a few tail lengths away from the den entrance, watching the kits. Lynxpaw assured the clan as long as the healthy cat stayed in the open air and kept the moss and pelt curtain between them, socializing with quarantined cats was perfectly safe. She even encouraged it as it kept the cats engaged and up lifted.

“How’re your lessons, Fennelheart?” The deputy asked. “Finished learning about the warrior code yet?”

“Meh I’ve barely had time to even blink, let alone for lessons.” He huffed, tail swishing, in the clearing Ripplekit topples Otterkit into a snow bank. “Wolfstar has me hunting and gathering firewood basically all day. I don’t even get to nap at sun high anymore. I feel like she’s expecting a lot from me and I’ve been here a moon.”

Snowspeckle began to speak, ready to gently remind him that clan life is brutal and he knew that. But Shadowdive beat her to it.

“Oh poor you,” He sneered, sitting up in his nest. “You have to pull your weight and help feed your clan. How awful.”

“Shadow-“ She began.

“It’s not that I don’t want to help, i just wanna complain a little.” The calico tom defended. “I think that’s fair.”

“Gimme a break, you have a tough moon and you think you know what’s fair? Tell me ya getting two meals a day?”

“Yeah so?”

“Yeah so.” Shadowdive mocked with a hiss. “You know who’s not? Wolfstar. She’s out there just like you, hunting and patrolling and barely even giving herself scraps so that the rest of us can eat a half decent meal!”

There was a beat of silence, the kits are still playing, now Otterkit has his brother pinned and is nipping his flailing legs.

“Shadowdive I think you’re being too harsh.” Snowspeckle said, though her words turned into a cough.

“No he’s right.” Mallowstripe chimed in, surprising everyone, even the dark tabby. “Wolfstar is working just as hard and risking her health, he should understand and appreciate that.”

Another beat of silence.

“I was just complaining, it’s not that serious.” Fennelheart mumbled, barely audible, but it inflamed Shadowdive all the same.

“Get over it! Be a tom and go hunt when you’re told!” He fully stood now, despite his tight chest and dizziness.

The sound of the large tom standing and his inciteful words made Fennelheart dart away. Thoroughly shamed and irritable.

Otterkit watches him rush past them with interest, giving up the game to follow him with his eyes. Fennelheart sulks by the oven, letting the fire warm him as he simpers.

Ripplekit, unaware of any shouting, pulls on the black kit’s ears. Tugging him back into wrestling, the pair ignores the drama around them as evening settles.

Fennelheart stayed quiet the next few days, Wolfstar noticed right away given his normal good humored behavior. He dodged the questions as just being tired, but really he was watching.

He watched what Lynxpaw and Wolfstar did, what they ate, when they slept and waked. All the while he thought about what Shadowdive said.

Be a tom and go hunt when you’re told.

He admired Shadowdive, despite his short time with the clans the dark tabby tom was everything Fennelheart wanted to be. Strong, dedicated, fierce.

His brain turned off and just focused on those words. Strong, dedicated, fierce. His hunts were mediocre, the snow and slush made it harder of course and he only managed a small bird and squirrel. Gathering firewood was more successful, but the clan couldn’t eat kindling.

It was after the evening meal, when he finally noticed Wolfstar hadn’t eaten at all that day. She’d served everyone the morning meal of fish stew over a flax and herb mash. He received a smaller portion than the sick cats but noticed she hadn’t made a bowl for herself, the pot was empty.

And now, she’s just passed him a bowl of broth and some rabbit jerky, but no bowl for her. He could see Lynxpaw eyeing her, but the cleric apprentice didn’t speak up. The kits were too young to notice and the rest of the clan was sick behind the curtain.

It had been a clear day, one of the few day that the clouds broke apart and the sun was able to shine through. Despite it being early evening, he decides to stand up and slide his half finished bowl to Wolfstar. He glanced to ensure Lynxpaw was busy with the sick cats.

“My stomach feels weird, I’m gonna walk along the coast see if it helps.” He explained, speaking lowly.

“You should ask Lynxpaw-“

“I don’t wanna bother her, I think it’ll settle if I just do some stretches.” He cut her off.

“Alright, don’t be long, it’s getting dark.” She relented, finally taking a few sips.

As he leaves he checks the pot by the oven, empty like he’d expected. He wondered how many meals she skipped just to ensure her clan could eat.

The wind picked up as he left camp, he followed the coast for a bit before cutting across and up the rocks onto the snowy field. Late evening meant a transition of prey, the day dwelling animals returning to nest while their nighttime counterparts were just exiting.

He’d managed to kill a hare and a shrew before snow began to fall. Ignoring it, he hid his kills and continued his hunt. Quickly though, the winds intensified and the snow turned to sleet, piercing through his pelt.

He decided to turn back, his eyes nearly frozen shut and feet gone numb. He travelled for a few minutes, facing into the winds, hoping just like last moon it would lead him to the shore. But he seemed to be going in circles, no landmarks in sight.

Unsure how long he spent walking aimlessly, terror gripping him as he realized he was utterly loss.

Finally the familiar silhouette of the abandoned nest suddenly appeared in the distance. Jutting out of the snowy wind like a rock in the ocean. He scaled the cliff side that led up to it, where it was surrounded by fresh snow banks. Reinvigorated, he pushed past the wall of snow spilling out on the other side haphazardly.

Inside the nest wasn’t much warmer, the snow still piled up in several spots, but it was out of the wind and mostly dry. Shaking out his coat, Fennelheart curled under a pile of fallen planks and walls, cursing the fact that he hadn’t yet learned how to make a fire.

Back in camp, Wolfstar is frantic.

“He should’ve been back by now.” She paced along the rocky camp border, swiveling her head to check for the calico’s figure to appear.

“Wolfstar come down!” Lynxpaw called from the sand.

The white leader obeyed, not even flinching at the frozen sand.

“I need to find him!” She shouted over the winds.

“We need to bed down until this storm passes!” Lynxpaw yanked on her tail. “You can’t go anywhere in this blizzard, you’ll get lost and freeze to death!”

“My clan mate is out there, Lynx. I have to do something!”

“The rest of your clan is here and they need their leader!” She argued. “The kits will freeze without your extra warmth and I’ve got 3 sick cats relying on you to hunt and protect them!”

A long beat of silence as the winds howled around them.

“Fine.” She relented, tears making her eyes stick shut.

Lynxpaw went to her dent to prepare a rescue kit while Wolfstar entered the nursery, the oven had been pulled closer in an effort to warm the den. Otterkit was asleep when they entered, but Ripplekit’s eyes were lit up like sunlit ice watching her. He sat up slowly, trying to avoid jostling his brother, and signed ‘where’ and ‘tom’ to them, a worried look on his face.

“I’m not sure where Fennelheart is darling.” Wolfstar didn’t have the energy to sign back, despite her recent practice her limbs felt heavy and frozen. “He left just before the storm hit, hopefully he returns soon.”

“What if he doesn’t?” He asked.

“When the storm clears I’m gonna go look for him.” She curled around him and his brother, giving him a few licks to help settle him.

“Can I help?” He asked, nose chilly as it burrowed into her neck.

“I’m sure he won’t be feeling good when he gets back, you could help keep him company and tell him stories while he recovers. Make sure he takes his herbs and finishes his food.” She murmured into his good ear, tickling it and earning a small giggle.

He nodded quietly, paws kneading her chest and legs as he purred.

She’d just started to drift off when she felt Lynxpaw curling on her other side, trapping the sleeping kits between them.

Wolfstar woke just before dawn, the world surprisingly quiet, even the waves seemed to be silent. The den was cool, but not cold as she sat up, staying mostly insulated in the storm.

The kits were still sleeping, curled into Lynxpaw as they snored. She draped the pelt over them to make up for her leaving. Lynxpaw’s eyes slowly opened.

“The storm is over. I’m going to find him.”

The cleric apprentice nodded and pulled the pelt tight over herself and the kits, letting sleep take her again.

The air was cold and sharp, stinging her face as she opened the curtain. The sun would begin to rise soon, she needed to be prepared. Stepping lightly she went to the clerics den.

Lynxpaw had made her a ‘rescue kit’ to take while she searched for Fennelheart. In it she found travel herbs, bandages, warming herbs, a folded up pelt, kindling, and dried meat. All in a leather satchel Snowspeckle had made.

She slipped the bag on, fiddling with the harness until she could cinch it. She also took a pelt to wrap herself in.

Unsure of where to start searching, she decided to follow up the coast where he’d last been seen. From there she would try to track him.

The waves were much further back due to the frozen ice marking their usual tide. She kept her distance still given the conditions.

There were no tracks, no scent, no trail for her to follow, just hoping she gets lucky and finds him. Reaching the end of the coast she decides to double back then head up to the abandoned nest. If Fennelheart were to survive, this was the only space in the territory that could’ve saved him.

The walk is slow and cold, the snow and ice piled high, but she still tried to hurry. The sun finally rises, blocked by clouds still, she hoped it would break through and help warm the clan.

Silence greeted her when she arrived at the nest, her heart sinking.

“Fennelheart! Fennelheart are you here?” She called, rushing into the dilapidated nest.

A weak mewl guided her to his hiding spot.

“Wolfstar?” He asked, shivering so hard she could hear his teeth.

“It’s me, here eat these.” She pushed the herbs towards him.

As he chewed, she dragged whatever dry wood she could find closer. She quickly got a fire started, letting it warm her paws she encouraged him to come closer to the warmth.

She checked him over like Lynxpaw had shown her, his ears and paws were cold but no blisters. His tail however was limp and dragged behind him, cold blisters already showing under his thick fur.

Wolfstar wrapped him in the pelt as he warmed himself by the fire. She gave him the dried meat which he scarfed down, though he left a few strips for her.

There wasn’t much she could do now but wait for him to be warmed enough to travel over the icy fields back home. His tail would have to wait for treatment until he could walk. She bandaged his paws so they could be a little more protected on his trip back.

The pair didn’t speak as they stayed by the fire, in camp she would ask him what he was thinking. Why he’d been so reckless. He’ll bite his tongue, but Snowspeckle will put it together. Fennelheart would insist someone go find the prey he’d caught and hidden, despite it likely being frozen and buried.

But right now they just let the silence cover them like snow.

Cat allegiances:

Wolfstar- 17 moons. Leader. Responsible. Compassionate. Natural intuition.

Lynxpaw- 12 moons. Cleric apprentice. Thoughtful. Loving. Good teacher.

Snowspeckle- 28 moons. Deputy. Artisan. Loving. Playful. Good singer.

Mallowstripe- 18 moons. Camp keeper. Nervous. Careful. Strange dreamer.

Fennelheart- 17 moons. Warrior. Charismatic. Playful. Good hunter. Conditions: frost bitten tail, shivering.

Shadowdive- 16 moons. Warrior. Blood thirsty. Loyal. Good swimmer.

Ripplekit- 4 moons. Bossy. Fearless. Never sits still.

Otterkit- 4 moons. Attention seeker. Bouncy. Splashes in puddles.

[aakaneeee]

well people. . It's time, aka Akane's monthly revival because there's Luka content. And gosh do I have a lot to say about this. Except.. I'm not going to market these as theories, but as predictions. I think as an og fan I've seen enough to be this confident in my abilities LOL

Quickly, I'd like to address the lyrics and the title, because I will reference it later and I don't want to have to explain mid-prediction.

Wiege has two meanings, and both are so fitting:

1. Cradle. It feels.. perfect, for me. It makes so much sense. Luka was a cold child.. but I'd like to say only physically. I feel like he genuinely warmed up towards Hyuna and Hyunwoo as a child. And I'm going to bring an idea that might get me a bit of backlash but.. I've gotten worse, and that is, that Hyuna is at fault for Luka's approach on his feelings. (Audience boos) From the little we know about Hyunwoo, I feel like Hyuna treated both him and Luka.. at least a little bit similarly. Or at least, Luka couldn't discern a difference, if there was any. Luka is a tube baby, he probably doesn't know (and I am not babying him here, I'd like to add!) what "siblings" he has. For him, affection might just be all and the same. Yes, it wasn't Hyuna's responsibility to teach him, but I feel like a hint was there "Your life is mine", and she could've explained, in a way. But, back to our discussion, Hyuna was Luka's cradle. She burns as bright as the sun, while he's colder. But most importantly, she was his only true friend (Considering I don't think his relationship with Hyunwoo was extremely close, even though they were 'friends'), someone he thought truly cared about him. Hyuna was Luka's cradle, holding him close, comfortable... until at one point, he outgrows that cradle (Hyunwoo's death).

And the second meaning, beginning. In the picture we got, Luka is centered, he's in the middle.. but he's so small, and overshadowed by the tree. Luka is the best performer of the ANAKT, always first, but has no friends. But perhaps, he was better that way. Then, Hyuna comes, and it's a new beginning. He's finally not alone. What I've noticed in the new banner, Luka is missing, but across the tree trunk, in his place, is a taller shadow. Perhaps, a shadow of who Luka was, hopefully still left in there. Or, the other way around, it symbolizes his real self being left there.

And the lyrics:

When I close my eyes,

Play in paradise.

These, to me, remind me of the interview where Luka said his favorite game was hide and seek. In a way, his whole ANAKT life was a game of hide and seek: hiding all the time, but no one trying to seek him. Until Hyuna did, and found him. Something that intrigues me is the "paradise", which to me sounds like what Mizi once said: Dying in competition means returning to the Great Anakt, which I suppose is to them like Heaven.. or Paradise. This will be important later, so remember it.

And now, my predictions for the HyuLuka episode

! First of all, I think the song will be lullaby-like. When I first saw this teaser, with the lyrics, as weird as it sounds, it reminded me of Richard's song in The Hero in TAWOG, a song that always gets me to cry for some reason, and I've been really stuck on that . It would be interesting, because it would fit Luka's voice (as does everything else), but probably not Hyuna's, even though 6FU; would eat it.. which to me, sounds like their "love", where Luka loves her, but it isn't returned. I'd love to see more German in it than just in the title. And considering the nostalgic, pastel, very cutesy artstyle (that reminds me of the memory part from Jordan River animation!), it seems very viable. But the art style is also noisy, which gives an unsettling vibe. It feels like a 2020's dreamcore wallpaper.

I might be crazy, but the hand holding the flower (with only 3 stamens, like the 3 friends) looks dark-skinned, like it would be Hyuna's or Hyunwoo's, but I doubt it would be his, considering it's the account's profile picture. If this is some kind of reference to.. perhaps, an unrequited Hyuluka but the other way around, with Hyuna still not over Luka.. probably won't happen, but God, would that be awesome.

So, how do I think the round will go?

First of all, I have to say, I'm not sure if this will be a round or a Mizisua type episode.😭 I'd say "oh the wait time is way too small" but also... do you guys remember the production announcement of Round 7? Yeah. You can never be sure.

This isn't necessarily a prediction, but more of a suggestion of what could be: It would be SO cool if it would be both.. in a way, merged. This idea just appeared in my mind and I was like OH. MY. GOD. Imagine if almost the whole thing was just them, as children, having fun, a whole backstory.. but then, when Hyunwoo dies, it pans on his face, and then it's back on stage, the loser's face instead of his. It would be so heartwarming, and then DEEPLY DISTURBING and traumatizing. I also really want some Luka and Heperu backstory so I can hate Heperu even more.

On the topic of the loser... It's going to be Luka. I'm an insane Luka lover and it was hard to get accommodated to this idea, but there is no way that he will survive. First of all, the shadow in the account's banner, in place of Luka. It's implications... are quite obvious. Second, the pattern of characters shown in Sweet Dream, and he is next. Third: "In my arms, you would be protected." I feel like Luka would consider the competition "In his arms". I don't think he would break his promise: hear me out for a second. He wouldn't let Hyuna die this way, because I feel like his sense of possession over her also comes with responsibility and protectiveness. And fourth, the Paradise lyric, to me, is a foreshadowing of his death.

I also think he will die by self sacrifice. First of all, there's no way Hyuna could defeat Luka by pure odds. Yes, her stats are better, but lets be honest, her mental power would NOT be as good infront of Luka, and also, the aliens wouldn't vote her. She's a rebel, wanted for so much time, with technically no guardian: they wouldn't want her to defeat their prince, probably. And second, I have made two categories:

The "perfects": Sua, Ivan, Luka

The "rebels": Mizi, Till, Hyuna

See something similar? Both the perfects that are dead, have died by self-sacrifice. The only other dead character, Till, has been shot while reaching for his freedom, so you can't say this is for all characters. And let's be honest.. Patterns are usually being followed in this series. Id also like to add, even though it's a reach, that in a tier of how 'perfect' they are, it'd be:

1. Luka

2. Sua - not so obvious self sacrifice

3. Ivan - obvious self sacrifice

So, I'd say that Luka's might be even more backstage, as if to sabotage himself in a way that seems viable. It also kind of goes in line with his character, he's not one to break facade on stage.

I think this episode will be quite a deep-dive into their true selves. We know the least about them, so this will be GREAT. I'd love to see a more morally gray Hyuna in this. (Since I'm genuinely kind of tired of only Luka being villainized in the ship, which honestly..  is kind of in line with the other perfects. Let's let Mizi, Till and Hyuna be little freaks too) I also want to see atleast a little bit of Hyunwoo, like a little snippet of his mind, what he saw in Luka.

In conclusion, I'm SO happy and hyped about this HyuLuka episode, they're so mysterious and I really really want to see more of L- I mean, more of them. Getting 2 episodes where Luka is present one after another is literally THE dream to me. Basically, Wiege is killing me and I'm gladly letting it.

@4listr Since you asked to be tagged and also, @rockwgooglyeyes I REALLY want your opinion on this

[whichwaytothebeachseabass]

Things We Carry

Summary: Two broken souls find each other.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Black Widow Soldier! Reader.

Contents: very short (about 1K words), description of being a Hydra assassin, description of violence (nothing too graphic), some sadness, some fluff, use of Y/N.

A/N: this is the VERY FIRST fanfic i'm publicly uploading on here! i've had this one in my drafts for a while (among several others lol), and now i've finally decided to upload this one. another note: English is not my first language so there might be some slight mistakes, but i think i got them all out.

enjoy! :)

Lying on an operation table, strapped down, unable to move. The faces of men in white coats and masks occasionally visible as they bend over to take a closer look at the functionality of the human brain. The taste of cold metal on tongues and the whiring of the mechanic chair were the last things to be noticed before everything was replaced by pain. Electric shocks surging through the human body, not enough to kill, though just enough to drive someone mad.

Punches thrown, guns firedguns fired, bodies collapsed on the cold floor, blood everywhere. Their rules where quite simple; don’t stop untill the mission is completed. Failure will not be tollerated. Although, there was no mission yet, this was just a training, a sparring session with fellow soldiers. They should have known better though, with Hydra, it was never just a sparring session. One could say that there was indeed a mission during these training sessions; that mission simply being surviving, taking out every last opponent untill you were the last one standing, and most importantly showing no remorse, no mercy, not a single emotion, as the trigger is pulled.

The missions in itself knew a few more specific ground rules; such as get to location unnoticed, retrieve whatever it it that Hydra wants, leave no traces and most importantly, leave no witnesses. Exterminate every last soul that gets in the way of the mission.

Sometimes, the missions weren’t really missions at all. Some higher-up person with status and a shitload of money would come to Hydra to have someone ‘taken care of’. A merciless killing, so the speak. Those merciless killings, however, were in fact the easy ones. To the average person, taking someones life isn’t something they would even dare to imagine. However for Hydra soldiers it has become second nature. They were being trained to kill. Brainwashed to become machines.

Tests, trainings, briefings, killings… This is what live was; day in, day out, for decades on end. In the beginning, there was resistence, oh yes. Unwillingness to co-operate. This is never what they wanted, never what should have become of their lives. But the pain became unbarable. Shocked within an inch of insanity, enough to break the soul. To become a merciless killing machine.

x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x / x /x / x / x / x / x / x /x / x / x /

This is what live was for Bucky and Y/N. Raised to be trained killers from a fairly young age. Being fully conscious, yet not knowing which part of you is actually you. Deep down, they might have know that what they were doing was wrong, what was being asked of them was wrong. But when their brains tell them to pull the trigger, that is what they did. That is all they’ve ever know.

Untill they were pulled out of it.

Years of living as an assassin and suddenly you’re expected to live life like everyone else. Mandatory therapy sessions with so-called ‘speciallists’ who didn’t in the slightest understand what they had to go through, what their everyday live was like. Both Y/N and Bucky might not have fully realised what they were doing in the years they worked for Hydra, but they sure remember all of it. Maybe being held captive is a better way of describing their years at Hydra, in stead of ‘work’. That’s what Y/N liked to call it anyway.

What also didn’t particularly help is that both Bucky and Y/N were somewhat in the public eye. Of course, citizens were not supposed to know of Hydra’s assassins. However; Bucky being Steve Rogers’ best friend and Y/N having worked together with Natasha Romanoff’s younger sister Yelena in the Red Room, who were ultimately the ones that got them out of Hydra’s grasp, gave them ties to The Avengers. Because of this, everybody knew what they had done, what they were. Trained killers. Assassins.

Monsters.

Oftentimes, Y/N wasn’t sure if live like this was supposed to be better. The menories of all the lives she took, together with the judgemental stares and scared faces of everyone around her weighing heavy on her shoulders. Bucky felt the same way. The both of them desperately wish they could just do something, anything to lighten that weight that they carry around everywhere they go.

And so, ultimately, they found each other.

Through The Avengers, or at least what was left of them, the two were introduced. Y/N had heard of him, of course she had, Dreykov didn’t call his little mind control games The Winter Soldier Project for nothing. He was the one she was supposed to look up to… what a sick and twisted world they lived in.

It may have taken a while, but the two ex-assassins warmed up to each other. Bucky found her presence refreshing; she provided him with a sense of normalcy as opposed to the constant looks of fear and sorrow of everyone around him. She knew, she’d seen it up close and lived it. Although she wasn’t a supersoldier, and he, being the literal blueprint of Hydra’s brainwashing system, had a lot more years on her as a Hydra captive, they understood each other. Sure, at first Bucky had Steve and Y/N had Yelena, two people that served as rocks for the both of them, as best friends. But Steve ultimately choose to stay in the past with the love of his live, and Yelena ran back into the field to look for any other Black Widow Soldiers that were still under Dreykov’s control. Neither of them blamed their friend for one second, claiming they wanted what was best for them. Still, it came paired with quite some loneliness.

Now, Y/N was laying on the couch with her head on Bucky’s chest, his arm slung around her body. A TV-show neither one of them were really paying attention to playing in the background while they enjoyed each others company in silence, softly breathing each other in. She loved moments like this; alone with him, nobody else around, no obligations at all. Just the two of them in their little bubble of calm and Y/N couln’t help but notice that the weight that they both have been carrying around for so many years, has finally begun to lift. She knew Bucky felt it too. He carressed her hair and placed a soft kiss on her forehead as he continued to look ahead at the TV screen.

In this moment, the both of them knew they were gonna be allright.

[skrumnkle-thetired]

and telemachus has been trying to prove himself too, that he's worth the fight, that he's brave enough to not stand around helpless, putting himself in dangerous situations just so he can prove to everyone ( and most importantly, himself ) that he's not weak. he isn't, but in comparison of his father he's defo self conscious / aware about it.

but he's only a kid, a young adult at best, lacking in experience and general training and will hurt himself in the process. while yes odysseus was stronger at his age and present, it was because he had to.

nobody would wish a life like his on anybody, especially a father to his own son. he fights all these battles, braves himself for everything specifically so his family wouldn't have to suffer, so his son wouldn't have to fight. he literally killed an infant for it posed a threat to them, he put himself through the overwhelming guilt just so they'd be safe.

he'd become a monster in defending them, the self loathing and guilt only driving him to never have this life for telemachus, hence his son's name meaning " far from battle. " he wants his son to not have to fight to live like he did, so he'd remain the kind loving person he truly is and live without guilt , someone odysseus faintly remembers being and longs to be again. so yeah in short tele wanting to fight so his father won't see him as weak and odysseus wanting nothing more than his son to not have to fight.

im so sane guys

something that makes me soooo insane about telemachus in i can't help but wonder (and also in the wider context of epic the musical) is that telemachus says in i can't help but wonder,

"i can't help but wonder what your world must be / if we're like each other, if i have your strength in me / all this time i've wondered if you'd embrace me as your own"

because — for so much of his life, telemachus has probably been told stories about king odysseus, his father, cunning strategist, favored of athena, etc etc, and wanting to live up to that ("i know life and fate are scary, but i wanna be legendary!", "and i would fight them if i was half as strong as you" from legendary)

he has also spent so much of his life being terrorized, and watching his mother being terrorized, by suitors for her hand — and he probably thought "well, FATHER would be able to drive them off!"

and then odysseus does come. and he kills them all.

and. yes. father has finally returned. finally driven them off. but his father also had to save telemachus from melanthius, the one suitor who threatened to "break the kid's hands" to cow odysseus.

there must have been something in telemachus that thought, "ah. so you are exactly as legendary as everything i've ever heard about you, father. and i am...not."

reminder that, in we'll be fine, telemachus says that his time with athena has been the best day of his life "'cause [he] got in a fight and [he] didn't die" — that was probably his first ever fight.

plus, with the way the suitors mock him and speak about him, he's probably VERY AWARE that he is constantly compared to his father, and found lacking.

so of course he's thinking about how his legendary, cunning, kingly father might ALSO compare them, and might come to the same conclusions as everyone else. he might well decide that telemachus would not be WORTHY of being, to borrow telemachus' own words here, "embrace[d] as [odysseus'] own".

of course, odysseus has never once thought about his son as anything other than HIS — "my boy", "my son", "sweetest joy i've known", a driving force to getting him home in the horse and the infant ("penelope, telemachus, i'm on my way") and in keep your friends close where you can hear telemachus as one of the voices urging odysseus to keep his eyes open — but i wonder how long it would take telemachus to really believe that his father isn't disappointed in him, because he has spent TWENTY YEARS being put and putting himself in the shadow of this man — and it might even make him self conscious, that odysseus spent all that effort coming home to his Ideal Family™ only to be met with the reality of what they really are.

i firmly believe that to ody, the reality of his family will always be better than the "ideals" — and that probably ody's "idealized family" is literally just. whatever penelope and telemachus are like now.

but idk. it's just something i feel like they'd have to work through, now that odysseus IS home, and it is just such a consistent part of telemachus' character that i haven't really seen anyone discuss.

[nicolos]

you know I am just obsessed with how much Milner vacillates in s2 about finding out what he did to it. like the moment philip is invoked it stops being about janus - if, in fact, it has been for any point since "you are a fucking god." she fully says "we lost him" and means it, and while she's clearly mad about him having made a change, it's less to do with the principle she's very fucking clear about early on and much more to do with the incredible thing they've done together. jessica is philip's baby but janus is THEIRS. it's her child with him.

and then. "you did it for HER?" not for us? not for that separation of ours, that little platform where it was just us and nobody else mattered? to save Her? but it's alright. she'll pardon him choosing his child if she can also have theirs. it's only a few - million - casualties. they're trying to save a species here: that will be what she and philip give the world

[spideypawz]

Roxypool. satisfying my need for crossovers one day at a time.

[peacocktalk]

I’m not sure what you’re pulling from, but to me, musical Glinda is very well represented in film Glinda. They didn’t do anything to Glinda that wasn’t already in the original material (musical wise, not book-wise, that’s a whole different discussion that I don’t think you mean?)

She’s explicitly not good at magic in the beginning, as she’s unable to transform Elphaba’s simple frock into a fabulous ball gown, and obviously didn’t possess ability that inspired Morrible to hold her seminar in the first place. She’ll grow into using magic a little, but she doesn’t have the innate talent for it like Elphaba does, and doesn’t use over the course of the show except for flying around in a bubble. And if you want to read further into it, Glinda’s lack of extensive magic skill is perhaps metatextual to the ‘39 film, as Dorothy is the one that ends up sending herself home.

But beyond the magic - yes, Glinda is great at politics. She knows she is, and more importantly, I think her aptitude in this is shown very well. She’s not air headed in this story, so much as she’s just unempathetic and performatively nice. Look at how she manipulates Boq, not for the sake of Nessarose, but for her own freedom to make out with Fiyero. Or how her first interaction with Elphaba in the movie is to publicly pledge that she’ll help the wretched creature before her, and it earns her the adoration of the masses. Her funny moments of being “dumb” are mostly due to her privilege and ivory tower-thinking being chiseled away by the brute force of Elphaba’s unyielding practicality and morals. But Glinda never loses her adept understanding of politics and power structures and how to play unfair games with unfair people - she gains the capacity to use her intelligence for the sake of other people.

Glinda and Elphaba don’t really even become friends until Glinda uses her social intelligence to save Elphaba at the Oz Dust. Yes, it was the kind and good thing to do from our perspective, but wagering her own popularity to turn the tide of Elphaba’s public perception in such a way was an example of her political acumen. Even at the end of Act I, she’s begging Elphaba to play nice, not because she thinks Elphaba is wrong, but because she knows Elphaba can’t win if she goes outside the system - much in the same way that Elphaba knows the Glinda can’t win if she plays into a fundamentally evil system.

Glinda gets the advisor position largely because she was there - Morrible and the Wizard need to control Glinda as the only other witness to the truth, and both think Glinda is dumb enough and desperate enough to have all her dreams be handed to her on a silver platter and be so grateful as to never object. They don’t need or really even want skill from Glinda - they need a puppet, a shiny, happy hero to contrast against Elphaba.

Glinda’s “dumbness” - which I think is probably a little better described as “frivolity” - is a plot point, much in the same way that Elle Wood’s frivolity is. People have to underestimate her expertise in supposedly shallow topics because otherwise she doesn’t have the opportunity to flip the script on people by the end.

Okay so I overall enjoyed the Wicked movie. However I honestly hate what they did to Glinda.

So I am not the biggest fan of fluffy pink characters. But I acknowledge that they have a power and characters like Barbie, Elle woods, and Glinda have their place. Power to those that like that. All of those characters, kind of as a pink cliche, seem really dumb and airheaded but actually have a good deal of brain behind them. They use this assumption of dumbness/bimbohood to take advantage of people and get the upper hand in situations. Power to them. Live laugh love. Go chase your sparkle.

But the key word in that should be seems. Glinda only SEEMS dumb to people because she is shallow and bubbly. She's actually really skilled with magic and politics. It's part of the deleted line in "Popular" where she gets appointed to the palace's advisor. She got it because BOTH her and Elphaba are so skilled. It's part of what erases their hatred of each other, a mutual respect from two highly skilled individuals.

Instead we get airheaded Glinda where it is not an act. She is not just playing mouse, she is the mouse. She is literally appointed an advisor as an afterthought, a tagalong to Elpahba on the train ride.

I don't know something about that didn't sit right with me. It feels like another excuse to dismiss pink/hyperfem as being dumb and that only outcasts can be smart. And I thought we moved past these cliches in the 80s.

[thesunoficarus1]

I fear there's a reason for buddie being my favourite ship and it's because one of my favorite tropes is when someone who thinks they're unlovable, or irredeemable, or that they're not worthy of attention is given it all so freely and so effortlessly that they have no choice but to accept it.

[chirpsythismorning]

“Mike said his life started the day he found El in the woods, which was technically the following night. What he said had nothing to do with offending Will because he went missing the day before.”