#tales of a frozen sailor

[inklings-sprint]

I'm doing a self imposed writing sprint at the moment, to try and get through typing up some of this chapter for my rewrite of Tales Of A Frozen Sailor.

At least a sprint helps focus me. So I'm going to check in about 10 minutes after posting to see how I'm doing. I don't know how long I'm going to go for.

[allisonreader]

When I saw that today's prompt was letters, I realized how well my story thoughts from last night fit. Considering that a good portion of these thoughts consist of how important letters would be to that story. It would be how two of the characters first meet. Letters is how their relationship begins. (That musing HERE.)

It also made me think about how I have a couple of other stories where letters (or lack there of) are rather important. Letters (particularly one letter) are a very important part of Tales Of A Frozen Sailor, since the one letter is a catalyst for certain parts of the story to actually happen. (And I actually wrote out a physical copy of that letter and took a picture of it to add to the feel of the story.)

Another story (that I need to work on again some day) is my shipwreck story. Though in it's case, the issue is that letters are not being sent/being allowed to get to the person they're intended for. Leading to a terrible misunderstanding that has been purposely orchestrated to have done exactly that.

Then just to rope in The Hidden Royals again, there's also letters being passed between jailer and prisoner to be given to the prisoner's wife.

Then last but not least, the hand lettering (handwritten) copy that I've been working on for my rewrite of Tales Of A Frozen Sailor, because I want it to be better and more filled out story wise than the just under 33,000 words that is currently posted for it.

The Chesterton Challenge: Day 22

Welcome to Day 22 of the Chesterton Challenge! If you haven't already, make sure to check out the creations linked in the notes of yesterday's post.

Today’s Optional Prompt is: Letter

Because I can't let the month go by without referencing the fact that Chesterton wrote one of the greatest love letters of all time. Your creation can reference that kind of letter (you can even write and send a letter), but there are plenty of other definitions of the word that you can use to inspire your creation: letters of the alphabet, letter grades, a red-letter day, etc.

Whatever you create, make sure to show us or tell us about it by reblogging or replying to this post. (Don’t forget: anyone is allowed to join in the fun at any point during the Challenge.)

Now go forth and create!

[ringleaderising]

Did Magda strike a deal with Pig, or did he wake up one day thirsting for the big milf in the sky? (Or did Magda say "Pig.. go kill for me, sweety <3" and Pig went "ON IT!!!" and started hacking people up like a professional chef for his god-wife) - vabam-fr

So Pig technically became uh, The Pig in the aftermath of an incident at his first circus- before he joined the Vaudemire Sideshow. He intervened between a parent being needlessly cruel to their offspring about a treat Pig had given them while he was entertaining (Literally just a little piece of candy, it was not worth hurting a child over, and every other kid watching Pig's show at the time got the same 'prize') and when he stopped them (by physically stepping in between them, and then shoving the adult back, when they tried to get past him again) he accidentally shoved them into a tent pole with an outstretched, steel spike that hadn't been properly sunk- killing them.

In the ensuing chaos, Pig was taken aback- he'd never hurt anyone before, in all honesty he was a young guy, literally just working with the circus to have a place to live, after he left home to seek his charge. So he stood there, relatively frozen among the chaos- and while everyone else was having a full-tilt breakdown because the clown just offed somebody, Pig found his Charge. The blade of his Cleaver is actually that very tent-spike, heated and flattened into a cutting blade and blended with other metals to enlarge the tool, because it was the blood shed by that spike that called Magda to the circus grounds.

Called "Eyeless Mag" in children's tales, she too, was a victim of circumstance. slain by her husband- a sailor- in a fit of jealousy when he believed her to be cheating on him with visitors to the tavern she worked as a barmaid in, she was split tail to snout and tossed into the ocean near Vaudemire Way's dockyard- but with a spirit far too powerful and unwilling to die with her body, she joined The Host, serving as a prophet of death and a carver of cairn stones. She haunts the area around Vaudemire Way, carving grave markers and turning tough, living soil and tangled shadowy branches to provide a place to put those who's death she's forseen. She herself is Pig's Charge, brought only into contact with him when she is needed to warn or bury the dead, Pig's mind just kinda. Broke. in the genuinely tramatic moments of discovering his charge.

He's forgotten his name, using only the clown name he performed under- face paint unwashed so long it's seemingly fused to his scales, and costume ripped and tattered now patched with pieces torn from his kills, it's not Magda's fault he is what he is- she is a charge already failed, a dead thing he is constantly calling back to the land of the living to do her duty so he can spend even a few moments in her orbit.

However, he is the only friend Mag has known, for as long as she can remember at least- and so the Cleaversworn is a double-edged sword much like the weapon he uses in her name. She knows all he wants is to protect her, and she will allow that much, as there is a constant risk of exorcists and thronebreakers in pursuit of the more docile of those who populate The Host. In turn, she has a vested fondness for Pig himself, less a goddess and more a ghostly companion, who's talent with premonition and knowledge of death has allowed her 'champion' to skirt it, time and time again.

Magda attends any death in the area of the gaplands she oversees- it's not her fault that Pig happens to be behind most of them simply to see her again.

tl;dr: Magda didn't ask for this, and neither did Pig, but if he is going to swear himself into her service, the least Magda thinks she can do is keep him from dying while he's doing it.

[addamvelaryon]

Addam & Alyn as Merlings

Sailors, by nature a gullible and superstitious lot, as fond of their fancies as singers, tell many tales of these frigid northern waters…. They whisper of Cannibal Bay, where ships enter at their peril only to find themselves trapped forever when the sea freezes hard behind them.

They tell of pale blue mists that move across the waters, mists so cold that any ship they pass over is frozen instantly; of drowned spirits who rise at night to drag the living down into the grey-green depths; of mermaids pale of flesh with black-scaled tails, far more malign than their [kin] of the south.

Artist: SpitfireGoBrrr

[ohhcinnybuns]

Here I am again,

You've been expecting me because I can't keep my mouth shut,

But if we don't know how their story ends, what then?

I have another prompt for you that's sure to really cut

‘  i am aching to hold you  &  keep you safe,  to be pressed against you so that nothing can harm you.  ’ 👀

In his arms, by the sea - Merman! Chuuya and Captain Dazai (OTPOY alternate ending)

Words: 2.8k

The shushing of the ocean waves entered his ears, muffled as if his head was below water. It could be. His mind had felt absent for months, his irises becoming mornings waiting at dawn for a sign—any sign at all. 

Time seemingly moved along without him. Days became weeks and months. Every morning, the same routine. He would walk, wait by the pier, gaze at the horizon, and return to the lighthouse he called home. He waited by the shore, hoping that a streaking comet would surface from below the sea, vermillion-drenched locks and teardrop irises ready to call his name and bring him back from his mind’s deceptive trenches. 

Boats drift by, bellowing their horn, while seagulls turn over vacant shells, searching for a morsel. Whispers of people passing by began to call him insane as if the story of his life that made him human was nonexistent and make-believe.

It was as if he had not been there to witness the tragic event that seemingly had him frozen there in time, wondering what he could have done differently to bring his loved ones home. 

---

All he had wanted to know was answers. All he had wanted to do was to understand why his father never came home. 

Why did Fyodor have to reappear when his father was doing just fine, away from the life of piracy to start anew? Why did the rat have to remove someone who meant so much to him, stepping all over the bond they’d come to build, know, and grow? 

Fyodor never even liked Oda to begin with. He always suspected that Fyodor disliked Oda for walking away from his crew - the mark of the Decay of Angels blemished on his arm, a grim reminder of the gruesome things he participated in. 

Dazai gritted his teeth with every sight of it because that was not the Oda that raised him. There was no piracy to him, only a man in love with the sea, freedom, and exploration. Oda had tried to move away from the decay that wanted to mold him, and in the end, his love for the sea always called him back, like a siren tempting her sailor to come forth and pull him under. They lured him, never to come back this time. 

“Where is he?” Dazai pressed him, holding a knife to the captain’s neck. 

“Have you tried looking at the bottom of the Yokohama port, Dazai-kun?" the captain returned his question with a cackle that turned Dazai’s boiling blood glacier-cold. He shivered, breathing rapidly through the gut-wrenching feeling coiling in his stomach. 

“I’m not playing.”

"If you really want to know, Dazai dear, he never left the port. He tried to run, but unfortunately, Nikolai was much faster than he thought,” Fyodor said with a widening smirk. “He got him right here," he continued his tale, the back of his hand knocking against Dazai's chest, “two shots is all it took for him to tumble off the boat. So very sad, Dazai-kun. I’m so very sorry for your loss." 

A ringing in his ear. A shaky breath. Dizzy, tunneling vision. He had hoped it was a lie, but what did Fyodor have to gain from it? Nothing at all. Nothing was ever enough for a cold, blooded monster like him. No amount of plundering and violence was ever enough. He had told the truth and there was nothing more to it. 

Fyodor took hold of his devastation to make his escape. He shoved Dazai away, swiftly kicking open a barrel of oil and throwing a nearby lamp to the ground before dashing away. 

Fyodor ignited his ship with his followers, plans, and treasure still on it. Their convenience didn’t matter - they were only pawns ready to sink with their captain and ship. 

Dazai managed to escape the stores and jumped out of the burning ship into a safety raft. He cut the rope, ready to return to his boat, when a streak of a reddened bioluminescent tail swam past him beneath the bow of the blazing ship. 

“Chuu…ya?” His heart quickened, and he gulped down a knot forming in his throat in worry. The sound of screaming pirates roaring to extinguish fires blared in his ears, the crackling of compromised wood searing the sky. 

Dazai kept his sights on the water, waiting for any sign of Chuuya to return, but that’s when he heard a creaking, the sound of wood snapping out of place. Dazai gasped, smoky fires penetrating his lungs as his eyes stung from falling ash and soaking sea salt. He knew then Chuuya's plan to stop Fyodor. He couldn't do anything. He felt useless. 

Whatever Chuuya had attempted must not have been enough, the ship continued rocking, and Dazai could feel adrenaline as he waited for Chuuya to return to the surface. But he did not. 

Instead, the sea began to bubble and sway viciously, waves growing and pushing Dazai’s safety raft away from the blazing ship. He had to hold on to the side of his raft to keep his balance; otherwise, he risked tipping into the water. He placed a hand over his mouth and nose to slow the inhale of smog and water from entering his system, and when he was pushed a fair distance away, his eyes were wide as he watched the mighty ship struggle against the sudden force pulsing from below the boat. 

The once abysmal ocean thundered brightly as if a light switch had been flicked on, like an active volcano ready to burst. The sea turned a spilled bloody wine surrounding the vessel before a red and black beam broke through the mainmast. The boat started crumpling like a tin can before the ship splintered down its middle and split into two. 

“CHUUYA!” he had cried, heart drumming so quickly it trembled his body. 

Screaming bodies landed in the ocean, crying for help. The few rafts left on the ship had caught fire, unusable. Dazai searched the chaos for any sign of Chuuya but instead found Fyodor, who tossed aside a crewmate floating on a piece of wreckage for himself. 

The crewmate attempted to scale on again but was kicked away by the captain’s boot, which used him as leverage to float the makeshift raft away. The crewmate submerged underwater, nowhere to be seen. Then he sat leisurely, with a knee raised, surveying his surroundings while removing his wet dressings with a smirk. It made Dazai's blood boil, but it didn't last long. 

The same glowing light that brought down the boat sped towards the wreckage Fyodor sat upon at top speed and pulsed water like a geyser to flip it over, tossing the captain into the ocean’s depths once more. Dazai knew it was Chuuya, and he could not look away, slightly relieved that the merman was still out there. 

Fyodor’s head appeared above water briefly before Chuuya sprung from behind, clinging to a bewildered Fyodor with an arm hooked around their neck and hissing at his prey. He bit into the crook of the rat’s neck, his catch thrashing about and screaming in pain, shouting curses that fell on deaf ears as his surviving crewmates watched in terror, holding tightly to their wreckage and removing themselves from the water as quickly as possible. All the fighting did nothing to Chuuya except clench his teeth tighter. 

Dazai could feel Chuuya's gaze on him; pitch-black irises and red swirling symbols slithered all over his body, making him almost unrecognizable. The hand that held Fyodor became a claw resembling molten magma covered in inky veins, and blood seemed to leak from his orifices, staining his chest, shoulders, and face. He didn’t appear all that responsive, working on autopilot and consciousness.

“So this is… Chuuya’s true from…” is all Dazai could mumble, awe in his shaky breath. He wanted nothing more than for Chuuya to come back to him so he could wrap his arms around him and whisper to him that everything was okay now. He doesn't have to do more. Dazai beckoned for the merman to come close. 

The redhead detached his jaw from the rat’s nape, features twitching as if wincing now and again. He was in a primal state, and his instincts to attack were rampant, but beneath that, there were flickers of exhaustion, and Dazai could see the merman panting as if at his limit.

The merman's claw dug into the side of Fyodor’s throat and slashed it open. Blood rushed, screaming subsiding into gurgles, choking on salted water and iron. The captain's crewmates could only watch in horror as their leader pawed at his neck, trying to remove Chuuya’s hold on him. In the end, it was futile.

Drifting a little away from the wreckage had been Sigma and Nikolai, panting and soaking wet inside of a burnt boat, having seemingly gotten away just in time before the ship fractured. They could hear their captain screaming into the night sky, and all Sigma could do was turn his back to the scene and cover his ears. Nikolai, on the other hand, watched on with a balled fist and furrowed brows, turmoil flickering between Sigma and his captain. Ultimately, he chose to stay seated, watching his captain be mauled with a conflicted gaze. It's every man for themselves in open waters - any fight and loyalty they might have had in them sunk with their ship. 

Fyodor continued thrashing wildly until Chuuya couldn't handle his fuss anymore. The fins that shaped the redhead’s ears fanned back, and before Dazai could call to him, Chuuya dove below the surface with his prey in hand, their tail fanning swiftly to gain as much distance between himself and the surface before the flicker of his tail died out, losing sight of him. Dazai’s stomach drops, eyes round, hands gripping wood tightly as he leans against the bow of his raft for any sight of the merman, but he never resurfaces. 

He doesn't know how long he stood on that life raft out at sea waiting for Chuuya, hoping they would return. There was no sight of his bioluminescence. Dazai didn't know if Chuuya was alive or dead. 

Nothing could have prepared him to grieve as deeply as he did when he stepped back into his ship, rescued by his friends, who placed a blanket over him and directed him to his quarters. 

A piece of his heart sunk to the bottom of the ocean that night, an endless stream of tears over the reality of Oda's death and Chuuya's disappearance washing over him all at once. Everything around him moved in slow motion, rocking with his ship, paused forever in this moment, trapped in a loop that didn't want to let him go and hadn't let him go. 

How does anyone learn to move forward after the death of their loved ones? It is said that time heals all wounds, but what if some wounds don’t close? That has been a question that has plagued his mind since that night. Dazai never honestly thought about it, always having thought that his life should have ended at thirteen when he initially tried to drown himself. Yet, Oda and Chuuya became his saving grace when he thought he would never have anyone on his side, and now he was left to live without them. 

---

The walk back to the lighthouse this evening is a little chillier. Winter starts are always like that, much more polar next to the sea, but Dazai wouldn’t change it. He keeps his gaze lowered, mindful enough not to walk into others, hands in his tan coat pockets, breathing into the bundled navy scarf around his neck. The clicks of his shoes are the only evidence that he is moving forward and not floating to his destination. 

Crisp sea salt permeated his senses, hair fluffed and ruffled by the breeze. He walks the crisscrossing piers, the crescent shape of the harbor leading to a rocky shoreline, where a path veers off at its end, steps leading up to his lighthouse. This is where it all started. It’s only right that this is where he should end—the beginning of them and the entanglement of their Fates after the catalyst of his drowning. 

He had thought that maybe Oda would have loved Dazai buying the lighthouse - a home they could share instead of the shanty shack they used to live in because Oda was humble like that. The lighthouse kept them close to the coast, nights full of lulling tides and wondrous expanses of diamonds in the sky; perhaps it would have saved Oda from his end to have what he loved the most so close to him. Dazai wanted to give him that. 

He also thought Chuuya would have visited him more often. He thought they could meet again at the rocky ledges and dive together to explore the world below, fingers entwined and bodies close. He once joked to Chuuya that in another life, they would be fated sea horses drifting with the rolling tide in a swirling dance. The memory alone makes him smile, remembering the bright red hues that made the merman’s cheeks flush and splash water at him. 

Dazai bundles the scarf around his neck more tightly, the snugness comforting him as he ascends the steps. There is always tomorrow, he supposes as if that’s not what he’s been telling himself for months. There is always a tomorrow. 

As he reaches the door of his home, he unlocks it and enters, ready to close the door. A sound of quick steps enters his ears, and a hand holds his door open before he can fully close it shut. 

“Wait!” the person pants. They continue inhaling and exhaling as if they had been running for miles, finally trying to catch their breath.  

Dazai blinks, instinctively opening his door with a, “Yes? What can I do for you?” 

It wasn't often that he had visitors storming at his door. The last person to visit him had been Atsushi to check on his well-being. However, the sight he came upon made him speechless. 

“You walk…so fast…those lanky legs of yours… goddamn it… How am I supposed to keep up? Wait, I need a minute…” 

Before him was the soul of the ocean incarnate—flaming locks dry, curled, and swept to the side, trying to catch their breath. The stunning blue of his eyes glared at him playfully, a smirk plastered on his lips as his breathing regulated. He wore modern clothing and was rather handsome: a black leather jacket, onyx gloves, and a plain black T-shirt. At his neck rested a choker that replaced the seashell garland he used to wear. But even more surprising was the lack of a fishtail, replaced by legs hidden beneath navy jeans. 

“Chuuya?” Dazai croaked through the lump in his throat. All that time, waiting for time to shift along again. 

The redhead stands tall, a hand on his hip as he beams, asking, “Did you miss me?”

Dazai leaps forward, embracing Chuuya in his arms tightly, body trembling as if scared that the body he held was a figment of the imagination. He feels Chuuya chuckle into his chest, snaking his arms around his waist before whispering a small, “I’m home.” 

Dazai’s grip tightens for a minute before letting the redhead go, pulling back to look at Chuuya again, who gazes at him sheepishly, pink shading across his face. 

His eyes sting, caressing the softness of Chuuya’s cheek tenderly, still processing that Chuuya was standing before him. His hands continued to travel down to his neck, where he could feel their quickened blood flowing, and finally down to his chest, where a thumping heart beats. 

He looks in awe as Chuuya smirks up at him again. A smile surfaces, bubbling happiness overwhelming him as he leans in to capture his lover's lips in a kiss, tears finally falling free. Chuuya came back. 

Chuuya smiles, standing on his tiptoes, wrapping his arm around Dazai’s neck to keep them close. Dazai pulls away enough for their lips to brush together, a gentle “Welcome home” spilling from his lips, as Chuuya thumbs away the droplets from his eyes. 

The redhead grins, raking his hands through the brunette's knotting locks, speaking softly, “Sorry I kept you waiting so long.” 

Dazai hums with a smile and a nod, fondly gazing at his lover before kissing their forehead and taking hold of their hand. 

“You do have some explaining to do,” Dazai says with a small laugh. 

Chuuya laughs along, holding their hands up to place a kiss on Dazai’s wrist as an apology—one of Dazai’s favorite things that Chuuya did. Intimate and gentle. 

“Yeah, I know,” is all the redhead says calmly. 

Dazai nods, stepping away, leading Chuuya by their clasped hands into their home. Finally, time could move forward for him again - no longer stuck with ‘what ifs’  and wondering what he could have done differently for another outcome. No longer would Dazai be in his loneliness, gazing out at the ocean from his lighthouse or at the piers, waiting for a sign of life. Finally, he could live the rest of his days happily with his lover in his arms by the sea. 

[silvermoon424]

My manga collection (October 2023)

I did a post detailing my manga collection back in 2021, but it's grown a lot since then so I figured I'd make a new post! It was also a good time to do so because we're repainting my room and while there's usually a ton of anime merch in front of the books on my shelves, now it's all been packed up. So there's a clear look at the books without me having to move anything, lol.

Anyway, without further adieu, here we go! My manga collection is largely shoujo (specifically magical girls) and horror manga.

Pet Shop of Horrors by Matsuri Akino

Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo by Matsuri Akino

The Clique by Yishan Li

Frozen II manga by Arina Tanemura

Dark Metro by Tokyo Calen and Yoshiken

Yokai Rental Shop by Shin Mashiba

Confidential Confessions by Reiko Momochi

Pichi Pichi Pitch (aka Mermaid Melody) by Michiko Yokote and Pink Hanamori

Magical Girl Site by Kentaro Sato

Reiko the Zombie Shop by Rei Mikamoto

Les Miserables (manga adaptation) by TszMei Lee

Nightmares for Sale by Kaoru Ohashi

Presents by Kanako Inuki

Mail by Housui Yamazaki

Dark Water by Meimu

Tale of a White Night by Tooko Miyagi

Goth by Otsuichi and Kendi Oiwa

Beautiful People by Mitsukazu Mihara

Attack on Titan: No Regrets by Gun Snark and Hikaru Suruga

In Clothes Called Fat by Moyoco Anno

A Girl on the Shore by Inio Asano

Bride of Deimos by Etsuko Ikeda and Yuuho Ashibe

Limit by Keiko Suenobu

Helter Skelter by Kyoko Okazaki

Dolls omnibus (in Japanese) by Yumiko Kawahara

Ibitsu by Haruto Ryo

A God Somewhere (Western comic) by John Arcudi and Peter Snejbjerg

Beauty (Western comic) by Hubert and Kerascoët

Ah! My Goddess by Kōsuke Fujishima

Only One Wish by Mia Ikumi

Higurashi When They Cry: Festival Accompanying Arc by Karin Suzuragi

Chronicles of the Grim Peddler by Lee Jeoun-A

PTSD Radio by Masaaki Nakayama

Elfen Lied by Lynn Okamoto

Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit by Motoro Mase

Happy Sugar Life by Tomiyaki Kagisora

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood by Hirohiko Araki

An Ojamajo Doremi artbook (in Japanese)

Mermaid Saga by Rumiko Takahashi

Dolls by Yumiko Kawahara

Maid-sama by Hiro Fujiwara

Franken Fran by Katsuhisa Kigitsu

Hell Girl by Miyuki Eto

Gurren Lagann by Kotaro Mori

Doll by Mitsukazu Mihara

Mantis Woman by Senno Knife

Various Sailor Moon artbooks from the anime, manga illustrations by Naoko Takeuchi, and fan artbooks

Sailor Moon Eternal Edition by Naoko Takeuchi

Sailor V Eternal Edition by Naoko Takeuchi

Puella Magi Madoka Magica by Hanokage

Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story by Hanokage

Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Wraith Arc by Hanokage

Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Rebellion Story by Hanokage

Puella Magi Oriko Magica by Kuroe Mura

Puella Magi Oriko Magica: Sadness Prayer by Kuroe Mura

Puella Magi Tart Magica by Golden Pe Done

Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story by Fuji Fujino

Assorted PMMM and Magia Record artbooks

Pokemon Adventures (aka Pokemon Special) by Hidenori Kusaka and Mato/Satoshi Yamamoto. I own the complete set of the RBG, Yellow, GSC, FRLG, Emerald and HGSS arcs as well as a few volumes from the RS, DP, and Black/White arcs.

Various Pokemon 4koma (in Japanese)

Pokemon: I Choose You by Ryo Takamisaki

Phantom Thief Pokemon 7 by Miho Asada

The Rise of Darkrai by Ryo Takamisaki

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Adventure by Shigekatsu Ihara

The Electric Tale of Pikachu by Toshihiro Ono

The Art of Pokemon Adventures by Satoshi Yamamoto (both English and Japanese versions)

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team by Makoto Mizobuchi

Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea by Makoto Mizobuchi

Various Junji Ito Manga:

Dissolving Classroom

Fragments of Horror

The Liminal Zone

Sensor

Black Paradox

Gyo

Uzumaki

Tomie

Deserter

Tombs

Lovesickness

Smashed

Shiver

Frankenstein

Remina

Venus in the Blind Spot

No Longer Human

Twisted Visions (artbook)

Uzumaki coloring book

Uzumaki (original printing) by Junji Ito

Museum of Terror by Junji Ito

Soichi by Junji Ito

The Drifting Classroom by Kazuo Umezu

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Battle Tendency by Hirohiko Araki

Orochi by Kazuo Umezu

Be Very Afraid of Kanoko Inuki! by Kanoko Inuki

Wonderland by Yugo Ishikawa

Shadows House by Somato

I Had That Sane Dream Again by Yoru Sumino

Is Love the Answer? by Uta Isaki

Nightmare Inspector by Shin Mashiba

The Ring by Misao Inagaki

Wonder House of Horrors by Miyako Cojima

Puella Magi Suzune Magica by GAN

Puella Magi Kazumi Magica by Masaki Hiramatsu and Takashi Tensugi

Magia Record: Another Story by U35

I also have some manga in storage like Inuyasha and Kitchen Princess, but that's about it!

[mikoriin]

hello hello! im interested in watching some new anime this year and my fave animes r sailor moon, madoka magica, and ouran high school host club. i especially love a silly funny slice of life show. what r the top 3 youd recommend as fitting the bill?

CRACKS MY LIL KNUCKLES

okay so out of all the anime ive ever seen, know, or like i think these animes would maybe fit your fancy:

Revolutionary Girl Utena.

spoke about it in my last ask so u can find more info there if u havent already seen it, but please anyone reading this, if u havent seen this anime please PLEASE go watch it. trigger warnings for the things i discussed in the last ask i answered, but it is beautifully animated, it crafts a deep, meaningful, and impactful story about breaking down the patriarchal ideals of what it means to be a "prince" and "princess". how society tries to assign us these roles based off of our gender or sex, and how they affect both men and women in terms of toxic masculinity, and how young girls and women pay the price for it. it is often told in heavy symbolism and metaphors or through a fairy tale like lens, but it all has a purpose. theres a ton of symbolic meaning in it that i still dont understand, even after my most recent rewatch. its stunning, and its queer as hell! directed by none other than kunihiko ikuhara, if anyone is familiar with any of his other popular works (such as the sailor moon R movie, yurikuma arashi, and penguindrum)

2) CLANNAD

HEAR ME OUT i ADORE clannad it is one of my top 5 animes ever and it is BEAUTIFUL. its two seasons total, produced by kyoani, and it is funny, charming, beautiful, and tragic. the second season is its most acclaimed, because After Story is just....breathtaking, but the first season rly starts off good too. the humor is so fucking good, i found myself laughing my ass off all through both seasons and it reads as a harem, but it doesnt follow the exact same harem tropes because the main guy has always had eyes for one girl since day 1 so....sorry ladies this is nagisa's house. also it is based off of an old 2000s otome game so thats why too. but clannad follows the main story, nagisa's route.

the story is essentially about a high schooler named Tomoya Okazaki who hates his dad, the town he lives in, and himself. and on the hill going to school one day he meets a senior, Nagisa Furukawa, and she's talking to herself to calm herself down because she's afraid to go back to school. tomoya overhears and it kinda...resonates with him. so he basically says theyll do it together. and so kicks off their story, about how nagisa's passion to follow her dreams before her senior year is over warms up tomoya's frozen heart and they fall for each other. it has a good cast of characters, like the girls in the cover shown and more, and its a slice of life, drama. beautiful 10/10 definitely recommend. get ur tissues ready tho i will warn u, i stayed crying like a baby lolol

3) Cardcaptor Sakura

another magical girl series if u havent already seen it! a classic among the magical girl genre, i offer you CLAMP's probably highest grossing series, cardcaptor sakura! i grew up on this anime, and im talkin GREW UP i was 9 when i watched this anime in japanese on youtube in 3 parts lmao (i was not fuckin with that 4kids dub ngl) and i adore this anime. granted it is a CLAMP creation, therefore there are some Questionable things in there, but the story, art style, characters, and magic are rly fun!!! plus....SYAORAN LI UM HELLO??? MY SON???? total tsundere brat, but hes a dream boat too yknow????

i wassss going to recommend Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle as my third ngl, because it does have sakura and syaoran as their main protagonists in trc, as well as many other clamp characters (mcu who?) buttttttt tsubasa is always a shot in the dark to recommend to people because 1) the anime sucks. if u want the true, authentic story u gotta read the manga. i am rolling around in my grave for all eternity until tsubasa gets a manga-faithful anime adaptation....and 2) not a lot of people like tsubasa because its unnecessarily convoluted lolol there are definitely gripes i have with certain aspects of its story, but i adore that manga with all my being it is sooo so good.

[fiberturkey89]

Water Dragon of the First Realm headcanons/lore pt. Six

(Background is a cropped concept art piece from the Ninjago wiki! Make sure to tap for better quality).

These Dragons are often revered as water spirits that reside in many bodies of water; lakes, rivers, deltas, wetlands, floodplains, oceans. It is believed that both Water and Ice Dragons were the ones to carve the mountains with their Elemental Breaths so that water could flow to the rest of the lands. However, it is said that the Water Dragon is the one who carved the fjords and inlets that kiss land and sea. For the song of the ocean was too strong to ignore, it is the final destination where the flow will begin anew once more.

Water, Ice, and Wind Dragons share a special bond with each other. Often referred to as the Trio of Cycles, these three are often in the vicinity of one another. Yet the only place all three can be found are in the Northern Lands of the First Realm, where Ice and Water meet with Wind. Without Wind Dragons, there would be no snow/icestorms or rainfall, or so many legends say.

Where Ice and Wind Dragons often prefer to pass in the highest points (either natural or created) where it is coldest and the most turbulent, Water Dragons prefer to pass where fresh water meets salt water. For they are of the belief that if one dies where the two combine, their spirits will join the Cycle of Flow. Reborn in the frozen ice of the mountains during Winter, they are then birthed in the Spring where they will travel back to the bodies of water they lived in so that they may live once more. Water Dragons as well celebrate The Long Dark and The Solar Reach. For it marks the cycle of those who passed, and those who have been rebirthed.

Water Dragons have immense control of water. Tales from sailors describe them riding typhoons andhurricanes with Wind Dragons. Aswell as waterspouts they can "climb" too. They perhaps have one of the strongest Elemental Breaths as it can cut through Ice and Rock easily with the immense pressure they can put out. Just like Earth Dragons and Firstbourne, who can tap into magma/lava blasts, Water Dragons can tap into ice and extend their control over it, albeit their ice is weaker than true Ice Dragons. Physically, they are far from weak, able to constrict around victims and apply brutal pressure. They can also cut them apart with razor-sharp scales that line their tails.

In comparison to most, Water Dragons have the best night vision across all the Primordials Dragons of the First Realm. Only second to them is the Ice Dragon and the Wind Dragon.

Water Dragons shared the same fate as Wind Dragons during the Oni and Dragon war, targeted for their control of the water. The Sentinel of Water, Current, was slain only some days after Squall, the Sentinel of Wind. However, Currents Elemental Essence would shatter in two from a vicious blow dealt by the Oni Warlord named Hollow. It would then somehow find its way to another realm past the Ethereal Divide, where it would find a soul it deemed worthy.

Nyad, and then after her, Maya followed by her daughter, Nya. The shattered Elemental Essence refused to remain still, refusing to become part of only the sea and driven mad.

Many are unsure of Water Dragons even exist outside of the First Realm despite there being possible connections to the Never Realm as there have been no traces of them throughout history post Oni and Dragon war save for Mala-Wohira's tale.

The only known Water Dragon is Nya, after all.

[allisonreader]

I didn't even wait for my poll to finish. But I've done it now. The first chapter of my rewrite of Tales Of A Frozen Sailor is up on AO3.

[lady-raidia]

To my dear Syrena.

Helloooo lovelies! :) I know, I know I still have some other thins I should continue writing but I couldn't ignore my urge to write this Young!Elendil x MermaidxOC One-Shot. I literally dreamed about it and hat to take the chance while my creativity level is still high! But before I talk to much: I hope you enjoy this little tale. :) I changed some bits especially regarding his children but this is more about the story rather than logic *cough*. I've got inspired by the song "Syrena" by Kiki Rockwell (you should definitely listen to it!).

TO MY DEAR SYRENA 🐚

Pairing: Young!Elendil x Mermaid!OC

Summary: Elendil only has one thing on his mind: His duty and the beauty of the ocean. One day, while he is out for a walk he encounters a creature, that will change him forever. A love so sweet and bitter.

Warnings: Perhaps a bit angsty to some!

Song: Syrena - Kiki Rockwell

Tie me up, strike me down

To my dear Syrena, damned my soul be bound.

It was a perfect morning – the kind where the air smelled of salt and the sky stretched endless and blue. The sea was restless and wild, still trying to calm down after a stormy night. Elendil enjoyed these mornings after a rough night, it helps to clear his mind and soul. The cool breeze tugged at his hair, and the sound of waves crashing against the sand soothed the weight of his worries. Command and duty were heavy burdens, but here, on the beach with only him and the ocean in front of him, he could find peace.

Yet, that peace was broken by an unusual sight.

A figure, half-buried in the wet sand, lay motionless on the shore, the waves crashing against the lifeless person. Elendil’s heart raced faster as he approached, unsure of what he was seeing. “A woman!” He gasped but as soon as he stepped next to her, his breath catched in his throat. Her golden hair was wet, spreading down her upper body. Her face was as if the Valar themselves carved it. But what truly caught his attention was the tail that was attached to her body. Where legs should have been, shimmering scales caught the sunlight, leading down to a tail curled beside her, water still dripping from its silvery fins. He had heard the legends, whispers among sailors of creatures who lived beneath the waves, their voices a siren song to men.

But no tale had prepared him for this.

“A mermaid,” Elendil breathed, incredulous. For a moment, he simply stood there, frozen, disbelief holding him in place. But as he watched her, her eyes closed, something within him moved him forward. Perhaps compassion? Or did her sight already lure him into his wet grave? He kneeled beside her, gently brushing her golden hair away from her face. She was clearly exhausted. Her breathing was shallow, and her eyelids fluttered as if caught between waking and sleep. The storm from the previous night must have swept her ashore, separating her from her world under the oceans surface.

“Are … you alright?” he asked quietly, his voice catching in the sea breeze. His hand hovered near her shoulder, unsure if he should touch her.

"Where ... am I?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. When she opened her eyes, it seemed like she was staring into Elendil's very soul. They were a piercing blue, the colour of the ocean where it is the deepest. They locked with his, and for a brief second, he felt like he was being pulled into the sea itself.

“You’re on the shores of Numenor.” He replied, his tone gentle as he tried to keep his nerves down. “I found you after the storm. What happened to you?”

Her brow furrowed as she looked at the sea as if searching for something. “I … there was a storm, yes,” she said slowly. “The currents were too strong. I was caught in them and I couldn’t find my way back. I was so tired that I needed to rest.” Her voice was melodic like the hum of a lullaby carried on the wind.

“You are safe to rest here,” Elendil assured her, feeling an unexpected protectiveness rise within him. “But you should return to the sea as soon as possible.”

“Not yet,” she murmured, their eyes meeting again. “I want to stay a little longer. I have never seen the world of men up close.”

Elendil hesitated, sensing a curiosity in her that mirrored his own. He had seen many strange things in his life, but none so wondrous as this. Against his better judgment, he sat beside her on the sand, letting the waves crush against his feet.

“My name is Elendil,” he said after a moment, watching her carefully. “What’s yours?”

“Syrena.”, she answered softly, her name rolling off her tongue like the waves around them. The name echoed in his mind as if he had heard it in some forgotten dream. “I have watched men from the ocean before. But I have never spoken to one.”

“You’ve watched us?” Elendil asked, smiling slightly despite the strangeness of the situation.

Syrena nodded, a bright smile on her lips. “You live such … fascinating lives. So many things I don’t understand. I’ve always wanted to know more.”

“And your world is not fascinating?”

“The ocean is beautiful, but it is endless,” she said, her voice tinged with sadness. “It can be lonely, even for one such as I.”

Their conversation flowed naturally as if the storm and the strange circumstance of their meeting had broken through all barriers. Syrena asked him questions about Numenor, about its people, its cities, its customs. Elendil answered patiently, finding her wonder for his world endearing and contagious. He, in turn, asked about the sea – its mysteries, the places only she had seen. And as the sun lowered, casting golden light across the horizon, they found themselves lost in each other’s company.

Before the tide rose too high, Elendil helped her back into the water. "Will I see you again?" he asked, the question slipping out before he could stop it.

Syrena smiled softly. "Perhaps," she said, her eyes twinkling like stars on the water. "If you come back to the shore... I’ll be close by."

Over the next few days, when Elendil returned to the beach, Syrena would be there waiting for him. As if an invisible string pulled them to each other.  

He found himself drawn to her more with each passing day. There was something captivating about her—a wildness, a freedom that called to a part of him he hadn’t known was within him. And in return, she seemed fascinated by him, by the world of men, by his stories of Númenor. By the man who was sitting next to her.

One night, weeks after their first meeting, Elendil strolled down the beach as he always did, expecting to find Syrena waiting for him. Instead, his heart dropped at the sight before him. She was lying in the sand, but this time, something was different. Syrena was no longer a mermaid – she was a woman. Her tail had vanished, replacing long, slender legs. She lay unconscious, the moonlight hovering over her naked body. Panic gripped Elendil’s chest. He rushed to her side, kneeling beside her as he shook her gently. “Syrena?” he whispered, shaking her gently. “Syrena, wake up!”

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. Confusion filled them, but when she looked down at herself, a gasp escaped her lips. "Elendil..." she whispered, her hand trembling as it reached toward him. "I—what happened?"

Elendil looked at her, overwhelmed by this situation. “I don’t know. Your legs … how is this possible?”

A tear slipped down her cheek as she smiled, eyes glancing up at the moon, remembering what she had whispered yesterday. “I wished for this,” she said softly. “I wanted to be with you, Elendil. To walk among your people, to see your world as you do. I prayed to the moon …  and it must have heard my prayers.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Elendil felt his heart swell with emotions he could barely contain. She had wished for this—for him. Carefully, he pulled her into his arms, holding her close.

“You’re here,” he whispered into her hair. “And that’s all that matters.”

After that night, their love blossomed and the two of them shared a happiness that Elendil had never thought possible. By his side, she explored Numenor, her fascination with the human world growing even stronger. She learned the ways of his people, how they behaved and spoke and also how precious the warmth of human touch felt like.

They spent their days in laughter, their nights under the stars. Elendil found himself in love—truly, deeply, for the first time. He would watch her dance in the moonlight, her movements fluid and graceful, like the tides themselves. She was everything he had ever longed for but never known.

“Teach me how to love,” she had once whispered to him, lying beside him as they watched the stars. “Teach me to love like a human.”

He kissed her then, a gentle promise on his lips. “You already know.” he had replied, their fingers intertwined.

For a while, it seemed they had found their happiness. For years even. They loved each other passionately, married like it is custom amongst humans and Syrena even gave birth to two wonderful children.

But even in the joy, Elendil sensed something lingering, a quiet sadness in Syrena’s eyes that she tried to hide.

The change was subtle at first. Syrena’s laughter grew quieter, and her gazes out to sea grew longer. At night, Elendil would wake to find her standing at the shore, staring into the distance as if listening for something only she could hear.

And one night, it all became too much.

Elendil awoke alone, the sheets cold beside him. His heart raced, and without thinking, he rushed to the beach, his worst fear clawing at his mind. There, standing in the shallow waves, was Syrena, her feet in the water, her eyes filled with tears.

“Syrena?” he called, his voice breaking as he approached her.

She turned to him, her gaze heavy with sorrow. “I’m sorry, Elendil” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I thought I could stay. I thought I could belong here... with you. But I will always be of the sea.”

His throat tightened. “You do belong here, with me,” he said, stepping closer. “We’ve built a life together.”

She shook her head, tears falling freely now. “I will always love you, Elendil.”

“Syrena, please –“ Tears ran down his face while his heart slowly shattered inside his chest.

He reached for her, desperation in his heart, but she stepped back into the waves. “I’m sorry,” she whispered again, her voice almost lost in the wind.

And before he could stop her, Syrena disappeared beneath the water, leaving nothing behind but the sound of the ocean and a man whose heart died a tragic death.

She never returned. The days stretched into weeks, then months, but the sea remained silent. Every day, Elendil walked the beach, hoping for a glimpse of her golden hair, a shimmer of silver scales, but she was gone.

All that remained was the memory of her touch, her laughter, and the love they had shared.

And though the ocean had claimed her once more, Elendil knew he would always be bound to her, his soul forever tied to the woman who had captured his heart and vanished with the sea.

Drink my blood, break my bones

This grave will fit me better than your landlocked home. THE END. Authors Note: I am still thinking of writing a part two where Elendil is older, his children are adults, and meets Syrena again. Just let me know if you would be interested in a more happier ending. :D

[inklings-challenge]

Inklings Archive Dive: 2021 Time Travel

Welcome to the Inklings Archive Dive! Today, we’re exploring the time travel stories written by the members of Team Tolkien during the very first Inklings Challenge. In 2021, writers used at least one of the following seven Christian themes in their stories: Incarnation, Stewardship, Sacrifice, Humility, Grace, Mystery, and Reconciliation. If you’d like to read some of the stories you might have missed, or revisit any favorites, you can check them out with the links below.

2021 Team Tolkien Time Travel Stories

Escape by @ashknife

Fishers of Time by @secret–psalms–saturn (unfinished)

From the Roots to the Leaves by @why-bless-your-heart

Inklings Challenge Story by @alana-k-asby (unfinished): First Act

Rewind by @rockinlibrarian

Tales of a Frozen Sailor by @allisonreader: Masterlist, The Letter, The Book, The Search, The Autopsy, The Donors, The Tour Turned, Challenging the Way, The Interview, Ruth Winters nee Hudson, Story Facts, Snippets, Of Rainbow Portals, A Timely Event, Jessica’s Overview, The Reunion, The Visit, Another Letter, Lost at Home, What Nanna Can Do, A Morning Walk, A Hard Decision, Ruth’s Worries, Her Chest of Letters, Final Wrap-up

The Untethering by @afairmaiden

WatchFaces by @awesomebutunpractical (unfinished)

If you read and enjoy, let the author know with a reblog or a comment! Now go forth and read!

[inklings-sprint]

Surprise, surprise. (Not surprised.) I was actually able to concentrate. Further on I go!

I'm doing a self imposed writing sprint at the moment, to try and get through typing up some of this chapter for my rewrite of Tales Of A Frozen Sailor.

At least a sprint helps focus me. So I'm going to check in about 10 minutes after posting to see how I'm doing. I don't know how long I'm going to go for.

[juniaships]

My idea for Frozen 3

Which surprisingly acknowledges the second movie! Even though I dislike it, I'm not going to pretend it doesn't exist. Well, think of it as a Frozen 2.5 as it's more of a spin-off movie. Rhe story takes the magic mirror elements from the Snow Queen tale. Tw for Flashing Images

Ominous green fire not included

The movie starts with Hans is still on punishment for his actions in the first movie. He's sick of shoveling horse crap and resents his station in life. One day his father offers him a deal: find a magic mirror and bring it back and he will reverse all charges. Maybe even upgrade his rank. Seeing it as a chance to finally prove his worth and get back at the people who wronged him, Hans eagerly accepts the deal.

He boards a ship set coursed to Westleton as a starting point. But one evening it gets caught in a cyclone and Hans is thrown overboard. Miraculously he lands on a deserted island. Turns out the island is inhabited by a beautiful woman named Kirsten. Her only companions is a female reindeer named Anders and a artic fox kit named Sian (pronounced shee-anne).

To Hans's surprise Kirsten has the mirror he's looking for. So he puts on the charismatic Prince Charming act to try to trick her. But Kirsten is no Anna: she sees right through it and shuts him down! She already knows about Hans as she heard about what he did from the villagers she often stayed with. She decides to take him as her hostage.

Kirsten says she got the magic mirror from one of her great grandparents. Her family were far from royalty and couldn't make ends meet. One of her relatives stole a precious item from a powerful mage to exchange it for food. As a result they got the entire town cursed, which ultimately led her family's exile. She believes that by returning the mirror back to original place, she can end the curse. She could give it to Hans and pass the curse on to him but that would be taking the easy way out.

While on the Island Hans and Kirsten try to get along. He's bitter over losing another chance to be a king and she is upset that she's pretty much stuck with the worse guy on Earth. Doesn't help they have to face obstacles such as like giant bugs; a river of lava that can only be crossed via a wonky bridge; and questionable berries.

Gradually the duo starts to get along particularly after Hans saves Kirsten's life. The journey also forces Hans to rely on strengths other than his manipulation.

During a heart to heart, Hans admit the reason why he's so obsessed with getting the mirror is to show up his family; as he was the youngest they blame him for the death of the Queen (who had died giving birth to him). Kirsten replies while that doesn't excuse taking it out on Arendelle, he was still a innocent baby who did not deserve to be treated that way. The honest talk pushes Hans to consider if it's actually worth it.

In Arendelle Hans brothers' are there, not really caring about the possibility of their brother dying. Anna and Kristoff are uneasy working with them but knows that Hans is a potential threat, unaware that he is changing for the better.

After getting to the other end of the island they make it to a coastal village and stowaway to Arendelle (how ironic). Hans is terrified so Kirsten disguises him as a sailor. By luck they arrived during a time of a festival so Kirsten decides to take a breather. Hans teaches her how to dance and Anders and Sian push for them to be a couple much to Kirtsen's amusement.

After a day of jest Hans and Kirsten resume their quest and make it to the trolls. Grandfather Troll tell them about the hall of mirrors. The others trolls know that Hans is bullshitting with the disguise but Grandfather Troll senses that this is a necessary journey for Hans so they can't interfere.

The quartest go to an abandoned Cave (the mountains Elsa were in the first movie) which turns out to be the entrance to the Mage's house. That's where the ultimate test begins. Hans sees a reflection of himself at various points in his life, and the events that culminated in the monster he was in F1. Realizing he doesn't like what he sees Hans resolves to finally change his life and plans on telling his father the mirror is lost. Kirsten undergoes her own test as her "loner" mentality made her miserable and time with Hans made her regain her sense of trust and joy.

Confronting their past selves they pass the test. But Just as Kirsten is about to return the mirror, Hans' brothers show up (having tracked them down) and take Sian and Anders hostage. To save Kirsten's life he takes the mirror and asks his brother to put her under house arrest. Kirsten is upset and tells him off, which hurts Hans.

Back in the Southern Isles Hans gives his father the mirror. With the item now in his possession the king starts making plans to invade the other nations in the fjord. Hans is given a new rank but cannot enjoy it as he's guilty for lying to Kirsten even if it was to save her life. Knowing his family's true intentions Hans decides to go to the last person to ask for help; Queen Anna.

Hans surrenders himself to the Arendelle authorities and is brought before Anna. She's still angry over his actions. Hans pleads that this isn't about that anymore and he is ready to accept full responsibility. But his father is plotting to take over the entire realms, he has one of hus friends locked up, and he needs her and Elsa's help. Anna senses that the desperation is genuine and reluctantly helps him. She learns about Hans's special friend and skeptical over it.

Together with Honeymaren's tribe the heroes go to the Isles and confront the King. Hans sneaks to the tower and frees Kirsten. She punches him and about to do it again when Hans catches her and confesses he only said that to save her life. He has seen what kind of monster his father really is and no longer wants to put up with him. But first they need to stop him before he brings about a world war. Kirsten is relieved that Hans isn't lying, but she makes her grumpiness clear. During the fight they're arguing and accidentally let slip they like each other.

The heroes end up playing keep away with the mirror but the king gets it and about to turn Kirsten to stone. In an intentional callback to the scene in F1, Hans jumps in the way and gets turned to stone. The king is unsympathetic that he turned one of his own kids to stone. Suddenly Sian bites him causing the mirror to fly out of his hands. Kirsten catches it and smashes it.

The effects of the mirror ends. But Hans remains frozen. Heh. Touched by his sacrifice Kirsten weeps over his body. Then the ghost of the OG mage arrives, having witnessed Hans' sacrifice. Even though Kirsten's family stole the mirror, her determination to set things right and sacrificing her only chance at breaking the curse, made the Mage so impressed he takes pity on them. That, and Hans finally putting his life towards what's actually important.

Hans is restored and he and Kirsten embrace. Much to the shock of his family, Hans renounces his royal title and leaves for good. After the battle the nations in the region decide to cut the Southern Isles and arrest the King. The twelve brothers fight over the throne which eventually leads to the monarchy getting dissolved. Being replaced by a kinder more just Prime Minister.

While Anna and Hans' don't become friends they do become allies. Hans and Kirsten travels the world a bit more, focusing on helping people and Hans working to repair his reputation. Even meets her family (who live with Honeymaren's village). Shortly afterwards, Hans is working as an ice harvester and Kirsten is a writer and publishes stories based on her adventures.

An alternative version of the final battle is the king almost turns Hans into stone to punish him for his betrayal but Kirsten takes the blow instead. Hans realizes this is exactly what Elsa felt when Anna turned to stone. He fights his dad and gets the mirror and smashes it. He cries over Kirsten's, the act of true love cures her and the original owner of the mirror takes pity and heals her blah blah blah blah blah Yes it is cheesy. It's a fuckin disney princess movie let me have fun dammit!!

And later when Elsa sends a message that requires Arendelle, Hans and Kirsten decides to go as he wants to make it up to Elsa too.

The story essentially is removing the metaphorical shard in Hans' eye and leading him to experience the world on his own terms and not just what his family expects. You don't have to help the people who ruined your life and doesn't care about you; but also redemption takes a lot of time and work. You might not always be forgiven but the results are truly worth it. Also learn to consider someone else's need and help people without expecting a reward all the time.

[666melvin666]

MEET BOB

TW: Death of a baby dragon, Fighting

Bob's colossal wings beat rhythmically against the brisk ocean breeze as he soared through the skies. The endless expanse of the sea stretched beneath him, its waves crashing against each other in a symphony of untamed power. The world below was a tapestry of blues and grays, a breathtaking panorama that had captivated the hearts of sailors and poets for centuries.

Hours passed in a timeless dance between earth and sky, and finally, the distant horizon revealed the outlines of land. The distant kingdoms were shrouded in an aura of cold mystique, their landscapes blanketed in pristine white snow that glimmered like diamonds under the touch of the sun's fading light.

He hated the cold but for now it would make a suitable place for a nest.  With a graceful descent, Bob's massive form touched down on the icy terrain near the outskirts of Abekan. His landing sent snowflakes scattering in every direction, each delicate crystal reflecting the hues of the setting sun. The air was cold and crisp, a welcome change from the warm currents he had left behind over the ocean.

Bob's keen eyes roved over the snowy expanse, taking in the jagged mountain peaks, frozen forests, and tranquil lakes that characterized the kingdom. He could feel the ancient magic that was woven into the very fabric of this land, a magic that whispered tales of frost giants, enchanted creatures, and long-forgotten legends.

As he wandered through the wintry landscape, Bob's senses remained alert to his surroundings. The soft crunch of snow beneath his massive claws, the distant echoes of howling winds, and the faint shimmer of the Northern Lights painting patterns across the night sky – all of these sensations converged to create a symphony of natural beauty that resonated deep within his monstrous heart.

It was during one of his exploratory flights over the snow-capped mountains that he sensed a subtle shift in the air – a presence that was both familiar and unexpected. Bob's instincts guided him towards the source, and before long, he found himself face-to-face with a smaller ice dragon.

The ice dragon was a stunning creature, its scales shimmering with an ethereal luminescence that danced with the colors of the Northern Lights. Its eyes, a brilliant shade of icy blue, held a mixture of curiosity and caution as they met Bob's gaze.

The frigid air of the cold landscape was suddenly pierced by a blazing inferno as Bob, the seasoned red dragon, summoned the primal force of fire from within him. The flames roared and crackled, an embodiment of raw power that bathed the snowy landscape in a radiant, fiery light.

The young ice dragon's reaction was swift and instinctive. He let out a fierce growl, his eyes flashing with a mixture of defiance and fear. His breath crystallized in the air as he countered Bob's flames with his own elemental prowess, exhaling a freezing blast that attempted to repel the encroaching fire.

The clash between fire and ice was a sight to behold – an awe-inspiring dance of opposing forces that played out against the canvas of the wintry kingdom. The air itself seemed to tremble with the intensity of their confrontation, and the ground beneath them quivered as if bearing witness to their titanic struggle.

The young dragon's hisses and growls filled the air, an expression of his determination to defend his territory. His wings beat against the icy winds as he attempted to take flight, his powerful muscles propelling him into the air. Yet, the fiery assault was unrelenting, pushing him back and forcing him to remain grounded.

Bob's flames surged forward, a relentless tide that engulfed the young dragon's icy defenses. The crackling of the fire mingled with the hissing of the ice, creating a symphony of clashing elements that resonated through the kingdom. The young dragon's scales shimmered as they bore the brunt of the fire's onslaught, his body tense with the effort of repelling the searing heat.

But as the battle raged on, it became evident that the young ice dragon's efforts were waning. The relentless assault of Bob's flames began to erode his icy defenses, his resolve gradually giving way to the overwhelming power of the fire.

Realizing the inevitability of his situation, the young dragon's growls transformed into a mournful cry – a final, defiant lament that echoed through the frozen air. His wings flapped desperately, carrying him into the sky in a last attempt to escape the fiery onslaught.

Before the younger dragon could fully comprehend the situation, Bob was upon him, his massive form casting a shadow over the fallen creature. With a triumphant roar that echoed through the skies, Bob sank his teeth into the younger dragon's vulnerable neck. The grip was unyielding, driven by the raw power that came with age and experience. The young dragon thrashed and writhed beneath Bob's grasp, his claws scraping against the earth as he fought desperately to break free. The icy breath that had once been his weapon now held no sway against the relentless assault of the fiery jaws that clamped down on him. His struggles grew weaker with each passing moment, his energy draining rapidly.

The red dragon jaws tightened with an unyielding grip around the younger dragon's neck, a deafening crack shattered the air. The sound echoed through the frigid landscape, a grim symphony of finality that reverberated within the very bones of those who dared to witness the brutal clash.

Time seemed to slow as the young dragon's struggles ceased abruptly. His once defiant form went limp, his eyes losing their fiery spark as life ebbed away. The world itself appeared to hold its breath, as if in acknowledgment of the irrevocable shift that had occurred.

Slowly, as if releasing the breath, he had been holding, Bob's grip loosened, and the lifeless body of the fallen dragon slipped from his powerful jaws. It fell to the ground with a soft thud, surrounded by the pristine blanket of snow that had borne witness to their conflict. Just as the red dragon planned to dig into his meal a roar of agony tore from his throat, echoing across the frozen landscape as his wings flared out involuntarily. The dragon's fiery eyes shifted from the lifeless body of his fallen foe to the source of this unexpected assault.

And there she stood, a figure both diminutive and daring, her presence a stark contrast to the sheer magnitude of the dragon. Clad in furs and leather, the woman exuded a fierce determination that was as unwavering as the frigid winds that whipped around them. Short blond hair danced in the icy currents, framing her face like a halo of sunlight against the wintry backdrop.

Her stormy gaze met the dragon's, her expression a mix of defiance and resolve. With a poised yet swift movement, she drew another spear from her back, her actions a testament to her unyielding courage in the face of such a formidable adversary.

The dragon's instinctual rage flickered, caught in the crosscurrents of emotion. But then, as their eyes locked, something extraordinary happened. His fiery aura of anger and dominance seemed to waver and dissipate, replaced by a softer intensity that bordered on reverence. His massive form, once poised to strike, now tilted downward in a regal bow, an acknowledgment of her presence that transcended the brutal realities of their encounter.

Instead of retaliation, a low rumble of sound reverberated from the dragon's chest, a resonant purr that mingled with the icy winds. It was a gesture both unexpected and astonishing – a dragon's version of yielding, an offering of respect.

The woman, though initially taken aback by this unexpected change, held her ground. Her grip on the spear remained firm, her eyes narrowing as she studied the dragon's reaction. She had faced countless challenges in her harsh environment, but this encounter was unlike any she had ever experienced. “why did you kill HIM?? AWENSER ME!! HE WAS A PUP YOU FERAL BEAST!” The half orc practically screamed into the dragon’s enormous face. The dragon, Bob, fixated on the woman, his piercing gaze holding a mixture of surprise and intrigue. The sheer audacity of her words had sparked something within him, a curiosity that cut through the centuries of his existence. He had expected fear, submission, perhaps even further aggression, but not this – not a defiant demand for answers and an expression of grief for a fallen foe.

As her words echoed in the frigid air, a low growl resonated from deep within Bob's chest, a sound that held a myriad of emotions. He watched her, his immense form still, the air around them seeming to shimmer with an unspoken tension.

The woman's voice, filled with sorrow and anger, continued to pierce the silence. Her words were a challenge “Answer me at ONCE!!! I know you dragon´s are cruel but killing a pup of your own kind?! WHAT SAY YOU NOW??” The dragon's eyes bore into hers, and then, almost imperceptibly, he lowered his massive head, his gaze shifting from her to the lifeless body of the young ice dragon. There was a momentary stillness, a pause in the dance of their interaction.

And then, with a resonant exhale that billowed out as a cloud of steam, Bob spoke. His voice was a deep rumble, a sound that seemed to vibrate through the very ground beneath them. “It would have grown and become a danger to me...I needed to kill it before it could become a threat” The woman's expression remained unyielding, her eyes locked onto his. Bob's nostrils flared as he continued, his words a reflection of the age-old traditions that had shaped his existence.

“It was a pup! A youngling barely a year old! You should be ashamed of yourself!” she screamed in his face. Bob's massive form remained grounded, his attention shifting from the woman to the approaching guards. With each powerful step, the guards closed the distance, their expressions a mix of concern and urgency. Bob's keen senses picked up the distinct scent of the dog-like odor emanating from one of them, a scent that spoke of familiarity, perhaps even camaraderie.

As the guards reached the scene, John's voice rang out, a mixture of warning and worry. "Patty, back away!"

The woman, Patty, turned her gaze briefly towards the guards, her expression still marked by a combination of grief and defiance. Her eyes met Bob's once more, a silent exchange that conveyed a shared understanding of the unfolding situation.

The dragon's nostrils flared as he regarded the guards, his posture neither aggressive nor submissive. His stance was a display of neutral vigilance, a readiness to respond if necessary but also a willingness to engage in a dialogue.

"Easy, big fella," Jack's voice was calm, a soothing attempt to defuse the tension that lingered in the air. He extended a hand towards Bob, a gesture of non-threatening intent.

John, the guard with the dog-like scent, remained cautious, his eyes fixed on the dragon as he positioned himself protectively in front of Patty.

"We don't want any trouble," John's voice carried a firmness that belied his smaller stature. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, a silent reminder that he was prepared to defend those under his charge.

Bob regarded the guards, his instincts attuned to the nuances of their words and actions. And so, with a final, lingering look, the dragon turned his gaze skyward, his wings unfolding as he prepared to take flight once more. The guards watched in a mixture of awe and trepidation as the magnificent creature ascended into the heavens, his form becoming a speck against the vast expanse.

As Bob disappeared into the distance, a sense of wonder and uncertainty hung in the air, a reminder of the fleeting encounter that had bridged the divide between human and dragon. John's eyes widened in a mix of shock and concern as he hurried towards Patty, his heart pounding with worry. He reached out instinctively, his calloused fingers gently grasping her shoulders.

"Oh god, are you okay?" His voice was a mixture of relief and exasperation, his gaze sweeping over her form, searching for any signs of injury. The intensity of the situation was etched on his features, his brow furrowed with a combination of fear and frustration.

"Patty, that was a dragon! Are you insane!?!?" His words were a mixture of incredulity and disbelief, his tone a blend of genuine concern and a touch of scolding. He couldn't fathom how she had managed to confront such a formidable creature, and his mind raced with a thousand scenarios of what could have gone wrong.

Patty's gaze met John's, her own eyes reflecting a stubborn determination that matched the fire that blazed within her. She offered a faint, wry smile, the corners of her lips curling upward despite the gravity of the situation.

"I'm fine, John," her voice held a mixture of exhaustion and triumph, a testament to the complex emotions that had driven her to face the dragon head-on. "It was a calculated risk."

John's expression shifted from exasperation to a grudging admiration as he assessed Patty's resolute demeanor. He released a sigh, a mixture of relief and resignation, realizing that Patty's daring spirit was unlikely to be tamed. "Calculated or not, Patty, you scared the living daylights out of me” John scolded harshly.

[allisonreader]

The second last chapter just about leaves me in tears. But the last chapter just leaves my heart full. And that is the end of my reread of Hard Enough Left. I wish there was more that I could say. I'm glad there's still other one shots and short arcs to read, but this story here, has meant so much to me over the last fews years. Ever since it was first being posted, to it's last chapter, to my numerous times that I've reread it. Both with this story and Life's Highway, I've gained a wonderful friend who is very dear to my heart, though we've still never had the chance to meet in person. I hope that you see this series of reblogs as a love letter to your story. I'm so very grateful for having been there right along side you, with every early peek and discussing character names and my love of your original characters, like Joe Moore, Emily Piston, and Ruth Hudson. Thank you for sharing them and letting me borrow them for my own story purposes. And clearly this story makes me extremely sentimental.

My last large art piece. This thing has 40+ hours behind it and just gets buried in the void. 😢