#rise again

[beautifulterriblequeen]

Wait you wrote some of the Dragon Prince's Reflections short stories? That's awesome, congratulations! What was that like and how much lore did the showrunners give you access to, or were you allowed to make your own additions to canon? 😃 Which ones did you work on if I can ask? Thanks!

Oop, this question came in while I was answering another one! I just went over which Reflections stories were my work here! tldr, most of the first volume and one in the second volume.

I worked with Devon on ideas to pitch, and then on crafting and polishing the ones that got approval. I only needed to know a little bit of lore from upcoming seasons in order to write the stories, but with the timeskip between S3 and S4, I necessarily had to know a few things, like "so it's been two years."

I did get a couple of references to look at, such as the design of the soul candle for "The Queen's Soul," since that was an asset they'd already created for the show. And I did get to watch an early version of the first episode of S4, for character/design/location/etc reasons. A picture is worth 1000 words, etc. But most of my stories were just little bubbles stuck on the side of the main plot bubble - as the Reflections series was originally pitched to be! It's full of treats and foreshadowy lil clues, but in the end it's just fun supplemental material for the extra nerdy to indulge in! So there was some freedom in pitching and writing, as long as it held to theme, and we had a lot of fun bringing these little moments to life.

Crackledrake is my favorite short story because I got to add the cute little ritual to Sunfire canon and created the lore behind it. It's inspired by the real-world tradition of snapdragon, so you can see I was super inventive with its TDP name there! I gave Janai and Amaya their own Xadian fruits and nuts, though, as they deserve. I can't say I did so with a straight face, though. My face was extremely gay about it, actually.

Rise Again was another of my pitches that got accepted, and writing it really helped me connect with Claudia in a way I hadn't before. I've felt differently about her ever since, and that wouldn't've happened if I hadn't gotten to spend time with her and give her Burnt Biscuit.

I think Changing of the Guard was already in the pitch lineup, but I was really excited to get to write for Soren and Corvus. I always enjoy when opposite personalities try to come together! I tried my best to add some angst into Corvus' backstory, but I had to trim it for length so he remains mysterious. But King Ezran's Belly Full of Jelly tart-eating contest is a thing I've put into the world, and I'm genuinely pleased with that. And then there's all the *waves Sorvus flag*. I just think they're neat! (and you're welcome)

[sorinethemastermind]

Everybody leaves.

In light of the events of Season Six and the resurrection spell, I wanted to talk about the official TDP short story "Rise Again" which hints at what was to come.

· · ────────────── ·𖥸· ───────────── · ·

Niaga esir, nellaf fo hsa!” With as deep a breath as she could draw into her little lungs, Claudia blew out her red candle’s flame. She sat with her eyes squeezed shut for at least ten beats of her heart. Claudia didn’t think she could take it if the spell didn’t work.

She didn’t want to believe that her father had been right—that some dark magic would be too difficult and dangerous for a little girl of only eight—but she had to look eventually.

Not only do we see once again that Claudia is not willing to lose anyone, we also see a glimmer of Viren trying to protect his daughter from the dark path he himself followed.

“Biscuit?” The smoky creature trotted closer, faintly trailing ashes and magic. Claudia gasped in delight. “It’s you. It’s really you! Look at you, there you are—!” The spell began to disintegrate, fraying at the edges. Her heart nearly fell out of her chest. “No, wait—not yet!”

Soren poked his head in through the doorway, wiping the spill of his blonde hair out of his eyes to smile sheepishly at her. “Sorry, Clauds.” “You followed me again!” “There are spiders in this attic. Big ones. I’m supposed to—” “—protect me, I know.” Claudia rolled her eyes and Biscuit’s shape wobbled. “You don’t have to, Sor-bear.” “But I want to,” he said and came up beside her. Out of the corner of her eye, Claudia watched him freeze at the sight of the smoky little cat on the ground before Claudia. His hand flew to the little wooden training sword he kept at his belt. “Woah—!”

We also see Soren wanting to protect Claudia, and not just from physical dangers, either. He also wants to protect her from Dark Magic. But Claudia doesn't think of Dark Magic as something that she needs protection from. In her mind, it's something she can protect people with.

“Don’t freak out!” Claudia told him. “It’s just Biscuit!” Soren’s eyebrows shot up. “Biscuit?” She nodded. Her brother squirmed. “Clauds, Biscuit’s—” “—I know. But I fixed it. Now we can still play with her.” Soren shook his head. “No. She had a nice long life, but then… we had a little ceremony, remember?” “Yeah.” “Because Biscuit died.”

With a flick of her wrist, the dark magic holding the little cat’s ashes together made her hop and scamper as though she’d seen a mouse in the attic’s dusty corner. Claudia laughed. “Isn’t it great?” Soren stepped back. “Clauds, what did you do?” Claudia grinned, watching her cat-shaped spell pounce. “Just a little bit of dark magic. The spell used her ashes, so—I guess we can call her Burnt Biscuit now.” Soren said nothing, and Claudia frowned. She had hoped he would laugh.

Frustrated, she pulled on the magic again, calling the little cat back to her. Biscuit sprang to her side, trailing cinders. “You want to pet her?” “What? No! Besides… it’s just smoke! It won’t feel like a real cat.” “It’s almost the same,” Claudia insisted. “It tingles! Come feel.” She ran her hand above the creature’s back as if petting her. Biscuit was warm—like their hearth in winter—but she didn’t burn like fire. Not unless Claudia wanted her to.

Soren shook his head. “Does Dad know?” He sounded worried, so Claudia spoke with a big, wide smile. “No, but it’s okay, I knew I could do it! I watched Dad really closely when he did this spell, and he even showed me how to make the candle because I didn’t do it right the first time—” “Dad doesn’t want you doing this stuff without him!” Soren squared his shoulders like all the castle’s soldiers. He thought he was so much like them, tough and brave and strong, but Claudia only saw a little boy trying to look bigger. “He said not until you’re older—”

“I know what he said, but—” “I’m telling him.” “Don’t you dare!”

Viren might have been the one who taught Claudia dark magic, but he also knew it's dangers and tried to make sure she understood them too. But to Claudia, she saw only Viren's example, and to him, dark magic was a "creative solution" that could solve any problem. And so that's what it became to her.

She seized his hand. Her brother froze for a second, and Claudia thought she’d won, but he pulled his hand away and glowered at the cat. “Fine. But he’ll find out anyway if you keep that thing around. How long will it last, anyway?” Claudia crossed her arms, proud and stubborn. “As long as I can make it last. Maybe forever.”

Soren scrunched up his nose, watching Biscuit circle Claudia and rub up against her leg the same way she did when she was alive. He turned a little green. Soren had never liked magic. “Ugh! Stop being so weird about it, Soren. You just don’t understand.” “Don’t understand what?” “Dark magic,” Claudia said. She cupped Biscuit’s warm cheeks in her hands. Smoke trailed between her fingers like whiskers. The cat purred—that low, hollow rumble.

“Dark magic can do anything.”

This short story illustrates both Claudia and Soren's relationships with dark magic really well, as well as shows us the first signs of just how far Claudia will go to make sure nobody leaves her ever again...

[moresrush]

Something I drew because of my fic Rise Again, because apparently using words just was not enough.

[givreencres]

Snow falling on the ground

En (Kind of neutral feminine version)

Snow falling on the ground Umbra in the middle of the city Gaze lost in the distance Knees on the ground She waits, alone Facing her... her thoughts Facing her... her memories Facing her... a choice Snow falling on the ground Her clothes are covered in white She doesn't feel the cold tonight Only her breathing animates her body Her eyes... Her eyes... Oh, my God, her eyes... A whirlwind animated by flames dances in them What does she see? Snow falling on the ground Still motionless Her eyes flutter with despair, anger and hope Her battle is played out at this moment Jolts in her breath jolts in his shoulders Her body bends Her outstretched arms hold her Screaming (inaudible) Screaming (arhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) Howling (fuck) Snow falling on the ground Sobs? Tears? Shivers? Convulsions? No snow to cover her inexpressive face And her eyes... Her eyes... The despair is gone Anger and hope remain The face tenses Howling (inaudible) Screaming (arhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) Howling (fuck) Snow falling on the ground She rises, dashes forward And disappears Guided by her new determination

Fr (neutral version)

Snow falling on the ground

Ombre au milieu de la ville

Regard perdu dans le lointain

Genoux au sol

Elle attend, seule

Face à elle... ses pensées

Face à elle... ses souvenirs

Face à elle... un choix

Snow falling on the ground

Ses vêtements se recouvrent de blanc

Elle ne ressent pas le froid ce soir

Seule sa respiration anime son corps

Ses yeux…

Ses yeux…

Oh mon dieu ses yeux…

Un tourbillon animé par les flammes y danse

Que voit-elle ?

Snow falling on the ground

Toujours immobile

Ses yeux s'agitent habités par le désespoir, la colère et l'espoir

Sa bataille se joue à cet instant

Des secousses dans sa respiration

Des soubresauts dans ses épaules

Son corps qui se plie

Ses bras tendus la retiennent

Hurlement (inaudible)

Hurlement (arhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)

Hurlement (fuck)

Snow falling on the ground

Des sanglots ?

Des larmes ?

Des frissons ?

Des convulsions ?

Aucune neige pour couvrir son visage inexpressif

Et ses yeux…

Ses yeux…

Le désespoir a disparu

Y reste colère et espoir

Le visage se tend

Hurlement (inaudible)

Hurlement (arhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)

Hurlement (fuck)

Snow falling on the ground

Elle se relève

S’élance

Et disparaît

Guider par sa nouvelle détermination

© Givre Encres

[x--daughters-of-darkness--x]

◈ RISE AGAIN ◈ Apocalyptica & Epica #MetalMonday

[songsofwaves]

Apocalyptica feat. Simone Simons - Rise Again (live in London)

[black-arcana]

Apocalyptica ✻ Simone Simons ➤ Rise Again (Live in London)

[coconutgirlsgotasurfcrush]

DJ Sammy feat. Loona - Rise Again (Official Video)

[the-save-place-art]

Okay, one morning I sat down on my bed, wrapped up in blankets and watched the sunrise. It was a beautiul feeling. Then I got very angry and f***ed up, but surprisingly this came out at the exact same moment:

Apocalyptica did something to me last year. Turned me up... somehow. I love that feeling. They are with me at the exact and the most precise moments, exactly when I need them. They did it again. 

[freshdanks]

Breeze, Lost Witness - Rise Again (Sy & Unknown Remix) [Futureworld Reco...

[artrsw]

In football, every loss is a lesson, and every lesson is a step closer to greatness. 🏈💪 Click this link : https://tinyurl.com/35897r8n

[aangarchy]

Alright now this pissed me off

What do you MEAN you're going to remove one of the most important aspects of Sokka's character arc in the first season? What do you MEAN you're going to remove Sokka unlearning misogyny, accepting change and embracing his role as a fighter and protector of the Avatar in order to end the war? What do you MEAN???

[michelledeheus]

From the depths of rock bottom, I gather what’s left of me—dust and bruised dreams. In the quiet, I stitch myself back together, a mosaic of all the times I thought I’d never rise again. Slowly, steadily, I rebuild, knowing even flowers bloom from cracked earth.

[infinitelystrangemachinex]

The stewards of the old world are always keen to give you a glimpse of their might... According to legend, the ancients built specialized chambers to seal away false prophets.

The Arcane is waking up.

[whats-in-a-sentence]

The Term

William Carlos Williams

A rumpled sheet

of brown paper

about the length

and apparent bulk

of a man was

rolling with the

wind slowly over

and over in

the street as

a car drove down

upon it and

crushed it to

the ground. Unlike

a man it rose

again rolling

with the wind over

and over to be as

it was before.

"Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle... And Other Modern Verse" - compiled by Stephen Dunning, Edward Lueders, and Hugh Smith

[x--daughters-of-darkness--x]

Apocalyptica ft. Simone Simons - 'Rise Again' live at Manchester Academy 3rd February 2023