#or have somehow done something else to earn her intense favor like already having plentiful children or what have you

[spkyscry]

Being a fertility goddess, she has control over just about every aspect of the process. Rhok'zan could even speed up or slow down the gestation period if she so wished. Her core traits are family, fertility, and nature. So she has INTENSE power over everything that are in those domains.

Being a shockingly morally good person, Rhok'zan has very rarely used these powers for "bad" reasons, though. There are some rare occasions where someone has broken her rules in the past and has been punished for it, as she is one of the Eldritch Deities most worshiped (if not just The Most Worshiped); as this means she's had many a follower and unfortunately bad apples can appear in even the most well-looked after crop.

Though unless you're in her good tidings (something intensely sought after by many for countless years by countless species) then your offspring will be rather run-of-the-mill for your species. The more boons you have or the more you have her attention? The more likely your offspring will develop positive traits from her or just in general.

Those that she personally views as close to her have entire free reign with their offspring and can make any and all requests they want. Some of her most revered worshipers in the old days sometimes even burnt entire lists of desires for their young and saw all requests met without exception.

Of course, with modern times making her a thing of more myth than reality, those times have passed. There's only really currently one person that is allowed to make any and all requests for their offspring together. She is, much to Rhok'zan's chagrin, asexual anyways.

[tosskah]

Pom Poms and Votes Chapter 2

Synopsis:  Azula runs for student body president, and is surprised to get so much support from the cheer captain.

Chapter one here, chapter three here

Ao3 link:https://archiveofourown.org/works/15499431?view_full_work=true

They arrive at the coffee shop soon enough, although Azula doesn’t have much of a memory of how they got there. Ty Lee chats away happily as they approach the counter together.

“I’ll have a black coffee, and-” the student body president motions to her companion, “whatever she would like.” Ha! There is no doubt in her mind that Ty Lee is trying to butter her up for favors, and she has already denied the cheer captain the opening gambit. By paying for Ty Lee’s drink, she has the upper hand! This knowledge encourages a small smirk on her part. It seems the cheerleader is more of a cunning strategist than had first been anticipated, as she looks delighted by the offer.

“Ummm,” Ty Lee replies, stepping hesitantly closer to the barista and mulling the menu, “Does your hot chocolate come with mini marshmallows?” The employee flashes an annoying smile and nods.

“Yep! We can even put whipped cream on it, if you want,” he says. Azula fights the urge to roll her eyes at his coy tone. Ty Lee, on the other hand, gasps with excitement and clasps her hands together.

“Oh!! Yes! That’s what I’ll have, please!!” she gushes. The student body president pays for their drinks and the pair moves further down to wait for them to be prepared. The black coffee appears instantly, and Azula savors the scalding heat seeping through the mug. She waits to take a drink, though, as it would be impolite until her companion has hers. Ty Lee leans eagerly on the counter, trying to get a peek at the barista pouring the ingredients together. The movement causes her clinging pink top to ride up just a bit, exposing a thin line of skin along her back. Is that… glitter ? Azula peers a little harder, trying to figure out if that’s indeed what she’s seeing, or if it’s somehow refracted from whatever shimmery fabric her clothes are made of. So intense is her concentration, that when Ty Lee pulls back and adjusts her clothes, Azula startles. The cheer captain is all smiles, with her drink in hand. The sugary concoction is piled high with a cloud of whipped cream.

The teenagers find some comfortable leather armchairs to sit in. Azula takes a sip of her midnight colored coffee, relishing the heat and flavor journey from bitter to smooth. Ty Lee copies her, although her attempt leaves a fleck of whipped cream on her nose.

“You have some whipped cream, there-” Azula taps her own nose to indicate where it is. The other girl attempts to remove it with a napkin, but is unsuccessful.

“Did I get it?” she asks.

“No- it’s--” Azula gestures once more. Ty Lee’s second attempt is no more fruitful than the first. How hard can it be?  the president thinks to herself.

“Can you get it for me?” The request is a simple one, but Azula finds herself taken aback by it. What could the motivation be? ‘Now that you’ve done that for me, I have another favor to ask’ ? A clever segue to turn the tables on her? Very well, she’ll play along, just to see what ploy follows it up. The girl makes short work of it, leaning forward with a napkin to wipe the small speck of cream away. Rather than some sly remark, however, Ty Lee giggles. Napkin crumpled in her hand, Azula feels her expression narrow in annoyance. What is the angle, here? Enough games!

“Alright. Tell me what it is you want. New uniforms? More practice time in the gym? What strings are you expecting me to pull?” Azula words are direct, her tone firm and precise. She pauses to take a sip of her coffee, and let the cheer captain sit in the discomfort of knowing the ruse has been dispelled. Once again, Ty Lee surprises her with a thoughtful tip of her head and another peal of laughter.

“I’m not going to talk shop on a date, silly!”

The furrow between Azula’s brows deepens as she struggles to dissect this very strange response. On a….date? A date? Ty Lee thinks this is a date?  Meaning, Ty Lee asked her to meet for coffee intending for it to be a date. The whole pretense for this meeting was not political, but… a date. With her. Words usually come so easily to her, but she can’t string together her usual smooth reply.

“Why do you look so surprised, Ms. President? I think you’re cute, and you think I’m cute.” Ty Lee shrugs and takes another delicate sip of her hot chocolate.

“I don’t think you’re cute!” This response is easier, and it flies out so quickly that it sounds defensive.

“You haven’t been able to take your eyes off me this whole time. You think I’m cute. And now you’re blushing.” It’s Ty Lee’s turn to sound matter of fact. She places her mug on the table and fixes Azula with a curious look.

Azula splutters, and brings a hand to her cheek, which does feel warm to the touch. Surely it’s just the coffee warming her, or the surprise over her companion’s choice of tactics. Everyone wants something from her, but it’s because she has always been in a position where she could get things other people couldn’t. She knows Ty Lee is just cozying up to better some aspect of the cheerleading squad…. So why would she dodge the direct route to success and say this was a date? It doesn’t make any sense!

"If this isn't about favours, why didn't you ask me out before I started running for president?" Azula counters smugly. Ty Lee shrugs again, looking a little bashful. "You were always so intimidating and focused." Azula takes this compliment with a demure nod. "I had hoped you might notice me first and ask me, but I finally just... worked up the courage to ask you myself, and you said yes!" This piece is punctuated with a wide smile. Ty Lee seems to be absolutely glowing. It's still not adding up. The cheerleader is notoriously flirty. Plenty of people have crushes on her, and have asked her out. Most of them have been politely turned down with some variation of "Gosh, that's so sweet of you! But I think we are better off as friends, okay?" She could have dated just about anyone in the school at a moment's notice, but she.... worked up the courage to ask her?? "I was so nervous!" Ty Lee continues, pulling Azula from her confusion. "As far as I could tell, you haven't really dated anyone. I wasn't sure if you were interested in going on dates at all!" She pauses, anxiously nibbling at her lip as she thinks. If she's acting, Azula thinks, she's damn good at it. Ty Lee picks up her cup once more, takes a drink, and clears her throat in the silence that Azula has seen fit to stretch out. "Have you? Been on many dates, I mean?" She asks, taking another sip. Azula studies her and takes a drink of her own. "Not really. There was always something more important to do. And no one at school really interests me," she replies, voice cool. She refuses to be pulled into whatever game Ty Lee is trying to play! "You've been on lots of dates, right?" Another dig, proving she isn't swayed. The remark proves effective as the cheer leader's expression sinks. She takes a moment to compose herself, and when she meets Azula's gaze again, there's a fierceness in it that she has never seen before. "Look, I know it might be hard for you to accept that I really do like you for you, but I do. I'm not trying to get anything out of this, other than getting to know you. You're pretty and smart and fearless and I just thought.... anyway, if you're not interested, you don't have to be mean. But I think you are interested!”

Azula, instinctively, wants to deny these allegations. And yet... some parts do seem to hold some truth. She was blushing earlier, and it's been hard to notice anyone else when Ty Lee is around-- does that mean she has a crush on her, though? It's surreal to even consider. Even if she doesn't, though, she has to admit she is intrigued. Many people have tried to get on her good side, or earn favors in some way, but none have tried this particular tactic before. "I might be interested," she concedes, letting her eyes do the smiling while she takes another sip.

[dyketectivecomics]

So...what ARE you feelings on bruce being a Pisces? Let alone that Cass is an Aquarius, Dick is an Aries, Jason's a Leo and Tim's a cancer?

I slowly shut my laptop and set it aside on my bed, staring ahead at nothing in particular as I reminisce on a favorite Pisces in my life. My best friend since childhood, a girl who i’ve known for well over a decade, more than half of my life really, who happens to share the exact same birthday as Fictional Character Bruce Wayne. A Pisces-cusp.

I think on the similarities I see between them, the qualities of her character that only I and a few others would know, and try to think on how others have perceived her before joining our friend group over the years. I admire her empathy, her passion for music and video games, her willingness to put all of her friends above herself. 

And then i remember how she drunk-texted our group chat last night just to tell us she loved us & that she couldn’t wait to hit up a gay bar with us when we’re all back in town.

And I cackle. Because if no one else does, I do see these qualities in Bruce Wayne’s character. Just a hair below all the so-called brooding and angst. Bruce is a water sign who’s a little emotionally stunted in that he tries to hide his feelings, but he feels oh-so-very much. He’s a Pisces trying to emulate a Scorpio and falling just short (bc lets be real, he’s got too many kids that he definitely dotes on) but yknow… it’s something that when he’s done correctly by writers, they somehow manage to fit those qualities in without even realizing, I think. Sure, he’s not a kid that I grew up with and there’s plenty of differences because my friend is, yknow, an actual person who’s more than a couple of personality traits. But damn if I don’t see similarities….

Now, as for the rest of the kids & others that I relate them to… (under the cut, tagging as “long post” for mobile users just incase tumblr wants to be a butt again) Also a warning bc some of this will sound like I’m ripping from astrology sites but honestly just narrowed things down from my own personal experience with these signs. Take all of this observation & comparison with a grain of salt, if you wish.

Cass is an aquarius, like myself. And I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t see more than a few similarities in what few scattered stories I’ve been able to read so far (or even that I might be prone to reading a bit too much into some of it bc hey, I have a fav now & I want to see myself in her, sue me). One of these days I’m probably going to sit down and really dive in, but for now, I gather what I can, listen to the meta that others have, and ofc, try to form my own opinion. 

That being said, an eccentric-ass Aquarius is really the only choice to take over the mantle from a sensitive-ass Pisces, and everyone can fite me on this. Aquarians & Pisces, my friend and I, Bruce and Cass- all on a similar wavelength, esp when they’re encouraging each other and learning to grow from one another.

Cass is an air sign that most people only see as being grounded because of the discipline David Cain instilled in her from childhood. She’s funny, wise beyond her years, and intensely dedicated to the mission at hand bc of what it means to help others as a whole. And this is fault that I see in myself and in her: she’s got plenty of empathy for those she might already be close to, and absolutely cares about humanity in a greater sense, but caring for individuals without getting to know them can be uncomfortable. She’s driven, but can be blindsided by that dedication and burn herself out easily if others don’t intervene. Also, an introverted extrovert, one who’s absolutely ready to meet with others and collaborate/team-up, but can get a little lost in her own head from time-to-time.

…

Now, Dick the Aries. My other best friend since childhood also shares this sign with my First Favorite Robin. And I do see more than a number of parallels between the two of them. My aries friend has a penchant for taking over projects and setting themselves in charge of the operation. But they also have the charm and ingenuity to make themselves to seem the perfect and best fit for that leadership position. They’re rebellious, a little brash in decision-making, but they’ve also mellowed out over the years in many small ways. Still on fire about what they’re most passionate about in life, and more than willing to achieve it by any means necessary, damn anyone who thinks that they won’t.

There’s a popular consensus in fanon to make dick a kind of hufflepuff who’s just there for his friends & loves hugs and is lovey all around- but Dick is driven. He cares for his friends fiercely and will help them absolutely, but he’s ready to avenge them too. He’ll punch you in the face, pirouette with the utmost amount of sass, and then make you feel bad for making him do it in the first place. He’s got that bit of deviousness that will make you second guess his intentions. But if you’re already part of his inner circle, you have nothing to fear from him. And that’s where his lovey side then has room to come out.

…

Moving on to Jason the leo, and I know you didn’t ask, but Im adding Stephanie to this discussion as well since she’s a leo too. A few leos that I’ve gotten to know over the years can be summed up very lovingly as this: attention whores. (again. very lovingly. i love each and every one of those bitches so damn much, this is something they’ve each used to describe themselves lmao)

Leo is the King of the Zodiac, commanding attention in the room whenever they walk in. They’ve got plenty to say, of course, and they’re excellent diplomats/socialites in many ways. Often best suited for a leadership position. They know how to read the conversation and the room and turn it best into their favor. They will dazzle you with their wit and charm, but also in their knowledge of the subject at hand. If they have an Opinion, they’ll absolutely let you know what it is, and they’re not afraid to hold back on what they perceive to be a truth. Some will have a bit more tact than others, but they’re a fire sign, after all. 

Did this just describe Jason & Steph? well maybe not to some, but I definitely see their drive to complete their own missions & joining up Bruce’s crusade as Leo qualities. Steph and Jay are willing to do what it takes and butt heads with whoever they must if it means doing what they see is right. They’re absolutely social people too (maybe Steph a bit more than Jay will be), and you can’t deny they’ve both got a certain kind of charm over the rest of the family.

…

Tim the cancer sign… this is… difficult actually. One of the few signs that I don’t recall having significant interaction with. (& honestly the character & Robin that I have the least personal interest in. I do want to like him but I just…??? Havent rlly found the time to put into reading up on him more)

But just going off the water sign aspect, and knowing water signs in my life… Emotions & emotional intelligence are obviously going to be at the forefront. From what I’ve gathered on Tim, he’s very well-rounded in all areas of his life, and driven to succeed at whatever he’s set his mind to. I can absolutely respect the strength his character has commanded over the years, and his popularity is absolutely earned, I think. Writers have worked hard to make sure he’s distinct from Dick & Jason before him in many ways, and I’ll have to look deeper into his character & listen to more meta on him before I’ll be comfortable to speak further on that.

…

To round out this discussion, I want to bring Barbara into the mix, because she’s had a fixed birthday for awhile now. And tbh she’s just as much part of the family as the rest I think (yes, I know some people get Babs fatigue bc she’s the first batgirl & gets the other girls lost in the shuffle but hey! I’ve loved her for awhile now!) She is *drum roll* a Libra!

Now, this ones a bit tricky, bc the most important Libra in my life is my mom. Buuuut, she and Babs are both cusps… on opposite ends of this zodiac sign. I admire my mother for her resolve, inventiveness, work ethic, and stability. I also loathe her tendency to micromanage projects, become overly involved in the work of others (to the point where she WILL find out whats going wrong) and how she tends to overwork herself (just this past spring has been really really difficult. I’m surprised she hasn’t worked herself into the grave with the amount of stress she puts on herself)

Now some of these qualities, I absolutely see in Babs. But I also see a bit more awareness in her character, esp when she’s grown up into her Oracle persona. She seems able to recognize what she’s doing and how she’s affecting others, and will sometimes use that to her advantage. She’s a character who’s grown into the adversity she faces & doesnt let it change her resolve for completing the mission, even if it needs to be from a new (& probably better) angle. She adapts well to change, or forces the change to adapt to her. She is a force to be reckoned with and admired.

…

All of this to say… at the end of the day, the stars are still just balls of gas and light that sit some billion light-years away from us. Do they really control our personalities? I mean, probably not. But there’s enough similarities in those traits to make you wonder… and it’s honestly just a Good Fun Time regardless. 

[frizz22]

Bend but not Break ch. 2

Read on ao3

She flew.

Wind in her hair, tree branches switching her face, exhilaration flooding her system—flew. Agatha beamed as she stumbled upon landing, exhilarated. Witches of her station weren’t supposed to fly yet, let alone with any modicum of control.

And yet here she was… roughly a quarter mile from home without ever having taken a step. Sure, the landing was questionable and her stirring somewhat shaky, but there was plenty of time to perfect that. Breathless, Agatha spun to share her accomplishment with Sarah and Beth, only for an empty field to greet her.

The excitement of the moment made her momentarily forget, her best friends weren’t there to share in her victory, or her in any of theirs. It was for the best, though, after she started to dabble in the grimoires above her station, started to bend the rules, Agatha distanced herself from her friends; not wanting to get them in trouble or have her own deceit revealed.

It was a little lonely, her new path, but Agatha couldn’t deny she felt more alive now than she had in ages. If a bit of loneliness was a price of knowledge, it was one she was more than willing to pay.

Shoving aside the absence of her friends in favor of the beckoning sky, Agatha propelled herself off the ground once more, a wide smile splitting her lips as she shot up and into the stars. Here the constant whispers from the coven at her oddities, her failures, the whispers from the grimoires she wasn’t supposed to look at, let alone touch, all fell away. Not only that, but the ever-surging power inside her finally calmed as well, morphing to gentle waves as she rose through the air.

Agatha couldn’t hold back the crow of delight that escaped her as she soared. This was peace, this was what she needed.

~~

Her success with flying spurred Agatha on to more difficult spells. Tasks she never would have dared without intense training and supervision before, now seemed entirely within reach since accessing the more advanced grimoires.

And though Agatha was certainly bolder, she never intended to actually teleport during her first attempt at practicing the spell and hand gestures. One moment she was sitting cross-legged on her bed, book propped against her pillow, and the next….

Well, stunned as she was at her new surroundings, thankfully Agatha recovered herself quickly enough to scramble into a muddy ditch on the side of the road to avoid being seen by some of her peers; ones who would surely question where she came from.

Once she was sure they were gone, Agatha rolled onto her back, laughing in disbelief. She, she could move from one place to another without taking a step, without flying even… and apparently, she could do it with ease, given what she achieved just attempting pronunciation.

Hand pushing her hair out of her face, Agatha leveraged herself out of the mud and clambered up the side of the ditch, eager to test this again… with perhaps a bit more of a solid, solitary, destination in mind.

Despite her efforts, Agatha’s aim was off when she reappeared in her bedroom. She’d been trying for her bed, to arrive in the exact spot she left. To her slight chagrin, Agatha instead appeared half balanced on the windowsill, causing her to topple over onto the floor with a rather large thump.

She waited on the floor, frozen, her shoulders hunched, for her mother to yell up the stairs and ask what the stars she thought she was doing making all that noise…. But when no remonstration came, Agatha carefully picking herself off the floor, opened the door, and peeked outside.

Nothing. No one.

Sighing in relief at her luck, Agatha shut the door and quickly went about hiding the evidence of her most recent forays in rule bending; the book safely stowed in a hidden compartment under her bed, her muddy shoes set by the door for scrubbing, and her dress… Agatha sighed, mother would certainly notice if she changed before dinner. But she could hardly continue to wear it, mud streaked the skirts and completely covered the back from where she laid to hide. It was hardly inconspicuous.

Agatha chewed her lower lip, unsure. She could use magic to clean the mud off, but her mother always lectured about using magic for things that could be accomplished without and she could already picture her mother’s disapproving look if she ever discovered Agatha’s laziness; or so mother would call it.

As she stood there though, contemplating whether her dress could possibly dry by dinner if she tried to scrub it, Agatha realized she was being ridiculous. She’d done far worse by now in her mother’s eyes than merely freshen her dress with magic. And besides, she was beginning to see that her mother was wrong about so much, Agatha herself first and foremost.

Shoulders straightening, Agatha looked at herself in the mirror and concentrated as she whispered the necessary spell with a flourish of her hands. Her dress was… spotless. A grin stretching her lips, Agatha spun slowly to ensure all the mud was gone, because, as she learned not long ago, her magic still wasn’t perfectly refined. When her slow rotation revealed not a speck of mud, though, Agatha squirmed a bit in delight, perhaps her abilities were more refined than she thought, at least in less complicated spells.

As she turned away from the mirror and made for the door, Agatha couldn’t help but twirl in her newly cleaned dress. It was another rule bent, yes, though this one belonged to her mother and not the coven. But, as Agatha slipped downstairs to prepare dinner, she found that bending the rules—regardless of their level of importance—was feeling better and better each time she did it.

When she entered the kitchen, though, her good mood dissipated abruptly. “Mother,” she greeted, voice rough. Though there was no way for her mother to know what she did, the lack of response to her noisy teleportation-fueled return evidenced that. Despite this, Agatha couldn’t help the anxiety sweeping through her. “I apologize dinner isn’t ready, I was caught up in my studies.” Practically diving halfway into the cupboard to gather ingredients for their stew and to hide her face, Agatha tensed when her mother spoke from her place at the table.

“I suppose I cannot fault you, especially when I can see the progress you’ve made.” She remarked, almost offhandedly. “Whatever reignited this new dedication to your studies, I must say, it is working.”

Stunned, Agatha solely withdrew from the cupboard, arms laden with food. “Thank, thank you, mother,” she stammered, a confusing flurry of guilt and pride erupting in her chest. Because here she’d finally earned her mother’s approval, something she strived to receive for years, but if her mother knew what she’d done—was doing—to achieve it… that approval would dissipate faster than a cat on a mouse. “I have been working very hard, it means so much that you’ve notic—" her mother’s neutral expression turned slightly sour at the effusion, and Agatha cut herself off. “Thank you,” she finished meekly, turning to the counter in order to chop vegetables, guilt building further and her pride shriveling.

It was as she readied dinner, though, that Agatha came to the realization that she needn’t feel guilty. They were the ones to force her to resort to this; to stealing books and reading things they thought she shouldn’t. She refused to feel guilt, not when she was finally reaching her potential, not when her mother was finally accepting her—even if that acceptance was tepid at best.

And perhaps if she continued to advance at her current pace using the grimoires her mother’s approval would be full-hearted, delivered with smiles and encouraging hugs. Her fantasy buoyed her through their near silent meal and was only bolstered when, after Agatha cleaned the dishes, her mother asked Agatha to read to her by the fire, something they hadn’t done since Agatha was small.

Perhaps she should have been a bit embarrassed by how eager she was to take up the old routine, hurrying to select a book from their shelves. But Agatha couldn’t help but think this reintroduction of a ritual they hadn’t performed since before she started to disappoint her mother, meant that perhaps a change was coming in their relationship. That this new development with her mother was yet another good thing she could attribute to the grimoires.

Smiling softly to herself at the thought of a repaired relationship, Agatha opened the book and started to read aloud.

~~

Sarah and Beth found her a few days later, studying her runes; something even the grimoires couldn’t speed along. Sure, they taught her new ones, but she still had to meticulously trace the patterns until they were burned into her mind, memorize the meanings, and various combinations.

Which was why, when her friends sat down next to her Agatha didn’t worry, because practicing runes was something they always did together. She would just have to be careful not to try any new permutations in front of them. Besides, she missed the two of them dearly and it truly couldn’t hurt to spend some time with them.

“Can we join?” Beth asked, pulling out her own parchment and quill without waiting for an answer.

Smiling, Agatha scooted over to make more room for them. “Of course, what would studying runes be if not done with my best friends?”

Brow arching, Sarah sat down a little slower. “Well, it might be like studying anything else. Something you now do alone.” She remarked pointedly.

Guilt washed over Agatha for a moment, and she grimaced in apology. “I,” she tried, unsure what to say. Yes, she certainly knew she’d been avoiding her friends—for good reason—but, somehow, she never considered what she would say if confronted. Settling for part of the truth, Agatha fiddled with her quill. “Mother suggested I change my study habits, stating what I’d been doing clearly wasn’t enough, seeing as how I, I was behind.” Agatha finished in a mumble, the old hurts still causing her cheeks to burn. Before either friend could interject with what was likely a sympathetic comment, Agatha straightened. “But I think I’ve made sufficient progress for us to study together again. Mother even, she even complimented my work the other night.”

Sarah gave her a soft smile, hand reaching out to touch Agatha’s arm. “You weren’t behind, Aggie, your mother merely has impossible standards,” she countered gently. “But regardless, I’m happy she finally acknowledged the hard work you put in.” With a reassuring squeeze, Sarah opened her own books and let the matter drop—Beth following suit, for which Agatha was grateful.

Turning their collective attention to the runes on the pages in front of them, the three dug into their studies, only occasionally giggling and getting distracted from their work.

As they worked, Agatha stopped and blinked at the combination of runes on the page she just turned to…. It, these runes allowed one to block another witch’s abilities while they were within the perimeter of the runes.

Stunned, Agatha discreetly checked the book she brought with her to ensure it wasn’t one of the forbidden texts the bending rules allowed her to study; she’d taken to swapping the covers of some of the grimoires above her station with those of ‘appropriate’ books so she could read the advanced grimoires outside of her room. It was possible, though unlikely give how cautious she was, that she mistakenly selected one of the advanced books today… for surely such an incantation would not be for any eyes but those of the coven elders, right?

Stomach turning, Agatha gasped when she realized the book actually was one deemed appropriate for her station. Not missing her behavior, Sarah and Beth glanced up at her and frowned when they caught her expression.

“What’s wrong?” Beth murmured, head cocking to the side.

Wetting her suddenly dry mouth, Agatha slowly spun her book to show her friends what she found. “How could anyone want to do that to someone else? Surely it was for emergency purposes only?” She wondered aloud, hoping her friends might have a scenario in mind; though Agatha couldn’t think of one where it would be necessary. All local covens were friendly with one another, at least right now, the mortals had thinned them out too much with their hunts for them to waste time, energy, and lives on petty squabbles.

Her musings were interrupted by Beth. “Put it away, Aggie,” she pleaded, averting her eyes with a shudder. “I don’t even want to know the combination of runes for such an abhorrent thing exist.”

Not quite so sensitive, though she’d paled slightly, Sarah didn’t look away. “It’s awful, Beth, but we must learn all there is if we’re to be proper witches.” Tossing her hair aside, Sarah flipped the pages in her own book until they reflected the contents of Agatha’s. “Come, we will learn this together as we’ve learned all our runes. Likely we’ll need to practice on one another as well, to ensure we learned it correctly.” When Beth made to protest, Sarah held up a hand. “Better to learn with friends than to be partnered in class with someone like Mary and be at her mercy.”

They collectively winced at the thought, Mary, though a particularly adept witch, possessed a cruel streak they had been on the receiving end of more times than they cared for.

“In any case,” Sarah added, pointedly arching a brow at Beth until she reluctantly opened her book to the correct section. “Why stunt your knowledge by letting misguided morals steer you? It’s not as though we developed this, or would ever use it, but others might and if that ever occurred your morals would do you no good. At least by learning it, even with no intention of ever using it, we are prepared for whatever the adult witching world may deal us.”

Pulling her book back in front of her, Agatha bent her head toward the pages to hide a smile. She always knew she and Sarah were like-minded; determined to pursue knowledge merely for the sake of it, morals be, well not damned, but at least forgotten. Until now, though, Agatha hadn’t realized quite how far her friend believed in this path, how far she was willing to go to gain more knowledge. Yes, this combination of spells was included in their approved readings, but Beth wouldn’t be the only one to balk at learning it, far from it, likely their entire class would hesitate.

But Sarah, Agatha glanced at the young woman next to her who was already tracing the rune patterns with an amazingly steady hand, Sarah was made of tougher things. Perhaps, perhaps Agatha could share her new methods of learning with her friend, perhaps her new path didn’t need to be so lonely after all. Perhaps it was just a desire for knowledge that allowed one to access different grimoires and not some stupid rule created by the coven elders.

Hope blooming in her chest at the possibility of sharing her secret with her best friend, Agatha returned her full attention to their work.

~~

It took her a few days; to gather the courage necessary to share with Sarah. More than once, Agatha found herself broaching the topic only for others to somehow interrupt or to falter at the last moment and clumsily change the subject… self-preservation was a strong thing, after all.

When the latter occurred for a fourth time, however, Sarah set aside the dress she was patching and crossed her arms. “Aggie,” she said, “spit it out. Whatever it is you dance around, you can tell me.”

Caught, though it wasn’t as though Agatha had been discreet in her attempts, she set her own sewing aside as well. Taking a deep breath and listening carefully to ensure her mother hadn’t returned home and was puttering around below, Agatha bit her lip. “I have something to show you.” When Sarah spread out her hands as though to say go ahead, Agatha pushed off her bed and pulled one of the disguised forbidden grimoires from her shelf.

Confused, Sarah chuckled good-naturedly. “Agatha… I have that book; it is part of our studies.” She commented slowly, looking at her as though she’d taken leave of her wits.

Exhaling shakily, Agatha flicked her wrist and the fake cover fell away to reveal the true book beneath. “This, this is true reason why I’ve been studying by myself so often lately. Because I’ve taken it upon myself to further my studies through other means.” She breathed, stomach twisting unpleasantly as she held the tome out for Sarah to see.

All mirth gone; Sarah gaped at her, eyes wide.

She put the grimoire aside and quickly sat next to her friend on the bed. “Sarah?” She managed, panic seizing her chest and making it difficult to breathe. Had she really been so mistaken in her judgement? “I had to do this, the elders wouldn’t teach me in the way I needed and when I asked for more, they laughed and called me arrogant. I never would have considered it otherwise. But I was behind, you know it to be true. I had to catch up and, and when the grimoires sang to me…” Agatha pleadingly looked at her friend. “They didn’t stop me, Sarah. I never would be able to possess this if they had. I never broke the rules, they bent themselves around me, allowed me to use the books.”

The words came out in a rush and Agatha twisted her hands in her lap, resisting the urge to grasp Sarah’s forearm, afraid the gesture would be seen as something it was not, aggressive.

After a painfully long silence, Sarah wet her lips. “They, the grimoires, they didn’t stop you? But the elders always said—” She turned to look at Agatha, concern, confusion, and astonishment writ across her face.

“I know, I thought much the same.” Agatha jumped in, immensely relieved Sarah was engaging in a conversation with her and not running for the nearest elder. “Except, then the books, I could hear them, Sarah, they called to me. I resisted for a time, certain of the same rules as you. Only, only when I finally gave in, nothing happened. I accessed the books, and nothing happened.” Carefully taking Sarah’s hands in her own, Agatha smiled. “Sarah, I have learned so, so very much. And,” she bit her lip, but there was no going back now, and this had been her true goal in the end. “And I wanted to share this with you. You understand the importance of knowledge, you desire to learn just as I do. We’re the same, Sarah, you and I, and now we can learn together!” A bit breathless at the end, Agatha peered at her friend in earnest.

Sarah blinked at her for an agonizing moment before coming back to herself. “Sorry, Aggie, you just surprised me. Yes, of course I want to learn.” She beamed and lurched forward to hug Agatha tightly.

Relief and delight coursing through her, Agatha returned the hug tenfold, clutching her friend hard. “I have so much to tell you,” she grinned, releasing Sarah from her hold and pulling back. “I flew, Sarah, flew! Then I accidently teleported once, and—” Agatha gushed excitedly, as though a pressure valve had been loosened inside her.

Finally, finally she had someone to share this with. Her path didn’t have to be so lonely after all.

[rate-out-of-10]

WONDER WOMAN REVIEW

Superhero films just keep getting bigger and bigger; Marvel seems to always make a smash hit every single year, and DC seems to have been trying to catch up. With Wonder Woman, the first female-lead superhero film since 2005’s (flop) Elektra, hitting theaters this weekend, DC has gained some major ground. Director Patty Jenkins expertly crafts a believable world for Wonder Woman to dwell in and made Wonder Woman the all-around best film that the DC Cinematic Universe has put out thus far, and very well may be the most important superhero film that’s ever come out.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The character of Wonder Woman is a huge undertaking for any actress, I’d say it was even harder for Gal Gadot, someone who was relatively unknown in the States until now, to convince people she was right for the role. She’s previously done some work in the Fast & Furious movies, but once she was announced as the chosen one to play the role of the Amazonian princess, Diana, aka Wonder Woman, she was met with some criticism. But her smaller performance in Batman v Superman seemed to have raised some eyebrows, mine included, and here in her feature length debut in the role, she’s engulfed Diana in the best of ways. Gal Gadot pierces through the screen with intensity, purity, strength, and innocence. Her Wonder Woman is powerful, virtuous, noble, and forthright, she is just wonderful. She has a smile that just makes you proud. Gal almost effortlessly molds the innocence and naivety of Diana in the world of man with her confidence and independence. Other than herself, Gal had some prominent back up in the film as well, specifically Chris Pine in the role of Diana’s human love, Steve Trevor. I can’t think of a movie where Chris Pine wasn’t good. He has an infectious personality on screen, he’s always enjoyable to watch. His approach to Steve’s awkwardness around Diana was great; he’s continually surprised by Diana and it always confuses him how she can always do that. Chris and Gal have natural chemistry on screen, when they joke, when they fight, when they connect, through the whole film their relationship always felt genuine. Their romantic subplot wasn’t ever in your face either, it felt natural and was done so delicately and with grace, I respect it a lot. I wish I could have seen more of the Amazonians of Themyscira, but what we got was definitely enough. To see all these strong women training and fighting, moving so fluidly and gracefully was invigorating to watch. I could only imagine how a little girl felt watching these powerful women command the screen. My only complaint when it comes to the characters of the film is essentially everyone else besides the Amazonians, Diana, and Steve Trevor. They assemble a rag-tag group of guys to show Wonder Woman the different facets of humanity, however I wish they felt maybe more important, maybe a group of strong ladies would’ve taken it further. They didn’t seem to do anything of importance except just be there. They all had some nice moments individually but not enough to convince me that they’re worth watching. Next, there were three villainous figures: Ludendorff (Danny Huston), Dr. Poison (Elena Anaya), and Ares (David Thewlis). Ludendorff and Poison were the ones who commanded most of the evil appearances, however they were excessively generic. I think when you bring a movie into WWI or II, you can just use Germans as evil doers without much depth added to them. Poison had some intrigue, but we never really learn much of her, all she really spent time doing was marveling as gas clouds and being melodramatic. Then there’s Ares, and he wasn’t much at all exciting. His best moment was the reveal that he’s been around the entire time as Sir Patrick, but after that his intrigue faded away with excessive CGI and just an awkward appearance. He kept that mustache for thousands of years? Really? It might have had something to do with the casting choice that made it a bit ridiculous to see. When Ares formed his armor with the weapons and plating scattered around the airfield at the end, that was a cool moment, but David Thewlis just wasn’t Ares. A change in form or appearance might have gone a long way. Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and the Amazonian women really steal the show for me, the rest were just bearable in a sense to keep the film moving forward.

Wonder Woman starts out incredibly strong, giving the warriors of Themyscira, and a young Diana, time to shine. The concentration on the world building of Wonder Woman was fantastic. It didn’t feel mashed up or rushed, like the other three DC films that have come out thus far. The movie paced generally well, even when the action was at a low point in favor of exposition, there were still bits to draw you in. Sure it can feel a little slow at times, I definitely wanted to see more of Wonder Woman kicking ass, but the slower bits did serve some nice character building, specifically for Diana. Gal was always great to watch whether she was clearly a fish out of water, or standing strong and noble against sexist men, or just smiling. You’re always rooting for her, but you’re also waiting for her to be enlightened. In parts, she’s very naive when it came to the conflict of Ares and mankind, and at the end when she has that realization of who humans really were, after Steve’s sacrifice, a feeling of relief and excitement washes over you. The action sequences were glorious too, Zach Snyder’s trademark slow-mo shots were all over the place, but I was happy with them because I liked watching Wonder Woman kick some serious ass. The final battle between her and Ares may have been very CGI’d and perhaps a bit underwhelming, but the showcase of Diana’s maximum power was great to watch. Beating overwhelming odds in superhero movies will never get old, perhaps that’s because superheroes were built off that premise. I also marveled at the set-pieces; Themyscira, London, the trenches, they all were wonderfully designed, Themyscira being the most colorful of all the landscapes. One thing I did want to bring up was the choice of the WWI setting. It was a bold choice to introduce Wonder Woman in this war-torn time, some people wanted to see her introduced in the modern day, and where I can see that being perhaps a bit cooler, it wouldn’t make much sense to the DC timeline for this universe. In the modern day, Superman and Batman specifically are prominent figures already, Batman already having a long history. If there wasn’t much of a record of Wonder Woman before Bruce discovered her picture and secret file, why would the modern day make sense? It serves her well to be in a time where technology wasn’t all over the place, so the only real evidence of her existence is the one photograph taken of her, that’s what makes it significant. If she emerged closer to the modern day, her ambiguity would be lost. Question that remain from this time, though, is how does she really age in this canon? Is Themyscira somehow suspended in time? How did she age there? Is ten years to an Amazonian in Themyscira, 50 years, or a hundered years, in the world of man? How did she seemingly not age through the rest of human history up until BvS? Did she not interfere in WWII? Vietnam? The Civil Rights era? There are a lot of questions about Wonder Woman and her history that come from this movie, however they don’t really pertain to this film specifically. These are just things that should maybe be fleshed out through the rest of the DC films.

After a film like this, what’s next really comes into question for the DC cinematic universe. Wonder Woman blew all the past films (Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, & Suicide Squad) out of the water. Will Justice League have a monumental payoff like this one did? Or will the rest of the DC universe be just as flat as where we left off with it prior to Wonder Woman? There are plenty of DC movies slated for the near future, but the rocky start it’s gotten off to may hurt the success of their first team-up film. Especially since DC seems to just want the team up to happen more quickly than Marvel’s. We don’t get an Aquaman, Flash, Cyborg, or even a solo-Batman film until after this first Justice League movie, set to release this November. It’s a questionable timeline to have. I would’ve appreciated their creative choices a lot more if we got the films in this order: Man of Steel, The Batman, Wonder Woman, Suicide Squad, Batman v Superman, and then Justice League. With the multitude of cameos in BvS of the other “meta-humans”, plus Batman and Wonder Woman’s solo films would have already introduced them, the team-up would have more of a payoff. But then again, Justice League isn’t out yet, these are just my feelings as of now and they could change. Wonder Woman is the shining example of what DC has needed and it captures Wonder Woman so epically that my excitement for DC has been revitalized to a good degree. My final rating for Wonder Woman is:

8.75/10. In a word: wonderful.

Wonder Woman does a plethora of things right, and when the movie is going great, it’s going great. Gal Gadot does an amazing job with the character, Patty Jenkins directs with fierce integrity and puts on a show that is tremendously impressive. Wonder Woman may be the most important superhero film to have ever come out, and it earns that praise. The flaws with supporting characterization, a decent lack of villainous intrigue, and a not-too-impressive main villain finale doesn’t take away too much from Wonder Woman herself. She’s a shining light in this grim world that DC has built up and I’m excited to see where she will lead the universe to in the future.

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Ten Sides (Part 30)

Sorry if the formatting is weird this time, I'm on mobile because my laptop doesn't want to connect to the internet today.

I also don't know how to do the read more under the cut on mobile so I'll fix that when I can.

Zuko is still thinking about their conversation days later. He doesn’t think that he has ever seen her so uncertain about anything. It is strange to see her as anything but confident. Strange to have seen her looking at him with such apprehension. To hear so much confusion and conflict in her voice. So much turmoil.

He thinks that it has been festering within her for a long time, perhaps years--a knowingness that she needed to change. To free and find herself.

She seems to be in better spirits now.

Seems to speak and act more openly.

She is no longer subtle about her affections either. More often than not her hand is in Aang’s. More often than not she lets him play with her hair and brush his nose against hers. More often that not he finds them sitting side by side, eyes closed and palms up; he is certain that the meditation is doing her many favors. She is calmer, less tense.

Perhaps it helps her get a better sense of herself.

He wonders if he should take up meditation himself.

Azula opens her eyes before Aang does, according to him, she usually does. She lays back, hands behind her head and looks towards the sky, up at the leisurely strolling clouds. A spray of cherry blossom petals gusts across the garden.

Zuko can't help but wonder what she is thinking. She looks to be at peace but then, he can never tell what she is thinking, how she is feeling.

Finally Aang opens his eyes. "Done already?" He asks.

"I didn't have much to think about today, Avatar." She rolls onto her side to face him. He reaches out and brushes her bangs back and behind her ear. Zuko isn't sure that he'll ever be able to get used to seeing her part take in such tender moments.

He knows that he can't get used to Aang taking her hand and kissing her first on the cheek and then the nose. Can't get used to her accepting the gestures of adoration.

But it certainly makes things easier for him. She doesn't seem so angry and temperamental now that she has Aang's open affection.

He wonders if now would be a good time to approach her once again about making amends.

Decidedly it is best to just let her come to him. To not push his luck; she is easier to talk to when she approaches him.

"Seriously?" Mai rolls her eyes.

"What!?"

"You're just gonna watch those two?" She quirks a brow.

"I'm just not used it, okay?"

Mai shrugs. "I guess it is weird that the Avatar has questionable taste."

Maybe in time Azula won't be such a questionable choice. Maybe Aang just sees something in her, some side if her that everyone else hasn't.

Zuko thinks that he might have gotten a glimpse of this side. That he has just received another glimpse of it.

"She seems like she treats him well."

"He's the only person…"

Perhaps he is being a rough optimistic, "I think that she's working on branching out." But he isn't holding his breath on an apology.

.oOo.

Her head doesn't hurt as much anymore, it feels somehow spacey but plesntly so. It is less cluttered. She takes Aang's hands and strikes the back of his hands with her thumbs. It is beginning to feel more natural to do so. Less awkward, less like a parody of affection.

They don't talk, sometimes they don't need to.

Sometimes words only ruin a perfectly good moment.

He lays back and she rests her head upon his chest, letting him kindly strike her back. She closes her eyes. She might be able to meditate better if he would do this with her.

This feels natural too. She is certain that she couldn't force these feelings--this... love--if she tried to. She doesn't think that anyone could.

Now that she has it. Now that she has love. Now that she has felt it for herself, induced it on her own, she knows that there is a difference.

This love doesn't come with shame.

This love feels deeper than anything she has felt as Ai-Emi

It is authentic.

This in itself is terrifying in its own right as uncharted territory.

Aang brings his stroking to a hault. She frowns, "I did not tell you to stop, Avatar." He chuckles and resumes rubbing circles upon her back. She hums softly to herself.

However resentfully it is to do so, she has to admit that speaking with Zuzu has helped; to get affirmation from someone who knows her, perhaps, more than anyone.

To hear, from someone who has gone through it before, that changes on such a grand scale are normal for the goals she is trying to achieve.

To hear, from someone unfortunately close, that she is still the same at her core, that the things that matter are still there.

She realizes that it is less about change and more about substitution; swapping one unsatisfactory trait for a more savory one that is befitting of her personality.

It is about recognition, about finding those things she is ashamed of and having the pride and dignity to swap those things out for something new.

And so hatred turns to love--her strange version of it and anger becomes determination. Lies become blunt but respectable truths and manipulations...decidedly she will do away with those entirely. It is probably better if she does until she has fully chosen her side.

Until mind games no longer being her back to her darkest moments.

"I think that I am ready, Avatar."

"For what?"

"To stop being angry." And afraid. To fully accept what it means to make something if her introspection. "To be someone else."

And for some reason he laughs. She realizes why and corrects herself, "to be myself but...better?" Happier, more approach able, stabler.

He ruffles her hair.

"Stop that."

He withdraws his hand.

"Now I am going to have to get it restyled."

Aang rolls his eyes. "You don't have to be perfect, you know."

She does. She thinks that she is ready to accept that too. She has plenty of other imperfections, the physical flaws are the most mannagable ones, the petty ones. "I might not have everything in order, Avatar, but I'd like to at least look like I do." She believes that this is fair enough.

"Alright." He replies, sitting up. He kisses her forehead and her lips. Somehow it still leaves her tummy with a small flutter. She thinks that it is the reminder that she isn't alone anymore. The reminder that she isn't impossible to love.

.oOo.

Aang thinks that conversation is coming easier to her now. Discussions at dinner are nowhere near as intense and he thinks that Zuko, Mai, and TyLee are begining to get a feel for which of her off color remarks are nothing more than social stumblings.

She laughs with Zuko, jokes with the man. And Aang begins to realize that he has been approaching their conflict the song way. That he has been sporting Air Temple wisdoms in a Fire Nation place. Neither of them are ever going to apologize to each other. But, as far as he is concerned, there had already been one; it is in a silent and mutual agreement to move on.

And maybe it isn't a Fire Nation thing at all--even if Fire Nation pride had been on the line--but a sibling thing.

Aang sits on the edge of her bed and watches her strip out of her day clothes. "Hand me that nightrobe, Avatar."

He tosses it over and watches her slip into it. She comes to sit down next to him. She is strangely quiet now that he has grown accustomed to her speaking more.

"What's wrong, Azula?"

She holds her silence for another moment. "It feels...perplexing," she answers at last, "to feel...content. To have friends, I think that I have friends now. Do I have friends, Avatar?"

Aang grins, "I think that it's safe to say that you do."

And it is nice to be able to tell her so. Nice to see the relief in her eyes. There is a special kind of beauty in a returning peace of mind. A beauty that shows on her face.

.oOo.

She nods, "I didn't think that I would get this far." Things are still somewhat tense between she and Mai and TyLee is still weary but at least they are letting her in. At least she can work with this.

At least she doesn't feel like a lost cause, an irredeemable evil anymore

She isn't sure that she is adequately able to express why this makes her feel however she is feeling.

Truth be told, she thought that she would end up dead or braindead. Instead she feels a sense of openness. She thinks that she has unlocked several opportunities, new paths.

She has made something of the air chakra's lesson and with it the pieces begin to fall into place. A ripple effect; with the return of love and the achievement of having earned it for herself came a sense of pride and strength. She thinks that she understands exactly with it means to find pride in shame and greatness in weakness.

She feels bolder in that the decisions and oaths she has chosen for herself Are already more rewarding than the destiny that her father had picked for her

But it comes with a sense of discomfort, a knowingness that she once again has precious things that she is able to lose.

And she is afraid to lose them. Afraid lol lose her rediscovered sense of stability. This is what she explains to Aang.

"You've already lost everything once, I feel like that only happens once in a lifetime." He pauses, "and I've had several of them so I can confirm that."

She allows him to scoop her up and tuck her in. In the back of her mind she wonders what Sangyul would make of her falling for the Avatar on her own. At the forefront of her mind she decides that it is time.

"I had three goals, Avatar."

"Three goals?"

"Mind, soul, and heart." She pauses, brushing her fingers over the silken hem of her sleeve. "I wanted to take Sangyul down, mend old relationships, and...and learn to," she can't keep her face from flushing, "learn to live you."

Aang Snicket's at her scarlet cheeks and comes to join her under the blankets. "And."

"I have completed two of my goals. It is time to work on the third "