#still a powerful witch- but is in love with music and wants to play in a band w her bffs

[mpsansy]

Since I made a “teen” Casper, I might as well try to make one of Wendy. Lost her chubby cheeks, but still has her cute little nose

[blessedbyahuntress]

Blessed by a Trickster

Chapter Twelve: My Mentor Couldn't be More... Mentorish?

Prev/Next

A/N: My favorite song from the whole musical!! (I'm biased for Hermes 😊)

Warnings: None!

Word Count: 1.262k

Listen to: Wouldn't You Like

You almost tripped over yourself in your haste as you led your captain to the palace, to the witch Circe’s clutches.

Sound drifted to your ears, a melody so faint and sweet you would have missed it if Odysseus hadn’t caught your wrist. 

“What is that?” You breathed.

Your question was answered by a fit of giggles, causing you to cross your arms. He was here right now? You had four men to save; you didn’t have time to run a lap around the island!

“I must say,” Hermes said, still playing his lyre. “What a brilliant speech you gave.”

It was clear that Odysseus didn’t know who was speaking yet. You resisted the urge to roll your eyes as he asked, “who goes there?”

“Just a friend, who could help you save your men.” The voice was coming from all around you now, but you knew his tricks and refused to be swayed like Odysseus was. “A foe like Circe is not to be messed with.”

You narrowed your eyes at Hermes as the curly-haired god gracefully floated down to your level. He circled around you as he continued, “you want to beat her? You’ll need the blessing of a certain god, divine intervention.”

He came to a stop right in front of you, eyes glittering with mischief. “Someone who’s not afraid to… send a message.”

“Hermes?” Odysseus asked in awe. At the same time, you sighed in exasperation, sounding more irritated with the god than blessed by his presence as you confirmed, “Hermes.”

Hermes laughed and grabbed your hands, and you could feel his restless energy against your fingertips. “Hermes…” you said, trailing off as he dragged you upward. “Don’t you dare!”

The god laughed mischievously, lyre still playing in the background. He snaked an arm around your waist, you clutching his shoulders desperately as you looked down to the ground far below. 

“Y/N!” You heard Odysseus call. 

“Be right back! I guess…” The last part you whispered as the breath was knocked out of you. 

Hermes tipped your chin up to him, tilting his own head. “Wouldn’t you like a taste of the power?” He asked. “Wouldn’t you like to use more than words?”

He made it sound like such a simple decision, but you weren’t about to give in that fast. Hermes seemed to notice this, and let out a laugh of amusement. 

Hermes released his grip on your waist and grabbed your hand instead, twirling you around as if dancing. “Deep in the night, the fight lasts for hours. You can be hurt or you can beat her.”

He let go of your hands, and you slowly began to fall, arms flailing. Your mouth was open, but no sound came out.

And then suddenly you were hanging, frozen midair. You couldn’t even close your mouth.

Hermes descended quickly, chin resting on the palms of his hands, legs kicking like a giddy girl as he gazed down at you. “Wouldn’t you like to have some of the magic? Wouldn’t you like your outcome preferred?”  

You still couldn’t move, your limbs paralyzed as the god slipped his forearms beneath your torso. You felt the spell wear off, opening and closing your mouth as you searched for a response. 

Hermes began to fly closer to the ground, still carrying you bridal-style. “Deep in the night the fight can be tragic.” He looked down at you, and for the first time you could see his eyes from underneath his helmet- they held deep sincerity despite his tone of voice. “I’ll help you conquer her.”

He dropped you back down beside Odysseus and continued, “She can turn you into an animal that’ll end up on her plate.” Hermes waved his hand and an image appeared in front of you and your captain. It showed you and Odysseus getting turned into pigs and getting served up on a platter to Circe.

“She can all but make you fall in love, like you’re on your hundredth date.” The image changed to- was that you making out with Hermes? You couldn’t tell, for the man kept changing forms. You could’ve sworn it looked like Eurylochus and Polites at one time.

Another picture breaking through with Hermes’s words. “She can conjure up a monster that'll grind you to the bones.”

“She has all the ways to haunt you,” Hermes said, baring his teeth at you in a kind of lopsided grin as he swatted at the image, causing it to disappear. “When you take her on alone.”

You turned your head away from him as he leaned in close. Hermes let you, but tugged at Odysseus’s ear. “Wouldn’t you like a taste of the power? Wouldn’t you like to use more than words? Deep in the night, the fight lasts for hours.”

With his next words, Hermes tried to punch you in the shoulder, but instead you caught his fist, making you slide a step back as you narrowed your eyes at your mentor. Hermes’s grin only stretched wider. “You can be hurt or you can beat her.”

“Wouldn’t you like to have some of the magic? Wouldn’t you like your outcome preferred? Deep in the night the fight can be tragic.” He leaned even closer. “I’ll help you conquer her.”

He used the hand that was still trapped in yours to slip something into your hand. He danced away as you glanced down at the, knobbly, hard, …root?

Hermes laughed at your confused expression. “Here in the root of this flower there lies such a power to take her on.” 

He trailed a finger down your neck, and your Adam's apple started quivering. “You must consume it, digest it, then you’ll manifest a being of your creation.” Hermes stepped away, a bit more seriousness leaking into his voice. “All you need’s imagination.” He stuck a finger in your face. “Though it’s only for a moment, ‘til you’ve beaten your opponent.” 

He hovered even higher above your head, sticking his hands out in exaggeration. “And I call this root, ‘Holy Moly’.” He burst into a fit of giggles and spiraled away.

His voice was coming from all around you again. “Wouldn't you like a taste of the power? Wouldn't you like to use more than words? Deep in the night, the fight lasts for hours. You can be hurt or you can beat her. Wouldn't you like to have some of the magic? Wouldn't you like your outcome preferred? Deep in the night, the fight can be tragic.”

He spun you around and the scene changed so quickly, you would have gotten whiplash had Hermes not done this many times during your training sessions. You reached out and steadied Odysseus as he blinked around in confusion. “I'll help you conquer her,” Hermes finished, gesturing grandly at the palace in front of you. 

You gave the god a small smile as he started to rise into the sky. 

“Hermes!” You called. When he turned back around, you said, “thank you.”

“Don’t thank me friend; you very well may die.” He laughed again at your expression.

Before you knew what he was going to do, Hermes swooped low and kissed you on the cheek. You could feel him shaking as he tried to contain his chuckling as your face turned bright red. 

He pulled away, still smiling like a mad man. “Good luck,” he said, winking at you.

And then the god vanished, the only sign that he’d ever been there being the root in your hand and your skin still tingling from where he’d kissed you.

Taglist: @barrythestrawberry041

[weirdly-specific-but-ok]

pt VI good omens s1e2, a totally all-inclusive summary i remember everything

i don't, that's a lie. i lie like aziraphale, rarely and badly but with great gaslight energy.

alright well let's not dawdle for 6000 years, i'll forget what i DO remember.

An angel named Gabriel who is not Jimbriel yet, so a foetus Jimbriel, gets into Aziraphale's bookstore and yells about pornography to keep humans from following him into Aziraphale's secret back chamber.

What they do there, I do not know. It is up to speculation. They talk and Aziraphale is flustered about Crowley, I think, but that's the whole show so far.

The intro sequence remains strange. Cartoon Aziraphale is an impregnated chicken, cartoon Crowley is the baby daddy.

There are witch hunters and they want to burn Agnes Nutter alive. I don't know who Anges Nutter is yet.

We cut to Agnes Nutter and I know I will never forget her. She is beautiful and a BAMF. A MILF. An absolute bombshell.

The bombshell part is literal. They set her on fire and she explodes, killing all those in a 100 metre radius. I want to be her.

I assume it is a witch thing, but then find out she put bombs under her skirts. I want to be her, but more ardently.

There is a book. She writes prophecies in it.

There are horsemen of the apocalypse, which I forgot was still happening. We are in present day.

War kills everyone. She is pretty. She is not Warlock, the kid whom Aziraphale and Crowley raised.

Famine is a sexy beast, and runs Michelin star restaurants. He likes tiny food. He is developing foodless food.

If there are others, I do not notice. There could be. There really could be. There probably are.

There is a girl who scribbles on the book from earlier. She grows up. I think she is War. I am wrong. This is probably a good time to mention to Tumblr that I have mild issues with facial recognition, which is totally not going to affect my understanding of what is happening at all.

She is named Anathema. That could be someone else. What is real? Not Neil Gaiman.

She finds the Antichrist and the Them, and they are all playing at a witch hunt. The Antichrist does not have an aura. Yellow is fear. Yellow is joy. I lose track of what is happening for several scenes.

Newt is works in an office. There is a power cut. Newt no longer works at an office.

Newt joins a witch hunt.

There is a delivery man. I think he is Newt. I am wrong. His name is something resembling Judy. It is an easy mistake, everyone's reaction to not-Newt-maybe-Judy is the same as that to Newt, deep protective love.

Crowley and Aziraphale steal a Bentley. Find a Bentley? I am unsure. I am too busy looking at Crowley.

Crowley speeds. Crowley likes speeding. They hit a motorbike that has maybe-Anathema. They pick her up and take her to a house somewhere. The Bentley plays Queen music. Everyone is very excited about this. Beepop.

Maybe-Anathema enters the house. This could have been before she finds the Antichrist. But if the show isn't linear I don't have to be either, I decide.

Crowley and Aziraphale panic a lot, but find time to eye each other hungrily and lovingly. They have priorities, and I respect that.

Crowley yells at his plants to grow better. He pretends to kill one of them. I cannot believe I was entirely right about my interpretation of that GIF. I am filled with confused anger. Later I find out that he is projecting how heaven told him he was a disappointment and threw him out. I am no longer angry. I am sad. This is an ongoing thing when it comes to Crowley.

A major plot point is Dog, the best friend of the Antichrist, having a face off with a fat tabby cat. Dog loses. It was doomed from the start.

Aziraphale gaslights gatekeeps and girlbosses. He assures heaven that everything is under control. It is not. That is okay. I think.

Heaven asks about Crowley. Aziraphale gets flustered. This is as per usual and he assures them that he is battling Crowley, who keeps him on his toes. I not-so-privately think that Crowley keeps him on his knees, really.

Things happen. I'm too busy thinking about Aziraphale's puppy eyes. He is a bitchy sweetheart. I love him.

More things happen. I'm too busy thinking about Crowley's sexy hips and shoulders and, well, everything.

The episode ends. I am still thinking about Crowley. I am always thinking about Crowley. Everyone is always thinking about Crowley.

This... this is all I remember. Have it, Tumblr.

[cozy-fantasy-stories]

Suvi is *by far* my favorite character in WBN. Like I get Ame and her idealism, and I get Eursulon and his passion, the Fox is hilarious and a fantastic foil.

But Suvi. My god Suvi.

I’m on my first relisten and she’s magnificent at every turn.

Children’s adventure and she stays inside. Does as she’s told. Doesn’t go out in the dark. Cleans up the bathroom! Waits. Alone.

She makes it in time—Grandmother Ren calls her my granddaughter and I am slain. Casts identify on the house!

Immediately says yes to helping Ame find the sword. No question. She doesn’t have to. But she does it.

Leaves a coin for the family and helps with the damn laundry! Do you know how practical that is?!

Immediately solves the being stuck problem for Eursulon. Terrifies that horrible little man with a Wild One under his boot. She rescues the music box, no question. Eursulon is free.

And Emliss.

Emliss.

Terrifying.

She ends Emliss, the Chalice, the shadow. The thing that *kills* Ame in a single turn.

The *indignity* of having to pay a hustler (FINLEY) for her mother’s coat lining. Yeah, okay, Eursulon went and made it all right (bet he never pays her back). But Ame talking about payment when she doesn’t even have money?!

Who fights for Suvi? Who defends her? Who thinks of her?

Ame making assumptions about the Citadel. (yes yes we get it institution bad we know what we’re listening to) But come on! Ame has no knowledge at this stage, just judgement!

Will Gallows. The Ace of Wands.

They never get the sword without Suvi in that room. Ice in her veins. Ice.

Who asked for “I’d like to count you among my friends.” Eursulon has the string in his pocket, but Suvi is the one who bargained for it.

Don’t even get me started on the Chantry and Morrow. I’m not doing it.

She gets them SAFE.

Resolves problems and defends her people with confidence and conviction.

She doesn’t deserve that dressing down from Steel. She doesn’t.

And Ame vanishes.

Off to talk to a murderess goddess that would end Port Talon in a heartbeat.

Of course Suvi goes to rescue her. Immediately! NO QUESTION. You think a search party would have found Ame?! With Orima of the Reaching Green as pissed as she was? HA. (but yes she’s thinking of Steel she doesn’t want to let Steel down not again not Steel)

Three days of walking and walking and walking.

(okay but Aabria having Suvi lose it is freaking brilliant and just absolutely incredible role play absolute perfection what a way to lean in)

And then Steel. Again.

Larger than life.

With the yelling. And the power. And the telemet.

Calls her a princess (dismissive) questions her like a prisoner (her adoptive mother really) and knows about the King of Night (suspicious).

And then.

Naram.

The Wild One heeds a call. The Witch arbiters consequences.

Our Wizard saves the godsdamned day.

She doesn’t run when it’s the derrick that’s at stake. She gets it. Even though she’s said awful things (you get what you get what a LINE trap a spirit and you get what you get bet she feels that way about Eursulon she trapped him she deserves it).

Suvi’s brilliance is not about what she says it’s about what she does. Galani mentions Orima and Suvi immediately moves.

Suvi’s quick thinking saves Port Talon.

Actually saves Port Talon.

She’s the one that does it. She’s the one that leads Orima to Naram. The reaching green and its *stranglers* and its indifferent cruelty to those in its way. ON THREE HIT POINTS.

And then Steel has the AUDACITY to act disappointed. (it’s not at Suvi not really but still).

Impossible odds.

Complex character choices and she carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. Always thinking, strategizing, anticipating.

SUVI.

Love Suvi.

She makes the right choice. Every time.

[graciesbow]

Please pleaseeeeee write a Severus Snape x reader who’s obsessed with musicals and drags him to see wicked and sings musical songs (like wicked/mamma Mia/sweeney Todd of course/hamilton) at home constantly

In honor of me seeing wicked 7 times I thought I'd write this :) ( I have so many one shots lined up) (let's also pretend the movie is act one and act two I got too ahead of myself)

CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR WICKED!!

You didn’t think you’d ever convince him to come.

The second you saw the trailer for Wicked, a movie musical inspired by Wicked: the musical, you knew you had to go. The soaring ballads, the lush costumes, the reimagining of the Land of Oz—it was everything you loved in a story. But getting Severus, your brooding, no-nonsense husband, to agree to two and a half hours of singing and dancing? That felt like a lost cause.

Still, you tried.

“I’ll owe you,” you had said, leaning on the kitchen counter as he skimmed the headlines on his tablet. “Whatever you want. A week of your favorite movies. Even the ones with subtitles.”

His dark eyes flicked to you, amused. “A week of no musicals?”

“Deal.”

And so, here you are, sitting next to him in a theater as the lights dim and the first lilting notes of Wicked play. Severus is already slouched in his seat, arms crossed, his usual look of resigned skepticism firmly in place.

The movie begins with the birth of Elphaba, the green-skinned girl destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West. The opening number is vibrant and grand, but you can feel him shift beside you, hear the faintest huff of disapproval when characters burst into song.

“Of course,” he mutters under his breath when Glinda makes her grand entrance in a bubble, singing an impossibly high note.

“Shh,” you whisper, elbowing him gently. “Just watch.”

An hour in, you notice the change.

It starts during Defying Gravity, a powerful ballad where Elphaba begins to question everything she’s been told about Oz. The actress’s voice fills the theater, raw and full of longing, and you glance at Severus. His arms are no longer crossed. He’s leaning forward slightly, his eyes fixed on the screen.

By the time Elphaba and Glinda perform their duet, For Good, a tear-jerking number about friendship and forgiveness, you catch him tapping his foot ever so subtly.

When the movie reaches its dramatic climax, with Elphaba and the Scarecrow defying the Wizard, you feel him tense beside you. It’s subtle, but you know Severus well enough to see it. He’s invested. He cares.

As the credits roll, you sit in your seat for a moment, watching the audience filter out. You’re glowing, your heart full from the story and the music. Beside you, Severus stretches, his expression thoughtful.

“Well?” you ask, trying to keep the teasing out of your voice.

He tilts his head, his mouth twitching into something almost like a smile. “It wasn’t terrible.”

You laugh. “Not terrible? I saw you tapping your foot during For Good. Admit it—you liked it.”

He shrugs, standing and offering you his hand. “The green witch was interesting. I’ll give it that.”

As you take his hand, his grip warm and firm, you can’t help but smile. “So, would you come to another one with me?”

“Maybe,” he says, that rare flicker of lightness in his voice. “If you don’t make me watch any more bubble entrances.”

You beam, knowing full well he’ll be there next time, humming the songs under his breath when he thinks you’re not listening. Sometimes, even the most stubborn hearts find their tune.

[cassiebones]

Some Agathario headcanons that I may fic later, who knows not me:

They are married. It took about fifty years for it to happen because they both had some serious commitment issues but eventually they couldn't really deny each other. They needed somebody to do the binding spell as well as one extra witness. Somebody who they weren't going to kill. I would love to believe that Lilia is the one who married them, but idk. But they got married. Agatha's wedding "ring" is the chain that her brooch sits on. Rio's is one of the vines that adorns her body.

Their wedding anniversary is June 2nd. They got married in a field in the middle of the woods during witching hour. It was super romantic. Rio cried, though she'll never admit it.

They cannot get divorced. Not unless they both truly want it. No lying to themselves. The magic knows what's in their hearts. It takes a lot to break a binding spell, even one that binds two witches together in matrimony.

Nicky was an accident. I think this is the funniest option, which is my only reasoning for it. I also predict he was born in the 1910's, just before the Spanish flu hit. He was too young for his magic to protect him. But Agatha and Rio were "experimenting" with sexy spells and stumbled upon a certain spell (magic strap) that worked a little too well. They found out Agatha was pregnant a month later and freaked out a little bc holy crap a baby!?!? But Agatha warmed to it first and Rio is very much whipped for her wifey. So they settled down somewhere secluded to raise their son. They still kill people ofc.

Before their son is born, Agatha and Rio spend time in Europe. Agatha is Jack the Ripper. I will not explain further bc honestly it makes more than enough sense.

They travel home on the Titanic. Agatha didn't cause it, but it's a nice bonus for Rio while Agatha chills in a lifeboat, playing the part of a grieving widow.

She did cause the Hindenburg just for shits and giggles. Also Rio was bored.

The Jolene stuff happens after Agatha leaves Rio. It wasn't Dolly's rank ass husband that Agatha was after. Dolly is a powerful witch and her music called to Agatha. Unfortunately, seducing Dolly only results in that song and a slap. Agatha leaves her be after the song gets insanely popular.

Agatha becomes an actress for a while. Her skills are good tier on the stage and she gains a small following before leaving it all behind. Nobody is able to connect her actress persona to The Agatha Harkness. She's very good at glamors

Rio watches Agatha's antics from afar, collects her bodies wherever Agatha drops them, certain that her wife is doing it all for her. She can't go to Agatha because of the Darkhold, but she's thankful for the work, loving her from afar.

Agatha thinks about Rio as often as she thinks about Nicky. The lock of hair in her locket is from Nicky, put there by Rio in apology of what she knew she had to do. Agatha accepted the lock, but not the apology.

Agatha honestly did forgive Rio after about a year, knowing that she had to do her job, but she was too stubborn to say it, to end the masking spell and allow Rio to find her. Rio built up a little resentment for that because, honestly, Nicky was HER SON TOO

Rio found her immediately when Wanda took the Darkhold and Agatha's power. She rushed to her side, sure that Agatha had forgiven her, but she was met with somebody unrecognizable, with bright smiles and a housewife attitude. Agatha bakes her muffins and tells her that she never wants to see her again with the most charming smile. Rio is scared of her for the first little while.

She takes part in all of Agatha's delusions, leaving sometimes to work, but always returning, desperate to break Agatha from the curse.

She didn't send the Salem Seven after Agatha. They were already after her. Rio kept them at bay while Agatha was in her hex, but wanted Agatha to ask for her help when she was finally lucid again.

She was nearby when she heard that the Boy, whom she recognized bc she's reaped William and sigils don't work on primordial beings, wanted to go to the road. She gave Lilia the list of names, using the black heart bc she knew it would get under Agatha's skin.

She waited on the Road knowing that one of them would die and she'd be able to make her entrance bc ain't no way Agatha isn't going to marry a bitch half as dramatic as her.

Agatha is already planning to return to Rio, dead or alive, bc they are meant to be together. Soulmates in life or in death.

[movie-plush-baby]

Self Aware Timekeeper Cookie X Reader

(teeper teeper teeper!!! A Round Fluffy teeper!!)

(Croissant edition here)

You can’t help but feel that there’s something off with your game.

Is one of your cookies… alive?

Timekeeper doesn’t make her presence obvious at first. She simply watches you play, ever so subtly messing with you sometimes.

It’s only ever things like adding a little lag sometimes, or making buttons disappear.

She finds your reactions hilarious! Not like she can do anything else anyways. Nobody else in the game is alive like her. Not even her little mechanic.

One day, she gets caught. Be it you noticing one of her lines is different or seeing her mess with your game, the jig is up. You know she’s alive now.

Even when you get to know her more, and her affection inevitably reaches 1000+, she’s still very mischievous and still loves messing with you.

She’s very curious about human activities. Placing your phone down while you’re doing anything and letting her watch is something she likes.

Unlike Croissant, she can leave the app! She acts like one of those shimejis, running around on your phone and throwing things.

Sometimes, when you leave your phone, she’ll start listening to music and chilling. Either that or start playing the other games on your phone. She fuckin’ loves match 3 games. Give her like, Witch’s Castle or Candy Crush, she’ll be all over that.

Your phone clock is NEVER right anymore. It’s always wacky and off-sync. It would be annoying, but Timekeeper probably doesn’t mean to mess with it too much. Probably.

She’s not entirely sure if she’s just a Timekeeper who accidentally traveled to this timeline and couldn’t get out somehow or if she was always in your phone, but she tries not to think about it.

She never says it outright, but she longs for your touch, and to actually be able tofeel you. It deeply distresses her that you’re the only person she can really talk to, and that her little mechanic and little gunman and all her other employees aren’t real.

Sometimes she laments how powerless she is, how much she can’t mess with time as much as she wants anymore or float through timelines freely.

But she’s not the type to show it at all, in fact, you probably wouldn’t ever know she felt that way unless you managed to catch her at a bad time.

She’s very clingy, actually. If you’re away from your phone for too long and don’t tell her why she’ll start spamming it with notifications trying to get you to respond.

But who can blame her? You’re quite literally her only source of companionship.

If you do tell her why, she’ll still be a little disappointed about it.

Like, what’s she supposed to do without you? Play Candy Crush all day? Sure, but that would get booooring. She misses being able to mess with people.

She hates the whole self aware character thing. It’s restricting, it makes her feel insignificant, and she hates it.

There is one thing she really likes about being self aware, though.

And that’s that she’s FINALLY MORE POWERFUL THAN MILLENNIAL TREE!! BECAUSE HE’S YOU KNOW, NOT REAL!!!

She will not stop telling you that fact by the way!

[rainybyday]

ok so before I go on and start posting about my flower au I need to put this out there about my Jazz Witch au.

oh boy

So Jazz is a Witch au was not something I thought I would make a fic about but that seems to be the case based on how long and how much time I'm dedicating to write about it. Go figure.

As of right now, I have a few concepts of what I want to make Jazz as a Witch of. Because let us face it, she has to have some sort of theme so I can make it seem more connected to the Ghost and how they have their own themes based on their deaths or ambitions as they die. I want Jazz to connect to something grand or small, something that makes her uniquely Jazz.

So first - Elements

I can make Jazz focus on an element as her theme, just like how Danny has Ice powers. I can make Jazz have fire or even lighting powers.

Fire would be fun to play around with, making her hair light on fire or connecting her fire with the Victorian ghost girls who got burned at the stake because they were all accused of being witches. If I also remember right, one of her ancestors was also a Witch hunter so I see a bunch of potential there.

But if she were to have something like Lighting then I play around with the trauma of Danny getting electrocuted to death and have some sibling angst with it all because while Danny may love Jazz he will not get over his death that easily. Especially if one of the causes of his death is also a power that his sister, who he sees as safe, has as her element.

Secondly - Minor Concepts

Yet I can play around with minor concepts as well. Concepts that are like healing or guiding, remembered or bonds. Like, think of minor gods kind of concepts where the concepts are not that big but are still universally used.

If you're still confused, think of mystical pokemon vs legendary pokemon. You have pokemon of music, victory, and wishes while there are other pokemon that are of land, space, and sea.

Minor concepts seem both overpowering yet just the right amount of power as well since a lot of au's do have Danny as Ghost King or Ruler over Death and such, so it would be fun to have Jazz as the sister of the Ghost King and being titled the Witch of Remembrance or of Shadows.

Like a smaller domain that Jazz rules over.

Third - Major Concepts

While unlike the minors these are the ones you would definitely think of as "strong". Major concepts, and I have a smaller post about them here, are Space, Death, Time, Fate, Life, and Universe. Or at least the ones I wrote about back then. Of course, I can expand it to things like Knowledge or Justice and all sorts of Major Concepts that she can connect to. But at the same time, they seem to be very overpowering and it is a whole other journey to process and such. I mean, I want to write a short fic but making Jazz a major concept and only writing 8 chapters might seem lackluster for the power she was given.

So? Thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?

[clueless-fan-critic]

Agatha All Along: the Magical Sequel to WandaVision

So…I’m pretty late to the bandwagon, but I finally got fully through the entire series.

And I loved it!!!! The lore, the atmosphere, the characters, everything fell perfectly into place. After finally finishing and rewatching the show, it has become my top favorite show along side WandaVision. I'm always a sucker for anything with witches, spells, deities, and other mythological elements. I've been a big fan of the Scarlet Witch, both in the comics and Elizabeth Olsen's stellar performance. But enough praise, let me explain what this show has in store.

Agatha All Along is the sequel series to WandaVision that follows Agatha Harkness, previously trapped in Wanda's spell, on a journey beyond Westview. And onto the Witches Road with a makeshift coven on her side.

With all that out of the way, I will examine the finer details full of spoilers and dramatic twists that are much better if you go into the show blind. Now, Down the Road We Go!!!

Down the Witches Road...

The Witches Road is the main setting for all the major conflict in the show with a magical MacGuffin playing a role for each of the witches. As they progress, each character fulfills their own desires by overcoming the trials: Jennifer Kale learns to be a witch without her powers, Alice Wu-Gulliver overcomes her family curse, and Lilia Calderu embraces life despite her upcoming death. However, there were hiccups along the way with Sharon Davis's death, Agatha confronting her mother's ghost, and Rio Vidal's reveal as Mistress Death. But the major twist is that... The Witches Road never existed in the first place and Agatha made up the Ballad to lure witches for her to absorb. And Teen, later Billy Maximoff/Kaplan, made it real in a way like Wanda's Hex.

What I could tell was that each trial played a role in a character's journey, magic, and an element they represent: Jennifer as potions and water, Alice as protection and fire, Agatha as spirit, Lilia as divination and air, and Rio/Death as earth. The trials were more or less reflections of the characters in essence like Alice's trial related to music and Agatha's trial was more about what she has become and is. In the end, many of the characters got what they wanted from the road ironically since Agatha only gathered the coven to gain more power for herself.

Witchcraft is a huge staple in this show that embraces the more mysterious and spiritual sides of magic. Making it distinct from Sorcery by the Masters of Mystic Arts which looks more like the Avatar's Bending Arts if anything. It gives us a different way of seeing magic used by actual witches with spells and potions and even riding broomsticks.

Although we don't really know why, I think Agatha's magic draining power is a "mutation" that makes her incapable of creating her own magic and instead steals it from others. We also don't get any clues to how she got the Darkhold, just a rumor about her giving up her son for it. Maybe someone gave it to her and manipulated her into seeking out Wanda by promises of giving her power or resurrecting her son. Those were the only plot holes that kind of bothered me in the end, but aren't important... yet.

One by One We Carry On...

All the actors portray their characters flawlessly, but I did not expect Agatha to remain the same evil character throughout til the end. I thought they would pull some sort of "Zuko" scenario in a short period. But no, they keep the same but more sympathetic and relatable. Agatha goes from an evil witch killer to a grieving mother who's also a witch killer. Despite falling in love with Death, Agatha still lost her child Nicholas Scratch and still continued building the legend of the Witches Road to pursue more power. While it doesn't justify her actions, we get a bit of an understanding into why she does what she does.

While Billy is a great character, I didn't feel he had those "Epic Epiphany" moments like with Lilia completing the Divination trial and her final showdown with the Salem Seven. I still think he'll go to that point in some other project but he does grow into a stronger character from his experiences.

One of the witches who stood out the most is Lilia Calderu. The strongest episode is Death's Hand In Mine where she takes center stage as the main character. Lilia was characterized in a very strong way where she's definitely not a Mary Sue who wins because it happens. We see how Lilia experiences time randomly and how much she struggles to live with it. She uses her Divination powers to outsmart the Salem Seven in one badass move, but ultimately sacrificing herself while finally reclaiming her power.

The only thing I felt was unnecessary were the Salem Seven. They only play the role as an obstacle rather than a major antagonist like Mistress Death.

Now that we finally know who Rio is, it makes sense with how she drops bread crumbs in her scenes including her arrival on the Witches Road, the Ouija board's message, and even how she talks with Agatha about their history.

The casting and dialogue feels both organic to the actors and technically skilled in how they include previous characters from other shows like Sharon Davis and Ralph Bohner/Randall. All without being forced or contrived, it feels necessary for Westview to become the place where magic goes awry.

With where the series end, I really want to know how they can top or connect this to the next saga.

What Lies Ahead...

With the overloaded schedule of upcoming MCU projects, sudden hiatuses, and crazy leaks, we can only hope for some definitive answer to how plot holes are filled in. Will we get the resurrected Tommy Maximoff/Shepard meeting White Vision? How did Agatha get the Darkhold before Westview? Is Billy going to become a Young Avenger with his codename Wiccan? And will we get a sorcerers vs witches battle? All completely up in the air and slowly driving fans psychotic with anticipation.

With that said, Agatha All Along is more than enough to keep us satiated with amazing performances, alluring settings and designs, and intriguing witch mythos. I am hoping for more witches and magic being incorporated into the MCU and having writers learn that a character doesn't need to be redeemed into a hero so long as they are compelling to relate to.

Now, What Will You Find Down The Road?

[camilaxmartin]

i need to ramble, so-

AGATHA ALL ALONG EPISODE 4 SPOILERS AHEAD

OKAY LET ME START WITH THE FACT HOW AMAZING THIS EPISODE WAS??? I DONT WANT TO SAY IT IS MY FAVOURITE BUT LIKE- IT MIGHT BE.

THE VIBES THE OUTFITS????

okay okay calm down.

RIO CRAWLING OUT OF THE GROUND AND THEN SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT BEING PULLED DOWN OR UP WAS RAAAAH AMAZING I LITERALLY HAVE NO WORDS. I STARTED LAUGHING SO HARD

THE WHOLE MUSIC BOOT SCENE? GOD. THE WAY RIO CARESSED AGATHA’S THIGH AND HER UNDER STOMACH???? HELP ME LORD

I WAS LITERALLY GOING INSANE STILL AM

OKAY OKAY

THE SCENE WITH THE BALLAD WHEN ALL OF THEM WERE SO INTO SINGING AND EVEN TEEN OH. MY. LORD. I LITERALLY STARTED CRYING AT IT FROM ALL OF THE EMOTIONS CAUSE LORD I FELT IT IN MY VEINS LITERALLY. IT WAS SO POWERFUL I WAS LITERALLY STARING AT THE SCREEN WITH MY MOUTH HANGING OPEN. I LOVED IT. IF I EVER DIE PLAY THIS AND IM GONNA COME BACK TO LIFE I SWEAR.

(i love how alice was so into it at the end and destroyed the curse i LOVE HER)

I ALSO NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE WAY AGATHA CARES FOR TEEN. I KNOW SHE THINKS ITS NICHOLAS BUT I JUST FIND IT SO SWEET SHES LITERALLY SO RAAAH LIKE???!! I LOVE SOFT AGATHA FOR LIFE SORRY NOT SORRY. THE WAY SHE WAS PUSHING HIM AWAY WHILE THE CURSE WAS FLOATING AROUND THEM??? THE WAY HER VOICE WAS SO SOFT AND UNSTEADY WHEN SHE LITERALLY BEGGED JEN TO DO SOMETHING TO SAVE HIM??? MY GIRL WAS STRESSING AND SO WAS I (i love him more than my life) THE WAY AGATHA SAT AND WAITED WITH HIM ALL THAT TIME FOR HIM TO WAKE UP?? TO MAKE SURE HES OKAY???

IM SO GLAD HES OKAY LIKE I DIDNT THINK HE WOULD DIE BUT I WAS STILL STRESSED AND SCARED FOR HIM.

okay now,

THE HUG???? IT FELT SO PERSONAL SO PURE SO FUCKING SAFE SO SOFT SO VULNERABLE. I LOVE MY SILLY LESBIANS OH GOD. THE ALMOST KISS?? I LOVE HOW RIO DIDNT WANT HER TO KISS HER SO SHE WOULDN’T THINK LIKE EVERYTHING IS OKAY WITH NICHOLAS. LIKE IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT FOR HER TO TELL AGATHA IT IS IN FACT NOT HER SON THAN GETTING TO KISS HER ONCE MORE. MY GIRL RIO IS STILL FUCKING SOFT AND GENUINE AND GOD I AM LIVING FOR IT. (i hope we get a kiss by the end of the series but literally it is enough for me even now) I NEED TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT HUG CAUSE IT LITERALLY GRIPPED MY HEART OUT OF MY CHEST STROKED IT AND PUT IT BACK. GOSH IT WAS AMAZING. THE SOFT GESTURES OF AGATHA’S HANDS ON THE BACK OF RIO’S HEAD???? OH IM FUCKING COOKED.

AND I WAS SO STRESSING ABOUT LILIA TOO LIKE I LOVE HER SO MUCH I HOPE NOTHING BAD HAPPENS TO HER PLEASE I NEED HER TO SURVIVE YOU DONT UNDERSTAND. SHES MY EMOTIONAL SUPPORT WITCH OKAY. I LOVE HER.

TO SUM UP I WAS LITERALLY GRIPPING MY SKIN FOR THE WHOLE EPISODE AND BESIDE THE PREVIOUS ONE I CANT REMEMBER A TIME THAT A SERIES OR A MOVIE DID SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO ME (the previous one did it a bit less intensely) I AM LIVING FOR THIS SERIES AND I HOPE ITS GONNA HAVE AN ENDING THAT WONT DESTROY ME EMOTIONALLY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. WHICH MOST LIKELY WONT HAPPEN CAUSE WE KNOW HOW IT IS WITH MARVEL. 10/10 OBVIOUSLY I WAS STRESSING SWEATING SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP. STILL AM.

(i might add something later when i’m gonna need to ramble more/again)

[anundyingfidelity]

400 followers ask

Adam Warlock and reader with the sunshine x grumpy dynamic, the reader is someone dangerous and very powerful that none of the other heroes want to get close to due to her reputation and her history, but Adam ignores it and in the end they fall in love 😩✊❤

long time i don't write for adam so yesss! hope you like this, i tried my best for a grumpy x sunshine dynamic for this one hahaha

event guidelines ✮ event masterlist ✮

☕ if you like my writing, support me with a ko-fi !

I'M NOT IN LOVE — Adam Warlock x female reader

Word count: 689 (got carried awaaayyyy).

Genre: fluff.

Warnings: none I can really tell?

When Rocket and his team broke you out of your prison, he quickly understood why you were locked in the first place. A woman, captive of a crazy sorcerer who just held you as nothing more than a pet on a dirty planet, who was rageous and powerful, capable of destroying a star. That’s what the old man said to them.

Rocket was a fool and didn’t take his word though. Not until you tried to blow the ship going back to Knowhere, or when you tried to escape destroying miles of half built homes, or the countless times where you broke something with your super strength.

“Alright, stay here, witch,” Rocket ordered, taking you with Nebula’s help to a new place you’d call home for now. Behind his small figure, Adam followed closely in silence but intrigued by you, who seemed to completely ignore him.

“I’m not a witch!” you fumed, moving your arm away from the tight grip coming from the purple robot. “Don’t touch me, scum.”

“Nebula, stop,” the raccoon uttered as she stepped closer to you, ready to punch your face. She grunted and left the room, passing by the Sovereign.

Rocket continued. “We don’t wanna hurt you-”

“Then why take me here?! I never asked to be part of your stupid team!”

Being locked for so long had its effects on you, Rocket thought. That day he warned everyone to not be close to you since you were extremely dangerous, but Adam didn’t understand the captain. He had a second chance with the Guardians, it was fair to do the same thing with you. Under Rocket’s suspicious eyes, Adam got his approval to visit you and help you to the real world.

Contrary to the team, Adam was different. He saw pain and fear in your eyes that mixed with your powers made you a dangerous being, but a beautiful one nonetheless. He was the one who introduced you to the terran culture and their music. With it, Adam discovered the sounds of some songs would calm you down and he’d come to see a new sweet side of you. 

“Play it again,” you whispered, as you shared an earphone with Adam on the roof of your place in the middle of a somehow cold night. “I wanna hear it again.”

Adam beamed, doing as you said. The psychedelic melody started anew. “You like this song too much,” he teased.

I'm not in love

So don't forget it

It's just a silly phase I'm going through

Your brows furrowed, clearly annoyed. “Is that a problem, goldie?”

He just chuckled. “Not at all. Stop furrowing, it’s a joke.”

And just because

I call you up

Don't get me wrong,

Don't think you've got it made

Still you narrowed your eyes at him, with that angry face of yours. Sometimes you took so literal anything that escaped his lips. It was cute. Under the light of the city he admired you completely. Yes, sometimes you were a little mean to him and the team. Still you tried because of him. Adam was a very special person for you. But you wouldn’t admit it easily. 

I'm not in love, no no,

It's because…

I like to see you

“Okay,” you whispered finally, your features softening as the song played. It made you feel calm, at peace. Something you didn’t remember feeling before. Now after Adam came to your life, things were sort of different. You could feel it as much as Adam. He was bright, sunny, while you were totally the opposite of that.

But then again

That doesn't mean you mean that much to me

You locked eyes with his own, noticing he had been observing you long before. You sat so close together that you could feel the warmth of his body, contrasting the coldness of your own. He leaned closer with eyes closed, and as scared as you were, you let him kiss you softly on your lips. A quick peck on your lips before he pulled away.

“Sorry…”

You smiled, cheeks flushed. “Don’t.”

 It was the first time he saw your smile.

[fuckyeaharthuriana]

Characters in the King Arthur anime

Given this anime is impossible to find with subs, I decided to write a bit about the characters. I made some subtitles here (for the Italian version), but you can also check the Japanese (no subs) version here.

This has spoilers!

Arthur - Classic shounen protagonist, bold, without being arrogant, living to help others, thrown into a completely new world at the start of the anime. He was raised as Ector's son and starts the anime finding out he is actually Uther's son (and Igraine's) and the king of Camelot. He firmly believes in being honorable and if often blind to risks to himself.

Kay - Arthur's adopted brother, as he is Ector's son. He is very close to Arthur, and often ended up in trouble when they were kids because of Arthur. Still, Kay is completely loyal to Arthur and dearly loves him. He also has a sharp organizing mind so Arthur names him the administrator of Camelot. He dies towards the end of the series, killed by one of Arthur's enemies - the ordeal almost breaks Arthur.

Tristan - son of the King of Cornwall, Tristan is a silent intelligent knight who often is seen playing the harm. He joins Arthur at the start of the anime. Tristan has had to leave Cornwall because his father decided to ally himself with the evil King Lavic (the man who killed Uther and Igraine). Tristan is quite smart and often has a plan to help Arthur. Percival's sister has a crush on him.

Lancelot - Lancelot is the boisterous and skilled son of King Ban. Ban was wrongly accused of having partecipated in the assassination of king Uther and Lancelot is on a quest to clear his family name. After a rough meeting, Arthur and Lancelot become friends and Arthur decides to believe him. Lancelot is probably the most skilled among Arthur's warriors and he often trains with Percival.

Galahad - Galahad (in Italian he is called Gareth) is a little kid who decided to join Arthur. He runs away from his father's castle to try and save his mother who has been kept as a prisoner by King Lavic. He is particularly close to Percival, and they often are on adventures together.

Percival - The son of a knight, Percival was not raised as such but he was raised in a village and he is introduced to the show protecting that village (and his sister). He is quite bold, and a bit quick to judge a situation, he also often fights with a staff, and his training is a bit lacking even if he can fight quite well.

Guinevere - Daughte of King Leodegrance, one of Arthur's allies. She is kidnapped and then saved by Arthur in the first few episodes. Since then she has been living at Camelot and often adivising Arthur. There is not really any romance between her and Arthur, strangely, or even between her and Lancelot.

Marine/Marlene - She is Percival's sister and she has a crush on Tristan. She is usually attending to Guinevere and dreamly listening to Tristan's music. In the picture here she is finding out that Isolde wrote a letter to Tristan.

Phine/Fine - A mysterious knight who is actually a woman and works alongside Merlin. Interestingly the reveal does not particularly surprise the main chaarcters (a part from Lancelot) and she is just considered like a rogue mysterious knight who often helps the main group, but does not live at Camelot. She always has a hawk on her shoulder.

King Lavic (King of Rabick) - the evil king who killed Uther and Igraine and betrayed them. He is the main villain of the story, and wants to conquer all the kingdom around him and defeat Arthur.

Medessa - King Lavic's main ally. She is a witch. I am unsure what she wants if not power.

Merlin - One of Uther's old friends, a wizard, and the man who saved young Arthur when Uther and Igraine were murdered. He does not appear much but he is the character who tells Arthur what to do to defeat Medessa's powers.

Isolde - Tristan's cousin from Cornwall and the princess of Cornwall. She is being used as a pawn, as someone who can marry an ally of King Lavic for an alliance between Cornwall and Lavic. Tristan saves her from the marriage. She appears in episode 19. It is unclear if there are any romantic feelings between them (Isolde denies it).

Ector - Arthur's adoptive father. He knew of Arthur's real heritage and is quick to announce he is not his father anymore but his subject, once Arthur takes the sword from the stone. Still, both Ector and Kay continue to be Arthur's family, and Ector often acts as an advisor to Arthur, also telling him a lot of how Uther and Igraine used to rule over Camelot (as he knew them).

Media - She is the daughter of the Witch Medessa and she is also a witch. She allies herself with King Lavic to find revenge after Arthur kills Medessa. She only appears in episode 28, for the final few episodes of the show. She falls in love with Tristan, and ends up helping him and saving his life.

[itsalwaysteatimeinwonderland]

Finding Peace Pt.2: Smooth Operator (Spike x y/n)

Request: no. Part 2 of the Multi fic

Warning: None.

Summary: Spike finds out about your secret. He is enraged and hurt. He is seeking within himself what to do.

Previous | Next

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In the back a figure appears. Darkness consumes their silhouette. He picks a table in the back, away from the multitude of people. He spots her at a distance.

He scowls at her. Watching her dance in the crowd of the Bronze enraged him.  So carefree and distant. He felt like a fool for trusting her. Y/n if that was even your real name. 

He remembered the past with disdain. He was attentive to your words. Watchful of your needs. He listened when you spoke of past loves. He imagined what your life had been when you mentioned you were an orphan. He was there with you. He drank every word as if it were the only sustenance he needed. When you came into his world, found you working for Giles at the Magic Box he became enthralled with your voice. Attentive of your clumsy movements that contrasted your sharp knowledge of demons and the metaphysical. All a rouse. 

How naive he has gotten to have believed that you simply waltzed into his life. What a rube. No one that delightful, funny, and focused could exist without their own secret. 

He was disgusted by her flippant attitude after being discovered. He was even more disgusted that The Scoobies had welcomed her in so readily. However, he did note that Buffy was weary of y/n. How could she not? Another slayer. I’m sorry, a cursed slayer. 

A nearly 1,000 year old slayer cursed by a powerful witch for killing her vampire lover. Who could make this up? Now there is 3 slayers, all varying degrees of fucked up. 

He couldn’t figure out if he was more upset that she lied to him or that she believed he couldn't be trusted. Granted, they had just met. However, they spent 3 months of pure friendly bliss. The banter, laughter, teasing, the knowing glances... all for nothing. 

He was evil, yes, and he wasn't all too honest but she crossed a line. She blatantly became someone else. He understood why. Explaining her past did sound like an acid trip and she did need to keep a low profile to permit slayers step into their power without depending on her. Nevertheless, she hurt him. He thought they were friends! He thought she understood him! No. She pretended. She played him. 

He is cognizant that he omitted his true nature. Downplayed his vampy-ness, but that's neither here nor there. He was mad at her. She damaged him, just like all the rest. 

He watched her move her body with the music. Hips moving steady like a trance. The crowd molded with her permitting her to disappear and become one with the throng of sweaty bodies. He hated it. How could she have so much fun with these mortals? More pretending he guessed. 

He is caught off guard as he watches her walk up to him. 

"Wanna dance?" Y/n's breath is rushed. She is out of air from dancing.

Spike scoffs. "With you? Pass."

She tilts her head; a small smile plays on her lips. "Still mad, huh?"

His lips purse. Anger bubbling in his stomach. He wants to swear at her, grab her by the neck, whisper a threat or two. But he recollects himself, slightly. "This ain't my scene and neither are you."

"Just one song. A slow dance. Give me a chance to explain." She leans in hoping to persuade him. 

"Buzz off." He turns and walks away. 

Y/n is left alone at the table. Smile on her face, tears in her eyes. She decides to go back to the dance floor. 

She understands how she hurt Spike, but she had no choice. Being a cursed slayer was taboo. It brings so much baggage to have to be acknowledged and seen by others. 2 slayers was a problem, now 3 is chaos. Her role is to watch from a distance. Only offer guidance when there is no watcher, or the slayer has gone rogue. Y/n is good at hiding and pretending. Sometimes, like this time, she gets caught and that opens a can of worms. 

In the past her existence has been a source of shock and contention but never of a broken heart. Spike, her dear friend whom she became close to in the last 3months was now battling his own demons in regards to her. She hurt him by lying. She swore by her story, demonstrated genuineness and transparency. All for it to be a charade. 

She pondered how to make it up to him when he wouldn’t give her the time of day... err night. She missed him. His cheeky comments, his smile, the underlying big bad persona, everything. 

The lights dim, the tempo lowers. A slow song. Smooth operator by Sade. She looks back, hoping to make eye contact with Spike. A last invitation. He was nowhere to be seen. 

He's loved in seven languages

Defeated, she walks back to her table with the Scobie’s only to be grabbed by the arm. She's being pulled towards the dance floor. Ready for a fight she whips back only to see Spike. Before she can say anything he guides her hands to the back of his neck, and he places his hands on her hips. They start to sway to the song. 

Diamond life, lover boy

"Well, explain..." Spike says. 

She's taken aback by his words, "um, well... first off, I’m sorry I lied but I had to." A minute passes. They are locking eyes but no words are being exchanged. 

No place for beginners or sensitive hearts

Y/n feels self-conscious. Something that has rarely happened in the almost 1,000 year she has lived. She looks down.

"I was protecting you guys" she starts up again. "I have never met a slayer with friends. It has a different dynamic. More people to account for. I was afraid my reputation would damage what Buffy had, and by proxy, it would hurt you." She looked up again. His eyes never leaving her face. 

"You lied to protect me?" He mocked. "Love, you knew I was the big bad and still you toyed with me."

He's a smooth operator

"Don't start. You did not tell me what you really were. And I was not toying with you. I was trying to keep distance between us."

"Distance, eh? "

She sighed. It seemed hopeless to get him to see her side. She pulled away, hoping to leave things as they were but his hold was strong. She stayed put.

His eyes are like angels but his heart is cold

"What did you think of me, of us?" He questioned her. 

The question threw her off. She stammered. He became irritated. She knew that the only way to get his trust back was to be honest. To do that, she would have to sacrifice her pride. 

"I like you. You're a solid friend. I do not care that others think you're no good, I can see the light in you. And us? I thought we made a decent team, much to everyones dismay."

Smooth operator

He felt giddy. He never had a friend. Someone that valued him. Someone that saw him as he is. 

He mulled her words over, carefully. He assented and pulled her closer. She stilled in his arms for a moment before returning to their sway. 

"I'll allow it. Lie to me again and you'll regret it."

She chuckled knowing his threat was pointless and fake. 

Smooth operator

[theodosiani]

Ghilan'nain, abundantly aware of her own mortality in the face of her archdemon's death, decides to endeavor into an experiment. She and Elgar'nan have their eyes upon Rook and the others, have witnessed the fragment of Mythal within the crossroads. Heard of Solas' actions in absorbing the one gamboling about Thedas, playing with mortals. It was an idea, of course she didn't want to die to accomplish it, but she is more creative than Mythal in such ways.

She experiments briefly on prisoners and followers, learning how to rip a soul apart but keep the body alive, then the mind, the power couldn't quite be salvaged. Yes, a fraction exists and can be strengthened to a degree but never to it's former glory. At least not working on the shortened timeframe with which she is faced.

Had she more time she is convinced she could do it, split herself in twain and stay glorious. Had she the resources of their golden age perhaps she could even do so on her accelerated timescale. Alas, instead she has the blight and her da'fen. Not the perfect vessel, she would have preferred to create one from scratch, but time is of the essence. Besides, if she dies this way it means in some small way she will enjoy seeing the sorrow stretch across Fen'harel's face when he is reunited with sweet little Sulhan'harel and senses her lurking in the girl's very marrow.

She's already grafted a bit of her own flesh into the girl, isolated carefully with her magic within the fine limb. It will make for a smoother latch, Ghilan'nain hypothesizes this is the reason for the witch of the wilds' many daughters. Perfect donors, so to speak their flesh ready to absorb the power and their lives molded to make them worthy.

She cannot make little Sulhan'harel worthy, but she has thought all along that the child shows promise. She could have made a fine evanuris of the arts, no match for June and his creations or Sylaise and her architecture but they had always lacked a creature of music. Perhaps she was insufficient for the role now, but Ghilan'nain firmly believes she could have molded her, guided her to a place alongside herself and Elgar'nan. Lesser of course, but still beside them, a family.

Ghilan'nain removes a splinter of herself, she is not so arrogant as to believe she can get away with finishing rebuilding their new empire at half strength. No, not with sweet Razikale so violently taken from her, the time to enthrall another dragon, to raise an archdemon is not possible. So instead she takes the smallest fraction of her power, or herself and slips it into Sulhan'harel.

The girl barely fights her, knowing her place and succumbing so well. It is a shame that Solas got to her first, she would have made a fine priestess. So loyal and full of devotion wasted on shemlen lost beyond the wretched veil and Fen'harel. She does not question when Ghilan'nain pushes the idol into her hands, a fragment of her own creativity and love. It will take well to Sulhan'harel's demeanor, she thinks that giving the girl much else will crack her mind and she'll be useless then.

Sweet, gentle Suhlan'harel now her little locket, no matter how the dread wolf leads his merry band of fools he will not be rid of her. Not unless he has the drive to murder his own daughter--She has not quite decided whether she believes he won't but the pain it will bring him if he does? Well, she will watch it through young, green eyes.

[stop-breaking-my-heart-dragonage]

I'm sorry, but why don't we talk about Witch Hunt more? Seriously, I think it might be my favorite DAO DLC. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the hell out of Awakening. Leliana's Song is good. The Golems of Amgarrak is... eh, bad. I didn't really like that one. The Warden's Keep, The Stone Prisoner, and Return to Ostagar are all amazing and I love them.

But Witch Hunt??? Y'all. I can't. I'm too emotional right now.

I have at least one dynamic from each game that I'm obsessed with. For DAO, it's the dynamic between romanced!Alistair, Tabris, and Morrigan. I've talked before about the dark ritual and stuff in this post, so let's just say that my Tabris, Rose, very much has unfinished business and a score to settle with Morrigan.

Tabris and Morrigan grew so close throughout the entire journey of DAO, y'know? Close enough that Morrigan claimed she thought of her as a sister, and Tabris felt the same way... and then in one single moment, it's just shattered.

There were signs that Tabris ignored, like the way Morrigan dismissed all the circle mages and claimed they should be left to their fates since they "allow themselves to be caged like cattle." Or how she disapproved every time Tabris wanted to help those down on their luck. Or, worst of all, when Morrigan disapproved when Tabris chose to kill the Tevinter slaver instead of making a deal with him to use the lives of the remaining elves to grant her more power... one of those caged elves being Tabris' father.

But she gave Morrigan the benefit of the doubt; she's sheltered and only had Flemeth as an influence and teacher, of course she's unempathetic and selfish, but there is good in Morrigan's heart. She can learn to be more empathetic and to care for others.

At least, Tabris believed that until Morrigan confessed that she's known about the ultimate sacrifice and the dark ritual from the beginning, that Flemeth sent her with the wardens with a purpose that Morrigan intends to follow through with. It's devastating and it broke Tabris' heart.

She just learned that a warden has to die to stop the blight, and that warden could be her or Alistair. Not only are they romantically involved, but they've been through all of this shit together, they're the only ones who fully understand what being a grey warden is like. They carry the burden on their shoulders, and they're probably going to lose each other to the archdemon.

And Morrigan waits until she's at her most vulnerable to ask that of her.

Again, I've gone into more detail about that before, but at this point Rose is done with people deceiving her. She's done with Morrigan... except she's not. It's the betrayal and knowing Morrigan got what she wanted that causes Rose to go searching for her.

To Morrigan's credit, she does give some answers. She claims she didn't thing the archdemon would show itself so soon, and she did what she had to because she didn't wish to see Tabris hurt or die. I believe her, and to an extent, Tabris believes her... but Morrigan still doesn't get WHY it's a betrayal.

Morrigan's right: She will never understand Tabris, and Tabris will never understand her. She can insist it's not a betrayal all she wants, but it absolutely is, and Tabris has never allowed anyone who crossed her to just walk away... except for Morrigan.

Until now.

Hearing that Morrigan manipulated her way into the trust of this Dalish clan so she could steal their book and run is just further evidence in Tabris' eye that she hasn't changed. Maybe it was always foolish to believe she could.

So... she stabbed Morrigan.

She didn't do it to kill her; Morrigan is the daughter of Flemeth and a powerful mage with healing magic, a mere stab isn't going to kill her.

No, it's about what the stab represents: "I am done with you."

And how the scene plays out? It's so dramatic and good, just the way everything slows down, the music, how they make eye contact as the stabbing happens just....

I know it sounds really bad, and this is the part where I remind everyone that I ADORE Morrigan, but the stabbing ending is so satisfying from a story-telling standpoint for my playthrough.

It's so tragic and it hurts and I hate it.... but I love it, y'know?

I love Witch Hunt, like I haven't even talked about Ariane and Finn, or how the circle just has all these books on Dalish artifacts and translations of elvhen, or how other eluvians can be found with a shard from the broken one in the dalish origin.... like you're telling me that Merrill had a piece of the puzzle? If she had the knowledge, she could've found a working eluvian to study?? I'm going to gnaw my own leg off--

Listen, I could gush about this all day.

But now that I've completely finished DAO, it's time to replay DA2.

[thebardbullseye]

On the Purpose and Appreciation of Compelling Recaps: “Of the Reaching Green” (WWW Episode 10)

From the desk of TheBardBullseye

“Previously on “The Wizard, The Witch, and The Wild One.” Naram, spirit of the gentle sea, lies bound at the base of the Calabel Nautomantic Apparatus by Guild Mage Morrow of the Scepter’s Chorus. Our heroes stand divided. Having re-established contact with The Citadel, a castigated Suvi now has direct orders to do nothing until Steel arrives in Port Talon three days hence. Eursulon, having returned to the Ace of Wands alone, once again wields Wavebreaker, the sword that legend says belonged to Naram himself, with the power to break the spells and curses of his foes. And Ame, with just such a curse still clouding her mind and concealing crucial memories of Grandmother Wren and her most important lessons, now rushes forth to find her fox familiar, chasing him beyond the walls of Port Talon into the wasteland of witch fire and ash that stand between the city and the wrath of creeping kudzu beyond. We now return to Port Talon in the wee hours, as a tall and tipsy traveler ambles contentedly down a cobblestone street, a gleaming sword swinging at his side. [music swells] (0:00:18-0:01:30)”*

tl;dr below the fold- I’m captivated by the "Previously On" at the start of episode 10, and I wrote a whole damn essay discussing it. The recap is a brilliant piece of writing and a fascinating snapshot showcasing why this particular actual play podcast is So. Damn. Good. They didn’t have to go this hard!

// Spoilers (both direct and indirect) for Arc 1 // (but honestly I think if you don't already listen to this show, then hopefully this essay convinces you to.)

I’ve been relistening to “The Wizard, the Witch, and the Wild One” (WWW) from the beginning (starting with the Children’s Adventure). My work life has gotten super crazy in the last month (yay promotion!), and I’ve found the first arc (and firesides) to be a great boon during a stressful time. As I already know the story, I’m less concerned about missing something and will listen to it whenever I need to—note that when I listen to a new episode, I allocate free time to listen and do only that (and play solitaire so I don’t scroll social media). Anyways, when I got around to episode 10, I was reminded by how much I loved the “Previously On” recap at the start. I don’t know if it was written separately or improvised, and although I suspect the former, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the latter (1).

Before I get into it, y’all, this podcast is so fucking good. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it. There have been numerous moments, developments, episodes, etc. that have grabbed me by the shoulders and shouted in my face, “HEY! STUFF IS HAPPENNING! PAY ATTENTION TO THIS! MAKE THE HAPPY BRAIN CHEMICALS!” (in the Fox’s cadence and voice, of course). And sometimes, that voice compels me, perhaps as a Geas, to Do Something creatively (much like what you’re reading now). Early on, this was mostly a ramble to a friend, or word dump in a doc or group chat. Then, I wrote some music and some lyrics and some poetry, and then a full-length academic essay (…5k words long), and then designed a magazine cover, and on and on. (I don’t know why this podcast has my brain in a vice, but also, I sort of do, which is another essay in the drafts.) Regardless, the first instance of Creative Compulsion that manifested in a more structured manner was when episode 10 debuted and is in fact this very essay (that has since been rewritten and fleshed out). I didn’t have a Tumblr at that time, so my thoughts on this recap have just been collecting dust in my documents folder for more than a year. But, upon my relisten, I realized this episode introduction was significant and that there was more I wanted to say and praise, since I haven’t heard another one like it since.

When the episode first aired, I heard the first 90 seconds (2) of “Of the Reaching Green” and instantly replayed it three times before moving on to the rest of the episode because I was so captivated. After I finished the episode, I listened to it again. The episode had just come out, so the transcript was not yet available, and I wanted to see the recap as well as hear it. *Above, you will find my transcript of the recap, preserved as it was on that day, so my apologies for any unintentional spelling or grammar mistakes (3). Then, I stared at it and reread it, and started to piece together my thoughts on why the hell I’m so enamored by this. It’s 90 seconds of an hour and twenty-minute podcast, and not only that, it’s not even technically part of the diegetic episode, since it’s a recap! (What the hell, Brennan?!)

I promise I’ll get to those specific thoughts soon, but I think it’s important to alight briefly on the nature and necessity of recaps. In serialized storytelling mediums, most notably television shows, the audience often requires a recap of the previous events to refresh one’s memory since it’s been a week (or more) since the previous episode (TV Tropes). I think these may have fallen out of favor as of late, especially in the advent of prestige television, DVRs, and streaming—most producers probably assume that their audience is either binge-watching the show, has access to the previous episode, or can just look up a summary. Or if not done well, it may further confuse the viewer if too much or too little information is included (4). Further, recaps are NOT synopses of the previous episode—they serve to highlight the main points of the previous episode/storyline and specifically underscore what the audience needs to know for this episode. Additionally, these don’t necessarily show up before every episode; for some shows, these only happen for mid or end of season finales, when major storylines conclude. These are not just for returning viewers- in the bygone age of broadcast tv (I jest, kind of), people didn’t always catch every episode every week, so recaps also needed to be compelling. They needed give any random channel surfer the general gist so that they could watch the episode and convince them to not change the channel. Recaps don't need to execute on these all of these elements, nor do them perfectly, but a good recap communicates all of these things well in a very short time frame (usually around 1 minute). Essentially, "Previously On" segments say, 'pay attention to this.'

For actual play shows (a catch-all term for recorded or streamed TTRPG games), recaps serve this same purpose of reminding the audience of previous events, but these also do the additional duty of reminding the player characters themselves at time of recording of what is important in the story they’re telling and game they're playing. Often, the GM will recap the previous session so that everyone’s on the same page, and this is often improvised (as most things are). Needless to say these aren’t usually the most compelling part of the episode (though they don't have to be), and often devolve into synopses of the previous session (i.e., “Last time you guys did XYZ, Timmy fell down a well, ok let’s start…”). Or, if the GM does recap the most important points to know, it’s not usually that compelling to listen to—and honestly, why would one spend extra effort on something that insignificant anyway? Moreover, recaps in most actual plays serve the purpose of recapping for the players first and the audience second (5). The GM can remind, and players can ask questions, so the burden of this segment is lessened.

Ok, so back to our regularly scheduled essay about WWW. I mentioned earlier that I thought that the recap in episode 10 was not improvised at the start of the session and instead was written and recorded separately. While (to my knowledge) this hasn't been discussed publicly, there is some evidence in the structure, cadence, and delivery that lends credence to this assertion. On the whole, I don't think it particularly matters whether it was written or improvised; I merely mention it because the choice to script is significant when every other introduction is improvised (just look at much people love the "Fire" introduction for Calamity). This creative choice makes a lot of sense both in narrative and in production.

WWW first debuted in March 2023, releasing biweekly, so episode 10 aired in early July 2023. I would wager that most listeners don’t relisten to each episode in the intervening weeks, so most episodes start with an informal recap or general scene setting. However by this point, the story had just reached its major turning point at the end of episode 9—the recovery of Wavebreaker. This sword is the MacGuffin of the first arc, and each character is connected to it in some way—it breaks curses (one of which Ame is under), Eursulon was the last one with it but parted with it years ago in Port Talon (he also needs a weapon), and Suvi was the one that gave it to him in childhood. The previous episode also focused on Naram, a great spirit trapped in the harbor of Port Talon, who up until then seemed tangential to the protagonists—but then Ame discovered on her own that Wavebreaker originally belonged to Naram. This pivotal moment is what propels the story to the conclusion of the first arc, thus the need arose for a moment to remind the audience of the stakes and current landscape.

From a production standpoint, this podcast has a lot of love and care poured into it, especially with the marriage of masterful improv and immersive sound design. It’s clear (and has been explicitly stated) that this crew prioritizes the quality of the final episode through little details and extra effort. So, whereas with other APs, fewer resources would be allocated to a recap simply because it’s not necessary, Worlds Beyond Number finds the use-case where it becomes necessary to put a little extra mustard on it.

That said, it’s a really good recap, excellent even. It contains everything a good recap should have: it paints the big picture, snapshots the major players, flows perfectly into the opening scene of the episode, and above all, is compelling. To further support the theory that this was written and recorded separately, it also lacks the filler words, pauses, and direct address to the players (i.e., Suvi, you did X, and Ame, you did Y) that are typical of an improvised introduction and recap—and thus it has the tone akin to the opening crawl of Star Wars. It is eloquently written, with so much information communicated by inference in just seven sentences, so let’s analyze line by line:

“Previously on “The Wizard, The Witch, and The Wild One.” Naram, spirit of the gentle sea, lies bound at the base of the Calabel Nautomantic Apparatus by Guild Mage Morrow of the Scepter’s Chorus. Our heroes stand divided.”

Translation: It all starts with Naram. Naram is a gentle spirit held captive by another wizard and his fancy machine. “Our heroes stand divided”—they had an argument in the last episode about whether or not to free Naram (and how). Needless to say, the situation with Naram is more complicated, but those four words express that succinctly.

NB: Naram is alone.

In the context of the previous episode, the listener is reminded of this quandary—what to do about Naram. But, there is an ingenious double meaning here. That last line not only alludes to the philosophical division amongst the party, but a physical one as well.

“Having re-established contact with The Citadel, a castigated Suvi now has direct orders to do nothing until Steel arrives in Port Talon three days hence.”

Translation: Suvi has been reprimanded by Steel after unintentionally going AWOL (“re-established contact”) and now she has to keep the situation with Naram locked down until Steel arrives. The audience is reminded that Port Talon is remote from The Citadel since it will take three days to get there.

NB: Suvi is alone.

Steel, Suvi’s adoptive mother, is flying by airship because the travelling door is broken, but since this is extraneous information to the immediate situation, it is left unsaid. As Suvi is the party member with the least connection (relatively speaking) to Wavebreaker and Naram, I think it makes sense that Suvi is mentioned first and has the least airtime in the recap.

“Eursulon, having returned to the Ace of Wands alone, once again wields Wavebreaker, the sword that legend says belonged to Naram himself, with the power to break the spells and curses of his foes.”

Translation: Eursulon ran off to see Will Gallows (proprietor of the Ace of Wands) but got his sword back (“once again” wields Wavebreaker), and it is a legendary sword belonging to Naram that can break curses.

NB: Eursulon is alone.

This section is also brief but sets up the pattern for a clever sequence that subtly shows the movement of the sword over time. First, Naram (who owns the sword), Suvi (who gave Eursulon the sword), Eursulon (who got the sword back), and then finally Ame (who needs the sword). The last phrase, “with the power to break the spells and curse of his foes,” neatly sets up the next line.

“And Ame, with just such a curse still clouding her mind and concealing crucial memories of Grandmother Wren and her most important lessons, now rushes forth to find her fox familiar, chasing him beyond the walls of Port Talon into the wasteland of witch fire and ash that stand between the city and the wrath of creeping kudzu beyond.”

Translation: Ame is cursed and because of that, she is lacking crucial knowledge (but the sword can break the curse). Now, she has left Port Talon and is chasing after her fox into the dangerous wasteland choked with smoke and treacherous forest outside the city.

NB: Ame is alone (do you see the through-line?).

Now, with the major characters introduced and with the stakes increasing, the segment concludes as it introduces the present moment and establishes the opening scene:

“We now return to Port Talon in the wee hours, as a tall and tipsy traveler ambles contentedly down a cobblestone street, a gleaming sword swinging at his side.”

Translation: It’s the middle of the night and Eursulon is triumphantly (and drunkenly) wandering the streets of Port Talon.

It’s notable that Eursulon is not mentioned by name at the end but trusts the listener to have been paying attention, though the next spoken word as the recap fades is “Eursulon.” The opening scene transitions seamlessly to him arriving at the Chantry—now we've come full circle. (This is Morrow's HQ, who trapped Naram in the first place).

Thus, it’s clear that this recap is descriptive yet not needlessly verbose or rambling (unlike this essay), due to its well-formed sentences and syntax.

But beyond that, it’s pleasing to the ear. There is ample use of consonance throughout (e.g., “bound at the base,” “wields Wavebreaker,” “curse… clouding… concealing crucial,” “rushes forth to find her fox familiar,” "walls... wasteland... witch fire," "creeping kudzu," and “tall and tipsy traveler ambles contentedly down a cobblestone street, a sword swinging at his side”). There’s also an interesting alternating alliterative and rhythmic pattern of k and s sounds with “contact with the Citadel, a castigated Suvi”. There's just enough to be noticeable but not too much to become annoying, and the brevity certainly helps. It's poetic.

In the sound quality and design, there’s an air and cadence in Brennan’s voice of being read a bedtime story, and he speaks clearly and with purpose. Further, the musical motifs of the chorus signifying the spirit world at the start transitions to a carefree, plucky tune during the last line that embodies Eursulon’s mood and instills it in the listener. As it ends, this musical transition is reminiscent of waking up and slowly starting to hear the ambient noise around.

When analyzing any kind of creative choice in any medium, I tend to remind myself that the creator(s) could have simply chosen to not make that choice, for any number of reasons or limitations (6). The "Previously On" in episode 10 could have been unremarkable, rambling and verbose, it could have had no music or sound effects, it could have been written and structured in an entirely different way, or it could have simply not existed at all. But it does exist, so I look at what is there. Now, this analysis is not intended to be prescriptive for future recaps in WWW or other APs. As is evident, this recap is one-of-a-kind and serves a greater purpose overall in the first arc of the story. In writing this, I spot-checked a handful of other opening moments of WWW, and while those introductions were improvised, Brennan is so adept at it that I would not expect to hear another a written recap unless the narrative and production calls for it again.

These seven sentences are truly brilliant. There are plenty of moments that have stuck with me since WWW started in March 2023, but it speaks volumes that something this insignificant spawned a ~3000-word analytical essay (7). Damn.

Footnotes:

(1) I elaborate on this later in the essay, but I suspect it was written and recorded separately solely because of how concise it is, both in word choice and in delivery (the lack of filler words or pauses), as well as the difference in tenor/tone as it transitions to the opening scene. We’ve also heard plenty a recap from Brennan in WWW and other shows, and I have yet to hear one as crafted and, dare I say, perfect as this one. Not to knock other improvised (or otherwise) recaps of course, as those fulfill their purpose well and fine. I just appreciate the extra mustard on this one (no shit, I just wrote a whole damn essay with footnotes). I suppose I could submit a Fireside question and ask (lol) but I think that (sky)ship has sailed, since we're now on episode 35. (If for some godforsaken reason someone involved with WBN reads this... let me know if I'm right, I guess? If I'm wrong, I don't want to know /j)

(2) I refer to the recap as 90 seconds as shorthand throughout, but it technically just ends at 90 seconds. And I think that’s neat. It's also easier to just say 90 seconds—a nice, distinct chunk of time—than its true length, which is 72 seconds (due to the WBN theme).

(3) Formatting the quote in this way also neatly organizes my analysis of it later in the essay, which is not exactly reflected in the transcript (but that’s because it’s for readability).

(4) Complete tangent to the podcast discussed here is that I’ve seen DougDoug (internet streamer) do a blind reaction to just the “Previously On” recaps for "One Tree Hill" and "24" (without knowing the plot of either show) to hilarious and baffling results. It further demonstrates my point that recaps are not synopses, and you can’t fully grasp the plot of something through these. Because that’s not their purpose—which is to make clear to the audience what they need to know for that next episode-- not necessarily explain what happened in the last episode (and clips can be from earlier episodes as well).

(5) Something that I think is often discussed by WBN et al. (among others) is the distinction between an actual play and a home game. In a home game of D&D, the sole audience is the people playing the game. In actual play, the audience is BOTH the players and the viewer, and (good) actual play has to balance the two—you want to make sure the people playing are having a good time but also that it makes for a good viewing/listening experience. This tension between the two audiences can be balanced for- either in the moment of recording or in post-production, and I think WBN does an excellent job at this balance. However, I make the point that players come first and audience comes second specifically for recaps, because if your players don’t know what’s going on beforehand, then the whole shoot/recording could be in jeopardy, and it may simply not be worth the time, effort, or resources to craft an outstanding recap. So, there’s fundamentally going to be less effort put into the recap from viewer’s perspective in actual plays, and they just don’t matter that much, since players can just ask questions/GM can remind players of things.

(6) Might be a hot take, but I find it counterproductive and uninteresting to engage in editorializing player and DM choice in APs when it is presented as critique or literary analysis (i.e., "they should/could have done this instead" or "XYZ would have made for a more interesting story"). I've noticed this sentiment crop up in AP spaces/fandoms, but there isn't a writer's room to edit and revise the story being told (well there is one, and it's happening in the moment). To me, it's more interesting to look at the story that is being told and the choices made, and ask, why? Which is the point of this whole essay—to look at those seven sentences and go, "why is this here and what does it mean?"

(7) Or I'm just a nerd. Or both. Don't mind me, I'm just over here building my donut house. (I reblogged a post about fandom and donuts recently—it makes sense in context I promise.)