#so a lantern mouse is comparatively

[calllynx]

Ancients and Iterators

Text (if you can't read it):

Panel 1: "Not that anyone has asked, but..." Panel 2: "If you were wondering about the scale of iterators in comparison to us ancients," Panel 3: "We call them "puppets"" "As in-" Panel 4: "Hand Puppets."

[bashfullove]

❦I Died With You❦

❦Summary: the gang is over, Arthur has died, after finally arriving at John's and Abigail's doorstep, you realize how much you will now struggle without Arthur

❦Pairing: Arthur Morgan x F.Reader

❦Warnings: established relationship, no comfort what so ever, days after Arthur's death, mentions coughing of blood, character death

❦Notes: hehe >:) (we're acting like I didn't literally start crying while writing this, alright?) This is also fairly short I apologise

The crickets chirped their melody, the creakiness of the front door opening being barely heard over the never ending chirping. As quiet as a field mouse, you walk out of John's and Abigail's house on the farm. Uncle's snoring is heard even from outside but it's become white noise compared to the words in your head right now. The balled up piece of paper is tossed to the ground, a letter that you wished you could address but you never would.

You had once enjoyed the quiet and peacefulness of the night but now it was just a cold reminder of loneliness. The dry ground below you with the dead grass crunches, moths flying in the air, lured in by the lantern by the door. Looking up at the full moon, you used to love staring at it, knowing that he could see the same moon. It was special, a reminder that no matter how far, you could still be close with such a simply, maybe foolish, gesture.

Maybe living so close to someone who reminded you so much of him wasn't helping your grieving process, you could barely even utter his name without feeling yourself fall apart. The hat now on John's head the cruelest of reminders. The hat that once would be upon your head as a joke, the sound of his laughs when it would tip over your eyes.

Blaming yourself had been your worst trait lately, maybe if you did something better, or just done more. Spent more time with him or took the Thomas Downes job for him. He deserved to still be here, you wanted to take his place, you wanted to be the one who felt their lungs slowly start to fail, all if it meant that he would get one more day. One more ride, one more duel, one more sunrise...

"I'd rather die in the next hour than go a million lives never knowing you."

The words haunted you since the day you parted, the day you watched him get on the horse for his last ride. You never thought yourself important to anyone until he came into your life, he was the air that you breathed but now there is no air.

But you’d hold tightly onto those last grains of dust, desperate to keep any shred of his memory close to you. Even if most of the memories now were of his suffering, the days you spent just holding him as he suffered. Combing his hair from his sweat ridden forehead, rubbing his back when he would be coughing and wiping his mouth later of the blood, attempting to catch him before he could fall on the ground hunched over.

“What have you done to me, Arthur Morgan,” you said. The words were demanding but were hollow when paired with the sob that tore through your throat. You walked across the front yard of the house, eyes glued to the moon and the sky. You hadn't said his name since you parted from him on that mountain. Saying his name just meant more pain and more memories of the man that you once loved, and still did love.

“Have I truly lost it all? Is there any kind of up from all of this?” you whispered, a sad smile tugging on your lips and a whisper of a laugh leaving your mouth. You sniffled and cleared your voice, "I suppose not."

Unfinished conversations with Arthur still spoke words, letters that you wrote him daily now only a balled up corner in your room that he would never see. You couldn't even say your heart was breaking anymore, it didn't exist. His last breath took your heart with him to wherever he could even be now. You wished to believe that he had someone became better, that he would show up on the doorstep, that him dying was nothing but a cruel dream. But reality was cruel, he wouldn't ever come and surprise you, not anymore.

A part of you died with him that day, anyone who had known you before his death could see it.

❦Thank You For Reading❦

❦Taglist:

❦Bashfullove❦

[harleiquina]

All TV series I've ever seen III

1940 - 1970

1980 -2000

2010 - now (this post)

2010 - Mike & Molly

Sitcom with some funny jokes... got lost at season 3 maybe... I don't know.

I know some people can't stand Melissa McCarthy but what I can't stand is the typical jokes of "well she's fat so she has to be eating in every scene or making a big deal about food" as it happens in Ghostbusters.

2011 -Once upon a time

At first I thought it was a silly premise (and maybe it is) but I do like fairytales twisted over and over again to create something new.

I stopped watching around season 5... because I was watching it through Sony (LatAm) and they started to play it dubbed and the voices were horrible.

I should pick it up someday.

2011 - 2 broke girls

Yet another sitcom that sometimes lands and others don't. Good enough to watch when there's nothing else available.

2011 - Person of Interest

A man creates a system (AI?) that can identify a criminals so hires someone to take care of them. I might've watched two seasons... then I lost track.

2013 - The Blacklist

James Spader has one of the best voices in the planet and when he plays a snarky a-hole he's at his best. The first two season were great... then I lost track and all the sudden they are ending the show after 10 seasons. I have a lot to catch up.

2013 - The Goldbergs

I might've been born in 1992 but thanks to mom and my aunts I grew up with in the '80s so this show was made for me... or so I thought. Some things are cringy, once Adam grows up the whole nerdy thing isn't as funny but it's ok... ish.

2013 - Father Brown

You can never be wrong with Chersterton's creation. Altough as all british TV shows it can be a little too slow for my taste.

2016 - Nafta Súper (Argentina)

The whole thing started with a simple question: what would've happened if Superman fell in a poor neighbourhood in Buenos Aires instead of the Kent's farm? This was the premise for Kriptonita a book that presented the DC heroes in their argentinean versions. But beware since they are outlaws and not always do good (but compared to our police they aren't as bad)... it is kinda hard to root for them. I mean Nafta Súper (is the name of a type of gasoline you get here) got his name because whenever he had to meet with other crime bosses he would carry gasoline with him and set them on fire if they didn't agree with his views 🤷🏻‍♀️

The movie was a good enough hit, so the TV show was meant to happen and expand the universe. Each episode focuses in one of the members of the Justice League (El Federico/Batman, Lady Di/Wonder Woman, El Faisán/Green Lantern, Ráfaga/Flash) while they all look for Nafta Súper/Superman that, after the end of the movie, is hiding.

As I said, it is hard to root for them but I have to give it to the creatives with all the clever ways to twist this heroes and villains so they fit in our culture. And I do like El Federico & Corona (Batman and The Joker) they are the highlight of the show for me.

2016 - Анна, детектив (Anna, detective -Russia)

Do you remember Medium? Have you ever thought how it could've been set in the early 1900s in a backwater town in Russia? Well now you don't have to!

Anna Mironova is a young woman that always had psychic abilities but they would come and go during childhood. Now this abilities are back around the same time the Officer Shtolman is assigned to her town.

Sometimes is very VERY telenovela (I am not entirely on board when it happens), each case lasts 2 episodes and I do think that is a bit of a strech. But I do have to recognize that Dimitri Frid (Shtolman) plays a man that is very smitten and deeply in love very well.

You can see it in Youtube in Star Media English (captioned in this language)

2018 - Killing Eve

We all know that the first 2 seasons were the best (we can add the 3rd in it too when we compare it to the 4th). This cat-and-mouse spy thriller started strong mixing dark humour and just darkness and left us all with a bad taste in the last episode. Still Eve and Villanelle will live forever in our hearts.

2019 - Good Omens

An Angel a Demon beeing close friends got 20K christians so angry that they started a pettition to cancel this show adressed to the wrong company. And people still ask me today why I am Agnostic?

The Antichrist was born, the Four Horsemen summoned so it is time to stop the Apocalypse.

Really funny, layered and worth a lot more than just a watch (mom and I watched it about 4 times in less than a year, so... is that good)

2019 - The Mandalorian

At home we were never huuuuuge Star Wars fans (we would watch for Harrison Ford and some creatures). Still, since the premise to this show was that you didn't needed to be a hardcore-fan we gave it a go and we loved it! It's very close to old shows, like Zorro, where you have the adventure-of-the-day kinda plot (that some people just can't dig, don't know why) and I do like good fights on TV/Cinema

Never underestimate the power of Baby Yoda!

2021 - Wandavision

Even if we never read a comic, we did watched most of Marvel movies and we wanted to know what all of this was about.

It's a lot more effective if you already know the shows they pay homage to.

Beware... it will break your heart.

2021 - Falcon & the Winter Soldier

Following the MCU, came the buddy-mov... erm, TV show, buddy-Tv show starred by Falcon and Bucky.

At a moment you might think that there are too many things on the plate (super soldiers, the new & bad Captain America, a black market dealer, Zemo) so some things do feel a little rushed. But well... at least was fun.

2021 - Loki

Don't kill me but I do not understand people's obsession with Loki.

I mean, the mythological god is a thing... but aside from Tom Hiddleston's fans I don't see the appeal of any nordic god in the MCU (as I said, I don't read comics).

The show is ok...

2021 - Hawkeye

Since I'm little I always liked archery and I was curious about this Avenger that is easily lost in the background of the movies.

It is not the greatest show ever made... but at least is less "the world will be destroyed" and that is a good change. Less is more.

2021 - The Book of Boba Fett

Of course after watching Mando I had to follow the story... and yes, he did took over in the last episodes. But still... it was nice seeing Boba Fett's arch that transformed him from a Bounty Hunter to a Leader (???).

Something could be a little bit more explored, but well... we'll see what the future holds for him.

2022 - Our Flag means Death

When I had a glimpse of the trailers (mostly focused on Steede's most feminine traits vs the tough life of a pirate) I was like "yay... another show making fun of a clearly gay character. Awesome. Are we in 1980 again?" But some gifsets in here spiked my curiosity... does the story really shows a romantic relationship between Blackbeard and Steede or this is the fandom beeing fandom once again?

Well... watch and find out!

2022 - Moonknight

I love the Ancient Egypt so this show was for me. I didn't know that there was a superhero based on those myths (nor that he had DID) and I really liked him.

Fingers crossed for a second season... or a movie (once the strike is over, of course).

2022 - Ms. Marvel

I was expecting something more teenage-based but anyone can see Ms. Marvel.

I don't understand why so many hated it... oh wait... Sor Juana said it better "foolish men that accuse the woman without reason..."

2022 - She-Hulk

And odd experiment, I do think that the last episode was kinda cheating but if she breaks the fourth wall... what can we do? 🤷🏻‍♀️

At least they aknowledged some narrative issues that have been dragging for a while.

2022 - The Sandman

Loving this show is an understatement.

Once again, I didn't read the graphic novel with the exceptions of a few panels here and there that I saw many years ago in Facebook (when Morpheus meets The Fates and the baby scene on The Sound of her Wings).

I love when all mythology and fairytales and other myths can be combined into something new. So this was my jam.

Waiting for season 2 (and getting a better paid job so I can buy the books).

2022 - Obi-Wan

Is there anybody in this world that hates Ewan McGregor? I don't think so.

The show was ok... some twists were predictable from the get-go (still some didn't see them coming and got angry at them 🤷🏻‍♀️). But well... everybody wanted Vader vs Obi-Wan and they sure had it!

2022 - Andor

I don't know if living in Argentina absolutely killed the idea of a heroic guerrilla, revolution and such (because we are the spoils of that and, trust me, thinks don't get better. But this is not about argebtinean politics so... moving on)... or it is because in USA is heavily romanticized but... Andor didn't clicked with me.

It was a task watching it and we only finished it because we started it... don't know if we will watch a second season.

2022 - Wednesday

A lot of people say that Tim Burton is overrated (I disagree, I think that he is tired of beeing ask to be Tim Burton, wacky director or weird films) but Wednesday is heavily overrated to me. Really? This has 12 Emmy nominations and The Sandman has zero? What the Bloody Hell?!

I like the Addams Family, I watched the TV show... the movies... this is not the Addams Family. I know, I know... this is about Wednesday blah, blah, blah. But this isn't Wednesday either... this is moody goth teenager with the biggest ego in the room.

Let's leave aside all the character and worldbuilding inconsistencies... Wednesday is a sharp and blunt person but she is never mean without a good point. This Wednesday is cruel even with people that loves her!

Did people forget that the weirdest thing about the Addams Family was that they are weird and they deeply love each other? That was what made them who they are! Instead of having the husband complaining about the wife, you have Gomez. Instead of having the wife trying to have the perfect house scolding her kids for their behaviour , you have Morticia with her own interests aside from beeing a housewife and assists her kids with their passions... I'll stop ranting now or I will never end.

Not a fan of the powers, the story is ok-ish...

2023 - The Last of Us

Never played videogames either and zombies (I'm sorry, infected) are not a big genre at home unless is Michael Jackson's Thriller video. Still we decided to give it a go because Pedro Pascal is latino and you have to support your people... even if they are chileans... or brazilians (argie joke. You wouldn't understand it).

We loved it!

I was ready for mom to complain with "is it necessary to always have gays?" in episode 3 but she didn't... and I dare to say that its one of her favourite episodes. (And no, readers, mom isn't conservative... but she's against tokenism -just like me-. If you want to have diversity in the world you've created, that's awesome... if you are doing it just to check some items off a list, it's annoying and feels like a desperate move)

2023 - The Muppets Mayhem

We love The Muppets but since Jim Henson's death they are kind of a hit-and-miss.

It does get better as it goes... wouldn't say is ✨️the best✨️ Muppets yet... but it is a lot better than the Haunted Mansion from last year (?)

2023 - FUBAR

Did you liked the movie True Lies with Arnold Schwartzenneger and Jaime Lee Curtis? Well... what if we do the same premise but this time his daughter is also a secret agent?

It is still good though... sometimes humor can be a little cringey, but Arnie knows his audience well enough and delivers.

2023 - Secret Inavsion (current)

It is still going so I cannot tell much just yet. Doesn't feel like a spy-thriller as I imagined but we'll see.

[chinaaesthetic]

Chinese New Year! 新年快乐!

*please note that the information below isn’t celebrated by everyone in the same way. Some customs are more common in northern China rather than southern China and vice-versa.

How to wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year:

1. 新年快乐！Xīnnián kuàilè! - Happy New Year! (This can be used one the first day of the lunar calendar as well as the Gregorian calendar).

2. 新春快乐！Xīnchūn kuàilè! - Happy Spring Festival!

3. 新年好！Xīnnián hǎo! - Hello! (This is how you greet people during Chinese New Year).

When greeting or wishing someone a Happy Chinese New Year, many Chinese people wish their family and friends things like: “I hope you have a happy and healthy family,” “I hope you get a job promotion,” “I hope you have good fortune and pockets overflowing with gold.” Here are some examples:

4. 恭喜发财！Gōngxǐ fācái! - Wish you a successful and prosperous year! (This saying is known well because of this Chinese New Year song you can watch here).

5. 阖家幸福! Hé jiā xìngfú - Wish you a happy family!

6. 事业有成! Shìyè yǒu chéng - Hope you have a successful career!

You can watch this YouTube video or read this article to learn more about how to wish someone a Happy Chinese New Year!

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What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, also known as lunar new year or the spring festival, celebrates the first day of the new year on the lunar calendar. In 2021, this holiday falls on Friday, February 12!  This holiday is the most important holiday to those who celebrate this - its importance can be comparable to how Americans celebrate Christmas.

People have been celebrating Chinese New Year for about 3,500 - 3,900 years. It’s exact origins are unknown, but this tradition is believed to have started in the Shang Dynasty (1600-1049 BC) when people would make sacrifices to the gods and their ancestors towards the end of a year. However, the tradition was recorded and official during the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD) when Emperor Wu began using the lunar calendar. He chose to follow this calendar because it would let him know when second new moon after the winter solstice was.

Now, many Southeast Asian countries and people besides the Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year such as: Koreans, Vietnamese, Tibetans, etc. However, it is common to not see Japan celebrate Chinese New Year.

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Why do I keep hearing about the Year of the Ox/Cow?

Just like in western culture, there are zodiacs in eastern culture that the Chinese follow. There are 12 zodiacs, and these zodiacs follow a cycle of 12 years. Each new year represents one of the zodiacs. 

In order, they are: Rat/mouse, Ox/cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

2021 is year of the Ox/Cow - 2020 was year of the Rat/Mouse - 2019 was Year of the Pig... and so on. 

Because each zodiac has its own characteristics, they define a year. Chinese zodiac scholars have said in 2021, Year of the Ox, will be a flip-around positive change. They believe this year will be lucky and that it will be a good time to focus on love and relationships. People who are born in years of the Ox are known to have a lot of endurance, be calm and confident, but are also stubborn.

Just like in western culture, these zodiacs are believed to affect personality, fortune, etc, and instead of getting your zodiac by your birth month, you get your zodiac by your birth year. If you are interested in your Chinese zodiac, you can type in your birthday on this calculator and read about it.

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What happens during Chinese New Year and how long do you celebrate it for? Lantern Festival?

On average, Chinese New Year is celebrated for about 15-16 days (from about New Year’s eve to the first full moon). Preparations start seven days before New Years because stores and restaurants close and people travel to be with their families. Most students are also on their big break during this time - they get off from school around the beginning of january and go back after Chinese New Year. It should also be noted that Northern China and Southern China celebrate the new year differently.

During the preparation period, people go shopping for food and decorations. They also clean the house very well. If living in a different city than one’s family, many people will travel back to their hometown to celebrate with family.

During the New Year’s Eve period, the house is decorated with New Year’s decorations, and there is a reunion dinner with family at the host’s house. Out of all the dinners you have during the year, it is incredibly important you don’t miss this dinner, which is why there are so many issues with travelling during this time. At this dinner, you eat many lucky foods such as dumplings and fish. Also during this time, the older generations will give younger generations something called 红包, which translates to “red envelope.” These envelopes are filled with money and are only given on very special occasions such as new years and weddings. Friends give these to each other, but it is not common at all for a younger generation to give one to an older generation person. There is a custom where families stay up late to “watch over the new year,” which is called 守岁. Late at night, people also like to go to temples to hear the first bells of the new year ring because they believe it will drive away bad luck.

On Chinese New Year’s Day, fireworks go off, families cook and eat large meals together, sacrifices are made to ancestors, etc. (Fireworks are especially important because they believe it will make your business more successful.) One popular tradition you might know of is the dancing lion/dragon parades where people wear a dragon costume and parade through the city. Dragons are very representative of Chinese culture and are thought to bring luck to a community. Lions are a symbol of protection.

For about a week after the first day, most people go visit family and friends. A lot of times people will visit the other side of their family. For example, someone will spend most of the time with their mother’s side of the family during the new year, then during this week, they will go visit relatives of the father’s side.

After that week, most people go back to work. This is around day 8-10. Businesses, restaurants, and stores reopen, and many people leave their hometown to go back to jobs in the city.

Day 15, the final day of Chinese New Year, is the Lantern Festival. On this day, the first full moon of the new year happens. To celebrate, people will light more fireworks, revisit family, eat sweet dumplings (called tangyuan), and participate in the Lantern Festival. People release lit lanterns into the sky to honor dead ancestors. This is called 元宵节.

You can read more here.

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What foods are eaten during Chinese New Year, and what do they represent?

During Chinese New Year, many special foods are eaten, and these are foods that are considered to be lucky and to bring fortune into the new year.

1. Dumplings - represent wealth. Dumplings take hours to make and involve family help. They’ve been eaten for at least 1,800 years and are especially popular in northern China. It is said that the more dumplings you eat during the new year, the more money you will make.

2. Fish - represents prosperity and success. The word “fish” in Chinese sounds like the word “surplus” in Chinese.

3. Glutinous Rice Cake/Nian gao - represents success in your work (more money, better position). 

4. Spring rolls - represent wealth. They get their name because they are most often eaten during the Spring Festival which is CNY. This dish is more popular in eastern and southern China.

5. Oranges, tangerines - represents luck and fortune. This is originally a Cantonese custom, but many people grace their tables with citrus fruits. The word for “tangerine” sounds similar to the word for “good fortune” in Chinese.

6. Longevity noodles - represents longevity. These noodles are longer than usual to represent a person’s long and happy life. This is more commonly eaten in northern China. *It should be noted that these are mostly eaten on birthdays but can be eaten during the NY as well.

7. Sweet rice balls/tang yuan - togetherness in family. This food is eaten during the Lantern Festival, the last day of Chinese New Year. The shape and pronunciation is associated with closeness of the family.

8. Snacks - represent a sweet and pleasant life. Any sweet snack like dried fruit, candy, tanghulu is eaten during this time.

When it comes to food during Chinese New Year, there are superstitions about how foods should be prepared and what makes them lucky. You can read more about them here as well as here.

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What kinds of decorations are put up in houses during the new year? What do the colors represent?

1. Spring/door couplets - These couplets originated in the Shu era. As seen in the picture below, you post these on doors in couples - in Chinese culture, even numbers are seen as good luck. On many of these couplets are written wishes or poems for the new year. Each couplet should have the same rhythm and the same number of words.

2. Paper cutting - Translated as “window flower,” these intricate, red paper cutting pieces are placed on windows and often represent the zodiac of the new year or other symbolic animals such as fish, dragons, and phoenixes.

3. Upside down characters/Fortune - Many Chinese people during the new year hang up positive characters such as Fu, which means happiness and good fortune. It is written in calligraphy on a red piece of paper and then put upside down on doors and windows. It is hung upside down because the people want the good fortune to fall down onto them.

4. Red lanterns - These lanterns push away bad luck and are seen during both the Spring and Autumn Festival. They can be hung on trees, outside houses, etc. There are also many styles - they can come in many shapes and have symbols written on them.

5. Kumquat trees - As said before, citruses represent good luck and fortune. People place kumquats and citrus fruits on their tables or decorate their homes with small kumquat trees.

You can read more about decorations here as well as here.

Common colors seen during Chinese New Year are red and gold, but green can also be found.

The color red is not only dominate during Chinese New Year, but it is also very representative of Chinese culture as well. Red signifies fire, good fortune, and happiness. It is representative of good luck, keeps the holiday very joyous, and scares away bad spirits.

Gold or yellow is considered to be a very beautiful color. Gold symbolizes wealth, riches, and prosperity.

Green represents money, harmony, and growth. 

Though these are the most common colors, it should be noted that a color combination of green and red is considered to be tacky in Chinese culture. 

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What do people wear during Chinese New Year?

On the first day, it is traditional to wear new clothes and new accessories as it symbolizes new beginnings. However, there are people who like to wear sentimental accessories to respect and remember their ancestors.

Some people like to wear traditional Qipao/Cheongsam, Tang Suits, and Hanfu, but many people stick to western clothes like skirts, dresses, and pants. There is also a tradition of wearing lucky, red underwear for New Years.

Tang suits are the most popular to wear during the New Year, Qipao is also popular, but it is often too cold to wear during the winter months. Many people are starting to wear Hanfu again to celebrate the new year, but it isn’t widely accepted yet to wear during the new year.

During the new year, people wear a lot of red and gold. It is important to NOT wear mostly white and/or black. These symbolize death, and white is worn at funerals. Anything that is bright, bold, and upbeat should be fine to wear, but you should go for something that is red.

*If you want to wear something that is traditional Chinese for New Years, please make sure you know about cultural appropriation and know how to wear these properly.

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As there is so much information about Chinese New Year, I cannot possibly tell you all about it in one post. It is truly something that you must experience in your lifetime. It is very beautiful, fun, and there are so many things to do and celebrate. I ask you that you please research this more and look at all the beautiful pictures of food, lanterns, fireworks, etc. 

Please stay safe and 新年快乐！

[ikeromantic]

Adrift

A Mitsuhide Akechi fanfic - this scene occurs after the romantic epilogue. (HC post-epilogue fun). Approx. 1300 words.

Thanks to @yukina-otome for inspiring part of this scene with her adorable story Tricking a Kitsune

First: Mitsuhide and the Maiden

Previous: Old Friends, New Adventures

The still void stretched out for what felt like an eternity. Yet, when it ended, Mitsuhide was fairly sure it had only lasted a few breaths at most. The gloom around him coalesced into a night sky - similar, and yet strange. The stars looked washed out and distant, and the night itself felt too bright.

There was a fire burning across a path of black stone. It was shaped like a double-arch, yellow as gold, and under it a cherry-red. It didn’t flicker or dance like a flame, but held steady against the night.

His little mouse stood beside him, her mouth open. “Oh,” she said. “Oh no.”

Miyake started to laugh. He bent double, short of breath and gasping, but unable to stop his laughter.

Sasuke was wiping his glasses dry. He slid them onto his face and looked around. “I am afraid there was a slight miscalculation on my part.” He looked to the three of them and bowed low. “You have my apologies.”

“What do you mean, Sasuke? How did we - how did this happen?” The chatelaine sounded more exhausted than angry, though there was heat to her words.

The ninja’s expression didn’t change but his tone was remorseful. “I have been working on a way to trigger the wormholes. To allow passage at will, if we want it. I planned to bring . . . “ He took a breath. “We can talk about what I planned later. Right now, I just need you to know this was not the intended effect.”

Mitsuhide took a breath. “I assume this is your hometown?”

Sasuke nodded. “Our home time, anyway. We are quite a long distance away from my flat. And yours?” He glanced at the chatelaine.

“Yes, if it is still mine.”

Miyake finally got control of his hysterical laughter and straightened. He raised a trembling hand and pointed it toward the black-rock path. Two bright pinpoints of light were moving toward them. “What is that?”

“A car. Those are like very fast carts. It is traveling on a modern highway - a road. And beside it is a western fast food shop.” Sasuke gave the warlord and his vassal a firm look. “Stay off the road, and don’t speak to anyone just yet. Let the chatelaine and I do the talking if anyone asks you questions.”

Mitsuhide nodded. The words and what he was seeing were incomprehensible. He was confused and tired. This night, he wasn't ready to put forward the effort to understand life 500 years after his own death.

And he needed to understand the how and why of this place before he could do anything. Mitsuhide knew he was seeing only a small fraction of this world, and already he felt almost overwhelmed. Focus, he told himself. He needed to get back to Azuchi, and anxiety would not help him to that goal.

Miyake waited for his lord’s reaction and then followed suit. “You’ll be our guide then. Now, care to tell me where in the hells this is and how we got here?”

“First, tell me when we will be able to return. This is not a good time to be away,” Mitsuhide interrupted.

Sasuke sighed. “I . . . I’m not sure. I’d like to say with a slight adjustment to the variables we could return at the flip of a switch. But I believe the wormhole’s location and frequency are impacted by a wider variety of potential vectors than initially accounted for.”

“What he means is, he needs time to work on the math before he can try to get us back,” the chatelaine added when she saw the look on Mitsuhide’s face. “In the meantime, we need to get someplace safe to dry off, change clothes, and rest.”

“And get some food,” Miyake grumbled.

The ninja nodded. “Wait here.”

Mitsuhide watched as Sasuke carefully crossed the black-rock road and went into the brick building behind the strangely arched flames. It was a lantern, he thought, a smokeless lantern.

It took several minutes for the ninja to return. During this time, the kitsune warlord took stock of this place. He wanted to see the world that created his little one. The peace and wealth that could build a woman of such ideals and kindness.

This was not how he’d imagined coming to this place though. Here, in a clearing near a . . . highway . . . with Miyake in tow. Leaving chaos behind him.

In the distance, he could see the glow of many fires. And above him, he spotted a falling star. Only it wasn’t falling. It was moving fast through the night sky, blinking red and white.

The chatelaine spotted the object of his attention. “That’s an airplane. It has lights on it when it is landing or taking off.”

Mitsuhide nodded as if he understood, though most of what she said sounded like nonsense.

Miyake’s eyebrows rose. “An air . . . plane?”

“Right. It’s a flying, uhm, like a boat? They put people and cargo on it, and take them all over the world.”

“Could we take it home?” Miyake watched the lights progress across the sky.

She shook her head. “It doesn’t travel through time.”

“Too bad,” Miyake sighed.

Sasuke finally returned and guided them across the road. He stopped near the giant fiery arches. “If anyone asks, you are cosplayers. We are here waiting for our ride. Please say nothing about the wormhole or - or where we came from. The results would not be advantageous.”

Mitsuhide smiled. As if he needed to be told that the truth was not always the best response. “What is coz. . . cozplay?” The word felt strange in his mouth as if it didn’t belong there.

“Ah, roleplayers who dress up and pretend to be things or people they are not.” The ninja shrugged. “A bit like a theater troupe.”

“Not again,” Miyake sighed, earning a reproving look from Mitsuhide.

The four of them trudged through double doors. Perfect, flaw free glass. Mitsuhide did not react, but he was surprised. What kind of place had so much perfect, clear glass that they used it for doorways? He might have asked, but the interior assaulted his senses, distracting him from any question.

The inside was lit as brightly as noon, and smelled of grease and salt. People in strange matching clothes stood behind a long, tile table on one side. The other held tables and chairs, smooth and shining - not wood or stone, but something else entirely. It was to these that the ninja led them and told them to sit.

The few people inside were staring at the group uncomfortably.

“Cosplay,” Miyake said to them, waving. It was like a magic word, causing a sudden and complete lack of interest.

The chatelaine laughed nervously. “I didn’t think about how different we’d look here.”

Mitsuhide laid his palm on her lower back, rubbing gently in small, calming circles. “It’s alright, little one. We are cosplaying. We should stand out.”

She smiled up at him. “Right. Yes.”

Sasuke came back to the table with four cups filled with a dark liquid and a tray of some hot, chopped . . . something. It was not recognizable.

Miyake eyed it suspiciously. “Is this food?”

“Furaidopoteto and kōkusu. I’m lovin’ it,” Sasuke replied with a grin.

The chatelaine reached for a cup and took a long drink from it. “Oh! It’s so sweet! I don’t remember it being so sweet!”

Mitsuhide picked one up. The inside bubbled, almost like it was boiling, but it was cold. It tickled his nose when he smelled it. He took a tentative sip. The bubbles in it popped and foamed on his tongue in a wash of sweetness that was beyond even fresh honey.

He swallowed, coughing, and wiped at his lips.

The chatelaine giggled at the expression he wore.

“Why does it bubble?” Mitsuhide peered into the cup, curious.

“It’s carbonation. It has gas in it that makes the water bubble for awhile.” She smiled. “Did you like it?”

“It is . . . interesting.”

Miyake picked up one of the furaidopoteto and popped it into his mouth without hesitation. “‘S like ship rations. Salty. Crunchy.” He swallowed. “Pretty good.”

They polished off the food and most of the drinks by the time their ‘ride’ arrived. It was a sleek metal and glass cart. Ship. Box with wheels. Mitsuhide didn’t have anything to compare it to. He felt a sense of being adrift and estranged. It was only his little one’s hand in his that kept him focused.

These things were familiar to her and she trusted them. And he trusted her. Even when the ‘car’ sped up so fast that the night around them blurred into an unrecognizable smear of countryside, light, and the strange night sky.

Next: Fake It Til You Make It

[wesimpforxiao]

Say My Name and I’ll Be There: 8.1

Author’s Note:  As for the next few or possibly several chapters, give me some time to write them.  I want to write the Lantern Rite chapter perfectly and in order to do that I need 1. for us all to experience the in-game event so I can capture it accurately and 2. to catch up on my schoolwork because my college goes by the 10-week quarter system and we are smack in the middle of it.  Apologies for the inconvenience, but I refuse to give a sub-par Lantern Rite chapter as I believe it will be the most important in this story!!  The next one or two chapters should be released by the end of next week.

......

Only on the eve of the Lantern Rite, several days before the celebration, did Xiao come to appreciate the hours of hard work you were putting into practicing music.

He had slaughtered a band of mitachurls, hilichurls, and lawachurls near Lihua Pool when he fell into darkness.  He collapsed to his knees, struggling for breath, spots filling his vision beneath the mask.  While he had dealt with karmic debt for two thousand years, this time had to be one of the worst falters.  He knelt beneath the somber moon that bore witness to his shortcoming.

The waves of pain drove him mad and the voices drowned out the singing of the crickets and frogs.  Xiao clutched at his chest in an effort to rid himself of the agony as he wondered if it was finally his time to die and join the fallen yakshas.  His mask disintegrated as he fell to all fours.  It's fine, just breathe, he reminded himself.

It was then when he heard the tune.  

"B-Barbatos?"  The yaksha groaned despairingly as he forced himself to raise his head toward the sound.  He was being saved by the wind god for a second time--No.  That's her, he realized when he recognized the all-too familiar tune.  But the way you were playing this time...had he only heard a fraction of your practice sessions? You carried the notes so well compared to last time--

Xiao rolled over so he lie on his back, eyes meeting the glints of the stars that shone down upon him.  It was like the pain had knocked the wind out of him.  No matter.  At least he would die listening to you.  The idea was peaceful to think about.

...miss...love you...

Your faint prayers that accompanied the moonsong somehow broke through the crowded shouting of the damned and eased the heavy knot in his stomach while he gasped for air.  The tune continued to build until Xiao could only compare your talent to that of the wind archon.  It was beautiful, soft, and it fit you perfectly despite your stubborn personality that was accentuated by the harbinger's shenanigans.

The image brought a faint smile to his lips, the expression slowly widening as you played on.  Your selfless nature; the need to protect a yaksha from harm's way...Your daring eyes when you butt heads with Childe...The honey-sweet grin you reserved only for Xiao and Xiao alone.  It was  the way you carried yourself in battle, the way you interacted with strangers.  How and when you prayed to him.  Your light humming accompanied your music.

Archons, you were remarkably stunning in every way imaginable.  The yaksha failed to notice how big his smile was as a few of his tears slid down the sides of his face.  It was his own longing for you that manifested and whirled around in his chest.  Beautiful, he thought as the music continued.  So, so beautiful.  It was as if the music described yourself.  For how could he give up and die now, after falling for you?  Maybe...just maybe...Xiao allowed himself to sit in the fluffy cloud of human 'compassion' as he listened to you play.  He wouldn't dare call the emotion for what it truly was.  Not now.  Not yet.  You had to understand something before he could allow himself to love you.  Er, to care for you.  Y-yes.  That's it.  Xiao refocused his attention on your music to avoid thinking any deeper on the subject.

Yet though his mind listened to your moonsong, his heart entertained the possibility of finally admitting his lo--er, compassion for you.

He didn't notice that the pain had long faded, that the spots in his vision had cleared and that the voices of the vanquished silenced themselves.  He drifted to sleep right there in the middle of the dirt road as you played into the night, and for the first time in a long time, he slept with mind and body in peace.

................................

"Morning, Mezzetin," Childe greeted you with two mugs of hot chocolate in his hands.  He gave one to you before indulging in his while he leaned against your door.  "Sleep well?"

"I did, surprisingly.  The pain was pretty bad until I started practicing."  You rubbed your bleary eyes and let out a long yawn.  "Why do you ask?"

"You didn't call for him."

"Hm?"

"You've yelled for the yaksha every night you've been here.  You were quiet last night."

"How would you know that? Are you just constantly sitting outside my room like a creep?"  Your quip brought a smile to Childe's lips as he sipped at his mug.  

"Well then, since you're feeling well enough to banter with me, I guess I have no need to reward you for your cooperation..."

"Huh?  What do you mean, 'reward?'"  You perked up when he faked reaching for the door handle.  "Tartaglia?"  In your effort to get him to explain, you jumped out of bed and subsequently spilled your drink all over the sheets.  A jarring pain shot through your bones, but you ignored it.

"The Tsaritsa has requested I return to my post in Liyue Harbor to...discipline a few underperforming officers during the Lantern Rite.  Since I am in charge of you, I requested that you accompany me.  Her Majesty agreed."

"W-what?!"  Your sudden shout made him jump slightly.  "You...she...you're letting me return?"

"Temporarily, yes, and it is for business reasons.  We figured it would aid in your...dilemma."

"I..."  Your gaze fell to the half-empty mug in your hands.  

"You don't want to go?" The harbinger raised a brow in surprise.  "Why, I thought you'd jump at this opportunity."

"It's not that..." you trailed, your finger absently circling the rim of your cup.  "Would I...be able to roam around by myself?"

"Depends on where you want to go."  His eyes narrowed slightly and he set his cup atop your bedside table.  "You won't be able to visit Qingce Village, nor the Wanshu Inn."  He watched your shoulders drop in disappointment before continuing.  "But I will allow you to enjoy the festival."

"...Am I allowed to talk to them?  My adventure team?"

Childe let out a small sigh before nodding.  "I think it would be good for your health to see them."

"Why are you allowing me?"  It was your turn to narrow your eyes in suspicion against the harbinger.  "Wouldn't this be, you know, a risk for you guys to let me see them?  Aren't you worried about that?"

"There will be several Fatui agents in Liyue during the festival; even if you're 'alone,' one of us will always be nearby.  I don't take you as a complete idiot," he admonished.  "Besides, Mr. Zhongli knows more about adeptal blood than we do at this point.  If you manage to gather more information, that would be a plus."

"I'm not gathering information for the likes of you," you retorted, crossing your arms much like Xiao does.

"I'm not asking you as your superior, nor your captor.  I'm suggesting it as your comrade in arms."

"Ha!"  You couldn't help but let out a full laugh at the set of statements.  "You really expect me to believe that?  All you guys do is manipulate and deceive.  I don't trust a word that comes out of your mouth!"

"Even if you learn something and keep it to yourself, do it for yourself, Mezzetin.  I've realized something after you joined us."

"Oh? What could you have possibly realized?"  You rolled your eyes and returned your gaze to the window, not particularly caring about his side of the conversation and instead wishing he would just leave already.

"I realized some of my actions were not for your wellbeing, but for mine."

........................................

It was sprinkling when Childe, the Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers, finally tracked your rescue team down in Fontaine.  It really didn't take much of an effort, which was highly disappointing considering the harbinger loved to play cat-and-mouse with his foes.  Oh well.  At least Mr. Zhongli was here; the plan wouldn't work if he hadn't accompanied Aether and the yaksha.

The harbinger stood in the shadow of a nearby tree and scouted the sheltered camp.  Besides Aether, Zhongli, and an apparently-unconscious yaksha, there were two more opponents.  Childe recognized one of them to be the wine master Diluc, but couldn't name the other one.  Maybe he was one of Mondstat's knights, judging by the way he carried himself?  Then again, he seemed to be drinking pretty heavily...

Childe glanced back a ways where a few Fatui agents were waiting for his return.  This wouldn't take long; he knew two of the adventurer's tricks, and the knight didn't look like he'd pose much of a challenge.  All he needed was to speak with Zhongli.

"I have to admit I'm disappointed for finding you so quickly," the harbinger made his presence known and stepped out of the shadows.  A chill ran down everyone's spines.

"I still can't believe you were naïve enough to get involved with the Fatui," Diluc sent an admonishing look Aether's way before summoning his broadsword.  "And hid it from me, no less."

"We're sorry!"  Paimon squeaked with her hands in the air.  "We didn't trust him completely!"

"It was my fault for allowing this to continue without your knowledge, Aether."  Zhongli rose from his seat and manifested his polearm.  "Allow me to make amends."

"I assume you're the one we're after?"  Kaeya unsheathed his sword and stood side-by-side with Diluc, much to his bro's dismay.  Despite all the wine he had consumed, he remained unusually composed.

"I've come to speak with Mr. Zhongli," Childe answered, both hands raised semi-defensively while the expression on his face was no less than that of a sly fox.  "And to retrieve the yaksha."

"We don't think so!"  Aether charged first and swung his blade through the air.  It collided against the well-known hydro blades of the harbinger before parrying off.  

Next was Diluc, whose flaming weapon created steam as it sliced through Childe's blades.  His attacks were slower than Aether's, but the amount of power coming from them nearly made the harbinger flinch both in hesitation and in excitement.  It was then that Xiao's eyes had opened slightly before he lost consciousness again.  Kaeya lunged forth and used his skill to send a burst of ice at the harbinger in an effort to freeze him in place.

Childe barely dodged, one blade freezing over.  "Tch."  The last thing he needed was to deal with a cryo user in this weather.  He was already at a disadvantage by wielding a hydro vision in normal circumstances.  His hydro burst threw everyone backwards, and he switched to his delusion.  

Electricity surged through the camp as everyone got to their feet and readied themselves for an onslaught of electro attacks.  None came; instead, the harbinger stared straight at Zhongli, who remained reserved and unbothered as he pointed the tip of his lance at him.  "This is your only warning, Childe," the archon spoke in an especially deep voice.  "Return her to us, or suffer the consequences."

"I only came to speak with you, Mr. Zhongli," Childe's eyes narrowed beneath his mask.  "As much as I'd love to indulge in a fight, I came here with a proposition.  Would you hear me out?"

Everyone's eyes turned expectantly to the archon, and he returned their gazes before allowing his polearm to disintegrate.  "Lower your weapons," he ordered much to everyone's dismay.

"But Zhongli!  He could trick you!" Paimon reappeared before the consultant.  "You can't--"

"Relax, Paimon," Zhongli quietly assured.  "I may not have a gnosis, but a harbinger is still by no-means what I perceive to be troublesome in battle."  He followed Childe a few meters away so the group was unable to hear them.

Childe shifted his mask to its resting place on the side of his head.  "There may be a way to retrieve her," he started in a quiet voice.  "But it would only be possible if you declare war against the Tsaritsa."

"Tell me, Childe, why should I trust you after you breached our trust?"

"You can't, but I trust that we all have our comrade's best interests in mind, no?   If you're able to rally the people of Teyvat, the Tsaritsa may yield.  Her Majesty has no interest in declaring war against the mortals as you are already aware."

It was a fitting task for the God of War; declare a world war against the Tsaritsa, and she'd yield without calling his bluff.  Even so, the former archon was not convinced.  Childe would need to up his charming façade.  He was only lying for your own safety after all; he'd back you into joining the harbingers, and you'd be free of the Fatui's grasp in the outside world.  You wouldn't be hunted for the rest of your life; you could live freely in your captors' backyard.  The suffering you were being thrown into now would last a lifetime if you continued to resist.

Some part of the harbinger knew it was a twisted form of compassion--dare he call it love--for you.  He needed you to free yourself both of the Fatui's and Xiao's grasps.  The only way to do that would be to recruit you, but you weren't so easy to convince.  You wouldn't be in danger of getting hurt by his subordinates his way.  You wouldn't hurt yourself by chasing after Xiao if Childe stepped in either.  He didn't care that it was selfish of him to step between your struggling romance.

What better way to keep you safe, mentally and physically, than to break you into submission?

The two opposing forces continued their hushed discussion for twenty more minutes before Zhongli broke away from Childe.  He was about to fill the group in on the details when Childe attacked him from behind.

[bride-of-jason-voorhees]

Screamtober Day 15: Prompt: Masquerade

The castle was dimly lit by the soft flames within lanterns amongst the outer walls. As I began to approach within the crowds of people, all in decorative masks, I began to feel anxious. I was never one to go out to parties, but when invitations went out for a masquerade ball at a palace, hosted by a mysterious person simply going by “C.D.” Everyone who received the invite just had to see what it was going to be. As I walked in I felt my throat go dry with a gasp as I took in the scenery. The inside of the palace was massive, and beautifully decorated. Everything felt so ornate, I was almost afraid to even walk in further in fear the gold and black tiling would crack beneath me.

People began to chat in groups, drink wine and punch, and make relative small talk in between bites of finger foods. I hugged myself as my social anxiety once again kicked into high gear, sure no one knew who I was, nor do I think they cared, but it still felt like I was being stared at in all the worst ways. I wasn’t rich or high up in society, sure I wasn’t exactly flat broke either, but when comparing my gown to some of the other ladies, I felt like I was an outcast. My self-doubting thought bubble popped when I felt a warm hand wrap around each of my elbows, and a strong figure pressed its chest against my back.

“Well hello little flower, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” His voice was sultry. I turned my head to get a better look and was met by a man with curly black hair, neatly gelled back. He had a black mask decorated with lace covering most of his face, and a jawline and smile that could kill. His suit was jet black and well fitted. HIs bowtie was a crimson shade of red that matched my own gown, and the finishing touch was bits of gold that were his cufflinks.

“Do forgive me, but I couldn’t help but notice how alone you looked. Are you not enjoying yourself?” he asked, but not in a reprimanding tone, it was more curious. I gave him a small shrug and felt myself wanting to bury my face into this stranger's strong chest. Something about him made me feel safe, small, and dare I say loved? “I just...I didn’t exactly think I would fit in here, I still don’t. I’m not much of a partier.” I confessed in a meak tone. He engulfed me in his arms and I gave into my vulnerable state, resting my cheek against his shoulder.

“You poor little mouse, we can’t have that now can we?” he ran his hand up and down my back. “My parties are supposed to bring people joy, not misery.” His party? So, this was the mysterious “C.D.” Our host was talking to me of all people? “Come-” my thoughts were once again interrupted, “let me take you somewhere more private, you can escape this madness with me for a while.” Before I could answer, he was leading me up a flight of curved, velvet looking, stairs. We walked down a few long halls, a little too quickly, not allowing me to take in their full detail like the downstairs.

Finally, he walked me out onto a large balcony and kept me close in his arms as the moonlight engulfed us both in its rays. “Is this a better setting for you, little mouse?” I nodded and felt myself blush.

“My name is Lilian…and yes, this is nice.” I finally spoke, causing him to give me a closed mouth smile. He pressed a kiss to my forehead, “What a fitting name for someone as beautiful as you.” he whispered.

“Well, might I ask your name? Afterall the only information you gave to us on the invites were your initials.” I said a bit more bravely than I had spoken previously.

“Ah yes, how rude of me…” That's when he flashed his teeth in a smile, and when I noticed the sharpness of some of them…wait was he?...”You may call me Count Dracula, or just Drac for short.” He untied the silks that held his mask on, allowing it to slide off his face, letting me see him in his full glory. He repeated the process with my mask, and gave me a smirk, muttering to himself about how gorgeous I was.

I gasped softly, the Dracula was not only real, but he was hosting a party, and took a liking to me. “I…” He shushed me gently and cupped my face in his hands, and whispered in my ear “I don’t wish to frighten you with this information, and I can assure you I will not bite unless I have you begging for it little one.” His growl in the delivery of his words alone made me shiver, more than the night time breeze ever did before. “Do you want to beg for me, Lilian? Perhaps even live with me after that? Spending every day in leisure and every night in pleasure?” Without really thinking, I kissed him deeply in response, earning me another growl from him. “I shall take that as a yes.” He chuckled softly before kissing me once more.

After that, we returned to the party, adorning our masks once more. Guests would then keep asking him who I was and he’d simply reply that I was his fiance. I swear I blushed redder everytime he proclaimed to someone that I would be his bride. I have to admit I was thankful that my mask hid most of my face, hopefully disguising my surprise to everyone who spoke to us. I supposed that settled that then really. This night was supposed to be one I was to dread, but now I was going to be a bride. The bride of Count Dracula.

[ldrmas]

Part 2

A Pirates Life for Me: A Beetlejuice Pirates of the Caribbean Part 2 Part 1 Here - https://ldrmas.tumblr.com/post/647682697685237760/part-1 Character sheet for those who have questions -  https://ldrmas.tumblr.com/post/647688946637324288/pirates-characters

-  Please leave a comment or a reblogg telling me what you think. Again if there is dialogue that is a repeat of the movie I am not taking claim to it, I’m just admitting I’m not smart enough to come up with something better. Obliviously this whole plot and lines do not belong to me, they belong to the mouse, I’m just commandeering them for the story, savvy?  But still enjoy, me hearties! -

~

“Come here, boy!”

“Come on please.”

“I have a nice juicy bone for ya.”

“Come here.”

Beej rolled his eyes as he leaned against one of the walls of his cell. One of his arms was across his chest while the other was what he was using as a cushion since the stone of the prison was unforgiving with its icy bite and he had already been cold enough today. “You lot can do that forever and the dog will never move.”

“Forgive us for not giving up and resort’ng ourselves to the gallows ‘ust yet.” One of the prisoners scoffed before they went back to calling for the mutt who held a large ring of keys within his jaws. Beej huffed at them before settling back against the wall. He couldn’t bother with them, though he did wish for some peace and quiet so he could think of an escape of some sort. He wasn’t looking forward to the gallows either, not that the lads behind him had to know that.

~

“There you go, Miss.” Barbara said as she slid the bed warmer under the several blankets that were tucked over the lady of the house. Lydia had been escorted home after Commodore Strong had asked her for the millionth time if she was alright. A bath had been immediately drawn for her and only when she had four cups of tea in her did her father cease his fussing. It was when he left the manor to return to the fort, did she feel that she could finally breathe.

“It was quite the day for you for sure.” Her maid went on and Lydia put down her book as she leaned back against the pillows. She merely smiled as the day flashed about her thoughts before she hummed.

“Well truth be told I suspected the Commodore to propose, but I still wasn’t entirely prepared for it.” Literally and figuratively, apparently. The more she thought of it, the more she was convinced that her body had been waiting for him to ask the question before she had lost consciousness, just so she wouldn’t have to answer. It made her laugh as she was sure that wasn’t the case, but she couldn’t help wishing it was just that.

“Miss, I meant you being apprehended by that pirate, it sounds dreadful.” Barbara added as she shuffled along the blankets making sure they were secure around her Misses. Lydia’s face fell as she suddenly remembered that she had indeed been in the arms of a pirate today.

“Oh…” Lyds commented as she nodded recalling the roughened hands pressing into her skin. His honey tone of mockery echoing in her pierced ear. Then those eyes. The description she had read about had failed to mention how haunting and beau- “Yes, it was …it was dreadful.” It wouldn’t do to finish that thought it was better to let the thoughts go.

“But the Commodore proposed!” Barbara gushed excitedly. “Now that’s a smart match, Miss, if it’s not too bold to say.”

“It is…” Lydia replied as she settled against the bed, but her eyes didn’t hold any excitement, nor did any part of her. She sighed as she realized she would eventually have to give Berthold an answer, if she could even figure out an answer to give. “He’s a …well he’s what every woman should imagine to marry.”

“Well, if I may,” Barbara hummed as she double checked that the lantern was good for the night.  “…that Dominic Orion, he’s a fine man who fancy’s you as well.”

“Ha,” Lydia giggled as she rolled her eyes and good naturally shook her head. She closed her book losing disinterest in it as she fixed her maid with a dispassionate gaze. “Yes, Dominic is kind, but I don’t feel what he feels for me. He’s more my brother than anything. If those two are my choices of who is supposed to take my hand, then I rather not make the choice at all.”

“Yes, Miss.” Barbara nodded letting her misses have her thoughts despite how innocent they may be. She would have to marry at some time, and it might do her better to marry the fellow whom she considered her brother than a man she had no feelings for at all. It wasn’t her place to say so instead she left the room after bidding the lady a final goodnight. 

Once she was alone Lydia sighed and plucked at the gold coin she was still wearing. She fiddled with it as she recalled the pirate had an interest in it. Why? Why did he care about a thing that was surely small compared to untold treasures he had seen in his life? He had looked he might have ripped it right off her neck had he been given the chance. She didn’t understand it and that made her all the more curious about what had happened today.

She suddenly resided from her thoughts as she realized the light was flickering. Her eyes traveled to her lantern that was indeed filled with enough oil for the night but as she squeezed the pendant in her hand the flame went out as if someone had purposely blown it out. There was no explanation for it and the air ceased in her lungs as an eeriness fell over not only her but the whole of Port Royal.

Well, that couldn’t be good.

~

The Commodore and Governor Deetz slowly walked along the walls of the fort. The Governor had returned for he wished to let Bert know that Lydia was indeed alright, also to continue talking with him for he hadn’t many chances at the party earlier that afternoon.

“Has Lydia given you an answer yet?” Charles casually asked with a gentle smile.

“No, not yet.” Bert replied as he sighed but returned the smile to the older man.

“Well, it’s been a difficult day for her. This ghastly weather is the fitting ending to such a day, don’t you agree?”

“It is bleak, indeed.” Bert nodded as he took a moment to fall back, glancing out to the dark water.

“What is that?” They both heard a faint whistle not instantly understanding what it was, but Bert jerked the Governor to the ground as a cannon ball struck the fort just behind him. He completely covered Charles’s body with his own and only when it was safe, he sat up again calling out orders to return fire.

“It can’t be…” Beej gasped as he jerked up from the perch in his cell, jumping to the barred window and looking down into the Cove of Port Royal. He was thankful that the window had a perfect view and his lips curled high as he was able to make out the black ship that nearly blended into the ocean that was colored coal from the dark night.

“My Kali…” He whispered as he watched the ship sent cannon shot after shot to the town and the fort.

“It’s the Kali!” One of the prisoners asked before he whimpered the name as he heard the Captain talk about the ship. They didn’t have a window like Beej did but there was nothing from stopping them from hearing the repeated cannon fire. “I’ve…I heard stories, she’s been preying on settlements ‘n ships for nearly ten years. Never leaves any survivors.”

“Ask yourself this, mate, where the stories come from if there be no survivors?” Beej mocked as he reluctantly took his eyes off the ship for just a moment to acknowledge the idiot prisoner behind him.

“Huh…”

~

Port Royal never stood a chance as the town was blasted to bits from the cannon fire. It hit every building, every structure, everything that was put together was blown apart. Men, woman, children scattered crying out and screaming into the dark night hoping to just possibly survive.

The cries of the town echoed all the way up to the fort where the navy was returning fire.

“Stash the muzzle flash. Stephen, more cartridges on the double man.” Bert commanded, before he stepped to Charles’s side touching his shoulder. “Governor, barricade yourself in my office.”

They ducked as a blast interrupted them before Bert growled. “That’s an order.” Charles gasped in deep fear but then nodded, knowing there wasn’t any way he could argue. He moved across the fort taking refugee in the office reluctantly.

Then it got worse as on the shoreline several boats filled with pirates stormed upon the sandy beach. They were here to raid pillage and destroy while two were on a special mission to find what their captain had demanded. A small shiny, invaluable to pirates despite its size.

Pirates flooded the streets and the ship circled around in the cove until it was further out and raining cannon fire down upon the fort. The people that weren’t lucky enough to get away from the damage of the cannon balls, they were attacked by blades of the pirates.

Dominic ran out into the streets grabbing axes and two swords from the shop, hoping to help. He threw an axe at a pirate that was chasing a screaming woman, it lodged into his back killing him. The pirate crumpled, giving the woman a chance to get away, Dom grabbed the axe before he jumped back into the fray.

Lydia ran out to the balcony of the house seeing the ship and the fort locked in an impasse of exchanging cannons neither willing to give up. She gasped as a lot of pirates stormed at the manor’s gates, having no difficulty with throwing it open and rushing to the door of the home. She ran back inside just as the pirates were knocking at the door. One of the butlers was walking across the foyer and sadly, just as Lydia screamed at him ‘Don’t!’, he already had and a gun went off. The butler landed back deader than a nail and Lydia shrieked at watching him die.

“Up there.” One of the pirates pointed at her. Lydia instantly took off for her room slamming the door closed and locking it. She was about to run into her main sleeping quarters when she ran into Barbara, they both screamed while her maid clutched onto her.

“The-They’ve come to kidnap you, Miss!”

“What?”

“You’re the governor’s daughter.” Lydia’s eyes widened but she jumped as the door rattled, the pirates were about to get through. “They haven’t seen you, so hide and the chance you get run to the fort.”

Then Lyds turned running back along the room just as she did the pirates broke through the barrier tumbling into the seating room and just catching the girl running into the next space. The shorter one gave chase but as he came to the threshold Lydia slammed the bedwarmer right into his face. Barbara ran through the door as she figured she wouldn’t get another chance.

The taller pirate captured the warmer’s handle before Lydia could swing it at him. They struggled until Lydia pulled the mechanism and hot embers fell upon the pirate like black rain. He screamed and jerked about as she dropped the heavy iron object then ran past them both.

“Hot, it’s hot. She burned me!”

“Come on!” The other pirate pulled him so that they both could give chase. One chased her down the stairs while the other jumped the landing trapping her upon the steps. There were other pirates about the home ransacking it for anything of value. A cannon was shot aimed perfectly at the house and it soared through the air hitting the nameless pirate and piles of gold in his arms square on. It was enough to weaken the support of the chandelier, so Lydia bolted passed one of the pirates as it crashed upon the floor, running into the dinning room.

She barred the door and instantly grabbed at the swords plaque that was above the fireplace, only it just decoration. The swords she hoped to use as defense wouldn’t budge so her head snapped around the room and then dove for a hiding place just as the pirates kicked passed her improve lock.

The two marched into the room one pointed at the opening window figuring they would have to chase her through the gardens yet the shorter one grabbed his arm and shook his head.

“We know you’re here, lassie.” He called out to the space. He slowly looked about the room while his friend remained quiet besides him. “Come out and we won’t hurt’cha. You have something that belongs to us, Lass. It calls to us.”

Lydia glanced down at the necklace. This. This thing brought them here. Why what was going on. “The gold calls to us.” Her hiding space went dark and she snapped her gaze up as the pirate was grinning right at here through the crack of the door.

“There ya are, Lass.” The doors opened and Lydia dropped the necklace as one word fell from her lips.

“Parley!”

The shorter of the pirates had pointed a gun to her hoping to shoot her but paused at the word. He glanced at his companion, but his gaze quickly went back to the lass. “How do you-”

“I invoke the right of parley!” Lydia repeated as she stood defiantly against the two, her palms shaking at her sides. “According to the Code of the Brethren composed by pirates Bartholomew and Morgan, you are now to take me before your captain.”

“I know the Code!” The smaller one growled as he was still confused on how a lady such as herself could recite the basic rules of the code as well as an old sea salt.

“Drop your weapon, then.” Lyds added as she glanced at the barrel of the pistol he was holding. “You know as well as I do, you can not harm me until the parley is complete.”

“To hell with the Code, Poppy, let’s just-”

“We must honor the Code, Vince, ain’t that right, Lassie? You want to go to the captain, fine, then you’ll come with us without a fuss.” Lydia complied as they grabbed at her and she could only hope they wouldn’t be hit by cannon fire before they made it to the ship.

~

“Watch out!” Beej yelled as he jumped from the window to the far end of the cell shoving his arms over his head. A cannon burst through the wall of the jail, shattering the stone wall as if it were simply paper, debris scattering like cockroaches along the floor.  

Beej shook out his head, the explosion left a deep ringing in his brain, but dread filled him as he noticed the position of the new crater. The prisoners in the next cell over hollered in joy as one by one they climbed out until there was one remaining.

“You have me sympathies, mate. Better luck next time.” He teased before joining the others and escaped into the night. Beetle sighed as he came up to the small part of the crater on his side of the bars, there was no escaping for him. He couldn’t even put his head through the hole. It was then he noticed the bone on the ground and he rolled his eyes before grabbing at it.

He had to try after all.

“Come on, boy.” He whistled while flicking the bone back and forth. The dog got to his feet coming over to him. “That’s right, it’s just the two of us now. You and old Beetle. Come on, closer. That’s it, come on, you stupid mingy mangled cur.”

The dog was just out of reach, so close but so far, before there was a loud clash at the top of the stairs. The dog then ran off deeper into the jail and Beetle cussed as he couldn’t grab him let alone the keys. His eyes then jumped to the stairs as there was more crashing, then a soldiers body was falling down the steps, and not moving once it came to a stop. There was however two walking down after him, two fellows he knew all too well.  

“Hey, Dan, look who we have here.” Leonard sneered as he strolled up to the bars. “Captain Beetle Kreaton.” He spat at the ground barely missing Beej’s arm who glared up at him from the other side of the iron cage.

“Last time we saw you, you were by your lonesome stuck on that godforsaken island, shrieking out like a woman as we sailed away.” Dan chuckled as he eyed the pirate with a grin that belonged on the devil himself. “Things haven’t improved since then have they, Kreaton.”

“Ya know, funny you should mention god, fellows.” Beej hummed as he dropped the bone before pulling himself up to his full height. “Because it’s not someone you’d be meeting soon, the deepest circle of hell is reserved for lot like you, mutineers and traitors.”

A hand shoved through the bars slamming upon his throat, near crushing his esophagus. That wasn’t the worst of it though, the arm that was now squeezing his skin was in the light of the moon and was nothing but bone. Bone and torn up fabric of the man’s otherwise intact jacket. Beej’s eyes widened in slight fright before he hummed.

“So, the curse is real.” He gasped as the skeleton fingers squeezed the skin of his neck. “Interesting.”

“You couldn’t even begin to understand hell, bastard.” Leonard sneered before he jerked his hand against the ex-captain’s neck once again then the two turned rushing back up the stairs from once they came.  

“That’s truly interesting.” He hummed as he was alone once again.

~

She was rushed through the streets. Lydia had saw a glimpse of Dominic fighting among the several citizens but the pirate continued on to lead her through the streets and so she couldn’t tell if he saw her. She was guided to a long boat where they held not only her but countless arrays of goods they had obtained from the town. The pirates didn’t touch her other than the smaller one keeping a crushing grip upon her arm. He warned them all not to bother her since she had shouted parley.  

They pulled her up upon the ship. They helped her crouch under the gunwale and take her first steps on board. There was so much going on, men running about, the echoing of the cannons in the air, it was madness. She could only gaze up at a man on the stern castle deck draped in a coat of ashen gray and a large hat perched upon his head decorated with unrecognizable feathers. A capuchin monkey swung on some random rigging before perching itself upon the Captain’s shoulder. He was surly the captain and who she would be negotiating with.

She was all confirmed in her thoughts as the two men who had guided her this entire way began dragging her to the stairs, only to be halted by a towering man with eyes of deep angry blue.

“We agreed, no captives.” He spat glancing at Lydia as if she were a thorn in his side.

“She invoked parley with the Capt’n.” Poppy barked as he tried to push past Sandy Marte, but the Lady got out of his grip, stepping closer to the First Mate instead.

“I’m here to ne-” A resounding slap echoed over the entire ambiance, silencing it and all the men stopped what they were doing to watch. Lydia yelped at the sting, covering the impact with her palm. She wanted to say something further, yet words died on her tongue as her eyes widened in slight fear.

“You’d speak when you are spoken too!” Sandy growled keeping his hand up just as a threat to hit her again before a hand soundly landed upon his forearm and long unkept nails dug into his skin.  

“And you...” Sandy made to flinch and gulp as he listened to that chilling voice. “…will do good to remember that no harm is to come to those under the protection of parley.”

“Aye, sir.” The First Mate agreed retreating his sun kissed arm and backing up among the other lads, allowing the Captain to step forward. Lydia held her ground standing as straight and proud as any noble should. She would not let her fear show, she couldn’t. She eased her hand down as the imposing man stepped closer. He looked her over, down his pointed nose with his eyes of earth brown sweeping about her completely, as if he could read her very soul. His mouth crooked up into a disturbing smile once he looked back into her own hazel eyes.

“My apologies, Miss.” He said in more of a whisper, as if the whole crew wasn’t listening to their every word.

“Captain Brightman…” Lydia stated the name slowly, showing him the respect he deserved, despite what she thought of him, yet there was a growl to her tone as she continued. “I am here to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against Port Royal.”

“There be many long words in that, Miss.” The Captain quirked his lips before he began chuckling at her, in fact the whole crew was chuckling under their breaths. “We be humble pirates, so one more time, what it be that you actually want?”

“I want you to leave then never come back.” She out right demanded, never once breaking her gaze from the captain even as now the whole ship broke out into amused laughter. Her fists curled at her sides, doing right to keep her trembling at bay. She wished to silence them all, but she knew it be better to ignore them. Her focus had to be solely on the Captain, or she would lose her nerve.

“I am disinclined to acquiesce to such a request.” Brightman at last replied, his smile blooming into a full grimy toothed smirk, especially as he hunched by leaning forward right into her personal space when her face pinched in confusion. “Otherwise known as ‘No’.”

“Right, then.”  She jerked the necklace off her neck then stormed over to the railing of the ship. Her hand shot out the chain dangling from her closed fist before she turned her eyes back on the captain with a glare. “I’ll drop it.”  

“That small bit matters nothing to us while our hold overflows with swag,” Brightman casually chuckled as he moved closer to her eyeing the pendant with disdain though his face fell as his eyes returned to hers. “Why bother with the threat, Lass?”

“You’ve been searching for this, have you not?” Lydia questioned as she glanced about the pirates, knowing they needed this but wondering why they weren’t stopping her. “I know I’m not mistaken, you are the pirates that I saw after you all attacked the ship eight years ago when I crossed from England. I’d know this ship anywhere.”

“Oh, do you now?” The Captain taunted while he hid his surprise. Lydia glared at him as he seemed to be mocking her. She could easily play his game if need be. She sighed glancing over the pirates once more before shrugging.

“Very well, if it’s worthless then there is no point to keep it.” The necklace chain lengthened slightly in her hand, the coin slid closer to the water. It was an instant reaction. Every single person other than her jerked forward reaching out for the gold and her. Brightman had the reaction she strived for the most, he yelled out for her to stop, the desperate ‘no’ falling from his chapped lips sent a pleased smile upon her own.  

He then laughed before gliding closer to her not stopping until he was invading her space once again. She pulled her hand back clutching the coin in her palm now. She made not to move back as his eyes swept about her again as if she be a puzzle he couldn’t understand. This close she could tell his eyes had a hint of yellow mixing in with the white, but it didn’t deter from the coldness of his brown irises boring into her. “You got a name, Miss?”

“Lydia…” She caught herself from saying her true name and dropped her head in a bow. “Lydia Orion, I’m a maid amid the governor’s staff.”

They should have realized that she wasn’t a maid by the state of her dress alone, but they were too focused on her name. “Miss Orion.” Brightman echoed so that all of his lads could hear the name as true as a bell. Murmurs burst from the pirates, all them now sporting smirks or grins, ones they knew to be filled with deep relief. Lydia pinched her brows as she heard the two pirates that had escorted her here in the first place.

“Doomed Doomie.” The shorter one had said to the other, who slowly turned about to gaze at her with more intrigue than before.

“Now,” Lydia snapped her eyes back to the Captain who was once again smirking at her and ranking his eyes over her completely. “how does a maid come to acquire such a thing? Perhaps passed down from a family member?”

“Are you inquiring I have stolen it, because I have not.” She questioned in reply. It seemed to be the answer he was willing to accept because his smirk fell into a simple grin as he held out his hand.

“Alright then, hand it over, and you have my word, we’ll put this town to our rudder and ne’er come back.” She reluctantly handed over the shiny, easing it into his hand. He passed it to the monkey who had been upon his shoulder the entire time. The monkey gripped the necklace before jumping up and disappearing along the rat lines. When she could no longer see the creature, her eyes went back to him before they settled in a harsh glare.

“We have a bargain?” The Captain said nothing just turned about on his boots nodding to his first mate. The man instantly called out the orders for those who were still on shore to come back and for the guns to cease fire. The Captain was walking away from her, but she was immediately at his heels calling out for him to take her to shore.

“You have to take me back for according to the code-”

“Firstly,” He barked as he turned about catching her against him as she bumped against his suddenly stopped body. She almost yelped as his body was unnaturally cold and his voice was mockingly ringing in her ear. “You didn’t request to be returned to shore, so I don’t have to do nothing. Secondly, for the code to apply you must be a pirate and you are no such thing, then lastly, Lassie, the code be more guidelines, not official rules. So welcome aboard the Kali, Miss Orion.” He released her and she stumbled back into the arms of the two pirates who had cornered her in her own home. They dragged her away to the Captain’s cabin, locking her within the room before joining their fellow mates to help with making sail. Captain Brightman stood at the helm where his companion jumped back upon his shoulder and he held the necklace once again.

After all these years, they had the final piece and even better the blood to be paid, once they cleared of this port they would finally break the curse upon them all. He shuddered as he guided the Kali out of the cove and a smirked curled his lips high. Oh yes, he could nearly taste it, freedom at long last.

~  

[fableweaver]

A Troll on the Knoll

In a place neither near nor far, in a time neither now nor then, there lives a shepherd. He was not an important man, except to his sheep, and kept no wife nor children. A lonely soul who preferred the silence of the pastures, he was a modest man with little to his name but his house and sheep. He left one day to gather his sheep from the far pastures and found a surprise when he arrived where his sheep were about their grazing.

Out on a knoll over the pastures, by the old set of standing stones, sat a troll. His sheep were unharmed and by a quick count all present, so it had not caused any undo harm or even scare to the placid beasts. So, he wondered what the troll wanted if not his sheep. He was a monstrous creature, all hair and beefy limbs, yet he only had one horn, the shepherd wondering what brave soul had managed to wound it in such a way. It was staring off into the distance at the horizon, as if it expected someone to come.

Since he had little to lose, his life not much in his estimate compared to his curiosity, the shepherd walked over to the troll. The creature did not even stir when he was near enough to smell its earthly reek.

“Hail,” the shepherd said in greeting with an honorable bow to the troll. It did not respond or even blink the twin lanterns of its great eyes. “May I join you?” he asked and again received no response. Being brave, the shepherd sat near enough the troll to keep it in sight. He withheld his curiosity, and instead withdrew his luncheon of simple mutton sausage, bread, and a wheel of goat’s cheese. He ate and watched his sheep, the troll as silent as the megalith stones at the crest of the hill.

Finishing his meal, the shepherd stood and bowed again to the troll, with a kind farewell he gathered his sheep with the aid of his dog. He left the pasture, wondering if he could see him again. The next few weeks he did indeed see the troll again, still in the same place under the shadow of the megaliths. Silent as always, yet always he greeted the beast and ate his luncheon near him. The shepherd soon grew fond of the beast, though silent he offered fair companionship different than his dog and sheep.

One day he finally let his curiosity ask what the little devil had wanted to know.

“Why are you here?” the shepherd asked, expecting no answer though hope prevailed.

It slowly turned its head and answered in a deep quiet voice of the earth and trees.

“I am waiting,” He said simply and surely.

“For what?” the shepherd asked, for his demon of curiosity still unsatisfied.

“My mate,” the troll answered, his eyes still on the horizon.

“You are to meet here?” the shepherd asked, and the troll nodded. “Why are you apart?”

Then the troll looked at him and the shepherd wished his demon a had been silent for fear suddenly gripped him like a mouse spotted by a falcon.

“I do not know,” the troll answered as if it pained him. “She left with only promise we were to meet here.”

“I see,” the shepherd said, hearing such pain in the troll’s voice. “I hope she will come soon then.”

“She will come,” the troll said turning back to the horizon and his vigil once more. “And I will wait.”

The shepherd left and that night he heard a moaning on the wind, a sound he had long attributed to the wind over the heath but now realized was the lonely song of the troll. He spent his luncheons near the troll, and never had the courage to break into his lonely vigil again.

Another day the shepherd was a walking along the roadside, seeking the village healer for his gout that plagued him every season of the rains, when he came upon a noble knight who stopped him on the roadside with a friendly hail from atop his horse.

“Hail good fellow traveler,” the knight said in a most friendly manor. “I am upon a quest of great deeds a hear there is a troll that has lingered overmuch in these parts. Have you seen such a beast about?”

Seeing that knight was well equip with lance and sword, weapons each that could only mean harm to some great monster of the world, the shepherd had no doubt of the knight’s intentions.

“No sir I have not,” the shepherd lied. “I cannot say I have seen as such about here.”

“Well enough friend,” the knight said with a huff and a bow. He rode away, kicking dust from the road over the shepherd despite his honest words. Coughing, the shepherd dusted himself off and went on his way. The next day he arrived at the knoll and found the troll, and this foe of the knight slain at his feet. Though the troll bore wounds from the battle, he still sat his vigil with eyes upon the horizon as if nothing had changed.

“Has she come?” the shepherd asked knowing the answer.

“She will come,” the troll said simply. “And I will wait.”

He did not need to ask that the knight had found the troll and attempted to slay him merely for being a beast against man. The shepherd burred the knight with all ceremony a simple man could afford, taking the horse and armor back to his house to sell later.

Weeks passed, the rains coming harder with lightning and winds of wrath. On such stormy days the shepherd looked out onto the moors, his sheep buckled away and safe, yet his heart ached for the troll. When the stormed passed he ventured to the knoll again though his duty of sheep had not called for the effort and found the troll again still at his vigil. He had sat though the storms as the menhirs behind him had, everlasting and still.

“You are so sure she will come?’ the shepherd asked.

“She will come,” the troll answered. “And I will wait.”

The same phrase made tears come to the shepherd, but he turned away and let the beast be. With the storms soon came the snows of winter and the shepherd spent his days spinning and carding wool confined to his house. The snows thawed and melted, and he soon released his sheep once more. Going out to the knoll he found the troll unmoved and waiting still.  

He said nothing and the days continued, though he wondered how long the troll would wait. Days and weeks, waiting the troll was silent in his vigil. The shepherd grew to hate this mate of his, why would she make him wait for her? One day when about the village square a commotion drew his eye to a crowd. People had gathered around a group of knights, men all of arms and might not seen much in the humble parts of the pastures and fields.

“What is this about?” the shepherd asked, fearing the answer.

“A troll hunt,” came the answer for some, “The beast slayed their brother, so they say and they are out for vengeance.”

Horrified the shepherd watched the men ride out of the village with a fanfare of merriment at the coming violence none here would see. He watched them go to deal their deed of death with no power to stop them nor run ahead of their horses and warn the troll. Not that the troll would have moved with the warning. All he could do was walk home, a hope the next day was not a bloody dawn.

The next day’s promise held true, a red sun rising over the scene of carnage over the hill. Every brother lay dead, and the troll lay dead and silent as his slayers, eyes no longer on horizon. His oath and promise broken he lay with a sword in his heart. The shepherd cursed the god that would see this happen, and the mate that failed the troll who was so faithful to her before he set about the task of digging graves.

The knoll was a little larger that day.

Spring rose with cheer and promise of life more than it had right, crocus flowering upon the knoll which the sheep ate greedily as was their due. The days continued much to the shepherd’s surprise, sweet as honey with a wild wind from the west. Then the winds changed from the east, bringing clouds and thunder.

On such a heavy day she arrived, the shepherd paying respect at the knoll that day. He saw her and watched her come, not the one meant to see her walk up to the knoll. His anger faded at the sight of her, bedraggled and travel worn, she bore many wounds he was amazed she lived through with such blood matting her hair.

“Hail,” he said quietly, not the one meant to greet her, he had little else besides.

“Hail,” she answered, troubled and looking about for the one she thought to be waiting for her. “I seek one such as I, he bore a horn like this one.”

She held out a fist and opened it, revealing a troll horn encrusted with gold and jewels.

“Ignore the brick-a-brack upon it, his horn was much shaped as such,” she said. “Without it he would be in great pain for our horns feel much for us in the air and light, we are creatures of air and darkness. Have you seen the one that I seek?”

The shepherd stared at the horn, anger and pain warring in his heart so much he was surprised by the level tone he spoke with next.

“No, I have not,” the shepherd answered with a lie that should not have come so easily.

“Then I shall wait,” she answered. “For he will come.”

The shepherd nodded and she took her place on the knoll, where her mate had sat and where the shepherd had buried him. She had come, and so she will wait.

[olliewood232]

The History of Animation

Animation dates back all the way to 3000 B.C.in which they engraved pictures onto pottery which gave the indication of animals leaping. along with this in 1500 A.D. Leonardo da Vinci Virtruvian Man was drawn at different angles which alos shows the idea of movement.

As time moved on and the industrial revolution began and so experimentation with machines started to roll out.The first of which was the Magic Lantern in 1603.This contraption consisted of an image projector which projected images from small sheets of glass. this was considered early animation because some of the sheets had moving parts.

In 1824, came the thaumatrope. the Thaumatrope was a simple rotating disk which had strings attached to each side. it was said to work on the idea persistence of vision. The disk would spin and the pictures would seem to fuse together.   

A few years later, in 1831 the next stage of animation was the Phenakitoscope. This was a small spinning disks which reflected the images onto a mirror and this made the illusion of movement. 3 years later in 1834, this developed into the Zoetrope. it was simply a more developed idea. it was a hollow drum shape that could fit strips of paper that would spin and it made it look as if the images were moving.  

the crazy thing is that it wasn’t until 1868 that the flip-book was actually created. it is a simple creation that only consists of paper and small drawings that change slightly to give the look of a small animation. It is said that the flip book was more inspiring than the actual machines created for the early animators. 

Then in 1877, came the praxinoscope. this built on the zoetrope as instead of a simple wheel it used multiple to rotate images and it is said that this is where the first initial animated cartoon images.

Once the 20th century hit, cartoons were becoming more prominent.  One of the many studios to open and thrive during this period was Bray studios in New York. Bray gave opportunity to many animators to help kick start there careers some of who created famous cartoons such as Mighty mouse, Betty Boop and Woody Woodpecker. 

In 1906, the first ever full animated film was created using stop-motion animation. It was called Humorous phases of funny faces. the film was produced by James Stuart Blackton. the film was a cartoonist drawing faces on a chalkboard and he faces were coming to life. Then in 1908 Fantasmagorie was created. this was the first animated film using hand-drawn animation. it was produced by Emile Cohl who was a french producer. it was also a silent film like the film created in 1906.

Jumping forward a couple of years Felix the Cat was introduced in 1914. Felix was considered the first animated movie star. Felix was first depicted in Feline Follies. He was created by Pat sullivan and Otto Messmer.

After Felix in 1928, cam Walt Disney first actual credible piece of animation- Steamboat Willie. this animation was the first of its kind because it had sound printed onto the film. you may actually recognise this animation as it is sometimes shown as an opening credit at the beginning of some Disney films.

Walt Disney was a world renowned animator and was the creator of so many famous faces such as Mickey mouse, snow white and many more. Walt was actually the original voice for mickey mouse and during his lifetime won 7 Emmy awards and 22 Academy Awards for his work. he was also very initiative as he turned his animations into theme parks all around the world.

Soon after came The Golden Age of American Animation. these were the years that homed the rise of the famous Walt Disney, Warner Bros and many others.

In 1930 Disney started to air the Mickey mouse series which proved to be a massive hit compared to his original animated series, Silly Symphony. Mickey mouse had more memorable and likeable characters hat everyone enjoyed.

The Golden age was a very important time for animation as it was when the want for animation was lowering in popularity however, it began to turn itself around. In 1937 Snow White was released by Disney. this was the first full-length feature to include fully drawn animated images throughout. this kicked off Disney as the famous animation movie maker he was. After Snow White he went on to create Pinocchio which was considered an incredible achievement by many and cost twice the amount that Snow white had. 

But as war broke out the studios had to move away fro there fun animations and instead were commissioned to start creating war propaganda to help with the war effort. the only film he was able to carry on with at the time was Bambi which released in 1942. However it bombed in the box office and had various reviews. It was later re-released where it did much better.

once the war ended, there wasn’t much money for studios to start back up previous pipeline projects. But soon after came the American animation TV age.

During this time many still popular shows were created. the industry began to shift from only animated films and started to created Cartoon shows and this was the start of many favourite channels such as Nickelodeon and  The Disney channel. 

the first show to be released was The Flintstones this was a popular cartoon show based around a family living in the stone age. It was fun for everyone and many people still like it to this day. It was released in 1960. A year later yogi bear was created and debuted on national TV. it was a spin off form a previous animated creation called Huckleberry Hound. the creator of this masterpiece was Hannah Barbara.

1964 was also a big year. during this year. Pink Panther won the best animated film and also the first ever adult cartoon was released. this was the first animated series to be aimed towards the entertainment of adults . the show was called Fritz the cat.

In 1980, the modern age of animation began. this was when CGI really kicked off. 3D modelling took over the original stop-motion done through drawing.  and so computer aided animation began to kick off throughout the world.

 The first full animated CGI film was released in 1984 it was called The adventures of Andre & Wally B. the creators of this short film were The Graphics Group. This company was what Pixar was originally know as. And in 1987 the Simpsons hit the worlds TVs. the Simpsons was created by Matt Groening for the Fox channel. The Simpsons is the longest running american sitcom. since its first showing it has had 30 seasons and people still love to this day. It sits currently with a 8.7 rating on IMDB. it also had a film release in 2007.

In 1995, the first fully computer animated film was released, Toy story this was Pixars first full-length feature film that was computerised animation. the films executive producer was Steve Jobs. the movie made  worldwide amount of $362 million.

Once the 2000s hit animation began to fly even further with models becoming more realistic than ever. Studios began to release cartoon movies multiple times each year and pipeline projects that had been in the works for years began to be seen on the big screens.

As you can see animation has come a very long way. And it will continue to grow and flourish from what we know at the moment.

[jacscorner]

Thundercats Rant 02

Well, I finally saw Thundercats Roar proper. And, I gotta admit, I went into this with a different feeling than I thought I would. Back in 2018, my blood was boiling and I was furious-not because Thundercats was getting the TTG treatment; by that point, my anger for TTG became a general acceptance. It’s here and there’s nothing that can be done and the execs just wanna cash in. No, I was pissed because of the asshole creator and their defenders.

This is either a bold face lie or just false.Cause even today, shows get canceled all the time because merchandise wasn’t pushed. Just look at 2011 Thundercats: it was killed so Cartoon Network could promote Legend of Chima, which was a glorified Lego Commercial. There’s also Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Young Justice; one of them was pulled cause of poor toy sales and the other was because the audience buying the toys wasn’t their target audience-at least, before being resurrected on Netflix.

Hell, PPG 2016 was only made because they’re still marketable, so the reverse is also true.

And let’s not forget this general attitude that seems to hover around these ‘creator-driven’ cartoons here in the west. Or, rather, the ones that are reboots of existing properties. They’ll constantly talk down to the original audience and act like they’re just being entitled and will try to kick ‘em out. 

I already gave my thoughts on the ‘for kids’ argument and why it’s bullshit, but I’ll give you a much better and shorter argument to that defense here: that’s not an excuse, or even true. This show is obviously being made for the creator’s, that’s why they’re “creator-driven”. No show is strictly “for kids”. They can be appropriate for kids, but they’ll always be made by people cause they have a vision they want on screen. From Steven Universe to Fanboy and Chum-Chum.

 Animation-wise, the characters squash and stretch more than an old Mickey Mouse cartoon with their proportions morphing and stretching. And, fine, okay, it’s a comedy parody show that’s not intended to be serious. Whatever.

What about that promised action? I mean, it does do SOMETHING. I’ll admit, it’s action is animated smoother than Classic Thundercats. Though that’s like saying my new 2020 car runs better than my Dad’s car that was made in 1987 and has been rusting with no love or maintenance for the last 30 years.

The cold hard fact is that animation techniques have advanced since the 80s, Coutright. And comparatively, it’s more impressive they managed to get these complex action figures to move as fluidly as they do as oppose to these Newground rejects bouncing around like they have no bones.

Honestly, I’m having trouble thinking of crap to say, cause I’m not all that angry at this show. It’s just TTG 2. Lion-O is just an idiot, the Thunder Kittens are just loud, Cheetara is basically Rainbow Dash from MLP, Panthro is, ironically, the only character that’s tolerable, but I guess that’s cause his ‘personality’ is just what he does. He’s super strong, he likes to build stuff...and that’s it.

Figures the black-coded character gets the least amount of work put into them.

And Tigra is just Lion’s Dad. That’s it. He’s written to be Lion-O’s nagging father and, admittedly, you could say that was Lion-O’s and Tigra’s relationship in the original. But here? It’s beaten over out head with a bat and the show winks at us and says, “ain’t he just a total square?!” He’s honestly just  Squidward from Spongebob, with everyone practically telling him to shut up and the show going out of its way to show Tigra is their whipping boy, excuse my pun, when...I mean, Tigra was a badass on the same calibur with the rest of the pack. But someone has to be the butt monkey and it can’t be Snarf cause he’s Lion-O’s pet robot.

...Yeah, I said that.

And, well, that’s all.

Back in 2018, I thought I’d be watching this with fire in my eyes, filled with piss and vinegar. But no, I’m just kind of looking at this with a sense of tired acceptance. This is just what western animation is and going forward into the 2020s, I can only hope things change and moves away from everything being a slice-of-life comedy. I’m not saying we can’t have those. There’s a place for Gumball and Steven Universe. Hell, I think there’s a place for Thundercats Roar and Teen Titans Go!, but this is just so saturated and everybody is trying to be this. It’s just like the 80s when everybody wanted to be an action show-it was a problem then and its a problem now.

But hey, it’s still better than Dude, What Would Happen?

[askmyboys]

The Family (their not ACTUALLY related tho I’llexplainintextshh)

Names: Luke, Alan, Scott, and Wyatt | Genders: Male | Ages: Unknown | Heights: Luke is 7'3", Alan is 5'0", Scott is 6'2", and Wyatt is 7'1" | Species/Race: Human | Hair Colors: Alan's hair is Peanut Brown (his hairstyle is Tapered Sides + Messy Comb Over),  Luke's hair is pitch black (his hair style is fairly lengthy, curly/stringy and honestly it looks very scraggly, it looks like he barely e v e r combs it or anything), Scott's hair color is Ginger (his hairstyle is: Shaved Sides + Long Parted Hair), and finally Wyatt's hair color is Hickory Brown (his hairstyle is Cool Textured Thick Hair + Short Sides) | Eye Colors: Alan's is Denim Blue, Scott's is Forest Green, Luke's is Seal Gray, and finally Wyatt's eye color is Charcoal Black (their eye colors are mostly the way they are because of the colors meanings) | Appearances: Let's start off with Alan... he usually wears sweaters, turtlenecks or hoodies most of the time- complete opposite to the others for sure, he'll wear some ripped jeans to go along with them and some regular boots, nothing TOO fancy- he just likes the comfy feeling of sweaters/turtlenecks/hoodies n such mostly, he does wear them bc of that but also to cover up all his scars- I'm going to get this out of the way already, all of them wear animal masks tbh- Alan's mask is a mouse, Scott's mask is a bull, Luke's is a wolf, and Wyatt's mask is a Fox, Alan has a circle beard, Scott has a short boxed beard and both Luke and Wyatt have full beards. Scott usually wears tank tops and ripped pants, combat boots included as well, he's not really much for fashionable looks- just whatever fits and is easy to throw on usually, he also has a ton of scars on himself as well, the most prominent one is over his right eye however it doesn't seem to affect his vision- oh he also wears fingerless black leather gloves with spikes on them- I do gotta also say- Alan's a skinny not so strong looking dude, Scott looks a bit chubby but he's definitely beefy and could probs take out 5 people at once if he so desired, Luke is pretty beefy considering those kinds of standards- he doesn't look TOO strong but he could definitely take some people out if he wanted, Wyatt is a large chubby man but don't underestimate him- he can EASILY kick your ass too. Luke's main outfit is a long sleeved black t-shirt along with overalls over them, and he also wears combat boots as well- if he's not wearing his overalls- he'll wear a ripped denim jacket (a simple white t-shirt underneath it), ripped up blue jeans and- well- okay the combat boots stay either way, he gotta have those- and he wears dark brown punk rave gloves (I have an image ref if ya wanna see- just ask and I'll show ya) he has scars on his arms, legs, chest, back- and especially his face- although they don't seem to bother him in the slightest tbh. and finally Wyatt usually wears ripped denim jackets as well, again a simple t-shirt underneath, and his boots look more punk like than anything really, he also wears fingerless/knuckle-less leather driving gloves on both hands (all the lads that DO wear gloves have them on both hands btw), he also has a bunch of scars all over him but like everyone except for Alan, his scars don't bother him- in fact he's happy he's got them- its proof of just how strong he is. | Personalities: Let's start off with Alan once again, he's the surprisingly "sweet one" of this fucked up bunch- he's shy, he hardly talks because of that fact but also the... "outsiders" as his "family" calls them (fun fact: their not actually related at all in the slightest, they just... consider themselves this kinda weird, fucked up family if you will-), so the outsiders terrify him- he's worried they'll corrupt him or worse, hurt/kill his family, he can't let that happen... So, despite his shyness n such, he WILL kill someone if it means protecting his family but that's the only way he'll kill or torture e v e r, he's the sweetest one compared to the others however so long as no one tries to corrupt him or hurt/kill his family then he's chill, he just isn't good at conversations because of his shyness and fear of corruption, he does genuinely care for his family however, they all do- they'd protect each other with all their dying breaths for sure. Scott is cold, uncaring, and pretty much the brawn of this group- sure, Luke n Wyatt are also pretty strong as well BUT- Scott still counts as the brawn, he's completely silent- doesn't ever speak a word- he's not mute actually but he just chooses not to speak, words waste time when he can be causing mindless carnage ...so long as Luke or Wyatt give him the okay that is, he HIGHLY respects them both as the leaders essentially in a way, as for Alan... despite his cold and uncaring attitude towards the outsiders, to his family he is respectful and even... friendly actually- he tries to toughen Alan up on occasion- not because he thinks Alan is weak, he just doesn't want him to be... left behind in a way- he wants him to be able to defend himself if the outsiders come into their territory. Luke is cold as well, he also rarely speaks- only when he needs to truth be told, he h a t e s the outsiders but loves his family, he won't hold back at all most of the time when an outsider comes into their territory- Wyatt has to tell Scott to restrain Luke when it comes to them, he also tries to help Alan out along with Scott, he wants Alan to have not only a strong body however he also wants him to have a strong mind- the outsiders... he'll give it to em begrudgingly, their smart... too smart, they could easily corrupt such a young fragile mind like Alan's and he won't e v e r let that happen, he has a high respect for Wyatt, Wyatt is like the true leader of this family- and finally Wyatt... Wyatt is a fuckin lunatic im just gonna say that right now, he's mysterious and unpredictable- you never know what his next move is going to be no matter how much you try to get a read on him, he's v e r y cryptic with his wording and well various other things as well (he's p much the cryptid of their territory at this point), he's cold, calculating, and cunning- he's pretty much the brains in this here family, always makes the plans when outsiders venture into their territory, he's ALWAYS prepared just in case, can't have a n y o n e ...well, anyone that isn't w o r t h y inside... but to be honest, most outsiders aren't worthy, they aren't f i t to be let inside, those that are however... Well... It's best to just wish them luck, that's all you can do at this point, because after he finds the worthy ones, there's not much hope for them afterwards... | Side Facts: Before I talk more bout them, let's talk about their territory that's referenced so much... So, their "territory" is pretty much a deep part of the woods, they have a fairly big log cabin, its a very old and dirty looking house both on the inside and outside in fact, there's lots of things on their property, lots of it looks like junk in a way, junked up cars even, honestly- it looks like something out of a horror movie which in a way is fitting given their personalities n such, you can tell your getting close to their home when you see lanterns hanging on the trees and that's a sign you should turn back and r u n, that is... If you can, there's usually one of them ALWAYS patrolling EVERY inch of their territory. Tbh- their territory is also gated off anyways and for a g o o d reason, so crossing the gate is of your own free will- so you'd p much be putting yourself in harms way willingly so yeaaahh... Now onto the lads, what do they do in their spare time when their not patrolling or keeping close eye on the new outsider that wandered inside, etc? Well, Alan usually spends most of his time inside and reading or he's making and inventing things and new weapons for the rest of his family, he's always happy to give them a new weapon when one of theirs breaks down or help out when they need (but first, lemme say that their MAIN weapons they have around the property and like to use is, well... Alan likes to use a simple baseball bat, Scott uses a hook/chain, Luke has an axe, and Wyatt will honestly use whatever he wants, in a way- their kinda similar to slashers when they start bringing out the weapons n such), when Alan's not doing any of that- he usually explores the woods, well MOST of the woods... He's always heard from the others not to explore the d e e p e r parts of the woods and of course he listens despite his curiosity. Scott usually helps Wyatt hang up more lanterns on some of the trees bc a lot of those outsider nuisances for some reason grabs the lanterns and usually winds up dropping them on the ground out of fear n other bullshit, they keep those lanterns there for a r e a s o n... aside from that, he'll borrow Luke's axe and chop some firewood (they dont have electricity, they dont really care for technology or any of that), mostly aside from doing work around the property- he'll exercise more with Luke, carrying and lifting heavy objects- gotta keep their strength up, he'll also help Alan try this as well ...he has on occasion panicked bc Alan was struggling so much with one object, it looked like it was about to crush him, Wyatt has warned both Luke and Scott to start small and then go for the much bigger objects, you can't rush these things. Luke usually also does some work on the property, he hunts food more so for the family than anything, he's a good hunter and damn good tracker, of course- he uh, uses a gun for the hunting not an axe lmao, he'll bring back the food to get them through the harsh winters and just to get by in general, he's also good with telling which plants/berries would be safe to eat and which are not, he patrols the area ON OCCASION along with Wyatt but, his self restraint to go and rip them apart needs to be stronger in order for him to patrol- he needs MORE self control than that, like Scott- he also helps Alan out with not only strength of the body but also mental strength- he knows those... book thingies, albeit usually an outsider item- will help him gain more knowledge, Wyatt has told him however that, even books can be mistreated by an outsider, they take stuff for g r a n t e d... Which is foolish, but he'll still help Alan out himself as well. and finally... the big finale of this long ass post, Wyatt, the l e a d e r of this fucked up family... He usually spends his time outside, keeping an eye on the property and ready to help one of his "brothers" as he calls them (again, just in case its been forgotten, they are not ACTUALLY related, they just think of themselves as this weird lil fam) if they need, he's essentially the overseer of them and of course their property, he makes the plans if outsiders come into their territory OR... if their worthy enough, he'll help them... see the light so to speak, he'll help them see the true meaning... blah blah ya know all that cryptic shit, he's been to the... D E E P E R parts of the woods before, he knows a l l about it... He tries to keep his brothers shielded from it, they don't deserve to be put through a n y t h i n g like t h a t, he's warned Alan himself before too of course like "Now brother, don't'cha dare go wanderin' into them deeper parts of the woods, it ain't safe... Not for a young fragile soul such as yerself..."

[heliads]

Neverland Rebel Chapter Seven

Saramia Gibson didn’t want to be taken to Neverland, but apparently, she didn’t have a choice. Now, Saramia has to escape the island before Pan finds her- because that means a certain death for her. Can she escape in time?

previous / series masterlist / next

The world is swinging. Back and forth, back and forth. I carefully open my eyes to see Pan swinging the cage to wake me up. 

        "Why are you shaking? Are you okay?" Pan questions me, almost seeming like he cares about me. What a ridiculous thought. "You scared of the island already?" I suddenly remember what my dream was about. I hated moments like those, although they happened all the time when I lived with my family. That specific day happened when I was seven, the first day when I fully came to the terms that my parents did not and never would care about me. 

        I glare at him. "None of your business, Pan." He takes a step back and pretends to be shocked. "Woah, take it easy, princess! It's just a question!" I glare at him again. "Don't ever call me a princess." He had better not compare me to royalty, with their perfect crowns and perfect thrones and perfect lies...

        "Whatever." He says, stepping away. "I was going to let you out of that cage, but it seems like you don't want me around, so I'll leave." "WAIT!" I yell, desperate to leave the cage. "Get me out!" I hate to beg, but I need to get out of this cage. There are still faint traces of that nightmare, and I'm worried of where my mind will go if I stay here. 

        He turns around and smirks, obviously enjoying his position of power. He opens the door of the cage and I eagerly jump out. Freedom!

        "Guess what?" He asks, smiling a little. "Today we get to have the games! I know you were disappointed we didn't get to have them yesterday, but no worries! They're still on schedule!" Oh, no. I can't deal with the games. Not now. I still don't know what the games are, but I really don't think I can handle them right now.

"So, what exactly am I doing in these games?" I ask, almost silently begging him to answer me, but to no avail. He only responds that he'll tell me in due time, but that time was due long ago. He leads me to the camp of the Lost Boys once again, and they're all arrayed in a semicircle. They're clearly waiting for me. Great.

"The rules are simple: don't get caught. Have you ever heard of cat and mouse? That'll be us. You will get this," Pan hands me a dagger, "and the Lost Boys and I will be trying to find you. Get it?" Hold up. I have to hide? This is so unfair! I don't know the island at all, and the Lost Boys have probably been here for years! 

"What happens when you find me?" I ask, knowing that the boys will find me in a matter of time. "Well, that depends on how long it takes us!" Pan grins, and the rest of the Lost Boys laugh mockingly. I try to think of a plan, but I am starting to feel a little panicked.

"You get a five minute head start. Use it wisely!" With a final smirk, Pan turns around and I realize that the game has started. I sprint as fast as I can away, trying to take the quickest path into the forest. I could fool the Lost Boys once by hiding in a tree, let's see how well I can hide again.

Branches and thorns hit me, but that doesn't matter. I need to cover distance fast, and find a good hiding place. I skid to a stop when I feel I can't run anymore, although it still isn't far enough away. I look up to see a tall tree, which seems to be a perfect hiding spot. However, Pan knows I just hid on the top of a tall tree. Isn't that the first place he'd look? I need to go somewhere else. I'm pacing in front of the tree and trying to think of something when I spot something unusual near the base of the tallest tree. One of the knots seems to be unusually near the ground and separate from the usual pattern of bark and knots covering the rest of the tree. I put my hand on the knot and nearly fall over as the knot, along with a large segment of the tree. collapses inward. Have I managed to kill this tree already? I have no hope to survive on this island... 

Except, as I look closer, there are steps heading down below the base of the tree. Is this a secret area? I'm debating whether or not to go in when I hear the shouting of the Lost Boys a ways away. Is my time already over? My mind is made up in a panic. Regardless, I need a place to hide, and this secret hideaway is my best option. I head down the steps and notice a lantern light up. I try to close the 'door' in the tree trunk and find a matching knot to press. Once I hit the knot, the tree slides shut and I am swallowed up by the mysterious area, and just in time. The voices of the Lost Boys are only drawing closer. I cautiously step more into the room and look around. It's a small area, clearly carved out of the ground underneath the tree. I see stacked boxes, a desk, and a couple more lanterns on top of mismatched tables. What is this place? I decide to look around a little more. After all, it doesn't sound like I'm coming out any time soon.

[connorrichardson-bth-blog]

Stop Motion Animation-History

The magic lantern was made in 1603, it is an image projector using pictures on the sheets of glass, some sheets contain moving parts. It is considered the first example of project animation.

In 1824, the Thaumatrope housed a rotating mechanism with different picture on each side. When rotated, you saw a combined picture. The Thaumatrope is a Victorian toy constructed from a simple disk or card featuring a different picture on each side and attached to two pieces of string. When the strings are twirled rapidly the card rotates on its axis and the two images appear to combine. Invented by John Ayrton Paris (1785-1856), an English physician, in 1825, the Thaumatrope was the first instrument to exploit the persistence of images on the retina. Paris’s Philosophy in sport made science in earnest, first published in 1827, expounded his belief that scientific learning in children could be stimulated through a combination of amusement and instruction, using demonstrational toys such as the Thaumatrope.

In 1831, the phenakitoscope feature spinning disks reflected in mirrors that made it seem like the pictures were moving.

The optical toy, the phenakistoscope, was an early animation device that used the persistence of vision principle to create an illusion of motion. It was invented by Joseph Plateau in 1841.The phenakistoscope used a spinning disc attached vertically to a handle. Arrayed around the disc's center were a series of drawings showing phases of the animation, and cut through it were a series of equally spaced radial slits. The user would spin the disc and look through the moving slits at the disc's reflection in a mirror. The scanning of the slits across the reflected images kept them from simply blurring together, so that the user would see a rapid succession of images that appeared to be a single moving picture. A variant of it had two discs, one with slits and one with pictures; this was slightly more unwieldy but needed no mirror. Unlike the zoetrope and its successors, the phenakistoscope could only practically be used by one person at a time.

In 1834, the zoetrope was a hollow drum that housed images on long interchangeable strips that spin and made the images appear to move.

The zoetrope , invented in 1834 by William George Horner, was an early form of motion picture projector that consisted of a drum containing a set of still images, that was turned in a circular fashion in order to create the illusion of motion. Horner originally called it the Daedatelum, but Pierre Desvignes, a French inventor, renamed his version of it the zoetrope (from Greek word root zoo for animal life and trope for "things that turn.")

A zoetrope is relatively easy to build. It can be turned at a variable rate to create slow-motion or speeded-up effects. Like other motion simulation devices, the zoetrope depends on the fact that the human retina retains an image for about a tenth-of-a-second so that if a new image appears in that time, the sequence was seem to be uninterrupted and continuous. It also depends on what is referred to as the Phi phenomenon, which observes that we try to make sense out of any sequence of impressions, continuously relating them to each other.

In 1868 the flip-book, also known as the kineograph, reached a wise audience and it credited with inspiring early animators more than the machines developed in this era.

A flip book is a collection of combined pictures intended to be flipped over to give the illusion of movement and create an animated sequence from a simple small book without machine.

Very popular at the end of 19 th century and the beginning of 20 th century, but still produced today, flip book is the American name even used in France, more often than its French name folioscope. British people call it flick book or flicker book; in Germany Abblätterbuch (books to be flipped through) in the 19 th century and then Daumenkino : “thumb cinema”, name that we also find sometimes in the US at the beginning of 20 th century (also called thumb book) as well as less usual names such as flip movie, fingertip movie, riffle book, living picture book or hand cinema.

Some authors compared the flip book to the Magic Book or Blow Book, a fashionable kind of books in 19 th century that allowed animations or optical illusions. Actually, the only common point is that they both use the principle of animation. The actor and historian of magic, Ricky Jay, is the author of a great work devoted to these small books

In 1877, the praxinoscopre expanded on the zoetrope, using multiple wheels to rotate images. It is considered to have shown the first prototypes of the animated cartoon.

The Praxinoscope is a typical optical toy from the 19th century. It consists of a cylinder and a strip of paper showing twelve frames for animation. As the cylinder rotates, stationary mirrors in the centre reveal a ‘single image’ in motion. The Praxinoscope was invented in 1876 by Charles-Émile Reynaud (1844-1918), a Paris science teacher, who marked all his examples ‘E.R.’. The toy became a great commercial success and won recognition at the great exhibitions of the period.

The Silent Era, 1900-1930:

The Silent era happened in the early 20th century. This was the marks of the beginning of cartoons. Many animators form studios , with bray studios in New York proving the most successful of this era. Bray helped lunch the careers of the cartoonists that created Mighty Mouse, Betty Boop and Woody Woodpecker. In 1906, was the first entirely animated film, Using stop-motion photography to create action. In 1908, the first animated film using hand drawn animation, and is considered by film historians to be the first animated cartoon. In 1919 Musical Mews and Feline Follies introduces Felix the Cat- Often considered the first animated star.

in 1928, Steamboat Willie made a cartoon which was the first cartoon with sound printed on the film, and is the first noble success for Walt Disney Studios.

The Golden Age of American Animation, 1930-1950s:

During what many consider to be the “Golden Age” of animation, theoretical cartoons became integral part of popular culture. These years are defined by the rise of Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, MGM and Fleischer.

In 1930, Warner Brother Cartoons was funded and created the Merrie Melodies series.

In 1937, Walt Disney releases Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first animated feature to use hand-drawn animation.

The American Television Era, 1960-1980s:

The animation industry began to adapt to the fact that television continued its rise as the entertainment medium of choice for American families. Studios created many cartoons for TV, using a “limited animation” style. By the mid 80s, with help from cable channels such as The Disney Channel and Nickolodeon.

In 1960, Hanna Berbera releases The Flintstones, the first animated series on prime time television.

In 1961, The Yogi bear Show, a spin off of huckleberry hound debuts on national TV.

In 1963, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises wins the Academy Award for Best Short Film for The PinkPhink and continues to create shorts for theoretical release.

In 1964, Flitz the Cat is release- the fist animated adult feature film

Modern American Era, 1980-2014

The CGI (computer generated imagery) revolutionized animation. A principal difference of CGI animation compared to traditional animation is that drawing is replaced by 3D modeling, almost like a virtual version of stop-motion. A form of animation that combines the two and uses 2D computer drawing can be considered computer aided animation.

In 1984, The Adventues of Andre and Wally B was the first fully CGI animated film, created by The Graphics Group, the precursor to Pixar.

In 1987 The Simpsons was Made,  The Simpsons is an American adult animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. It is the longest-running American sitcom, the longest-running American animated program, and in 2009 it surpassed Gunsmoke as the longest-running American scripted primetime television series.

In 1995, Toy Story was the first fully computer animated feature film, was released.

In 2014, Big Hero 6 is the fist Disney animated film to feature Marvel Comic characters.

[comickergirl]

I’ve got a pretty big soft spot for Kara’s Daring New Adventures costume, with the shorts and choker. What do you think about that one? And what are your ranking of Supergirl costumes?

I am a HUGE FAN of Kara’s look in Daring New Adventures. Definitely one of my favorite costumes.

I’ve got a few posts about various Supergirl costumes, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually ranked them! So I’ll give it a shot. XD

Okay, so here it is: Supergirl Costumes, RANKED, from the Least Favorite to HECK YEAH!*

*DISCLAIMERS BEFORE WE BEGIN: Obviously this stuff is subjective, so my list is probably going to be different that other folks’ lists, and so on and so forth. Personally, I value simple, effective designs that are both functional and…oh, what’s a good word. They’re superhero costumes. Like, sure, you could probably get the same stuff done in a Kevlar vest and cargo pants, but there isn’t really a ton of flair to be had when you go the practical route

 And bonus points if the costume reflects the character’s personality/disposition, and has a story reason for existing.

Also I don’t think I’ve got EVERY DESIGN, EVER, for any and all Karas in the multiverse, because this post is ALREADY crazy long; we need not make it longer. XD

OKAY, so now that that’s done, LET’S GO:

25. Brainwashed Apokolips Supergirl 

Proof that ‘adding pants’ won’t always solve your costume problems. 

24. Dark Supergirl

So, here’s the thing: I love the black and silver Superman costume. LOVE. IT. So it should follow that I love the Supergirl variation, right? …Well. Sometimes, a design that would otherwise be ‘just fine’ is pushed into ‘oh God, please no,’ by 1.) a terrible story surrounding said design and 2.) really weird, sexualized artwork. Such is the case with our dear friend Dark Supergirl. Which is why it sits so low on the list. (And for those curious, yes, the blue equivalent also sits down here as well, because there’s just. A lot about this era that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.) 

23. Flamebird

Another design brought low by being wrapped up with a terrible story. (I think I dislike the Kandor plot more than the Dark Supergirl plot, actually.) This feels over-designed and like it’s trying way too hard to be edgy. Less ‘edgy’ than Apokolips Girl up there, but. Close. 

22. New 52

This isn’t awful in theory but that red…er…plate? kinda ruins the whole thing. Some artists did their best to make the plate look more like the equivalent of Clark’s trunks, but at it’s worst it’s just an awkward patch that looks even more awkward from a variety of angles. (And it’s BRIGHT RED so it distracts you from the other, more effective areas of the design. NOT GREAT, BOB. NOT GREAT.)

21. Bombshells

Look this one is absolutely a personal taste thing, I’ve just never been into the pin-up aesthetic. 

20. Superman: The Animated Series

I dunno, this design just never really worked for me. It’s not bad–in fact, it’s really simple and clean, but. *shrugs* Maybe it’s just too much a departure from what I generally associate with the Superman ‘family’ of costumes. Also, the gloves always make me think of like. Loony Tunes and Mickey Mouse. (But I love the boots, guys. Those are great.) (I didn’t include her later JLU costume on this list, but know that I like it a lot.)

19. Justice League 3001

Not a huge fan of the color blocking for this look. The crest is cool, but. The shapes don’t really mesh well, IMO. 

18. 70s Hot pants

I like 50% of this costume! As we will see shortly! But that remaining 50% really kills it, man. The way the shorts/hot pants are drawn, they just end up looking like really uncomfortable underwear.

17. Cyborg Supergirl

I’m just not a mech/tech armor person. Lot of plating and circuitry…kinda starts to look too busy and you lose the cooler design elements. (But there’s a story reason for it! So it does get some points in that regard!)

16. Red Lantern

Weird color blocking/shape language strikes again! Not a fan of the knees and torso. (But! It ranks way higher than the new 52 because it makes the plate into an actual full piece of clothing. Improvement!) Mask is really cool. And the sleeves.

15. Elseworld’s Finest

Honestly it’s not a bad design. Pretty simple and slick. Mostly, it’s just kinda plain. I like the way the cape attaches to the main portion, and the boots! 

14. Crucible Academy 

A bit more streamlined that the Cyborg look. Not at all a bad design. But again. Just not into the mech armor take. 

13. DC Superhero Girls

I actually really like this? I mean, she’s adorable? But I don’t quite understand the shirt. Is it a polo? Sweater vest? A sweater vest on TOP of a polo? IDK, it’s a mystery.

12. Gotham City Garage

Belly shirt feels a little dated, but otherwise, I dig it.

11. 1984 Movie Costume

HONESTLY, FRIENDS. ALL THINGS CONSIDERED…IT’S A SMALL MIRACLE THAT THIS COSTUME LOOKS AS GOOD AS IT DOES. We’re starting to move towards my personal favorite look for Supergirl–it’s got all the right elements! But the belt’s not great, and the material–I mean it works but it’s a costume from a movie that’s three decades old. So it’s a touch dated.

10. Headband

So we’re at the point where a lot of these designs are gonna start to look similar so really I can only rank them based on nitpicky things. XD Like, I don’t love when the skirt comes to a point like that, and the way the pleating is drawn makes the skirt sort of…hang weird. (Yes I realize it’s ridiculous to talk about gravity affecting fabric in a DRAWING where neither of those things actually exist but here we are.) Overall though? The crest is nice and bold, the shape is cool, it works well with the rest of the outfit, and they are just LEANING INTO THAT HEADBAND. YOU GO, KARA. (Also heeeeeey STORY REASON FOR HEADBAND so you know what that means. BONUS POINTS.)

9. Matrix

Improves on the areas that I don’t personally dig on the Headband costume–belts and boots are GREAT. Skirt still comes to a point though. :/

8. Linda Danvers

This is why I can’t really take that Flamebird design seriously. You want your Supergirl to look edgy? DOESN’T GET EDGIER THAN FIRE WINGS, BRO.

7. Injustice 2

It’s a video game, so you’ve got SEAMS and WEIRD RANDOM DETAILS and SUPERFLUOUS DESIGN NONSENSE (see: the costume options for the metal thigh bands) but GIVEN that it’s a video game, this coulda gone so bad, bro. So credit where credit is due. XD Don’t like the gloves and bare arms, though.

6. Jamal Igle Update

They took a costume that was…causing problems, and they made it work. Really, really well. 

5. Smallville Season 11

Okay, when they advertised this comic, and Kara’s costume, I was not into it. And then I read it, and LO AND BEHOLD, IT’S G8. The color blocking is KINDA CRAZY but remarkably, when you start drawing it in action? It just. It looks good.

4. Rebirth

IT’S JUST SO CLASSIC. (So why is it not in the top three? Because of that infernal skirt point, I tell ya.)

3. Silver Age

I mean they basically NAILED IT right out the GATE man. NOICE. 

2. Daring New Adventures

The 80s fix the 50% I didn’t like in 70s look–there’s just something about adding those boots…I dunno man, it just MAKES IT WORK MUCH BETTER. I love this look. I love this era in the comics. I love Carmine Infantino’s art. LOTTA LOVE, IN THIS NUMBER 2 SPOT. 

SO WHAT’S NUMBER ONE? 

Oh come on, like you guys didn’t know. XD

1. TV Show Costume

Listen. Listen. A real human being puts this suit on–a human being subject to gravity and weather and REAL WORLD** SCENARIOS–and it’s not a train wreck. The silhouette is nice! The material is convincingly durable! There are little design elements that don’t overwhelm the overall look! The CAPE HANGS WELL AND LOOKS SO GOOD, GUYS. SO GOOD. The skirt does not come to that awkward point and the minimal pleating is well hidden by that front portion. The tights and boots help with the whole ‘flying around in a skirt’ thing by covering her legs completely, and the shirt is actually a leotard, so it’s comparable to stuff that dancers wear. 

LOOKS GOOD.

WORKS WELL.

ALIGNS NICELY WITH KARA’S CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY.

SCREAMS: SUPER! AT THE TOP OF ITS PRIMARY COLORED LUNGS.

LETS FOLKS KNOW THAT YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY KICK BUTT AND TAKE NAMES IN A SKIRT.

So yes. It wins. Forever and always. 

Honorable Mentions: Every single one of Kevin Wada and Cory J. Walker’s Supergirl designs.

[zhongrin]

That's true but I've heard that hardcore gamers don't think that GI have enough contents though. I have heard that the game is bad though for people with a gambling addiction because of the primogems and rolling for characters? I'm not entirely sure but I have seen debates about it online. It is a shame considering how long those events are too, what events do you need to watch? Maybe, it's because the developers didn't expect GI to be that popular??? I think that I'm on C2 Act II? I dk but Ganyu have been introduced. Tbh, it's a lot easier to play the game on PC too especially for the archers characters lol. I think that the iPhone tends to be a hit or miss? Because the older models react really badly to the game lol. Maybe it would be a good idea for the studio to keep the characters theme? And add new additions for the soundtrack? Whatever happens, I hope they take advice from the GI music department lol. How long did it take you to reach AR 55? ^^ Which characters do you have so far?

i can attest that day 1 players are starved for content (exhibit A - my brother) lol apparently genshin's wishing system is pretty tame compared to other games? like they have a higher pity threshold and for some, it's practically impossible to play unless you spend money on the gacha for the characters, because the base characters are just not good enough. whereas in genshin, you can still get by with the 4* characters given to you + the freemogems!

albedo's event, the first GAA event, lantern rite, windblume festival... on top of my head, those are the big & important ones that tie to the storyline i think. nahh i don't think that's it, i mean GI isn't their first game and a company should aim for their products to succeed haha oooh i see! you have a lot of content waiting for you still~

yes ;;;;; oh but recently i bought the ps5 controller and it's so much better at aiming. still not as good as a mouse, but it does its job better!! oh yes definitely - my previous iPhone 7 couldn't handle it lol... it's a little weird imo, since isn't GI supposed to be a mobile game? ;w;

maybe haha as long as they include yu peng chen in the process i'll be happy :D

hmmm i played since around mid-may this year. so about 5 months, almost 6? i don't have that many characters haha i'm missing dori, yun jin, xinyan, and bennett for the 4* characters, and for the 5*, i only have jean, diluc, qiqi, zhongli, xiao, kazuha, and itto! geo and anemo supremacy lskdjflskjdf how about you? how long have you played and which characters do you have?