#minstrel-mouse

[galaxycurious]

Some sketches from Ghost of a Tale. It was an unxepected gemstone for me. Got it on giveaway, decided to give it a try and fell in love <3 Pls, I need a sequel, need to know what happened to Merra and Silas and the whole uprising.

[clemsfilmdiary]

Ye Olden Days (1933, Burt Gillett)

Mickey Mouse #55

4/25/23

[sleepynegress]

While I'm On Claudia...

THIS storyline she's in right now? ...is yet another example of the show gleaning more depth than the original incarnations of the characters because of race.

Her role as Lulu is popular for the most part because of its minstrelsy elements, which were big in that day. Her large eyes, her dance routine, the exaggerated smile, her laying an egg like a cartoon bird and not a human, her schadenfreude and "death" as comedy... She is playing a live-staged minstrel cartoon character, many of whom in that era were modeled on exploitative caricatures of Blackness.... Including the original Mickey Mouse. Which makes her plight that much more tragic, beyond being frozen in girlhood. It's not even a true girlhood, but one mocked and marked by her color. It's brilliant, but I think it went over the heads of a lot of viewers.

[warcrimesimulator]

Old cartoon character Felix the Cat was intentionally designed based on minstrel plays, Disney's first mascot was inspired by Felix and the design choices carried over to Mickey Mouse. So yeah that is quite literally the origin for this entire style of character design.

[alanshemper]

jfc the emotional connection that people have to a racist minstrel show character. he's not the "people's mouse"; he was an entertainment product to sell to racist white Americans, who would have immediately recognized and appreciated the minstrel show references at the time.

If you desire hard proof of Mickey Mouse’s racist past, check out Steamboat Willie, his first popular cartoon short from 1928:

Throughout, Mickey and Minnie behave with the familiar “coonish” childishness of minstrel characters; they’re even dressed like them. The true umbilical connection, however, starts around 3:35. You’ll notice that when Mickey relies on the boat’s hook arm to grab Minnie from the shore and then unceremoniously drop her on the ship deck, sheet music flops out of her bag. But not just any sheet music; it’s a very specific song — “Turkey in the Straw,” the signature tune of Zip Coon, the co-founder of blackface minstrelsy. Even if you haven’t heard of him, Zip Coon inspired a song you definitely know: “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” a title phrase that comes directly from the chorus of “Turkey in the Straw” (“O zip a duden duden duden zip a duden day”).

June 2020

[the-gershomite]

Mouse Guard Minstrel by David Peterson

[princess-of-the-corner]

Oh Miraculous names/thoughts?

I am still pretty pleased with my Mouse!Chloe as Mademoiselle Millions!

Alt name for Tiger!Juleka or for Tiger!Chloe is Violet-Tigress as Violet flames are apparently the hottest flames. (Can also be mis-heard as Violent-Tigress)

Alt Mouse!Name that could apply to a few people is Legionary.

Always a big fan of Catastrophe, usually for Black Cat Chloe.

Fox!Chloe I was musing on recently could be Madame-Minstrel, or Vixen but that name is taken lol

Ladybug!Lila could chose Coleoptera but pronounced like Cleopatra.

Virago for any girl who is eager to just throw the fuck down.

Brunnhild or Shield Maiden for a potential Turtle User.

Chimera for way too many unification or a Prodigious User.

Oh, random aside, but Mei Shi also comes with a Miraculous Tool, they have the orb/ball as their melee weapon!

Can totally see it being made spiritual after a kick so it goes through objects and then turns solid again for a surprise hit XD

oh hell yeah

[amoebaforce]

I'm unsure if requests are open but if they are

Any odds you could do something with Urianger and the other scions comforting a WoL (who uses it/it's if that's fine, if not they/them works too) who has been brought to an emotional breaking point over missing G'raha Tia during ShB. Who, to the WoL's knowledge was nowhere to be found in the crystal tower, and is not in the first.

(Sorry if the phrasing with this is bad I'm not fully sure how else to phrase it. I think I should include here that it'd not be all the scions at once but like, if one of them specifically noticed.)

Sticking with Urianger for this one, anon. It deserves to be fleshed out and not tacked on with other Scions (but if you want those too, please ask).

tags: angst, G'raha x WoL shipping, gn!WoL word count: 780

Urianger can't sleep. No matter how tight he draws the curtains, no matter how far he buries himself under duvets and pillows, the ever-burning sky is just too bright. Groaning, he pushes himself up from his borrowed bed and blinks into the pale-gold clouds.

"Blasted Light," he mutters, slipping a dressing gown over his shoulders.

Urianger ties his robe and shoves his feet into a pair of slippers, then pads out into The Pendant's arched hallway. It must be past midnight, but a lonely violin melody floats up from somewhere below, slow and sweet as flowing honey. The song of a fellow night-owl, unwilling or unable to shut their eyes. Urianger sighs.

By the time he realizes his body is moving, it's too late to resist. He follows the sound down, down, called as if by sirens, until he finds its source: a single bard in an empty courtyard, taking advantage of the isolation to practice some sheet music. At the sight, Urianger is... oddly dissatisfied.

Why? he wonders. It's not like he was expecting anyone in particular. But as he turns to leave, a flash of movement catches the elezen's eye. Along the courtyard's farthest edge, tucked up on a bench, is none other than the Warrior of Light. Urianger freezes. Confusion stings at his senses, even stronger than the garish sky.

And once again, he's approaching before he can think. The Warrior perks up at the sound of his steps, shoulders stiffening as though they've been caught in some nefarious act. A pang of sympathy passes through Urianger's chest.

"I see you, too, are plagued by restlessness tonight," he offers slowly.

The Warrior's purple-ringed eyes shift to the empty space between their shoes. They gesture to the empty seat beside them. Urianger nods and settles in, and for a long moment, no one speaks. The bard plays the chorus twice, trying to correct some imperceptible flaw.

"This song," the Warrior says suddenly. "It reminds me of one back home."

Urianger hums. "Which one?"

"I don't know its name... I don't even remember the words. But I know the minstrels in Mor Dhona used to play it late at night, when it was just me and Raha-"

The Warrior pauses mid-word. Urianger steals a glance, only to find their eyes misty with tears.

"I'm sorry," they say. "I just... I miss him."

The Warrior's sorrow overflows, breaths hiccuping in their chest. Urianger freezes like a mouse in the shadow of a hawk. His heart stutters, sodden with guilt.

Godsdammit, why does he always end up here? Forced to lie, to double-cross and obfuscate in service of some grander plan, even when it hurts his friends. Why does it always have to be him?

Perhaps this is my burden, he thinks. Perhaps this is the cost of seeing ahead.

But that doesn't make it feel any better. Urianger knots his hands in his robe, hiding his whitening knuckles.

"Do not apologize," he replies. "We have all left much and more behind."

"I know," the Warrior sniffs. "It's just... G'raha said he'd be inside. I saw him go inside, but we've looked and looked for weeks, and he's nowhere."

"That does not mean that he has suffered any great misfortune. The tower is vast and esoteric; there are myriad places yet to explore."

But it is pointless, a crueler thought scolds. He has been here all along, right in front of you, and I am the reason you have not realized.

Urianger shakes the notion away.

"Gods, why is this happening?" the Warrior weeps, burying their head in their hands. "Why isn't it enough to be ripped away from home and deposited into this horrible place? Why did I have to lose him, too?"

"You have not."

"Yes, I have. Just like everything else I've ever loved."

"No," Urianger says, fiercer than he means to. "No. Once we have cleansed this benighted land and fulfilled our destiny here, we will find a way home, and you will see that not all is lost. I swear it to you."

The Warrior blinks at him, and Urianger fights the urge to wince. Has he said too much? Has his impulsive declaration invited questions he cannot answer?

But then, the Warrior wraps their arms around his shoulders and pulls, folding Urianger into a grateful embrace, and the elezen blows out a relieved sigh.

"Thanks, Urianger," they say. "You're right. As long as Raha is out there somewhere, I can't give up looking for him. I mean, what kind of hero does that?"

Urianger utters a half-hearted chuckle and pats them on the shoulder.

"No such hero as you are, my friend," he tells them.

[theforgottenmcrmy]

live reactions to house of the dragon season 2, episode 4

spoilers beneath the cut

Starting off with Ghost Hunter Daemon (TM pending)

More young Rhaenyra!!!

OMG

Nah is this HOTD or a f’ing psychological horror film?!?!

Just how long has Daemon been hanging out in Harrenhal?

Poor Oscar’s face at Daemon’s suggestion😂😂😂

Are we getting Bloody Ben this ep?👀

Rhaenys can see Corlys in Alyn’s face. 100%.

I can only hope Corlys’s affair happened before he was with Rhaenys. They truly seem to care for one another.

Funny how last Lord Velaryon goes from fully supporting Rhaenyra to referring to her as “that woman”.

SHIT, the stone dragon’s head falling off- freaking foreshadowing…

Alicent, idk if I’d be asking questions you’re not sure you want the answers to.

Alicent using moon tea after having her own affair with a the Captain of the King’s Guard. Young Alicent would be rolling in her grave.

Finally, Corlys get some control here.

See, Criston Cole could at least be referring to Rhaenyra as “Princess.” Calling her “the Whore of Dragonstone” so publically speaks volumes about his character.

“You’re not fit for the white cloak.” Lord Darklyn spitting out FACTS.

“Yours will come in kind.” DAMN RIGHT IT WILL. And it can’t come soon enough.

Cole avoiding Harrenhal because he knows who’s waiting for him there 🤭

“That castle is more crippled than I am, Your Grace.”😂😂😂

Aegon is definitely echoing Joffrey here, with wanting to know exactly what his council knows and has been up to.

Ooo, Aegon vs Aemond seeds here…

“The two of you have been plotting without my authority?” Yes.

Between last episode and Aemond speaking Valyrian here, they must be feasting👀

Aemond speaking Velyarian with ease, Aegon not so much…

Aegon’s a monster, don’t get me wrong, but objectively speaking, I have to feel for someone in his position. He’s an actual puppet. He didn’t want this, but they made him take it. And now that he has it, everyone’s trying to take the actual power from his hands. You almost have to pity him.

Bruh if Alicent is pregnant I stg…

Larys is such a creep, I cannot. Matthew Needham is so great.

What in the awkward love triangle is going on here…

I’m calling it right now, somehow, some way, Larys is going to play a role in Criston Cole’s death.

Alicent doing research to verify if Rhaenyra was telling her the truth😭😂

Some editor out there PLEASE use Alicent’s speech here about “the significance of Viserys’s intentions died with him” years from now, when the series is complete. It will hit so hard.

Like, I get Harrenhal is haunted and Daemon is being targeted, but I just find it a bit difficult to believe that he truly is just *hanging out* and getting haunted instead of more actively trying to meet with lords and get soldiers. In my opinion, i think the writers are asking a tad bit too much of the viewers here. Have Daemon make progress during the daytime, only to be haunted and have setbacks at night. We’ve been led to believe he hasn’t been able to actually accomplish much at all yet.

How’d he know she was a strong?😂

Alys is a cat playing with her trapped mouse Daemon.😂

Maybe Alys is really Larys’s daughter. They both have a knack for creating chaos and taking advantage of whatever situation they find themselves in.

Willem Blackwood?!?! As in the young boy who slayed the Bracken at Storm’s End during Rhaenyra’s tour all those years ago?!?!

Lmao, the Blackwoods hate the Brackens so much, they’re really out here asking Rhaenyra and Daemon to finish off the Brackens first and THEN they will pledge themselves to her cause.😂😂😂

Aegon, this is a small council meeting, not a minstrel gathering for your entertainment.

Lmao, the frat boy king’s guards shoulder checking each other.

Aegon: I’m the king.

Alicent: … OK? … and?!

Alicent trying some tough love parenting, too bad she’s about 10 years too late.

Ser Gwayne is really like “I did NOT sign up for this, wtf?🤨”

Goodness, episode is already more than halfway over and we’re just now seeing Rhaenyra😅

Jaceeee, that is your MOTHER. I’d mind your tone.

Good, we want the Rhaenyra who means business. 🔥

Rhaenys😭😭😭 I’m already tearing up and she’s only just volunteered to go to Rook’s Rest. I will not survive this.

Rhaenyra telling Jace about the Song of Ice and Fire 💔

PLEASE, Rhaenys’s head gear being reminiscent of tiara- stoppp.💔💔💔 QUEEN.

I’ll probably say this every episode, but the music always slays. ALWAYS.🖤

Chills. And we’re only just starting.

Vhaegar was like, “oh, not yet? Fine by me.”

Cole really should have pursued a career in public relations instead with that little speech.

Idk if I can even watch this, because of the dragons suffering… the visuals, the sounds. it’s too much. I don’t think I’ll be able to rewatch these parts again.

Aegon realizing he was caught in the collateral damage…

Noooo, Rhaenys, you could have fled😭💔

Lmao, all the ground fighting just stops to watch the dragons fight instead.

Night night Cole.

Rhaenys having a SECOND oppurunity to flee, and yet not doing so…

You can tell she knows how this ends😭

Rhaenys, going out like a true Dragonrider… just like her beloved daughter always wanted for herself.

It was very rough seeing the dragons go at each other, but I’m comforting myself with the fact that Meleys and Rhaenys went out with each other, and that neither had to truly outlive the other.

Cole seeing just how replaceable he truly is. It’s what you get. *middle finger*

Will Cole have a moment here? Maybe rethink a lot of his life’s decisions? Or will he learn nothing from his very close brush with death?

OMFG. I WILL NOT BE CONVINCED AEMOND WOULDN’T HAGE ENDED AEGON IF COLE HADN’T BEEN THERE…

Wow, Cole actually preventing a kinslaying. It’s been a longggg time since he’s gotten a point in the good column.

…

…

…

Overall, I’m honestly a bit distraught from the events. The battle was very well executed, don’t get me wrong, but also was extremely tough to watch/listen to.

And just life that, the season is halfway over already😭

“Bend the knee to ME, or your house burns” THAT’s why the trailer with that audible clip was so rough sounding…

Regent Aemond is coming… don’t get me wrong, he’s crazy, but he’s playing the long game. You have to give me points for that.

[laughingsour]

I’ve completed up to chapter 6 of Paper Mario: The thousand year door and I just have to know why is it that everyone is sleeping on the lore of the heroes of a thousand years back?

The ones whose story is told by the minstrel mouse in Rougeport?

I mean, just hearing their story as a fairytale made me excited and they sound like fully fleshed characters with flaws, pasts and strengths.

I wanna know their full story! How they interacted with each other, how they looked, how the world under the control of the demon was like and then can you imagine what it felt like to get cursed like they did? After all their trails they saved the world but despite their efforts they didn’t get a happy ending themselves.

Why is there no fanart or fanfics or something about them?

[nonbinary-weirdo]

Mickey Mouses Three Muskateers Hazbin cast:

Mickey - Alastor

Goofy - Pentious

Donald - Husk

Captain Pete - Adam (seriously imagine that tub of lard with wings sing "Peteys King of France")

Lieutenant Clarabelle - Vaggie

Princess Minnie - Charlie

Daisy Duck - Mimzy

Minstrel Turtle - Moxxie

Petes 3 minions - The Triple Vees

[nelliesnellie]

If this isn’t what ur doing with Mickey Mouse art I don’t wanna see it. If it’s not openly slanderous to Disney it just gives that shit show of a company more social power. Mickey himself is a byproduct of things like minstrel shows and ripping off Charlie Chaplain. Let’s not make that mouse cool and trendy mmkay pls thankssssss

[readingtoinfinity]

DNF: Ghost of a Tale (Project NoBa24)

Set in a world where rats rule and the other species have to get by, a wandering minstrel (not that kind) named Tilo awakens in the cell of the rat king and must find his way out to reunite with his wife.

I have a soft spot for worldbuilding in the style of Redwall but especially Mouse Guard, and this game has no less of it. You're constantly aware of how small you are, with rats towering over you and even bigger creatures on the horizon. It's an intoxicating world to live in, and one I could spend hours on were it not for one tiny character flaw.

I find I don't really have the patience for stealth games in the style of Thief. If I had bothered to look at the game genres I would have been aware of what I would've just said "not for me" and moved on. I don't think I'll even leave a Steam review for this one, so short is my playtime with it.

I can't fault the game or its story, because I won't get that far into it. If you like stealth games, give it a play through. If you like little mice getting into big adventures, keep your head down and save when you're hidden.

Time played: 33 minutes

Next game: Psychonauts 2

[yungcrybby-anonymousbosch666]

i read somewhere, probably in a book about black face, that members of the african diaspora and continentals sometimes sound like we're singing when we talk.

why does it sound like we're singing when we talk? why do we have a melody in our diction? Instead of treating it like they do the Irish accent or Scottish they saw it as just another way to mock us, our hair, our skin, how we dress, everything.

that's why clowns are racist, they came out of that minstrel tradition. even the design of micky mouse and bugs bunny comes from minstrels. song like oh susanna, camptown races, etc, came from minstrel shows. the mark of black face is all over american culture.

[poiuytrewsdcvb]

Shield Hero: Rise of The Four Cardinal Heroes: The Lemos

(I do not own Shield Hero it belongs to Aneko Yusagi)

★ Moziandi “Mozie” Hulver: Lemo Chief, bushy mustache, skilled storyteller. Leader and wise-man. The fatherly grandfather with a shoulder to cry on. And a Cobbler/Shoemaker. ♂ “Mo-zi-andi”.

★ Josefuhs Hulver: Nephew of the Lemo chief, has no desire to be the leader after his uncle. Mustache and chin beard goatee. Messy, Dramatic, Protective, & Loyal. Loves to make jokes, dreams to be a famous Musician/Entertainer/Jester. Skilled with the Minstrel. ♂ Character based on Eugene from Hilda, and Rango from Rango. “Josephus”.

★ Pazeban: Miner accent. Love's wearing all kinds of different hats, including Miner hats. He is a little naive, and dimwitted, but he is also gentle as well as incapable of lying to others. He can't keep a secret, and often ends up in trouble. Miner: a jewel and mineral finder. ♂ Charater based on Rory from My babysitter's a vampire, Dario from Wish, and Dock/Xu/Bushi from Avatar. “Paz-e-ban”.

★ Zamir “Zam” : Bow tie, Construction worker/Builder, “Carpenter”, twin to Zanri. ♂ Character based on George Weasley. “Za-mir”.

★ Zanri “Zan”: Bow tie, Construction worker/Builder “Stonemason”. Twin to Zamir ♂ Character based on Fred Weasley. “Zan-ri”.

Both are based on these Frozen characters. https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieDetails/comments/hhx2bk/in_frozen_2013_two_men_are_arguing_about_whether/

★ Keibi: Wears green, young teen, cloth, quiet, sneaky, loves animals, Animal caretaker, & Weaver. ♀ Kei-bi. Character based on Bazeema From Wish, Kanao Tsuyuri From Demon Slayer, and Hinata Hyuga From Naruto. “Kei-bi”.

★ Ehovah: Mate to Yaratal. Mother to Ruach, and Vehka. Apothecary. Healer, and makes Lotions, and Perfumes. ♀ Character based on Mrs. Beaver From Chronicles of Narnia, Rose the Healer From Duncton Wood, and Miss Voorhees, but slightly mild. “E-ho-vah”.

★ Yaratal: Mistrustful, Mate to Ehovah. Father to Vehka and Ruach. Forager/Farmer/Digger/Botanist. He can also make baskets. ♂ Character based on Mr. Beaver From Chronicles of Narnia, and Sokka From Avatar the last Airbender. “Ya-ra-tal”.

★ Ruach: Passionate artist with a love for geology, and Landmarks. Paper and pen. Sibling to Vehka, Son of Yaratal, and Ehovah. Cartographer/Map maker. ♂ Character based on Craig From Craig of the Creek, and Milo Thatch From Disney Atlantis: The Lost Empire. “Ru-ach”.

★ Vehka: Pretty sociable. Self conscious about her appearance. Follows her mothers foot footsteps in making lotions, soaps, and perfume. Lavender clothing. Favorite flower Hyacinth. Sister to Ruach and Daughter to Yaratal. Nurse/Apothecary.♀ Character based on Rosetta From Disney Fairies, and Rarity From MLP. “Veh-ka”.

★ Hugo: Chubby, and jolly. A hard working and earnest individual, always giving their 100% in the kitchen and trying to make their food as delicious as possible. He's extremely soft-hearted and kind, to the point of despising violence entirely. Father to Alura. Cook/Butcher/Cheese maker. ♂ Character based on Simon Pearson From Red Dead Redemption 2, and Fair Hugo From Redwall. “Hue-go”.

★ Arula: 6 year’s old, likes bugs and Pet bees. Ladybugs eat pests.  Daughter to Hugo. Beast Tamer/Shepered/Herdsman/Bee Keeper. ♀ Character based on Olivia Flaversham From the Great Mouse Detective, Rollo from Redwall, Kokobu From The Slime Diaires, and Bluey from Bluey. “A-ru-la”.

★ Oinome: Known for making beautiful glass objects. Passionate. Isn’t very good at cooking. Love interest to Bo-Heidi. Glass blower/Brewer.♀ Character based on Marie From The Glassblower, Ember Lumen From Elemental, and Ursula From Kiki's Delivery Service. “Oi-no-me”.

★ Igniaren: Friend and apprentice to Yakub the Toymaker. Scientist/Tinker. ♂ “Igni-a-ren”.

★ Gibbor: Blue scarf sword fighter Gaurd/Fighter: Headstrong, Gibbor is a serious and talented person who excels at being a fighter, and later knight. He originally relied heavily on his friend and superior Vinardo. Has neither the patients or desire for craftsmanship but a desent battle stragitest ♂ Character based on Captain Rex From Star Wars, Tomoe From Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy. “Gib-bor”.

★ Bruom: Farmer/grows trees, quiet, nods a lot. Grass in his mouth. ♂ Character based on Big Machinotash From Mlp FIM.

★ Tzilaurimyu: Guard: Fletcher, ranger/scout/hunter bow and arrow. Has a huge crush on Gibbor. ♀ "Tzila-uri-myu"

★ Niveyal: Fighter, close friend to Moziandi. Loves mud in his claws a fine pottery maker and unafraid off getting his hands dirty.♂ "Niv-eyal"

Vinardo: Second command of the fighters. Sensible, reliable, and try's to act like a role model for the younger members in the Lemo tribe, Makes leather items like saddles . Brother to Tzilaurimyu ♂ "Vi-nar-do" Cowboy Ranger/Hunter,

[clockspur]

The Beginning of the Danse

Once Upon a Time, there lived a traveling minstrel.

After some years of wandering the world, he made up his mind to return home and visit his family. The Minstrel was eager to tell his mother, father, and sister of his adventures and fortunes.

On his way to the family house he found himself on the same road as the Spirit of Death. Death had come to collect a small mouse that was hunted by a mother falcon that evening. But before the specter could gently carry the poor creature to the afterlife, it was interrupted by the shouting of the Minstrel.

“Greetings, Master Death!” loudly declared the bard.

“Greetings, Minstrel.” said Death. Its voice was as low and rough as the winter winds.

“I have never believed that we would meet in person, so there’s something I would like to tell you.” the Minstrel gloated.

“And what would that be?” Death whistled.

The boy grinned, “I have decided not to die, Master Death. So you may pass over me and take some other fool.”

Death lightly shushed the mouse, who was frightened by the sudden noise. It placed the creature in its pocket where it would be safe.

“You are bold to assume that I would do such a thing. You will die, as does everything and everyone in the entire world.”

“But why should I let that happen” scoffed the vibrant musician, “I am a Minstrel, and a famous one at that. I have no interest in losing my admirers and gold over something as trivial as passing on from this world. I will fiddle forever and ever!”

“Is that so,” pondered the spirit, “to be heard by your kin as well?”

“Yes, for all time!”

“I have my doubts; hand me your fiddle, Minstrel, and I will show you.”

The young man was hesitant, but he was unsure of what would happen if he refused. Shaking, he placed his only instrument in the hands of Death.

To the bard’s amazement, Death began to play the fiddle. The Minstrel wondered at first if the gloomy shade knew how to play music at all, but Death proved to be an apt fiddler.

For Death drummed hooves and blew through grass. Death cracked stone and brushed leaves off of trees. Death scratched with sand, tapped with rain, and sang with mourners of all shapes and sizes.

Death knew exactly how to play music.

The spirit’s tune was unparalleled. It flowed and danced and kicked. It pulled at the soul and compelled Life to jig merrily with it. Even Death itself pranced to its own song, conjuring elegant and playful steps.

The folk of the nearby town came out to see who was playing that beautiful music, and they were not to only ones- the dead of the nearby cemetery also came to listen to the melody!

Many of the dead still had flesh of their person, but most were naught more than bones and the clothes they were buried with!

At this sight, a number of the living fled back to town. But those who didn’t run found themselves in awe, delight, and even relief to see the ones they buried with equally delighted and friendly faces.

Unable to contain their excitement, both the living and the dead joined together to dance to Death’s song. Family held hands with family. Friends romped together for the first time in a long time. Lovers moved in tandem, their feet stepping exactly as they did in life. And those who had no personal connection with the deceased made up their own games to laugh and sing alongside returning souls.

The Minstrel found himself tempted to join the dance, but dared not.

The festivities went on through the whole night. Some of the townspeople went back to bring food and drink and lanterns between songs, while the residents of the cemetery brought gifts of buried treasures and flowers that bloomed over their graves. All the while the young bard sat on a stone, watching. ‘Too scared to move, and too dumbfounded to try.

But as dawn approached, he lay witness to one last horrible sight: three bodies shuffling out of the trees, their faces ripped and twisted. Yet, to the shock of his frightened heart, the Minstrel recognized his father’s shirt, his mother’s apron, and his sister’s handkerchief.

“Brother!” cried the Sister, “the bear from the forest killed us- every single one!”

“My Boy!” shrieked the Mother, “she tore our flesh and fed us to her cubs, a dreadful fate!”

“Son!” pleaded the Father, “you must bring us back before dawn… before the rooster crows-!”

But the rooster did crow. Just as the sun pierced the sky, a farmyard cock heralded the morning with its own song. And when the shadows of night faded away, so too did the shadows of life with echoes and whispers of heartfelt goodbyes.

Some of the townsfolk waved back. Some of the townsfolk wept. And some thanked the heavens above for the chance to reunite with the ones they cared for, even if it felt like a moment.

Only when the light filled the sky and the living started for home- tired, full of food and drink, and satisfied in each their own way- did Death slow its melody until it came to an end.

The Minstrel was still holding out his hand, mere moments away from reaching his family before dawn broke. Yet in their place were their bones and clothes, discarded and strewn about. Above them were claw makes, cut into the trunks of the trees.

“I was wondering who they were,” muttered the icy voice of Death. “It seems that they still cling to their desires of an ill-deserved eternity, even after their demise.”

“Please,” begged the Son, “Will you bring them back, that we may fulfill our dreams?”

“Pride does not rule over Me,” groaned Death. “Neither Status nor Rule reign over My Hand. For I carve out the Beauty of Life so that it may transcend Time through Word and Memory.”

The young man said nothing. The mouse in Death’s pocket liked that.

The spirit held up the fiddle to return it. “The music you play will be the only immortal lineage of your family name.”

“That can’t be… That cannot be!” And with those words, the boy ran away from Death, eager to escape.

The Minstrel would live a long and miserable life. Many a time he would try to pick up an instrument and play, and many a time he would give it up when he remembered how his fingers would grow cold and how his voice would turn weak.

His good looks and fame caught the eye of a beautiful woman, and with her, he married into a wealthy family. But even surrounded by gold trimmings and rich dinners, he would only think about how the shine would fade and the food would rot.

The very idea of losing his life plagued his mind for years. He spent a good amount of his fortune for medicine to make himself immortal. He also ignored time with his children to study spells that could prolong his years.

In the end, his money was wasted and his heirs felt no obligation to stand by a cold hearted man. He died alone and afraid, begging invisible forces for one day more…

As for Death, it decided to keep the Minstrel’s fiddle. After all, if the instrument’s owner refused to take it, then the shade saw no problem in putting it to good use.

Death liked the music it made, and so did everyone else, it seemed.

And so the Reaper of Souls began a yearly tradition: to put away its tools of harvest and pick up its fiddle to play a song. For the Dead to reunite with the Living, and the Living to remember that one day they’ll be Dead, too.

More often than not, one who has recently passed will be frightened to see themselves on the other side of the Dance. But the Music is all the same. So are People. So is Life.

And so are the Memories that haunt what remains.