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thisbelongsto-nohbodys · 2 years ago

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I know I should just be grateful he's dead, but I can't help but think Hunter should have been the one to kill Belos. Like, I know he abused everyone, but Hunter had to live with him. Plus, it would've been cool if while Hunter was stomping on him, Belos' vision kept flashing between seeing Hunter, Caleb, and the other Golden Guards as if Hunter was letting them all get a shot at revenge.

I’ve seen this argument and imma have ta disagree that Hunter should’ve been there. There’s several reasons as to why and I’m gonna try and keep it as short as I can (as I’m answering this during a lunch break at work).

1.) Luz and Belos are opposites in several ways, while they’re both humans they both approached the Boiling Isles in different ways. Belos sought to destroy all life on the Isles which when we see “the Savage Era” it’s actually pretty peaceful. Luz however embraced the Isles and wanted to be there because she felt like she belonged there whereas Belos wanted to go home after destroying everything. Luz also did what Belos was lying about the whole time after he started his Coven grift, Luz not only actually talked to the Titan but the Titan was talking to Luz through the glyphs and showing them to her freely, while Belos had to hunt down and force his way into finding the glyphs. At the end, Luz calls herself a human witch and Belos calls himself a human while he’s melting away as a pile of goop, a substance that he’s been for decades while pretending to still be human.

2.) Eda is very likely a descendant of Evelyn who was very likely a Clawthorne, which would make her Belos’ great great (insert how many needed) grand niece and from what little we say in Belos’ mind, Eda is the spitting image of Evelyn. King is the last Titan, the son of the Titan whom Belos claims to have been speaking to and tried to use to wipe out the Isles. And finally Raine is a non-binary witch bard (music was even banned by puritans in some parts), who not only was fighting Belos’ Coven system from within but later fought Belos when he tried to possess their toy-form. Those three curb-stomping Belos after Luz rejected Belos’ “plea” for help symbolizing all of the “evil” he tried to wipe out getting the last laugh.

3.) Hunter being the clone of Belos’ older brother Caleb who was a former Witch-Hunter could be nice to have there at the final fight but consider this instead. After Caleb met Evelyn and he learned that witches (real ones) are as evil as he was led to believe, he even fell in love with one and attempted to start a family with her, Caleb did what both Luz and Hunter was able to do. Hunter even breaking from his uncle’s chain through a similar way to Caleb in that firstly he met Luz, a human witch who was using Wild Magic to cast spells and unlike Belos who restricted magic and convinced Hunter that it’s only through the artificial magic that Hunter is strong, Luz is more than willing to teach others and share her knowledge of glyph magic to Hunter. Secondly, Flapjack becoming Hunter’s Palisman. It’s unknown if Flapjack was Caleb or Evelyn’s Palisman originally but either way he was there and remembers Caleb whom Hunter is a clone of. Hunter could’ve easily turned Flapjack over to Belos but instead he kept him around and they became friends, the creature that is made from Wild Magic and who’s essence sustains Belos’ form from the curse, Hunter decided to keep this illegal creature hidden from his uncle. Thirdly there’s Willow and Gus, Hunter’s first real friends (not including Flapjack) and it’s this friendship that he starts to see more of what Luz and Darius have been pushing for with Hunter, for him to learn that the Isles and it’s people aren’t evil and filled with backstabbers. Hunter found within Willow and Gus people whom he can trust without a doubt which is more than any of the Coven heads and Belos can claim.

4.) Hunter’s role in the finale was what Caleb was trying to do with Philip. Since we don’t know the full story behind Caleb and Philip (fuck you disney for canceling the show), we can only speculate on what happened and from what I saw is that Caleb grew up a hopeful Witch-Hunter alongside Philip, but when Caleb met Evelyn and saw the Demon Realm, he fell in love with not just the witch but it’s world and people. So much so that he started a family. Him trying to make peace with Philip was likely him trying to protect the Isles from Philip and other Witch-Hunters, t what do you think would happen had Evelyn not taken the portal and hid it after Caleb’s death? Philip would’ve brought back up and committed genocide of the Isles. Caleb however wanted to try and convince his little brother that the Isles and it’s people where also good. That’s a lesson that Hunter had to learn and him trying to get as many people as he could out of the falling Archive was what Caleb would’ve done in that situation, to save the Isles from evil people like Philip/Belos. The fact that there are so many former Golden Guards, so many attempts by Belos to remake his brother but having to kill each one shows that each new clone continued to try and protect the Isles and it’s people from Belos just as Caleb wanted to do against Philip. The difference is that Caleb/Hunter is willing to show mercy while Philip/Belos does not.

So now we have Hunter with his technically family carving Palismans and helping the people of the Isles. He’s living a good life which is more than enough to get back at Belos (tho’ I wouldn’t be surprised if Luz showed him the spot and Hunter took a few stomps)

Sorry, I tried to keep it short but I failed. I still have thoughts on this but my lunch break is over so that’s all I got so far.

#ask #the owl house #hunter owl house #flashfan123

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deadnightcoffeetime · 1 year ago

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The Monster Of Willow Creek (Tales Of Horror Segment 2) (COPY RIGHT) Page 6

In the monster’s black and white vision, it sees Mathew helping out Tanya. Tanya replies, as they’re fully back up. “I think I can only walk.”, said Tanya. In the monster’s black and white vision, it rushes towards them, striking Mathew in his back by scratching. Mathew falls to the ground, as Tanya is standing against a wall to keep he balance. She screams and cries, as Mathew is being dragged by the monster, disappearing in the dark. She screams out for him, while still sobbing. “MATHEW?!?!?!”. No response. Tanya flees the mine shaft, heading towards the exit while limping.

It’s 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. The sound of a foot bell chimes occurs. Alyana walks down the stairs, looking very beautiful, wearing her traditional Native American dress. She opens the door, it’s Ezhno with his wife Atina, which she is holding a pumpkin pie, and their children. One male and one female. They’re all wearing traditional Native American clothes. They greet and hug each other, as the family enters the house. “Hi uncle Ezhno.”, said Alyana. “Hi, Aly. Native American Where’s your parents?”, said Ezhno. “Moms at the kitchen, and pops is upstairs., said Alyana. Ezhno goes on to sit on the couch. “Hey. aunt Atina, how have you been after your car accident ?”, said Alyana. Atina is Ezhno’s wife and aunt. Also has children with Ezhno. She’s in the ages between 53 to 54. I’m doing great! I only stayed at the E.R. for an hour or so, it was only minor scrapes and bruises.”, said Atins. “What happened with the individual that hit you?”, said Alayna. “The individual is doing time for drunk driving”, said Atina. “Did the court forced that individual to give you compensation?”, said Alayna. “Yeah, even though I didn’t want the dirty money.”, said Atina. “Well, I’m glad that you’re good, and getting good fortune.”, said Alayna. “Me too!”, said Atina. Atina goes on to drop the pie on the table. “Hey, Joel, and Dakota, how are you two doing? And how’s school?”, said Alyana. Joel and Dakota are reins, are very close to each other. Both are 14 years old. And both are the niece and nephew of Alyana. Dakota replies first. “I’m doing good. And school is alright so far, as a freshman. Oh, I’m going to do my first acting gig in a play next month.”, said Dakota. “Really? What’s the play?”, said Alyana. “It’s the classic Christmas Carrol tale.”, said Dakota. “Nice! When does the play start?”, said Alyana. “I don’t know exactly, but, I know it’s going to be on the last week of school, before Christmas break. Why, are you coming to see?”, said Dakota. “Of course! I love Christmas Carrol.”, said Alyana. “Okay. Well, I’ll keep you updated on the show, and the tickets. The tickets will be on sale in the beginning of next month.”, said Dakota. “Cool. What about you, Joel! How have you been, and how’s school?”, said Alyana. “What can I say. I’m just living the life to fullest. As for school, It’s okay. I’m just looking around to see ahy clubs, or something like that to keep me occupied. I hate being bored.”, said Joel. “Well, don’t give up! I’m pretty sure you’ll find something.”, said Alyana. “I hope so…”, said Joel. Sarah exits out the kitchen with food and places them on the table. Ezhno gets up from the couch and walks towards Sarah with open arms. “Sarah, dear sister! How are you doing?”, said Ezhno. Sarah replies, as both Ezhno, and Sarah hug. “Ezhno, dear brother! I’m doing good. And yourself!”, said Sarah. “I’m good. Where’s our older brother John?”, said Zahn. Sarah replies, as she goes back to the kitchen. “He should be here any minute!”, said Sarah. Sarah now hugs Atina. “Atina!”, said Sarah. “Sarah!”, said Atina. “You look lovely!”, said Atina. “Thank you! You lovely yourself too, Atina!”, said Sarah. “Thank you, thank you! How’s life?”, said Atina. “Oh, it’s good. A few ups and downs, but can’t complain. How’s yours?”, said Sarah. “You know that car accident I had in September?”, said Atina. “Oh, yes, yes! What happened?”, said Sarah. “I won! I got compensated and that individual is doing time.”, said Atina. “That’s good!”, said Sarah. “It is. I just don’t know what to do with the dirty money.”, said Atina. “I’m sure you’ll think of someone. By the way, can you help me with the food?”, said Sarah. “Of course!”, said Atina. As both Sarah walks towards the kitchen, Sarah yells out for Alyana. “ALY, CAN YOU HELP US WITH THE FOOD?!?!”. Alyana goes to the kitchen, as Zahn climbs down the stairs, wearing his sheriff outfit, for night shift duty. Ezhno greets and hugs Zahn. “Zahn, you’re looking good brother!”, said Ezhno.

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thedailybullshit · 2 years ago

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King’s Tide Spoilers

There are so many things I have to say about this picture, but the main thing is that I can’t stop thinking about how they aren’t marveling at the human realm.

Willow was the 1st to befriend the strange human girl who came to the boiling isles. She & Luz became best friends, & Willow became an incredible support system for the Owl House. Willow knows what they’ve been going through, & she’s part of the reason that Eda & Luz made it out of season 1 alive. She wanted to help Luz reopen a portal to the human realm, to see her mom. But she doesn’t know how much of a toll the draining spell took. Her dads are back on the Isles w/ coven sigils, & she has no idea what kind of state they’re in or how to get back to them.

Amity’s relationship w/ Luz is an enemies to lovers arc straight out of the books she loves. She & Luz made plans to spend time in the human realm & have a perfectly normal date; hell, this is the moment she’s meeting her girlfriend’s mom. This should be exciting, it’s just what she wanted. But all she can think about is how she had to leave her dad behind to fight alone so she & her friends could get away & make it to Luz. What happened to him when the draining spell began? Did he even live long enough to be affected by it? & she doesn’t even know what happened to her siblings; does her mom have them? How can she possibly get back to her family when a portal to another realm doesn’t exist anymore?

From the moment he was introduced, Gus has been absolutely fascinated by anything related to humans. Meeting Luz - a real life human - & befriending her was one of the best things that ever happened to him. His passion is collecting human objects; he founded a club based off this passion. 1 of his best friends is a human, & he wants to be an ambassador to the human realm when he grows up. & Gus gets to see the human realm, but at the cost of having no foreseeable way back to HIS realm. & his father is still on the Isles w/ a sigil. & all this after being the one to reveal the worst memories of Belos. Gus’s glimpse into Belos’s mind forced him to bear witness to Belos killing his brother. Gus, a 12 year old, had to see the worst thing Belos ever did from Belos’s perspective. & that’s why he’s the 1st to break down sobbing.

Hunter’s always shown an interest in things he shouldn’t & an aversion to physical touch. He’s asked questions about the human realm & studied wild magic behind Belos’s back. He once asked Belos if it was true that rain doesn’t boil in the human realm, & now he’s experiencing the non-boiling rain. But only after having to fight members of the very coven he used to lead, trying not to succumb to the draining spell, encountering his dying actually good father figure, fighting his abusive uncle, & watching said abusive uncle be seemingly killed w/out a thought by the all-powerful being his uncle was in cahoots with. & after all that, when his newfound little brother breaks down, Hunter can’t bring himself to deny Gus the physical comfort he needs. He’s trying to get over his uncle, he doesn’t know what happened to Darius, & he’s just. So. Tired.

& Luz. Poor Luz. She’s finally back in her own world. She can see & hold her mom. She arrived w/ her awesome girlfriend, her newfound best friends, & a boy she trusts like a brother. But the cost? She has no idea what happened to her adoptive mom. Her little brother is the unwilling playmate of the terrifying being whose cult hunted his kind to extinction. She put her life on the line to protect a strange world she grew to love, & nearly died or gave herself over to Belos in the process. Luz has been carrying the immense guilt of helping the tyrannical emperor rise to power & feeling like she’s had to correct it by herself. & sure, the draining spell was stopped, but she has no idea what kind of toll it took on those w/ sigils, which includes her 2nd mom, her cool aunt & the loved ones of her closest friends. She has no idea if she made things right, & no idea if it’s still possible for her to do so.

Each of these kids have shown some kind of interest in the human realm, whether in its people, it’s mundane objects, the realm itself, or in getting there. But they arrive in the human realm beaten, bruised, & bloody, with no foreseeable way to get back to the Boiling Isles, no idea if their loved ones are okay, no outlet but each other (& Camila & Vee) for everything they went through, & no way they can enjoy being somewhere they’ve all wanted to go.

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rulersreachf4n · 3 years ago

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Another Hollow Mind Post

I loved this week’s episode of TOH but next week’s episode is gonna be even more cool because we’ll (hopefully) get some of our questions answered. I already did a prediction post of what will happen which you can read here, but this post isn’t my predictions but more like me analyzing the promo images and breaking down who, what, where, when,why, and how.

Let’s take a look at these first 2 images. First of all he has his artificial magic staff not his regular palismen staff second of all he’s being tackled to the ground by Luz but why, this is obviously going to be in the beginning of the episode but why is hunter going into Philip, Belos, The Emperor whatever you wanna call him what is he going into his mind in the first place. I think Hunter will start questioning The Emperor’s loyalty since the last time we saw him, it seemed like he was on the way to redemption. Was Luz attacking out of self-defense or was it she was forced to.

Based off of they way she's attacking Hunter and the position he's in in the first photo I think we can safely say that Luz was doing it in self defense. Take a good look at Hunter's position in the first photo, it looks as if he's preparing for an attack, Luz didn’t want to fight him but she has no other choice resulting in them getting pushed into the spell circle and into The Emperor’s mind.

Now before I go any further I think I should mention the Gravity Falls season 1 episode 19 Dreamscaperes Stan was asleep when Bill, Dipper, Mabel, and Soos enter his mind and in Understanding Willow, she was also asleep when Amity and Luz when in her head so here's my question, how will they get Belos asleep to go into his mind. I know that Gravity Falls magic isn't the same as the magic in TOH but if in both shows that have to do with memory/past involve the person being asleep then I think it's safe to say that you gotta be asleep in order to see someone's mind.

I think that Tara snapdragon will play a role in making Belos asleep. Either Tara or Darius it has to be one of those 2 people.

In this image Hunter looks sassy, and probably is trying to do that sibling thing where they share their knowledge of something the other sibling isn’t interested in to feel smart and for their sibling to feel dumb. He most likely is explaining all these memories to Luz and what they mean like a know it all, then stumbles upon a memory that even he can’t explain or know that it means. Hunter will find Belos true plans for the titan/day of unity and is shocked that his uncle lied to him about his true plans. Luz comforts him and tries to get him on the right path and at first he might not believe her side he’s been so brainwashed to the point where he doesn’t know what to believe.

Again this is just my interpretation of the images and answering all the questions I have about the images and trying to get explanations. I feel like from all these images we’re given so much yet so little information about the episode, as if the crew gave us just enough cookie crumbs to fill our tummies but not too much that it’ll make us sick. Honestly I am not ready for this episode but I’m so excited.

Then we get this image of this masked kid with a wooden sword.

This is most likely either, his inner Belos or like a memory of Belos come to life like his subconscious or something. I think baby Belos (which is what I’m gonna refer to him from now on in this post) on the left is protecting a memory, or is running away from something and preparing to attack with his wooden sword. Baby Belos to the right looks as if he came out of hiding in the corner and is looking at something that caught his attention.

Baby Belos and Hunter most likely will interact and Hunter will trust/follow him since he trusts baby Belos. We know that Hunter has been abused by Belos mentally, to the point to where he hasn’t talked to kids his own age ever before, and doesn’t know right from wrong. He blindly follows orders from Belos without question, and is always looked down upon since he’s younger than everyone. Baby Belos will till him that he wants to hear and further manipulate him into staying in the castle and under The Emperor’s thumb to be controlled like a puppet. Maybe Hunter or Luz found out something they shouldn’t have and baby Belos is shocked or trying to follow Hunter and Luz or there are 2 baby Belos one for Luz and one for Hunter to make them split up.

This image is covered by text but if you zoom in it looks like Hunter is shocked and Luz is yelling something. This based off of their facial expressions will come after Hunter and Luz are reunited in the mind after being tricked by baby Belos and separated. Now I didn’t notice this until just now as I’m writing this post but Luz has something in her hands. Now, this might be just a glair from the text but it looks like something rabbit like is in her hands and Hunter looks like he pushed her out of the way, look closely and you see one of his arms is over her. What is this rabbit like shape that Luz has in her hands.

Maybe it’s another communicator like what Amity had in Eclipse Lake, or something similar to that and she is yelling into it to try to get out of here and it’s not commutation via emojis like eclipse lake but by voice so Luz is yelling/begging to get out of this hell.

The next image we have is of Belos in his cursed form with glowing feathers or something similar to a feather like substance. I think Luz is the one who will find this and not Hunter, she’ll see his cursed form and will freak but won’t tell Hunter to protect him. If Hunter is the one to find this memory or form of Belos he might have a break down like he did in eclipse lake.

Luz seeing Hunter relive traumatic, unpleasant memories, choses not to tell Hunter ‘cause she sees how scared he is after all they have been through in this episode or Belos knew that Hunter and/or Luz was in his mind and purposefully planted this in his mind kinda like lucid dreaming where you can control your dreams. I think Belos purposefully led Luz away from Hunter and is seeing this lucid dream from Belos to care her into keeping her mouth shut.

Now get this image and Luz is covering most of the image but we can get little clues and of what is going on the to the sides of Luz we see these shadows of hooded figures but that look a lot like Darius and Eberwolf based off the hair and the shape of the body, and the clothes or these could just be some mysterious hooded figures to trick us I don’t know. I strongly think that these shadows are Darius and Eberwolf who will be helping Hunter and Luz, maybe by being a distraction while Belos is asleep and Hunter is in his mind.

Lastly is this image and I know it looks blurry and static but it looks like Hunter casting the spell circle on the ground again this could just be the static of the image but I think this comes at the beginning of hollow mind where Hunter is standing in the spell circle like in the first image but except Hunter is alone, Luz isn’t there in the image (other than blocking the rest of the image) but Luz isn’t there it’s only Hunter.

So here’s how the episode will go…

Hunter will ask Darius and Eberwolf to go into Belos mind something will tempt Hunter into wanting to cast the spell and wants to know the truth about the day of unity that Belos is hiding from him. Hunter using his artificial staff and not his palismen so Belos won’t find out about Flapjack tries to cast the spell but Luz infiltrating the Emeror’s coven runs into Hunter, and Hunter trying to keep up his image of loyalty attacks Luz but goes easy on her giving him just enough time to cast the spell but Luz tackles him to the ground causing them both to go into the mind of Emperor Belos.

Walking down the halls of the memories Hunter, acting like a know it all explains all the picture memories and their meaning, while wondering down the hall of memories they come across baby Belos.

Luz being the cutie that she is thinks that baby Belos is adorable and Hunter is not amused. Baby Belos takes something of Hunter or Luz causing a chase scene, but there are 2 baby Belos’ and Hunter and Luz get tricked and get separated from each other thanks to baby Belos.

Later Hunter and Luz get reunited in a memory they see of the collector, Hunter pushes Luz to the ground and saves her from something that was aimed at her. Luz yells for help but without Belos being conscious it’s no use.

They go exploring in the memory of the collector and Luz sees a cursed form of Belos and decides to keep this information to herself and decides not to tell Hunter, maybe it will be useful to her in the future.

While Luz and Hunter are trapped in Belos Darius and Eberwolf cause a distraction since people in the cover are getting suspicious and wondering where Hunter is, so Darius and Eberwolf decide to disguise themselves in mysterious shadow figures drawing them away from Belos.

Luz and Hunter get out of the emperor’s mind and swear not to tell anyone about what they saw in the mind but Belos know about Luz and Hunter’s adventures but decides to keep it to himself as it can be used against him later in the show.

#toh #the owl house #toh season 2 #toh season 2b #hunter toh #hunter the golden guard #hunter wittebane #toh hunter #speculation #the golden guard #luz noceda #emperor belos #hollow mind #the owl house predictions #toh predictions #prediction #analysis

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oddsnendsfanfics · 4 years ago

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Love, Uncle Sy

Genre: Fan Fiction (Sand Castle) Pairing: N/A Warnings: It’s so fluffy! Rating: G Length: Drabble Disclaimer: a strict work of fiction, I own nothing except the original characters and the plot line. In no way am I affiliated to any of it.

A/N: I had fun with Sy and Willow, making Christmas cookies, so I brought them back for some adorable birthday fluff.

Henry Cavill Master List

Saturday morning, sun barely above the horizon and Sy was wide awake. As usual, his morning began in the kitchen, a pot of coffee perfuming the room while accompanied by the humid scent of dishwasher and frying bacon. He'd woke this morning, tossing and turning, a cold sweat cresting his brow. Nothing a shower and a soothing meditation tape wouldn't temporarily fix. Had he not been woke by the nightmares, Sy would have planned to sleep in – or his version of sleeping in, at least.

Waking from a nightmare on your birthday, should be criminal. Never the less, he had work to do once breakfast was over. In a few hours, he had to pack his truck with a few party favours and drive over to the local horse farm where his niece took lessons every Saturday morning. While Sy was turning older than he cared to remember, today was his niece's seventh birthday.

The grizzled Army vet loved all of his nieces and nephews, but Willow was certainly his favourite. She was his mini-me. His tiny partner in crime. His shadow, and the light of his life. From the moment Sy had held his birthday twin, he'd been in love. His heart was melting and there was nothing that he wouldn't do for that child.

Calling the dog back inside, he gave a scratch behind the ears. Plating his bacon and a piece of toast, saving a few pieces to cool as a treat for the faithful canine. Checking his watch, Sy frowned, 6AM was a little too early to call his birthday girl. He'd have to wait until he saw her later this morning, when he would also be presenting her with the most perfect present in the world.

Around 10AM Sy's truck was packed with a few birthday banners, balloons, cupcakes, and a giant pink sparkly bow. Willow's lesson ended at 11:30, if he wanted to get there and allow his sister time to set up then he had to hurry. Sy couldn't wait to see his niece's face, when he presented her with the present that he'd bought her. He could picture it now, her eyes shining and that adorable smile, ear to ear, squealing in pure delight.

Arriving while Willow was busy cleaning her tack, Sy managed to get somewhat set up. A kind parent helping to set up made it easier on Sy. One last thing to get from the truck and they were set. Sy shut the door, the case of cupcakes in his arm. Walking back to the surprise location, the last thing he'd expected when he stepped inside the barn was Willow running towards him, tears streaming down her face, sniffling and trying to contain the sobs of anguish. Stopping in his tracks, Sy removed his sunglasses, intercepting the little girl rushing towards him at the speed of light.

“Uncle Sy,” Willow rushed her uncle, tears in her eyes. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she sniffled.

“Hey Wispy, what's wrong Bub?” Sy stroked the back of her head, the braided pig tails messed from their time under her helmet.

“Oh Uncle Sy.” She wailed, bottom lip trembling. A child crying on their birthday was never a good sign. Squatting down to be the same height as his niece, Sy wiped her eyes. “Checkers.”

“What about him?”

“He's,” hiccup, “he...” she sobbed. “He's sold.”

Biting his bottom lip, Sy felt for the little girl. He wished they could have told her before now, but that would have ruined the entire birthday surprise. Of course her favourite pony had sold, the second Sy had heard that the striking spotted pony had a price tag, he called and negotiated the sale. Checkers had sold nearly two weeks ago, his new owner none the wiser that the pony even belonged to her – at her Uncle's request.

Aimee and Mike had been discussing buying their daughter her own pony, though funds and the right pony were never aligned. When Sy heard that the favourite lesson pony was going to be sold, he discussed it with his sister and knew what he had to do.

Seeing Willow sobbing uncontrollably was going to make the reveal that much sweeter. Even so, knowing something his niece did not, seeing her in such a state broke Sy's heart.

“Oh Wispy,” Sy soothed her, bringing her in for a tight hug. “I know it hurts now, but just think, Checkers is going to have a little girl of his very own. Don't ponies deserve a good home and all the love?”

“Yeah, but I'm going to miss him. I wish I could have him. I would love him forever, Uncle Sy.”

“I know bub, I know.” Gently giving her a squeeze, Sy let her go rubbing the tears away from her cheeks. “How 'bout you go finish putting your things away, then come find me and we can give Checkers some treats and tell him what a good pony he is?”

“Okay.” Willow nodded, hiccupping through a new batch of silent tears.

Close one. Sy stood, blowing out a heavy breath.

He had to hurry, if he wanted to be set up by the time Willow came back. He picked up the case of cupcakes. Delicately arranged in the shape of a pony, of course. Sy had worked hard baking, decorating, and creating the perfect birthday treat. Walking through the aisle of the small riding facility, Sy smiled seeing his sister and nephew waiting at the party site.

They had arranged to meet up after Willow's lesson, catching a few of her horsey friends before they left. Parents happy to wait for an extra hour to help the little girl celebrate her birthday. Sending Willow to the car to put her things away had been the only way Sy could get her far enough away to make their plan work.

“Sy, Happy birthday.” Aimee hugged her brother tightly. Careful not to squish the container of cupcakes that he held.

“Thank ya.” He kissed her cheek, smiling wide. Nodding to Ben, who would rather be anywhere else right now. “Wispy was pretty upset,” he commented glancing over at the pony who was standing in a holding paddock near by. “I nearly broke, Aim.”

“Oh god,” Aimee rolled her eyes, “who knew all it took to break the soldier was a crying child.”

“She's gutted,” He frowned, setting the cupcakes down on a small table decorated with a pink birthday sign, matching plates, and cups.

“Won't be for long,” Ben shrugged.

“Sure you and Mike are okay with this?” Eyeing his sister, Sy smirked adjusting his cap.

“Well, we kind of need to be. It's not like we've a choice.”

“Course you do, if you don't want the pony, I am sure Checkers and I would get on fine.” laughing, Sy took a good look at the pony who was content to eat the hay he'd been given. The big sparkly pink bow around his neck didn't seem to hinder him any. “He's a good looking boy.”

“I'd like to see you on that pony.” Her laughing intensified, Aimee snorted slapping Sy in the arm.

Her giant of a brother would look insane on the pony, even if Checkers was on the bigger end of being a pony. Hell, the last time she'd seen Sy ride he was maybe twelve, before girls and other interests had taken over his attention. Back then he would have loved to have his own pony. Their parents had allowed Aimee to begin taking lessons, when Sy had tagged along, insisting that he be allowed to ride too. Fearless, the six year old climbed onto the horse assigned to him and didn't bother to look back. For a few years everyone had began to assume that he'd eventually end up in high school rodeo, after that he'd find a woman and settle down on a farm somewhere.

Heh. What a life that would have been. A wife and kids were evidently not in the cards for this Syverson. He loved his nieces and nephews, but the scars his life bore, it would be unfair to condemn a child to a father who was broken and haunted by war. Clouds settling in his mind, Sy cleared his throat bringing himself back to the present matter at hand. Tormenting his sister.

“I happen to be a fine rider.” Winking at Ben; Sy nudged his sister. “I remember being a much better rider than some others that I know.”

“Shut up, I was a good rider.” Defending herself, Aimee stuck her tongue out at him.

“I know you were, but I was better that's all.” grinning from ear to ear, Sy ruffled his sister's hair, checking his watch. Willow was still missing, unlike her. “Should I go find Wispy? Bring her over?”

“Uh, yeah. If you don't mind.” Aimee nodded, checking her watch. The car had been unlocked, there was no obvious reason for her daughter to be held up.

Walking to the parking area, Sy laid his sights on the suv belonging to his sister. The doors were all shut and no sign of Willow. His truck, parked beside it was also vacant. In the back of the suv, Willow's stuff was tossed in. It looked like she had thrown it and ran.

“Wispy?” his heart began to thump when the car was clear. Logically, Sy knew that she couldn't have gone far. The soldier in him told Sy that there was no need to panic. The uncle side tried to take over his wildest imagination. No, sir he was not allowing those thoughts in. Listening for a moment, he took a deep breath steadying his heart and calming the pounding in his veins. “Willow?”

Behind him, he could hear a rustling in the grass. All the dogs were around the back and this was too big to be a barn cat. Following the noise around the corner of the shed, Sy's heartbeat returned to normal finding Willow sitting in the grass. Knees to her chin, her face stained with tears, her jeans dirty, boots covered in dust.

“You coming, birthday girl?”

“Uncle Sy?” Willow sighed, rubbing her hands against her eyes.

“Yeah?”

“My heart hurts. Is this what it's like when you have a broken heart?”

“Wispy, bub.” Sinking down to sit beside her on the grass, Sy felt his chest tighten. Wishing that Aimee had never mentioned the sale.

“I miss him already.”

“I know, but for now he's still here and he wants those carrots that I brought.” Trying his best to encourage his tiny shadow, Sy smiled. “If we go see him now, it means we get to spend more time enjoying Checkers than worrying. We can't predict tomorrow.”

Leaning into her uncle, Willow sighed. “But why did he have to sell? I love him, I don't want him going to a new home and on my birthday.”

“Oh Wispy,” Sy kissed the top of her head. He wanted to tell her, reassure her that Checkers wasn't going anywhere, but he didn't want to ruin the surprise just yet. “Honestly, bub, I don't know what to tell you. What I can tell you is that it won't always hurt.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Now, your ma is waiting for us. Some of your friends have stayed, too. There are cupcakes.”

“Really? But I thought we were going to feed Checkers.”

“We are, after. I wasn't supposed to tell you about the cupcakes, but I even made them myself for you. Come on, let's go enjoy the day. It's our birthday! No tears on our birthday.” Standing, Sy held his hand out to Willow.

Grasping her Uncle's hand, she squeaked when he grabbed her and tossed her over his shoulder. Laughing hysterically, Willow flopped around on his back, bracing herself with her elbows as he walked through the yard.

Seeing Sy with Willow over his shoulder, Aimee instructed Ben to grab Checkers and have him ready for his sister. Whatever. Ben crawled through the wooden fence, clipping a pink lead line onto the pony and coaxing him away from he hay. His sister was about to lose her mind. Straightening the bow, Ben smiled fondly at the thought of how happy his little sister would be.

“Happy Birthday, Wispy!” Sy announced setting her down, back to Checkers.

“Is this all mine?” Willow's eyes were wide as she stared up at her uncle.

“Sure is.” Nodding, Sy smiled with pride.

A few of the kids who had stayed were giddy with anticipation. Wishing their friend a happy birthday, waiting for the big moment. Turning to look at her mom, Willow spotted her brother with the pony. More tears in her eyes, she began to loudly sob. Her body shaking, words escaping her. Kneeling down beside his niece, Sy sniffed back his own tears.

“Happy birthday, Willow. He's all yours.”

“M-mine?”

“Yeah sweetheart, Checkers is all yours. If you want him.”

“I do. I really do, I love him so much.” Willow rushed the gate, fumbling to undo the latch. Frustrated she darted under the fence, throwing her arms around the pony's neck, hugging him tightly. “My own pony,” She whispered, causing Ben to smile. Handing his sister the lead line, Ben took a step back allowing his mom to take photo of the moment.

“Send me a copy, will ya Aims.” Sy wiped his hand across his eyes, putting his sunglasses on to hide the tears.

“You big softie.” Aimee nudged him. “Go on, get in the photo with them.” She urged her brother.

Stepping into the small paddock, unlatching the gate – unlike his niece and nephew there was no way in hell Sy was darting through the fence boards. He stood next to Willow for a moment, stroking the spotted neck of the content pony. Whispering softly to Checkers about what a good sport he'd been.

“I can't believe it.” whispering, Willow looked up at her uncle. “He's all mine.”

“He sure is, bub.” Holding out his arms Sy smiled when Willow rushed into them. Hugging her uncle tightly. Scooping her up, Sy took the lead line from her, holding Checkers beside them while Aimee took some photos. “Happy birthday, Wispy.” Sy smiled kissing her cheek.

“Happy birthday, Uncle Sy. Sorry that I didn't get you a pony.” Willow kissed his cheek, hugging her arms around his neck.

#captain syverson #captain syverson fanfic #henry cavill #captain syverson imagine

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secret-engima · 4 years ago

Note

Here I am. The anon who enables. The enabler anon. Send forth your RWBY verses' rambles *opens arms wide to receive* (only if you want to of course)

ANON WHO ENABLES. ENABLER ANON. BLESS.

Wolfcury:

-Blake isn’t sure what to expect of her new teammates, but Ruby having a GIANT WOLFDOG is not one of them. It takes- a long time for Blake to not flinch and throw herself onto something high whenever Mercury shows up, even though he TRIES to not be a gremlin and bark or prank her.

-Weiss lasts maybe three days before she breaks out the baby talk. Because while Mercury is big he’s still a dog and we’ve seen how Weiss responds to Zwei. Mercury is annoyed by the baby talk and ignores her until Ruby convinces Weiss to “please just talk normally”. Then he will permit the scratching of ears.

-Weiss and Blake are both going to be SO SHOCKED (and upset) that Mercury is actually a person and they were never told.

-Ruby gets super into prosthetics and the building of them because of Mercury. She knows they can get him a prosthetic human leg, but it’s not going to transform into a wolf leg when he does. That technology just- doesn’t exist in that specific way yet. So Ruby decides at age ten or so that she’s gonna make one.

-Ruby: It’s transform when you do and it’ll be great and it’s also gonna be a *gun*.

-Mercury: Ruby I have teeth and claws, I don’t need a gun for a leg.

-Ruby, excitedly drawing prototype blueprints: GUNLEG.

-She does in fact build him a transforming gunnel with Velvet’s help. Mercury is a goodnatured Sigh.

-MercuryxEmerald is the eventual ship planned, and Yang teases him mercilessly for it once she’s sure Emerald is serious about defecting to the good guys. I’m also dabbling in Rosegarden (is that the ship name? OscarxRuby) because the idea of Ruby going from “ew crushes” to having one of her own amuses the heck out of me.

Always I Dreamed (Raven AU):

-Raven has a propensity for adopting things, as evidenced by Ozpin and later Emerald. But it doesn’t stop with them, and her habits are infectious. At various points in Yang’s childhood, she gets a gruff ex-assassin sibling from Mom (Mercury), two adorable cousins from Uncle Qrow (Ren and Nora), one angry older sister bandit (Vernal), a Cool Big Sister Figure with Fire Powers (Amber), and of also another Big Sister with Many Issues of The Anger that Raven carefully helps her work through. This particular big sister is a fav of Ruby’s because she can make cool toys from black glass.

-Yes Raven is fixit adopting Cinder

-No I didn’t see that coming either, neither did Raven. It just kinda- happened.

-Raven absolutely sings RWBY songs sometimes. Usually “Home” as a sibling lullaby for Qrow and later Team STORQ, then later All Our Days for her kids. But sometimes she can be heard humming other themes under her breath.

Azur verse:

-I’ve mentioned that Ozpin is a former Khara and proceeds to adopt Azur the feral Khara child, but I can’t resist touching on how Azur and Qrow meet.

-Azur is feral bby. He woke up in this world in the wilds and his Semblance (or magic, Oz is still not sure which it is) saved him from Grimm, and Azur tended to follow Grimm everywhere because they kept the other predators away. So this child is very feral when Oz finally coaxes him into his house. Azur is also protective and dedicated and knows that the only two people who come here are Ozdad and Housekeeper Lady.

-So when Qrow, very drunk and newly returned from a mission, decides to crash on Oz’s couch, Azur doesn’t have a clue that this is normal and fine. Cue Qrow being attacked and knocked out by a very persistent and angry 7-10 year old.

-Ozpin comes home to a trashed living room, a very proud Azur, and a Qrow who has been tied up using every bit of rope, string, or wire Azur could find and is nursing both a concussion and a hangover.

-Ozpin unties Qrow and explains he’s welcome here once he’s stopped laughing himself sick.

Dragon Yang:

-Yang really likes Ozpin. *Really* likes him. It’s not a crush or anything, but she went from a world soaked in magic to Remnant which has barely any left and it makes her feel off balance and numb. Then she goes to Beacon and the Headmaster HAS MAGIC. She can feel it. So she starts to heavily gravitate toward him when possible because he feels “normal”

-Ozpin, who has been the object of many school hood crushes, takes a bit to realize that Yang is not yet another student with a crush. And then he’s confused on why she keeps falling into his orbit when possible.

-He has no idea that in this magic-starved world, he is basically the living equivalent of dragon slayer catnip.

-Oznip.

-Ruby also thinks Yang has a crush and is thoroughly grossed out because *Yang he’s a TEACHER*. Yang just laughs at her baby sister’s discomfort.

Noctscar:

-Luna wakes up slowly, in fits and starts and dreams of rain and a knife in her side. She wakes up to the cold, to the loneliness, and then wakes up further because no child should have to deal with this.

-Luna wakes up when she is once again eleven years old and stares at herself in the mirror.

-Weiss Schnee, second daughter of Willow and Jaques Schnee, looks back. And looks *tired*.

-Her sister has already joined Altas academy and is on the fast track to the military, and though she loves her sister, it smacks greatly of Ravus from a lifetime ago and Luna cannot bear to look at Winter sometimes because of it.

-She dotes on her little brother, on poor Whitley who is neither stubborn like Winter or an old soul like Luna and yet is stuck in this abusive, neglectful household. She tries to shield him from mother’s blank stares and father’s sharp bursts of temper. She has lived with bruises like this before, better she take it than Whitley.

-When she is young, she hears on the news in school that there was a mining accident, that a great many Faunus died. While the rest of her classmates titter, one girl who Luna always avoided because she hung out with a crowd Luna didn’t trust, bursts into tears and turns bright blue. The other girls recoil. Luna sits down next to the girl and holds her hand, not hiding the tears falling from her own face at the thought of such massive loss of life.

-She never sees the Faunus girl again, but it is a wake up call. A reminder that something is very likely *wrong* with her father’s company. So she investigates.

-She is twelve the first time she sneaks out in a hoodie and a little painted theater mask. She makes it all the way down to Mantle, and there she reaches for blistered hands and weary souls. She is no longer an Oracle, but magic is of the soul and she remembers it well. When she calls, golden magic answers. She heals until she is exhausted, and somehow she manages to make it home without falling over or getting caught by Klein. She does it again, in between recitals and school and taking care of Whitley, she continues to sneak down to Mantle. Never speaking, never showing her face (they would hate her for her blood if they knew, she knows, reject her help if they saw her white hair and blue eyes), but always helping and healing where she can.

-The people of Mantle name her. Ghost, they call her.

-Moon Angel, the Faunus whisper. Helper, healer, lost soul.

-When she is thirteen, Luna signs up to a combat school despite her father’s disapproval. When Whitley clings to her in fear that she too will abandon him as Winter has (Winter visits to rarely, and always her attention rests solely on Weiss when she does and it makes Luna so *angry*), Luna tells him her plan. She will become a Huntress, and when she has her license, nothing will stop her from coming and taking him away from this place. She will be able to make money to provide for them, to free them from this cold palace of finery and recitals and empty wine bottles and bruises under their clothes in the shape of a man’s hands.

-When she is seventeen she applies to Beacon rather than Atlas, in defiance more than desire. She bids Whitley goodbye and promises once again to come back for him, he just needs to hold on a little longer.

-There is faith in his eyes as he waves her off. Luna died keeping her word, her duty, in another life. She will do no less here.

#SE asks #anon asks #Always I Dreamed verse #Run Wolf Warrior verse #One in a Hundred verse #Through the Dark verse #Dragon Yang verse #Secret Engima Rambles

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sillytorch · 3 years ago

Note

Qrow

Tell me about how you feel about Qrow for the character meme

Two asks for Qrow! Alrighty!

favorite thing about them: I really like how the show plays off of his Rugged Drunken Mentor figure character archetype. In a lot of anime (and any media in general), that kind of archetype is always romanticized and it's kinda a bad thing b/c alcohol addiction is serious. And we see what alcohol addiction does to someone like Qrow, aka someone who is a broken man b/c of how awful his life is. We even see him trying to move away from his alcohol addiction. On top of that, I love that despite all of that, he tries to be a good person and a loving uncle to his nieces. You'd think with the life he has it's a wonder that he's not a villain, but he is such a big sweetheart who not only trains w/ his nieces but even plays video games w/ them as well and it's just UGHH!! So sweet!! >w<

least favorite thing about them: Uhh... I kinda wish we got him interacting more with other characters? Like I wish we saw him interact more w/ Yang, Ironwood, or... even Robyn? I know it sounds weird to say about Robyn since they were partnered up in V8 but they should have had more interactions, and I think she'd be a really cool sis figure for him too :3

favorite line: "Look, just remember that you've still got a long way to go. And don't think for a second that graduating means you're done. Every day out there is worth a week in this place. You two... you're gonna go far, but only if you keep learning, if you never stop moving forward." (RWBY V3 Ch 4: Lessons Learned)

brOTP: Qrow/Robyn; like I said, I really wish we got more interactions between them. I think w/ their bird motifs and their personalities, I'd see a really cool sibling-esque dynamic going on.

OTP: I do have a soft spot for Magpie (Qrow/Roman) cuz I just think it'd be fun and that they both have some similarities going on too :3 (esp now after reading Roman Holiday)

nOTP: Snowbird (Qrow/Winter)... like even w/o the big age gap between them, I don't want them together considering their interactions and fight in V3 and also knowing that Willow is an alcoholic and her addiction really had a huge effect on her kids, it just makes me not wanna ship them together >_<

random headcanon: He used Tai and Summer's heads as a little perch spot at one point when in bird form.

unpopular opinion: This man's never gonna die. Yeah yeah he's the mentor archetype and those types of characters end up dying, yadda yadda. But look, considering that so many horrible things has happened to him so far in the story and the fact that he's also fighting a really bad alcohol addiction on top of that? Ending his story by just killing him is just gonna be cruel. This guy deserves a break that doesn't end with his life getting taken away. Not to mention, Ruby's kinda already shown many times she doesn't need him to tag along and we literally have a volume coming up where she's just gonna be w/ her team (and Jaune + Neo) so like I think it's already clear that they've moved on from Qrow being just her mentor figure. ... also the "QROW'S GONNA DIE!!!" thing has been going on since V4 and it's getting pretty annoying so shut up, shut up!

song i associate with them: Bad Luck Charm (RWBY Soundtrack-wise); Silhouette (Owl City); End of the Earth (Marina)

favorite picture of them:

Qrow Branwen is going to punch you :)

#ask game #lulu23theewok #anon #mine #send some more guys! i love these!

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trojantoast · 4 years ago

Text

Cold is the Night (Day Two: Counterpart)

Zutara Week 2020// Day One

@zutaraweek

Ao3

Bring me some hope

By wandering into my mind

Something to hold onto

Morning, noon day, or night

You are the light that is blinding me

You're the anchor that I tied to my brain

'Cause when it feels like I'm lost at sea

You're the song I sing again and again”

- The Anchor (Bastille)

____

Zuko didn’t know what to say.

She closed his hand around the smooth stone.

“Katara, I...I can’t take this.”

“Yes, you can.” she pushed it towards his chest,

“No, I won’t let you.”

“Zuko,” she squeezed his hand, and furrowed her brow. His throat closed. “You’re not letting me do anything.”

He opened his palm and looked at the necklace, her necklace, her mother’s necklace.

“But,”

Katara sighed, “Here,” she took it from him. A weight flew off his shoulders, but she just grabbed his bare wrist and slowly wrapped the blue silk around it.

“Zuko, you want to get married, right?” He tried to open his mouth and agree, but no sound came out, he just nodded. His eyes didn’t leave her calloused tan hands, “Well, then I’m giving this to you.” She finished. The stone, and it's all too familiar design, rested on the inside of his wrist, against his pulse.

She moved her hand to cradle his left cheek. They were a cool salve to his scar. Her fingers threaded into his hair. Looking into her eyes, he leaned into her touch. A gentle smile flitted across her lips.

They had only talked in the abstract about getting married, but last night… even the memory of the words they had shared filled his chest with warmth.

“I love you, Zuko.” she rose to her tip toes and kissed him. Immediately he wrapped his arms around her waist, like an anchor. She broke the kiss, but stayed close. He circled his thumbs across the fabric of her tunic, but she reached down and took his wrist.

“This,” Katara brushed her hand along the silk, “is a promise.”

He finally found his words, “It’s your mother’s Kat, I can’t take it away from you.”

She smiled, but the expression on her brow was insistent, “You're not taking it from me, I’m giving it to you.” She ran a thumb along the stone, “I trust you, Zuko, with this, and with my life, and our future together. I was never supposed to keep it forever. My grandmother gave it to my mother, my mother to me, and now I'm giving it to you.”

Her eyes shined, but there was no sadness in them.

“And… maybe one day,” she raised a brow, “We’ll give it to our daughter.”

Zuko balked.

“In many years, of course!” her eyes went wide. His sigh of relief rustled her baby hairs.

There was a knock at the door, they both jumped.

“Ambassador Katara, if you’re in there, the ship to Ba Sing Se is leaving in thirty minutes.”

Katara pouted. Zuko smiled at the expression.

“What will I do without you, while your off building hospitals in the Earth Kingdom?”

Once again she reached up, but this time her fingers ran all the way to behind his ear.

“That’s another thing its good for,” she kissed him again, this time slower, “I’ll always,” she planted another kiss on his jaw, “be close.” her third kiss was the tip of his nose.

He laughed, and pulled her against him. He buried his nose in her soft hair, and she couldn’t hold him tight enough.

“I’ll see you in ten months?” she whispered into his neck.

“In ten months.”

___

A year and eleven months later...

Katara had never seen a more beautiful morning. Though, she would enjoy it more if she had slept the night before.

For hours she laid in the dark until the sky turned gray outside her open balcony doors. Cool, damp wind blew through the sheer white curtains and caressed her face. Spring had stayed for longer than usual in the Fire Nation. The oppressive heat and humidity of summer had been delayed. Katara wondered if it was divine intervention, or dumb luck.

She pulled the duvet, pale blue, up to her cheek, and snuggled closer into the cool white sheets. Once, she was under the impression that everything in the Imperial Palace was red or black, but on her first night as a formal guest of the Fire Lord (a phrase which made her chuckle every time she heard it) she had been lead into a sunny room, with slate gray wood walls, light maple furniture, and a lovely four poster bed with pretty blue bedding. A pile of pillows topped it in shades of lilac, periwinkle, and the softest green.

Pale, watery light filled the room and softened the edges of her sleepless night. It filtered through the stacks of papers piled on her desk.

For another moment she observed the dawn’s quiet beauty, then slowly sat up and stretched.

It wasn’t like she would be getting any rest anyway.

The waterbender wrapped a red silk robe around her bindings and tied it securely around her waist. Slowly, she crossed the room and stilled at her reflection in the mirror. A young woman stared back at her. Curves, recovered from years of hardship, enhanced hard muscle. Wild, untamed, chestnut curls crowned her head and fell to her waist. Blue eyes turned clear in the coming light of day.

She was no longer the little girl, a wisp of skin and bone, who cradled the head of the last airbender, six years ago in the snow. She was a new creature.

___

Katara found herself curled in the ancient roots of the willow tree, on the banks of the turtle duck pond. She had come to this place many times before, and it always cleared her mind, but the thoughts swirling around her countenance were a different beast this morning.

The sun was minutes away from crowning the gray hills in the distance, and the sky had turned the softest blue. The clouds above were tinged in pink and gold.

The turtle ducks had just begun to wake up, and were quaking quietly to themselves. Chirping birds and the wind in the fresh leaves became the backdrop of her silent thoughts.

Katara watched the mist rise of the mirror-like surface of the pond. She reached out, feeling the gentle pull of the water in her navel, and curled it to her whim.

“I didn’t expect to find you out here so early.”

Katara started at the breaking of her silence, but then she smiled.

“Goodmorning, Uncle.”

Iroh smiled gently then gestured to the grass next to her, “May I sit with you?”

“Of course,” the older man nodded, and settled in a lotus position beside her.

“I usually have my morning tea out here, I would be honored if you joined me.”

As Katara nodded, Iroh pulled a teapot out of the small basket at his side, and handed her a cup. With a gentle smile he poured the steaming liquid.

She took a sip and her chest grew warm.

“Mmm… what type of tea is this?”

“Gyokuro, very good for waking up,” he took his own sip, “though… it also does well for those who never went to sleep.” He gave her a pointed look. Sheepishly, Katara stared down at her tea, and then the pond.

“I couldn’t stop my mind from…” she waved a hand around her head, “spinning.”

“Often, the wills of the mind overcast the needs of the body.”

Katara sighed, and slouched a little, “Yeah.”

“Is there anything in particular you are worried about, Lady Katara?” Iroh’s expression was calm, and he topped off her tea cup. She sighed, then scoffed,

“Besides the obvious?”

“I prefer not to assume the apparent obvious, I’m too frequently incorrect in my assumptions.”

The sun had finally dawned over the mountains and the entire palace and gardens were lit up in brilliant gold. The red roof tops of Caldera City burned in the dawn. Katara pulled her knees closer to her chest and took a deep sip of tea. She knew Iroh would not pester her for a speedy response, so she took the time to collect her thoughts. The general just simply waited and drunk his tea, while he watched the surface of the pond sparkle like a jewel.

“It’s the wedding. Don’t get me wrong! I want to marry Zuko, I love him, and can’t imagine being without him, but there's so much… pressure.”

Iroh, just watched her, and waited for her to continue.

“I have to look perfect, and act perfect, and say all the right things. I have to bow to this person, and remember this person's name. There's so many customs and rules. What if I do something wrong? What if something crazy happens? Like assassins attack, or there’s a freak tornado?”

Katara’s voice had risen in volume and pitch as she went on, but now her words were quiet, and the hands gripping her tea cup trembled. “I know that there's people in this country who don’t like me. I hear them in the streets when I go shopping. They whisper behind my back at parties and announcements. ‘Southern Savage’… that’s a favorite… there was one woman I passed in a corridor that called me ‘Zuko’s Whore’”. Tears slipped down her cheeks. Iroh’s expression darkened.

“Does my nephew know of these impertinences?”

Katara sniffled and wiped her cheek with the sleeve of her robe, “No, he has so much to worry about, and he can’t fix it anyway.”

“And I feel so stupid!” the waterbender threw a hand in the air, threatening ripples disturbed the pond, “I’m not some soft maiden. Usually, I would defend myself. One time in Ba Sing Se, some girls made fun of Toph and I sent them down the river! I challenged a waterbending master without any formal training. I started a prison riot. I defeated Azula. Iv’e fought assassins, and soldiers!” Katara hid her face behind her knees, curtains of hair blocking her tears from view, “But, I just freeze. Every time. My brain screams at me to do something, but I can’t, I just stand there like an idiot. Eventually, I remember that fighting wouldn’t have helped anyway, or changed help how people saw me, they'd just think I was even more of a ‘savage’.” She spit the word out like poison, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I should stand up for myself, but..” she trailed off.

“Those things aren't true, Katara.”

“I know,” she turned to Iroh, resting her temple on her knee, “but, it’s hard to handle it. I’ve never been stoic, I’ve never been able to just ‘brush things off’. Like Mai, she gets all kinds of stuff thrown at her because she’s with Ty Lee, but she’s always the perfect noblewoman.”

“Just because your strengths differ from those valued by Fire Nation nobility doesn’t mean they’re less valuable.” A melancholic look over took his features, “my wife was very similar to you. She was raised in the colonies, born out of wedlock on top of it, but she too was never able to brush things off.”

“What did she do?” Katara turned her whole body in interest.

“She worked hard, she served the people, and was kind to everyone. She did so much good for the Fire Nation, before she died, that slowly the people who didn’t like her were the minority.”

Katara nodded.

“And,” Iroh made a point to look her in the eye, “she confided in me, and we were able to get through it together. Tell my nephew, the next time something happens. Even if he can’t do anything about it, which would be a rare occurrence, he receives his own ridicule, as I’m sure you know. You two are stronger together. You and Zuko, both, have grown up having to fight for every scrap of respect” Iroh breathed in deeply, “and you must continue to do so. However, the arena has changed, Lady Katara. You have to rely on each other, and your natural strengths to navigate it.”

The general chuckled to himself, “and don’t worry about messing up at your wedding. Nothing can be worse then when my cousin spilled the entire puch bowl on his pride, then got so drunk he challenged her brother to and Agni Kai.”

Katara’s jaw dropped.

“Of course, the man was a non-bender, so the challenge was null and void. What I’m trying to say, is that the wedding doesn’t matter as much as what you do after. You have a strong heart and, most importantly, empathy. This country doesn’t need a noblewoman, it needs a warrior.”

The young waterbender was now looking back over the pond, her brow furrowed.

“Is there anything else on your mind, Lady Katara?”

She considered it.

“What is it going to be like...being Fire Lady?”

Iroh took another sip of his tea, “I’ve never been one, so I can’t say that I know for sure,” she smiled, “but the most important thing to remember is that you are the most powerful person in the Fire Nation. That fact comes with privileges, but it also comes with responsibilities. You will swear the same oaths as Zuko. You are the mother of the nation.”

Oddly enough, that was the easy part to her. She had always been a caregiver. The memory of a small village on a river came to mind, of a little boy with a fish, and a veiled rice hat. She frowned, softly,

“What do you mean I’m the most powerful person in the Fire Nation? I thought that was Zuko, he’s the Fire Lord.”

Iroh shook his head swiftly, “My father and grandfather spun many lies about our customs and beliefs. They changed thousands of years of history to feed their own egos and suit their agendas, and to have unquestionable power. The Fire Lord and Lady are equal in power and in status, or at least they were before the War.” He turned to Katara, whose eyes had gone wide, “it is my understanding that Zuko will honor those ancient traditions.”

He continued, “You and Zuko have always been equals, even before he found his way. You are two sides to the same coin, moon and sun.You have always been matched in skill and mind. Similarly, The position of Fire Lady is the counterpart to the Fire Lord.”

“Yin and Yang.” Katara whispered. She reached up to the new pendant at her throat (so like her old one in weight and shape) and traced the familiar pattern engraved in luminescent green stone. She thought of a battle, so long ago. Katara had been so angry then, but her and Zuko… they had been equally matched. How many other times had they met on the battlefield and fought till a stand still. Even now, as friends, as more than that… they had always been on level footing. Never before had she hidden in Zuko’s shadow. He always recognized her strengths, and how they complimented his own weaknesses. Katara smiled to herself. Why would that change now?

You rise with the moon, I rise with the sun.

Balanced.

She turned to Iroh, and bowed slightly, “Thank you, Un…” Katara paused to yawn wide, “...cle”

He smiled, and bowed back, “Tomorrow is your wedding day, not today, I believe you may have some time to rest your eyes.”

Katara nodded, yawning again, and stood. Before she left she wrapped Iroh in a tight hug. He responded in kind.

When Katara made it back to her room, she found her mind clear as she settled into bed. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow, her hand still resting on the engagement necklace around her neck.

___

(Please reblog with thoughts & criticism!!)

Day two!!!

So I added that part at the beginning because i wanted to share my personal headcannon about the necklace (Also, read my Zutara Week submission from a couple years ago on the same subject) and it ended up being my favorite of today’s prompt :) Anyway, Thank you for reading!!! Tomorrow’s will be ~t h e w e d d i n g~ and then on day four we diverge a little for my personal favorite piece I wrote. (Because it’s lore and lore is the bomb diggity)

#ems zkw2020 #zutara week #zutara week 2020 #atla #Avatar The Last Airbender #zutara #Zuko and Katara #Katara #zuko #iroh #zutara fanfiction

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rwbyremnants · 3 years ago

Link

=Chapter 36

In no time, the three of them were in the backyard. Ruby looked nervous to the point of nauseated, but she was trying to be good about masking her nerves. And failing.

“What’s going on?” Yang finally hissed.

“Yeah, and why am I here?” Weiss asked. “Seriously, I thought you would only want your sister’s advice.”

The small girl squirmed, fidgeting with her fingers. “Well… jeepers, I think you’re really swell, Weiss, and you’re so nice to me! And you helped me and Yang start talking again, so it seems to me like you’re great at advice, y’know? A-and I thought it made sense to ask you! But if you don’t want me to ask your advice about stuff anymore, that’s fine! Really!”

“Why don’t you tell us what the problem is first?” Yang chuckled, cuffing her around the chin.

“Okay. I… yeah.” Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. “I d-don’t know what to do about Homecoming!”

“Huh?”

“The dance! Remember? The… one you asked Weiss to?”

Rolling her eyes, she said, “I know what Homecoming is. What’s your beef with it?”

“Penny. She asked me, and I kinda… shot her down, but I didn’t mean to! She just really caught me off my guard - since I don’t even think girls can go with other girls. But now she kinda thinks I don’t want to go.”

“Ohhhhh,” Weiss breathed, nodding in understanding. “Yeah, I remember that now.”

“Right!” Pulling at her hair, she started pacing as she went on, “And now I wanna make it up to her in a really big way! But… this isn’t my thing, y’know? And I don’t even know if I like her in that way, but she seems to have caught it from you guys.”

Unable to help herself, Yang burst into laughter, doubling over and slapping her knee. Ruby pouted, and Weiss patted her arm gently until the Dragon could manage speech again. “CAUGHT! Like it’s… the goddamn measles!”

“Well, she did! Seeing so many girls dating? Y’know?”

“Ohhhh… oh boy, that was great.” Straightening up and wiping her eyes, she said, “You’re a big tickle, Sis!”

“Forget her,” Weiss sighed in mild annoyance, patting Ruby’s shoulder now. “I think it’s very nice that you want to go with Penny… assuming there’s no fella who’s caught your eye?”

“Not really,” she admitted with a little shrug.

“Then there’s no reason you two can’t go as friends. If she wants to think of it as a date, that’s fine, right? Just… tell her you have bad breath if she wants to make out.”

Yang snorted. “You don’t even have to do that. Okay, here’s what you’ll do…”

As she whispered into Ruby’s ear, Weiss tried to busy herself with staring off into the clouds. The whispering went on, and on, and on, and Ruby only nodded and breathed a little “Ohhhh” or “Yes!” to indicate she was listening. Eventually, she decided the two sisters needed this time to conspire and made her way back into the house, knowing she would scarcely be missed. They could always track her down later.

“Why the long face, Little Weiss?”

She squirmed. “My father was the last one to call me that.”

Kali frowned, setting the pie that had just come out of the oven down in the middle of the dining room table to cool. “It will never be uttered again.”

“No, no, I… it’s alright. You mean it very differently than he did.”

“Naturally.” She came over to drape her arm around her shoulders. “What was the matter before you came in here, then?”

“Nothing, actually. Today has been… very nice. All up and down the map! I just felt a little left out trying to keep up with Ruby and Yang. And I know that’s stupid,” she hurried ahead, making sure she got her words in before Kali’s rebuttal.

“Of course it isn’t stupid. Erroneous, maybe. But your feelings are your feelings.” When Weiss still didn’t look convinced, she guided her over and sat her in a chair. “You’ve had Yang all to yourself all day, and now you don’t, so you’re sad. But that will pass.”

Nodding, she stared down at the table for a second. Then something strange came to her; something she wasn’t sure she should say. But she began with, “Mrs. B?”

“Kali,” she corrected gently.

“Kali. Um… I know Blake has been weird about it, but… I think it’s a kick that you and my mother are becoming friends. And I can tell she’s really happy, too.”

The older woman blinked a few times before her lips twitched into a small smile. Weiss knew that one; adults always smiled like that when their children were being good in a “cute” way. “Thank you.”

“Ugh… fine, nevermind.”

“No, no, I mean it.” She took Weiss’s hand and squeezed it gently. “I actually do appreciate you saying so. You’ve already pointed out how strange it would be if I stopped flirting with you to flirt with your mother, and I can’t disagree, but… as of right now, I really am just happy to be there for your family. And having your support in that only makes me even happier.”

Allowing her lips to twitch into a smile, she breathed in relief, “Good.” Then she patted the back of Kali’s hand. “Where’s Blake, anyway?”

“Out with Emerald and some of the others. I’m not sure. Would you care to help me with my pasta? It’ll be time to get dinner going soon.”

“Yeah! I mean, we have to pull our weight around here.”

“That wasn’t why I asked,” she laughed, glancing up as Willow entered. “Ah, good ‘morning’ in the afternoon.”

But Weiss’s mother was busy breathing in deeply, eyes closed in bliss. “That… smells… divine.” The other two only giggled in bemusement as they all headed into the kitchen.

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

The rest of their Saturday was fairly uneventful and dull, but highly pleasant. Yang and Ruby stayed for dinner, the latter mentioning that Uncle Qrow had only been planning to open some cans of tuna for them that night - which made Kali turn her offer into an outright command that she not leave only to head toward such a disappointing fate. Blake turned up halfway through and wolfed down some food, making some excuses not to hang around with them more and heading up to bed.

When Weiss tried to ask what that was about later, she only whispered that she wanted to be left alone. She almost felt like pressing the point - since they had been making such great progress lately. But Blake insisted that nothing was wrong, she just wasn’t up to speaking a great deal. Nothing more to be done from that point onward.

The next day, Weiss strongarmed Yang into getting together with Pyrrha so they could all study again. The redhead was one of the most patient teachers she had ever known - and she wasn’t even an actual teacher - but even she seemed to find Yang’s inability to grasp certain concepts a bit taxing from time to time. However, through dogged determination and their combined efforts, they all managed to help prepare Yang for the upcoming test.

Not that Yang’s frequent bribes of kisses helped. Weiss only succeeded in fighting her off most of the time, and no amount of throat-clearing from Pyrrha seemed to put her off it. At least she seemed to be moderately less queasy about things like that now.

Which Weiss asked her about a bit later, when they were taking a break.

“Am I what?!”

“Are you interested in Cinder?” she asked again, voice steady and bald of any deception. “Honestly.”

Clearing her throat, Pyrrha smoothed her hand over her hair as they fished the bottle of milk from the refrigerator. Mrs. Nikos had made a fresh batch of cookies that would go nicely with that. “You’re wrong, Weiss. I… know how it looked, but I don’t have those sorts of feelings for women.”

“Then why do you look so nervous when I ask about it?”

“Because I- I’ve never been accused of liking someone!” she burst out anxiously. “Cinder’s affections feel so strange, I- my stomach twists into knots when she touches me, but not in the good way you’re implying. Not the way it does when I see Jaune smile in class. It’s more like I feel… afraid.”

“Alright, alright,” Weiss tried to reassure her, a hand raised as the other held the glass steady for Pyrrha to pour. “I didn’t mean to pry. Honest! But you know how it looked at the hospit-”

“Yes! Yes, I… I know. But surely you understand that I only wanted to… to make Cinder feel less wrong, less… oh…”

“Sad?”

Pyrrha nodded, setting the bottle back in the ice box. “Sad. I’m sure you felt the same way I did. It simply isn’t right for a woman so full of confidence to be so broken. Don’t you agree?”

“I do. Seriously… that isn’t the part I’m wondering about. I knew why you did it. But once it was happening, and you were sitting next to her on the bed…”

“Yes.” Her wide eyes turned to Weiss. “What about it?”

“Then… you looked as if you were enjoying yourself. You just wished you weren’t.” Their gaze met, both of them uncertain. “Were you?”

The room fell silent for a few seconds. Pyrrha looked down into her glass of milk but didn’t respond, didn’t elaborate. Now Weiss felt awful for having brought it up at all. She was honestly hoping that a little gentle nudging might help Pyrrha come clean, or at least settle any fears the two of them might have been wondering about. Instead, it just seemed to awaken them afresh.

“Pyrrha, I’m really sorry if-”

“Hey, what’s taking you two cats so long?” The instant Yang stumbled into the room, she sensed the bleak atmosphere in the room and flinched back. “Whoa… why do I feel like I goofed in coming down here?”

Pyrrha favoured her with a practiced smile. “It’s nothing. Just getting distracted; I’m sorry. Here, take your glass; we… we won’t have to carry so much this way.”

She took it, shooting a confused look at her girlfriend - who had no great idea of how to respond exactly. She wanted to make amends for pushing too much. Even now, she still wanted to know if Pyrrha really didn’t like Cinder in a way beyond friendship, or if she was merely afraid of enjoying those frequent advances and wanted to cover those feelings so completely that they would cease to exist for all intents and purposes. If so… lying to herself was only going to hurt her in the long run.

But most of that was speculation. And Weiss cared more about supporting her friend than digging for the truth. She just wasn’t sure how best to go about supporting her in this situation anymore.

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

Monday morning brought school, and even more confusion about everything. Blake had been quite sullen and distant again the night before, but that morning she was all sunshine and rainbows, telling Weiss she looked nice and that she hoped they would all have a nice day in class. Pyrrha also acted like nothing had happened between them the night before, just plastering on her patented “politician smile” and greeting everyone cheerfully. In contrast, the normally-chipper Ruby was walking around in a cloud of uncertainty, acting jumpy - as if someone would spring out from inside of a locker and demand to know her true feelings about Penny.

Life was kooky.

The only thing that did make sense was Yang being in a fantastic mood. Their skinny dipping session had seemed to ease a lot of her anxieties and sorrows about other situations - such as her mom, and the fate of the Dragons overall. She locked arms with Weiss often and they chatted about fun, light topics. It was just what they needed.

Unfortunately, Ruby didn’t make good on any of her plans that day. Weiss asked what they were but Yang remained tight-lipped; she said it would be much more fun as a surprise when it went into effect. But it seemed they weren’t going to get that surprise today.

They were going to get another.

“Hey, kiddo,” Qrow called out as he strode over from the parking lot, his white-and-grey suit standing out like a sore thumb on the campus full of boys in sweater-vests and tweed sportcoats, polo shirts and lightweight jackets. The wave was casual. Yang tensed, but Weiss tried to remain calm; she wanted to see how this might go.

“Hey, Uncle!” Ruby piped up, grabbing him up in a hug. “What’s up? Am I not catching the bus?”

“Not today. Gotta head over to a neighbouring town for a run. Need my copilot.”

Her smile only widened at the prospect. This girl really did seem to love living with him as much as Weiss loved having her own mother back in her life. “YAY! Road trip, road trip!”

“Pipe down,” he rumbled in his gravelly voice, tousling her hair. The girl only giggled. Then he glanced over at Yang, face becoming somehow yet more passive than the already-nonchalant expression of before. “Yang.”

“Qrow.”

“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,” Weiss shoehorned herself in, reaching out a hand. Hopefully, it might diffuse the tension. “Weiss Schnee.”

“Yeah. I know. Schnees have been runnin’ this town for years.” She drew back the hand an instant later. He hadn’t even glanced at it.

“Hey, lay off my girlfriend,” Yang warned him.

“Ooooh,” he breathed with both hands raised in false fear. “I’m shakin’. And shocked ya turned out just like your mom.”

Yang’s face darkened with anger. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Chasin’ skirts instead of chasin’ fellas. It’s…” He paused to choose his words carefully. “...a crazy coincidence, don’t ya think?”

“Mom doesn’t chase anybody. You know that. She doesn’t even go out anymore, she’s always working…” Her lips shut and she turned to march away, then thought better of it - but only enough to force herself to stand there with her back to Qrow and Ruby, arms folded over her chest and entire frame seething with barely-restrained rage.

“Sure, kiddo, sure. Been a while since I even talked to her.”

“That’s your fault. You picked your side, and you… you picked wrong.”

“Yang,” Ruby whispered, but Yang sighed in annoyance and she fell silent immediately.

“Really believe that, don’t ya?” he asked with a slight edge of biting humour. “Little spitfire. Too much of your mom, too much of your dad. Or maybe just enough.”

Folding her arms tighter, the Dragon grunted, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothin’. C’mon, Ruby.” But just as they began to stride away, Weiss hurried to circle around behind them, blocking their path. “Excuse us.”

“No.”

“Wanna try that again?”

“I said, ‘no’!” She stamped her foot as she went on, “You and Yang are going to talk, and if I have to… to kick you in the shins until you stay, I will! Don’t think I won’t!

Looking distinctly unimpressed, the man grunted, “Yang, do you wanna tug on your little girl’s leash here?”

However, Yang sighed in defeat, rubbing at one side of her face. “No… trust me, it’s not gonna make any difference. She gets something in her head and there’s no stopping her; we might as well accept it. What do you want us to do, Weiss?”

“Talk. Now. Is that really so crazy of me to ask? Really talk, don’t just say a bunch of mean things.” When nobody answered, she rolled her eyes and turned back to Qrow. “Let’s start with this: what did you mean by ‘just enough’ of her parents? I think you were going to say something nice.”

“You think all you want.” But of course she still wasn't moving. He rolled his eyes and said, “Fine, fine. I was gonna say… this is stupid.”

“No argument here,” Yang said with no hesitation. But before Weiss could protest, Qrow was actually answering – and it was a genuine answer.

“You got your mom's spunk. And that fierce loyalty that almost nobody really sees. She could have dumped you out in the streets, but even though she's about the worst candidate for a mother I've ever seen-”

“Forget this! I don't need to hear you talking about her like-”

“Wait, wait,” Ruby spoke up, finally seeming to catch on. She and Weiss shared a little smile. “I think… you should let him finish.”

Qrow looked a little ruffled by all the attention, but was trying to hide it behind a veneer of disinterest. “Like I said, she’s no prize as a mom. And she knew it. Always knew it; that’s why she gave you up in the first place. But after you two lost Summer… she took you in anyway. Takes a lot of guts to do something you don’t think you're any good at for somebody else because you’re the only name in the hat - and she’s been doin’ it for years and years. Because she doesn’t turn her back on family unless they give her a good reason. Real loyalty.”

Yang’s mouth just barely uttered an “Oh.”

“And as for Tai… he was kind of a flake, still don't know why he twenty-three skidooed on us. But he had a lotta love in his heart for his friends, family. Strong and didn’t know the meaning of ‘fear’. And, uh… I think you got a lot of both of ‘em. That’s all.”

“O-oh,” she breathed again, and this time Weiss noticed her eyes were watering. But she turned away, arms tightly folded over her chest. “Fine.”

“Yang,” Weiss insisted very quietly. But Yang didn’t budge. So she turned to Qrow and nodded at him. “Thank you for saying that.”

One hand waved it off while the other fell to his almost-niece’s shoulder. “Eh. C’mon, Ruby, we’re burnin’ daylight.”

“Okay,” she said quietly, favouring Weiss with an uncertain little smile. “See you later, okay?”

“Yeah. See you, Ruby.” Once they were out of earshot, Weiss stomped over to Yang and seethed at her back for a few seconds. “You could have at least said ‘thank you’ instead of ‘fine’.”

“Wh-why should I thank him? He just… still didn’t… what a big clod.”

Her arms wrapped around Yang’s waist, hugging her from behind as she shivered with unshed tears. “I know, I know. What a meanie, telling you that you’re loyal, and brave, and you have a big heart. How dare he!”

By that point, Yang was truly sobbing, and she turned to hold her girlfriend as close as she could, needing the creature comfort. Weiss did her best not to let her shock at this release show; just held her, petting over her back and hair and giving her the chance to have all those feelings. They stayed like that until Blake happened along and asked what the matter was, to which Yang completely sidestepped before rushing off to get home.

“That girl is just weird,” Blake remarked with a small shake of her head. “Mondo strange-o.”

“Yeah. So, um… do you think maybe her mom would let you come over now? Because it still seems like she’s being stubborn about houseguests. I think that stinks.”

Her shoulders raised up and down within her leather jacket, staring off after the blonde driving away on her motorcycle. Wistful but resigned. “Nah.”

“No?”

“Probably not. But I see her enough in school. And when the Dragons hang around, too, I guess.” When she saw Weiss squirm, she sighed and rolled her eyes. “You can stop now. I’m not a charity case, and I’m… okay with how things turned out. So enough with the babysitting. I’m fine, Weiss.”

She bit her lip for a second, indecisive. Then she finally hugged her around the middle. “I’m glad. Because I’m a Dragon now, too, remember? If you’re in pain, then I’m-”

“I get it,” she laughed weakly. “Let’s go home, you weird hug-monster.”

When they got there, they saw a few more bikes parked in the drive than were normal. And Weiss was just beginning to get familiar enough with her fellow gangsters to tell which bike was whose.

“Salem? And Vernal, and… and that is Cinder’s bike, I think, but she’s not even out of the hospital yet!”

Blake shrugged as she left her helmet on the handlebars. “We really need to get that new Shopkeeper’s set up. Somewhere.”

As she could have expected, Salem was seated in the living room with Kali and Sienna, discussing things in hushed voices. Weiss noticed her own mother was conspicuously absent; that would have worried her, but Kali looked far too calm for it to mean anything dire. Probably had her hidden upstairs.

“Ah, there are a few of our babies,” Kali said with a half-smile. “Good day at school?”

“High Dragon,” Weiss said with a slight bow in her direction. Salem barely tilted her head downward in recognition. “Where’s Cinder?”

Almost as if summoned, Cinder appeared from the dining room with a glass of iced tea. She was still heavily bandaged, and leaning on Emerald for support, but she looked a little more hale and hearty than she had the last time they saw her. Flirting with two women at once had done wonders for her complexion.

“Schnee,” she rasped with a slight smile, which Weiss returned.

“Fall.”

“Belladonna,” Blake grunted in mild annoyance at being ignored. Cinder smirked. “Now, what’s this all about? I didn’t know we were having a pow-wow. We would have told Yang.”

Salem waved a hand of dismissal. “This is not an official meeting, Blake. We’re discussing how to proceed.”

“He’s got a little too many higher-ups backing him to rub him out now,” Kali warned her, sounding as if she had already made that point before but was trying to rearrange her words so that they would be more convincing. Weiss’s gaze sharpened on the older women. “There’s no way it wouldn’t lead back to us - even if we asked the boys to do it instead.”

“Agreed. However, we may not have much choice; if we languish here while our enemy amasses yet more power, we may find the option vanishes from under our noses. He’ll be out of reach soon.”

Cinder spoke up, surprising them all. “Make it quick. Hell, I’ll do it - sweet revenge.”

“Wait, wait,” Weiss interrupted before Kali could speak again. “What is it we’re talking about? Who needs to be… you know.” She had a suspicion, but wanted to confirm.

Salem blinked at her a few times before she answered. “You haven’t heard? Our timetable has been… truncated.”

“I haven’t. I mean, apparently.”

For a moment, no one answered. Then Kali stood and crossed to her small television set, turning the dial to get it warming up. Within several seconds, they were staring at a black-and-white image of a newscaster with a handful of papers, gazing into the camera and trying to be serious without being dour, square jaw outlined in strong relief above his suit.

“...within these past weeks, with the fire at the abandoned building as further proof of criminal activity. Mr. Schnee says that he hopes his term in office as mayor will usher in a new age of peace and prosperity for the city of Vale. Now here’s Lisa Lavender with the weather…”

#princess and the dragons #freezerburn fanfic #rwby fanfiction #rwbyremnants

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skgway · 3 years ago

Text

1823 July, Fri. 18

7 55/60

12 50/60

1/2 hour in the stable (look after the horses, giving Hotspur oat-cake) and just walked a little down the lane to see that the hay-makers were at work – At breakfast at 9 1/2 from 10 to 11 10/60, sauntered with my aunt into the Allan-car to see the hay-makers there – And weeded the quick-wood hedge planted there in the winter – Making dye and blacking for the gig after M– [Mariana]’s receipt –

At 11 40/60 took George in the gig, and drove the black mare outside Skircoat moor – In returning called at Mr. Wiglesworth’s and brought back Baines’s Yorkshire Directory etc. 2 volumes which Mr. W– [Wigglesworth] yesterday promised to lend us –

Got home at 1 10/60 – Went into the hayfield (the Pearson Ing) with my aunt and did not come in till 1 3/4 – Curled my hair, had it pinched ready for evening – Note from Miss Pickford, a line or 2 to say her nephew Sir Joseph Radcliffe was come to Savile hill, and she could not walk with me this afternoon – We were to have met at Whitley’s at 4 1/4 – Sent the servant back with my compliments no answer required –

Mean to write her a little note relative to her question when she last drank tea here about the funeral rites of the Scythians – Looking over Larcher’s notes on the subject; turned according to his reference, to libro iv. capitulo 1. Ælian – Hustled over Plutarch’s lives at the name Theodosus; but of course could not find what I wanted, not having Plutarch’s libro αὐταρϰῪϛ Ὑ ϰ��κία etc. An vitiositas ad infelicitatiene sufficiat vide Ælian as above, and Larcher volume iii. page 491 –

Wrote the last 9 lines of today, dressed and went down to dinner at 4 55/60. At 5 3/4 down the old bank to Well-head, got there at 6 by the church – Only the family – Mr. and Mrs. W– [Waterhouse] and their 3 oldest daughters – Speaking of parliamentary elections said there was no subject on which I felt more warmly – Wished for another contested election, and that we might be able to bring in 2 ministerial members –

Mr. Wortley we all observed was likely to have a seat with the pews – When should we get in his place – Lord Harewood had not a son fit for it – We did not know whom to mention – But so far from 2 blue members Mr. W– [Wortley] feared we should not have one – I maintained Mr. Lascelles had lost his contested election thro’ want of better management and the rascality of his York attorney, not Woolley, who kept letters (respecting votes) in his pocket unopened till it was too late for them to be of use –

But the other party always outwitted us – We were always too late, or too supine – Coupled Mr. W– [Wortley] on his good judgement in not voting at all at the election of a law – Against to the navigation company – He said it was neither forgotten nor forgiven by some of the party (of course) Mr. and Mrs. James Stansfield) who said Mr. W– [Wortley] acted thus on account of religion – and “the election was lost for righteousness sake” – (Mr. James S– [Stansfield] is a unitarian) – This led me to remark that Mr. W– [Wortley]’s vote could not have gained the election: as it was 2 gents voted who had no votes; and, to say nothing of this, my uncle as chairman would have had the casting vote, and thus must have given the election to Mr. James Norris –

I then observed pretty severely upon the means the Messieurs Rawson and Briggs had taken in favour of Mr. James S– [Stansfield] their instigating Mrs. Christopher Saltmarshe’s note to me (of Tuesday 27 May 1823) begging me to use my influence with my uncle “that in case” (to use Mrs. S– [Saltmarshe]’s own written words) “Mr. L– [Lascelle] had promised has vote to Mr. N– [Norris] and at the same time, did not feel interest in his obtaining the appointment: but had given his vote, as many do – to the first applicant and not from wishing him to succeed. And if it would not be taking too great a liberty to ask such a favour – that he would have the goodness not to present himself, at all, at the election but preserve a neutrality” –

I observed that a note to ask me to ask my uncle to break his word if given, was an insult; that, if almost any one else had ventured to do such a thing to me, I should never have spoken to them again, but then I excused Emma; it must be her ignorance – Her yielding to her brother Mr. Stansfield Rawson; I knew, I felt assured, she did not mean an insult; she had even so excused herself and so apologized in her note that I would not take any serious notice of it, but, being out when the note arrived, I had never written any answer to it but merely called, and turned it off in joke – Adding that they little thought how much I was the last person in the world to whom such a note could be addressed with impunity, and that, so far from influencing my uncle as they wished, I had done just the contrary; –

For, in fact, my uncle’s vote was not promised – He was at liberty to stay at home if he chose he had made no promises, he had merely said to Mr. N– [Norris]’s oldest brother when he called, that he “thought he should not be his enemy” – But I told my uncle the easiest way would be to say at once, he had promised his vote – And if it was possible that he should be determined to go to vote for Mr. N– [Norris]. Thus, said I, they absolutely defeated their own ends –

Said I had merely laughed to Emma, saying her note was far too late – She ought to have written a week before – I mentioned too, to the W– [Waterhouse]s having drank tea at Lightcliffe some time before this, and that what Mr. P– [Priestley] said had put me a little on my guard, for he, Mr. P– [Priestley], was anxious not to have Mr. N– [Norris] elected, but tho’ I did not then agree with him (knew nothing of Mr. N– [Norris]’s alleged setting himself up – Being too meddling – Too blabbing – Likely to injure the navigation – Concerns by too much influence, his older brother being clerk to the company) yet I had merely laughed and said Bless me, we must think of all this –

We have all been gulled into thinking Mr. N– [Norris] a very proper person and said if we had a hundred votes we should give him them all – But I would tell my uncle what he (Mr. P– [Priestley]) said, and we must think of it – Determined then to advise my uncle to give Mr. N– [Norris] his vote, tho’ it was quite unnecessary to tell the P– [Priestley]s this –

It appeared that Mr. and Mrs. W– [Waterhouse] had gone to the Saltmarshes about 1/4 hour after Mrs. Saltmarshe had sent the note – They condemned it at the time, so did Mrs. Rawson of Stony-Royde; and Mr. Saltmarshe declared, if he had been at home, Emma should not have sent it – But said I, the matter did not rest here; for afterwards there came a note (I believed in Mr. Stansfield R– [Rawson]’s hand-writing) written in the names of the bank-firm to my uncle himself, making the same request Emma had done; and still, not satisfied with this, Mr. Briggs, bringing with him Mr. William Priestley (of Lightcliffe) had after this called on my uncle; and Mr. B– [Briggs] had the effrontery or ignorance to make the same proposal to my uncle of staying at home – Of breaking his word if given –

I believed my uncle was a little agitated (he looked so when he returned to us in the breakfast room) that any man should make him such a proposal – But he calculated on the ignorance of the person – Knew he could not mean to insult him – Kept his temper, and calmly said – “He could not do it – He must be consistent with himself” – Mr. W[illiam] P[riestley] knew too well what he was about to say a word of such a thing – He said nothing but simply that he thought if his uncle had been alive (the late John Walker Esquire of Crownest) he would have given his vote to Mr. Stansfield –

Both Mr. & Mrs. W– [Waterhouse] quite agreed in the justice of my remarks – Mr. W– [Waterhouse] quite surprised that Mr. Stansfield R– [Rawson] – Should have written such a note – He never knew of this near of Mr. Briggs’s calling – He knew they had done this to a Mr. Crossley (at or near Rochdale) whom they had persuaded to stay away, after he promised to give Mr. N– [Norris] his vote; – He knew they had tried to persuade Mr. Thomas Dyson of Willow-edge to do the same; but he had never thought they would make such an attempt with my uncle – Broadly insinuated, he did not think they durst – It was an insult to a gentleman –

The subject turned for a minute or 2 to Mrs. Empson – Mrs. Waterhouse had heard something I had said of her (Mrs. W– [Waterhouse]) and she had “long meant to give me a wipe” – I saw Mr. W– [Waterhouse] was a check upon her – He did not wish her to name it – At last I succeeded in learning that I “was very cool”, but I had said “I never saw Mrs. Empson so like Mrs. Waterhouse” that is as she (Mrs. E– [Empson]) was when she was telling her mind – I replied I had no recollection of making such a speech: it was very unlike me to do so: nor did I believe I had made it – But I perhaps I might

Mrs. W– [Waterhouse] must be aware the similitude might be good in 2 points – I had seen Mrs. W– [Waterhouse] out of temper and she had once behaved to me in a very unintelligible way: but I had forgotten or rather overlooked it, and it was very unlike me to revert to it in such a many –

If I had said it at all, it must have been merely to my uncle and aunt at home; but certainly if I really had said it elsewhere it was in confidence to Mrs. Rawson of Stony Royde or more probably to Mrs. Saltmarshe (which however I did not could not believe to be the case unless one of them should assert it); and I should know better how to say things in confidence in future –

However; I begged Mrs. W– [Waterhouse] to understand that said or unsaid I was very happy to make her any and every apology in my power, laughing and adding I knew her to be really good at heart – I would not quarrel with her – She was now a privileged person, and might say what she liked – As for Mrs. E– [Empson] “Love rashly formed too often ends in hate”, and I dared say she how hated me as much as she had ever done the contrary – “No! No! You are mistaken she does not do that” – “Then”, said I, “I have done her unjustice but it is too late now to say anything about it – It is a dead cut between us – I may speak to her at other places or how I did so in York – But here perhaps I may take no notice of her at all” –

Mrs. W– [Waterhouse] and I parted very good friends and I came away at 8 55/60 – Mr. W– [Waterhouse] set off to walk a part of the way home with me, came all the way, I persuaded him to come in to see my uncle and aunt, and he sat with us till 10 55/60 – As we walked along, I asked if he did not think this business of the Greenups a rascally thing: of course, he did not like to say yes, at once but certainly did not contradict it, quite the contrary –

He said no attorney in the town would have done for them for Mr. James Norris has unless it was a young man, and had a character to lose – But he had gone thro’ a great deal – He had been kicked out of the room, and buffeted about, and abused – Ashewed, very worthy man (a creditor of the G– [Greenups]) had said to Mr. W– [Waterhouse] that they ought to be very much obliged to Mr. N– [Norris] they ought to make him a very handsome present, but perhaps he had done himself more harm than any good the G– [Greenups] could do him –

I said, had my uncle known all this before the election, he would have staid at home – For he had too much the feeling of a gentleman and the principle of an honest man to countenance, or appear to countenance such conduct in any one – I thought the G– [Greenups] would make £20,000 by this business – Mr. W– [Waterhouse] thought they would make half thin debt – That if they owe as was said fifty-thousand pounds according to Mr. W– [Waterhouse] they will clear £25,000 – I thought such things ought not not to be overlooked – such people ought not to be noticed – Mr. W– [Waterhouse] agreed; but, said he, “these things get over, and in a few years are forgotten” –

Sat up talking to my uncle and aunt till 11 50/60. Spiriting up my uncle about the pride of the family about Shibden etc. Having Pontey or Mickle improving the place which I always take every opportunity of urging and I think I shall succeed at last –

After coming upstairs began thinking of a contested election and a plan for bringing two blue members. Thought of writing anonymous from Bradford (but to be dire[c]ted to me here) to ask the chancellor of the exchequer whom we should choose if Wortley is made a peer. Began building castles about the result of my success, the notoriety it would gain me, an introduction at court perhaps, a barony etc. etc.

A glass of hot red wine neguss taken with Mr W[aterhouse] (I never take any) heated me. I thought of myself how slight the partition between sanity and not. The blood seemed in my head. I was not likely to sleep. I tried to compose myself by thinking [of] that almighty being who had created me. I had already said my prayers fervently and on getting into bed began repeating the lord’s prayer aloud again and again for ten minutes till the tears trickled down my face and at a little after it struck one fell asleep –

No rain today except a slight shower about 2 o’clock which could not do much harm to the hay – Yet a dull day – No sun – No drought – Yet got in nine loads – Very soft, and damp, too much so I fear –

#anne lister #anne lister code breaker #shibden hall 1823

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wthelvetica21 · 4 years ago

Text

🔗💀Linked Souls

in the Digital Cabaret’s lobby

All four of the Mystery Skulls investigators found themselves in a calmly lit room with skull decor. It was quaint to say the least. There were also musical instruments like guitars and old fashion keyboards on the walls as well like it was a recording studio. All of them were laying on the same large circular sofa with two tables.

Lewis: What… The hell… just happened…? Guys?

Vivi: Just a few more minutes okay Lew. I swear… mar

Vivi rolled back sleeping with her plush turtle that she kept in her backpack before they headed out.

Arthur: (yawn) Can you keep it down… Whoa OH HOLY SHIT! Where are we guys? This can’t get any weirder man.

Mystery: *soft barking* (I must keep a low profile for now. I have a feeling that we’re not… in our world anymore. I sense four none hostile souls and least one that’s harbors some justifiable apprehension towards us.)

Lewis is the only one who could hear Mystery via supernatural telepathy.

Lewis: Huh? I hear voices from outside…

Lewis along with Mystery and Arthur put their heads on the double doors to listen in.

Teenage Male Voice: I don’t know if this is a good Idea Doc. They seem sketchy as hell if you ask me. Especially the ghost rider reject in particular.

Calm Female Voice: I’m sure hun, my tombsona can since people’s intentions right away. They seem to be looking for someone or something whom was involved with the murder of the young man in the suit who has become a ghost. It’s all I could glean however. But the dog though.. is odd… He’s not a threat to us but that might not be his true form.

Suave German Voice: He could be a lycan… What? It’s possible since that ghost is particularly one that still has his body.

Mystery: *tilts his head* (A lycan? As in a werewolf? He also knows that Lewis is a special case as well.)

Softer Male Voice: …

Strangely Familiar Voice: What’s that Armstrong? You think that we should meet them one by one? Maybe 2 by 2 would work better. I would rather meet them later… I’m still having a hard time processing this whole situation. I just woke up after all.

Lewis: Wait?… Is that the? (Is that the guy singing in that weird dream from earlier? Could it be that comatose guy who was begging for help? It’s modulated a bit but it’s that voice I heard. I just know it.)

Mystery: whimper (Lewis? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. You know that voice?)

Lewis: Uhh… I could’ve sworn I heard his voice before. (he said softly)

Calm Female Voice: Don’t worry cher. We’ll go first. Come on Rust since you’ve been itching to meet them.

All three backed up from the door so they wouldn’t get hit.

Teenage Male Voice: WHAT!? Why the hell me? Why not Tesla, Armstrong, or even your… Hey don’t give me that look. Dammit okay fine… let’s meet them already. (mumbles in Spanish)

Lewis: Tch… (Yeah you’re already gonna be a pain in the ass from the get go. Must be a high schooler or somethin’.)

Strangely Familiar Voice: Wait! I changed my mind. I’m very curious about these people from another universe.

The double doors open and two individuals come out. One was a woman who had discolored blue skin with glowing neon blue paint. And she had flowing hair that acted like willow wisps. She also had the attire of a stage magician with some witch doctor elements. The most noteworthy thing about her was the navy blue mask with glowing cyan eyes and outlines that took up most of the top portion of her face. She could even be mistaken for a ghost like Lewis.

Vivi: OMG, she’s… so… cool! Oh man I wish I had that classy outfit she’s wearing. I could match with Lewis for once.

Mystery: *tilting his head groaning* (She’s certainly someone Vivi and Lewis could get along with very well. Maybe she patched us up from that elevator.)

Doc: My name is Doc or you could call me Ms. Doc for convenience. I’m the drummer for The Living Tombstone. Next to me is zero_one. He’s our keyboardist and composer. He also does the vocals as well.

The other individual was a tall svelte man who was shorter than Lewis but slightly taller than Arthur. He looked like he was wearing a skin tight jump suit with yellow circuit lines with an orange fade to them. In the center of his torso is a rectangle that looks like a microchip with a heart beat indicator. He also was wearing a helmet that had a plume of golden orange hair made out of plasma and a pair of headphones. But what really caught Lewis’s attention was the LED skull with a bolt shaped crack on the right. He recognizes him as that guy from that dream he while he was passed out on that mining elevator. Almost immediately both of them blurted out…

Lewis & zero_one in unison : Do I know you from somewhere? But how?

Lewis : Hold up… Um Hey… (Aw man this shit just got weird already.)

zero_one : Uh… Hi there… (Oh… awkward.)

Arthur: Welp… This just got awkward and weird fast. What is going on here man? You recognize the dude with the mohawk?

Lewis : It’s a…

Rust: Oh that does it… I’m going in. What flying fu…. oh… This is already got a weird vibe. Who the hell are you people anyway? AND You… yes you the ghost rider reject how do you recognize our front man hah?

Lewis : growls (Great another asshole with a green motif. But he’s some kind of punk who’s just got outta high school).

sigh (trying to contain his anger) I’m not sure, I just seen someone like him that’s all…

Stoping the young man in biker attire with the green skull mask from lunging at Lewis was a slightly older gentleman who’s color scheme was similar to Lewis’s. He had the attire of a mad scientist with a winter hat.

Tesla: Can you not be hasty Rust for just a moment. They are not a threat to us remember. Herr Geist (german : Mr. Ghost) I still have so many questions. How did you find the elevator to this universe?

Lewis : Umm… (Who the hell is this guy? He looks like he just stepped out of an anime or a game or something.)

Long story short but it may sound batshit crazy ; we were chasin’ a dismembered gang green arm with a single black eye. Did ya’ll see him.

Rust: uhh… what? What kinda story is that? You must be tripping on something really strong to come up with that.

Behind the slightly befuddled young man in the green was a larger skull faced man with a burnt space suit who’s glowing red. He looks like he’s trying to calm things down before a fight breaks out between Lewis and Rust.

Armstrong : … signing (I believe we all need to calm down first before we get our stories out there. I’m Armstrong gentlemen, lady, and… dog. You hail from another universe?)

Lewis : Huh… good point sir. (Why do I know what he’s saying even though I don’t know sign language. This shit really couldn’t get any weirder.)

Lewis then gives a paraphrased version of what Armstrong was saying to rest of the Mystery Skulls gang. Doc explained that Armstrong has tinnitus but can still play the guitar very well despite that. His tomesona can also give some form of synesthesia to compensate for his hearing loss.

Rust: (shakes his head in disbelief) Fine whatever. Names Rust, don’t ya’ll forget it. I do the vocals and rap.

Tesla: Guten Tag, my name is Tesla Herr Geist, Chicken with Mechanical Arm, Mysterious Dog, and Liebshen.

Lewis : *groan of frustration* (Oh that’s effing lovely. He better be usin’ that word as a term of endearment and not trying to flirt with her. But at least he isn’t an annoying little punk like the green one.)

Vivi: Oh how rude of us not to introduce ourselves. We are the Mystery Skulls ; we’re paranormal investigators. I’m Vivi Yukino, I’m the researcher of the group. But my day job is at a used comic book shop called TomeTomb. Oh I also know how to play electric guitar.

Tesla: Oh is that right Liebshen? Very nice indeed.

Armstrong : … (puts both of his thumbs up for approval and nodding)

Doc: Huh, TomeTomb(soft chuckle) what an interesting name. And you are young man?

Arthur: I’m Arthur Kingsmen, I’m just the mechanic of the group and I’m not as interested with this paranormal crap as much as Lewis and Vivi. And I work with my uncle Lance at his auto repair shop called Kingsmen repair. Also I play keyboard and actually own three keytars as well (he said proudly). Ha they almost costed me an arm… and a… (nervous chuckle). Yeah, the arm is a different story though. (he said sheepishly scratching his head.)

Rust: Well it must have… literately. Holy shit man, three of them? Talk about overkill.

Lewis could see zero_one light up like a kid in a candy store as soon as Arthur mentioned his keytars. He could feel this feeling radiating in the core of his locket ; its joy. He then sees zero_one approach Arthur like someone who was reunited with a long lost sibling.

zero_one : Three keytars? (in rapid secession) What brand are they? How did you get them? What year were they made? Do you have any pictures of them?

Arthur: (he had a smile that the rest of the Mystery Skulls gang haven’t seen in months) Really? I have a 1980s Casio, a late 90s Korg, and an early 2000s Yamaha. I had some connections back then and I usually find them used online even though they were still…kinda expensive. And yeah I have pictures of them on my phone, you can come and look if you want.

The Orange-Yellow color coded duo sat next to each other like they just got a new hand held game and rambled on and on about mods and midi plug ins for keytars for a good 20 minutes. Lewis wished that he didn’t go into that cave in the first place. The relationship between Arthur and zero_one was not just like two long lost brothers but it was like his friendship with Arthur before this whole third wheel and ghost thing ever came about. Lewis felt a small pang of guilt before getting interrupted with a question.

Lewis : sigh… (At least Arthur is feelin’ better already after all the shit I put him through. Maybe comin’ here isn’t going to be that bad after all. Just Maybe…)

Rust: Who’s the dog though? Gotta say though he kinda looks badass with the red and black.

Mystery: *shrugs in embarrassment* (Yabai. (Japanese: Oh Crap.) Maybe I shouldn’t show my true form now, maybe wait til they are ready or Vivi or Lewis mention it.)

Vivi: Oh his name is Mystery. He’s our mascot, sorta. I know he isn’t a ghost like my boyfriend over here.

Tesla: Boyfriend ha… Oh well, but you could do so much better then…

Doc: Tesla stop. Lewis is Vivi’s beau, just leave it be. There are other women you know…

Tesla: Uhh. Gut, I’m a man of honor.

Lewis : (Oh sure you are hat guy.)

Okay then, I’m Lewis Pepper and I’m more the guy who handles the heavy equipment in our paranormal investigations. My day job is waiter and chef at my adopted family’s restaurant “Pepper Paradiso”. I also play violin and I am a train vocalist.

Rust: Oh… really? Come on zero_one, me and you, let’s nock this amateur down a peg or two.

zero_one : You’re kind of putting me on the spot here Rust. Lewis did say he was trained, maybe you should’ve not called him that.

Lewis : (narrows his eyes) (Oh, I’ll knock this Rust punk down a peg or two.)

Oh really Rust. Alright I’m game but just you and me. Mono a mono. Let the best vocalist wi…. huh?

Then a feeling comes over both Lewis and zero_one that made both of them and harmonize a beautiful arpeggio that brings all the room in awe. Rust was drowned out by both of them because he was just as shocked as everyone else in the lobby.

Doc: Oh honey, both of ya’ll voices are like two angels. And you thought he was an amateur Rust?

Rust: Well, damn I’ll admit it, you and zero_one won on this one. For now.

Armstrong : … signing

zero_one : interpreting for Armstrong : Well since the introductions are out of the way, I believe you said something about a dismembered arm earlier. Is that the reason why you stumbled into our universe?

Lewis : Well yeah, it said it lead us into a trap or some shit like that. It was also working with someone or something else that wanted to do all of us in.

* Loud Alarm *

A I Voice: Warning security breach detected. / Subject identified as a green dismembered arm that has already made entry into timeline v. / prerecorded transmission from the multi-universal edge by Helvetica.

Helvetica: Something has just breached the reality layline. Sending distress signal to prime universe about Null’s escape. Butterfly effect radiating towards other divergent TLT timelines. Three inter-universal ones from the prime timeline. At least three no… it’s five from the universe MSA (Mystery Skulls universe). I’m making my way to timeline v as soon as possible. End of Transmission.

Lewis : Welp… I can see things have gone to shit already. At least we know where it is now. Might as well go looking for it but we’re do we even freakin’ start huh?

Tesla: I’ll get to the bottom of this, I promise you. My prime self told me about this Null character but… what is it doing at this time period I wonder? Poor fraulein Helvetica sounds like she can’t handle this on her own. She might be proto_type’s student but even a student needs some extra help. We should worry about the four ones from our universe first before the one’s from our visitor’s universe.

zero_one : Wait? There are people from Lewis’s universe that crossed over to this universe too? What’s going on here?

Tesla: It’s most likely a butterfly effect like the distress called mentioned. Oh I believe we already have a lead or two, that’s gut. Really gut.

A I Voice: First sightings found downtown at High May’s Junior, Le Macabre Dance club, and Toriyama’s School for the Arts.

They decide to split up into teams to not only look for the possessed arm but for at least three people from the prime timeline in TLT’s universe.

Mystery, Tesla, and Vivi are going to that Toriyama Art school in Japan since Vivi is fluent in Japanese. Lewis is thankful that Mystery is with her if Tesla tries anything.

Arthur, Rust, and Doc decide head to that Le Macabre Dance club which is in Puerto Rico. Rust apparently knows his way around there.

While Armstrong, Lewis and zero_one head towards a popular hot spot on San Francisco’s Yvette district; more specifically a hole in the wall bar known as High May’s Jr. Lewis decides to go there alone since he can change his form at will unlike Armstrong or zero_one but has agreed to meet up with them later once they found whom ever they are looking for. Armstrong thinks he’s way too conspicuous to be seen in public and decides to rendezvous with this Helvetica woman who made that distress call earlier along with zero_one.

End of Transmission

Lewis : Well. I still have my ID and all. But I don’t think it’ll matter all that much. I swear this whole thing with timelines , butterfly effect and shit makes me feel like I’m in a very anime video game. Was something like Blaze blue or whatever? Or someone’s fanfic… Umm… Nah, that’s fu_king bonkers.

#mystery skulls animated #the living tombstone #au crossover #fanfic #linkedsoulsau

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secretsofthedarkestkind-arch · 4 years ago

Text

Part three of the episode 1 ramble. Triggers are marked from what I know. We’re about half way through the episode.

Part One

Part Two

word count: 1,820

@storieswrittcn

A/N: I know in the history class scene Stefan saves Elena from Will ‘Jackass’ Tanner but for the purpose of where this verse is going and how Lee’s character is it needed to be Lee.

Lee was laid back against the headboard of her bed, school books spread out in front of her with a pen between her teeth. She had changed out of her clothes once they’d gotten home from the Grill. She was lounging in a pair black sweatpants, a black tank top putting her tiger half sleeve tattoo on display, and socks. Her hair up in as much of a bun as she could get it. The vampire flipped through a few pages of a textbook that was in her lap. She had not missed high school. Not even a little bit. Lee glanced at her cell phone that laid silent beside her; she wasn’t sure if Katherine’s radio silence was a good or bad omen.

“You promised.” Lee looked up as her hearing picked up Zach’s not so happy voice. She took the book off her lap, tossed the pen, down and made her way toward Stefan’s room. Curiosity gets the better of her. The brunette leaned in his doorway, eyes landing on the newspaper in their distant nephew’s hand. He didn’t know she was there but Stefan did.

Stefan took the paper from his hands, reading over it quickly. “This was an animal attack,” Stefan shakes his head looking back at Zach.

“Don’t give me that. I know the game.” Zach stands his ground, defensive. “You tear them up enough, they always suspect an animal attack.” He’s not wrong. “You said she had it under control.” Stefan’s eyes meet her’s briefly over the man’s shoulder. Lee pushed off the door-frame and entered the room more, tongue brushing over her bottom teeth. Stupid, stupid human. “You said, you drink animal blood.”

“He does.” Lee comments, leaning in toward Zach, the words ghosting over his ear. He only jumps slightly but his heart pounds roughly against his ribs. Good. She doesn’t stop, coming to stand beside Stefan.

“And she does,” Stefan defends her. She had more control than one would ever suspect, it something done out of necessity. Lee couldn’t make a damn mess on the run or leave a trail. Neither bring up the fact it could be Damon. That’d just cause more panic from the man.

“If it’d been me, there wouldn’t have been a body to find. I can promise you that.” She dares their nephew to argue with her. Zach swallows roughly, looking away from her to Stefan--the safer of the two in his mind. Stefan turns away from him, doing what he had been doing before Zach charged into his room.

“Please, Uncle Stefan. Mystic Falls is a different place now.” He nearly begs, it’s pathetic to her. Stefan glances at Lee before turning his head to look at Zach once more, “It’s been quiet for years, but there are people who still remember.” Those words sound like a threat to Lee, but she knows what he’s talking about. Those people are the reason Lee was worried about Damon leaving the trail of bodies. But what does Zach know about all this? She’s going to have to do some digging later. “And you being here, both of you, it’s just going to stir things up.”

Lee gives Stefan a meaningful look that screams I told you so. Stefan shakes his head, at both of them. “It’s not my intention.”

Most of the evil in this world is done by people with good intentions, is the first thing to come to Lee’s mind. The second, The road to hell is paved with good intentions. She doesn’t voice either of these quotes.

“Then what is?” Zach asks. “Why did you come back? After all this time, why now?” How is Stefan going to explain this one? Oh I just want to get to know the girl who looks identical to the vampire psychopath I fell in love with in 1864. Lee snickers but swallows it down as much as she can. That’d go over well.

“I don’t have to explain myself.” Stefan contends.

Zach glances at Lee, “Then what about you?”

“I’m here because Stefan asked me to be.” Lee shrugs. That’s all their nephew is getting out of her. Then again that’s not even the true reason she’s here.

Zach sighs and looks between the two, “I know you can’t change what you are. But neither of you belong here anymore.” That Lee can agree on. This isn’t her home, isn’t where her heart lies. She has avoided Mystic Falls as much as she could for the last century and a half. She’d been given the world and hadn’t looked back.

Stefan actually looked hurt by the man’s words, “Then where do I belong?” For a nanosecond, Lee remembers Stefan hadn’t had the guidance she had when she’d woken up in transition...hadn’t had a partner to go through their new extended life with who already had so much experience. For an instant, Lee feels like a child again and feels for her lost older brother. But then it’s over. Lee remembers every cruel word or look, every time he brushed her aside or pretended she didn’t exist. Being alone had been part of the punishment for his treatment of her, a promise her lover had made good on.

“I can’t tell you what to do. But coming back here, was a mistake.” Zach turns to leave, tossing the paper down on the small ottoman of Stefan’s chair.

“Stef…” Lee starts, willing to play the feeling sister.

“Don’t. Just don’t, okay?” Stefan doesn’t look at her, instead looking where Zach had just been.

“Okay,” She says softly, she squeezes his shoulder before following Zach’s lead and leaving him alone. If only she’d stayed or hidden in the shadows instead of going to her room, she’d have seen Stefan go to the cabinet that held all his old journals to pull the one from 1864 out. She would have seen him open it to a picture of Katherine.

-----

Text [To My Heart:] What do you know about Zach’s connections to the counsel? He just made a veiled threat that Stefan didn’t catch.

-----

Lee’s pen moved across the notebook paper in front of her, she wasn’t usually one to doodle. But she figured a normal none attention seeking teenager shouldn’t be able to sketch/draw as well as she could. So here she was, ignoring the infuriating man who was her history teacher as she doodled. The Battle of Willow Creek, easy enough.

She could pass this class with her eyes closed. Her eyes did snap up as Mr.Tanner made a comment that got under skin. “Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Ms.Bennett.” She could see the embarrassment on Bonnie’s face. Lee felt her eyes narrow, a snarl tug at the corner of her lips. Wouldn’t be making comments like that if you didn’t have your tongue or if I ripped your throat out, would you Mr.Tanner?

“Mr.Donovan. Would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your embedded jock stereotype?” He gibed. What was this guy’s problem? Maybe Stefan would put aside his saintly act and help her hide the body.

“It’s okay, Mr.Tanner, I’m cool with it.” Matt didn’t even let the man’s words phase him. Good for him. A few students chuckled and a forced hmph left the teachers lips.

“Hmm. Elena?” Lee waited for it. What gibe would he send the brunette’s way. She glanced over at her brother. “Surely you can enlighten us about one of the town’s most significant historical events?” Lee bit the inside of her lower lip. His tone was demeaning, like he knew she would fail.

She tried to think of the answer, the vampire could see the wheels turning. Elena shook her head, “I’m sorry, I--I don’t know.”

“I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena,” The pen in Lee’s hand snaps. Thankfully it was so low on ink it didn’t get all over her or her desk. Oh, I’m snapping this guy’s neck. Fuck whether or not Stefan helps me hide the body. “But the personal excuses ended with the summer break.” The hurt on her face, the waves of it were rolling off of her.

“There were 346 casualties, unless you’re counting local civilians.” Lee states, a smug smirk on her lips as she leans back into the chair. Eyes daring him to question her. She feels the eyes of her brother and Elena on her, but doesn’t look away from the poor excuse of a man in front of her.

“That’s correct,” His eyes travel between Lee and Elena before settling on Lee. The vampire can see he isn’t pleased. If it’s because someone actually knew the answer or if it’s because she answered out of turn, Lee didn’t know or rightfully give a damn. “Miss…”

“Salvatore. Lee Salvatore.” Lee tilts her head a little. There’s a modest smile tugging at the corners of Elena’s lips, almost as a thank you.

“Salvatore.” Elena’s eyes go back to the asshole in front of the room. “Any relation to the original settlers here at Mystic Falls?” Lee really should have seen that one coming.

“Possibly. If they are, it's very distant.” She answers vaguely. Last thing they need is someone to find pictures from 1864.

“Well, very good. Except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle.” Is he really trying to save face? A low dangerous laugh brushes past her lips softly.

“Lee,” Stefan warns, his eyes begging her not to do what he knows is coming.

Lee raises the hand from her side slightly to stop her brother. If Stefan is going to just sit there, that’s on him. Way to protect your girl, big brother. “Seriously?” She looks at the man in front of her in disbelief. “Where exactly did you get your degree?”

“Excuse me?” Mr.Tanner asks, his voice laced with anger.

“Lee!” Stefan says louder this time.

“Hush, Stefan.” Lee grounds out, her eyes never leaving their teacher. “Actually, there were. Twenty-seven to be exact. Confederate soldiers fired on the church, Fell’s church. They believed it was housing weapons. They were wrong.” Lee shuts her notebook that’s on her desk, knowing after this she’s either going to be thrown out into the hall until the period ends or she’s going to be sitting in the principal's office. This man is too petty to let this go. “It was a night of great loss. The founder’s archives are stored in civil hall if you’d like to brush up on your facts, Mr.Tanner.” The look on Elena’s face is priceless--it’s almost one she recognizes. Bonnie is trying her best to hide her amusement but failing. Stefan looks like he could throttle her. There are a few students chuckling. “I’ll just see myself out.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Lee grabs her satchel from the floor as she moves toward the front of the room and out into the hallway. At least he hadn’t told her to head toward the office.

#ramble #ramble:pilot #admit does tvd #tvd insert #tvd x oc insert #tvd x oc #tvdxoc #r:elena #r:caroline #r:bonnie #r:stefan #r:damon #r:katherine #oc insert #v: right kind of wrong #tw: mentions of murder #part 3/?

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mtvswatches · 6 years ago

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Wynnona Earp 1x01 Purgatory

Spoilers disclaimer (please read before sending messages or writing comments.)

Stray thoughts

1) I thought I should preface this by saying that I have literally no idea what this show is about. I had some idea about the basic premise of Jane the Virgin, but Wynnona Earp? Nothing, nada. I do know that there are some F/F ships, but that’s about it. I have no idea what the show is about. Is it sci-fi? Mystery? Drama? Is it set in the past, the present or the future? Is Wynnona Earp a character or a place, or something else? I truly don’t know! But a lot of you suggested I should watch this show, so here I am, ready to find out!

2) So I’m guessing this is Wynonna…

And she has some kind of history in this town, obviously.

I wonder whose funeral she’s attending…

3) This was some intense flashback…

A lot of information but nothing is spelled out. There were at least three sisters – I’m guessing – and their dad. One of the sisters mentions their mom, but I’m guessing she was already dead. And who are the bad guys and why are they attacking this family?

4) If someone from the area tells you not to go outside, and you even call her “smart” because of it, then why on earth do you not listen?! I’m sure she could’ve held it for two more minutes.

5) Yes, lady, this is what you get for saying “hello” to the roaring beast and taking a stroll in this creepy ass forest instead of running back to the bus.

6) Okay, I’m into this. (sorry, lady, but you kind of had it coming.)

7) Yes, super into this, but I have so many questions! Was the creepy birthday ringtone kind of like a trigger? Because she started kicking some serious ass the minute she heard it. And what about the creature? Why did it look like a man at times and like a beast at others?

8) So is this like a western supernatural show? Well, I wasn’t expecting that.

9) Why doesn’t she want anyone knowing who she is? Is she some sort of fugitive or is it because of her history in the town? And is the town literally a purgatory? I mean, those creatures in the forest seemed like they belonged in hell, not in purgatory. I have so many questions, sorry!

10) Who are Gus and Curtis to Wynnona? They don’t seem to be family, for some reason. And it seems Wynonna suspects he didn’t die of a stroke.

11) I was about to go on a rant about this…

SHERIFF: Runaway? Whore? Who knows what kind of trouble this girl got herself into?

DEPUTY DOLLS: Spoken like a man who finds a lot of dead girls. And you've had three of 'em in the past six months.

…but thankfully someone shut him up.

12) There’s an actual saloon in this town, it seems time stood still in Purgatory. Makes sense.

13) Wynonna delivers a line to give us some background information about her…

Two stints in juvie, a summer riding with the Banditos, and I'm still wanted for questioning in the Bleaker case.

…and I have more questions than answers. Why was she in juvie? Who are the Banditos? (which, btw, I’m guessing is “Bandidos” – Spanish for “bandits” – misspelled) And what is the Bleaker case?

14) Okay, so Curtis was Wynonna’s uncle. Got it.

15) So, she’s been called insane, cursed, and a freak. I wonder what special qualities she has that make these small-town dumbasses describe her like that.

16) OMG, I love this girl already!

But why is Wynonna’s sister dating this douchebag?

17) This is the dude that Wynonna fought in the forest, right?

18) WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!

19) So there is a curse, and there is a magic gun that Wynonna’s ancestor used against these creatures or whatever.

20) Damn, this girl really has a chip on her shoulder!

21) So is Dolls a Mulder?

22) What happens to the Earps when they turn 27? Why is she spooked? I’m sorry, this must be a crappy recap because all I keep doing is asking questions! Oh, oh, is that when the powers kick in? Is that why she started kicking ass the second she turned 27?

23) So the house has been uninhabited since the night of the fire. And we finally get a little more backstory:

They say Wyatt took down 77 outlaws with this gun.

And all those outlaws are resurrecting as revenants coming for us.

They won't rest until they gain freedom from their earthly prison.

You'll stop them, Daddy!

You'll get 'em.

Willa is the eldest, the next Earp heir destined to inherit Wyatt's abilities. Because the only thing that can put these demons down again is you.

I really couldn’t tell who each of the girls is supposed to be, but apparently, there was an older sister, Willa, who was supposed to be the next “chosen one” to defeat the demons but she was taken and, I’m guessing, killed.. It seems it’s Wynonna’s turn, now.

24) So Wynonna has been diagnosed with a mental health disease because of her speaking out about the demons. Reminds me of Buffy.

25) So the Deputy is trying to recruit Wynonna. And Willa is most definitely dead.

26) Wait, did Wynonna shoot her own father?

27) Who the fuck was crawling out of the well?

28) I’m really liking the tension between the sisters because I understand where each of them is coming from. Wynonna carries a lot of guilt because of how she accidentally shot her dad, and Waverly wants revenge and to break the curse, probably so that both her and Wynonna can be safe and free.

29) So this is the guy that was crawling out of the well…

He’s definitely hiding something.

30) “Sometimes life chooses for us.” I’m guessing this will have relevance when it comes to Wynonna’s own destiny.

31) Is there going to be a fucking duel?

They took Waverly. You'll fix this. He said, "Tomorrow high noon.”

32) Yep, Dolls is a Mulder. He knows about the fucking demons.

33) Is Waverly going to be the “put Willow in danger” girl? I hope not. I mean, it works, but I hope that as a character she’s not reduced to the damsel in distress.

34) Okay, more backstory, thank you…

You see, when the Earp heir turns 27, those of us killed by the last one, well, we resurrect. A little more demonic than the time before, but, one way or the other, we all end up in Purgatory.

35) Okay, but he said they killed Curtis to lure her back, but she turned 27 when she was already back in town, so that means they couldn’t have come back and killed Curtis before then? Plot hole? Or am I missing something?

36) “Nobody shoots my family but me.”

37) I guess he’s going to hell now.

38) So Dolls did help after all.

39) Oh, this was some steamy shit…

40) So, the guy that crawled out of the well and met Wynonna at the bar is a revenant, but he’s helping her out. Could he be an Earp that was killed by another Earp? Listen, I don’t know who he is but he’s hot af.

41) Okay, I’m really interested to see where this show goes. We have a female hero who can kick ass, there’s this “curse” and the demons who walk on earth and are stuck on Purgatory – literally, there’s this cool sister/sister dynamic, and the government is involved in actively fighting the demons. And the modern-day western setting, let’s not forget that. I’ve never been a fan of Westerns, that’s a very American thing and well, I’m not American, but I think I may actually enjoy this.

I do have a lot of questions. There’s been a lot of action and very little exposition, which sometimes is a necessary evil. But it seems the writers have taken the “show, don’t tell” route, which I appreciate. So I guess we’ll get more details as the season progresses. Hopefully.

42) Hope you enjoyed my recap, and, as usual, if you’ve got this far, thank you for reading! If you enjoy my recaps and my blog, please consider supporting it on ko-fi.Thanks!

#Wynonna Earp #Waverly Earp #Melanie Scrofano #Tim Rozon #Dominique Provost Chalkley #MTVSwatches #WE recap #WE 1x01 #mine

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radioactivepeasant · 7 years ago

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Fic Prompts: Folklore Friday

He doesn’t have a name.

It is not certain if he ever had a name, but the stories say that he traded it away. But this is not the story of yet another mortal foolishly giving up his name to one of the Others.

This is the story of one of the Others who gave his name to a mortal.

When his name belonged to him still he was unknown to most. Only those in dire straits knew how to call him, but they knew him only as The Spinner. Whether it was whim or simply his nature, the Spinner would propose unusual “trades” as solutions to the hardest problems in the lives of the few who called him.

“I cannot raise and care for a child alone, what can I do?”

“Give me the babe and two strands of your hair and by and by the humble woodcutters in the forest shall find that they have a child at last.”

“Oh Spinner, my landlord’s sheep have run away, and I fear he shall have me branded as a thief if I cannot find them!”

“For an acorn and one memory from your third year of life, I will find the sheep and bring them back to the pen by nightfall.”

“Spinner, my apprentice has broken his hand and cannot help me grind the grain.”

“Guess how many teeth are in my mouth and I’ll do it for free. Guess wrong and I’ll take one of your chickens.”

As bargains with Fair Folk went, they were almost harmless enough for him to be thought of in much the same way as a fairy godmother. In some cases, if by the “trading” of a problem the mortal could do a good turn for another, the Spinner had on occasion been known to “trade” a favor. For instance, the ability to make fine clothing from mere water, or a hat that could make one invisible. And for those humans who greeted him with manners – even joy, for some – regardless of his goblinish appearance, he had a special fondness.

He bounced around the kingdoms, never in one place long lest he be taken for granted, but often returned to look in on the few that had gained his favor. They could not usually see him unless they were children, as children have not yet learned to make up barriers between what is “realistic” and what is “impossible”. One such child was the babe he had brought to the woodcutters, who cherished her and raised her to be kind and clever and full of adventure. (And twice a year, her birth mother in the village brought her a basket of sweets and a little cloak to match her growth. Her favorite had been a bright red one with a little riding hood.) The Spinner, bound like others of his kind by contracts and spoken words and the inability to lie, took great pleasure in hearing the girl spout complete and utter nonsense as if it were the truest word ever spoken.

“Hello, willow-girl, what will you do today?” the Spinner would ask.

“Today I shall make diamonds from dirt, Uncle Spinner,” she would answer and laugh. And sometimes, if the Spinner was in a very good mood, she would find a tiny stone, no bigger than a pebble, shining like a diamond in the dirt.

“What will you do today, reed-child?” the Spinner would ask.

“Today I will mold men of bread,” she would say and then the Spinner would be given gifts of gingerbread soldiers, some made to look just like him.

Then one day when the child had grown into a young woman, she was sitting at the roadside with a basket of yarn to take home and the Spinner said, “Little-red-hood, what will you do today?”

At first she was surprised, because she had not seen him in almost a year, but Pearl smiled and announced, “Today, I will spin straw into gold.”

“Straw into gold?” the Spinner laughed, “What possible use could you get from that?”

“It probably isn’t very useful at all,” she admitted, still grinning, “But you should see how it shines on the spindle.”

But this playful boast brought her great misfortune, for a knight in service to a cruel and greedy king was traveling along that same road, and he heard Pearl's words. Believing them to be true, he rode back to the castle and told the king, who ordered the woodcutters’ daughter to be brought to him at once. There, she was given an offer she could not possibly refuse: spin a roomful of straw into gold or be executed by dawn.

The Spinner took this rather personally.

As Pearl sat in the windowless, stuffy room in shock, trying to work out exactly what had just happened, the scaly figure of her childhood friend and benefactor appeared wearing a scowl full of fangs. “Reed-child, give me the gold bangle that king put on your wrist,” he said.

Confused, Pearl held out the heavy bracelet and the Spinner took it. “Gold for straw, we’ll make a trade,” he announced, and he stretched it thin, thinner, thinner, until he had made two spools of thread as fine as spiderweb out of the purest gold. Then he took the straw and was gone.

When the king’s servants arrived the next morning, Pearl said sweetly, “It takes an awful lot of straw to make gold, you know. I think it has to do with the weight exchange. I’m lucky I had enough to make this much!”

And of course, she was very good at sounding like she told the truth, and so the servants never even thought to question it. Neither did the king, whose greed only seemed to grow sharper upon seeing the beautiful golden thread. And so he ordered his servants to treat Pearl as an honored guest, to give her fine silks and jewelry and lavish meals, and then to lock her up in another windowless room filled with even more straw that night. Once more, she was given the choice between spinning straw into gold or being killed.

Pearl did not expect the Spinner to come to her rescue twice, but she thought perhaps she’d try anyway before working on her other plan – which was breaking apart the spinning wheel to fashion weapons. “Uncle Spinner, will you make a bargain with me?” she said to the hot night air.

“Willow-girl, reed-girl, little-red-hood, you are in dire straits indeed. What kind of deal would you make?” said a pile of dust on the floor.

Pearl had thought long and hard about this, and she knew what she wanted. Taking a pair of shears, she cut a lock of her long black hair and said, “I’ll give you seven strands of my hair and a year of my life in exchange for the ability to spin as you do.” She had guessed that the king might demand more of her, and she refused to take advantage of the goblin’s fondness for her.

“A year of your life is a serious promise, are you certain that is what you want?” asked the pile of dust, forming a face.

“Yes,” said Pearl, and she shook the hand that rose from the dust. After that, she felt a little tired, but when she took the chain from around her neck and the rings from her fingers, she stretched them thin, thinner, thinner, until she had six spools of thread as fine as gossamer, twinkling in the candlelight.

When the king arrived the next morning, he was so overcome with greed that he did not even notice the lack of jewelry on the woodcutters’ daughter. It was quickly decided that a queen who could produce such wealth at a simple spinning wheel was better than any noblewoman in the kingdom, and a wedding was arranged without so much as asking Pearl’s opinion on the matter. Very rich kings get away with all sorts of things they shouldn’t, for a time. But only for a time. The next year was very unpleasant for everyone, but Pearl was smart. She familiarized herself with the running of kingdoms, made allies of the maids and noblewomen and a good many knights, ran messages through them to the people in the villages, and continued to spin gold. All the while, the king never suspected that his “new riches” were simply his own hoard, stretched out into a glamorous web.

By the time Queen Pearl gave birth to a healthy daughter, the unrest in the kingdom caused by the cruel king had reached a boiling point. It was the perfect time for a revolution, apparently. On the eve of the summer solstice, the Spinner appeared once more, this time before both the king and the queen.

“It was I who granted the queen with the ability to spin straw to gold when she was young,” he boasted, showing his glittering fangs, “But favors don’t come free, you know. I’ve come to take the queen and her babe back to the goblin kingdom.”

The king, as you may imagine, was infuriated by this and ordered the Spinner killed. But steel wasn’t much use against the Spinner, and he nimbly dodged with a mocking laugh and the swords turned back against their wielders. Realizing that making an enemy of one of the Fair Folk was a monumentally stupid thing to do, the king attempted to backtrack. Pearl put her acting skills to excellent use and began to wail, pleading with the Spinner to leave her baby alone.

“Oh very well,” the Spinner pretended to grudgingly agree, “If you can guess my name in three days, I will grant any request of the first person to know.” And with that, he stamped his foot so hard that he vanished, leaving a crater in the stones.

Well, the kingdom was certainly interested when the reigning monarch demanded a comprehensive list of every human name, pet name, and faerie-tale name known, from A to Z. Mind you, this did not distract from plans of revolution in the slightest, but it certainly made for a good way to keep the guards diverted. It took twelve men to carry the scroll full of names to the royal adviser, who wearily read them off to the Spinner.

“Aberforth? Bulrush? Cat Sidhe? Duncan?”

And to each name, the Spinner would smile and smugly shake his head. And so it continued, with the knights growing more and more worried, and the king growing more and more enraged, and all the while Pearl smiled behind her eyes and wondered what her old friend was up to.

On the night of the third day, the Spinner visited the nursery where Pearl’s little daughter slept. The tower room was cool in the summer heat, and high enough to muffle the shouts of the protesting masses who had gathered around the castle. They would probably break through the gates in a day or two. Pearl sat beside the cradle and spun cat’s cradles from a solid gold hairbrush – what a useless thing to have! – as the Spinner examined the baby’s snow white hair.

“You had her when there was magic in your veins,” he remarked. “But Unraveling works on more than gold, and you will one day find that this power will only cause you sorrow. Will you return it to me?”

“Return it?” Pearl asked, surprised, then she thought. “Are you making a trade, Uncle Spinner?”

“If you will let me take back the magic of Unraveling,” said the Spinner gravely, “I will tell you my Name.”

“If you tell me your Name,” Pearl warned, “Won’t that give me power over you to make wishes that you are compelled to grant?”

The Spinner scoffed at her, nearly waking the little princess. “Pshaw, as though you could make me do anything I didn’t wish to. You were always my favorite godchild, willow-girl, reed-child, who’s to say I didn’t already feel compelled to grant your wishes?”

Pearl had a great many more arguments on this point, but the Spinner was as stubborn as she was, and in the end she saw that he intended to find an excuse to give her his Name one way or another. And so she gave in and let him pull the Unraveling from her fingertips. Then he patted her head and whispered a Name into her ear.

The next morning the Spinner came before the king and queen again, and the long list of names was read off once more. Then, when the last Z had been read and denied, and the Spinner approached the queen with his arms out as if to take the little princess, Pearl stood and pretended to guess again.

“Is it Wormwood?”

“It is not.”

“Robin Goodfellow?”

“Not hardly!”

Pretending to have struck upon an idea, Pearl struck a dramatic pose. “Why then, your name must be Rumplestiltskin!”

And the room shook. The Spinner smiled a little wistfully and bowed. “Clever queen-child, reed-child, you’ve guessed a’right. I am that merry wanderer of the night. What is your wish, o queen?”

Pearl listened to the clamor of the makeshift army outside, and looked at her maids, who appeared to be waiting for some kind of signal, and nodded.

“The time has come,” she said to her knights and her allies hidden in the throne room. Then, to Rumplestiltskin, she said, “Take my baby to my parents.”

The battle was hard-fought, and it took some doing for the villagers to get past the king’s personal guard, but by nightfall it was over. The king and his men sat in his own dungeons, surrounded by a year’s worth of straw. The queen sat on the throne surrounded by matrons with pitchforks and maids with swords, calmly dictating the particulars of a regime change.

As the king had been a particularly odious fellow, none of the neighboring kingdoms felt any particular need to interfere. One monarch even sent a rather humorous “welcome to the neighborhood” gift basket for Queen Pearl when she announced herself as the primary ruler of her kingdom.

And when the rough edges of the transition had been smoothed out and the changes began to be implemented, Queen Pearl sat in the tower nursery and called out for Rumplestiltskin. When he appeared, she said, “I’ll trade you the memory of your Name for my baby.”

“Keep it,” said Rumplestiltskin, “In case you run into trouble. I already put the spindle-child back in her cradle, though her grandparents would have liked to keep her longer.”

And so she did, and ruled well and wisely to the end of her days. And when Pearl and her daughter and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren had all passed away, many many many years later, there were none left who remembered the Name of the Other who had helped them. And the Spinner, for his part, never used it again.

Now he is Nameless, untethered to anything or anyone. And if a problem presents itself, if matters are dire, if there is no one else you can turn to, one day you may very well one day hear a mischievous voice ask, “Want to make a trade?”

#folklore friday #it was a long one sorry for the wait #can you guess my name?#fairytale #fic prompts #writing prompts #rumplestiltskin #straw into gold #how pearl successfully took over a kingdom and a greedy king got his comeuppance

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