#teach girls bravery not perfection

[itsnothingbutluck]

Reshma Saujani - Teach girls bravery not perfection We're raising our girls to be perfect, and we're raising our boys to be brave, says Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code. Saujani has taken up the charge to socialize young girls to take risks and learn to program -- two skills they need to move society forward. To truly innovate, we cannot leave behind half of our population, she says. "I need each of you to tell every young woman you know to be comfortable with imperfection."

[hcneymooners]

⋆ thinking about model!cait & model!reader.

ꕮ you and model!caitlyn find one another unexpectedly, your friendship a perfect firework across an otherwise tedious skyline of existence. she has a strong reputation comprised of a perfect work ethic, but a "bitter aftertaste" of a personality. the coworker who says this is notorious for being vicious, so you smile palely and take the assessment with a grain of salt.

ꕮ model!caitlyn whom you first meet backstage at an indie designer's debut show, whom you keep running into backstage. she's softer than you expected with her deep blue hair tugged up into a topknot, balancing like an artist on a tightrope. her cheeks are dusted with a metallic blush that shimmers weakly every time her cheeks bunch and loosen, the movement repeated as she chews on an apple.

ꕮ model!cait who is the last to go on most of the time, as are you, so you watch as she keeps to herself amid fashion week and is the first one out at the end of every show. it's the same cycle of working up the courage to speak to her, to show her that you aren't whispering along with the rest of the girls sitting beside you, but your little streaks of bravery are blotted out by the hot lights of your twin vanities and there's nothing left by the time she calls her car.

ꕮ you finally see her at the right time, finally send her a tight smile that you meant to be fuller with a little wave. she's at the mouth of the door, head bent back as the movement coordinator orders her to be earlier tomorrow for rehearsals because she's opening this time. she's surprised at the soft spread of your teeth towards her, and reflexively she smiles back. congratulations, you tell her and your voice is strong. thank you, she says.

ꕮ and you think that's the end of things but then you get stuck in the open half of a prop plane with her. the set is an elaborate platform to showcase the newest alice+olivia spring-summer collection. the two of you swing like a pendulum across the floor, tumbling into one another. her body is lanky, almost awkward, and she smells deeply of iris, lime, and rose.

ꕮ "you smell good," you whisper with a hand on your stomach because you think you might throw up. she smiles, surprised, and you understand exactly why they scouted her.

ꕮ after that, your relationship grows almost lazily like ivy. you run into her everywhere: the grocery store, the members club right across your townhouse, the museum where you went to see the quilt exhibit. one day you just take her hand and interlink it with yours, promising her a delicious bowl of pho and saying that you'll teach her to haggle prices at the little market you're going to after this—the one owned by the khti with kind eyes.

ꕮ she follows you, lets you swallow her, and basks in the solidarity of finding someone who doesn't hate her for once. you find out more: that she's a nepotism baby (her mother is a top designer), that she dislikes a lot of who she walks for but doesn't think she deserves to complain, that she majored in philosophy and military history at university but dropped out in her junior year, that she's been thinking of going back. "go back," you tell her with a soft smile. "i'll go with you."

ꕮ you go back to school together: her to finish her bachelor's, you to get your master's.

ꕮ when you're off-duty, she calls you. it's always at the same time—she's very structured, you notice—which means you always find yourself rushing through the rooms of your home, trying to find where you last tossed your phone.

ꕮ it's 2007 then, so it's a thin slab the color of ice with the logo of the most prominent tech company at the moment. you're always worried you're going to drop it, that you'll lose her, so you memorize her number to call her from a pay phone when you're somewhere different in the world.

ꕮ on call, she tells you about the first time she walked paris fashion week, how her hands wouldn't stop shaking even after she'd made it back behind the curtain. you share your own story of tripping during milan, catching yourself at the last second while your heart drummed against your ribs.

ꕮ "i was there," she tells you, laughing gently. the words cut out a bit as she moves around, and without thinking, you speak to the ache in your chest and say, "i wish you were here."

ꕮ backstage becomes your sanctuary together. you learn to recognize the slope of her shoulders when a designer has been particularly cruel, and she learns exactly how you like your tea when you're running on your fourth show of the day. "chamomile, splash of honey," she murmurs, pressing the warm cup into your hands. her fingers linger against yours longer than necessary.

ꕮ you rest your head on top of her jutting shoulder, eyes fluttering closed as she adjusts the alligator clips in your hair so that you're more comfortable, switching out your perm papers for new ones so the stylists won't yell about the crinkles.

ꕮ there have been many times when you've sobbed into her lap or she into yours, bodies run ragged after doing 10-20 shows in a day or two. it's never too much work to soothe her or for her to coo at you, quieting you until you fitfully fall asleep.

ꕮ you start sharing hotel rooms to save money, but really it's because neither of you can stand the loneliness anymore. you always share a hotel room now with two beds, just for you to wrap around her in only one. these are the best times of travel: caitlyn in her cotton hollister boy shorts and her long-sleeved soccer camp tee, hair lumped into a loose knot at her neck as her chest rises and falls gently with her breath.

ꕮ you huddle closer every night, late at night. you order room service and critique the collections together. she has strong opinions about necklines, and you can spend hours discussing the politics of sizing.

ꕮ sometimes you fall asleep mid-conversation and wake to find her having tucked you in.

ꕮ the industry starts to notice your friendship. "the ice queen has finally thawed," they whisper, and you hate how they talk about her like she's a puzzle to be solved rather than a person. but she just squeezes your hand under the table at fashion week parties and whispers, "let them talk." you realize you'd let them say anything as long as she keeps holding your hand.

ꕮ your first kiss happens in taipei. you're both half-delirious from lack of sleep, sharing a pepper bun in the early morning before shows begin. she has a dot of sauce on her lower lip, and you reach out without thinking, thumb brushing it away and coming to your mouth so that you can suck it clean.

ꕮ "oh," she says softly, and then you're colliding, kissing desperately and tenderly among the crumbs and cups of cucumber water, dawn breaking over the city of azaleas. she breaks away because she can't stop smiling and you can't either, and her hair looks like blue fire in the sunlight. you kiss her again because you can and drag her by the hand down the street, your water sloshing as you try to make it to the show on time.

ꕮ together, you start to imagine a life beyond the runway. she talks about teaching military history to undergraduates, her eyes lighting up as she describes battle strategies and political maneuvering. you sketch out plans for your own vintage styling firm, something small and carefully curated with a tight clientele.

ꕮ "we could do both," she says, and you love how she always includes you in her future.

ꕮ life begins to slow down without either of you meaning for it to. it's subtle at first: you start saying no to castings that don't excite you, and caitlyn realizes she hasn't done a full fashion week in nearly a year.

ꕮ you find yourselves going to the same places more often—your favorite cafe, the record store that still carries CDs, the bookstore where cait always beelines for the history section while you browse vintage magazines.   

ꕮ caitlyn buys a dog before you do—a retired racing greyhound named laguna with eyes too soft for the world. you tease her about how predictable it is, how of course she'd choose a creature as long-limbed and elegant as her. but then you find a pocket bully in a shelter with a wiry coat and the sweetest underbite you've ever seen, and suddenly you have two. your inbox fills with emails from brands who want to feature them instead of you.  

ꕮ there's a video of you and caitlyn sitting on a blanket in central park, sharing a bagel slathered thick with avocado while your dogs sprawl between you. someone posts it on youtube with the title supermodels—THEY'RE JUST LIKE US and suddenly laguna and your little bully (you named her venice) have their own fanbase.

ꕮ people start recognizing you not for the runways, but for the dogs. “cait, i think we’ve peaked," you joke, showing cait a feature in a fashion mag about “all the best supermodels have turned dog moms.”   

ꕮ one day, cait tells you she’s serious about completing her phd. "i think i’m ready," she says, her fingers twisting the hem of your sweatshirt. you kiss her forehead and tell her you've been looking at spaces for your styling firm. "i think i'm ready too."  

ꕮ leaving modeling feels like shedding skin. at first, you both keep a toe in—an editorial here, a campaign there—but eventually, the industry moves on without you, and neither of you mind. 

ꕮ the mornings are slower now, filled with newspaper crossword puzzles and late brunches. your lives feel like the belong more to you than before. sometimes you still wake up expecting to rush to a casting, but then laguna whines at the door, and venice jumps onto the bed, and you remember you don't have to be anywhere except beside her.  

ꕮ you start teaching styling workshops, curating looks for indie films, slowly building your firm from the ground up. caitlyn, true to her word, finishes her degree and starts lecturing. she still paces when she talks, still moves like she’s walking the length of a runway, but now it’s in front of a room full of students who hang onto every word she says about ancient war tactics. 

ꕮ you don’t understand any of it, but still you’re proud of her. you sneak into her lectures with a ball cap that does nothing to disguise you, a polaroid camera in your hands as you take pictures of her for the keepsake box underneath your bed.

ꕮ your home becomes filled with old fashion week spreads pinned open like faded butterflies, shelves lined with history books, and a basket of dog toys that always end up in the middle of the floor. life is lovely. not perfect, but good nonetheless.

ꕮ and then one day, years later, you're walking through a square—maybe in new york, maybe in london—when you look up and see her face on a billboard. it’s an old campaign, maybe one of the last ones she did, and the sight of her, frozen in time, steals the breath from your lungs.   

ꕮ you call her.  

ꕮ "hey, baby,” you say when she picks up. "i just saw you on a billboard."  

ꕮ there's a beat of silence, then her voice, warm and teasing. “wasn’t expecting to hear that bit of news. tell me, was i beautiful all blown up and life-sized?”  

ꕮ you smile, tilting your face toward the sky. "yes. but they don’t know how much more beautiful you are in person."

© hcneymooners.

⚚ notes: for @marieeeluvsyou & @srooch.

[system-to-the-madness]

Nightmare - Zuko x Reader

Pairing: Zuko x fem!Reader Word Count: 2 024 (hehe) Warnings: fighting, mentions of death, nightmare about injury and abuse, use of (y/n) Summary: After your fight you avoid Zuko, who tries to apologise. But even with your rejection he is by your side as you suffer from a nightmare. A/N: Can be read as a oneshot; Part Nine of the series Perfect (10 times Zuko thought you were perfect and the first time he told you);

It had been more than a full day since Zuko had last talked to you. It had taken the others only a few minutes after your return to the camp to realize you had fought with Zuko, and much to Zuko’s surprise and relief it was not an angry Katara that came to freeze him into an ice block for hurting you, but instead it was Sokka, trying to find out what had happened. Zuko was relieved that Sokka didn’t accuse him of anything and instead listened carefully to Zuko’s side of the story, before he patted his back reassuringly.

“She’ll come around, man,” Sokka told him. “She’s probably just upset because the conversation brought up memories of her dead brother. She’s not mad at you.”

“No, I think she is,” Zuko admitted, but Sokka wouldn’t have any of it and instead encouraged Zuko to spend the rest of the day by teaching Aang more Fire Bending.

That had been yesterday afternoon. Now it was already late at night, and over twenty-four hours since Zuko had last seen you. He knew you had been out of your tent, because Toph told him you went into town with her, but she refused to tell him whether you had mentioned him, and you had been clever enough to evade him as well.

So, there was only one way to solve this. Since you had not answered any of the times he had tried knocking on your door – well, tent – he had decided he needed to sit things out. Literally. And that was how he found himself curled into a thin blanket sitting outside your tent, waiting for you to come out.

Xiang had passed him a few times, and he had heard her trying to convince you to talk to him (he had had no influence on the matter, he knew things would only get worse if he tried to drag your sister into all of this), but you had only rejected her encouragement. The only good thing that all of this had, he supposed, was that it seemed like Xiang had taken somewhat of a liking to him. But that probably would only last so long until she decided she needed to side with you in the matter.

The last time the little girl had passed him, it had been to go to her own tent. It had been her own decision, as far as Zuko knew, to sleep all on her own tonight, and Zuko couldn’t help but admire her bravery. After all she had lived through, the imprisonment and torture, she did not fear the dark of her tent, not even on her own.

Now Xiang’s tent was the only one that emitted a slight glow from the glow stone Toph had given her, while all the other tents were quiet and dark. Zuko stared up into the stary sky above him and wondered what you were thinking about. Were you asleep already, or still mad at him? What could he say, do, to make you less mad? Could he give you another seashell? He still had the one he had first found for you after you had given it to him for safekeeping. Should he find more of the same kind and make you a wristband? Or a necklace? Girls liked pretty jewellery, right? Maybe he could give the shells to a goldsmith and have a real necklace made? Or he could try to cook something for you? Maybe something with fresh vegetables from the market?

Before his with sleep hazy brain could come up with any other ideas, a quiet whimper sounded from your tent, making him perk up. For a moment it was quiet, and he almost would have relaxed back against the stone he had been leaning against, when he heard it again. A whimper, as if you were crying. Carefully he sat up, listening more closely. The next time it was more like a sob, accompanied by unintelligible whispering.

That was it, Zuko decided. He needed to see if you were alright. On his knees he crawled over to the entrance of your door and hit his flat palm against the heavy fabric, creating a strange slapping sound.

“Hey, (y/n), it’s me, Zuko, are you okay?”

Instead of a proper answer he just got another sob, and the repeated mumbling of ‘no, no, no’.

“Can I come in? I’m worried about you,” he called again, but when there was no answer, only another sob, he took a deep breath and pushed the fabric over the entrance away.

As he had feared, you were curled in on yourself, entangled on your blanket with tears streaming down your face. But your eyes were closed.

“Don’t hurt- don’t hurt-” you mumbled, slightly shaking your head.

“Hey, hey,” carefully Zuko crawled into the tent, sitting down at your feet and reached up to shake you awake. “You’re having a nightmare, come on, wake up. You’re all safe.”

“Don’t hurt him,” you mumbled, refusing to wake up, making Zuko wonder who he was. Were you having a nightmare about Aang facing off against the Fire Lord? Or about your brother?

“Whatever it is,” Zuko told you, “You need to wake up. It’s just a dream, can you hear me? It’s just a dream.”

“No, no,” your voice gradually grew louder. “Don’t- don’t!”

With a jolt you sat up, frantically tearing at the blanket you had entangled yourself in, as another sob slipped past your lips.

“No, no, no, please no,” you kept mumbling, making Zuko worry more and more by the moment.

“Hey, hey, calm down,” he slowly reached out to you. “It’s okay, you’re awake now.”

Immediately you froze, your widened eyes finding his in the dark.

“Zuko?”

“Yes, it’s me. I’m sorry for coming in here but I heard you crying and-”

He didn’t get to finish his explanation, because a moment later you had thrown your arms around his neck and were crying into his shoulder.

“You’re okay,” you sobbed, “you’re okay.”

“Yes, of course, I am,” Zuko chuckled, carefully pulling you closer again his chest. You were as hot as a furnace. “Why wouldn’t I be.”

“He was shooting lightning at you,” you cried quietly. “Your father. He wanted to kill you.”

Zuko froze. You hadn’t been dreaming about Aang, or your brother. You had been dreaming about him?

“That’s not going to happen,” Zuko promised you, holding you a little tighter. “He’s not going to hurt me. Or you. We’re safe, alright? You’re safe.”

“I’m not worried about me, you idiot,” you sobbed, pushing away from his shoulder. Your eyes were puffy and red from crying. But you were still beautiful. Zuko doubted that there was a moment in which you wouldn’t be beautiful to him. “I’m worried about you!”

“Well,” awkwardly Zuko pulled away from the embrace. You were practically sitting in his lap, which made things more difficult. “I’m safe, too. So… try to go back to sleep, okay? Things won’t seem as bad in the morning.”

“Will you stay with me?”

Through tears you blinked up at him, and for a moment Zuko thought, time had stopped as your question was processing in his mind. You wanted him to stay with you? Until when? Until you had calmed down? Until you had fallen asleep? Honestly, it really didn’t matter, because he would never deny you such a request. Even if he had wanted to (he didn’t), the way you sat in his lap, leaning just far enough back to be able to look at him, rendered any rational thought useless.

“Of course,” Zuko heard himself say, his mouth faster than his thoughts screaming with nervous excitement in his head.

His reply seemed satisfying enough to you, because slowly and uncoordinatedly you crawled out of his lap, flopping your head down on the small pillow. For a moment Zuko sat unmoving, wondering what he should do now? Just sit at your foot end? Sit down next to you? Lay down beside you?

Maybe yesterday morning he would have laid down without hesitation, but he wasn’t sure if you were still mad at him for not telling you about his connection to the 41rst, and it hardly seemed like the right time to ask.

That’s when he noticed that your blanket was pushed haphazardly around your ankles where you had freed your arms earlier from the tangles. Shifting onto his knees, he grabbed the upper edge of the blanket and crawled beside you, carefully covering you with the thin fabric. He was gingerly avoiding your eyes, which he felt following his face in the dark, instead focusing on making sure your body was completely covered.

Suddenly, and without warning, you sat up, wrapping your arms around his neck. Your warm breath fanned over his neck, making the little hair in his nape tingle, and the bare skin of your arms was soft against his.

“Thank you,” you whispered, and Zuko was almost worried you’d start crying again. “Can we just… stay like this for a while?”

“Uhm,” Zuko shifted uncomfortably where he was leaning over you on his knees. “Let me-”

Shifting his weight to the side, he carefully laid down beside you. When he looked up, he found your face was right in front of his. When had you gotten this close? It made his heart beat faster, and he was glad for the lack of lighting otherwise you would have certainly mocked him for how red his face was glowing.

“Can I…” your question trailed off, but even if Zuko hadn’t suspected you wanted to hug him tighter, he would have agreed to anything in this moment.

He nodded, his non-verbal answer more an acoustic sign to you in the dark where his head moved over the pillow, and a moment later you had already scooted closer to him. You were still warm, warm and so alive, he realized as he intuitively wrapped his arms around you to pull you closer. He could feel each of your in- and exhales, and if he paid close attention, he could even feel the beating of your heart against his chest. Your body moulded against his, as if they had been made to be fitted together like this, legs intertwined, arms wrapped around each other, holding tightly. Zuko was not sure whether he held you so tight to comfort you or to assure himself of your presence. Whatever the reason was, you didn’t seem to mind being held like this. It felt like the two of you were an island of warmth in the cool night, just holding and feeling each other, silently regretting any word and action that had ever driven you apart and secretly praying the other would forgive you and let you hold each other just a little longer.

“Zuko?”

Your voice was heavy with sleep as it broke through the silence. Zuko only hummed to signal you he was listening.

“I’m sorry about getting mad at you yesterday.”

“Don’t be,” Zuko answered, his voice so quiet that it wasn’t even a whisper. “I should have told you sooner.”

“Maybe. I don’t know,” you sighed, shifting slightly in his arms and nuzzling your face into his neck. “I just… I don’t want to fight with you. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want to fight either. I’m sorry, too.”

For a moment silence fell over you, and Zuko wondered how you could be so perfect; so warm and soft in his arms, so cozy against his chest, making him forget anything that wasn’t you, and so understanding, so forgiving for all his many mistakes. He had to do better in the future, to earn the forgiveness, to not give you new reasons why you would have to forgive him.

“Does this mean we’re good,” Zuko asked into the silence of the night, but it was only met with more silence, as your arms slowly lost their tension around his waist and your breaths evened out from having fallen asleep. And it didn’t take Zuko long to fall asleep as well, his dreams filled with nothing but you.

A/N: I know I said this series would be finished by Christmas and that we’re way past that. Tbh I’ve have a not so good time. I’m more often at the doctor’s than in class (therapy, physiotherapy actuall doctor’s appointments…) and have been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder in December, which basically put my life upside down in a way. I know, there are worse things that can happen, especially because in my case it’s easily treatable in our current society, but it’s a lot of change and all these information mess with my head. I have queued the last two chapters, for next Friday and the one after that, so please look forward to these stories. (This phrasing sounds off… I think I might have used Japanese wording for this but in English. That’s where my head is at, I don’t know any language anymore.)

Taglist:

@ghoststookourlifes

@ashcal99

@4acoffee

@pxrplewalnxt

@toomuchboredd

@banished--prince

@oddobsessionbutotay

@makik0

@joysflower

@hamdehlesmis

@mitski9328373

@angstylittleb1tch

@lovecalll

@sy1v30n

@sagemastah

@buzzbuzzlilbee

@theladyofmanyfandomsofficial

@luvkvni

@atiny-99

@girlkissersco

@holybatflapexpert

@btssaysstudy

@tomiokasgwife (you didn't ask to be tagged, but i thought you might be interested in reding the next chapter)

[burningembers91]

All of You - Park Min-Su x Fem!Reader (NSFW)

Follow up piece to:

The Secretary Lunch Date Awards Night Overtime The Taste of You

Synopsis: Desperate to show you that he loves you, Park Min-Su showers you in gifts. But the only thing you really want is him

Park Min-Su was head over in heels in love. Ever since that night in your apartment, he felt like he was walking on air. You were perfection personified, everything about you a dream come true. He walked a little taller, his head held a little higher, content in the knowledge that you wanted him, and he wanted you.

His father had him working almost relentlessly in the office to prepare for a meeting, and it meant Min-Su hadn’t had much time to see you outside of work. He had to make do with stolen kisses in his office, your floral perfume enveloping him as you draped yourself over his lap while he sat in his office chair. He was so in love with you, so in awe of you, but he had no idea how to express the way he felt.

His parent’s marriage was one based on convenience rather than mutual affection. His mother’s family were rich and influential, and it was a marriage based on strengthening their empires. Min-Su was sure he’d never seen a flicker of affection pass between his parents, and he often wondered how they’d stood each other’s company for long enough to make him. There were no words of affection, no looks of love or sweet kisses between them. They stayed as far away from each other as possible, interacting only when entirely necessary. Min-Su didn’t know how to express his feelings towards you, so chose to shower you with gifts.

Every day something would arrive at the office for you: flowers, jewellery, a pair of shoes made by a brand he knew you liked. Each gift was more extravagant than the last, and he never got tired of seeing the look on your face when you opened them. “You don’t need to do all this,” you smiled, unwrapping a custom-made perfume he’d designed especially. “But I want to,” Min-Su insisted. “You’re worth it.” You could see he was trying, but what you really wanted was to spend more time with him. You’d barely had five minutes to yourselves in the last few weeks, and you were craving more of him. Ever since that night in your apartment, he hadn’t left your head. Min-Su treated you better than anyone ever had, and you found yourself desperate for more. You were finding it hard to admit that your feelings for him were more than physical, so used to being used and then thrown away when you no longer served a purpose. You couldn’t help but wonder whether Min-Su was using you, using you to teach him things before he moved on to a new girl. But deep down you knew he wasn’t like that; he was different from anyone you’d been with before.

“What would you like instead?” he asked, desperate to know what it was that he could do to please you. “Just spend time with me,” you smiled, spritzing some of the vanilla and tonka scented spray on your neck. The smell was heavenly; he’d somehow managed to capture your essence in a single scent and it matched you perfectly. “Tonight,” he said, almost begged. “Tonight. Let’s do something. Whatever you want.”

“Take me for dinner,” you told him, “and then I want you to take me back to my apartment, and I want you to fuck me.”

Min-Su groaned as you said the words, pulling you down onto his lap. He’d thought of nothing but making love to you, of hearing you moan for him again. His lips met yours, his hands trailing up your waist and across the soft contours of your breasts. He was getting more confident with you, taking charge a little more. You loved it when he kissed you, his hands softly gripping the nape of your neck so he could tilt your head back. Around you, the Min-Su who was scared of his own shadow was gone, replaced by a confident man who knew what he wanted. You only wished that bravery extended to his family and colleagues, but Min-Su hadn’t made it that far yet.

That night, he pulled out all the stops, taking you to the best sushi place in Seoul, ordering the most expensive champagne and cocktails. He wanted to tell you how he felt so many times, but he could never seem to find the right words. He’d never had anyone tell him they loved him before, and he’d never said the words either. Up until you, he had been sure love was something made up. But you made his stomach flip, his heart sing and whenever he was with you, everything just seemed to make sense. You looked especially beautiful tonight, the soft glow of the lighting above the table illuminating your features. Min-Su couldn’t wait to get you home, couldn’t wait to finally know what it would feel like to have all of you.

You walked back to your apartment, the city streets buzzing with the busy Friday night crowds. You were so wrapped up in each other, you barely noticed the sea of people around you. Min-Su clasped your hand in his, wondering how he’d gone so long without you. He couldn’t understand how his parents stayed together when they didn’t feel anything for each other. What he felt for you was so strong, so raw, and he couldn’t fathom the fact that his parents didn’t have that. You were everything he’d ever wanted, and he hoped you felt the same.

Arriving back at your apartment, Min-Su felt that all too familiar pang of nerves as you opened the door. He wanted to please you, to make you feel good, and there was always a little voice in the back of his head telling him he might get it wrong. He helped you take your coat off, hanging it on the hook by your door. It never ceased to amaze you how caring he was, how he looked after you in the smallest of ways. “Come here,” he whispered, pulling you into him, his fingers gently brushing up the soft skin of your arms. He kissed you, relishing in the little moans of affection that fell from your lips. “I want you,” you breathed, your fingers fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. You’d started this relationship being the one in charge, but tonight you felt entirely at his mercy. His hand cupped your chin, his lips trailing over your cheeks and jaw. He’d learned so much from you already, and tonight he wanted to put it into practice.

Leading him to your bedroom, you sat down on the soft mattress, taking in Min-Su’s toned torso that peaked through the opening in his shirt. Your hand reached up to take his, gently pulling him down next to you. You could feel him shaking, could hear his breath hitch as his hand brushed against your thigh. “Take off your dress,” he told you, savouring the moan that fell from your lips at his order. You liked this bossier side of him, enjoyed seeing him taking the reins for once. You did as you were told, standing up and letting the soft, silky fabric fall to the floor.

Min-Su would never get enough of your body, your soft curves sheer perfection. He pulled you down onto his lap, tracing the outline of your breasts with the pads of his fingers. He pinched your sensitive nipple in between his thumb and forefinger, smiling as you moaned again for him. He liked having you needy for him, enjoyed using his hands to make you feel good. He could feel how wet you wet, the fabric of your underwear damp with your arousal. As much as he wanted to tease you tonight, he needed you, needed all of you and he couldn’t wait anymore.

His lips met yours, hungry and desperate as he unzipped his jeans. You pulled his shirt from his shoulders, his lithe, taut body warm against yours. Lying back for him, you spread your legs, and for a moment, Min-Su saw stars. “We can take it slow,” you smiled, mistaking his adoration of you for nervousness. “I don’t want to take it slow,” he whispered, “I want to show you how much I love you.”

You stared up at him, shock etched on your face. No one had ever said that to you before, no one had ever cared about you the way Min-Su had. “I love you,” he whispered again, his hands trailing down across your spread thighs. His thumb pressed gently onto your clit, your moan the sweetest sound as he whispered those three words to you again. Now that he’d told you how he felt, Min-Su would make sure he whispered those words to you every day. “I love you too,” you smiled, pulling his body down on top of you. You helped guide him inside of you, the guttural groan he made as he entered you lighting the fire deep within your belly.

You moved slowly together, Min-Su clinging to you as he got lost in the sensation. You were so tight, so warm, your walls clenching him so deliciously he forgot to breathe. Your legs wrapped around his waist, pushing him further inside of you as he cried out at the overwhelming sensation. He knew he wouldn’t last long, not when you felt this good. “Min-Su,” you whispered his name, knowing it drove him crazy. “You feel so good. Harder, I need it harder.”

He planted his hands either side of your head, thrusting fast and deep into you. You cried out, your moans his undoing. He told you that he loved you as he came, painting your tight, wet walls with every last drop of himself. “Stay with me?” you asked him as he collapsed next to you, waiting for your breathing to return to normal. “Always,” he whispered, his face buried in the crook of your neck.

He made love to you over and over again that night, drawing your pleasure out until you begged for a release. You’d given him so much over the last few months, and now it was Min-Su’s time to return the favour. He would make sure you never wanted for anything, would ensure that every day you knew how much he cared for you. He refused to be like his parents, to simply exist alongside someone.

You were the only thing that mattered to him now; not his job, or the company, or the life his father wanted him to lead. Somehow, he had to find the courage to start living for himself, to make a life for the two of you. He wasn’t sure how he’d find the guts to stand up to a man he’d feared his entire life, but he needed to start being brave.

If he wanted to make a life with you, he had to break the chains he’d father had placed him in and start building something new with you.

[byulyi]

Bravery

Agatha All Along Week: Day 4 - Professors/Teachers

Summary: Rio and Agatha teach third grade at the same elementary school. Rio doesn't hide that she's infatuated with her but Agatha prefers to keep Rio at a distance and pushes her away with biting remarks. Eventually, the children notice that there's something between them and try to help Rio with getting through to Agatha. Rating: General Audiences Pairing: Agatha Harkness & Rio Vidal

@agathaallalongweek

It took one look into the smug face of Rio Vidal for Agatha to drop into the foulest mood. She was annoying, pushy and possibly the worst case of inflated ego she had to witness in her fifty years on this planet.

That wasn’t half of it though.

For whatever wretched reason Rio had made it her mission to flirt with Agatha every single time she tried to mind her own business. There was barely a day where she left her alone and it was irritating her.

“You are standing in my way,” Agatha said as she tried to get to the copier. Rio was standing there like she was glued to the spot, reading over whatever she was holding in her hands.

“Make me move then,” Rio rasped back when she turned her head to look at her.

“You are aware that your behavior is bordering on sexual harassment, right?”

With a gasp Rio put a hand on her chest and stepped aside. “Shame on you for thinking like that.”

They were elementary school teachers, both responsible for a third grade. This meant, much to Agatha’s dismay, that she had to work closer with Rio than she did with other colleagues. The school wasn’t big either so there were only two third grades.

In front of the children Agatha remained mostly polite but they had understood long ago that their teacher wasn’t happy when they would sing praises about Ms. Vidal who was, undoubtedly, the superstar of the school. She was always bringing in fun new activities into the sometimes-dull routine of school, taught a lot of practical things and was the only teacher allowed to tend to the school garden where her and her students grew flowers, vegetables and herbs.

“If she wanted to be a gardener she could have done that instead,” Agatha often hissed through gritted teeth, mostly when anyone said a kind word about Rio.

Yes, she was actually impressed by her set of skills and yes, she admired her creativity and the way she connected work and play for the children. Their grades were at a good level and when one of them stepped out of line Rio would reel them back in with a firm kindness.

She was all in all the perfect teacher and Rio knew that perfectly well.

Lately their students had started to snicker and exchanged hushed words whenever Agatha and Rio were in the same room or just out watching over them during recess, like today. Agatha always kept a decisive distance between herself and the other teacher, moving three steps away when Rio took one step closer.

“Ms. Vidal looks really pretty today,” one of the girls says after approaching Agatha. “Isn’t that right Ms. Harkness?” She points at the woman in question who was playing soccer with a few children and apparently having the time of her life. If Agatha focused she could hear her laughter – light and authentic, but Agatha didn’t focus on it. Not at all.

“I… I guess? Why are you asking me this?”

“Because you always look at her the way my dad looks at my mom before he tells her that she’s pretty.”

Agatha barely manages to keep her jaw from dropping. “Go play with your friends,” is all she says and the girl shrugs and skips away, making her way towards the playground.

The next day Agatha sits in the shade of one of the large trees in the school yard, paying only half-hearted attention to the playing children. From the corner of her eyes, she sees one of the boys from Rio’s class advancing, holding a small bouquet of beautiful yellow flowers in his hands.

“These are for you, Ms. Harkness,” he says and hands them to Agatha who can’t help but smile wide.

“Oh, they are really pretty. Thank you, Dean!”

Dean however shakes his head. “They are not from me.”

“They’re not?”

He shakes his head again and for a moment he seems to consider telling her more but then Rio Vidal of all people shows up out of nowhere and sits down next to Agatha.

He looks at Rio and turns before running away.

“Aw, you got a little admirer, hm?” Rio teases.

“He said the flowers aren’t from him,” Agatha replies.

“Huh? That’s interesting.” Rio looks at the flowers in thought for a moment before she shrugs. “Put them into some water with a bit sugar and lemon juice. Helps with keeping them fresh.”

When she walks away Agatha notices the yellow flower tucked behind Rio’s ear. Her eyebrows furrow in thought before realization hits her. She blushes and not from anger.

When Rio drops by her classroom later that day to give her some books for class the flowers sit neatly arranged on her desk. Neither of them comments on it.

A few days later Rio and Agatha have a reading hour with both of their classes. They let the kids take a break in between and Agatha is busying herself with writing down some notes for a different class when one of her best students comes up to her.

“Need anything?” She asks the girl.

“Ms. Harkness, do you have a boyfriend?”

Agatha was used to these questions. Children were curious about their teachers and she didn’t mind. “No, Dina.”

“A girlfriend?”

“Also no.”

Dina nods in thought. “Ms. Vidal doesn’t have a girlfriend or boyfriend either.”

“Well, sometimes people don’t want to have a girlfriend or boyfriend or they didn’t meet someone they like enough yet.”

“And sometimes,” an unwelcomed voice says suddenly and then Rio grabs a chair next to Agatha. “people already met that person but are too scared to tell them.”

Agatha wants to strangle her.

“Scared of the person you like?” Dina asks, confusion on her face. “That makes no sense.”

“I know, right?” Rio says with a sigh. “Sometimes people even act mean towards the person they actually like.”

“Adults are weird,” the girl concludes to herself before returning to her seat.

Rio doesn’t say anything but Agatha can basically hear the smug smile on her face.

“Anything I can do for you, Ms. Vidal? If not you can leave me alone again. Break is almost over anyway.”

Rio, brazen as always leans back in her chair. “Go out with me, Agatha.”

Agatha scoffs. “I wouldn’t even walk to the trash bin with you.”

“I know you probably have your reasons to act like this. I respect that. But I also like you a lot.”

“Have I not been mean enough to you?”

“You aren’t only mean to me. I know you’re the one who keeps buying new soy milk for the fridge in the teacher’s lounge even though I am the only one who uses it. I know you gave Dottie shit until she approved the new budget for my gardening class.” She moves a little closer to Agatha. “I know you stay longer on Fridays to watch me haul the soil bags across the schoolyard.”

“Now that last part is just a made-up accusation.”

“Is it though?” Rio pushes up the sleeves of her shirt, exposing part of her toned arms. Agatha’s breath hitches a little, much to her delight. “I look even better in a sleeveless shirt, you know.”

She nudges Agatha’s arm then. “You like me and I like you. Easiest thing in the world.”

Agatha is saved by some of the children starting a fight and she calls them out a little harsher than necessary before rushing over to them.

The sheer audacity of this woman.

On Friday evening Agatha’s doorbell rings and with a yawn she trails down the hallway. Once she opens the door she considers throwing it shut immediately, perhaps even moving somewhere else.

“No.” Agatha says to Rio who looks simply gorgeous, much to her dismay. “Absolutely not.”

“Come on, let me at least talk.”

“How the hell do you even know where I live?”

“Agatha,” Rio says and looks at her like she’s gone mad. “I live right across the street. We are neighbors.”

“You are messing with me.”

“You would have known that if you had bothered coming to the barbecue I held when I moved here three years ago. I invited you.”

“Three years?! How did I not notice you for three years?”

“How would I know?” She looks aside for a moment before focusing on Agatha again. “Can you please stop looking at me like you are about to use pepper spray on me?”

“What do you want?”

“I want you to have coffee with me. Either somewhere you want to go or even in school if you feel better like that. As a date.”

Agatha opens her mouth, but Rio cuts her off immediately. She couldn’t say if she had ever seen her this serious before.

“This is the last time I am going to ask you out. If you say no then I am giving up and you get your beloved peace of mind back. Because to be honest? I don’t want to keep running after you. I only did so because I know you like me too and it’s obvious we could have something really good. Even the kids at school know it. You are scared of something, Agatha, but you won’t even tell me about it and I think that’s unfair.”

Agatha is completely stunned. She couldn’t even come up with something dismissive to say as she stared at Rio, beautiful and kind Rio who only wanted to get to know her.

“I…” Agatha begins, but she can’t finish her sentence. The silence stretches along – uncomfortable – but then some fight comes back to her. “Why do you think you are entitled to any explanation?”

Rio huffs a joyless laugh. “You know what? Fair point. You win. Congratulations.”

When she turns Agatha panics and she calls out for her before she can stop herself.

“Rio! Please wait.”

She freezes before turning around. Agatha had never bothered calling her by her first name even if she never complained about Rio doing so with her.

Until now.

“Don’t give up on me, please. I know I am messed up, but…” she blinks several times, trying to find the right words. “Will you let me explain?”

The other woman nods. “Okay."

Agatha invites her in and makes tea for them as they settle down at the kitchen table.

Rio is silent but curious. Agatha sees her throwing little glances around the kitchen.

“I used to be married,” she begins. “My wife died almost eight years ago after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. There was no time to consider treatment, she simply declined that fast. One day she was still dragging me through store after store to find the perfect tableware set and basically the next she couldn’t even get up on her own anymore. She died only days later at home, in my arms.”

“I am sorry. That’s a terrible way to lose the person you love.”

Rio is looking at her with empathy but not pity which Agatha notes fondly.

“Yes, it is. I got better over the years but I never bothered with seeing someone. I didn’t even develop any feelings… until now.” She ends her sentence quietly, afraid of saying these words out loud. “I am scared of letting someone new in and I am especially scared of how much I already like you.”

“You know, there is no problem with taking things slow. We can just talk and get to know each other at a pace you are comfortable with.”

Agatha reaches across the table and puts her hand on Rio’s. She is met with a warm smile that she returns. “Sounds good.”

“So will you stop being mean to me at work from now on?”

“Absolutely not. What would the children say?”

[knighthans]

Mary’s Religion

I promised it, there it is @lurlurlurlurlur

Name: i dont know please help me on this one

Name of the followers: Mary’s nuggets

Ethics: equality and peace

Origin story

A long, long time ago, was living a lonely goddess. Her playground was infinite but empty and quiet. No matter how many games and stories she filled her mind with, she was always coming back to boredom.

One day, out of despair and solitude, she lost control. The space around her went dark as she was relentlessly absorbing all the light nearby. The obscurity did not calm the goddess. The energy held inside her was boiling. She needed to get it out. She screamed. A long and sharp scream powerful enough to create a whole universe through the most intense explosion it would ever experience. Humans would later call it the Big Bang. She liked the word. It was childish and sweet. It was enough to make her forget the pain she had felt.

This Big Bang brought her a source of distraction. She started playing with rocks and light and clouds and temperatures. It made her realise how much power she held. She could shape anything. Everything was submitting to her will. Unfortunately, the fun didn’t last long. She had created a balanced universe where every element was a part of a fragile equilibre and she had liked it. Now, however, she needed something unpredictable. Something that would entertain her. That’s how, with a snap of her finger, she sent the spark that would lead to the apparition of life on one her favourite rock, the Earth.

Thanks to the work she had provided earlier to create this world, everything was working on its own just fine. All she had to do now, was to watch in awe the evolution of her latest creation. It was all changing so fast, she adored it. Soon, a wide variation of beings had appeared. Big ones, tall ones, small ones, moving ones, fixed ones, funny ones… She didn’t have the time to discover the secrets of one species before it was replaced with a new one.

And then the goddess fell in love. It was the prettiest being she had ever seen. Part of the apes family, they were walking on two legs and had lost most of their hair, revealing a dark skin. The females were her favourites with their two additional pieces of flesh on their chest. Round and soft, they were perfecting the human body.

Oh humans… Scared that they would go away too fast, Mary slowed time for them. Maybe she shouldn’t have. She wouldn’t have been forced to watch them go wrong. Hate and violence towards difference was only growing despite her attempts to teach them better. Throughout ages, she sent hundreds of brave humans, convinced the hearts she had filled with bravery and love would be enough to bring humans back on the road of peace and equality. She even gave magic to some of them. Unfortunately, the frantic and unpredictable changes that had shaped life for the best didn’t help her improve humanity.

She had to stop it. She had the power to change their thoughts, their actions. She could make them all respect each other. That’s what she wanted.

No. It wasn’t. She wanted them to learn it, to realise it. Controlling them wasn’t the same as teaching them. She didn’t want to lose the liberty she had given to them, the one they also used to make wonders. She had to try one last time.

That’s why in the year humans called 1960, the goddess decided to blend in with the earthlings under the form she had originally fallen for: on the 16th of september, the MacDonald family gave birth to a pretty little black girl, Mary, unaware of her divine nature.

She hadn’t planned to meet a group of people with so much love to give, a group of people that made her feel better than ever. Lily Evans, Marlene McKinnon, Dorcas Meadows, James Potter, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, Pandora Rosier and many more people made her so happy that she almost forgot her original goal. Almost. She couldn’t forget it when she constantly had to fight to be respected. She couldn’t forget it when her favourite people were ready to give their life in a war for the same goal.

However, Mary didn’t want another war. War was only pain and horrors. She had realised fighting was necessary to teach humanity better but this war was not about justice and equality. It was about men’s ego, just like every other war before. Unfortunately, she was the only one seeing it. Her friends were fools, trusting blindly an old man who was ready to sacrifice them if it served his goal. No matter how hard she tried to enlighten them, their eyes stayed close.

So she left, because she wouldn’t survive it if she had to watch them disappear.

No. The real problem was that she would survive. She was cursed with immortality when the ones she loved were meant to die.

[incorrectdinosaurtrainquotes]

My best guesses for the some of the Dinosaur Train characters' MBTI types.

Some characters may be the same type as another.

Buddy: INFJ. An intellectual genius (Ni-Ti) who is also extremely sweet and compassionate (Fe). Strong Fe, always thinks of others even if it means making personal sacrifices (he gives the wings he crafted himself to a pteranodon child who can't fly). He is constantly thinking of the future (growing up) and coming up with theories and hypotheses about the world around him (Ni + Ti). He has a weaker Se that starts to develop the more he gains self confidence, especially in Adventure Island.

Tiny: ENFP. ENFP's are frequently described as the most introverted extroverts, which makes perfect sense for the girl who wants to be everybody's friend but also values her alone time. Ne-dom with a hint of recklessness, asking endless questions about the world around her. Strong Fi, she's an individualist ("Tiny power!") who values personal freedom and self expression. The Ne + Fi makes for a frequent poet and artist. But she can be organized and goal oriented thanks to the Te. The Si pops up with Tiny's strong attachments to her family and her nostalgic tendencies, like her inability to sleep without the Tiny Doll her father gave her when she was little.

Don: INTP. Strong Ne stereotypes of all the quirkiness and randomness. But the Ne shows strong in how Don perceives the world and asks questions. He follows his own thinking and logic (Ti) and uses his Ti+Ne to come up with out of the box solutions to problems (he came up with the concept of the battery for the solar train, and was the one to suggest the family makes a bigger nest for Buddy when he's older). He uses Si in how he organizes his Collection and keeps close kinship with his family. He does use Fe to connect with others (he gives Gilbert his piece of amber with a leaf in it, because he knows Gilbert would love it, despite the fact that they were just having a rivalry going on.)

Shiny: ESTJ. (She was the hardest of the quadruplets for me to type, cause I was torn between ESTJ and ESFJ because she can get really emotional.) The Si was obvious. Shiny has attention to detail, is organized and can be a clean freak, and values family and tradition. As a Te-dom, she can come off as bossy and overbearing, but she usually comes from a good place of trying to keep things in order. She shows signs of natural leadership with the Te+Si, if she could curb her bossiness. But Shiny has a soft spot and even can be sensitive, which is where the Fi comes in on occasion. She deeply loves her family and close friends. She develops Ne as she learns to be less rigid and go with the flow, even showing signs of adventurousness as her bravery increases throughout the series. "This is *Adventure* Island!"

Mr. Pteranodon: ISTJ. Definitely an Si-dom, and an introverted one at that. He prefers to stay close to the nest and isn't nearly as adventurous as his wife. He is traditional and nostalgic, teaching his children everything he knows as a pteranodon and passing his own tooth collection down to Don. But he is also extremely stubborn and can even get disagreeable. He refuses to ask for help at times, and he has an ongoing rivalry with the neighbor Larry Lambeosaurus, who he initially had difficulty adjusting to and was even rude to. But he has Fi too, connecting deeply to his wife and kids and going out of his way to help his family. Despite being reluctant to go to Laramidia's Theropod Convention, he realizes how important it is to his son and is the one who eventually encourages his family to not turn home when they get lost.

Mrs. Pteranodon: ENFP. Adventurous, even more adventurous than some of her kids, Mrs. Pteranodon can be spontaneous and easy going as she guides her kids through adventures after adventure (Ne). She's not as cautious as her husband, showing more willingness to trust her kids with independence. (Ne + Fi). She is kind and emotional (Fi). She is still a mother and is inherently organized, loving her family above all else. (Te + Si) She also can get deeply nostalgic about her own childhood (Si.)

The Conductor: ESFJ. Strong Fe and Si. He is charismatic, outgoing, and loves his customers and friends (Fe). He has a strong memory and attention to detail, following the scientific method and showing discipline in how he does things (Si). But his Ne is strongly developed as well, as he is also easy going and adaptable, not as rigid as some other Si users in this series.

Tabitha Troodon: ENTP. Ne all day long! She just has that Ne spontaneousness about her. She has strong Ti and Fe too in how she isn't inherently sympathetic, but loves and cares for others. She is a former conductor, a professor, and an adventurer.

Gilbert Troodon: ENTP. Like his uncle, Gilbert is a charismatic and outgoing individual (Ne + Fe) who can be very by the book (Ti + Si). But he is not inherently empathetic, needing his softer side to be pried out (Shiny tries to convince Gilbert to gift Don his amber with a bug in it, only doing so when he's moved by Don's own kindness in offering him his own amber.) Gilbert struggles to connect with people, making jokes that don't land and not understanding how to keep customers happy, but he does care and yearns for friendship and connections (Fe).

Annie Tyrannosaurus: ESTP. Annie is definitely an Se user. Spontaneous and adventurous, Annie lives in the moment and enjoys living life at its fullest. She has admitted that she prefers to distract herself when nervous, talking endlessly on migrations to escape her own inner fears. Annie is also very blunt and to the point, with a "it is what you see" attitude and her own inner logic (Ti) ("I lost two teeth!" "That's only one though.") She doesn't mean to be rude, she just is that way. But that doesn't stop her from failing to read the emotions of others, accidentally coming off as unsympathetic (she keeps choosing T-Rex games on her first playdate with the Pteranodon family, and she pushes Shiny to join her exploring a cave she's clearly scared of entering.) She does use Fe too though, still connecting to Buddy when he misses his family on his first migration, and noticing that Shiny is too scared to go to the spooky tree - and sacrifices her own desire to go see it by staying with Shiny at the nest.

[totallyradicalmucky]

Hypothetical Cell return/redemption

Super Long Post

- After DRAGON BALL: SUPERHERO

- Gohan considers the idea of bringing Cell back- if someone could recreate Cell so easily (Cell Max) & more powerfully- the more they know about the original, the better

- TL;DR.. bug nerd wants to study ultimate bug.

- Somehow convinces bulma to side with him but only “for maintaining peace”

- They both are nerds

- Literally everyone else is against it (they do it anyways)

- Cell is revived back into his Larval form- on purpose. Perfection is still attainable and in his cells but he’s going to have to wait it out.

- Queue a very angry and large cicada being tested on for weeks

- Psychological damage when Cell finds out that he was “replaced” and Cell Max was.. stronger than him at his Perfect form.

- Bro is a menace otherwise. WILL get into Gohan’s cabinets and eat his food. Crumbs everywhere.

- Pan is a big fan of the ugly ass bug. Often to the point she gets in trouble, Cell has literally no idea why this weak earthling is interested in him

- She plays toys n shit with Cell when Gohan isn’t researching him

- Cell is. Baffled, to say the least

- Imperfect Cell emerges- at this point, Cell is expecting to be chained down and killed after the research is complete. That the small child will reject him in this new, improper form.

- They obviously don’t- the most they do is put a weight on his tail so he doesn’t drain anyone. Not like he could.. it seems like everyone is stronger than him now..

- and strangely, it’s not like it crossed his mind in the first place.

- Still plays superhero with Pan. Most likely teaches her special moves that she really shouldn’t know at her age.

- “Heh… you ever want to open a jar? Let me show you the destructo disc…”

- Queue Cell in time out like the child he is after being chewed out by Videl.

- Despite the childishness of it all, he feels so different than before. More relaxed..?

- Maybe a new big bad comes into play.

- Pan is reckless, tries to help fight when she sees that Gohan and Piccolo have been taken out. Although shes much weaker.

- Imperfect Cell could only stand to watch as it all happens. Still crippled by self doubt and a primal fear of seeing someone much stronger than he is.

- Especially now- now that he felt so.. homey? Watching everything fall apart again. Again.

- It felt like his own body was ripping itself in half. Maybe it was anger- strength, bravery or even just foolishness.

- “Cell’s new form” emerges from carcass of Imperfect Cell. Which for one- scares the shit out of Pan who thought he died.

- And two- Cell most likely still doesn’t win against the new villain. But the effort gave enough time for both Gohan and Piccolo to recover- and probably for Goku to finally get to the field.

- It was tempting to kill him- rid of Cell before he gave into his instincts. Cell was tempted to finally use this power, this opportunity, to get his revenge.

- Those thoughts were quickly washed over as he- of all beings. Was embraced and praised for his help. Though mostly by Gohan and his family- Cell didnt feel as if he needed anything more.

- It was perfect. Even if he himself wasn’t.

General Shit:

- He most definitely acts like Rarity MLP levels of dramatic and no I’m not taking criticism.

- Girls girl- girl DAD, worst guy ever to leave your children with because they’ll come back learning how to blow up a planet and with new unnecessary items Cell “found” (he stole them)

- Finds the Mr.Satan v. Cell movies very offensive and refuses to ever watch them. But loves the street cred he gets

- Essentially like a micro celeb- general people are too dumb to realize it’s not an actor it’s actually just THE Cell (or maybe they do know it’s him and don’t gaf)

- 0 money. 0 bitches. He hates for the game and lives like a bum at Gohan’s house.

- Thinks Super Saiyaman is goofy as hell but simply the best thing in the whole wide world when Pan mimics it

- Hardly talks to the rest of the cast. 17 and 18 for obvious reasons, the rest.. he just favors his small group more.

- Jungle gym ass body. U already know he’s struggling to get Goten and Trunks off his wings while Pan is trying to ask him what’s for lunch

[riacte]

hermitgals precure update: geminitay backstory edition

it was so hard figuring out a mid season precure backstory, so in the end i defaulted to the milky rose route LMAO.

gem used to be a fairy living in the hermit kingdom, she stayed there after the fall. the citizens of the hermit kingdom grow nervous without their king and the genesis block, but since they have the power of cooperation and hope, they manage to keep things running. they still want to contact their lost king. so they decide to choose one among themselves to be a messenger and find ren in the human world. gem volunteers and everyone chooses her. they bless her with powers and she gains a human form.

meanwhile, the four cures + gang are struggling. since the genesis block occasionally grants them wishes by fixing (creating) certain items, such as repairing cleo's transformation tool and bringing pearl back to life, all of them decide to wish for a new cure. they summon their greatest strengths and hand them to the genesis block in the hopes the block can combine their strengths and form an ultra-powerful cure. the genesis block glows, everyone's hopeful, but then nothing happens. they sigh and dismiss it.

some time passes. human gem struggles to get used to the human world. her wits and willpower keep her going. knowing she has an entire kingdom depending on her, she hunts for ren and co.

the cures struggles even more and gets their asses beat. gem witnesses the fight. she finally sees king ren and iskall, and she also sees the precures fighting tooth and nail to protect the genesis block. she's very touched by outsiders fighting so hard for her kingdom. she's overcome with a strong will to fight alongside them, to fight to protect her kingdom, to fight as not to let down everyone back home because she's their sole messenger.

the genesis block hears her wish and grants her transformation. geminiSLAY. gem is canonically extra powerful because she's blessed with everyone from her hermit kingdom— she's carrying everyone's combined wishes. she completely wrecks the bad guys. everyone's staring at her in awe, and gem is suddenly embarrassed and drained. she doesn't know how to approach them, so she runs away. but at least she knows where the cures + fairies are.

meanwhile, the gang believes the genesis block has combined their strengths to form the new mysterious cure. they're eager to meet her. gem transfers into the cures' school and everyone's like :) ooh transfer student! that's nice— wait. ren and iskall also sense there's something weirdly familiar with this new girl (because she's a fairy like them).

they confront gem and she tells them everything. gem also learns the strength-combining thing they tried with the genesis block, and how everyone has high hopes for her because she's supposedly the perfect cure with no weaknesses. this stresses her out, but she doesn't let it show and she's just happy to find king ren.

gem struggles in the next fight, which comes as a surprise. gem admits she's just an ordinary girl who wants the best for her kingdom. her perceived strength doesn't belong to her, she just borrowed it from her people. she says she's sorry for disappointing the gang because she's not the perfect cure that came from the genesis block. she has her faults and weaknesses.

while the genesis block didn't exactly create gem, it gave her the power to unleash her strength and transform. she had enough willpower and bravery, she only needed a little push. so in the end, while gem is technically a chosen one, she's also just a brave girl venturing out into the wild unknown with so much on her shoulders. it's important to note that the genesis block didn't grant the four cures + fairies' wish for a perfect cure, it granted gem's wish specifically.

ren, iskall, and gem eventually establish a connection between themselves and the hermit kingdom, and they can exchange updates. the gang teaches gem about the ways of the human world <3 and that's the legend of the great gem. (she's also better at retaining her human form compared to ren, she rarely changes back to her fairy form)

[qanedanegros]

Name: Lady Dahlia Arryn.  Face claim: Marina Moschen (Selena in Deus Salve o Rei.)  Born: Around 96 AC. (Age can vary depending on threads or AUs.)  A distant cousin of Rodrik Arryn. She is the daughter of Beric Arryn and Ellyn Arryn (nee Hunter.)

Biography. 

Dahlia was born in Longbow Hall to Lord Beric and Lady Ellyn (nee: Hunter). They had chosen to live in the halls where Ellyn was most familiar with and with her own family. Dahlia grew up in the halls of Longbow but also in the mountain ranges that surrounded her home. Even young, Dahlia was more spirited than the other girls she grew up around. Dahlia was dutiful in her lessons with the Septa, but she also loved exploring the caves in the mountains or the forest around her home. She had even taken to training in the courtyard with the squires; her grandsire and mother had been the ones to teach her how to use a bow. Her father had followed her training by adding a sword. The Vale had been known to have warriors, and she would be no different. However, it was when she was ten and two that she was brought to the Eyrie with her father and mother in an attempt to find a suitor. Her cousin, Lady Jenye Arryn, had welcomed her with open arms and was more than happy to have more family around. Her parents had hoped that being at court with her cousins would help her pick a proper suitor, but that wasn’t the case. Lady Jeyne had instead encouraged her to do what interested her, promising her parents she would find a suitable match for Dahlia. It wasn’t too long after this that Lady Ellyn’s father grew sick, and her parents were summoned back to Longbow Hall, and Dahlia stayed with her cousin.  Dahlia grew to enjoy the life at the Eyrie and all the guests that seemed to come. She loved how lively it was. There was a chance she would be considered heir to her cousin should they continue to grow closer. At first, it hadn’t been something she believed or even truly wanted, but seeing her cousin in such a place of power inspired her to strive for more. During her time at the Eyrie, she would slowly come to learn about the dispute in King’s Landing. 

Personality. 

Dahlia enjoys both silk dresses and leathers. She doesn’t see why she can’t wear both or why it isn’t ladylike to enjoy training with swords and bows. Either way, her parents never made her feel terrible that she had such interest. They would allow her to explore and express herself as long as she stayed respectful. Or tried to. She can be pretty outspoken and doesn’t believe in hiding the truth. She is relatively independent. Once she sets her mind on something, Dahlia is determined to achieve it. Dahlia believes herself to be a mixture of beauty and bravery. She loves animals and even has two hounds she has cared for since they were young, Dawn and Dusk. Many teased her over their names, but she believed them perfect for her beloved hounds. Dahlia enjoys learning, no matter the subject, thinking it will eventually aid her.

[monpalace]

Twi's mom aka Dawn!!! Cause this baddie needs a name :3

"twi’s mom idolized Time cause hero shizz and wanted to learn how to fight. Time refused which became the beginning of a rift between the two (will expand on later)"

^ FROM MY LAST ASK!!! And now I shall expand -3-

Dawn was the eldest in her family, and because of this she was able to grow up with Time actually being around (for a while.) During those days where her father was still her dad, Time loved and spoiled Dawn with every fiber of his being, wanting and longing to be a good father figure for his child.

He would take the young girl with him to his fishing trips! These trips quickly became Dawn's favourite activity, always so excited to join her papa in this little adventure! She would bug and buggg the man about when they would be going next even if they JUST got home from one of these trips. Time would soon come to regret continuously pushing back those trips as Dawn got older...

In her early teens, (13-14) Dawn insisted that Time taught her how to fight. She had heard stories from her dad's youth and older years about all sorts of monsters and evils being slain by his sword. The young girl was AMAZED by the acts of bravery her papa shown time and time again. She wanted to fight like him! She wanted to be a hero like him! She...She wanted to bond with him again...

He was always so busy now...If he isn't frantically running around the house/farm, taking care of chores and children, he was out there in the woods slaying those monsters to keep Hyrule safe...To keep his family safe.

Dawn missed her dad, the old version of him when he wasn't so...paranoid. The man that would play in the rain with her, the man that chased her around the house as he made 'frightening' monster noises only to get 'tackled' to the ground by her mama, the man who's smile made her feel safe even in the darkest of nights.

But no...All that was left was that cold soldier. The man who screams in terror at night as nightmares flood his brain --startling children wake that Dawn had to calm down and put back to sleep--, the man that glares and snarls like a feral wolf if you dare ask him the 'wrong' question at the 'wrong' time, the man that leaves their mama weeping at the door as he goes to risk his life again and again and again and again---

....

He didn't even teach her how to throw a proper punch...

He dare says everything he does is to protect his family. To keep them fearless and at peace. But not ONCE has he considered that the fear they --no-- Dawn held was because of him. That her sleepless nights and worried mind were because of him.

She was the protector of the house when he left. A young teen, with NO knowledge of fighting, taking up the role of the protector because the old one doesn't even know the true meaning of the word.

Dawn was the eldest in her family, and because of that she learnt what a pathetic excuse of father Time was.

first of all how many kids did malon have with him because i'm just saying she's a bigger person than me

second of all???????? fuck you (/pos)?????????? why would you do this to me?????????

i was reading it over and over again in school because i genuinely didn't know how to respond?

time says everything he does is to keep his family safe, but he either doesn't realize (or is willingly ignoring) it in favor of going repeatedly throwing himself at danger just to satiate himself, hut never getting that fulfillment??

dawn is forced to learn everything time was supposed to teach her by her own means, but can never perfect it because he's to busy shoving a stick further up his ass and (essentially) bullying her all in the name of love?

he needs his ass beat with a switch, i'm telling you 🙌🏽

[shadowedvales]

* STARTER CALL : STILL ACCEPTING. (BETH GREENE)

⸻ in a perfect life, she would've inherited her mother's glee and father's humour. she received teresa's incomparable grief and andrew's doomed fate, instead. the womb became barren, the child long buried, the name janessa alexandra ives written upon both a birth and death certificate. she ceased to exist, leaving barely enough room for eleven to take her place -- a place she had to bite and claw at to earn. a weaker descendant may have crumpled, but she'd grasped her pain many times, branded it in her body to forever carry. the scar on her leg often tingled with a faint stench of iron, a sign of what's been taken -- but rather than an omen for weakness, she looked at it as a reminder of purpose. how she almost succumbed to the darkness but refused to let it take her. the one thing she can't shake, though, is her loneliness. there's no way to gather bravery or grow stronger with its permanent residency inside her. it collects in her limbs and pulls them taut, consumes the positivity she tries to uphold. even with her newfound community, the sting of isolation still threatens to drag her six feet below.

it's a dimly-lit reality when children are cornered like cattle, particularly when they recall the slaughterhouse in shades of varying crimson. but these people granted her the chance to see sky-blue's and brighter greens; they took her in when abandoning a stranger in the bitter cold was a perfectly reasonable option. they breathed air back into her lungs, gave her meaning in the same fashion jonathan and will did. but rarely do they give her a task to complete, a way to aid. whether it's because she's a kid, ( do they think she's too stupid to offer anything meaningful? ) or they don't fully trust her yet due to the impossible wound she bares... elle's unsure, but wants to prove her capability. there's always much to do -- especially nowadays, as further graves were dug -- but her hands remain clean from hard, excessive labour.

"i want to help." she declares to @pastfled suddenly, appearing like a ghost in the doorway of her cell-turned-bedroom. she initially considered approaching hershel with her problem -- he's lovely, has a special way of making her feel useful. but with his own recovery still progressing, she feared coming across as bothersome. the decision to turn to his youngest daughter was then made. eleven did not enter without permission, planting her feet firmly outside the room. she absentmindedly pulls at her fingers, knuckles nearly cracking under the weight of swimming nerves. beth is kind, sweet, and strong, ( everything a girl should be, everything elle wants to be, ) she saw the way this environment changed her in the best and worst aspects, the respect earned in her leadership. beth stepped up while some could do nothing but mourn for those lost; elle wanted to follow her lead.

"i can do... things." she urges, desperate to be believed. "i don't know what, but..." what can you do in a land that doesn't want you? a world you weren't ever supposed to discover? meant for little more than exposure and sacrifice -- it's no wonder basic functions are so foreign. "maybe you will teach me how to hold judith so i will not drop her," she suggests, "and how to give her the drink she needs. or. or show me how to cook." she inhales deeply, silently counting to five. it's the slow rot which terrifies her most -- to continue growing here, in this existence built by the skin of her teeth, only to be captured down the line and thrown back to the beginning, where she was nothing more than a shaved skull with fragile, bird-like bones. she needs to make an impression before time runs out. "i really want to do something to help everybody."

[buddyandstella]

The Million Mistakes Magic ✨ | Kids Story About Confidence, Creativity & Learning from Mistakes 🖍️ The Million Mistakes Magic | A Heartwarming Story About Mistakes, Confidence & Creativity Emma wants to draw the perfect picture of her unicorn friend Stella—but nothing ever turns out right. Frustrated and ready to give up, she thinks her mistakes make her a failure. But with Stella’s encouragement (and a few muddy adventures with Ben and Buddy), Emma learns that mistakes can be magical. They help us learn, grow, and even make our art more special. This uplifting kids story about confidence and creativity teaches children that mistakes aren't something to fear—they're part of the journey! Through playful moments and thoughtful lessons, this story encourages kids to keep trying, stay kind to themselves, and turn mess-ups into masterpieces. Perfect for bedtime, the classroom, or anytime your child needs a gentle reminder that being imperfect is perfectly okay. Please visit our website to get more information: https://ift.tt/LsHyGDY ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Listen To Kids Songs on Your Favorite Platforms: Apple Music: https://ift.tt/7d2To9H Spotify: https://ift.tt/mKbBCWi iTunes: https://ift.tt/7d2To9H Promo Link: https://ift.tt/7mc3DLG 🔗 Stay Connected With Us. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more updates: https://www.youtube.com/@BuddyandStella-KidsSongs/?sub_confirmation=1 📩 For inquiries: info@buddyandstella.com ============================= 🎬 Suggested videos for you: ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXO4Al7Xrx0 ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzTO4PFIVoY ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVB0zLEJ3FA ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JT07nApSyA ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b17j5ySzA5A ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zodo7SffgRk ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXIbSjyDMiU ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glWluwC76no ================================= ✅ About Buddy and Stella – Kids Songs and Nursery Rhymes Welcome to Buddy and Stella! Buddy the dog and Stella the unicorn bring joyful stories and songs that help kids grow through music, play, and heart. Our content teaches valuable life lessons like friendship, kindness, bravery, and emotional intelligence—all in a fun and magical way. A portion of our proceeds supports English-speaking preschools and early childhood education. Join us on this journey filled with learning, laughter, and love. 📩 Email: info@buddyandstella.com 🔔 Subscribe for uplifting stories and educational songs for children! https://www.youtube.com/@BuddyandStella-KidsSongs/?sub_confirmation=1 ================================= 🔎 Related Phrases (SEO): story about making mistakes kids story about confidence how to learn from mistakes mistakes are okay for kids creative growth story children’s story about self-esteem positive mindset for kids funny and encouraging bedtime story girl learns from failure perfectionism in kids stories 📌 Hashtags: #BuddyAndStella #KidsStories #BedtimeStory #StoryAboutMistakes #GrowthMindsetForKids #CreativeKids #ConfidenceStory #ChildrensStory #MagicalStories #LearnFromMistakes #BuddyTheDog #StellaTheUnicorn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgzRbudWpsE via Buddy and Stella - Kids Songs and Nursery Rhymes https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy52DQZ_4--0lOUtTLmbdEQ May 16, 2025 at 08:52PM

[vina-blogs]

Magical Pages: A Look at the Best Children’s Story Books and Picture Books

Children's books are more than just stories on a page—they're gateways to imagination, tools for learning, and companions during bedtime snuggles. From whimsical tales to lessons about kindness, the world of children's literature is rich, colorful, and endlessly inspiring. Whether you’re a parent looking for bedtime favorites, a teacher building your classroom library, or someone gifting a book to a little one, this blog will guide you through the best children's story books, must-have children’s picture books, and some classic names of children's books you should definitely know.

Why Children’s Books Matter

Children's books play a huge role in early development. They spark imagination, build vocabulary, and teach important life values like empathy, courage, and friendship. The best books stay with children for years, often becoming nostalgic keepsakes they one day read to their own kids.

The Magic of Children’s Picture Books

Children’s picture books are often a child's first introduction to reading. With vibrant illustrations and simple, rhythmic text, these books make learning to read fun and engaging. They're perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, helping them connect words with images and emotions.

Great picture books often have a deeper message hidden beneath the fun. Whether it’s about sharing, overcoming fears, or celebrating differences, these stories help shape a child’s understanding of the world in a gentle, age-appropriate way.

Some all-time favorite children’s picture books include:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – A delightful tale with colorful artwork and a fun way to learn about days, foods, and life cycles.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak – A beautifully illustrated adventure into imagination and emotion.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle – A rhythmic book perfect for young readers just learning to identify animals and colors.

Exploring the Best Children's Story Books

When children grow a little older and begin to follow more complex narratives, they graduate to storybooks with engaging plots and rich characters. The best children's story books are the ones that are not only fun to read but also leave a lasting impression.

Here are a few must-reads that have stood the test of time:

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – A heartwarming story about friendship between a pig and a spider.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter – A classic story with gentle humor and beautiful illustrations.

Matilda by Roald Dahl – A brilliant little girl with magical powers teaches us that brains and bravery can conquer anything.

These books aren’t just stories; they’re life lessons wrapped in entertaining tales.

Popular Names of Children's Books You Should Know

There are certain names of children's books that every bookshelf should have—titles that generations of readers have loved and passed on. Some of these include:

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (for slightly older children)

These books have become iconic not just because of their storytelling, but because they connect deeply with the emotions and experiences of young readers.

Tips for Choosing the Right Books for Kids

Age-appropriate content – Look for books that match your child’s reading level and interests.

Illustrations matter – Especially for younger kids, bright and expressive pictures keep them engaged.

Look for values – Choose books that teach kindness, courage, and creativity.

Mix it up – Include a balance of funny stories, educational content, and heartwarming tales.

Final Thoughts

From laugh-out-loud children’s picture books to the deeply moving adventures found in the best children's story books, reading is a gift that keeps on giving. Building a small library of beloved stories is one of the greatest things you can do for a child. With so many beautiful names of children's books to choose from, every reading session becomes a moment of connection, imagination, and joy.

[bookdistribution]

School Books Every Young Reader Should Explore

When it comes to the early years of education, primary school books play an essential role in shaping young minds.

These books not only help develop literacy skills but also nurture creativity, spark curiosity, and foster a lifelong love of reading.

As children embark on their learning journey, it's crucial to provide them with a variety of books that are both educational and enjoyable.

This guide highlights some of the best primary school books that every young reader should explore.

The Importance of Primary School Books

Primary school is a critical time in a child's development. At this stage, children are learning the foundational skills they will carry with them throughout their education.

Primary school books contribute significantly to this process by improving vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.

 They also introduce young readers to different concepts, cultures, and perspectives, making them more empathetic and open-minded.

Reading at this stage is not only about academic growth, but it also influences social and emotional development.

Stories can teach important lessons about friendship, perseverance, kindness, and conflict resolution.

With a balanced collection of primary school books, children can discover new worlds, ignite their imagination, and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Must-Have Primary School Books for Every Young Reader

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle

A timeless classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar introduces young readers to the concept of days of the week, counting, and metamorphosis.

With its colorful illustrations and simple yet captivating storyline, this book is perfect for teaching early learners about nature and growth.

It also encourages interaction as children count the food the caterpillar eats and track its transformation into a butterfly.

"Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak

This beautifully illustrated story of Max’s adventure to an island filled with wild creatures is a great way to explore emotions like anger, loneliness, and imagination.

Where the Wild Things Are has been beloved by children and adults for decades because it blends fantasy with the reality of childhood experiences. It’s a must-have for any primary school books helf.

"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

One of the most enduring primary school books, Charlotte's Web is a heartfelt story of friendship, loyalty, and selflessness.

The bond between Wilbur, the pig, and Charlotte, the spider, teaches important lessons about compassion and the circle of life.

This book is ideal for primary school students as it invites them to reflect on themes like loss and the value of helping others.

"Matilda" by Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl’s Matilda tells the story of a brilliant young girl who uses her intelligence and special powers to stand up against her unfair school headmistress.

The themes of resilience, courage, and standing up for what's right make this book perfect for empowering young readers. Dahl’s imaginative storytelling and vibrant characters keep children engaged from start to finish.

"The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson

The Gruffalo is a modern classic that has become a favorite in classrooms around the world.

This story of a clever mouse who outsmarts various predators (including the terrifying Gruffalo) is both humorous and educational.

The rhythmic text and illustrations by Axel Scheffler make it a fantastic read-aloud book for younger children, while its themes of bravery and intelligence resonate with children of all ages.

"The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter

A perfect choice for young readers just beginning to explore the world of stories, The Tale of Peter Rabbit follows the mischievous Peter as he sneaks into Mr.

McGregor’s garden. Indian Book Distributors This delightful book teaches children about the consequences of actions, the importance of family, and the thrill of adventure.

The charming illustrations and timeless narrative have made it a staple of primary school libraries.

"Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

While typically suited for slightly older children in primary school, The Lightning Thief is an excellent introduction to Greek mythology.

 Percy Jackson, a young boy who discovers he is the son of Poseidon, embarks on an epic quest filled with magic, monsters, and memorable characters.

This book is perfect for sparking an interest in history, adventure, and mythology in young readers.

"The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame

A classic tale of friendship and adventure, The Wind in the Willows follows the adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and Toad.

With its themes of friendship, loyalty, and nature, this book offers a gentle yet insightful look into the world of animals.

The timeless prose and illustrations make it an excellent choice for children in primary school who are ready for more complex stories.

"Winnie-the-Pooh" by A.A. Milne

The adventures of Pooh Bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood are beloved by generations of readers.

Winnie-the-Pooh is full of gentle wisdom, humor, and charming illustrations that teach children about friendship, problem-solving, and imagination.

Its timeless nature makes it a must-read for any primary school child, offering gentle life lessons that resonate with young readers.

"Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery

A wonderful choice for more advanced primary school readers, Anne of Green Gables follows the spirited Anne Shirley as she navigates her new life in the town of Avonlea.

With themes of belonging, imagination, and personal growth, this book is perfect for introducing children to coming-of-age stories.

Anne's adventures and her relationship with her adopted family are both heartwarming and inspiring.

How to Choose the Right Primary School Books

When selecting primary school books for young readers, consider the child’s reading level, interests, and emotional maturity.

While some books are more suitable for early readers, others may be better suited for those who are ready for longer or more complex stories.

It’s also important to select books that reflect diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives to help foster empathy and understanding in children.

Conclusion

Primary school books  are a powerful tool in every child's educational journey.

Whether it’s through engaging stories, colorful illustrations, or timeless characters, these books spark imagination, teach valuable lessons, and help children build essential literacy skills.

The books listed above are just a few examples of the many treasures waiting to be discovered by young readers.

 By introducing children to these beloved titles, we provide them with a strong foundation in reading that will last a lifetime.

So, let’s explore the world of primary school books and watch young minds grow and flourish with each page turned

[planet-never-ever]

Notable Children of Never-Ever

1. Hazel Darington

Arrival Time: Late 1800s

Background: Hazel was the daughter of a strict aristocratic family in Victorian England. Her parents, concerned with propriety and appearances, stifled her adventurous spirit, constantly controlling her every action. A bright and curious girl, Hazel longed for the freedom to explore the world on her own terms.

Impact on Never-Ever: After running away from her controlling household, Hazel was whisked away to Planet Never-Ever by Faun and Bebe. She quickly became a leader among the children, organizing expeditions to the Game Fields and Musical Mountain. Hazel also loved performing in the Make-Believe Theater, using her boundless creativity to stage daring tales of adventure.

Legacy: Hazel is remembered as one of the first "explorers" of Planet Never-Ever, mapping its many lands and discovering new locations, including the secretive Lost 'n Found Cave. Her adventurous spirit still inspires new arrivals to this day.

2. Tommy "Tick" Callahan

Arrival Time: 1950s

Background: Tommy grew up during the golden age of American suburbia, but life at home was far from perfect. His father, a stern military man, demanded discipline and order, while Tommy only wanted to play, explore, and tinker with his gadgets.

Impact on Never-Ever: Upon his arrival, Tommy became fascinated with the mechanical wonders of Arcade-ia and the Toy Factory in Toybox Town. Using his natural talent for inventing, he helped improve the machines that made toys and even designed new types of games. His favorite creation was a mechanical pet robot called Buzz, which became a popular companion for the other children.

Legacy: Tommy, nicknamed "Tick" for his love of clocks and gadgets, became the unofficial inventor of Never-Ever. His quirky machines can still be found throughout the planet, from fun contraptions in Carnival City to hidden robots that assist children in need.

3. Lila "Lolly" Jenkins

Arrival Time: 1920s

Background: Lila, nicknamed "Lolly" for her love of sweets, grew up in a small rural town. Her family was poor, and though they loved each other deeply, they struggled to get by. Lila always dreamed of a magical place filled with endless candy, where no one ever went hungry.

Impact on Never-Ever: Upon arriving in the Land of Sweets, Lila immediately bonded with the Queen of Sweets. Her enthusiasm for candy-making led her to become an apprentice of sorts, learning the magical art of crafting sweets. Lila's creativity resulted in some of the most delicious and whimsical confections ever created, like floating bubblegum balloons and marshmallow trampolines.

Legacy: Lila is revered in the Land of Sweets, where a statue of her holding a gigantic lollipop stands in the town square. Every year, the children of Never-Ever celebrate "Lolly Day," where they feast on her candy creations.

4. Sammy "Sky" Jefferson

Arrival Time: 1980s

Background: Sammy, or "Sky" as his friends called him, was always fascinated with space and flight. Growing up in a small town, he felt confined by the limitations of life on Earth and dreamed of exploring the stars. But life at home was difficult, with his parents constantly at odds, leading him to seek solace in his dreams of adventure.

Impact on Never-Ever: Sky found his place in the Amazing Soaring Circus, becoming one of its most talented acrobats. His agility and bravery made him the star of the high-flying trapeze acts. He was known for performing death-defying stunts, all while smiling and waving at the audience below.

Legacy: Sammy is still a legend in the circus, where his stunts have never been matched. The Ringmaster King often tells stories of Sky’s bravery, and young children dream of flying through the air like he once did.

5. Jenny "Jinx" Thompson

Arrival Time: 2000s

Background: Jenny, or "Jinx," was an imaginative child with a love for mischief. Growing up in a big city, she often found herself getting into trouble, especially at school, where teachers were constantly telling her to behave. She felt like no one understood her wild spirit.

Impact on Never-Ever: Jinx quickly found her place among the pranksters of Carnival City. She became known for pulling elaborate tricks and jokes, which left the other children in fits of laughter. Jinx also spent much of her time in Paintsville, where her vivid imagination brought the blank landscape to life in bold, colorful designs.

Legacy: Jinx's playful antics and artistic flair left a lasting mark on Carnival City and Paintsville. Some say that if you listen carefully, you can still hear her giggling as new children continue her tradition of harmless pranks and creative expression.

6. Finn "Fish" O'Malley

Arrival Time: 1970s

Background: Finn was a quiet boy who loved swimming more than anything else. His home life was turbulent, and he often retreated to the local river to escape his troubles. He dreamed of finding a peaceful place where he could swim without fear or worry.

Impact on Never-Ever: When Finn arrived on the Isle of the Merfolk, he found exactly what he was looking for. He became an honorary member of the merfolk community, spending his days diving deep into the oceans around the island. The merfolk taught him their ways, and he became known for his ability to communicate with the sea creatures.

Legacy: Finn's love for the ocean earned him the nickname "Fish," and he is remembered fondly by the merfolk, who tell stories of his deep dives and friendships with the sea creatures. The island’s children still look up to him as a symbol of peace and harmony with nature.

7. Maria "Mimi" Sanchez

Arrival Time: Present Day

Background: Maria, known as Mimi, was an artistically gifted child who felt like she never fit in. At school, she was bullied, and at home, her artistic talents went unappreciated. She longed for a place where she could be herself and express her creativity without judgment.

Impact on Never-Ever: Upon her arrival, Mimi fell in love with Paintsville and Make-Believe Theater, where her creative vision was finally unleashed. She became known for her vibrant, abstract paintings and her imaginative storytelling in the theater. Children would gather to watch her lead them in epic adventures on the ever-changing stage.

Legacy: Mimi's influence can still be seen all over Paintsville, where the vivid colors she splashed across the landscape continue to inspire other children. Her stories are still acted out in the theater, and she's seen as a modern-day legend among new arrivals.