#mane city mysteries

[ranticore]

some thoughts about Clothes For Horses

out of practicality the average ironwall citizen wears a blanket made for horses (even if they are not horses). the blankets are bulk-ordered by specialist ironwall tailor shops and modified on the premises, sometimes while the customer is waiting. the modifications lengthen the straps so that they can be easily reached. this is considered okay for casualwear but tacky for formal occasions.

the upper body can usually just wear whatever mass produced human clothing they like. the only item of clothing which is made specifically for these guys is the waist sash (sometimes with an additional cloth drape on the front, which can smarten up an outfit). these are people whose culture has a deep seam of embarrassment at being part animal, and this fact should be hidden if at all possible even though it isn't possible but you just have to try. the junction between fur and skin is always hidden. the orange blanket pictured above is about as skimpy as you could get away with in public. mane hair is usually shaved off for practicality's sake.

for practical work where harnesses and tack are required, these are usually worn over blankets and modified to include no reins/other control apparatus. for those for whom it is possible, horse-shoes are worn on the front feet for daily city life, and on all feet for hard manual labour or any activities/hobbies/etc which require good traction on the hind legs. shoes are usually not made of metal but of a composite into which grip studs can be inserted if necessary. the imagery of hard metal shoes is associated with counterculture movements and sometimes if you wanna look hard you can have your shoes spraypainted to be shiny. barefoot is actually fine in most circumstances

dedicated centaur clothing is stupid expensive because very few manufacturers produce it and the fabric yardage is insane so it is a class signifier. the garment shape & purpose is unisex though due to influence from dominant human cultures in the area, there's still a difference between a Stallion's Manly Robes and a Demure Filly Dress. ideally the full body is covered and the overall impression is of a human strapped to some mysterious shape idk what could possibly be under there. normal human legs i bet.

[girlwtdragontattoo]

Notre Dame

Stardew Valley Elliott x Female Farmer

Art belongs to @eindersein, please give them some love for this beautiful piece!

Hi! I wrote this, inspired by Paris' song, thinking Elliott and the farmer would definitely bond by exchanging ideas and reminiscing about their time in the city. I didn't really proof-read this all too well, I just really wanted a cute fluffy fic. I hope you enjoy!

Please also give the song a listen, it's beautiful!

-----

Elliott woke up from the sunlight warming his eyes. He had managed to make it into bed this time, an irregular occurrence as his constant back and neck pain proved. His desk usually served as his resting spot.

His long red hair tug under his arm, while he lifted his head, making him shift to free his tresses. Peering out into the beautiful afternoon light from outside, an immediate need to walk out and explore the sleepy town came over him.

Nowadays, there was a little more commotion than usual: the arrival of the mysterious farmer caused the villagers to stir, gossip and diverge from their routines just for a chance to meet her. Leah had already encountered the newcomer and expressed, a bit obviously, that Elliott would be very fond of her. He didn’t take his friend’s word for it, as she also assumed he would get along swimmingly with Shane. Despite having tried to greet him kindly many times, the downtrodden Joja Worker barely acknowledged him.

He would never admit it to Leah, but the writer was indeed curious. Mostly, because a new addition to an established town was the first time something interesting had happened here! It could be great inspiration for his novel. Maybe he’d write about a mysterious, retired detective, moving to a small town and causing the same ruckus as the farmer had in Stardew Valley.

Elliott brushed his mane, put on the clothes he wore every day and checked his reflection. Pocketing his trusty notebook, in case inspiration hit on the go, he stepped out on to the sunny beach and breathed in the crisp, November air.

The beach was mostly quiet, as it usually was in Fall. He saw Willy fishing absentmindedly on the deck, too absorbed in his own thoughts to notice Elliott had emerged from his shack. The writer saw him every day, it wouldn’t hurt to not speak for one of them. He wanted to enjoy the inspiring weather and take a trip into the forest a few miles away.

The redhaired writer crossed the stone bridge, waving at Lewis while he raked the fallen leaves in front of his house. He saw the grumbling Shane return to his aunt’s house after an early Joja Mart shift, but decided to leave him alone, walking a few measured steps behind him to avoid upsetting him further.

He passed Leah’s home, thinking briefly if he should stop by to say hello. Deciding he could do so on the way back, Elliott continued his stride into the beckoning woods. The number of leaves on the earth amplified the closer he got, the soft crunching under his brogues made him smile. He loved Fall. Not only due to it being his birthday season, but also because it provided a picture-esque setting for a romantic writer like himself. 

The trees started to clump closer together as he crossed the threshold into the forest. They swayed slightly in the cold breeze.

Elliott found a spot near a small babbling brooke, situated himself comfortably against a large tree and pulled out his notebook. He gazed up into the tree tops, watching the colorful leaves abandon their homes to fall down towards him. What a sight. He picked up a large, red maple leaf that drifted to his side, eyeing the vivacious color with adoration. Placing the pretty thing on his knee, the writer pulled out his trusty pen and started writing a few sentences.

The wind sang in his ear, as the hours passed. He collected interesting leaves that fell close to him, while he tapped the back of his pen onto the page. The words he was writing were alright, but not fascinating enough. There had to be something else here that would spark his roaring imaginatio-

“Oh- hey there!”

A soft voice pulled Elliott out of his writing trance. Looking up from his page, he met the eyes of a stranger. She wore a pair of hunter green dungarees, with a thick, white sweater underneath. Her sleeves were pulled up to her elbows, displaying strong forearms littered with fascinating tattoos. On top of her head rested a wide sun hat, that cast a long shadow down her front.

Elliott couldn’t help but blush at her shaded visage. It was the eyes that pulled him in, like mountain vistas painted by genius minds. She blinked.

“H-Hello!” he spat out hastily, as the pause between her kind greeting and him noticing her grew a bit too long. “You must be the farmer!”

She smiled and the writer’s inner voice squeaked at the sight of it. “Yup, that’s me! I’m YN.” She held out her hand.

Their palms met and he felt her callouses: “Elliott.” He realized he hadn’t returned her gentle smile and quickly remedied that by flashing his teeth. “I didn’t think anyone really came here. Apologies for my demeanor. I just wasn’t expecting to see anyone.”

“Oh no worries, I just discovered this place a few days ago. I wanted to take a break from work. Do you mind?” the farmer indicated that she wanted to join him, but stayed standing up.

“Yes!” the writer exclaimed excitedly. The excited answer obviously confused YN and he watched an eyebrow raise in response. Elliott noticed his mistake: “I mean- no I do not mind. Please.” He patted the spot next to him, clearing his throat in embarrassment. She smiled again, making his heart skip a few beats, and she joined him, placing a large guitar down into the grass. Elliott was surprised to see it appear out of nowhere, but he had to confess to himself that he hadn’t noticed anything other than her face and clothes when she arrived. She wrapped her arms around her knees, staring up into the dancing branches.

“So, Elliott…”, she began, “what’s your story?”

They sat for a while, exchanging their virgin journey to Stardew Valley. Elliott grew transfixed when he noticed she really listened to what he said. Did she... actually find what he said interesting?

She shared her decision to leave ZuZu city. “I hated my job. I felt like I was trapped and stowed away in that building. Like Quasimodo, haha!”

“That’s funny. That’s sort of how I felt back there. I couldn’t … let my head explore. It was so loud and disorienting being there. My mind seemed to emulate the chaos around me.”

“That’s such a poetic way of putting it.” She started plucking at the guitar strings while she stared up into the yellow crowns. Elliott didn’t answer. He saw little hearts float behind her head.

“I’m so curious what you’re writing! If you ever want someone to read over it, feel free to ask. I love stuff like that.”

Elliott nodded frantically; his heart felt a surge at the thought of her reading his drafts.

They sat beside each other in silence, but it wasn’t awkward. He felt extremely at ease near her, which ironically made him a bit uneasy. What was this sensation?

The longer they sat beside each other, the more consistent the melody became that she was plucking.

“How long have you been practicing music? I play the piano!” He wanted to learn as much as he could about her.

“Cool! I’ve been doing it since I can remember. But this guitar is new. I bought it right before Grandpa passed away. I love it, it’s so much easier to tune.” As she said that, she turned one of the dials to fix a string. “Maybe we can play together. Do you sing?”

Elliott giggled at the thought of him singing anything. He wasn’t awful, but you couldn't pay anyone to listen to him. He repeated the sentiment, feeling his face prickle when she chuckled.

“You're funny." His breath seized for a brief moment. "Well, then. I’ll sing and you can play? How does that sound?”

He couldn’t help but let the words tumble out: “We could write songs together.”

Her eyes started to glow. He felt a lump in his throat at the sight of her. He could’ve cried. He had a great relationship with Leah, the only other fellow artist in the village. She had a completely different artistic expression from him, though. It was fulfilling to know that more people would appreciate his way of thinking.

Elliott romanticized her already. He barely knew her, but felt sure they would grow closer, based on this exhilarating conversation.

She continued working out a melody, as Elliott eased into the tree trunk behind him again, listening intently as he jotted down a couple words her music inspired. She caught a glimpse of a few lines and giggled again:

“Did Quasimodo inspire you?”

“Haha, yes. You mentioning him made me think of being trapped up there. In the beautiful cathedral. Like you said you were at Joja. I'm a bit stuck though, don’t really know how to continue after tower.”

“Can I play around with what you wrote?” she asked with the cutest smile on her face.

Elliott felt his face blow up, he could tell he was a deep shade of red. “O-of course!!”

She nodded once, keeping the smile on her lips. She swayed, as she repeated the lines in a whispery tone while simultaneously strumming along. A few moments passed and Elliott couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. She closed her own, as she sang:

I'm in the rafters looking down

It's cold up here

Between walls of stone

I made my home

And the air hangs

Heavy with the incense

Feathers fall from pigeons

Cooing in the tower

I rarely go down there, the view's just so beautiful from here

And I can see everybody

At their worst points

At their worst points

I'm not a sadist, I enjoy just being able to be witness of the loneliness and be a higher power

In case there isn't one

In case there isn't one

I'm not a higher power, I just live in the ceiling 'cause I'm lonely on the fringes, and it gives my life some meaning

In the exile

In my exile

The grey light filters through roof slabs

And the flagstones glow

Bright from the stained glass

A hundred feet below

As I tiptoe

Creaking over prayers

Pleading with their maker

Crying with the choir

See upcoming pop shows

Get tickets for your favorite artists

I'm not immune to the sincerity below me

Makes me feel, it makes me holy, but through tears I understand

That I do not belong

No, I do not belong

Watching the figures, all the saints, but mostly sinners

Come and go and some are desperate, but the others have the sense that they do belong

And I do not belong

Some only turn towards the heavens when the end is feeling desperate,

have the overwhelming feeling

That there's nobody who's looking down

At least I'm looking down

Was this… what Shakespeare spoke about? The moment you meet your muse? The one?

Elliott had stars in his eyes as she finished her beautiful aria. When she looked at him, Elliott hurriedly clapped while she bashfully grinned.

“That was fun. You really inspired me,” she said sweetly. The writer could’ve wept at those words. Where had she been all his life?

She pushed herself up off of the ground and brushed the grass off of her legs. Had she noticed how transfixed he was? Was he making her nervous?

He tried to make his face look less in love. It wasn’t easy.

She turned to him and gazed down gently.

“I have to get back to my farm. The chickens need some love. But we should definitely play together. You down?”

Relief washed over his body. “Absolutely! I’d be honored!” Elliott felt some spit leave his mouth. He wanted to sink into the forest floor in embarrassment. She didn’t seem to notice, luckily, or perhaps she was just very polite.

“Cool! Where can I find you?”

“At the beach. The shack near the trees.”

“Awesome. I’ll stop by when I can! It was nice to meet you Elliott!”

The words left his lips in a sigh: "It was lovely meeting you, YN..."

YN winked, while she turned and walked back towards the forest entrance. Before she left through the branches, she raised her arm and waved at him.

He quickly waved back.

She disappeared behind the brush.

He felt like he had met God. Elliott fell back against the tree and started kicking his feet.

Finally, finally, finally.

Leah was right. He liked her.

A lot.

[lifeofpriya]

A Captivating Change - Jack Draper

[gif credit goes to @pyotrkochetkov]

a/n: a little fic i whipped up on the spur of the moment because i am OBSESSED with Vienna Jack [not that i'm not obsessed with Jack any other times, but Vienna...it's just something else, y'know] 🤭😩

summary: a seemingly insignificant detail, Jack's hair, becomes a source of endless fascination and affection for you...

Jack's hair had grown into a wild, untamed mane since you last saw him in New York City during the US Open. The once sleek locks had transformed into a lush, dark brown tapestry that danced in the early morning light of your London apartment. You couldn't help but be obsessed with the way the strands curled at the nape of his neck, the way it fell in front of his eyes and cover them briefly, only to be swept back by his muscular, tanned hand.

You had never been one for long hair on men, but on Jack, it was a revelation. It added a mysterious allure to his already handsome face, the kind that made your heart flutter every time you saw him. It was a stark contrast to the clean-cut, professional look he usually sported on the tennis courts of Wimbledon and beyond. But here, in the intimate confines of your shared space, he was different—more relaxed, more raw, and utterly mesmerizing.

You studied his face as he slept, the way the strands framed his high cheekbones and softened his sharp jawline. You reached out tentatively, your fingertips grazing the soft, unruly waves. His eyes fluttered open, revealing the intoxicating hazel pools you had come to know so well. A sleepy smile graced his lips as he captured your hand in his. "Morning," he murmured, his voice a low, comforting rumble.

You felt your cheeks warm. "Morning," you whispered back, unable to tear your gaze away from his hair.

Jack chuckled, the sound a warm embrace that seemed to fill the room. "You're still obsessed, aren't you?"

"How can I not be?" you replied, your voice barely above a murmur. You felt a little embarrassed, but mostly you felt alive with the excitement of having him so close, so unguarded. His hair had become a silent conversation piece between the two of you, a playful banter that had grown more pronounced in the weeks since the US Open.

Jack stretched out under the soft, white sheets, his muscular form rippling with the grace of an athlete. "It's just hair," he said, amusement lacing his tone.

But it wasn't just hair to you. It was a symbol of the time that had passed, the moments you had shared, and the growth of your love for each other. You sat up in bed, the sun's rays playing across your face as you watched him. "It's like you're a different person," you said, your voice filled with wonder.

Jack's smile grew, a hint of teasing in his eyes. "Do you prefer this look?"

You nodded, unable to put into words the depth of your affection for this new aspect of him. The longer hair made him seem more vulnerable, less like the invincible sports hero you watched on television and more like the person you knew in private—passionate, caring, and incredibly human. "I do," you finally said. "It's like seeing a new side of you."

Jack propped himself up on one elbow, his hair falling over his forehead, the strands creating a shadow over one eye. "And what side is that?" His voice was curious, his gaze intent.

You paused, trying to articulate the tumult of emotions that swirled within you. "The side that's just… Jack. The one who laughs at my terrible jokes, who brings me a warm beverage when I'm lost in my work, and who holds me when the world seems too loud."

He leaned in closer, his hair tickling your nose. "And what do you think of this Jack?"

You couldn't resist the urge to playfully tug on one of his curls. "I think he's quite the charmer," you said, smiling.

Jack's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Is that so?"

You nodded, your heart racing with excitement. You hadn't planned on saying so much, but the words had just spilled out, unfiltered and authentic. "Yes," you said, a little more firmly. "I love this version of you."

Jack's expression softened, the playfulness in his eyes giving way to something deeper, something that made your stomach flip. He sat up, pulling you into his arms, your foreheads touching as his hair formed a curtain around your faces. "I love this version of us," he whispered, his breath warm against your skin.

The London apartment was still, the only sound the distant hum of the city outside and the thudding of your hearts in unison. The unspoken conversation of his hair had become a symbol of the evolving relationship, a silent testament to the layers you had peeled back to reveal the raw, genuine person beneath the public façade. You felt the warmth of his embrace, the strength of his arms, and the softness of his hair against your skin.

Jack leaned back, his hair a wild halo around his head. He studied you with those hazel eyes, the early light casting a warm glow across the room.

"You know," he began, his voice a gentle caress in the stillness, "I was thinking of getting it cut again. For the upcoming tournaments."

Your heart skipped a beat. The thought of his hair being trimmed back to the neat, professional style was akin to watching a piece of artwork being painted over. "Jack, don't," you pleaded, your voice earnest.

Jack's eyes searched yours, a hint of confusion flickering in his gaze. "You really like it?"

You nodded emphatically. "I do. It's just… it's like you've let a part of yourself free, and it's beautiful."

Jack's expression grew contemplative, his thumb tracing lazy circles on your hand. "If it makes you this happy, I'll keep it," he said, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

You felt your heart swell with affection. It was these little compromises, these unspoken understandings, that made your relationship with Jack so special. He knew how much the little things meant to you, and he went out of his way to make sure you felt seen and heard.

You leaned in to kiss him, your nose brushing against the soft curls. His hair smelled faintly of the mint shampoo he used, a scent that had become synonymous with comfort and home. The kiss was sweet and gentle, a promise of the day to come.

As you pulled away, Jack's smile grew wider. "Alright," he said, his voice filled with affection. "I'll keep the mane for you."

You both laughed, the sound mingling with the soft whispers of the early morning. You leaned back into the pillows, feeling the weight of his hair against your chest, a comforting presence that was both new and familiar. "Thank you," you murmured, your hand still tangled in the soft waves.

Jack's eyes searched yours, his gaze warm and affectionate. "Anything for you," he said, and you felt a surge of love for this man who had stolen your heart with his serve and held it captive with his kindness.

The day unfolded leisurely, a rare off-day from his rigorous training schedule. You both decided to stay in bed for a little longer, basking in the warmth of each other's company. The sun had fully risen now, casting a golden glow across the room and highlighting the chaotic beauty of Jack's hair. It was as if it had a life of its own, a living testament to the untamed spirit that lay dormant on the tennis courts but was fully alive in the sanctuary of your shared space.

You watched as Jack's chest rose and fell with each breath, his hair playing peekaboo with the light and shadow. It was a simple moment, yet it contained a profound depth that seemed to amplify the connection between the two of you. You realized that it wasn't just the hair that had changed; it was the dynamic of your relationship, the unspoken trust and affection that had grown stronger with each shared experience.

Jack leaned over and kissed you again, his hair creating a warm, comforting cocoon around you. The kiss was tender, filled with the promise of a future where little things like his hair could bring you such joy. You felt the world outside the apartment walls fade away, the only reality being the two of you in the soft embrace of the bed and the gentle dance of light and shadow on his unruly locks.

When you finally pulled away, Jack's eyes searched yours, a silent question lingering. "What are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice still groggy with sleep.

You took a deep breath, feeling a sudden rush of vulnerability. "I'm just… I'm just thinking about how much I love you."

Jack's smile grew even wider, and his eyes seemed to light up even more. "And I love you," he said, his voice earnest and sincere.

"Impossible," you murmured, your voice thick with emotion. "I love you more."

Jack's laughter was music to your ears as he leaned in closer, his hair creating a warm, intimate space around you. "I don't know if that's possible," he said, his voice playful.

You settled against him, feeling the steady beat of his heart under your cheek. His arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer, and you felt a sense of belonging that you had never experienced before. "Well," you began, "I suppose we'll just have to keep proving it to each other."

Jack nodded, his hair brushing against your skin with every movement. "Deal," he murmured, planting a kiss on the top of your head.

The rest of the day was a delightful blend of domesticity and passion. You cooked breakfast together, the aroma of pancakes filling the air. Jack's hair had a way of falling into your face as you both worked side by side in the kitchen, making you laugh every time. His longer hair had become an extension of his playful nature, a physical manifestation of the lightness he brought into your life.

As you ate at the small table, the sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over Jack's unruly hair. You watched him devour his food with the appetite of a man who had spent hours on the tennis court. His hazel eyes twinkled as he caught you staring, and he wiped a smear of syrup from your cheek with the pad of his thumb. "I can't believe you actually like this," he said, gesturing to his hair with a piece of pancake.

You took a sip of your beverage, feeling the warmth spread through you. "It's not just the hair," you said, setting your cup down. "It's the person beneath it."

Jack looked at you, his expression earnest. "And what do you see beneath it?"

You took a moment to gather your thoughts, the pancakes forgotten as you met his gaze. "I see someone who's strong yet gentle, who's incredibly talented yet so humble, and who loves with all their heart."

Jack's cheeks flushed slightly, a rare sight that made your heart swell even more. He reached across the table, taking your hand in his. "That's quite a description," he said, his thumb tracing the lines of your palm.

You shrugged, trying to play it cool despite the warmth flooding your cheeks. "It's just the truth."

Jack squeezed your hand before releasing it, his eyes lingering on yours for a moment longer before turning back to his food. You couldn't help but feel like you had just unlocked a secret door in your relationship, one that led to a deeper, more profound understanding of one another.

After breakfast, you both decided to take a stroll in the nearby park. The crisp London air was a refreshing change from the stuffy apartment, and the gentle breeze played with Jack's hair, sending strands fluttering across his face. You watched as he pushed them back, a gesture that had become almost endearingly frustrated at times, but one that never failed to make you smile.

The park was alive with the chatter of early risers, the rustling of leaves, and the distant laughter of children. You walked hand in hand, Jack's thumb making lazy circles on the back of your hand. His hair had taken on a life of its own, moving with every step he took, as if it was dancing to the rhythm of your heartbeats.

You found a quiet spot by the lake, where the water gently lapped at the shore. You sat down on the soft grass, Jack's hair a wild halo around him as he settled next to you. The cool breeze picked up, sending a shiver down your spine. Without a second thought, Jack draped his arm around you, pulling you closer. His hair tickled your cheek, and you felt the warmth of his body seep into yours, chasing away the chill.

You leaned into him, watching the ripples in the water and feeling the comforting weight of his presence. The world outside the park was a blur of noise and responsibilities, but here, with Jack, it was just the two of you, lost in the tranquility of the moment.

You reached up and tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear, feeling the softness of his skin. "I never knew I could love someone's hair so much," you said, your voice a gentle tease.

Jack chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's just hair," he said, but his tone belied the pleasure he took in your fascination with it.

"It's not just hair," you corrected, turning to face him fully, your hand still lingering on his cheek. "It's like a visual representation of how much you've grown, both as a person and in this relationship."

Jack looked at you, his expression softening. He leaned in, his hair brushing against yours as he whispered, "And how have I grown, exactly?"

You took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of his gaze. "You've become more open, more vulnerable. And that's incredibly sexy."

Jack's smile grew, his cheeks flushing slightly. He leaned in closer, his hair framing his face like a dark halo. "Is that so?" he murmured, his voice low and teasing.

You nodded, unable to stop the smile that was spreading across your own face. "Mm-hmm," you said, your voice muffled against his chest. "You've let go of some of the walls you had up, and it's like discovering a new painting every time I look at you."

Jack leaned back, his eyes searching yours, the sun casting a warm glow across the planes of his face. "Is that what I am to you?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder. "A painting?"

You nodded, your eyes never leaving his. "Yes," you said softly. "A masterpiece that unfolds more with every layer."

Jack's eyes searched yours for a moment before he leaned in and kissed you deeply, his hair a wild frame around his face. It was a kiss that contained the promise of forever, a silent vow to cherish each other's growth, each new discovery. When you broke apart, you were both breathless, your hearts racing with the intensity of the moment.

The rest of the day was spent in a delightful haze of contentment. You explored hidden corners of the city, holding hands as Jack pointed out his favorite spots, his hair fluttering in the breeze like a banner announcing his excitement. The way the sun caught the different shades of brown in his hair, the way it highlighted the gold and red strands, made you fall in love with it all over again.

As the day turned into evening, you both decided to watch a film at home, cuddled up on the couch with a blanket. You sat with your head resting on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart and feeling the gentle strokes of his fingers through your hair. The TV cast a soft glow across the room, illuminating the strands of Jack's hair that had fallen onto your shoulder. You couldn't resist playing with them, twirling them around your fingers and marveling at their softness.

Jack's chuckles rumbled through his chest as he caught you playing with his hair. "You really are obsessed," he said, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

You grinned, not even bothering to hide your infatuation. "Maybe a little," you admitted, twirling a lock around your finger. "But I can't help it. It's just so… soothing."

Jack's eyes crinkled with laughter. "Soothing, huh?" He leaned down and kissed the top of your head, his hair brushing against your cheek. "Glad it brings you some comfort, love."

You looked up at him, your heart fluttering at the endearment. The film played on, but your attention was solely on the feel of his hair between your fingers, the rise and fall of his chest, and the comforting warmth of his body. It was these simple moments, the ones outside of the glaring spotlight of his career, that you cherished the most.

As the night grew later, you both decided to turn in. You brushed your teeth in the bathroom, the mirror reflecting your own messy hair and flushed cheeks. You couldn't help but smile at the memory of the day's adventures, feeling a sense of peace settle into your bones. When you emerged, Jack was already in bed, his hair fanned out on the pillow like a chocolate waterfall.

You climbed in beside him, the cool sheets a stark contrast to the warmth of his body. He rolled over, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you close.

"Jack," you whispered, your voice a soft caress in the quiet of the night.

He stirred, his arms tightening around you slightly. "Mm?"

"Can we just… can we just stay like this forever?" you asked, your voice a whisper against the pillow.

Jack's arms tightened around you, and his hair tickled your neck as he nuzzled closer. "Forever's a long time," he murmured sleepily.

You chuckled, feeling the warmth of his breath against your skin. "I know, but it just feels so right, you know?"

Jack nodded, his eyes closing as he mumbled, "Mm, I do."

As the darkness of the night enveloped you both, you felt the steady beat of his heart against your back, the softness of his hair against your cheek. It was in these quiet moments that you felt the most connected to him, the most alive. You listened to the soft sounds of his breathing, feeling the warmth of his chest rise and fall against you.

Jack's arm was draped over your waist, his fingers playing with the hem of your shirt. It was a comforting, familiar gesture that never failed to make you feel safe.

"What are you thinking about?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

You took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of his body seep into yours. "I'm just thinking about how lucky I am to have you in my life."

Jack's grip on you tightened slightly. "You know I'm not going anywhere," he said, his voice a comforting rumble.

You nodded, your eyes drifting shut. "I know," you murmured. "It's just that sometimes it's hard to believe something so perfect can last."

Jack's hand stilled on your shirt. He took a deep breath, his chest moving against your back. "It's the same for me," he confessed. "Every time I'm with you, I'm afraid I'll wake up and it'll all be a dream."

You turned to face him, his hair now a wild mess of shadows and moonlight. His eyes searched yours, the vulnerability in his gaze making your heart ache. "Jack," you whispered, "it's not a dream. We're really here, together."

He nodded, his expression serious. "I know," he said. "But I've never felt this way before. It's like… it's like finding home in the most unexpected place."

You reached up, gently pushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "Jack, this isn't a dream," you assured him, your voice steady. "You're here. I'm here. And we have each other."

Jack's gaze softened, his eyes searching yours. "I know," he murmured. "But sometimes it feels too good to be true."

You leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Let's not overthink it," you whispered. "Let's just enjoy what we have."

Jack's eyes searched yours for a moment before he nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He leaned in, capturing your lips in a tender kiss that seemed to speak volumes without a single word. The warmth of his hair surrounded you, a comforting embrace that seemed to say, "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

[daffi-990]

WIP Wednesday 📝

Tagged by @tizniz and @fortheloveofbuddie

So even though yesterday’s snippet kinda flopped like a dead fish, I kept at it and ended up writing almost 1K for my buddie Fantasy AU! 🤩

I’ve been trying to work on my descriptive writing and am quite happy with how this turned out.

(Prev snippet here & AU synopsis here)

The sun is still sitting below the horizon, its light not yet touching the city and waking it from its slumber, when he hears a crash from down an alley. He knows it’s probably a bad idea to investigate, that a mysterious noise in a dark alley is an opening in almost every crime drama for a reason, but someone could be in trouble and Buck’s conscience won’t just let him walk on by without checking. He makes his way down the alley, his steps quick but cautious, careful not to make too much noise. If someone dangerous is lurking down here, he doesn’t want to give away his position so easily. Assuming they don’t have a visual on him already.

Buck's heart thuds in his chest as he moves further into the alleyway. The alley is shrouded in darkness, the only light coming from the streetlight on the road that is struggling to pierce through the shadows. The air is heavy with something that smells like rotten eggs, the scent so thick it makes Buck gag. He covers his nose and mouth with his hand, trying to block the pungent smell as best he can.

He reaches the end of the alleyway but finds no one, only a dumpster overflowing with construction waste and a rat that quickly scurries off into the darkness. Buck scoffs and shakes his head at himself; trust him to wander all the way down an alley because of a rat. As he turns to leave and continue his trek home, he jolts with a sudden fright. Standing at the mouth of the alley is a large dog.

“Holy fuck,” Buck exclaims, pressing a hand to his chest, his heart beating rapidly under his palm. “You scared the shit out of me buddy.”

The dog lifts it’s head as if sniffing the air and emits a low growl that has the hair on Buck’s arms and the back of his neck standing up. The dog begins to move forward, its form seeming to grow larger with each step until the once Rottweiler sized dog is now the size of a small horse, it’s shoulder easily at Buck’s hip height.

With trembling hands, Buck pulls out his phone and turns on the flashlight, casting a dull light onto the creature. Its black fur blends in with the darkness of the night and appears short in length everywhere apart from what Buck can only describe as a mane mullet along the back of its neck. It has razor- sharp claws protruding from each massive paw and its face is scarred and skeletal in appearance, its eyes blood red and glowing, pointed teeth on full display as it snarls at Buck.

No pressure tagging: @spotsandsocks @hippolotamus @disasterbuckdiaz @diazsdimples @wikiangela @wildlife4life @watchyourbuck @exhuastedpigeon @elvensorceress @eddiebabygirldiaz @evanbegins @rainbow-nerdss @rewritetheending @thewolvesof1998 @try-set-me-on-fire @theotherbuckley @puppyboybuckley @alliaskisthepossibilityoflove @athenagranted @shortsighted-owl @steadfastsaturnsrings @devirnis @fiona-fififi @giddyupbuck @honestlydarkprincess @homerforsure @hoodie-buck @jeeyuns @jesuisici33 @lover-of-mine @ladydorian05 @loserdiaz @spagheddiediaz @sunshinediaz @captain-hen @bekkachaos @nmcggg @missmagooglie @mellaithwen @monsterrae1

[wiingdings]

Introducing Destinyswap! Destinyswap is an AU where the the mane six have their destinies and elements of harmony swapped like they were in magical mystery cure. All the lore is below the cut.

Fluttershy is a children's entertainer who likes making shapes out of clouds and balloons. She's much better with foals than she is with adults, and is awkward around grown-up ponies. Despite this, every parent in Ponyville recommends her. She sometimes volunteers at schools and hospitals to work with the foals there and cheer them up.

Applejack is a Manehattan fashion designer who makes every garment by hoof. She's widely known across Manehattan and inspires fashion trends, but tends to stay out of the limelight. She tries to make her section of the city a better place and gives out blankets and coats to those in need.

Rarity is a unicorn with pegasus magic instead of unicorn magic. She had to learn how to channel her pegasus magic through a horn by herself and now works as weather control in Ponyville. She loves making patterns in the clouds and often has a few small clouds floating around her for her to absently fiddle with and shape.

Pinkie Pie works at Sweet Apple Acres as a baker and extra muscle to help with harvesting and chores. She sells her pastries at the Apple Family stand. She doesn't talk much but isn't unfriendly.

Rainbow Dash is a pegasus who barely flies. Preferring to stay on the ground, she lives on the edge of town and takes care of the animals that live in or around her cottage. She's quite nervous but is Ponyville's go-to veterinarian. Everyone knows that if you have an animal problem, go talk to Rainbow Dash.

And... Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight Sparkle isn't friends with the other five. She doesn't know what it is, but she can sense that something is wrong. That she's forgotten something vitally important, that she's failed somehow. She stays in her library most days and Princess Celestia visits her in person to check up on her since she's stopped writing letters. She feels a twist in her gut when she sees the other five, so she tries to avoid them.

[guest-1-2-3]

Okay so in My Little Pony: Friendship of Magic S3E13: A Magical Mystery Cure, the mane 6 besides twilight switch around their cutie marks and destinies and have funky memory loss because twilight read an old unfinished spell and stuff. but. but they do a little house switch too because we see rainbow dash in fluttershy's cottage and twilight's like "but rarity said this was rainbow dash's cottage!" and then later apple jack is in rarity's boutique and pinkie's at sweet apple acres and the like but RARITY. Rarity got rainbow dash's destiny so she should have also gotten rainbow dash's house? rainbow dash's house which is in CLOUDSDALE?? You know, the big fluffy cloud city in the sky?? that is where rarity, the non-wings-possessing unicorn, resides,, so. unless she pulled an S1E16: Sonic Rainboom again and got magical butterfly wings, I am starting to doubt the realism of the magical talking pony show for kids from the year 2010

[ya-boi-ferals]

Was able to create these redesigns while we had nothin to do in classes. Im tryin to slowly make myself fall in love with art again and my hyperfixation on mlp redesigns are helpin me do that >:'] ...and oh boi this is gon be a long post feel free to read my rewrites ehe

I had so much fun through the whole process for this one! (Tbh the mane 5 becomin more like semi ocs now) For my version, Pipp is more of an actress/performer who does multiple side gigs and hobbies. Shes basically the city's "angelic sweet girl" since shes known for playing a soft and whimsical persona, often doing her iconic closed in ears and faded voice to give a more innocent look for the public. Her attitude is no different in private but she forces herself to stay too positive even when shes in need of relieving some strong emotions. Im not a fan of Pipp being a stereotypical phone addict in the show so I instead headcannoned her as neurodivergent and needing a distraction everytime or else she gets all panicky when shes doesnt have anything to do, she tends to overshare info, forgets to rest, known to take other's spotlight away and dissociate a lot (especially when reading fan comments) Shes disabled and uses formed cloud wings designed by her sister.

As for her redesign, I made her mane to be more stylish as a way to show her expertise on hairstylin. Her tail and tiara is rose shaped to go with her last name "Petals". And her colour pallete is brownish purple and powdered pink to give her character a more softer feel.

Lmaoo I have a lot to say- Anyways heres an old piece i made for zipp Im still confused how to draw her hair patterns...

In my ver. Zipp is well known for bein hardworkin and intelligent. Shes not ready to be queen and often "slacks off" with her main royal duties but she organizes and fixes problems happening outside the castle by talking to the staffs. Shes extremely curious and learns a lot of random detailed infos since she was young which ended up makin her become great at managing situations happening in and out the city, which is why her mother is so persistent on makin her the next queen. Zipp is a solutionist and researcher but she only focuses on what catches her interest before goin on the to next. (Ngl all the mane 5 are neurodivergent to me) Because of how determined she is on those interest, shes made several secret places to avoid just doin main work. Her fav studies are chemistry, physics, cosmology, ecology and aeronautics. Shes mysterious to the public eye but her friends know that shes just a bundle of hyperactive mess once she starts discovering smth new. I assume og Zipp is secretly non-binary coded but for my version, shes a transmare and everypony already knows and accepts it.

I gave her a more light pink and blue green mane colour. Her bangs are like sherlock holmes' as to pay homage for zipp bein a detective in the series along with some side braids. I also gave her twilight freckles and tired,soft looking eyes (not only cuz shes a workaholic like Pipp but its also cuz of genetics)

Aight, I was never really a fan for givin the mane cast just one element and the fact that G5 series havent showed any mentions of it just made it seem unimportant. Soo I instead gave them multiple elements that the mane 5 will develop as their journey goes on. Pipp will be the element of Strength, Purity, Assurance, Control, Pride, Value, etc. While Zipp is the element of Curiosity, Determination, Potential, Wonderment, Eagerness, Persistence, etc. (I imagine if twilight would have ever come back from the dead she would most likely write down what their elements would be as she observes the mane 5)

[jiliansky-blog]

The Nightmare and the Dreamer. Chapter 10. The trip and the ball

Pairing: Morpheus x FemaleReader

Rating: PG

Words: 2200

This time, you wake up in Morpheus’s room. He was in the room this time. You saw his lean figure on the terrace. And he seems to notice your awakening and return to you.

“Good morning”, you smiled.

“Good morning”, he smiled back gently.

“You are here”, you admitted. “I’m glad to see you”.

“That’s my room after all”, he smirked. “But I’m glad that you are here”.

“Shall we go to the breakfast together?” you asked, blushing.

“Yes, I noticed that you like dresses I had chosen for you”, he replied. “So I picked you another one for today”.

“It’s so thoughtful of you”, you smiled.

He gave a silver silk dress. It was like for the ball.

“What’s the occasion?” you asked with a smile.

“Just a lot of surprises for you”, he replied.

“Pleasant, I hope?” you teased him.

“I hope so too”, he smiled. “We need to go to breakfast”.

He was too mysterious. Even more mysterious than usual. But you don’t mind. You change your dress while he was on the terrace again and then let him escort you to the dining-room. You felt butterflies in your stomach again. It was just like you imagine even before you met him. Someone so romantic and gentle, and you doubt someone else can compete with him.

And you were surprised to see even more generous breakfast than ever. You weren’t if you can eat or even try everything that you see.

“How mane surprises did you prepare?” you asked.

“I can’t tell”, he smirked.

“You're a mystery, sir”, you replied and sat to the table.

Of course, everything was delicious. And Morpheus was watching you all the time. And you looked at him with a question.

“What is going on?” you asked.

“What do you mean?” he asked in return.

“All these surprises…the breakfast are very intriguing”, you replied. “What’s on your mind?”

“Just wait and see”, he said. He was still so mysterious.

So you were glad that you can try everything in the Dreaming and don’t feel sick because of it. But you were sure you won’t be hungry till the dinner or even the next breakfast.

“Well, this breakfast was delicious”, you smiled. “What is next on your plan?”

He stood and gave me the hand. You took his cold hand with thin fingers. And he took you outside the castle.

“Where are we going?” you asked.

“Patience is not your virtue, isn’t it?” he smirked.

“Not when you intrigued me more with each minute”, you said.

“I know you want to travel and the first place where you want to go is Prague”, he said.

“No way”, you whispered. “Are you going to take me to Prague?”

“In dreams, yes”, he smiled. “I was looking to many dreams trying to find the best that I can show you today”.

And he took you to this beautiful city. Some can say that this city is grey, but for you, it’s the city of red roofs. There are not many people on the streets at the moment.

 “You know that city is very special for me”, you say, while you were walking with Morpheus and looking around trying to remember every detail.

“I know”, he said.

“My mother promised me that we will visit this city together”, she said. “Before she got sick. Her relatives live here”.

“I’m sorry about your mother”, he said.

“It was a long time ago”, you sighed. “But I still couldn’t go to Prague. With her death I just… I don’t know. I was taking care of my mother with my sister. And she always says that I am the selfish one”.

“You are not selfish”, Morpheus admitted. “Your mother wanted you to live your dreams”.

“Do you think so?” you asked and looked at him hopeful.

“Yes, she doesn’t want you to burry yourself with unreleased dreams”, Morpheus said. “And I know a lot about dreams”.

You smiled. And his words make you feel relief for the first time after your mother’s death. Morpheus really did understand you and your hopes and dreams.

“It means a lot to me”, you said. “That you bring me here. Even in the dreams”.

“I’m glad”, and he smiled with a very bright smile. And it made your heart so warm. “Now let’s go. The day isn’t over yet”.

And he brought you to the cosy café, when the music was played inside. There were a comfortable armchairs and flowers. So romantic.

“Is Prague look like that in real life too?” you asked.

He ordered coffee for us. And the waitress didn’t pay attention to his look. But that was the dream. Morpheus can do whatever he wants here.

“Almost”, he said. “There are a lot more people on the streets. But I tried to find dreams that would be close to reality”.

“It’s so thoughtful of you”, you smiled.

“Where do you wish to go after the café?” he asked.

“Can we go to the bridge?” you replied.

“To which one?” he smirked.

“To Carl’s bridge”, you said.

“As you wish”, he smiled.

After that, you went to the bridge. It was beautiful with all that statues of saints. And even more beautiful without people. You can see dark blue water, ships and houses with red roofs on another bank of the river.

“You made my dreams come true”, you said. “And I even can feel my mum’s presence here”.

“I’m glad that I can make you happy”, Morpheus replied.

You were walking around the city almost all the day until the dream start dissolving.

“What is happening?” you asked.

“The man who dreams it”, he said. “He is waking up. We should go”.

“Alright”, you sighed with a disappointment.

 “We can return tomorrow”, he said.

“Really?” you looked at him.

“Yes”, he said, and we appeared in the castle.

“Thank you”, you whispered. “It means a lot to me”.

“The day isn’t over yet”, he smirked.

“You are such a mystery”, you smiled.

“And you like it”, he said.

“Yes, I do”, you whispered.

He creates a picnic basket again, and you appeared in the cabin. This day was full of surprises. And you were so glad to be there.

“You decided to spend all day with me”, you smiled.

“Yes”, he nodded. “Lucienne can take care of the Dreaming for one day”.

“You are…wonderful”, you whispered.

“No, I can make it for selfish reasons”, he sighed. “I’m cruel and arrogant. And coldhearted”.

“No, that’s not who you are”, you said. “Don’t let your bad decisions and cruel words define you”. “You have more faith in me, than I am”, he admitted.

“I know that you can be kind and thoughtful and gentle”, you said. “Your feelings run too deep. And your heart made of glass”.

“You’re a poet”, he whispered.

“And you’re a poetry, then”, you replied.

You spend a few hours in the cabin, trying food and wine and talking to Morpheus. And then suddenly he said that he needs to leave you.

“I will return soon”, he promised. “I need to do final preparations for my last surprise”.

“Alright”, you replied, feeling a little bit sad.

He suddenly touched your hair with his lips. It was a brief moment and then disappeared. You thought what is going to be if you stay here. You live a more exciting life than back at home. But you don’t know how long this going to last. And your father will be heartbroken. But maybe you can visit him. And are you really going to stay here? Maybe, Morpheus won’t want you to stay in the Dreaming all the time.

You decided it’s better to find the book and spend time in reading. And then you didn’t notice how time flies, when Morpheus returns.

“You didn’t miss me”, he smirked.

“In fact, I missed, but decided that a book is the best way to spend time”, you smiled. “Are your preparations done?”

“Yes”, he replied. “Are you ready to go?”

“Of course”, you took his hand.

And at the next moment you appeared in the castle. You looked at him.

“You need first to go to your room”, he instructed me. “Lucienne told you what you need to do, and then I am going to take you to another…room”.

“Very intriguing”, you smirked.

“I am going to take in 15 minutes”, he said.

“Alright”, you said and went to your room.

“You are back, my lady”, said Lucienne. Her voice was a little bit nervous. “Are you ready for this evening?”

“I don’t know what it is going to be”, you noticed.

“But that was your idea”, she said, and handed the golden ballroom dress. It was so beautiful as from fairytale.

“Do you mean…” and then you remembered. “Oh! The ball?”

“Don’t tell lord Morpheus that I gave you a hint”, she said.

“I won’t”, you smiled.

You dressed up and Lucienne helped you with a hair. You tried to imagine how he is going to look on the ball. And how he would look like before the curse. He was probably the most handsome man in every ball.

“You are ready, my lady”, said Lucienne. “If I can say, you are looking wonderful”.

“Thank you”, you smiled.

And very soon Morpheus knocked into your door. When you opened it, you saw that he was dressed in black suit and his unruly hair was also styled in hair.

“You are beautiful”, he smiled.

“You look handsome yourself”, you smiled in return.

He made a sound which distantly reminds a laugh. He thought that a monster like him can’t be handsome. Any suit doesn’t help me look handsome.

“Do you like my gift?” he asked.

“This dress and necklace is beautiful”, you smiled. “Thank you”.

He also left for me a golden necklace in the form of petals and flowers. It was the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen.

“I’m glad you like it”, he whispered.

He brought you into the big light ballroom and then music began. The room was empty, but it doesn’t matter to you. All that matter was his cosmic eyes and his arms on your waist. He leads you to the dance, and he was a beautiful dancer.

“It’s like a fairytale”, you whispered.

“No, it’s a reality”, he whispered in return. “Do you imagine a ball like this?”

“Yes”, you replied.

That all feel like a dream. And you remembered suddenly. It was a dream because your body was sleeping at home. But even if it’s a dream, you don’t want to wake up. It’s not a Disney fairytale. You don’t want to leave him for good.

“What are you worrying about?” he asked.

“Nothing”, you replied. “I just that it is a perfect day”.

“That means a lot to me”, Morpheus said. “Do you…consider staying here with me? Can I court you after this?”

“I thought you are already courting me”, you smirked.

“I just started”, he replied. “So what your answer is going to be?”

“I would to…”, you said. “It’s just…”

“What?” he asked, and his voice was shaking a little.

“I need to meet my father and tell him that I’m okay”, you replied. “He thinks I’m in a coma. Please, I need to meet him”.

Stars stopped shining in his eyes. And the music stopped too. He didn’t expect to hear this from you, and your heart broke off his expression.

“Very well”, his voice was cold again.

“Morpheus”, you tried to reach him. “I don’t want to leave you for good. I return to you, I promise. I trust in you. Do you trust in me?”

He relaxed a little and made a deed sigh.

“Yes, I trust you”, he said. “Let’s go”.

He took you to his room and gave you a ring with a ruby. It was beautiful. Was it an engagement ring? Is he still wanted to marry you?

“You can use this ring to return to the castle”, he explained. “To me”.

“And I will return”, you promised. “Give just a couple of days”.

“Very well”, he sighed again. “This dream is over”.

And I woke up.

Morpheus

I was prepared this day and this ball. I was sure that this time I did everything right. And she wanted to stay here with me. And the curse will be broken. But now she was gone, and I looked on the clouds in the sky of Dreaming.

“Boss, why the rain starts?” Matthew joined me. “I thought everything was alright between you two. You looked happy”.

“She needs to see her father”, I replied.

“Then she will return”, he said. “Nothing to worry about and no need for rain”.

“I am not so sure”, I sighed.

Everyone left and no one returns. She will return to her life and will understand that she needs to live it. And she shouldn’t live in a dream with a monster. Or she will forget everything about me. Perhaps, it can be even better for her.

“Boss, there are lightning and thunder”, said Matthew.

“Perhaps, this story is over”, I whispered.

I looked at my flower. Almost all the petals fell. There is not much time left for me. For all of us.

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

[alicornae]

    The stars decorated the night skies like jewels, shimmering in the darkness. The moon had finally reached its peak, its silvery light shining down at the ponies below- awake and buzzing with energy despite the late hours. 

  The summer night was warm and alive, with droves of ponies arriving in Canterlot for its main event. Golden banners and ribbons decorated every corner of the city, and foals laughed and ran about with streamers and sparklers while the adults dressed their best made their way uptown, towards the castle itself, talking with friends all the while.

  A night of celebration was upon them, and they gathered at the castle gate to be greeted by its splendor. Decorated to its fullest, and lit up by magic spells and candles, the castle entrance was enchanting.

  Three doors were upon the double sided staircases that curved into the walkway, and nestled oddly in there were three tall mirrors that shone with a strange magic- cascading the light like water on the ground.

As ponies and creatures from all across Equestria gathered and settled there, music suddenly filled the yard- brass and regal. It caught everyone's attention, with ears perked up as the sound swelled and danced in the air before it fell like a feather- softer now.

  With one glance up, ponies exclaimed in excitement as they saw their queen emerge- regal and as magical as always. Her white coat shone in the candle light, and her half braided mane flowed softly- Queen Celestia smiled at the large crowd, lilac eyes glimmering. Then beside her emerged a more reserved alicorn- her dark blue coat looking like the night itself stood there. In a gossamer dress of white with dark blue armor around her shoulder and neck, Queen Luna stood dutifully- watching over the crowd.

  The music gave one last big hurrah before it drifted off, the crowd cheering for their monarchs. And it was with the wave of one golden hoof from Celestia, that the crowd simmered down and let the ambiance of the night take over- though the air held its breath, waiting for her to speak.

“  Welcome my little ponies! We give a warm welcome to the creatures of Equestria that have traveled here tonight. We appreciate each and every one of you who has come here tonight- for We come to celebrate the longest day of the year, and more importantly- We celebrate the reunion of Queen Luna and I. For a thousand long years We were apart, but now we can look forward to making up for lost time and spend longer together- as sisters.  ”

Celestia and Luna share a look, and the younger alicorn melts into a smile. Celestia matches the smile, and they cross their horns for a brief moment before she continues on.

“  Before we properly get started, there is no doubt that you have noticed some changes,  “  she acknowledges, waving a wing down to the ground below her to where the mysterious mirrors stand,  “  Not only has Equestria become more united than ever- thanks to Princess Twilight and her friends -but we wanted to extend our hoof further in friendship to worlds beyond our own.  ”

This causes ponies to glance at one another- whispers rising around the crowd before all goes silent once more.

“  Through magic and these ancient portals, we have invited a few from other worlds to join us in our celebration- and to show them what Equestria has achieved. We ask that you all put your best hoof forward and show them that through friendship, anything can be achieved. ”

  Celestia raises her wings, and Luna follows. Their spiraling horns shine with a brilliant light of gold and blue, and all three mirrors hum and start to glow white. After a tense moment, something steps out  ….

[  EVENT BEGIN ! ]

welcome to the summer solstice gala!! this will be a week-long event for muses to have a good time and dance and celebrate! i encourage everyone to seek out other people joining this event, and I also welcome anyone who wants to join late!! party crashers or otherwise!! be sure to tag posts related to the event with ( ☀️ — summer solstice gala )

—-----------------------

PARTICIPANTS  :  @kingbcwser , @captainseamech , @indomitablespirits , @doefated , @wishfulmuses , @clippedwingsmuses , @storybounded , @reignoctis , @blxestar , @ama-tcra-su , @lord-of-unlife , @allnostalgic , @universalcarnival

[greycaelum]

Scribbles and Doodles: { Astra Inclinant, Sed Non Obligant }

—Gojo Satoru X Reader

[To dearest Ia, happy birthday! This is my gift for you, it's one of my favorite quotes, and I hope you like it. —Grey,]

Star-crossed lovers, a wish upon the shooting star.

Staring into the Milky Way, you find yourself enamored by the twinkling diamonds sprinkled all over the night sky. The way they are randomly spread yet still, they are perfectly in place to be a constellation.

A perfect mess.

"Do you believe in astrology?"

Satoru look at you and drank from his cup of hot cocoa, taking his time to think about your question. He just woke up from a refreshing nap, buried on your chest while your hands' card through his nape. If there's truth in astrology he'd like to know when is his day-off so he can sleep on top of you again, undisturbed.

"I haven't tried it." He shrugged.

"Really? Did your parents never had your future read or some sort?"

Satoru rolled his eyes and pulled you by the wrist, now you're standing between his spread thighs while he look up to your curious face. You're so docile when you look like this, inquisitive and adorable in your curiosity.

"Nope. Have you?" He rub your knuckles.

You sighed feeling the warmth of his callous hands. Now that you think about it, Satoru isn't the type to indulge in divinations to predict his future.

"Sometimes. It's pretty fun and mysterious."

He nodded, knowing your fascination with stars has been one of your charm. Pretty little one always talks for hour while he listens, and from time to time he would give in a cent or two.

"My sweet Pisces." Satoru grinned, brushing your cheeks with the pad of his thumb, you closed an eye and scrunch your nose. Leaning up, Satoru reach for your chin and reward your lips with a sweet tender kiss. "How about you ask me to predict the future for you?" He rasped, looking inyo your hazy eyes, staring down at him, your hair fall down like a curtain to screen the spilling morning light of 6:32 am.

"Hmmm, then... What's my horoscope for tomorrow?"

You loosely hang your arms around his neck. Fingers finding the undercut of his artic mane, grazing the tickling cut on Satoru's nape. You felt him shiver and hold you up to sit on his lap, straddling him.

"I can predict your today." He hummed, fiddling the stray strand of your hair, and kissing the tip of it. "You'll get dressed in a beige dress," he whispered, "—then a bouquet of roses and chocolate will greet you."

Satoru rub the tip of his nose over yours, gripping your thighs in his rough palms. It's dizzying how hot it is when you're just trying to innocently cuddle with him.

"—I'll take you out and roam the city and by the night we get home, we'll cuddle until you fall asleep on my chest while I hold you in my arms." Satoru finished.

"That's not a horoscope 'Toru, that's an itinerary." You rolled your eyes, wrapping your legs around his toned waist.

Satoru chuckled, the corner of his eyes crinkled and reach your lips for sweet kisses, not getting enough that he can't help but give you ticklish pecks everytime you try to pull away from him in your fit of giggles.

He never believe in fates dictated by stars, but he believes in his choice. He believes there's more to stars that brought you to him. In the 7 billion people in this earth, you're the decision he sincerely made.

"Stars are pretty." He admits to that. Tucking back your stray hair he gazes at you. "But stars incline us, they do not bind us, Baby."

—GreyCaelum

PLAGIARISM IS A CRIME

Check out the Masterlist for more

All rights and credits of the Jujutsu Kaisen character(s) mentioned images(s) and songs(s) used, belongs to their respective owner(s)

[primamchorus]

pokémon au xv: reimagined rambles

----

was thinking about some mons for everyone. wheezes...

noctis would definitely have pokémon given to him by the family breeders. a poochyena would be his starting pokémon companion, he'd also get a super special hisuian growlithe. he'd have had dreams about an alolan vulpix when he was younger and sick, and sometimes he still sees it.

ignis would have a milcery to help him cook, and when it turns into alcremie (caramel swirl), it becomes very eager to help make that childhood treat for noctis with gusto. ignis would also have an appletun, shuckle, and a fidough for sure. not necessarily his, though, swablu and altaria are attacted to ignis when he works because he feeds them, but they also want to help clean up because they like clean!!

gladio has a shieldon as a starter, as would be the amicitia way to train them into the mightiest bastiodon to help defend the crown! the family also has the machop family line as pokémon that the amicitias train against. gladio would also go out of his way to find an aron at some point to have an aggron.

prompto would start off with a rockruff -- a shiny one at that. didn't know how unique it was until he saw other rockruff that were...definitely not blue! it would evolve into a dusk form lycanroc later on! prompto would also befriend a corviknight that has been permanently crippled by a tinkaton, but despite its handicap, the corviknight has learned how to run fast, and still is happy to ferry prompto and at least one additional person on its back!

iris would have a cleffa at first as a kid. in her teen years, it evolves into a clefairy. she later would get a mareep, wooloo, leavanny, and smeargle that help her make new clothes and plushies!

cor would have a ceruledge and an armarouge. they're just as serious and seasoned fighters as he is, and they are trained extremely well. they certainly have seniority on a lot of the other nobles' pokémon, and would be a difficult double battle duo to beat. beating cor in a pokémon battle is a higher accomplishment for some of the nobles than beating gym leaders or the elite four!

lunafreya would have an alolan vulpix and a kantonian vulpix. her kantonian vulpix has cute little eyebrows on it, and they are very aware and very smart. they keep lunafreya safe, and will lead her to safety away from anything that might try to harm her. when they evolve into their respective ninetales forms, their mystique and prowess only grew, able to shroud lunafreya in mystery and greater protect her.

ravus started off with a dreepy, but now it's a rather formidable dragapult that looms threateningly alongside him. while it has no dreepy of its own and doesn't seem to care whether it does or not, this dragapult has helped with a number of operations that ravus has embarked upon. other pokémon that ravus has been seen with are some interesting ones that many people claim to never knew existed. pokémon like xurkitree.

stella is said to have disappeared for a time when she was younger. when she came back to the fenestala manor, she was accompanied by a mysical pokémon with a mane that seemed like a shield. this pokémon was discovered as zamazenta when the historians and scholars of tenebrae looked through their records and eventually found it. stella is said to have remained distant since then, idly roaming the lands with zamazenta at her side as if looking for something.

primam would have a snorunt at first! both of them being sensitive and shy, the snorunt was drawn to primam as a friend. it would later evolve into froslass! she would then come across a houndour at some point during one of her very first solo ventures through the city -- the houndour would lead her back to where she needed to be after getting lost. then it would stay with her. and then...primam would meet a pawmot and be immediately transfixed on how much this pokémon reminded her of her crush: "they have the same silly hair."

tandem would have a tandemaus because i think it would be fucking funny tinkatink. he wouldn't have liked it too much at first, but he warmed up to it when it seemed to be intent on learning how to do blacksmithing as well. once it's a tinkaton, prompto's corviknight would not like it. tandem also has a meinfoo that he trains with for martial arts, and it eventually evolves into meinshao and puts up more of a workout with its faster attacks.

mollis would have a deerling and a remoraid that do eventually evolve into sawsbuck and octillery. deerling is just something of a kindred spirit to mollie, and appreciates her as a person who has a love for nature and the beauty of the seasons. as a sawsbuck, it will happily offer mollis rides through the forests at the turn of the seasons. as for the octillery, it and mollis have shooting competitions to keep themselves sharp! in time, mollie also gets a braviary that ferries her up to high places where she likes being most of all since discovering it.

ros would inherit his mother's roserade, and it would mother him as it has watched over ros since infancy. his first real pokémon that is his is a flabébé that likes frequenting the estate's garden. it would be drawn to ros as he takes care of and nurtures the plants there. he would also have a ledyba who just so happens to enjoy the garden as well. plenty of grass- and bug-type pokémon come to visit, but only the flabébé and the ledyba really took to ros as their human partner. they do eventually become florges and ledian. eventually, the roserade would disappear, leaving ros with a budew egg.

aestus' only pokémon would be a zoroark, not that a lot of people even realize this. a lot of the time, the zoroark would take the form of one of aestus' younger siblings or one of the other nobles. they would appear silent, only nodding or shaking their head to answer any who may be addressing it.

vera would have an espeon! the espeon would be trained to be able to detect the slightest hint of danger, and with its psychic abilities, is also smart enough to communicate with vera telepathically in a language she can understand. it monitors the hallways in the citadel and at the home, and it has been known to cause quite the start in some people when all one can see of this espeon is its glowing gem and eyes down a dark hallway before it gets up and walks off.

lyra would have a noibat and toxel. the noibat would not evolve into noivern, instead feeling more useful to lyra as a smaller pokémon that can get into smaller areas and listen in on things that could be of interest. toxel is just something that lyra happened across, and it wouldn't stop following her or playing with her hair. it eventually evolves into a low key form toxtricity and shares in her love of music.

nebula has a zorua -- no telling on if it was a gift from aestus or not. she'll never tell, either. similar to how aestus' zoroark tends to take the form of others, nebula's zorua is a fan of mischief and takes the form of nebula! unlike the older, more seasoned zoroark, however, the nebula-zorua can't always remember to hide its tail, giving it away more times than not.

[mybeingthere]

LISA IVORY was born in London in 1966. She grew up in the city’s East End, where the urban landscape has a wild edge. Ivory attended Central Saint Martins School of Art and graduated with a B.A. (Hons) in Fine Art - Painting.

While Ivory’s paintings recall Goya and William Blake, her drawings have a more political aspect which bring to mind the satirical sketches of Daumier.

"In the shadowy recesses of the mind, in those spaces occupied by the strange peripheral visions that pour in through the corner of our eye, we find the monsters of our imagination. They are the creatures we cower from as children hiding under the bed, or imagine lurking in the undergrowth when we walk through a dark forest. They fill the pages of fairytales, and they are there in the margins of medieval manuscripts, hidden beneath seats or concealed within the stone leaves of capitals and cathedral choir screens; a fantastical bestiary of hybrid creatures, half human – half beast, which both transfix and terrify. They are symbols of otherness, not only portraying the fearful thing out there, but our own otherness, our fear of the wild hairy beast hiding within.

In our post Enlightenment age, most have become sceptical of the medieval bestiary, relegating it’s hybrid creatures to the toy box of childhood. Lisa Ivory, however, is an artist who navigates these shadowlands of the imagination, mining them for inspiration. She invites us to become innocent voyeurs; to tiptoe through crepuscular layers of scumbled oil paint to glimpse the moment when a rubenesque naked beauty tames the beast. Normally shadows are places of terror where our imagination constructs fearful monsters to populate our nightmares. But in Ivory’s shadowy layers the hard edges dissolve, allowing a sense of gentle mystery to emerge. Unlike the woods of Ivory’s East London childhood, tainted and made ugly by human detritus, these spaces are suffused with the innocent wonder of a child who has not yet learnt to fear the natural world.

Ivory doesn’t offer us images of titillation or torment but of innocent interconnectedness. Her wild men are placid recipients of their companion’s attention. They stand quietly while their hair is stroked; they hold, cuddle and caress them as they are led with gentle chains. There is something mythic and allegorical in these intimate pastoral scenes, with the ‘other’ becoming a source of fascination rather than fear. The animal within has not been tamed and beaten into submission but accepted and allowed to emerge.

We find this emergence powerfully portrayed in Ivory’s drawings, which unite man and beast in strange hybrid forms that evoke the eighteenth century caricatures of Rowlandson or Gilray. While the paintings explore a deeply intimate encounter between women and wild men, the drawings focus on the hybrid form of the beast/man. Yet the beast within these quiffed teddy boys and bearded and moustached 19th century mugshots is not a terrifying monster but a toy poodle, with a mane of carefully groomed hair. The only terrifying thing about this neatly coiffed lapdog is the prominent member between its back legs, but even then it frequently lies flaccid, deflated and tamed, unable to perform.

In Ivory’s paintings and drawings monsters dissolve into formless shadows and the other is tamed with silken chains. Even when they should shock, Ivory is able to seduce us with her exquisite mastery of paint and the confidence of her playful line. She tempts us to linger and in doing so we discover the beauty within the beast." —— Richard Davey, July 2020

https://www.riccomaresca.com/.../91-un-related-christine.../

[belovedrayne]

Stable – A Wandering Hrothgal - Zariya

The sun ruffled the leaves and mane-like hair of the leather covered Hrothgar as she meanders through the forest. She was enjoying her time here in Eorzea, the lands were beautiful, the people were definitely insane but some were friendly, and she was able to do as she will! Sure, she was technically tasked to be sending people back to her village who would potentially make good ‘mates’ but she was rather enjoying the freedom to explore these new lands.

               She definitely missed the tacos in Tuliyollal, and how that city was so brightly colored, but the- by the skies what was that smell? The sword-bearer pauses and crinkles her nose, attempting not to gag as the wind wafts a stench toward her. Morbid curiosity causes her to head in that direction. Which was worse? Breathing through her nose made her, naturally, smell the funk and yet breathing through her mouth forced her to taste it! What was it though? Something dead? No, the smell of decaying flesh was not something easily mistaken for another. Perhaps one of the seven hells opened up and spewed forth a toxin meant to kill all of the people on the star!

               Despite her long strides, it still took several minutes for her to spy a building. The breeze wasn’t even so strong that this foul odor should have been carried as far as it was. Wait, why did Zariya see people wandering by the- nope. There go the contents of her stomach. The poor woman is barely able to stumble off the path before she proceeds to empty out the light lunch she had eaten a mere hour prior. How were those people able to just walk by without a care in the world? Did no one else smell it?!

               Zariya knew that she was many things, however; she was not a quitter.  Determined to figure out this mystery, she trudges onward, feet dragging, the rest of her body screaming at her that something this vile was surely meant as a warning. She needed to know.  Just a few more steps.

               One…  Almost there. The corner is so close.

               Two… She can almost grab the building.

               Three… Her vision swims. No. She can make it!

               Four . . . Finally, Zariya rounds the corner, staring at the front of the building, blinking weeping eyes several times to clear her vision. A bright yellow stood before her. Was that… a giant bird on the sign?  There is a long pause as she focuses on the words. “Bentbranch Meadows Chocobo Stables?”  The smell overwhelms the woman, and her knees give out while her vision goes black. What is a Chocobo? Is the last thought through Zariya’s mind.

[inhumanheresy]

Liyue is so vastly different than Sumeru in so many broad ways that it's overwhelming to try and take it all in with just one awed stare at the sheer enormity of differences. But Dehya wears that look for a long minute, trying to decide what to focus on first, before deciding that it would be much easier to just go into the city, start small, get some food and drink, walk the streets, look at the vendor stalls and shops. She's ready to be done walking, as most of her trip from Sumeru was done on foot, but resting can wait for later, after she's had a look around and sound her way to an inn.

And so she does, spending the day meandering without purpose, buying some snacks (and promising herself to go back for more later, because damn that's good), finding her way to the harbor and watching the sea, the ships, taking in the scent of the salty air. It's so different than the dry desert she hails from, and she can feel that same awe from esrlier beginning to fill her mind again. It's incredible.

As the sun sinks towards the horizon and paints the sky with pinks and yellows, she tears her eyes away and glances around. She still has yet to find an inn, but food and drink feels more important. She could go for some wine - or something harder, but she'll save that for when she isn't brand fucking new to the city. A man catches her eye, a mask affixed to the side of his head, the silhouette of what reminds her of a Fatui. Not unusual, there's Fatui everywhere, but he looks far more relaxed than most she's seen. With a smile, she moves towards him.

"Hey there," she says with an air to match what he exudes: casual, friendly, but still with an edge of alertness disguised behind a grin. "You know of any good places here to eat? Preferably with a decent wine to go with it."

Childe heads out of work just before the sky and clouds start turning colours, the sun not yet all the way behind Mount Tianheng. Instead of heading straight back to Baiju Guesthouse, he slips his hands into his pockets and ambles his way southward through the throngs of people on the main street, debating the pros and cons of picking up groceries versus finding a place to eat for dinner against the murmuring backdrop of the crowd.

He has yet to make a decision when a call in a distinctly non-Liyuen accent catches his attention, almost as striking as the visage that accompanies it — a lilting woman’s voice, probably a low alto, he thinks, whose consonants terminate in an unfamiliar manner. Her hair is… wow. That mane alone is extremely eye-catching with its luxurious volume and streaks of gold. The woman wears dusty travel clothes, ones mostly well suited for the heat and humidity of Liyue, but not of any style even remotely close to those worn by people in the harbor.

That leather will be miserable to get out of.

“Depends; do you know how to use chopsticks? My usual dining company is very insistent that,” he folds his hands behind his back as he draws himself up perfectly straight — thanks owed to his old foot-soldier training — and affects a deep, Liyuen-accented voice, “‘Liyuen cuisine can be properly appreciated only when one dines with the appropriate utensils, as the chef and tradition intended’. Restaurants up on Feiyun Slope share that idea, and while you can forego chopsticks there, they’ll give you judgy looks.”

Childe chuckles, his posture relaxing back into his usual lanky ease, and thumbs over his shoulder towards the less-upscale district of Chihu Rock. “But I happen to know that Wanmin Restaurant keeps forks on hand for foreigners; there’s good food there too, and they’re not far from a little hole-in-the-wall place that serves good baijiu and beer both. Chef Mao at Wanmin lets customers bring their own alcohol to the tables so long as nobody gets rowdy.”

The mysterious woman doesn’t look like she’s from Mondstadt or Fontaine, despite the immaculate eye-shade and lines of kohl that would meet the approval of even the strictest salonnière, so he doesn’t extend his hand for an introduction. Instead, he gives her a friendly little two-fingered wave. “Call me ‘Childe’.”

[folklorianhaze]

Got a lot of writing done today, so I thought I'd post a preview of a multi-chapter fic I've been working on! This one has been a HUGE undertaking; it's probably the biggest story I've worked on before, as well as my first attempt at a mystery. It's a steampunk-ish/noir Feysand AU where Feyre's family gets kidnapped by some shady faeries, and enlists the help of Rhysand (a detective who's been shirking his political duties back home) to help find them.

Look for chapter one of City of Strangers on AO3 very soon! (Not going to give an exact date because I don't want to put pressure on myself lmfaooo but I'm almost done editing!!)

Here's a little scene from chapter one that I had a lot of fun writing, between Rhys and Mor!

“Don’t you ever get tired of all that reading?”

Before Rhysand could respond, a golden hand — with fingernails that gleamed wine-red in the low light of his office — shot out and smacked the top of the precarious stack of books and papers atop his desk.

With the sort of world-weary sigh that could only hint at how many times such an exchange had passed between them, Rhys’ gaze traveled from the hand all the way up the length of arm attached to it, until at last his eyes met those of his cousin’s. And Morrigan, he noted with no small degree of exasperation, looked none too pleased with him this evening.

That is, she rarely looked pleased with him at all, but today the expression on her face happened to feel particularly threatening.

“Dearest Mor,” Rhys said, a smirk touching the corners of his mouth. “What, dare I ask, has put you in such a charming mood this evening — and to what do I owe the honor of being its recipient?”

“They’re asking about you again,” was her flat response. She crossed her arms. “Wondering when you’ll bring an end to these . . . charades of justice, I believe Keir called it.” Even she couldn’t help the soft snort of laughter that punctuated her sentence.

“Hm. I never took your father to be the poetic type.”

“It’s easy for you to be so flippant,” Mor said, lifting a hand to massage her temples. “It’s me they run to when you’ve done something to upset them like this. All of them squawking like hens about the ruination you’re bringing down upon the family and so on.” She sighed. Shook out her mane of blonde hair as if it could clear the unpleasant day from her memory. “You might at least consider giving them some idea of when you’ll be back.”

“I told them I’ll return as soon as I feel my work is done here,” said Rhys. “That’s not enough of an idea for them?”

“That was six months ago, Rhys.”

“So Keir has learned to count! How delightful. I suppose we’ll have to get him started on spelling soon enough.”

Mor rolled her eyes, but he caught the twinkle of amusement on her face. Something in his chest twisted guiltily at the sight of it; she did have a point, about it being far easier for him to treat matters involving their noble family with such lightness. She was the one who’d been enduring those insufferable people for the past six months while he’d been here, chasing this vision of his. This endeavor that so many had — perhaps rightfully, in some ways — called foolish. The least he could do would be to make these dealings with her father as painless for her as possible.

But when he thought of the path that had brought him here in the first place . . . when he thought of the future his family — his people — might not even be afforded if he should fail in this . . . he couldn’t simply turn his back on it. He’d never been a man who abandoned the things he started, and more often than not it seemed to work to his detriment. But this time . . . this time, he was determined for things to be different.

Perhaps it made him selfish. Perhaps it made him a monster. But he’d become whatever he needed to be in order to see this through to the end.

“I can’t give up,” he admitted at last, the words leaving him in barely a whisper. “You know I can’t, Mor. Not yet. Not when I’ve gotten so close.”

Her expression softened; turned into something that, for a moment, felt uncomfortably close to pity. Rhys wasn’t sure whether or not he hated that more than he would have if she’d simply gotten angry with him again. He’d rather have fury than be looked at like that. Like . . . like on some level, yet again, he’d failed his cousin. He’d failed to be what everyone needed him to be at all times.

“You could be wrong, you know,” she said at last — speaking softly, slowly, as if comforting an irrational child. “About all this. There’s a chance that you might never find what you’re looking for. What if it’s all for nothing?”

“It’s not,” was all he could say, even as he hated the lack of logic in it. “I know it’s not.”

[tabswrites]

Chapter Nine: Highgrave

Now available on Ao3 and Wattpad!

Summary: Mara soon finds the infamous city of magic holds more questions than answers.

A/N: *sobbing* I finally finished it! After all the changes and rewrites, I ended up doing exactly what I planned from the beginning. Oops. Buckle up, everyone—we’re nearing the endgame.

ToL tag list: @outpost51 @writernopal @avrablake @mthollowell-writes (please ask to be +/-)

Preview below the cut!

Mara shook out her hair as they walked, letting the gentle breeze comb through the soft waves. Her long, tangled mane was something she was glad to leave in the past. While the circumstances of the haircut remained a mystery for the time being, she had little cause to be ungrateful. Without the thick, wild curls, she found her thoughts to be clearer, more focused. As the four of them began the trek towards Highgrave, Mara’s mind began to wander. Would the city be as bewitching as Eternity, with its dream-like palette of purple, or was she destined to return to a drab world of earthy tones? The deep green of the lush pine trees in Caledon was a color she once found comforting, the soft orange of the morning sky stunning, but any memories of her home were now lackluster in comparison to the pink and violet hues she had since become accustomed to.