#storybook forest amusement park

[fitsofgloom]

Jack Be Nimble: Promotional postcard for The Storybook Forest Amusement Park in Pennsylvania, one of those bygone fairy tale-themed roadside kiddie parks that used to dot the U.S. back in the '60s and '70s before the corporate parks became the big family vacation destinations.

[vivantaweddingcost]

The Perfect Wedding Venues in Jim Corbett and Mussoorie

When it comes to planning a wedding, choosing the perfect venue is as crucial as the guest list and the dress. For a memorable wedding, Mussoorie and Jim Corbett are two of India’s most picturesque places to hold it. This blog looks at three leading destinations: Namah Jim Corbett, Tarangi Resort Jim Corbett, and JW Marriott Mussoorie. Each site offers a rare mixture of natural splendors blended with luxuries that make remarkable weddings possible. We will explore their distinct features besides looking at how much their weddings cost. Whether you love the tranquility of Jim Corbett or the grandeur of Mussoorie, it’s time to check out these venues offering a one-of-a-kind wedding.

Namah Jim Corbett: A Luxurious Retreat for Your Dream Wedding

Nestled in the heart of Jim Corbett National Park, the exquisite property Namah Jim Corbett offers a perfect blend of nature and extravagant coziness. Nature provides a peaceful setting for couples who want to mix their wedding celebrations with peace of mind.

Let’s talk about Namah Jim Corbett Wedding Experience, Namah Jim Corbett’s landscape is straight out of storybooks; imagine holding hands while saying “I do” with bushes full of greenery around you. Couples can choose between indoor and outdoor venues including a vast garden that accommodates many guests at once. Namah Jim Corbett Weddings are enjoyable due to the hotel’s stylish decorations and outstanding service.

If you’re looking for something unique, there are tailor made wedding packages available at Namah Jim Corbett which satisfy various tastes and preferences. Whether you desire a grand event or you prefer a small gathering the management at Namah Jim Corbett put in much effort to make your dreams come true. The flower arrangements are exquisite, while the menu is personalized because everything about it is designed according to the couple’s requirements.

Namah Jim Corbett Wedding Cost

The Namah Jim Corbett Wedding Cost can differ depending on the time of year, number of guests, and personalized demands. In general, the Namah Jim Corbett Wedding Cost goes higher based on the size of the wedding. This quotation consists of renting a venue, basic decorations, and food services. Additional expenses include extra luxurious rooms for visitors, customized decorations as well as amusement. Therefore, it will be prudent to speak with the hotel’s wedding coordinator who will give you an elaborate estimate that meets your requirements more effectively.

Tarangi Resort Jim Corbett: Serenity Meets Elegance

Tarangi Resort Jim Corbett is brimming with peace and comfort as well as traditional charm, thus making it one of the best places to hold a wedding ceremony. It is situated close to Jim Corbett National Park offering calmness away from the hustle of life with magnificent views of Kosi River and Sitabani Forest. The resort has been established to incorporate the beauty of the park into its design with sounds of birds and flowing water evoking a feeling of being in paradise.

Tarangi Resort Jim Corbett Wedding Experience

Mixing modern with tradition, Tarangi Resort has what it takes to make your wedding day unforgettable. The Tarangi Resort Jim Corbett Wedding spaces are unique including beautiful gardens and open area as well as stylish indoor locations. All these make for a perfect environment for you to hold your marriage rites and take beautiful photos.

Their team works hard to ensure that your desire for an exquisite personal touch is met throughout the process. They provide services like event organization, management, food services, and decoration among others. No matter if you want a grand reception or an intimate ceremony, Tarangi Resort Jim Corbett Wedding caters to every little detail in those events’ organization.

Tarangi Resort Wedding Cost

The Tarangi Resort wedding cost normally begins from INR 15 lakh. This involves venue renting, basic decorations, and meal provision. Guest list number, décor specifications selected by the customer, and added services like photography, entertainment provision, or accommodation facilities for guests can increase the overall price. To have an accurate breakdown of Tarangi Resort Wedding Costs, one should best approach the resort’s event organizers who can assist in such matters.

JW Marriott Mussoorie: A Regal Destination for Your Wedding

In providing a lavish wedding experience in the hills, JW Marriott Mussoorie is one of the most majestic and classy locations. Its opulence can only be compared to that of royalty; thus making it an ideal choice for couples who want their JW Marriott Mussoorie wedding. This beautiful five-star resort in Mussoorie has marvelous views and the best service you can ever get from any hotel. Located just two hours drive from Jolly Grant Airport, JW Marriott Mussoorie is at Majuli hill station which is surrounded by tall evergreen trees, glimmering valleys and other sceneries.

The JW Marriott Mussoorie Wedding Experience

In addition to its beautiful setting, the JW Marriott Mussoorie offers a wide array of luxury amenities. With a lovely ballroom and outdoor terraces that offer sweeping views of the Himalayan foothills, this venue provides an elegant background for your ceremony and reception. The elegant detailing in the hotel’s interior such as art pieces together with its gardens create even more appeal on your big day.

There is a specialized team assigned to weddings who ensures that everything goes according to plan including personalized decoration, fine dining options, and tailor-made wedding packages. Remarkable landmarks as well as exceptional client relations are key factors that will ensure you have an unforgettable event together with all your loved ones present during this momentous occasion in your life.

JW Marriott Mussoorie Wedding Cost

The JW Marriott Mussoorie Wedding Cost starts from INR 30 lakhs. This is inclusive of venue charges, regular decoration, and catering prices, despite there being other charges related to personalized solutions, accommodations of visitors, and extra decorative items. To get a more personalized JW Marriott Mussoorie Wedding Cost estimate of your requirements contact their event planning department.

Conclusion

The proper venue selection is a crucial step in planning your special event. Namah Jim Corbett, Tarangi Resort Jim Corbett, and JW Marriott Mussoorie are some of the best places that provide various amenities that can be suitable to different categories of people. Be it the mesmerizing environment of Jim Corbett or the regal elegance of Mussoorie, these locations have great options for making your wedding a memorable one.

When looking for a perfect wedding venue, think about your budget, what kind of theme you want to create, and what exactly you need. If you work closely with the event’s organizers at any one of these venues, you can ensure a celebration that reflects your vision and creates lasting memories for you and your guests.

[speedbooster]

It was a bit unexpected, but not unreasonable. He didn't think he'd feel much different in her shoes.

"I mean- It's not like I have any control over that, Ames. The adventures just kinda happen when they happen-"

That wasn't to say he didn't feel bad about it. If anything it made him feel worse about their old routine, of him running away whenever she'd catch up to him. Sure, he was a little more immature at the time (growing up in an isolated forest will do that to you-), and at the time he'd rationalized it as trying to keep her safe, but that didn't change the fact that he had intentionally left her out of a lot of his adventures.

Still, it didn't stop him from being his usual self and adding in a quip to lighten the mood a little.

"Since when did you start believing me about being sucked into Medieval Times?? Even Tails had his doubts about that one-"

Not that he could blame him. It was definitely one of his more "out there" experiences, and the twist right at the end was kinda ridiculous... even if it gave him a bit of an ego boost.

"Either way, there's no point in dwelling on the past. All that matters is what you do now. So, if it's really bothering you that much-"

"-why don't you tag along with me for a bit? Can't promise we'll run into any world threatening monsters, but we could at least go on a little tour of all the places you missed out on... that I can still get to anyway-"

He wasn't sure if they could go back into those storybook worlds, and they definitely couldn't check out the Interstellar Amusement Park since... It kinda got sucked into a black hole-

But he was sure there were still plenty of places she hadn't been to yet, and as long as he didn't go overboard, she should have no problem keeping up.

"Plus who knows? Maybe we'll find something new along the way! Even I haven't seen everything."

"You know, I realized it is a shame I haven't gotten to really be a part of a lot of your adventures, Sonic. Or ones that I really got to hear a lot about before. You've been through so many places and experienced things that I have to imagine them more than I could see them before my eyes." Perhaps this was out of nowhere but it really was true--Amy was more than happy to be by his side and help in anyway she can, but at times she had but wished to be with him and see many worlds, meet the people and even the dangers he has faced. "I mean, I know I was mad at you and all at the time but thinking on it again, I kind of wished I could have seen the Arthurian world too. Or when you faced Dark Gaia, I bet you looked incredibly awesome fighting it with Chip! After all that happened at Starfall Islands too, I guess I don't want to keep missing out on things at the same time..."

@speedbooster liked a starter w/ Amy

[riderat]

Enchanted Forest in Oregon (7/7) 🍁🍂🌲🎃

[septembersung]

Oh!!! Your Third Order Protagonists are Delighting me! I don’t know exactly what kinds of prompts/questions you were looking for but have a bit of each to answer in so far as you like: what music genre are they? What kind of scandal is Corinna running from? What IS the Third Order? How does the vampirism and Catholicism interplay? What does Laurel fill her time with? And, as a grad student, WHAT is Juniper researching that gets her to the not quite researchers?? Hope some of those help! :D

These are excellent questions, thank you!!

Music Genre: Juniper Jones is folk music. Corinna Carver is classic country, but she thinks she's soulful acoustic singer-songwriter. Laurel Woodward listens to nothing but classic rock, but deep, deep in her heart she's got a great big tearjerker musical number going on.

Scandal: Corinna has been Humiliated, though the details are still working themselves out. At the moment, it looks something like this: her cringey new age parents kind of are the scandal. As in, they're very well known in her community - harmless weirdos to the general population - but someone makes a big fool of them, publicly, meanly. Like "prove the seance is fake" kind of mean. (Are they just clueless? Are they scammers? Bit of both? To Be Decided.) And the worst part is, Corinna was implicated, to herself, in this event somehow - after a lifetime of skepticism, something happens, and she seems to have caused it. It freaks her out beyond bearing. She drops everything, moves where no one knows her, and tries to become someone else. She manages this by tapping into the inheritance her grandfather left her, which she assumed control of at 21. The grandfather's memory, and family legacy in general, is going to be important.

The Third Order: Is the name eventually given, by Juniper, to the "third order" of rational beings who are neither men nor angels. "Monsters," "fairies," "mythological creatures" - vampires, werewolves, and others of that ilk. Is every storybook or folklore creature real? Probably not. But some of them are. Then again, some of these creatures are only men who have been corrupted, or straight up demons or angels in disguise. It's complicated. The existence of the third order has been known by a select cohort within the Catholic Church since forever - the Servants of St. Michael, primarily - but largely kept quiet and eventually disregarded as myth or utterly forgotten by the general population in enlightened modern times.

How does the vampirism and Catholicism interplay?: That is THE question, isn't it? And that was the impetus for this whole project. I think Juniper's story was technically first, when she was still named Annabelle (gotta have those Poe vibes), but Corinna's story (when she was still Cordelia) was the first plot that came together as a plot. It began with wanting to explore a vampire experiencing the Eucharist, and then the nature of vampirism, and what would the Church say about it? Corinna is the skeptic who begins to believe in the preternatural unwillingly, and gets pulled into dangerous circles, including a group that turns out to be headed by actual vampires. She also, via her roommate, is introduced to Catholicism, of which she is even more skeptical, and that turns out to be the very literal saving of her, especially in the person of Fr. Gartner, SSM. The Servants of St. Michael do the very exhausting, often unthanked, dirty work of exorcising demons, helping corrupted human beings live with or get free of their afflictions, and - occasionally - receiving supernatural visits from Third Order beings on the side of angels.

What does Laurel fill her time with?: She goes to school, roams the forest her mother does park ranger duties at, avoids homework, and alternately ignores and antagonizes, or is ignored or antagnoized by, the other werewolves/werewolf families in Lodestone, WI, formerly a booming mine town. (Usual disclaimer that I know nothing about Wisconsin or mining and have still not yet bothered to google anything about this.)

Juniper’s grad studies: originally she was a folklore student - but I’m contemplating a career change. I think she’s a recent MFA grad and this is her first I’m A Real Writer Writing Residency, and she meets someone who (says they are) a folklore PhD. It will deeply amuse me to create this fictional writing residency. (It will also be fictional in the story, as it’s a ruse, and I’m not sure any of the other residents are actually writers.)

[cluttermind]

CS Father’s Day OS - “Of Love and Fathers”

Rating: G

Summary: A very fluffy Father’s Day one shot featuring Killian’s first Father’s Day!

Read on ao3 here

//

As usual, Killian woke at the crack of dawn and was at Hope’s side the second she stirred awake. Emma was sure he spent hours watching Hope sleep, hopelessly wrapped around her finger. If it was up to Killian, he wouldn’t spend a second apart from his baby girl. He could watch her curious blue eyes take in the world around her for the rest of his life and never tire of it.

In her nightstand, Emma has Killian’s first Father’s Day card right under the gift-wrapped box containing her gift to him. She and Mary Margret had a few - okay a lot - of laughs while attempting to shop for both Killian and her dad. The thought of buying Captain Hook, the pirate captain from the enchanted forest who spent much of his life in Neverland, a set of power tools nearly killed them. Really, purchasing them for him might have resulted in Killian killing himself. David, on the other hand, had taken up a few too many DIY projects around the farm. And as cliche as it is, Emma thought she’d get him some kinda power tool set thing. Honestly, she got him exactly what he had asked for because really what did Emma and Mary Margret know about power tools other than that David used them and that sometimes (read: often) they were loud. All this to say that Killian’s gift took a much longer time to figure out. Emma’s lucky it was ready in time for today.

Once soft sounds of a fussy baby start seeping through the baby monitor, Emma hears Killian’s gentle coos. “Good morning my little love.”

Emma giggles right along with Hope. Hearing the fearsome pirate captain coo to a baby in the sweetest voice imaginable still made her laugh a little. Slipping out of bed, she grabs her robe from the closet and makes her way to her husband and their daughter. Killian is leaning over the crib, tickling Hope’s belly telling her over and over again how pretty she is while she laughs at the ridiculous faces he’s making.

-------------

Nearly a year ago Emma was feeling particularly miserable to the point that Killian, at times, wanted to stab himself with his own hook just to stop her from screaming at him for just about everything. If she wasn’t testing his patience, she was throwing up or crying which hurt him in an entirely different way.

After a particularly grueling morning, Emma took the day off from work. In the quiet solitude of an empty house, her mind was clear enough to recognize what might be going on which, of course, led to more crying. Because they hadn’t talked about this. Because she wasn’t sure they were ready. Because she wanted this so desperately. Because part of her knew that in their conversations about the future, the unspoken meaning of “we” was “us and our children.”

So she took a test. And it was positive. And it took every fiber of being to not run down to the station and shower Killian in a million and more kisses.

When Killian got home that night, Emma was waiting for him in the living room with a pale yellow gift bag which might have confused him if he wasn’t so happy to see her smiling at him.

“Are you feeling better, love?”

“Much better,” Emma said, handing him the bag. “I have a surprise for you.”

Killian kissed her cheek as he took the bag from her. He pulled out a small white onesie with a blue anchor on it and read the text out loud. “Daddy’s little sailor?” He asked. Then it hit him and his eyes met hers. “Swan are you pregnant?” Killian asked softly, his voice barely a whisper as tears pooled in his eyes.

Emma nodded. “We’re having a baby.”

Killian swept her up in his arms, careful not to hurt her with his hook, and spun her around. When her feet touched the floor again he kissed her. She could taste his tears against his lips. His hand was still clutching the small item of clothing. “We’re having a baby,” Killian repeated. “I’m going to be a Papa.”

----------

“A shilling for your thoughts, love?” Killian’s voice pulls her out of her thoughts. He was cradling Hope, who was clutching Killian’s hook with her tiny hands, in his arms.

“I was just thinking about how wonderful you are with her.”

Killian grins, dipping his head to press his lips against Hope’s temple. “I never thought it was possible to love someone this much.” Hope’s wide eyes watch the way the morning sunshine dances on the shiny silver of Killian’s hook that now dons a rubber pink protector to keep Hope from hurting herself on the end of it.

Emma wraps her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek against the back of his shoulder. “Happy Father’s Day, Killian.”

Killian is genuinely confused. “Happy what?”

“Father’s Day.”

“Are you making up holidays now, Swan?”

Emma released him from her arms and moved to step in front of him to figure out if he’s joking with her or not. He’s not. “Have you never heard of Father’s Day?”

“No.” Killian sighs. “I never had a father worth celebrating.”

Emma tries to remember celebrating in years past but the first few Father’s Days here she spent alone with Mary Margret and David and when Killian came into her life he’d cover for them at the station so they can spend the day together. This time, a new deputy was covering so that Killian could enjoy the day as well.

“Well,” Emma starts, “remember when we celebrated Mother’s Day? This day is yours, babe. You’re a wonderful father and we love you so much.” Emma turns to Hope, tickling her belly. “Isn’t that right Hope? We love Daddy very much.” Hope giggles in response, causing Killian to smile.

“Daddy loves you too my little starfish.”

Emma kisses him softly. “We’re heading to my parents for a barbecue around 3 but the whole morning is yours. We can do whatever you want.”

Killian raises an eyebrow at her. “Whatever I want?”

Emma rolls her eyes. “Aye, Captain.”

He looks at Hope. “Want to spend the morning on the Jolly, little starfish?”

They spend the morning on the Jolly, enjoying some brunch and the sea breeze while the ship remained docked. They walk Hope around the whole ship as Killian talks incessantly about the ship and his adventures and Emma listens, enraptured as always by the way Killian tells a story (even ones she’s heard multiple times). He’s a real-life storybook character albeit with a more indecent past with the women he’s seduced and the people he’s killed and stolen from. She finds it amusing how he skips over those parts when he’s talking to Hope.

Truthfully, Killian’s biggest fear is still what Hope will think of him when she finds out. It’s impossible to hide his past when it’s written in Henry’s storybook. As many times as Emma reassures him that Hope will love him not matter what because he’s her daddy and she’s his starfish and he is absolutely brilliant with her, Emma knows this fear will be something he lives with for a long time.

Time flies as Killian recounts his adventures and soon it’s time to head over to see her parents. Henry, Robin, Regina and Roland beat them there and Henry and Roland are already sparring with David by the time they park the car. Mary Margret fawns over Hope, complaining that she doesn’t get to spend enough time with her beautiful grandbaby and Killian nearly frowns when she’s no longer in his arms. Robin greets Killian with a clap on the back

“I think it’s time for presents!” Mary Margret squeals after they have dinner on the back deck. Henry leaves with her to grab everything. Somehow the two of them manage to carry everything to the table and both David and Killian blush furiously.

“Mine first!” Henry says, handing David a large wrapped box. Inside was a new saddle blanket for David’s horse in Northeastern University red and white. After a bear hug from his grandfather, Henry handed Hook a red gift bag. “Happy Father’s Day, Hook.”

It took Killian a second to process what was happening. He would’ve cried if he didn’t have a reputation to maintain. “Thank you, mate.” Inside was a dark grey t-shirt with white and gold lettering that read “Northeastern Dad.” Pulling the shirt out of the bag and reading what it said, pushed Killian over the edge, a single tear slipping from the corner of his eye. He quickly stood and pulled Henry into a tight embrace. “Thank you.”

“Mom got a Northeastern Mom one when we were moving in. I thought it was time you had a matching one. Now you can both look equally embarrassing when you’re moving me in in August.”

Killian chuckled. “Don’t give her any -”

“That’s a BRILLIANT idea!” Emma squealed.

“Ideas.” Killian sighed as he finished his sentence, still smiling brightly at the family he now had, the family he had always wanted but never believed he deserved.

“Okay okay. It’s my turn.” Emma said. David opened the set of power tool things and proceeded to explain what he would use each tool and feature for. Finally, it was time for Emma to give Killian his gift. It was a small wrapped box, only slightly larger than the size of Killian’s hand. In the box is a pocket sundial. Since Killian refuses to wear a watch, Emma thought this would suit him more. It’s solid brass and with his name engraved on the outside and a photo of him and Hope from the first time they took her to the Jolly on the inside. “Happy Father’s Day, babe.” Killian looked up from the sundial to see Emma holding their daughter. His heart was suddenly filled with more love than he ever believed was possible for one man to feel.

Robin rested his hand on Killian’s shoulder. “Happy Father’s Day, mate. Isn’t it the best feeling in the world?”

Killian grinned at his friend. “Aye. Happy Father’s Day.”

Roland gave Robin a handmade card, which was quite possibly the most adorable thing in the world, and a new set of arrows that were hand painted fun colors (which were clearly a joint effort between Regina and Roland).

Mary Margret, as a joke, had t-shirts that said “Hot Dads of Storybrooke Crew” on them made for  David, Robin, and Killian which elicited howls of laughter from all three of them when they opened them at the same time. Their last names were on the back, like a jersey, and their numbers reflected the order in which they became fathers - Nolan 01, Locksley 02, Jones 03. The rest of them roll their eyes at the men’s now even more inflated egos. Seconds after opening them, the “Hot Dads of Storybrooke Crew” plans to wear them together at Roland’s next soccer match. Town summer soccer matches turn into mini festivals with all different food being sold for fundraisers, music and dancing for the kids, and adult beverages for the parents.

Hope was fast asleep on the drive home and Emma was barely awake herself while Killian drove. He put Hope to sleep while Emma showered and got ready for bed. She read a bit of a book Killian had recommended to her while he did the same afterwards before climbing into bed.

“Emma?” Killian asks, rolling on his side to face her.

She knows by the look in his eyes that this is moving in a more serious direction. Killian clearly has something on his mind. Emma sets the book down and turns on her side to face him “What’s on your mind, Jones?”

Killian's hand rests on her hip. “I uhm -”

Not often does Killian get flustered, but now he was blushing furiously. “Talk to me, babe.” Emma cups his cheek, her thumb stroking soothingly.

“Have you thought about having another baby?” Killian whispers.

“Maybe.” Emma grins. “Have you?”

“Aye.” Killian returns her smile.

“And do you want another baby?”

Killian kisses her softly. “Aye, love.”

“Me too.” Emma rests her forehead against Killian’s. “Watching you with Hope has been the most incredible thing in the world, Killian. I love you with all my heart.”

“I love you, too. Always. To the end of the earth and time.”

[onceactresspdx]

Help A Oregon Attraction

Hey, I know I post next to never, but a place that's near and dear to my heart is struggling due to Covid, and due to the ice storm that passed through the region in February.

The Enchanted Forest is an amusement park in Oregon, a ways south of Portland. It's a lovely storybook-themed park, with lots of food, rides, and narrative elements to it. It's been owned and run by a family for three generations. Since it doesn't have the backing of the major entertainment industry, it's having a more difficult time keeping afloat than the larger parks.

Remove the spaces, but Here's their GFM : https:/ /gofund .me/d7959cfc

I recommend looking them up, and seeing what they are about! I also think it's an excellent place to check out, once this whole plague is over.

[im-up-to-shenanigans]

Fairy Tale

Read on ao3

Read on fanfiction.net

Summary: After getting Chinese takeout together, Ladybug and Cat Noir must battle an akuma and discover that maybe dreams really do come true. Ladynoir July 2020, Day 5: Banter

Rating: K+

Characters: Adrien Agreste | Cat Noir, Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

Relationships: Adrien Agreste | Cat Noir/Marinette Dupain-Cheng | Ladybug

~*~*~*~

A/N: Credit to someone on YouTube (not me, but I couldn't find the original comment, so I can't give you a name. I did ask - and got- permission to use this idea, though) for coming up with the idea for this. I made some minor tweaks. Also, this is my first fight scene for anything ever (also first original akuma). Anyway, have some Ladynoir! (Also, yes, I put a Once Upon a Time easter egg in here. No, I’m not ashamed of it.)

~*~*~*~

Patrol had been quiet that night, which was a relief. After several consecutive days filled with akuma attacks, the heroes of Paris were grateful to have a peaceful night. Ladybug and Cat Noir were currently sitting upon a beam of the Eiffel Tower, swinging their legs back and forth as they talked and laughed. Ladybug had brought some Chinese takeout to eat (It wasn't as good as her mother's authentic Chinese food, but Cat Noir didn't need to know that.).

"That was pretty good! I've never had Chinese takeout before," Cat said as he finished his food. He looked at her with a bit of awe and wonder in his eyes, as if she were his everything.

Ladybug blinked. "Wow, really?"

Her partner nodded. "Yeah, my father has my diet regulated, and I don't get to eat much food like this." He smiled.

"Then I'm glad I introduced it to you." She smiled softly back at him.

Cat Noir's smile turned into a toothy grin, and he leaned forward. "I'd be willing to try anything for you, M’Lady." He winked.

Ladybug rolled her eyes and pushed him away gently. "I'm having second thoughts about this."

"Too late, ‘Bug. Food's already gone." He gestured to the empty white boxes. He turned back to her, his face void of any goofy expression, suddenly serious. "But honestly, it was amazing."

Ladybug shrugged. "It was just takeout. I wouldn't call it amazing."

"You are the one who brought it. It is wonderful because it came from you.” He stared into her eyes, his own filled with conviction and sincerity.

Her heart did a funny little flip in her chest. Not wanting to figure out the reason behind it, she turned away, digging in the bag from the Chinese restaurant. "I nearly forgot the best part." She produced two small packaged treats of some sort. "Fortune cookies!" She gave one to him.

He watched as she opened her cookie and took out the little slip of white paper before doing the same.

Ladybug popped the cookie in her mouth as she studied the paper. "What does yours say, Kitty?"

He glanced down at the white slip that came out of his own cookie. "Follow your dreams."

Ladybug paused. "Huh, mine says the same thing."

Cat Noir scooted closer. "Maybe it's a sign." He grinned at her again.

She laughed and nudged him with her shoulder. "Down, Kitty. They are probably just running out of ideas to put in these things." She crumpled the fortune before gathering the empty cartons, shoving everything in the bag.

Cat shrugged before looking over the city, his eyes gaining a thoughtful look. "I guess that's a possibility. I just think it's strange that I would get this particular fortune today of all days."

Ladybug paused, glancing over at her partner and taking in his thoughtful expression. "Why's that?"

"I had a pretty great dream last night. It was about you."

She snorted. "How is that different from normal?"

He looked over at her and scowled, crossing his arms. "Haha, very funny." He pouted.

She giggled before reaching over and ruffling his hair. "Oh, lighten up, Cat." She pulled her hand away. "Tell me about your dream."

Cat leaned back on his arms, face turned to the stars. "Well, the two of us were walking hand-in-hand in a park along a moonlit path. We came across André and his ice cream cart and decided to get some.” He smiled softly up at the stars. “It was amazing.”

Ladybug felt the corners of her lips pull up in amusement. “The ice cream or the dream?”

He turned to look at her, a smirk forming on his lips. “Why not both? Care for some ice cream, M’Lady? After all, the fortunes did say to follow our dreams.”

The spotted heroine cocked her head in thought, her gaze falling over the streets of Paris lit up in the night. “Well, since we're talking about dreams, I had a pretty interesting one about the two of us last night as well.”

Cat Noir smiled. “Really? You dream about me?” He laid a hand on his heart. “You flatter me, Bugaboo,” he said, a silly grin on his face as he pretended to swoon.

Ladybug mock-scowled at her partner. “Didn’t we agree that you’d stop calling me Bugaboo?”

“Maybe you did. I enjoy the way you get all worked up over it too much to agree to any such thing.”

When she gave him a legitimate scowl, he started laughing. She huffed, crossing her arms. “Well, I guess you don’t want to hear about my dream.”

Cat calmed down, wiping the tears from his eyes. “Sorry, LB. What was your dream about?”

“Well in my dream, we were being chased by a bunch of knights, wolves, and witches out of a castle, past a giant gingerbread house, and up a hill in the woods with a well on top. Suddenly, we slipped on a giant broken egg laying next to a wall and went rolling down the hill.” She paused, looking over at him with the faintest smirk on her face. “I'm sorry, Kitty, but not ALL dreams come true...”

~*~*~*~

She was going to kill Hawk Moth. Because seriously? Who akumatizes someone at 3:00 in the freaking morning? She had tests in class tomorrow (today), and she did not have the time or patience to deal with this. Stupid Hawk Moth. He probably has no life. Probably never leaves his house and just sits in a dark room all day waiting for someone to akumatize. She was going to be dead to the world tomorrow and probably fail all her tests because of this. Great.

Grumbling a few choice words under her breath, Ladybug dashed over rooftops to the source of the screams. Upon arrival, she crouched behind a chimney to avoid detection while she surveyed the situation.

There were trees everywhere. The streets of Paris were being turned into a forest. People were screaming and running in all directions. Some escaped, but most were shot down by a beam of light, knocking them to the ground. Ladybug watched as the civilians hit turned into witches (with broomsticks) and knights with black armor (complete with black plumage on their helmets, mind you), rising from their place on the ground and walking to the center of all the commotion. Man, it’s like Darkblade all over again, she thought.

They joined a circle of black knights around who Ladybug assumed was the akuma victim. Ladybug could barely make out a figure in the middle of the circle due to all the black knights surrounding the akuma. With a huff of mild annoyance, she pulled out her yo-yo and used the camera function to zoom in.

The villain of the week was a little girl in a dress that came to the ground. The skirt was covered in lace and ruffles. The entire dress was sparkling and shimmering and was the color of cotton candy. On her back rested a set of wings that resembled a fairy’s. They were the same color pink as her dress with light blue undertones and accents. Her long, chocolate brown hair flowed down in waves, stopping halfway down her back, and an elegant tiara rested upon her head.

What really caught Ladybug’s attention, however, were the items in her hands. In one, the girl held a wand which she used to transform people into her black knights. In the other rested a large brown book. “Once Upon a Time” was written across the front in gold letters, and there was gold trimming around the edges of the cover to match the text.

“Good morning, M’Lady,” Cat Noir said as he dropped down beside her.

“You are way too chipper for 3 a.m.”

He chuckled softly. “So, what do we have here?”

“A little girl dressed like a freaking fairy princess holding a wand and storybook turning people into freaking knights and Paris into her own personal freaking forest.”

“Someone’s grouchy tonight.”

Ladybug shot him a glare.

Cat raised his hands up in a soothing manner with an easy smile on his face. “Let’s get this akuma taken care of so Sleepybug can go back to bed."

She rolled her eyes and turned back to the scene. The black knights were escorting the akuma toward the Eiffel Tower, the witches following behind as they flew around on their brooms.

“We better follow them. Whatever they’re up to, it’s probably not good,” Ladybug said as she started spinning her yo-yo. Not waiting her partner’s response, she took off after the crowd, Cat Noir following close behind.

~*~*~*~

Mistakes were made. No sooner had they reached the Eiffel Tower than the akuma had turned into into a castle with a flash of light coming from her wand. Ladybug and Cat Noir had followed the entourage inside… and were immediately surrounded by the akuma’s minions. They desperately tried to fight against the akuma and her posse. Eventually, Cat Noir managed to grab hold of her wand and snapped it over his knee. No akuma. The akuma victim spawned another wand for her use.

The heroes were getting overwhelmed and exhausted. With only a glance shared between them, both heroes turned and fled out of the castle, away from the witches and knights now chasing them. The akuma, who they now knew was named Fairy Tale, flew above them, turning cars that had not been destroyed when the city had turned into a forest into rabid wolves who joined the chase.

“We’ve gotta lose these guys.” Ladybug shot off another rooftop, both superheroes doing their best to avoid the streets because of the huge pack of wolves snapping at their heels while simultaneously dodging bursts of magic sent their way by the witches and running from the black knights that had followed them onto the rooftops, occasionally fighting off the ones that caught up with them.

"Couldn’t agree more, M’Lady. I know normally black cats are friendly with witches, but these guys seem to prefer the wolves.” He was right behind her, sometimes growling and hissing at wolves that got too close for comfort.

It was way too early in the morning for this.

"We’ll lose them at Notre Dame!” Ladybug ripped the sword away from a black knight and hurled it at a nearby witch. The witch tried to dodge, but lost her balance and fell from her broomstick. Cat Noir launched the swordless knight off the roof, and the heroes raced to the cathedral.

At first, Notre Dame seemed to be a bust, as the superheroes saw that the once glorious church was now a gigantic and elaborate gingerbread house that threatened to crumble whenever they touched it.

Ladybug glanced back at the oncoming horde, then back at her partner with a grin on her face, a plan forming in her head. “What do you say we give our guests a little snack?”

Cat smirked. “Read my mind, LB.”

The two rushed inside and hid behind one of the grand gingerbread pillars in the back of the church. Soon enough they were joined by Fairy Tale’s minions.

Cat darted out from behind the pillar waving his hands and shouting. As the mob closed in on him, Ladybug snuck back around to the front door and quickly shut it behind her.

Once he saw that she was outside with the door closed, Cat raced back to one of the pillars. “Cataclysm!” Cat quickly launched himself through one of the frosting windows in the back, while the entire row of connected pillars crumbled, bringing the rest of the church down as well and burying the horde in a mess of gingerbread and frosting.

The two heroes ran away from the rubble, heading back to the Eiffel Castle. Fairy Tale had made some adjustments while they were busy with her henchmen. It was now complete with a moat and drawbridge. A few remaining knights were standing guard while a few witches flew around the castle.

“We’ll be able to easily cross the moat and take the knights and witches, but the drawbridge might be tricky since I’m down a Cataclysm,” Cat muttered to Ladybug as they crouched on a nearby rooftop.

“Hmm, we’ll have to draw her out then.”

A few minutes later, as they were racing up a hill with two tall stone walls on either side of them instead of trees with an extremely angry Fairy Tale on their heels, the two heroes were regretting taunting her so much.

“I don’t remember the Champs-Elyseés being a giant hill.” Cat spotted a well at the top. “Or there being a well at the top.”

“Must be Fairy Tale’s magic. She’s been taking a lot of things from fairy tales and putting them in Paris.” Ladybug paused for a moment as they dodged a blast of magic. “Is-Is that the Arc de Triomphe?”

Cat consulted his mental map. “I guess so.” He glanced behind them. “Uh, Ladybug? She’s getting closer.”

The moment they reached the well at the top of the hill, Fairy Tale opened her book and shouted, “Once upon a time, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall!” She waved her wand and a beam of light shot past the heroes.

Before they had a chance to react, a huge egg fell from one of the walls and crashed right in front of them, cracking open. Ladybug and Cat Noir had no time to stop their momentum and slipped on the egg yolk, tumbling and rolling down the hill.

As they picked themselves off the ground, both covered in egg yolk, dirt, and grass, Cat’s miraculous beeped, signaling he had three minutes left. They searched for Fairy Tale and spotted her flying over the top of the hill. “Now might be the time for some luck, M’Lady. Y’know, before she gets here.”

She nodded. “Lucky charm!” A red ball of yarn with black spots fell into her hands.

“Ooh, a ball of yarn! Christmas came early for this feline!”

Ladybug hummed. “Not yet, Kitty. Would you be so kind as to distract her for me?”

He bowed. “As you wish, Mademoiselle.” He looked up and winked before taking off, shouting to catch Fairy Tale’s attention.

While she was distracted, Ladybug ran back up to the well and crouched behind it. Then she got an idea. She scramble up the nearest tree, breaking off a few branches. Soon, with the wood and the yarn, she had fastened the frame of a net. She opened up her yo-yo to text Cat. When I give the signal, lead Fairy Tale back to the well. That’s where I’ll be.

Once he sent a confirmation, she scrambled back down the tree and hid back behind the well. She peaked over the stone structure to see her partner still being chased by Fairy Tale. He doesn’t have long. Need to do this quickly. She took her yo-yo and wove it into a net for the frame large enough for the akuma.

She peeked back out and caught Cat’s eye. When she nodded, he nodded back and began running her way.

Ladybug took a breath. She needed to time this just right. She watched as Cat led Fairy Tale closer and closer. When he jumped between the stones and the wooden roof of the well, Ladybug brought the net up, waited a beat, then brought the net up as Fairy Tale passed through.

The akuma cried out in surprise, as her flight was interrupted. She went crashing to the ground, scrambling to get out of the net. She gave up, opened her book, and began to shout. “Once upon a time—” Cat Noir reached through a hole in the net and ripped a page from the open book.

An akuma fluttered into the air.

Ladybug untied her yo-yo and the yarn, freeing the victim and caught the akuma.

After everything was cleaned up and the little girl was given back to her mother (who just happened to be one of the remaining witches guarding the palace), Cat Noir looked over at Ladybug. “You remember that dream you told me about earlier?”

She raised an eyebrow and stood akimbo. “Yeah, what about it?”

“Well, you followed it.” He shrugged. “Everything you said happened actually happened.”

Ladybug narrowed her eyes before they widened again. “Yeah, I guess it did.”

Cat Noir stepped closer, tilting his head and smiling. “So, since yours came true, and we got the same fortune…”

Ladybug sighed. “When do you want that ice cream?”

~*~*~*~

When Marinette finally got back to bed that night, she would deny the smile on her face, no matter how much Tikki insists it was there.

~*~*~*~

A/N: So, I hope you enjoyed that. It, uh, kinda took me a while since I first got the prompt. Oh well. It happened eventually. (Also, this is my first fic on tumblr, so I hope this goes well.)

@ladynoirjuly2020

[foreverlogical]

TRYING TO SURVIVE THROUGH COVID The Enchanted Forest theme park in Oregon is created, owned and operated by our family, including our father, creator Roger Tofte, now 90 years old, with 3 generations now working in the park. Prior to Covid we were a thriving business and had no debt. Then Covid hit and now at the end of our season, we are in debt and that debt will continue to rise quickly until Covid has passed and business returns to normal. We will celebrate our 50 year anniversary August 8, 2021 and are determined to make it to celebrate our 50th year anniversary. It is time to ask for help. WHAT HAPPENED? During the first half of our 6 month 2020 season, by state mandate we were not allowed to open in any capacity. We were disappointed that any of our safety plans, even private family tours, were not considered because we were classified as an amusement park. When we were allowed to open for the last half of our season, we were only allowed a capacity of 250 people including employees. Our park’s capacity is several thousand guests, so 250, including employees, does not begin to pay our bills. We have been very responsible, with temperature checks, sanitizing rides between each rider, extreme sanitizing, even outside, closing areas of the park where proper social distancing or sanitizing cannot be maintained, online reservations to control and document capacity and much more. We have worked hard to cut our operating expenses in less than half, but even so, that small capacity leads us further and further into debt. We are trying to be creative and exhaust all possible sources of income. We have put more items on our online store and started to auction off our father’s paintings, prints and memorabilia. This is why we have started our GoFundMe...to keep Enchanted Forest open to be enjoyed long after Covid is gone. THE ENCHANTED FOREST STORY In the 60's, Roger, father of four young children, realized there was very little for a family to see and do together in Oregon. He formulated the idea for a theme park where he could use his creative talents and though he had very little time or money to make his dream a reality, he persisted anyway. He purchased the original 20 acres of land off Interstate 5 for four thousand dollars, in monthly payments of fifty dollars and began construction in 1964. He worked full-time at the Oregon State Highway Department. However, to finance his dream, he repaired watches and took extra commercial art jobs in his spare time, buying one sack of cement at a time. He worked on building the park after work and on weekends. The Tofte's own backyard became filled with storybook figures and small buildings as Roger also used every spare second at home to work on his dream. Everyone but Roger thought it was foolish to think that this idea could work. Roger's friends and co-workers used to tease him about his work on "Idiot Hill." That also seemed to be the bank's idea. Close to opening, Roger and Mavis needed $2,000 to put on the last touches to the park in order to be able to open, but had run out of every last dime. Their own bank would not loan them the money, because, of course, the Tofte family didn't have any cash. Only one bank took the chance on them and loaned them the money. Roger originally thought it would take only two years to build the Storybook Trail, which was the first section that he needed to complete before the park could open. Finally, after seven years, at 2:00 on Sunday, August 8, 1971, Roger and his wife Mavis hung up a piece of butcher paper saying "OPEN" on the fence and the first visitors entered the park. Admission was one dollar for adults and fifty cents for children and the starting wage was $1.65 per hour. There were 75 people the first day and 1,000 people the next Sunday. Roger's dream was finally a reality with Roger as the creative force and Mavis as the business head. Roger’s wife Mavis was the business head of Enchanted Forest until diagnosed with cancer and handed off the day to day operations of running the business to daughters Susan and Mary when they were young adults. Through the years, Roger and his family have been adding to his dream with new additions to the park. The Tofteville western town was built the second year, and the Haunted House opened in 1974. The Comedy Theatre was built for daughter Susan, who writes and directs the outrageous musical comedies based on fairy-tales and composes all park music. Money was continually put back into the business creating more to see and do. Over the years many more attractions were added, the Ice Mountain Bobsled Roller Coaster, The English Village, the Fantasy Fountains water-light show, the Big-Timber Log Flume ride, kiddie rides, and the interactive target shooting ride, The Challenge of Mondor. Now, Roger Tofte, though still the ringleader of Enchanted Forest, has successfully incorporated 2 of his children into the business, Susan and Mary, 2 of his grandchildren, Derek and Tim, Roger’s brother-in-law Dale and Tim’s wife, Ashley. According to Susan, this arrangement has worked out quite well, "We're very lucky. We get along because we're each in charge of different projects and our areas don't overlap much. We work very well together." THE FUTURE With three generations of the Tofte family working at Enchanted Forest, the tradition and creativity will be carried on for many years to come with your help. Roger can still be seen almost daily out working in the park. If you see a man in his 90s riding around on a moped or repairing cement, it is probably Roger! As Roger says, " We believe in attention to artistic detail. We want to offer our visitors something unique, with a lot of variety. We strive to be the hidden gem that people discover as their own special place." Our goal right now is to save the business and survive through Covid so we are here for future generations to enjoy. We have cut our operating budget to less than half of what it would be during a normal year, but even so, with a capacity of only 250 mandated by our our state, this does not begin to cover costs to keep us in business. We will keep working hard and use all of our creativity, but we have decided this is the time to ask for help. For more information about Enchanted Forest go to: enchantedforest.com To see the video interview with family member and park Co-manager Susan Vaslev with Aaron Mesh from Willamette Week go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbi6RbVxmlM&feature=emb_logo CONTRIBUTIONS OR GIFTS TO ENCHANTED FOREST, INC. ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE.  Any contributions received shall be considered gifts to Enchanted Forest, Inc., which is a for profit corporation.  Contributors will not receive any good or services in exchange for their gifts.  At the discretion of Enchanted Forest gifts received will be used to cover Enchanted Forest’s ongoing costs and expenses in an effort to help Enchanted Forest survive and provide family fun and adventure to future generations of Oregonians to come. Creator Roger Tofte in front of the iconic Snow White Witch's head, created in the 60s.

[swanqueeneverafter]

After The Sunset, Pt.34

Enchanted Forest. Royal Castle. Dungeons. Present. (Emma sits in her cell with her back against the wall, picking at the magic-blocking cuff on her wrist.) The Land Without Magic. Past. 2001. Portland. (Outside a deserted amusement park, a young Emma Swan is waiting for someone. After a while, Neal Cassidy approaches her carrying one coffee to go in each hand.) Emma: “When you said you owed me a drink, I thought you meant in a place like a bar. A restaurant. Or some place with, you know, chairs.” Neal: “Patience. I’ve got something better in mind. Here. Hold this.” (He hands Emma his coffee. Neal kneels down. Using his tools he attempts to open the locked door.) Emma: (Watching him:) “What the hell are you doing?” Neal: “Tumblers. It’s all about the tumblers. (Neal succeeds and opens the door:) Come on. It’s worth it. I promise. (They enter. Neal switches on the carousel’s lights:) What did I tell ya?” Emma: “Yeah, alright. It’s pretty cool.” Neal: “Come on. (They climb onto the carousel:) Hop on.” (Emma sits down and Neal takes a seat in front of her:) Emma: “So, what’s your story, Neal?” Neal: “That’s an interesting choice of words. My ‘story’ is that I left a screwed up situation and that kind of screwed me up.” Emma: “Crappy home life? I get that.” Neal: “Nah, it wasn’t always. It... that’s the problem. It was really great once.” Emma: “So, why don’t you go back to try and fix it?” Neal: “I can’t really go back. It’s my father.” Emma: “Bad guy?” Neal: “Not at first. But he changed. That’s when things got really crazy. But before that? It was home. It was nice. That’s how you know you’ve really got a home: ‘Cause when you leave it, there’s that feeling that you can’t shake. You just miss it.”

Enchanted Forest. Present. The Royal Chapel. (Regina is led into the room by two guards. She has a hood over her head and Henry is waiting for her.) Henry: “Let's play a little game, ‘Your Majesty.’ Do you remember this place, what you did here?” (Regina’s hood is removed and she looks around.) Regina: “This is where I first declared I would cast the Dark Curse.” Henry: “At my grandparents' wedding, no less. Pretty bold.” Regina: “Henry, that was ancient history. We’re all family now. (Scoffs:) Your grandparents officiated my wedding here for goodness sake. To your other mother, no less.” Henry: “Clever. Rumplestiltskin said you’d be convincing.” Regina: “I am not who you think I am. And I am not the Evil Queen anymore.” Henry: (Clearly not listening:) “Tell me, was revenge everything you'd hoped it would be?” Regina: “Henry, snap out of it!” (When Regina tries to approach her son, the two guards draw their swords and block her path.) Henry: “Don't mind them. They're just here to make sure you don't show us all your true colours. Not that you'd get that far wearing that cuff on your wrist. No magic, remember?” Regina: (Sighs:) “Look I’m here to help you. The person you think is Rumple is using you.” Henry: “Oh you’re very good. But I know you’re not real. Grandpa created this world to show me what my true path could be.” Regina: “Listen to me! This isn’t some game or another realm! Emma and I have come to take you home.” Henry: (Approaches:) “Why should I ever trust you?” Regina: “Because I am your mother. And I can't bear to let anything happen to you. Even if we were in another realm, this isn’t you. You are brave and kind. And when life gets hard, you always do the right thing. You've saved so many people. Hell, you've saved me. Please. (Squeezing his hand:) Please, let me save you now.” Henry: (Watches her for a moment, before grabbing her arm, sneering:) “I don't need to be saved.” Regina: (Henry slices her palm with his dagger:) “Aaah!” Henry: “Consider that a reminder that in this realm, stories are written in blood and tears. And now they'll be written in yours. We fight tomorrow. And I'll finally have my happy ending.” (Henry leaves the room.)

Inside The Snow Globe. (Hook and Rumplestiltskin try desperately to break the glass from the inside.) Rumplestiltskin: "Our spirit's gonna break long before that glass. The Jabberwocky stripped me of my powers. (Slumps to the ground:) So I can neither escape, nor stop her." Hook: "From doing what?" Rumplestiltskin: "Well, that's the question. With Henry under her thrall, she will use his Author powers to hurt anyone she can and drag us all into the darkness where she wallows." Hook: "Seems like wallowing is something you have in common." Rumplestiltskin: "Excuse me?" Hook: "Look, you may have given up, but I haven't. We should try another area. There must be a weak spot." Rumplestiltskin: "There's that unshakable determination, however misguided." Hook: "Well, since, according to you, we're facing certain death, there's something I've always wondered. Given the amount of power that you once held, how come you never used it to destroy me?" Rumplestiltskin: "Because... you were the closest thing I ever had to a friend. (There's a noise behind them and they turn to see the cause:) What the hell is that?" Hook: (Walking over to the fishhook:) "It's our salvation. It's Maui's Hook!" Rumplestiltskin: (Getting to his feet:) "Well where did it come from?" Hook: (Smiling:) "I have a good hunch. Let me see if I'm right." (Hook swings the fishhook at the glass and it cracks. Swinging once more, the glass breaks, sending the snow outwards and freeing them from their prison.)

Dark Castle. (The room fills with dozens of freed captives, including Belle, Zelena, Aladdin, Jasmine, Ruby, Mulan, Tiana and Will. Hook looks over at their saviors Alice and Robin, then finally to Maleficent.) Hook: (Smiling:) "I knew it was your magic that saved us. Without you, we'd all be dead." Maleficent: (Rolling her eyes:) "Don't make me regret my decision." Zelena: "Hey, where are Emma and Regina? Please tell me they're with you." Robin: (Steps forward and hands her something:) "We found this nailed to a tree right when we got here." Zelena: (Unfurls the scroll and begins to read:) "Come see King Henry defeat the Anti-Savior and the Evil Queen at dawn?" Jasmine: "Looks like we've got another rescue mission to mount."

Zelena: "And we'd better hurry. Seems the Jabberwocky's really done a number on Henry." Rumplestiltskin: "Yeah, we're going to handle it, but Belle, I need you to get our son to safety." Belle: "No, Rumple, I want to help." Rumplestiltskin: "I understand that, but the best thing you can do now is make sure you and Gideon are safe. In fact that goes for most of you. Your people need you back where you belong. They need reassurance that everything's going to be all right." Aladdin: "Yeah, but will it?" Hook: "Rumplestiltskin's right. The people need their leaders, now more than ever." Zelena: "Well I'm not going anywhere, not when Emma and Regina are in danger." Robin: "We're staying too." Alice: (Nods:) "Yeah." Hook: (Looks to Maleficent:) "Mal, do you think you could..." Maleficent: (Sighs:) "Fine. But this hero thing is becoming entirely too much work." (Maleficent waves her hand, enveloping the room in a cloud of smoke. Leaving only Hook, Alice & Robin, Zelena and Rumplestiltskin to remain.) Rumplestiltskin: "Well, now that's sorted, I'm gonna search the castle to find something to deal with the Jabberwocky." Royal Chapel. (Henry sits waiting on the dais, staring at the bloody dagger when the Jabberwocky enters.) Henry: "Where have you been?" Jabberwocky: "Don't get your crown in a twist, Dearie. I've been writing a new spell." (With a flick of her wrist, a storybook appears at her feet.) Henry: (As the Jabberwocky approaches:) "That doesn't look like a spell. It looks like a storybook." Jaberwocky: "Well, uh, aren't spells just stories of a kind? After all, they're both merely words on a page. Until you give them something more." (The Jabberwocky hands Henry the Author's pen.) Henry: (Taking the quill:) "And I need magic ink to do so." Jabberwocky: "I’m well aware." Henry: "You found a loophole." Jabberwocky: "Well, you did, Dearie. Th-That little stain on your knife. The Queen's blood, I presume? (Henry shrugs:) Marvelous. Now the test. (Turns, calling:) Bring in the sprite! (Chuckles as two guards escort the Blue Fairy into the room:) When looking for expendable guinea pigs for questionable experiments, always mine the fairies.”

Henry: (Stands:) “So, that's why you needed the Queen's blood? To torture a fairy?” Jabberwocky: “No. The Queen's blood was mere motivation. What I really needed was your blood... to boil. Emotions run strong in Authors. Highly potent.” Henry: “So, you think my emotions can power your spell?” Jabberwocky: “Well, there's only one way to find out. Close your eyes. (Moves to stand behind him:) Now I want you to hold that knife, feel its cold blade. Now think back. Remember how it felt to cause your enemy pain, to spill her blood? (Suddenly, the book’s pages blow open and a portal appears behind the Blue Fairy, drawing her towards it:) Excellent. (The Blue Fairy is pulled inside the portal and vanishes. The storybook on the floor closes:) That was really impressive. You've got great darkness in you, Dearie.” Henry: (Glancing down at the dagger:) “Where's the fairy?” Jabberwocky: “Trapped in a prison made just for her. Don't you just love a happy ending? (Chuckles:) And soon, (Conjures dozens of more storybooks into the room:) every hero from every realm shall suffer the same fate. Each one drowning in their own isolation and loneliness. (Takes a seat on a stack of books:) Once you kill your final two challenges, their fates will be sealed.”

Outside The Royal Castle. (Hook and Robin stand hidden amongst the trees. Hook uses his eyeglass to scout the number of guards protecting the perimeter.) Robin: “Look, I'm pretty good with a bow, but that is a lot of bad guys.” Hook: “We just have to create a diversion so that the others can sneak Zelena in to rescue Regina and Emma.” Robin: (Draws an arrow from her quiver:) “Right. You ready for this?” Hook: “Aye. (Steps out on the road leading to the castle. The guards see him and draw their swords. Yelling, Hook charges:) Arghhh!” (Meanwhile, Zelena and Alice make their way to the outside entrance of the dungeons.) Dungeons. (Regina and Emma sit chained to the walls. Emma is bandaging Regina's hand.) Regina: "My own son wants me dead." Emma: "No, he doesn't. He's just had his mind twisted by that white-haired witch." Regina: (Shaking her head:) "He doesn't see me as his mother." Emma: "He didn't want to see me at all. I don't know what's worse." Regina: (Wincing:) "You want a gash carved into your hand? There are plenty of pointy rocks around here, be my guest." (Emma chuckles, despite herself.) Emma: “Remember when we met? And Henry thought of you as a villain?” Regina: “Back then I was a villain.” Emma: “Yeah, I never got that vibe. I mean, you were a force to be reckoned with don’t get me wrong, but evil? Nah.” Regina: “What about when the curse broke and you found out all of Henry’s stories about me were true?” Emma: "Hey, I'm not gonna lie and say that the revelation didn't sting. But back then, even if you had tried to tell me the truth, I probably would've just thought you were trying to end things, to push me away." Regina: (Nods:) "I've never really asked you this before but, it took you a lot longer to forgive your parents than you did me. Why is that, do you think?" Emma: (Takes a deep breath:) "Before the curse broke I got to know you. I got to know the woman behind the mayor. I got to see how you were with Henry and how your eyes would light up every time he entered a room. I saw how things could've been so much different." Regina: (Confused:) "How do you mean?" Emma: "Well, lemme ask you a question. If the roles had been reversed, do you think you would've ever sent your infant daughter into that wardrobe?" Regina: (Taken aback:) "Emma, I... I put your parents in an impossible situation." Emma: "But would you have done it?" Regina: (Stares at her a moment:) "No. No, I would’ve held on to you with every ounce of strength that I had." Emma: (Nods:) "For the longest time, I blamed them for the choice they made. I lost ten years with my son because I didn't think I had the strength to raise him on my own. It wasn't fair to them, but that's how I felt." Regina: "Oh Emma, I'm so sorry." Emma: (Shakes her head:) "It's in the past. (Wiping her eyes:) You know, back when the curse broke, Henry was the first one that knew you could move to the light.” Regina: “You and Henry were the ones who got me there.” Emma: “No. No, we only helped. You did the work. And so must Henry. We can help him, too. We can show him it's possible to come back from this. Our lives are proof that no one's path is set.” Zelena: (Standing outside their cell:) "Do you two need a few minutes or shall I rescue you now?" Regina: (Getting to her feet:) "Zelena!" Zelena: "Sorry, sis, I would've been here sooner but the Jabberwocky took my amulet when she captured me. I had to get here the old fashioned way." (When Zelena reaches for the keys on the wall, a sword blocks her path.) Emma: "Please! Don't hurt her." (The guard is about to run Zelena through when he is shot in the back by an arrow. As the guard falls to the ground, two more run forward.) Zelena: "Who are you?" Snow White: (She and David remove their helmets:) "We're family." Emma: (Through the bars:) "Mom! Dad!" Regina: "Oh thank god." David: "Looks like you've all kept yourselves busy since we've been gone."

[lilyvandersteen]

Puppy Eyes Chapter 21

Well, this is it... The ending! Enjoy! I may add an epilogue if you'd like a glimpse into their lives years later. Let me know :-)

Thank you so much to everyone who sends me feedback - you’re wonderful and you spur me on to keep writing :-)

This story is also on AO3 and on Fanfiction.net.

The other parts can be found here: Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17 - Chapter 18 - Chapter 19 - Chapter 20

Chapter 21: The Wedding

After breakfast that Sunday, Kurt steered Blaine to the sofa for a much-needed conversation. It was all too easy to get lost in pleasure and just roll along with whatever Blaine had in mind, but Kurt knew that they needed to discuss their relationship and their future.

What Kurt hadn’t counted on was the phrase “We need to talk” scaring Blaine, who had to be reassured they weren’t breaking up.

Now where did you get that idea? I don’t want to break up with you ever. I want you for keeps, honey.

Blaine told Kurt he was planning on proposing, and Kurt, remembering some of the more outlandish proposal ideas he’d read on the post-its in his scrapbook, warned Blaine not to go overboard, and to keep it private. As romantic as it seemed to be proposed to in a carriage in Central Park or at the top of the Empire State Building, Kurt didn’t want an audience. He wanted the moment to be just about them.

Blaine agreed to that, and also to looking for a place together. Kurt was relieved. He knew Blaine owned his apartment, and he’d thought he’d want to stay there.

Blaine didn’t put up any objections about waiting to have children, either, and went along with the plan to adopt a dog. So much so that later that afternoon, they found themselves at the local animal shelter, petting a mini dachshund and her four pups.

Kurt fell in love with them instantly, and had to tear himself away when it was time to go. Walking home, he pictured himself and Blaine each with a pup of their own on a leash. They’d be a family.

It filled Kurt’s stomach with butterflies to realise how close he was now to all that he’d yearned for, and it made him smile like a loon.

Over the next few weeks, Kurt went back to the animal shelter whenever he could spare a moment, and each time, he came home more smitten, and happily anticipating taking two puppies home.

The weekends were filled with date after date. Blaine seemed to think that he needed to make up for all the missed opportunities by cramming in as much quality time with Kurt as he possibly could. Kurt happily went along with it, though he liked cuddling on the sofa watching reality TV just as much as all the outings Blaine came up with. He just enjoyed spending time with Blaine, period.

There was no denying Blaine had a good grasp on what Kurt liked, though.

For their second date, Blaine took him for brunch in a quaint tearoom with an Alice in Wonderland décor, a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Kurt soaked it all in greedily, and told Blaine about the tea parties he used to have on his lawn, with his dad and his stuffed animals. “Remind me to show you some pictures the next time we’re in Lima.”

Kurt laughed at Blaine’s shifty eyes and scared expression at the mention of Burt. “I told my dad it was all a misunderstanding, and that we’re together now. So he’s not mad at you anymore. You can come home with me without fearing for your kneecaps.”

That last comment made Blaine’s eyes widen even further, and Kurt giggled some more.

After brunch, they visited the zoo, and Blaine showed Kurt the sights in Central Park. They sat down on the grass at the Gapstow Bridge for a while, enjoying the beauty of the scene before them.

“I feel like I’m in a storybook,” Kurt said.

“Well, maybe you are,” Blaine quipped. “And you’re the hero of the story, breaking my curse.”

“That would have been the ending already,” Kurt pointed out. “So where are we now, in the epilogue? In the sequel?”

Blaine chuckled. “I guess.”

“So there’s more drama to come?”

Blaine sighed. “Nothing too major, I hope. But yes, every life has its ups and downs.”

Kurt put his head on Blaine’s shoulder. “Together, we can weather any storm, can’t we?”

“We can.”

The next day, they went to the Met. Blaine had bought tickets beforehand this time, so that they wouldn’t have to queue. The exhibition was beautiful, but in his heart of hearts, Kurt preferred the Museum of Natural History.

The following weekend, Blaine took Kurt ice-skating, and laughed and cooed when Kurt proved to be an uncoordinated Bambi on the ice. After about an hour of flailing and falling, they called it quits and went for a luxurious high tea in a tearoom close to the rink, where Kurt moaned over the madeleines and financiers – “So good, Blaine!” – until Blaine slapped down a few bills and tugged a giggling Kurt out of the establishment and straight into a cab to get home asap.

Another week passed, and this time around, Blaine’s weekend plans included a showing of a 1950s musical starring Gene Kelly and afterwards dinner at a restaurant with an amazing view.

“You spoil me,” Kurt said to Blaine, taking out his phone to snap a picture of the artfully arranged amuse-bouches the waiter had set in front of him.

Blaine smiled. “I like spoiling the people I love.”

Kurt felt himself beaming ear to ear. Maybe there would come a time when a love declaration from Blaine would not make his stomach flutter and his heart beat double-time and the corners of his mouth turn up, but he doubted it.

When Valentine’s Day arrived, Blaine took the wooing up another notch. Kurt hadn’t counted on them celebrating Valentine’s, seeing as it was an ordinary Friday, scheduled chock-full from dawn till dusk. Blaine, however, had other ideas.

Kurt woke up that day to Blaine kissing him everywhere, a trail that led from his forehead all the way to his toes and left tingling awareness in its wake, but when Kurt wanted to grab Blaine and return the favour, he’d gone. He came back with a breakfast tray worthy of Instagram, but Kurt pouted at it and at Blaine. “You’re such a tease!”

“We have no time, beautiful! We need to be at school in half an hour.”

Kurt shot up from the bed. “What?! The dogs!”

“I walked them. Relax. They’ve had their walk, they have food and water. They’re happy.”

Kurt enjoyed the yummy breakfast Blaine had made him, and knew he’d have to think of something to surprise Blaine with, too. Between his two morning classes, he hurried to their favourite bakery and bought Blaine a brie and honey sandwich and two cronuts, which he then dropped off in Blaine’s office with a sweet note, enlisting Professor Scher’s help to unlock the door.

While he was walking the dogs during his lunch break, his phone chimed with a thank you, and he grinned, already looking forward to seeing Blaine at the animal shelter that evening.

Nothing, however, could have prepared him for what he saw at the shelter, in the room Eileen showed him to. Somehow, Blaine had managed to turn the place into a piece of paradise. It was like walking straight into a forest – trees and flowers and running water. And in the middle, there was a table that seemed to come from the penguin scene in Mary Poppins. It was beautiful, and Kurt gaped at it all, gobsmacked.

Then he saw Blaine, looking at him with so much love it took his breath away. Blaine had two of the puppies on his lap, and he was… Oh my goodness, he was on one knee… Was this…? “Blaine!”

And yes, it was the proposal Kurt had been waiting for, and it was so moving and so unbelievably perfect that Kurt cried buckets, laughing wetly when one of the pups tried to cheer him up by licking away his tears, because aww, that felt familiar.

Before Kurt knew it, he had a ring on his finger and was clutching the Devon key he’d given back to Blaine in January. As it warmed up in his hand, he thought, Mine, and it filled him with so much happiness that he just had to kiss Blaine, over, and over, and over.

Blaine had not only provided the perfect setting for the proposal, he’d brought food, too: some of Kurt’s favourite dishes.

“I’m sorry it’s all cold,” Blaine apologised. “It’s not really picnic season, I know, but I didn’t know how to keep food warm here, so I chose cold dishes.”

Kurt, his mouth already full, swallowed and hastened to say, “It’s perfect. Seriously. I love this. All of this. Wow, Blaine. This is just… Perfect.”

Blaine beamed at him and started eating too.

K&B

The next Friday, Kurt moved back into Blaine’s apartment. They also went back to the animal shelter to officially adopt the two puppies they had chosen. They called them Margaret and Oliver, or Mollie and Ollie for short.

A few days earlier, Kurt had called the dog walking agency to tell that he would be unavailable for the next four weeks, as he was adopting two puppies of his own, and Sheila had squealed excitedly and asked for all the details. “So I take it you won’t be dog-sitting anymore? Just dog-walking after these four weeks are over?”

“Yes. I think I’ve found my place.”

“Aww, you sound so happy. Well, good luck with the pups, and send me a pic once they’ve settled in, will you?”

“I will.”

“Oh, and give me your new address, to put it in the database, please?”

When he told her the address, there was a moment of silence. “That’s Devon’s address! Are you scamming our agency by dog-sitting for Devon’s owner without going through us?”

Kurt’s skin prickled uncomfortably. Uh-oh. Should have seen this coming.

“No, Devon isn’t there anymore,” Kurt said. “I’m marrying the guy who lives at that apartment. And we got ourselves two new dogs, to replace Devon.”

“Devon died? Oh, poor dear!” Sheila commiserated. “So that’s why Mr Anderson stopped calling on us. I did wonder. Okay, I’ll make a note of that. And sorry for accusing you.”

“’S all right,” Kurt mumbled, feeling guilty, because he had done exactly what she’d accused him of.

“So Devon’s owner fell for you, did he? How did that happen?” Sheila asked.

“Well, we got talking… And we have a lot in common. And ugh, he’s so gorgeous, Sheila, and so sweet. I had a crush five minutes in.”

Sheila giggled. “And he did, too?”

Kurt scoffed. “I wish. No, it took him a LOT longer. I pined for ages.”

Sheila laughed. “Can’t have been too long, ‘cause you’re getting married already and your first time looking after Devon was in… let me check… January 2012. That’s only two years ago!”

“Well, it FELT like ages,” Kurt amended, and then he laughed too.

“So when’s the wedding?” Sheila wanted to know.

“July 14th. At the New York Public Library.”

“Oh, wow, nice! Well, congrats to you both, and if you need a dog sitter for your honeymoon, you know who to call!”

“We do. Thank you, Sheila!”

K&B

Mollie and Ollie were happy playful pups, and Blaine and Kurt loved them beyond measure, even though they ruined more than a few shoes and pieces of clothing.

Kurt had to keep telling Blaine not to laugh when Mollie playfully bit his hand or Ollie tugged at his jeans. “Don’t encourage them, Blaine! People and their clothes are NOT acceptable chew and tug toys. We BOUGHT them toys, give them those!”

Kurt and Blaine drove to Ohio to visit their family at Easter, and both Pam and Carole cooed over the pups, who took to them instantly.

Blaine was jumpy around Burt for days, until at last Burt sat him down and told Blaine to stop treating him like a bomb that could go off any minute.

Blaine’s face shone when Burt added that he’d accepted him as his son-in-law. “Took you way too long to make your mind up, but I can tell you’re making Kurt very happy now. You guys are good together. Just don’t screw it up, okay?”

“I won’t, Burt,” Blaine vowed, taking Kurt’s hand in his and squeezing it way too hard.

Kurt laughed and kissed Blaine on the cheek. “Don’t stress him out, Dad. I want him to live long enough to actually marry me.”

“I’m not!” Burt protested. “I just welcomed him to the family!”

Carole patted Burt on the arm. “Aww, that’s nice, honey. Now can we get back to the wedding planning? Kurt was just saying he’d like you wear your black suit with the blue tie.”

Pam was equally eager to discuss the wedding plans, and offered to look after Ollie and Mollie while Kurt and Blaine would be going on their honeymoon.

Slightly less welcome was her news about Cooper. “I told Cooper that you were getting married, and he’s very disappointed he’s not the best man. He said he’s writing a speech anyway, ‘cause nobody else knows you well enough to give a decent best man’s speech.”

Blaine blanched, and Kurt looked at him in alarm.

Pam laughed. “Oh, honey bee, it will be okay. Your brother loves you.”

Blaine huffed, muttered something under his breath and changed the subject.

When they were in bed that evening, Kurt asked, “Are you really worried about Cooper’s speech? How bad can it be?”

Blaine let out a deep sigh. “Let me just say that Coop lives to embarrass and belittle me. That’s his favourite pastime.”

Kurt rubbed soothing circles on his back. “If it gets too bad, I’ll find a way to distract everyone. Did you know that I can sneeze about twenty times in a row?”

Blaine huffed out a laugh. “No, I didn’t. That’s good to know.”

He sighed again. “Maybe I’m overreacting anyway. I really hope I am.”

K&B

In May, Kurt graduated with two degrees: one in fashion design and one in graphic design.

As Blaine had predicted, R/GA hadn’t even waited until Kurt’s actual graduation to offer him a job as a junior designer.

“I’ve no doubt that you’ll be a senior designer in five years max,” Ellie had told him. “You’re just that good. The work you’ve done so far has been a hit with our clients, and several of them have requested you as the main designer for their next campaigns. So… Will you stay with us?”

Kurt had signed the contract right then and there.

Now, at the ceremony, he was talking to Professor Scher, who’d given him a big hug and told him she’d miss him in her classes. She whooped in celebration when he told her about scoring a job at R/GA. “Now you’re glad you took that minor in graphic design, aren’t you?”

“I am,” Kurt agreed. “I’m sure my fashion design degree will come in handy too, though.”

Professor Scher smiled at him. “Oh, I’ve no doubt.”

She lowered her voice and whispered, “Are you designing the tuxes for the wedding?”

Kurt nodded and grinned. “Yes, I’ve designed them, and I’m sewing them, too. Blaine’s outfit is already done, bowtie and all, and now I’m working on mine.”

He saw Blaine look at him from across the room and sent him a smile.

“I told him to stay away from you at the ceremony,” Professor Scher continued in an undertone. “The whole board of governors is here today, and he’s way too obvious around you. You’re graduating today, but still. I don’t want Kay Unger to suspect anything, and sack Blaine over it.”

Kurt bit his lip.

“Go say goodbye to your friends and then go home to celebrate,” Professor Scher advised. “I’ll send your man after you. And I’ll see you at the wedding. Congrats on your job!”

Kurt beamed. “Thank you, Professor.”

He moved on to Maizie, who’d come to the ceremony with her parents and her big sister. It made him miss Burt and Carole, who had decided to stay at home. “We’ll be travelling to New York already for your wedding. I can’t go hopping on a plane every two months, I’ve got a business to run!”

Kurt understood that, but it stung a little anyway. Instead of his parents, he’d brought along Rachel, who was now chatting with Blaine. They’d met a few days after the proposal, when Kurt really couldn’t keep the news to himself anymore and needed to squeal about it to Rachel and Mercedes. They’d both been very surprised, obviously, and miffed that Kurt had never said anything about Blaine before.

Rachel had insisted on meeting Blaine for brunch that Sunday. Kurt had been a bit apprehensive about it. He really wanted them to like each other, and what if they didn’t? But he needn’t have worried. Rachel and Blaine clicked from the very first moment and were soon chatting away a mile a minute. The Sunday brunch had become a staple of their lives, and Rachel and Blaine were now fast friends.

Kurt tore his eyes away from Rachel and Blaine and moved in to hug Maizie and her sister, and shake her parents’ hands.

Then he went to the group that Elliott and Neil were standing in, and got pats on the back from everyone when he mentioned he already had a job lined up.

Elliott had scored a job at Elle Magazine, where he’d interned, but the others had had no luck so far in their job search.

“I guess I’ll stick with dog walking for the time being,” Neil said glumly, and Steve mentioned moving back in with his parents.

Kurt said his goodbyes to everyone and then slipped away home, where Mollie and Ollie greeted him with enthusiastic licks and wagging tails. “Time for your walk, sweeties?”

K&B

Two weeks later, he grinned when his phone rang and he saw that it was Elliott calling. “Hey Elliott! How’s Elle Magazine treating you?”

“Oh, great! I really love it there. We did a photo shoot with Meryl Streep the other day, can you believe it? She was so nice, too.”

“That’s amazing!” Kurt said. “I’m working on an ad campaign for Nike at the moment, and it’s all in black and white. Very classy.”

“Nice! Hey, Kurt?”

“Yes?”

“I got something in the mail today, and I didn’t really know what to make of it.”

Kurt’s grin grew wider. “Oh?”

“It’s a wedding invitation.”

“Uh-huh.”

“To YOUR wedding!”

“Right.”

“And it says you’re getting married to Professor Anderson. Seriously, what gives, man? Is this payback for that April Fools prank?”

Kurt laughed. “I guess you’ll just have to turn up and see.”

“What?” Elliott spluttered. “Not cool, man!”

“Suit yourself,” Kurt told him. “You don’t have to come. If you’re too chicken, you can stay at home and wonder for the rest of your life what that invitation was all about. If you come, though, make sure you’re dressed up. The dress code is black tie.”

“What? Kurt! Have you planned some kind of candid camera thing?”

“You’ll see. Bye, Elliott!”

He ended the call, still with a huge grin on his face.

Blaine, who was sitting on the sofa next to him, shook his head, chuckling. “You have the poor guy thinking you’re going to do something awful to him that makes him look like an idiot and put it on YouTube.”

Kurt shrugged. “I can’t help it that he’s paranoid because he’s got a bad conscience.”

Just then, his phone chimed with a text message.

From: Elliott

I just got a text from Neil that he got a wedding invitation too. Seriously, Kurt, what is going on?

Kurt giggled and put his phone on the coffee table without texting back.

A hand crept to his side and started tickling him.

“No, no, not there,” Kurt implored, but by then, Blaine had pinned him down and was torturing all of Kurt’s sensitive spots.

“Stop! Please stop!” Kurt begged Blaine, tears of mirth in his eyes.

“Admit it, you’re totally enjoying putting the wind up Elliott!”

Kurt let out a shout of laughter, and then shrieked, “Yes, yes, I am! Happy now?”

Blaine stopped tickling him and sat back on his haunches.

“You’re evil!” Kurt complained.

“So are you, beautiful, to scare your friend this way.”

Kurt grinned at Blaine. “I can’t WAIT to see his face. It’s gonna be priceless!”

K&B

The night before the actual wedding, Kurt met Cooper at the rehearsal dinner.

At first, Kurt stared, because wow, how had Blaine never mentioned that his brother was the most handsome man in all of North-America? But then Cooper opened his mouth, and admiration quickly turned into irritation. What a windbag!

Cooper didn’t stop talking all evening, turning every possible subject into a soliloquy about himself. Even when he gave a speech that was supposed to be about Blaine, it turned out to be a comparison in which Cooper always came out on top.

By the time the dessert was served, Kurt was sick of Cooper’s voice, and whispered into Blaine’s ear, “Okay, I get it now. Your brother is insufferable. Ugh. Can we duct-tape his mouth shut tomorrow?”

Blaine, who’d just taken a sip of champagne, snorted it out again through his nose from laughing so hard. It took a full five minutes for him to compose himself again, and then he whispered, “I wish. Thanks for the laugh, beautiful, I needed that.”

That night, Kurt slept at the loft again for one last time. Rachel and Jesse hadn’t been able to attend the rehearsal dinner because they were both starring in a revival of My Fair Lady, but they would be there for the actual wedding.

Kurt told them all about Blaine’s brother, and asked them to keep Cooper away from Blaine and from any and all microphones during the wedding. “Please. I don’t want him to ruin our day. I’m sure the two of you can keep him… busy.”

Jesse and Rachel looked at each other, and then turned to Kurt.

“On one condition,” Jesse began, and Rachel added, “That you plan our wedding for us.”

Rachel held out her left hand, and yes, a big diamond was sparkling there.

Kurt’s mouth fell open. Then, he grabbed Rachel’s hands and they both started jumping up and down, squealing so loud that Jesse clapped his hands over his ears and swore.

Kurt inspected the ring, and nodded approvingly. “It suits you. Now, tell me, how did it happen? Oh, and congrats to you both! This is AMAZING!!”

Rachel’s great news and the subsequent talk of dresses and venues and other details kept Kurt from stressing about his own wedding, and when he woke up, his mouth stretched into a wide smile of its own accord.

Humming Get Me to the Church On Time, he got up and made breakfast for all three of them. By the time the eggs and Rachel’s vegan sausages and faux bacon were in the pan, the humming had turned into singing, and once the smell of the cooked breakfast spread, Rachel and Jesse appeared in the kitchen and chimed in too.

“Not bad,” said Jesse as Kurt handed him a plate and silverware. “Not bad at all. You’d make a decent Alfred P. Doolittle.”

Kurt rolled his eyes at the meagre praise. “Thank you.”

K&B

Kurt, Rachel and Mercedes met up with Burt and Carole in their hotel room in the afternoon, and Kurt helped with the women’s hair and make-up before doing his own hair and putting his tux on.

He’d chosen blue and burgundy for the wedding theme. The invitations, the decorations, even the cake were in those colours, and the tuxes he made were, too.

Kurt’s outfit was deep blue, and the lapels of the jacket as well as his bow tie were made of a material with metallic thread in it, which shimmered in the light.

Blaine’s jacket was made of a rich patterned burgundy velvet, that Kurt had paired with black lapels, black pants and a black bow tie. Kurt couldn’t wait to see Blaine in it.

They’d decided that Kurt would be the one walking down the aisle, with his dad, so when they reached the venue, the women squeezed his hands, kissed his cheek and went inside, leaving Burt and Kurt alone on the steps.

The photographer they’d hired for the occasion made Kurt and his father pose for a few pictures and then hurried inside. Kurt watched him go, and his stomach turned into knots with sudden nerves.

Burt cleared his throat. “Well… This is it, son. Last chance to run if you wanna.”

That startled a laugh out of Kurt. “Dad!”

Burt shrugged. “You looked so pinched there for a second, I thought maybe you were having second thoughts.”

“Never. Blaine and I are forever.”

Burt nodded and patted Kurt on the back. “All right, then. Time to go in and tell that to Blaine.”

Kurt exhaled shakily. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

When he entered the Astor Hall on his father’s arm, he spared only one look for Elliott’s gobsmacked face, and then looked straight ahead, where Blaine was waiting for him with so much love in his eyes that it made Kurt feel like he’d just swallowed the sun.

Kurt put his hands in Blaine’s, looked into his eyes, and everything else just fell away as they were in their own bubble.

Kurt didn’t hear a word of Blaine’s vows, and had to be gently reminded to say his own. When it was time for the rings, he held out the wrong hand for Blaine to put the ring on, but Blaine just tickled the hand for a second and reached for the other so fluidly that Kurt was pretty sure no-one else noticed his mistake.

And then, finally, it was time to kiss, and Kurt trembled in Blaine’s arms and shed a tear or two.

Trent handed Kurt a handkerchief, and smiled when Kurt hiccupped, “They’re… h-happy tears.”

As soon as the ceremony was over, the photographer whisked Kurt and Blaine away for a photoshoot, first outside, on the steps, and then in all sorts of beautiful spots at the library. He clicked away happily while Kurt hugged Blaine from behind and wound his arms around Blaine’s middle, while Blaine kissed Kurt on the mouth, on the cheek, behind the ear, while Kurt dipped Blaine playfully and then Blaine picked Kurt up bridal style.

“This is great, guys! Keep it up!” said the photographer, so they tried out some more poses: Blaine wrapping himself around Kurt and kissing his forehead, Blaine grabbing Kurt’s tie and tugging him closer, the both of them running away and then towards the photographer, standing a few feet apart from each other and leaning in for a kiss.

Then it was time for their big entrance as a couple, and they did so to loud applause.

For their first dance, Kurt had picked another Céline Dion song, J’attendais, and he happily let her inimitable voice wash over him as he danced with his husband.

Burt had agreed to give the welcome speech, and he kept it short and sweet, saying he was hungry, which led to laughter and applause.

Kurt realised that he was hungry too, and as soon as the waiters served the first course, he tucked in. In between the different courses, Kurt and Blaine went to talk to the family and friends they’d invited. Kurt saw to his relief that Rachel and Jesse kept their word and monopolised Cooper to the point where he forgot all about giving a speech.

When they reached the table where Kurt’s college friends were sitting, Elliott breathed, “Dude!”

Kurt quirked an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“You actually got married.”

“Yes.”

“How…? When…?”

Maizie interrupted Elliott’s bumbling. “I bet they got together after that dance they shared. For Kurt’s 21st birthday, remember? Or was it before that, Kurt?”

Kurt and Blaine looked at each other and shook their heads, smiling.

“I bet you’re glad Santana dared you to dance with Professor Anderson,” Maizie beamed.

Kurt inclined his head. “I am.”

“Well, congratulations to you both,” said Maizie. “I’m so glad it all worked out.”

“Yeah, congrats,” said Neil.

Elliott nodded, still speechless, and Kurt giggled, tugging Blaine to the next table.

Blaine chuckled, raised their entwined hands and kissed them. “You’re a minx.”

“You love it,” Kurt countered.

“I do,” Blaine admitted. “I love you.”

“I love you too. For as long as we both shall live.”

“Forever?”

“Forever.”

[passiongracelb]

Bucket Full of Memories, Theme Parks around the United States

I love going to theme parks so here is a list of all the theme parks from around the United States

Alabama Alabama Splash Adventure, Bessemer Southern Adventures, Huntsville Spring Park, Tuscumbia Waterville USA, Gulf Shores Alaska Roadrunner Amusement Park, Anchorage ArizonaEdit Castles N' Coasters, Phoenix Enchanted Island, Phoenix Funtasticks Family Fun Park, Tucson Golf n' Stuff, Tucson Golfland Sunsplash, Mesa Schnepf Farms, Queen Creek Wildlife World, Litchfield Park Arkansas Fast Lane Entertainment, Lowell Funland Amusement Park, North Little Rock Magic Springs and Crystal Falls, Hot Springs California Northern California Blackbeard's Family Entertainment Center, Fresno Boomers, Fresno Funderland, Sacramento Fun Town at Micke Grove, Lodi Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy Golfland, Castro Valley, Milpitas, Roseville, San Jose, and Sunnyvale Kiwanis Kiddieland, Merced Roseville Golfland Sunsplash, Roseville Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz Scandia Amusements, Rohnert Park and Sacramento Sonoma TrainTown Railroad, Sonoma San Francisco California's Great America, Santa Clara Children's Fairyland, Oakland Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, San Jose Pixieland Amusement Park, Concord Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo Los Angeles Golf 'N' Stuff, Norwalk Mountasia Family Fun Center, Valencia Pacific Park, Santa Monica Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia SpeedZone Los Angeles Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City Orange County Adventure City, Anaheim Boomers, Fountain Valley Disneyland Resort Disney California Adventure, Anaheim Disneyland, Anaheim Golfland, Anaheim Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park Riverside County Castle Park, Riverside San Bernardino County Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, Big Bear Lake Boomers, Upland Fiesta Village Family Fun Park, Colton Scandia Amusement Park, Ontario and Victorville San Diego Belmont Park, San Diego Boomers, El Cajon Frasier's Frontier, El Cajon Legoland California, Carlsbad SeaWorld San Diego ColoradoEdit Elitch Gardens, Denver Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs Heritage Square, Golden Lakeside Amusement Park, Lakeside Mile High Flea Market, Henderson City Park, Pueblo Santa's Workshop, Cascade ConnecticutEdit Lake Compounce, Bristol Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury Delaware Funland, Rehoboth Beach Jungle Jim's Adventure World, Rehoboth Beach Florida North Florida Adventure Landing, Jacksonville Beach Big Kahuna's, Destin Cobra Adventure Park, Panama City Beach Fast Eddies Fun Center, Pensacola Race City PCB, Panama City Beach Sam's Fun City & Sam's Surf City, Pensacola Shipwreck Island, Panama City Beach Wild Willy's Adventure Zone, Fort Walton Beach Central Florida Andretti Thrill Park, Melbourne Boardwalk Amusements, Daytona Beach Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa Celebration Station, Clearwater Daytona Lagoon, Daytona Beach Dinosaur World, Plant City Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island Legoland Florida, Winter Haven Weeki Wachee Springs, Weeki Wachee Greater Orlando Fun Spot America - Kissimmee, Kissimmee Fun Spot America - Orlando, Orlando Gatorland, Orlando Give Kids the World Village, Kissimmee Holy Land Experience, Orlando Magical Midway, Orlando Old Town, Kissimmee SeaWorld Orlando Discovery Cove, Orlando SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando Universal Orlando Universal Studios Florida, Orlando Universal's Islands of Adventure, Orlando Walt Disney World Disney's Animal Kingdom, Bay Lake Disney's Hollywood Studios, Bay Lake Epcot, Bay Lake Magic Kingdom, Bay Lake South Florida Kidstar Park, Port Charlotte Santa's Enchanted Forest, Miami Uncle Bernie's Amusement Park, Fort Lauderdale Zoomers Family Amusement Park, Fort Myers Beach Georgia Adventure Crossing, Augusta All American Fun Park, Albany Alpine Park, Helen Black Mountain Alpine Coaster, Helen Fun Spot Atlanta, Fayetteville Lake Winnepesaukah, Rossville Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell Wild Adventures, Valdosta Hawaii Maui Golf and Sports Park, Wailuku Sea Life Park Hawaii, Oahu IdahoEdit Silverwood Theme Park, Athol Wahooz Family Fun Zone, Meridian Yellowstone Bear World, Rexburg Illinois Donley's Wild West Town, Union Enchanted Castle, Lombard Go Bananas, Norridge Grady's Family Fun Park, Bloomington Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort, Utica Haunted Trails, Burbank and Joliet Knight's Action Park, Springfield Odyssey Fun World, Tinley Park Pirates Cove, Elk Grove Village Safari Land, Villa Park Santa's Village AZoosment Park, Dundee Six Flags Great America, Gurnee Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Gurnee Indiana Team Combat, Tactical Laser Tag for Adults, Teens & 8-12 Year Olds, Hobart Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Santa Claus Indiana Beach, Monticello Iowa Adventureland, Altoona Arnolds Park, Arnolds Park Lost Island Amusement Park, Waterloo Kansas All Star Adventures, Wichita Kiddieland, Pittsburg Kentucky Beech Bend Park, Bowling Green Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville Malibu Jack’s Indoor Theme Park, Lexington Louisiana Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin', Baton Rouge Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, New Orleans Celebration Station, Baton Rouge Maine Funtown Splashtown USA, Saco Palace Playland, Old Orchard Beach York's Wild Kingdom, York Beach Maryland Adventure Park USA, New Market Baja Amusements, Ocean City Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Ocean City Jolly Roger at the Pier, Ocean City Laugh Out Loud Stations, Greenbelt Six Flags America, Upper Marlboro Trimper's Rides, Ocean City Wisp Resort, McHenry Massachusetts Edaville USA, Carver Salem Willows, Salem Six Flags New England, Agawam Michigan A-Maze-N Mirrors, Mackinaw City Adventure Island Family Fun Park, Cadillac Arzo Sports & Fun Park, Alpena Cedar Valley's Wild Frontier Fun Park, Comins CJ Barrymore's Family Entertainment Center, Clinton Township Deer Acres Storybook Amusement Park, Pinconning Full Blast, Battle Creek Funland Amusement Park, Houghton Lake Jeepers, Sterling Heights Kokomo's Family Fun Center, Saginaw Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon Nelis' Dutch Village, Holland Minnesota Como Town, St. Paul Nickelodeon Universe, Bloomington Paul Bunyan Land, Brainerd Spirit Mountain, Duluth Valleyfair, Shakopee Mississippi Brookhaven Exchange Club Park, Brookhaven Missouri Branson Coaster, Branson Branson Tracks, Branson Branson Mountain Adventure Park, Branson Hydro Adventures, Poplar Bluff Miner Mike's Adventure Town, Osage Beach Mountain Adventure Resort, Branson Silver Dollar City, Branson Six Flags St. Louis, Eureka Worlds of Fun, Kansas City MontanaEdit Amusement Park Drive In, Laurel Big Sky Water Park, Columbia Falls NebraskaEdit Fun-Plex, Omaha SkateDaze, Omaha Nevada Adventuredome, Las Vegas Akita Plaza, Las Vegas Buffalo Bill's, Primm Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix, Las Vegas Playland Park, Reno New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas Stratosphere Las Vegas, Las Vegas Wild Island, Sparks New Hampshire Attitash Mountain Resort, Bartlett Candia Springs Adventure Park, Candia Canobie Lake Park, Salem Cranmore Mountain Adventure Park, North Conway Clark's Trading Post, Lincoln Fort Jefferson Fun Park, Jefferson Fun-World, Nashua Santa's Village, Jefferson Story Land, Glen New Jersey Action Park, Vernon Blackbeard's Cave, Bayville Bowcraft Playland, Scotch Plains Casino Pier, Seaside Heights Central Pier Arcade & Speedway, Atlantic City Clementon Amusement Park, Clementon Fantasy Island, Beach Haven Funplex, Mount Laurel Gillian's Wonderland Pier, Ocean City iPlay America, Freehold Jenkinson's Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach Keansburg Amusement Park, Keansburg Land of Make Believe, Hope Morey's Piers, Wildwood Playland's Castaway Cove, Ocean City Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Steel Pier, Atlantic City Wild West City [1], Byram Township, New Jersey Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Township New Mexico Cliff's Amusement Park, Albuquerque Western Playland, Sunland Park New York Downstate New York Adventureland, Farmingdale Adventurers Family Entertainment Center, Brooklyn Country Fair Entertainment Park, Medford Boomer's Family Fun Center, Medford Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Brooklyn Fantasy Forest at the Flushing Meadows Carousel, Flushing Fantasy Shore Amusement Park, Staten Island Kids 'N Action, Brooklyn Luna Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn Playland, Rye Victorian Gardens, New York City Upstate New York Darien Lake, Darien Enchanted Forest Water Safari, Old Forge Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Cortland Hoffman's Playland, Latham Holiday Valley, Ellicottville Huck Finn's Playland, Albany Magic Forest Park, Lake George Fantasy Island, Grand Island Midway State Park, Maple Springs Legoland New York, Goshen (starting construction in 2017, planned to open in 2019)[1] Party Zone USA, Middletown Santa's Workshop, Wilmington Seabreeze Amusement Park, Rochester Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, Sylvan Beach North Carolina Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park, Carolina Beach Carowinds, Charlotte Deadwood, Williamston Ghost Town Village, Maggie Valley Great Wolf Lodge, Concord NASCAR Speedpark, Concord Santa's Land, Cherokee Tweetsie Railroad, Boone North Dakota Grand Forks Theme Park, Grand Forks[citation needed](Scheduled) Super Slide Amusement Park, Bismarck Ohio The Beach at Adventure Landing, Mason Cedar Point, Sandusky Cherry Valley Lodge, Newark Comfort Inn Splash Harbor, Bellville Coney Island, Cincinnati Coshocton Lake Park Recreational Complex, Coshocton Erieview Park, Geneva FunTimes Fun Park, Alliance Howard's Apples Farm Market, Bainbridge Jungle Jack's Landing, Powell Kings Island, Mason Lincoln Park Family Aquatic Center, Marion Long's Retreat Family Resort, Latham Memphis Kiddie Park, Brooklyn Pioneer Waterland & Dry Fun Park, Chardon Richland Carrosuel Park, Mansfield Sluggers & Putters, Canal Fulton Stricker's Grove, Ross Swings-N-Things Family Fun Park, Olmsted Township Tuscora Park, New Philadelphia Oklahoma Bell's Kiddieland, Tulsa Eagle Park, Cache Frontier City, Oklahoma City Kiddy Park, Bartlesville Oregon Enchanted Forest, Turner Oaks Amusement Park, Portland Pennsylvania Brandywine Picnic Park, West Chester Carousel Village at Indian Walk, Wrightstown Camelback Mountain Resort, Tannersville Conneaut Lake Park, Conneaut Lake DelGrosso's Amusement Park, Tipton Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown (Dorneyville) Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster Fun Fore All, Cranberry Township Hersheypark, Hershey Idlewild and Soak Zone, Ligonier Kennywood, West Mifflin Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg Lakemont Park, Altoona Pocono Play Park, East Stroudsburg Sesame Place, Langhorne Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony Waldameer Park, Erie Rhode Island Adventureland, Narragansett Atlantic Beach Park, Westerly South Carolina Broadway Grand Prix, Myrtle Beach Carowinds, Fort Mill Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Myrtle Beach O.D. Pavilion Amusement Park, North Myrtle Beach Pavilion Park, Myrtle Beach Pedroland, Dillon South Dakota Evan's Plunge, Hot Springs Flags & Wheels Indoor Racing, Rapid City Rush Mountain Adventure Park, Keystone Storybook Island, Rapid City Thunder Road Family Fun Park, Aberdeen Tennessee Anakeesta Gatlinburg Goats on the Roof, Pigeon Forge Dollywood, Pigeon Forge Fun Stop, Pigeon Forge Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, Gatlinburg Incredible Pizza Company, Cordova The Island in Pigeon Forge, Pigeon Forge NASCAR Speedpark, Sevierville Ober Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg Rockin' Raceway, Pigeon Forge Rowdy Bear Mountain Gatlinburg Sir Goony's Fun Zone, Chattanooga Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, Pigeon Forge Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville Texas Adventure Kingdom, Lumberton Aquatica, San Antonio Austin's Park N Pizza, Pflugerville Downtown Aquarium, Houston Elise's Family Fun Center, Winnie Funtrackers, Corpus Christi Funplex, Houston Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, Galveston Grand Texas Theme Park, New Caney (planned, opening April 2020) Joyland Amusement Park, Lubbock Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah Kiddie Park Of San Antonio, San Antonio Morgan's Wonderland, San Antonio NRH2O, North Richland Hills Sandy Lake Amusement Park, Carrollton SeaWorld San Antonio, San Antonio Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington Tilt Studio, Katy (inside Katy Mills) Wonderland Park, Amarillo YesterLand Farm, Canton ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin Zuma Fun Center, Houston Utah Boondocks Fun Center, Kaysville-Draper Cherry Hill Resort, Kaysville Lagoon Amusement Park, Farmington Vermont Bromley, Vermont's Summer Adventure, Peru Killington Resort, Killington Virginia Atlantic Fun Park, Virginia Beach Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg Central Park Fun-Land, Fredericksburg Go-Karts Plus, Williamsburg Kings Dominion, Doswell Motor World, Virginia Beach Washington Pier 57, Seattle Remlinger Farms, Carnation Riverfront Park, Spokane Washington State Fair, Puyallup Wild Waves Theme Park, Federal Way West VirginiaEdit Camden Park, Huntington Wisconsin Bay Beach Amusement Park, Green Bay Knucklehead's Bowling & Family Entertainment, Wisconsin Dells Little Amerricka, Marshall Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Wisconsin Dells Paul Bunyan's Adventure Golf, Wisconsin Dells Riverside Amusement Park, La Crosse Riverview Park & Waterworld, Wisconsin Dells Timbavatvi Wildlife Park/Storybook Gardens, Wisconsin Dells Timber Falls Adventure Park, Wisconsin Dells Wyoming Cowboy Carousel Center, Buffalo Puerto Rico Cayo Lobos Marine Park, Cayo Lobos Children's Dream Park, Añasco Fun Valley Park, Arecibo Jungle Park PR, Bayamón Parque de las Ciencias, Bayamón Villa Campestre, Guaynabo

[ryanmeft]

Christopher Robin Movie Review

Since I was a kid, I’ve subconsciously hummed “Here in the Hundred Acre Wood…” whenever there were more than five trees present, and occasionally thought how wonderful it would be if Pooh popped out of nowhere and into the real world. I would submit for your consideration the proposal that anyone who isn’t delighted at such a thought may not be very much fun.

Christopher Robin is that kind of fan-fiction. The titular character (Ewan McGregor) is given a farewell party by Pooh (voice of Jim Cummings) and friends before going off to boarding school, fighting in World War II, getting married with children, and taking a job at a luggage company. He hasn’t forgotten Pooh as much as he’s decided he was a frivolous childhood thing, but of course frivolous childhood things are the best of things, and so one day Pooh walks the other way through the famous wooden door and finds himself in London.

He has come because a fearsome mist has rolled over the Hundred Acre Wood, and all his friends are missing. The adult Christopher needs him because he works too much, is being forced to fire his war-shocked staff to satisfy the owner’s grasping son (Mark Gatiss), and has been made to send his wife (Hayley Atwell) and daughter Madeline (Bronte Carmichael) off on a trip to his old family cabin on which he himself cannot go. Hoary and reliable chestnuts they may be, but greedy bosses, aborted vacations, and working too hard in all the wrong ways are mainstays in stories like this because they work and because we know, deep in our hearts, they are things no one should have to endure too much of.

The scenes between the farewell party and the reappearance of Pooh are a stark contrast to the carefree cartoon versions Disney has previously produced. Directed by Finding Neverland’s Marc Forster, from a story by Alex Ross Perry and co-written by Allison Schroeder, the film deals directly with the reality in London at the time. This includes a radio broadcast related to the Blitzkrieg and once-gentle Christopher leaping to dodge a explosion and frantically calling for back-up. Forster hurries through these bits, but they seem long at times, because they are enforcing reality on a world we’ve come to associate with escape.

When Pooh walks through the tree and ends up in a park right next to Christopher’s house, he explains simply that he must have come out where he was needed, like a Guardian Angel with an insatiable hunnee (spell it properly, now) addiction. He takes up brief residence in Christopher’s house, in scenes clearly inspired by the wonderful recent Paddington movies, and the two share some philosophy. As someone whose work often requires time to simply sit and think, I find I agree with Pooh’s idea that sometimes doing nothing results in the best somethings, and as a lover of travel I can confirm the best way to reach a place is to leave the one you’re in.

Nevertheless, these early scenes lack the energy and joy we need from the characters. Pooh without his friends feels incomplete, and attempts to be Paddington don’t quite work, because the film isn’t fully committed to the idea. It mainly wants to get to the good stuff. That’s because the good stuff is actually very good, really. Afraid for his reputation with the neighbors (though we only meet one, an affable fellow played by Paul Chahidi* who really wants to play gin rummy), Christopher aims to take Pooh back to the tree in the country and thus home. As soon as they squeeze through the door, the film comes to life, with the disconcertingly eerie setup resolved into a typically Pooh-ian tale of Heffalumps and Woozles, which if you recall are very confusles. Here McGregor gets to strut his stuff, battling an imaginary Woozle (or was it a Heffalump?), “saving” Eeyore from a waterfall, and getting his own all-too-brief sequence similar to the famously trippy one from the old cartoons.

Still, whether the movie works or doesn’t depends on how much we believe in Pooh and his friends. Taken from the realm of cartoon or illustration for what I believe is the first time, they, much like Roger Rabbit, blend seamlessly with the human world, and the movie wastes no precious time on any obligatory “I don’t believe this is happening” nonsense; Christopher simply treats them as old friends who have been absent for a time. Tigger (Cummings), Rabbit (an appropriately fussy Peter Capaldi), gloomy Eeyore (Brad Garrett) and Piglet (Nick Mohammed) have their unique character quirks translate perfectly to CG, and there are many laugh-out-loud interactions between them and uses of their familiar lines in amusing new ways. This all culminates in a Madeline-starring chase through London that makes the third act the best part of the film. If Disney always has one thing available, it’s enough money to create the best visuals CG can offer, and there’s never a moment in the movie where the forest citizens seem physically out of place in our world. At this point all misgivings were finally silenced for a time, and I was able to fully believe Pooh had, indeed, popped out of his storybook and into real life.

The Disney live-action reimagining/remake machine rolls on inexorably, converting all classic animation into a new format, as it will for some time. I questioned going in whether the real world angle was wise with Pooh, and at times the film nearly falters into trying to do something different with these timeless, unchanging characters. By the home stretch, though, most of the build-up pays off and most of the missteps are forgiven. Fans of old probably won’t prefer it over languid, peaceful days at the home of Mr. Sanderz, but as a summertime diversion it’s probably more fun than getting stuck in Rabbit’s door again. Probably.

*I could not positively confirm this casting, and if anyone could help me it would be much appreciated.

Verdict: Recommended

[nexiraptor]

If I ever buy a royal furby

I would go on a trip to this amusement park called Idlewild which has this fairy tale forest called Storybook forest and it has a castle with a throne and I was take a picture of them on that throne so they would be true royalty

[hufflepuff-spidey]

As many of you know, it has been a very difficult year for Enchanted Forest.

Prior to Covid we were a thriving family business with no debt. Now at the end of our season we are in debt that will continue to rise quickly until Covid has passed and business returns to normal. We are due to celebrate our 50 year anniversary August 8, 2021 and are determined to make it to celebrate that milestone.

It is time to ask for help.

We have researched all our options at great length and we have now opened a GoFundMe to save Enchanted Forest. We know these times have been challenging for everyone. Any amount, any like or share is appreciated and treasured more than we can say.

You can find our official GoFundMe for the park here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/enchanted-forest-family-owned-theme-park-survival

The Enchanted Forest theme park in Oregon is created, owned and operated by our family, including our father, creator Roger Tofte, now 90 years old, with 3 generations now working in the park.

WHAT HAPPENED?

During the first half of our 6 month 2020 season, by state mandate we were not allowed to open in any capacity. We were disappointed that our safety plans, even private family tours, were not considered because we are classified as an amusement park. When we were allowed to open for the last half of our season, we were only allowed a capacity of 250 people including employees. Our park’s capacity is several thousand guests, so 250, including employees, does not begin to pay our bills.

We have been very responsible, with temperature checks, sanitizing rides between each rider, extreme sanitizing, even outside, closing areas of the park where proper social distancing or sanitizing cannot be maintained, online reservations to control and document capacity and much more. We have worked hard to cut our operating expenses in less than half, but even so, that small capacity leads us further and further into debt.

We are trying to be creative and exhaust all possible sources of income. We have put more items on our online store and started to auction off our father’s paintings, prints and memorabilia. This is why we have started our GoFundMe...to keep Enchanted Forest open to be enjoyed long after Covid is gone.

THE ENCHANTED FOREST STORY

In the 60's, Roger, father of four young children, realized there was very little for a family to see and do together in Oregon. He formulated the idea for a theme park where he could use his creative talents and though he had very little time or money to make his dream a reality, he persisted anyway. He purchased the original 20 acres of land off Interstate 5 for four thousand dollars, in monthly payments of fifty dollars and began construction in 1964, one bag of cement at a time. He repaired watches and took extra commercial art jobs in his spare time to help finance his project and worked on building the park after work and on weekends. The Tofte's own backyard became filled with storybook figures and small buildings as Roger also used every spare second at home to work on his dream.

Everyone but Roger thought it was foolish to think that this idea could work. Roger's friends and co-workers used to tease him about his work on "Idiot Hill." That also seemed to be the bank's idea. Close to opening, Roger and Mavis needed $2,000 to put on the last touches to the park in order to be able to open, but had run out of every last dime. Their own bank would not loan them the money, because, of course, the Tofte family didn't have any cash. Only one bank took the chance on them and loaned them the money.

Roger originally thought it would take only two years to build the Storybook Trail, which was the first section that he needed to complete before the park could open. Finally, after seven years, at 2:00 on Sunday, August 8, 1971, Roger and his wife Mavis hung up a piece of butcher paper saying "OPEN" on the fence and the first visitors entered the park. Admission was one dollar for adults and fifty cents for children and the starting wage was $1.65 per hour. There were 75 people the first day and 1,000 people the next Sunday. Roger's dream was finally a reality with Roger as the creative force and Mavis as the business head.

Roger’s wife Mavis was the business head of Enchanted Forest until diagnosed with cancer and handed off the day to day operations of running the business to daughters Susan and Mary when they were young adults.

Through the years, Roger and his family have been adding to his dream with new additions to the park. The Tofteville western town was built the second year, and the Haunted House opened in 1974. The Comedy Theatre was built for daughter Susan, who writes and directs the outrageous musical comedies based on fairy-tales and composes all park music.

Money was continually put back into the business creating more to see and do. Over the years many more attractions were added, the Ice Mountain Bobsled Roller Coaster, The English Village, the Fantasy Fountains water-light show, the Big-Timber Log Flume ride, kiddie rides, and the interactive target shooting ride, The Challenge of Mondor.

Now, Roger Tofte, though still the ringleader of Enchanted Forest, has successfully incorporated 2 of his children into the business, Susan and Mary, 2 of his grandchildren, Derek and Tim, Roger’s brother-in-law Dale and Tim’s wife, Ashley. According to Susan, this arrangement has worked out quite well, "We're very lucky. We get along because we're each in charge of different projects and our areas don't overlap much. We work very well together."

THE FUTURE

With three generations of the Tofte family working at Enchanted Forest, the tradition and creativity will be carried on for many years to come with your help. Roger can still be seen almost daily out working in the park. If you see a man in his 90s riding around on a moped or repairing cement, it is probably Roger! As Roger says, " We believe in attention to artistic detail. We want to offer our visitors something unique, with a lot of variety. We strive to be the hidden gem that people discover as their own special place."

Our goal right now is to save the business and survive through Covid so we are here for future generations to enjoy. We have cut our operating budget to less than half of what it would be during a normal year, but even so, with a capacity of only 250 mandated by our governor, this does not begin to cover costs to keep us in business. We will fight and use all of our creativity, but we have decided this is the time to ask for help.

CONTRIBUTIONS OR GIFTS TO ENCHANTED FOREST, INC. ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Any contributions received shall be considered gifts to Enchanted Forest, Inc., which is a for profit corporation. Contributors will not receive any good or services in exchange for their gifts. At the discretion of Enchanted Forest gifts received will be used to cover Enchanted Forest’s ongoing costs and expenses in an effort to help Enchanted Forest survive and provide family fun and adventure to future generations of Oregonians to come.

Enchanted Forest Theme Park: Salem, OR.

These pictures have no filter, this is from the smoke of the surrounding fires.

[travelingtheusaandeurope]

How to Spend 48 Hours in Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park looks like something out of a youngsters's storybook. It's not unusual to listen to people taking advantage of terms like enchanting or spiritual to describe just how they probe this park. The most famous points to do below are strolling or treking among the trees, climbing the imposing rock wall surface areas, camping under the celebs, taping the beauty in images, or just taking in the calmness of the desert. Develop where the Mojave along with Colorado Deserts satisfy, the park has an intricate landscape, with considerably numerous appearances and likewise greenery depending on the altitude. Some areas are covered with fully grown Joshua trees when it comes to the eye can see, and also others are entirely without these trees yet still utilize their own distinct sophistication. Well located nature training courses, treking tracks, as well as cars and truck pullouts are expanded throughout the park, providing straightforward access to this marvelous landscape. Although the park incorporates some 800,000 acres, a lot of it is not obtainable by roadway. 2 main roads go through the park: Park Blvd, which runs west to east from Twentynine Palms as well as also the North Entranceway to the West Entrance along with the community of Joshua Tree; as well as likewise Pinto Container Road, which connects Park Blvd as well as runs southern to north from Interstate 10 and likewise the Cottonwood Site visitor Center to the North Entry and the community of Twentynine Palms. Park Blvd is the primary location of the park that is of interest to a great deal of website visitors, but various other areas of passion are found along the north half of Pinto Container Road. Bear in mind that pets are not enabled on tracks in the park; the only exemption is the Refuge of Mara led path. Pets are allowed on-leash on the unpaved roads as well as additionally when driving within the outdoor camping websites along with bbq areas. To aid strategy your browse through, see our checklist of points to do in Joshua Tree National Forest. Keys Ranch (Guided Scenic Tour). In a location that number of people would definitely describe as inviting are the remains of Keys Ranch, the previous homestead as well as cattle ranch of William F. Keys, that solved in this area in the 1910s. The household or commercial home, that includes your home, schoolhouse, shop, in addition to workshop, is a National Historic Register Website and also can only be checked out on ranger-led assisted trips. These trips run seasonally throughout the winter season and additionally into springtime. The trips are exceptionally insightful and offer understanding right into Keys, who was quite an individuality, as well as the problems run into by the household as well as resourcefulness required to sustain below. See the park website for details on trip days as well as times. Appointments are called for along with can be made up to 60 days beforehand. The 90-minute trips are made use of at a cost and also involve a half-mile of walking. Keys View It is well worth the drive up to Keys Sight, a hunt element at an altitude of more than 5,000 feet, with sweeping sights prolonging out over the Coachella Valley. Distant, you can see the San Andreas geological mistake, Hand Springs, the Salton Sea, and on a clear day, past to Mexico. If the air is clear, the view is outstanding and also this is a wonderful method to obtain oriented with the bordering geography. As you increase below, the elevation alterations, the temperature is noticeably cooler, and the landscape tackles an entire various personality. Barker Dam Nature Course One more brief strolling path, Barker Dam is a 1.3-mile loop path. If you are simply wanting to do one short route in Joshua Tree, this is your best option, with big Joshua trees, rocks, and also an area of water that typically brings in birds. At the back of the loophole are the residues of a water storage tank left by livestock herdsmans who as soon as lived in the area. Lots of individuals stroll in to this point and likewise turn around, leaving by the very same route, however this is a mistake. While this could be rather much shorter, it is well worth proceeding, with much of the greatest landscapes and likewise largest trees on the loophole past the dam. Hidden Valley Nature Trail & Day Usage Location The Hidden Valley area of Joshua is just among one of the most gorgeous in addition to quickly obtainable areas of the park. It's finest if you are seeking to do a quick stroll or simply stroll among the trees and also rock formations. The Hidden Valley Nature Course is a delightful one-mile loophole trail that enters via an opening right into a huge dish bordered by rock walls. It's thought that as a result of the area, Hidden Valley was when utilized by cattle rustlers, that would certainly herd the livestock right into this place to hide them. This is a relatively basic as well as also stunning path, making it among one of the most popular strollings in Joshua Tree National Forest. It does not have lots of Joshua trees. Of note on this route is the significant column called the Great Burrito, a popular climbing area in the park. The Hidden Valley barbeque location, on the contrary side of the parking lot from the trailhead, is a whole lot extra attractive, with a wide range of large Joshua trees scattered around huge rocks and rock loads. This is a fantastic place to appreciate a getaway and meander about. From the last barbecue location at the west end, a very quick simple course leads out in addition to around to the back side of the stand of rocks, opening into a heaven of rocks as well as trees, ideal for digital photography. Exterior camping For campers, Joshua Tree is a genuine benefit. Exterior camping among the Joshua trees, bordered by unusual rock growths, the experience here is various than your basic camping trip. Numerous of Joshua Tree's amazing outdoor camping websites are embeded in hassle-free places for uncovering the park. Each of these has its actual own appearance, yet every one of them deserve spending a night or even more under a star-filled skies. The suitable time to camp right here stays in springtime and fall: March, April, October, and November. Nights are fashionable, but days commonly have a tendency to be brilliant and also cozy. This is not jumbo Recreational Vehicle exterior camping: the camping areas are reasonably small and likewise greatly indicated for camping tent outdoor camping, Mobile home under 25 feet, or smaller sized pop-up-style camp trailers. Among the best camping locations is Hidden Valley Outdoor camping Site, yet it is a first-come, first-served location. If you desire the safety of having a consultation prior to you get here, the best selection is Jumbo Rocks. Both of these are close to all the main things to see and also do. 5. Cholla Cactus Yard For nature lovers, the Cholla Cactus Yard is perhaps among one of the most unbelievable websites in the park, with more than a thousand densely packed chollas prolonging throughout the desert floor covering. While chollas are typically sprinkled to name a few plants in the desert, below they are the only cactuses in this natural yard. In the morning light or late mid-day sun, the backlit needles virtually luster, and also the hills in the distance supply the outstanding history. An extremely simple, degree strolling path takes you by means of this wonderful place. The Cholla Cactus Yard is on the highway to Cottonwood Springtime, past Belle as well as White Storage tank camping sites. Farther along this roadway, heading towards Cottonwood, is the Ocotillo Spot, however there are just a small number of these plants at this pullout location. If you plan on leaving the park on this road, there is no need to quit right here since there are plenty more Ocotillos better on, past Cottonwood, heading to Interstate 10. Head Rock Perhaps no location else in the park is the virtually comics landscape additional finely detailed than at Skull Rock. You could see faces as well as photos in the rock developments that manage the park, but at Head Rock it takes extremely little innovative creativity to see the head kind peering out of the boulder-strewn rubble. This substantial, generally shaped rock is located right alongside the roadway, as well as additionally it constantly draws in a group. The entire place around this roadside quit is fascinating, with an expanse of rolling rock lots, great for strolling or light rushing. Residues of tracks go through the area, nevertheless several people just stray about, uncovering optimals for lookouts, sunning themselves on the pieces of rock, or simply stopping briefly. Nearby is a 1.7-mile walking trail via rocks and also shrubby plant with a couple of Joshua trees spread out around. Rock Climbing and additionally Bouldering Climbing up in addition to bouldering are several of among the most preferred amusement activities in the park, as well as likewise one consider the landscape will definitely inform you why. Joshua Tree has someplace in the community of 8,000 climbing training courses as well as also countless going up advancements. Information pamphlets as well as maps are offered at the site visitor facilities. Mountain climbers consistent Joshua Tree National forest, especially throughout the winter season when the excellent going up locations in addition north, like Yosemite, are out of season. Hill mountain climbers often has a tendency to congregate in many areas, however the Hidden Valley location as well as various other nearby websites at the west end of the park are the main hot spots. Consequently, camping areas at this end of the park commonly have a tendency to be full typically throughout the wintertime, especially in February and March, when climbers as well as likewise leisure campers are vying for spots. Ryan Hillside Walking From Park Blvd, the raise Ryan Hill looks a little challenging as well as moderately unimpressive, yet this stroll is every little thing regarding the benefit from the top, where the views increase 360 degrees out over the park. This is a moderately hard, three-mile up-and-down walking, with 1,000 feet of altitude gain. The revealed path materials little to no shade and also is much less than interesting as it follows a barren hill around the top, yet from the top, at 5,457 feet, the sight is terrific, making the initiative satisfying.