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eyeforabargain · 1 year

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Every Diva Needs Her Autobiography!

“Come on in, angelfish! Come closer! It’s time you learned the full story of how such a fabulous woman came to be! Now, let’s see here... I grew up on the outskirts of Atlantica, the low rent district if you catch my drift. My mother... Now how shall I put this? She was a severe woman. In every meaning of the word. She had expectations and rules and you followed them. If you didn't, well... you just did with her. Actually, now that I think about it, Maleficent reminds me of her, and I'm not sure how I never noticed that.

"It was only the three of us back then: me, her, and my little skank of a sister, Morgana. Pretty sure mommy dearest turned daddy into a shrimp and gobbled him up when we were little. Anyway, we were always poor like the other Octopins, living like worms whilst the merpeople of Atlantica sang and danced all day. Oh how it disgusted my mother how much the Atlanticans hoarded for themselves. She pushed us so hard to be powerful enough to take everything that Atlantica had for ourselves. I rose to the challenge; Morgana never did.

“Morgana hated me when we were little. And I know what you’re thinking, but this time, I actually didn't do anything to her... aside from being our mother's favorite daughter. It's hardly my fault that mommy loved me and not her. I earned that love fair and square, just like I’ve earned everything that’s come my way. If this world was a meritocracy, I’d be ruling it by now! Magic, however, wasn’t my only talent either. I always loved being the center of attention, and I knew how to command a room. It’s only natural that I found my way to the theater!

“Back in the day, there was a traveling theater company, the Deepwater Dramaturgy. They were the best of the best, so of course I had to audition and get my chance to perform on stage with them! Let’s see... I played the evil stepsister in Ashpuddle. I originally wanted to be Ashpuddle herself, but I quickly found that villains were more fun to play! Oh! I did Sir John Faltrident in Merry Wives of the Wadden Sea, and then the Nurse in The Shipwrecked Lovers! Now that's a fascinating role! I've often contemplated having a séance to talk to the actress who originated that part from beyond her watery grave, because I have lots and lots of questions for her. HA!

“I have so many fond memories of the theater, but perhaps most importantly, it opened the doors to the palace for me. You see, King Triton had just lost his wife, and he had a castle full of little mergirls to entertain. So, he invited the Deepwater Dramaturgy to perform in the palace and keep the mood cheerful after the recent time of mourning. Well he took one look at my big beautiful self on stage, and he was absolutely transfixed! A little potion I slipped him helped matters along, of course, but I made sure that I was irresistible to a poor unfortunate widower.

“The two of us began our passionate scandalous love affair behind closed doors, and I had him hooked like a worm! He gave me a position at court to justify my presence in the palace, and I quickly set to work turning that ceremonial position into one of real power and influence. My mother was so proud of how far I’d climbed to get near to the top! Of course, Triton didn’t want to tell his pretty little daughters that he was seeing another woman so soon after their mother’s death, so he introduced me to them as their “Auntie Ursula.” Unfortunately, that’s where those nonsensical rumors about Triton and I being brother and sister cropped up. HA! I mean, really, we look nothing alike! Simple fools!

“That’s about the time I heard the news my mother was floating on her death bed. I think seeing her favorite daughter get within striking distance of the trident and crown put her at peace enough to move on. I know she wanted to hold on a little longer to see my victory, but it’s for the best she passed when she did. Living through my banishment would have destroyed her! This way, I got to hold her tentacles while she drew her last breath and throw her a royal funeral after. Morgana had unresolved drama there, but that’s her problem. I don’t give her much thought, you understand.

“Living it up in the palace and enjoying the fantastical feasts and exquisite art was truly the life! Sadly, all good things come to an end. I knew I had to make my move on Triton soon, so I began cultivating a magic to hypnotize him into marrying me and legitimizing me as Queen of Atlantica in the public eye. That way I could bump him off in some tragic accident and take the crown for myself. But that meddlesome loud-mouth crab Sebastian caught on to my plans, and he blabbed about it to Triton. My spell wasn’t ready yet, so what was a poor girl to do?

“Well, I figured it was time for a last ditch effort; I’d just take the trident and crown by force! When Triton came to banish me and cast me out, I attacked! We fought magic vs trident on the balconies of the palace, and though I put up a good fight, the power of the trident was too great for me to overcome. Triton defeated me, and OH the toll it took on my poor body! I could barely swim after that, but swim I did! I swam away from the palace and out of the kingdom a broken woman. Triton could have pursued and finished me off, but I suppose his weak heart kept him from doing that.

“I fled to the Kingdom of the Octopins, my mother’s homeland. They’d been fighting border skirmishes with Atlantica for years, so they welcomed me as a hero for my attack on Triton. I was too injured, too weak, and my magic was no match for the trident’s power. I knew I couldn’t face Triton again. However, during our battle, I managed to siphon off enough trident juice to forge a second trident almost as powerful as Triton’s! I gave it to the leader of the Octopins and told his army just how to slip past the Atlantican’s defenses in the Sargasso Sea. The plan was perfect! They would fight and defeat Triton and put my skinny bottom on the throne! But you know what they say about the best laid plans. The great war hero Apollo spoiled everything by shattering the trident, and that was all Triton needed to drive my army back.

“Brute force had failed me twice. I knew cunning was the only way to get what I truly wanted. I set up shop on the outskirts of Atlantica in a sunken ship from the Kingdom of Malak. It was a homey little place to make my own, and the petrified remains of the crew gave it that deadly and lethal vibe that I love so much! HA! I believe I actually have Grimhilde to thank for that. I should let her know how much I appreciated it at our next luncheon. While living in exile, I found a couple young street eels named Flotsam and Jetsam who’d lost their parents in a shark attack. They were clever and ruthless, and I admired that about them. I put a roof over their head and taught them all about living the good life. They’ve been mommy’s little poopsies ever since!

“The boys served as excellent spies to keep a magical eye on Atlantica, and they also were quite talented at luring unsuspecting merfolk into my clutches. It was hard being banished, but I found “gardening” to be very therapeutic! Having a collection of souls as a trophy for every deal well struck, making it so they’re powerless to do anything but to watch me continue to win? Mmm, just delicious! I eventually outgrew my little sandbox, though. I struck a deal with the King of Moray people to obtain the corpse of the Serpentine monster his people had put down, and I moved my lair to be inside the belly of the beast. Worked out perfectly!

“I had a few run ins with Triton and the people of Atlantica over the years, but my plans were foiled again and again by Triton’s youngest daughter, Ariel, the little hussy. The girl had a fascination with human things and seemed to have a knack for getting into trouble, and that made her unique amongst her dull sisters. I knew if there was one weak link in Triton’s perfect little chain, Ariel was it. She would be my ticket back into power, and so I had my boys keep an extra close watch on her. And, wouldn’t you know it? The girl fell in love with a human prince! It was almost too easy! I didn’t even have to do anything. Triton practically pushed her right into my clutches.

“Ariel and I struck a deal. I would turn her human for three days, during which time she’d have the opportunity to get her prince to fall in love with her. All it would cost her was that beautiful singing voice of hers. I was sure she’d fail without much trouble, and then I’d claim her soul to lord over Triton. But the little tramp was better than I thought, so desperate times called for desperate measures! I turned myself into a beautiful woman named Vanessa and used Ariel’s captive voice to seduce and enchant her prince. Give the girl credit, she and her filthy friends exposed me and put a stop to my wedding to the prince, but they were too late!

“Per the terms of our contract, Ariel was mine forever, and just as I knew he would, her dear old daddy came rushing off to the rescue. My magical contracts are unbreakable even for the sea king! He had no choice but to sacrifice himself to save his precious little girl. The sap! I took the trident and the crown at long last, and then I became RULER OF ALL THE OCEANS! ... That is, until Ariel and her sentimental fool of a prince interfered and drove a ship right into my belly! Oh the PAIN! Absolutely horrible what that big bad prince did to a poor sea witch. Where, oh where, is the justice in this universe?

“But, sweetcheeks, if you’ve learned anything from my tale, it should be this: you can’t keep a good witch down. I always have a plan B, even for death. Amazing how contracting your own soul back to yourself just shakes up the whole process. Your girl’s back and as gorgeous and fabulous as ever! And next time, I’ll finally get Triton and his little mermaid too!”

#Ursula #Ursula the Sea Witch #Disney Villains #Disney Roleplay #The Little Mermaid #Disney backstories #My Story

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samanthachan · 2 years

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You show them a Disney movie but it’s not the movie with the characters their twisted from some do take place in the places their twisted from but will not have them In the movie and some will take place in where their twisted from

This includes Pixar movies and Disney channel movies

Like my other option ones will feature ones multiple times and the same character multiple times

Flyod

Movie : fantasia

. Honestly this is the perfect movie for you to show him flyods mood shifts often and he gets bored of things quickly at times this movie doesn’t really have a central theme

. This movie also doesn’t have any of the great seven in it

. The movie is also colorful and eye catching

. One of flyods favorite scenes is where the T. rex kills the stegosaurus

. Flyod also loved the broom scene

. When he saw Mickey have trouble flying on the broom flyod started laughing and said he’s more worse at flying than Azul

. The demon scene interested him a lot

. Throughout the movie you saw his adorable eel eyes wide open

. His smile who scared most you just find adorable and you could see him sporting that smile throughout the movie

. That adorable smile of his

Rook

The lion king

. He loves the romance between nala and simba

. Is most invested in the scenes that feature romance

. His favorite song from the movie is can you feel the love tonight

Jade

Movie: spooky buddies

. He said you could pick something of your choice to watch

. He didn’t think much of the movie before you started it but he will entertain you

. He wasn’t into to cutesy animals or really animals like you and definitely doesn’t fawn over them also dogs and cats are just messy to him

. He had no Ill will towards these animals their just not his thing

. He immediately found out this movie wasn’t what he expected at the beginning

. His interest was peaked

. Found the story really interesting

. Was suprised the movie mentioned stuff like death , afterlife, ghosts , killings and demons

. When he saw the dog demon scene scare you he laughed

. He was actually suprised that the movie included something about a demon thing comsuming and leaving it so a spirit couldn’t pass on

. At the end jade said things are never dull around you Mc

Epel

Movie : snow buddies

. Thought it was just some kid movie at first but saw how happy you were so he decided to watch it with you

. He hadn’t really sled raced with live animals it was more common to sled race with animal plushies

. Epel closely watches the snow epel misses his home at times

. His favorite parts were mostly the sled racing parts

. The commands for the dogs were similar to the ones he would give to plush

. During some of the sled racing parts you can see him and hear him yelling harveston curse words at the screen

Malleus

Movie : notre dame

. Hates frollo

. Loves all the gargoyles in the movie

. You picked this movie since it’s an amazing movie and it has gargoyles in the movie

. The Main reason was you know how obsessed with gargoyles malleus is

. Really likes quassimoto as the heroine

. He also really likes the female heroine

Ace

Movie : little mermaid 2

. Ace at the start was like one of the great seven was a bad guy?

. He just puts in the back of his mind and enjoys the movie

. Honestly got angry with Morganas first meeting with melody since melody had nothing to do with the death of the sea witch

. He also thought their cautionary plan was stupid avoiding something isn’t getting rid of the issue it causes it to fester

. He also thinks Ariel was stupid for the way she handled the issue with melody

. Liked the ending when melody was finally allowed to be herself

Ortho

Movie : aristocraticats

. You decided you would watch ortho and you got out a movie for the two of you

. You know like his brother ortho loves cats so you chose the movie the aristocraticats

. He found marie a really interesting character he had few female role models in his life

. Cheered when the villian got his comupence

. Ortho did say what a gruesome death

. You asked him why and ortho said without treatment a kick from a horse like that untreated is deadly

. Ortho asked at the end if you would ever be willing to put pink bows on his head

#twst epel #twst jade #twst flyod #twst rook #twst malleus #twst ace #ortho in my headcanons is automatically platonic #twst ortho

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rune-writes · 2 years

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A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Fandom: Persona 5

Word count: 2323

Rating: T

Summary: Set in the third semester, after everyone's false realities break, Ren finds Shiho back at the underground mall.

Note: commission for @thalassatides. Thank you for commissioning me ^^ this was fun to work on!

Read on AO3.

~*~*~*~*~

To fall in love with a dream…

Never had Ren entertained such thoughts—never thought it was possible—until that afternoon he accompanied Shiho on another one of her excursions in the Shibuya Underground Mall. A laugh here, a smile there—the way she looked as she perused store after store from the sports equipment to the sundries shops: calm and… cheerful. Bereft of any sorrow and pain she’d felt under Kamoshida’s reign. He had never seen her so happy before.

“Look, Ren! Isn’t it cute?”

Shiho called his attention to a pair of plush charms—a mascot of some TV show he knew in passing. But it wasn’t the charms he had his eyes on. A brilliant beam graced Shiho’s lips, and it was all he could do to stop his heart from skipping a beat.

“We used to watch this show a lot—Ann and me.” Her voice was soft. She returned her gaze to the charm, distant and nostalgic. “Ann used to admire the villain a lot. I wonder if they have… Ah, here it is! Maybe I should buy one and show her the next time we meet.”

Smiling to herself, then, with a nod, she set off to the cashier to buy the charm of a woman in a red suit. Ren watched her ponytail bobbed and swayed in rhythm with her step, trying and failing to ignore the pang in his chest. Maruki’s reality—that was all this was: a figment of whoever’s imagination following Ann’s dream shattering that reminded him the false utopia still lived.

He’d found her a couple weeks back, browsing the shelves of the sport equipment stores here in the underground mall. The sight of her had shaken him to the core that, for a good long second, he had stood frozen, until Morgana peeked out of his bag and climbed onto his shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” the cat had asked.

Wordlessly, Ren had pointed at Shiho’s petite figure, only for Morgana to see nothing but thin air amongst the stacks of cold spray. Ren couldn’t believe the cat, gave him an incredulous look, only to receive a quizzical gaze in return.

“There!” he’d said again. “Right there picking up a can of—”

Morgana had disappeared from his shoulder when Ren turned his head. He couldn’t find him, no matter where he’d looked. And just as he’d thought the cat must have slipped away somehow—which, if Ren was honest, had been absurd since he had neither heard him plop to the floor nor felt the soft touch of his paws down his back—a familiar voice had called his name.

“Ren?”

Ren blinked. Shiho now stood in front of him, peering up his face through the unkempt hair he called his bangs. The sudden proximity—or, more like, the sudden materialization of the girl he’d been recalling—jolted him in surprise, pushing him to take a step back.

“You okay? You seem rather out of it.”

“I’m fine.” Ren cleared his throat. “Anyway, where to next?”

“Well, this is supposed to be date—”

Curse the flutter in his heart.

“—maybe somewhere date-like, I guess? Movies? Diner? Now that I think about it, I have no idea what people do on dates.” She flashed a sheepish grin at him. “Sorry, I guess we’ve just been going along with my whims.”

“I quite enjoyed your whims, actually.”

His words made her pause, and for a split moment, he wondered if he’d said something wrong. But then her smile grew, just a little around the edges, with a tinge of pink coloring her cheeks.

He remembered that look. When they had passed by the florist and the owner had called him aside, she’d asked him if he was on a date. Their vehement denials had only prompted her to giggle and say it was a shame. “You look good together,” she’d said. It had sounded like a tease, but the kindness in her eyes had seemed to speak otherwise. And apparently Shiho had thought the same, because her denials had stopped short, followed by a momentary pause in which her cheeks had grown red. Her smile had come soon after, slow but sure—a small thing. One would have thought Shiho was shy.

She’d turned to him then, and with that smile remaining on her face, said, “It seems we look good together.”

Never had Ren felt a powerful urge to draw someone into his arms and never let go.

***

They went outside, where winter was well on its way and dark clouds gathered in the sky. The weather report from early that morning said it would snow later today—which should be soon. He wondered if he could watch the snowfall with Shiho.

In Central Street, Shiho noted how everything looked different, even though nothing had changed. An effect of Maruki’s reality, perhaps? Or simply the fact that she had been gone for almost a year.

“There’s the crepe stall we used to queue on weekends,” she said. “Ann loved asking me out to the diner, too. Oh, I remember going to that karaoke place during middle school—” She stopped, then glanced at him. Another one of those sheepish smiles. “Sorry, it’s not a very date-like topic, is it?”

“No, no, please continue. I enjoy hearing about them.”

Again, that pause, but this time Ren was conscious enough to realize he’d made her blush. He should stop doing that! Because her blush would make him blush, and her smile would make him smile. But this was only a dream that would shatter once he defeated Maruki and returned the world to the way it was. If he let his heart flutter anymore than this, he’d never be able to let her go.

“Hey.” She tugged at his sleeve. “Wanna go to the arcade?”

***

Arcade games might not be the best to judge one’s physical prowess, but watching Shiho winning the basketball game was a sight to behold.

“You’re losing on purpose!”

Shiho laughed as she landed another perfect score inside the basket. Within the allotted time, she had already achieved 25 points, whereas Ren was still sitting on a measly 14.

“No, I’m not.” Ren offered his own chuckle. “You’re just better at sports than I am.”

Time ran out; the number “27” flashed across the screen of Shiho’s machine. Shiho grinned from ear to ear.

“Tired?” she asked.

“Not in the least.”

“Well, I am. Guess I’m still a bit out of it.” Shiho rolled her shoulders, and it seemed like their basketball game had really taken a toll on her. “Let’s get something to drink.”

Ren intercepted her before she could move. “Let me. I’ll make a quick run to the store; you stay here.”

Shiho’s protests fell on deaf ears as Ren rushed to the double sliding doors before she could stop him. The frigid wind stung his face the moment he stepped out. Pulling his coat tighter around himself, he hurried to the store next door, where he bought two cups of hot coffee and threw in a bag of chips. He thanked the cashier, then made his way out. He had barely left the store when a voice called him from behind:

“Amamiya-kun.”

Ren froze. A few aisles down, behind one of the shelves, Maruki stood in a sweater and coat, his unkempt brown hair falling over his eyes. For a split second, Ren was back in that white office, sitting on those brown sofas and being offered candies and food in return for helping with his research. For that split second, Maruki was not the maniac who’d fancied himself a savior.

“Relax,” his former teacher said when Ren put up his guard. He moved out of his aisle with both hands raised. “I’ve come in peace.”

“Peace offerings rarely involve skulking behind someone’s back.”

Maruki smiled thinly. “Care to take this outside? You wouldn’t want an audience overhearing our conversation.”

While Ren would rather not agree, he nodded, then let Maruki walk in front of him.

The former counselor led him to an empty spot between the store and arcade. Above him, the sky looked ominous. The heat was slowly seeping away from his coffee. He’d have to finish this conversation soon.

“What do you want?” Ren asked. They still had a few days before the deadline.

“I came to check on you. Your countenance, for one, looks much better than I had expected. Brighter, I’d say. Softer.”

Ren narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“Why. this reality, of course. The effect of having Shiho Suzui by your side.”

Shiho?

At his stricken silence, Maruki blinked in surprise. “You haven’t figured it out.”

“What haven’t I figured out exactly?” Ren asked through gritted teeth. “I know she’s part of your world. I know she’s not real. None of my friends can see her. Why? Some kind of effect from your reality, no doubt. It’s like you’re playing with my head, conjuring a lifelike apparition that only I can see to convince me to—”

“I didn’t conjure her.” Maruki’s interruption was quiet but firm. His eyes behind those spectacles showed sympathy instead of scorn. “You conjured her yourself.”

“No, I didn’t—”

No—wait. A memory surfaced to his mind of a brief talk they had one afternoon after school. Among the regrets he’d had during this entire ordeal, Shiho was close to the top. The girl who’d shown him kindness when all others had shown contempt, content with believing baseless rumors and calling him a problem kid. Her bright smile had been his sole respite, an oasis in a desert of abhorrence.

But then she jumped.

“You wanted to save her,” Maruki went on. “You said you wished you could’ve prevented that incident from ever happening.”

He did, and so did Ann. Who was it who broke her reality when Shiho could’ve lived happily there? A hypocrite—that’s what he was—for wanting to preserve this moment when his friends had sacrificed theirs.

Ren clenched his hands. “This isn’t what I wanted.”

“Not quite, yes, but an alternate reality nonetheless in which the girl you love never had to experience those things. Would you not give her that?”

He would. Which was why he would not have blamed his friends had they chosen to stay within their dreams. Who was he to deny them of their desires? But they had chosen to break free. They had chosen to help him. Whatever honeyed words Maruki said, however perfect this new reality seemed to be, in the end, it would only be an illusion, and like every illusion, it would eventually shatter.

His lips tugged into a quiet smile even as his heart began to break. “Thank you for bringing me back to my senses, Doc,” he said. He bowed his head. “I’ll see you at the Palace.”

He bid Maruki goodbye, then headed back inside the arcade, stopping short just as the doors slid open because his coffee had gotten cold and he should buy another. He had just climbed down the steps when the arcade doors slid open again. A familiar pair of footsteps stopped behind him.

“There you are!” Shiho was scowling, though her eyes were more worried than angry. “What took you so long?”

The crack echoed in his ears. He felt the tears sting his eyes before his throat closed in a quiet sob. Noticing the change, Shiho tilted her head to the side. “Ren?” she called his name. Her voice was so soft and gentle and warm. No longer would it ring in his ears.

He cupped her cheek, then felt her jump, felt her eyes try to meet his. But his gaze was trained on the prominence of her cheekbones, where a bruise used to color it purple but now only a pale white remained. She relaxed into his touch.

“I’ve got to go,” she said, “haven't I?”

Ren looked at her with a start. A small, knowing smile spread across her lips.

“You knew?”

“Always.”

“How?”

Shiho shrugged. “Just that, the memories I know to be true would often contradict the visions I would have in my mind.”

Was it because of him? His inability to accept this new reality prompted him to conjure an imperfect apparition of the one thing his heart desired most. His lips trembled; the tears he’d held at bay slowly rolled down his face.

“I’m sorry.”

But Shiho shook her head, and she enveloped his hand with hers. “Don’t be, Ren. For what it is worth, I am happy.”

Her smile reached her eyes, and Ren burned that image into his mind.

“Ah! Before I forget.” She reached into her pockets, then withdrew a small silver charm. A flower. “Iris,” she said. “I found it at the accessory shop.” She dropped the charm on Ren’s open palm. It weighed as heavy as the torrent raging inside him.

“I thought you bought a charm for Ann.”

“Ah, well…” Shiho chuckled. “I’m not exactly real, so even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to give it to her.”

Ren pursed his lips, enclosing the charm in his fist. For a heartbeat, they stood there, hand in hand, gazing into each other. It was a brief glimpse—the glint he spotted in her gray eyes. Before he knew it, she had risen to her tiptoes and pressed a featherlight kiss to his cheek.

“Have faith, Ren,” came her whisper. “We’ll meet again.”

Like a dream waning into light, her corporeal form faded until only glimmers remained. Something cold and wet landed on his skin, stealing the lingering warmth of Shiho’s kiss. Snow had fallen in soft flurries of crystal and ice. But Shiho was no longer there.

“I’ll come find you.” With breath clouding in front of his face, Ren vowed into the sky. “Once all of this is over, I’ll come find you, and we’ll start anew.”

In his mind, he could see the brilliant beam gracing Shiho’s lips. It lit up her features.

~ END ~

#ren amamiya #akira kurusu #joker #shiho suzui #persona 5 #persona #fanfiction #persona fanfic #p5 fanfic #shushi #renho #commission fic

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supercalvin · 4 years

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Hey quick reminder that you’re fantastic and here’s a fun merthur prompt! 20’s-30’s au where Arthur and Merlin were in the same platoon in the great war and got really close ((but just as friends)) and then afterwards they get separated and only meet again years after the war’s ended. What I’m thinking is a fic about the years to come as they grow close again, best of mates really, with lots of pining and eventually succumbing to their feelings and yeah, bonus points for slow dancing :-)

You have no idea how much I love this prompt. Do you know how much I love WWI AUs??? I do too much research and start thinking too much about it, which is a problem, so I will be trying to write this as quickly as possible to avoid intense research on WWI injuries and what kind of rum they drank in the trenches. And if it wasn’t obvious, watch 1917. What are you doing?? Go watch it.

Prompts + Ficlets

***

Arthur was honorably discharged in 1916. Like most of his fellows, it had been a simple bullet. The blasted things were so small and yet they caused such damage.

Arthur remembered not feeling much of anything for a long while. They had been running, trying to get to safety (always running, because it was either that or sitting on their asses freezing their arses off in the bunkers). It hadn’t been until they had skidded into the abandoned church that Arthur realized the sting was more like a burning and that it was tearing through his entire arm.

“Shit,” Arthur had hissed as his knees had crumpled.

He remembered how Merlin’s frantic hands had tied off a tight tourniquet around Arthur’s bicep. At the time Arthur had thought of it was a lost cause. He had breathed out heavily, telling Merlin to tell his sister that he was sorry. There had been so much blood and Merlin was covered in it.

Then Merlin had slapped his face a few times, but Arthur didn’t remember much else. Only Merlin’s voice screaming his name.

Later the nurse in the field tent had told Arthur that another solider had carried Arthur across German territory all night and day to get him back to safety.

That had been the last Arthur had seen of Merlin.

***

Arthur was shipped off to England almost immediately.

He stayed at the soldier’s hospital for weeks, even after he had recovered. The old manor had been converted to a war hospital and he often found himself wandering the grounds looking around the calm surroundings and feeling nothing.

He had been sitting at a bench, looking at nothing, when Morgana had found him.

She had been working as a nurse at another manor-turned-hospital and had found out he had been here for weeks without having told anyone.

“Arthur,” She knelt in front of him, catching his attention away from nothing.

They hadn’t seen each other in years and yet all Arthur could feel in that moment was anger at her for having found him.

“No hello, for your sister?” She teased, but there had been tears in her eyes. So unlike his courageous older sister and it tore something in him.

“How’d you find me?”

“Arthur,” Her tone shifted to testy.

He felt scolded and looked away from her.

She sat down on his left side, and he felt anger and relief all at once. She took his left hand in her own and squeezed it almost painfully tight. He squeezed back.

He felt his right arm twitch, as if it too wanted to squeeze, but it was nothing but a ghost. There was nothing left besides a scarred stump just under his shoulder.

***

“A party, you know,” Morgana gestured, “Music. People. Wine. Entertainment.”

Arthur rolled his eyes and poured her another glass of port. In the five years since Arthur had lost his right arm, he had gotten much better at using his left hand for everything. He could pour drinks, which was close to a miracle, but his writing was still atrocious.

Despite five years of adjustment, Arthur still wasn’t as able to go out and socialize the same way his sister did. She seemed to understand more than most, having seen the trauma first hand at the hospital, but that didn’t mean she didn’t push him to get out more.

Like usual, Morgana had gotten her way and dragged him out to the local dance hall for music and drinks. That was how it happened.

Arthur had turned to see a familiar profile. He had thought he had seen him in a hundred different places. Had seen a dark hair across the hospital. Had seen a young man across the street. Had heard a cheerful laugh in a crowd.

This time the young man had turned and when he caught sight of Arthur, he hadn’t turned away. His eyes focused with recognition. Arthur was walking across the crowded dance hall before he knew what he was doing.

It took Arthur a few seconds to recognize what was different about Merlin. The left side of his face was a bit mottled and his left eye was a lighter blue than his right. Mustard gas. Arthur recognized it immediately.

“Arthur,” Merlin said, looking just as breathless as Arthur felt.

Unlike his fellow, Arthur couldn’t get the nerve to speak. He only was able to fall into Merlin, wrapping his one arm around Merlin’s shoulder, gripping the collar of Merlin’s rumbled brown jacket. Merlin’s arms wrapped around Arthur’s ribs, squeezing the rest of Arthur’s breaths out of his lungs.

“God, they told me you made to England, but I was never sure…” Merlin’s voice cut off and Arthur was grateful. He wasn’t sure he could explain to Merlin that he had been terrified that Merlin had died in the war, one of the hundreds of men missing in action.

Arthur could never explain how he had missed Merlin more than he missed his arm.

***

Years later, Merlin had slipped back into his life as if he had always been there. They fit into each other’s life surprisingly well. Merlin was working as a nurse at a clinic close to the Pendragon Manor. They spent all their free time together. Morgana said they would turn into those bachelor old men who sat at pubs and ignored everyone but each other. Arthur secretly didn’t find this to be an insult.

When they walked through the park, Merlin always stood on Arthur’s left because Merlin didn’t like having Arthur where he couldn’t see him (his left eye could only see formless shapes) and Arthur didn’t like having another on his right side, where he could still feel phantom tugs on his right arm.

One evening they went back to Arthur’s manor, and spent the evening drinking brandy in the library. It was Arthur’s favorite room, not because he cared much about reading, but because Merlin liked to spend hours amongst the books, reading out passages to Arthur as he went over the estate’s books.

Now they had discarded their coats, ties, and even shoes, as they listened to the old grandfather clock toll out twelve o’clock. At some time in the evening Merlin had discovered the gramophone in the corner and had started going through all the records Morgana had collected over the years.

“Do you remember this one?” Merlin asked as he placed the needle.

Arthur made a vague humming noise. Merlin took that to mean he did and started talking about how it played on the radio in the spring of 1916. Arthur did not remember it, but he loved watching Merlin talk and loved the fact that Merlin didn’t mind when Arthur became too quiet.

Arthur had never been much for thinking, unlike Merlin. He was more a man of action.

Arthur stood, his bare feet padding softly across the rug.

Merlin’s brow raised. His left brow didn’t move, the scarring preventing most of the left side of his face from moving. Although he still smiled just as wide as he always had when they were just naïve twenty-year-old soldiers. Now they were thirty, a little bit scarred, and much more cautious, but Arthur still wanted Merlin by his side as much as he had back then.

Arthur stepped into Merlin’s space and watched Merlin’s right eye move over his face rapidly.

Arthur’s left arm reached out and took Merlin’s hand so that it came to rest tentatively on his right side. Then Arthur took Merlin’s right hand and guided Merlin into a slow dance. It wasn’t much of a dance, besides a shuffle of feet back and forth. Merlin’s bare feet shuffled against Arthur’s before he figured out what was happening.

Merlin stepped a little closer until they were cheek-to-cheek. Arthur did not miss the fact that Merlin had pressed his left side to Arthur’s face. Arthur closed his eyes, reveling in the level of trust.

Merlin’s hand slipped into the dip of Arthur’s back. Their feet shifted from a slow dance, to swaying back in forth, their feet hardly moving at all.

“Merlin,” Arthur’s throat clicked.

Merlin nudged Arthur’s nose with his own, a small smile on his lips. No words were really needed. Not after knowing each other for so long and after all they had been through together.

Arthur pressed a short kiss on the side of Merlin’s mouth, readjusting after a moment to properly tilt into him.

“Love you,” Merlin said, as if he had always said it. As if they said it every night. As if this wasn’t the first time Arthur had so much as acknowledged this growing feeling inside his chest, let alone labeling it.

Arthur wrapped his arm around Merlin’s neck, pulling him in again and deciding that his actions had always spoken louder than words.

***

Prompts + Ficlets

#merlin fic #merthur fic #ficlets #hope this makes sense #i wrote this late at night after taking sleeping pills lol #thewickeddays #merlin #merthur

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stellarcat52 · 3 years

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Timeless blue chapter 9

Krel was half helping Stuart make sure the wormhole would be ready, half altering his serrator. With his own compatibility with magic, he assumed he would be able to work it into tech as well. It was mostly to stop his own anxiety from causing him to portal up to the Order’s ship to help Douxie. They had been gone for an hour, the trolls and Toby were well past just pacing and were about ready to make a move themselves. Nari had become the source of reason.

All they had to do is wait until everyone came back, then sneak to the mothership and wormhole to Akiridion-5 where hopefully the order cannot find Nari. Of course they hadn’t explained this part of the plan to Douxie or Merlin yet, inspiration struck Krel while wondering how long it would be until he could bring Douxie there. Nobody needed to know that part.

So time passed, his serrator now buzzed with magic whenever he willed it to and Stuart was trying to fix the blank parents without Krel’s guidance. Very little was stopping him from running out there to find Douxie. Toby’s entertaining Nari was definitely not helping his self control. Douxie trusted him to stay there, protect Nari, and be safe, so he didn’t leave. He did however go to here Zoe was helping a customer, using a recharged human transformation.

Then, the explosion happened.

It was instantly clear, the plan had failed. Douxie’s magic lit up the sky brighter than anything Krel had seen before, the light still fading into the distance once Toby and Nari made it outside.

Krel opened a portal, disappearing and closing it before anyone could follow him.

It took a few too many tries to find Douxie, and it was beyond over when he did make it.

His closest portal closed just as Douxie had spoken “we’re on our own.”

Merlin was gone and Krel and Douxie both felt that feeling of regret, only while Douxie felt it was his place to continue where Merlin left off, Krel could only focus on what could have happened had Krel come with them.

Krel pauses, but still goes to Douxie, still human out of habit of not changing. “I’m so sorry.” Krel couldn’t find reason to cry with Douxie, but the pain of losing a loved one, a father, is something he knew just as well.

The held a memorial, at the remains of Camelot. Krel stood beside Douxie, now Akiridion and forever hesitant to try and comfort Douxie through touch. Steve tried to help, not really doing much.

Not like Krel could speak, he didn’t know how to help at all in this situation. He wasn’t close with Merlin, mostly ever thinking of the old man as Douxie’s mentor and nothing else.

When it was all done, Douxie’s words on Merlin, talk of what needs to be done, Krel and Douxie finally got a chance to talk.

“Aren’t you going to go with them?” Krel had avoided Claire’s portals, but Douxie had never expected that Krel would want to join them on this.

“Not unless I’m sure you’re okay.” Krel reached for Douxie’s hands, holding tight so the wizard couldn’t leave until he finally spoke what he felt needed to be heard. “Losing your family is not easy, for anyone. I know he wasn’t blood but you two were closer than that, It’s been months for me and Aja to be over our parents and I don’t think either of us are. Will you be okay if I stay here?”

It takes Douxie a moment to match Krel’s gaze. “I have Archie, and I’ve survived with Merlin before. I’ll be okay.” He assured Krel with a soft smile that wasn’t entirely forced.

Krel doesn’t stop being worried and showing it, but he nods and let’s go. Before entering a portal of his own back to hex tech he speaks. “I promise I’ll be there, so come back so I don’t have to worry.”

“I promise I will. I love you, and I’ll be worrying about you too.”

That made Krel smile, “I love you too, so don’t die on me, Master Wizard.”

———

Back at Hex tech, Krel took a few portal trips to get the teleport to Akiridion 5 set up there and bring the blank’s heads back to fix their programming.

“Was he like this before?” Claire kept looking up at the pacing Akiridion, the programming screen forgotten at times,

Toby, who had been filled in on what had happened alongside the others, was helping her look up things that might help via tablets Krel had borrowed earlier. “He didn’t have the robot head, but still no. He’s a lot more active this time.”

“Yeah! Go Krel trying to get stronger!�� Steve cheered, he had been talking with Nari for a while, cheering her up especially after what happened to Merlin.

“He’s not trying to get stronger, Steve, he’s nervous. I know nervous pacing.” Claire corrected.

“Yeah I’m kinda surprised you’re not.”

“I’ve got something to do this time, Toby, something that could help. I’m not dropping this to walk around aimlessly.” Still, Claire did seem bothered by the fact that the alien prince who had defeated a godlike figure, was nervous about all this.

“What was Merlin’s death like? I didn’t make it in time.” Krel broke the slip moment of silence that might have grown in length.

“It was just so sudden, he had been attacked but I honestly didn’t think he would die from it. Guess I was wrong.”

“I mean. We saw the guy turn to ashes and it’s still weird that he’s dead.”

“Yeah, It’s hard to believe he’s just gone.”

With the three similar responses, Nari spoke up despite her quiet nature. “I can sense spirits, small and great. I felt Merlin’s leave this plane.”

“Nari,” eyes go to Claire as she approaches the demigod, “if you can feel all souls, what about Jim?”

Nari nods, saying she shall try and steps away from the group. As a moment passes, green roots extend from where she is standing and travel across the world, looking for the trollhunter. As the roots travel, they glow and infect Krel, but instead of turning him green they brighten a small fraction of magic he had already accepted. The sliver of Nari’s magic from when she revived Morgana and Krel absorbed her power.

After Nari confirmed Jim was no longer of this realm, Claire decided to check another realm, traveling to the shadow realm intending to find Jim’s soul on her own.

Krel had no intention of following her.

Claire returned with a frantic, apparently good, Morgana in tow, who unintentionally brought their enemies.

#timeless blue fic #krel x douxie #douxie x krel #krexie #krouxie #I’m back

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vortomorto · 4 years

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sooo i just finished season 1, here are some of my thoughts

ok first of all i loved it,, it was genuinely so good!! i expected it to be boring for some reason (i wasnt familiar with the story at all) so it got me by surprise how entertaining it was. like!! there was a dragon!!! no one told be there would be a dragon!! i love dragons!!

my favourite characters by far are gwen and merlin, they are both so sweet and funny and kind. gwen is the coolest character and when her father got arrested and died i felt so sad for her. she and morgana have an amazing relationship and you can clearly see that morgana cares about her and sees her as an actual friend. gwen is that one friend who holds the group together and gets along with most people.

also when gwen brought morgana flowers to cheer her up!!!! what a moment!!!!

i have a lot to say about merlin but i dont even know where to start. i kind of have a weird crush on him which doesnt surprise me. he just??? never hesitated?? to help??anyone??? and he just didnt give a shit about anything, like who tf calls the kings son a royal ass?? merlin, thats who.

speaking of arthur, i want to talk about him too but all i can think of is that he killed a unicorn. thats so horrific to me. and yes i know its fiction but it actually shocked me. if you see a fucking unicorn for the first time maybe dont??? kill it?? at least he kinda learned from his mistakes by the end of the episode.

also, the amount of times merlin said something, everyone ignored him and then it turned out he was right all along?? maybe stop doubting him everytime ffs how many times does he have to prove himself?

everytime arthur mentioned how bad magic was you could see the life leaving merlins eyes.... my boy deserves better than that. also wtf why was arthur talking shit about magic on wills funeral like shut up bro read the room, not everything is about you and your royal ass. let the man mourn his friend.

now, lets go to uther🤢 i will admit he had some moments, especially with arthur, but overall he was gross. surely what he is doing counts as genocide? right? and what gwen said about "killing him would make you as bad as him" or whatever was iffy to me bc that man is responsible for hundreds/thousands of deaths and if you have the opportunity to kill him and you dont then youre basically responsible for the people he kills after that. right? am i thinking too hard? idk but merlin needed to let him die imo, he is horrible. i hate when characters think that way, just let the genocidal king die bro. its ok, just turn a blind eye. i love merlin, but sometimes he needs to stay in his lane😐 that man wouldnt think twice before killing you if he knew about your powers.

i have seen some morgana criticism but for later seasons so im kind of scared to see where this goes. i feel bad for her cause no one is helping her with her dreams, they just give her medicine and try to convince her everything is fine. like i kind of understand gaius but i also desperately want morgana to know the truth bc she deserves to know.

anyway, time for season 2

#el speaks #rants n rambles #bbc merlin #merlin

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swanqueeneverafter · 4 years

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Sins of the Past Pt.8

Camelot. Past. Morgause’s Guest Chambers. (Morgana knocks on the door and enters.) Morgana: “I didn’t mean to intrude. I wanted to introduce myself. I’m the Lady Morgana.” Morgause: (Smiles, walking towards her:) “I know who you are.” Morgana: (Suddenly nervous:) “How is your arm? You were wounded.” Morgause: “It’ll heal soon enough. Forgive me but... you look tired.” Morgana: “I haven’t been sleeping.” Morgause: “I know for myself how troubling that can be.” Morgana: “Could it be that we’ve met somewhere before?” Morgause: (Shakes her head:) “I’m glad we have met now.” Morgana: “That’s a beautiful bracelet.” Morgause: “It was a gift. From my mother. (Removes it from her arm:) Please, I would like you to have it. It’s a healing bracelet. (Offers it to Morgana:) It will help you sleep.” Morgana: “I couldn’t. You must be tired. I will leave you to rest.” Morgause: (As Morgana reaches the door:) “I hope you will remember me fondly.” (Morgana nods before leaving the room.) Morgana’s Chambers. Night. (Morgana stirs restlessly in her sleep. Standing at the foot of the bed, Morgause watches her and holds up the bracelet.) Morgause: “Gefultuma híe þæt heo onslæpe.” (Morgause places the bracelet at the end of Morgana’s bed and leaves. Morgana stops twitching and falls into a deep, peaceful sleep.)

Wonderland. Present. (Having reached the shore, Ella waves farewell to the sea turtle.) Ella: "Well, what are we waiting for?" Will: "I nearly drowned and was eaten by a mock turtle. Can I have a moment, please?” Silvermist: (Shimmering into view beside them:) “Nope.” Will: “You again?” Silvermist: “I'm actually glad to see you alive, Will.” Will: “That's strange, since you're the one that tried to kill me.” Silvermist: “That was before I heard about the bounty on your head. Turns out you're in pretty deep to the Caterpillar.” Will: “Okay, look. I made a horrible mistake. The thing is, you were right about everything. I felt bloody awful after what happened between us.” Silvermist: “If you ever had a heart, I don't know what happened to it.” Will: “You're right. I don't feel terrible. Not even a little bit. So why don't we both agree that I'm a right bastard and go our separate ways? We don't need to bring the Caterpillar into this.” Silvermist: “Why should I care about your fate?” Will: “You shouldn't. (Points to Ella:) But care about hers. She's a decent person. Don't make the good guys pay for the bad guys' mistakes. I am sorry, Silvermist. For everything.” Silvermist: (Turns away:) “Be on with you, then.” Will: “Really?” Silvermist: “Get out of here. Go.” (Silvermist shimmers down to normal size and flies away.) Ella: (Teasing:) “Was that you apologizing?” Will: “It happens. Don't dwell on it. Come on.” Ella: “Well, in any case, thank you.” Storybrooke. Festival. (There's a cheerful atmosphere in the town as the festival is in full swing. From fire-breathers to jugglers, hay rides to carnival games, everyone has come to have a good time. When an expression of joy and wonder crosses over her husband's face, Queen Roberta manages to deftly maneuver King Richard away from the sword-swallower in favour of the much less deadly ice-cream stand. Meanwhile Xena entertains herself as Gabrielle attempts to recite one of their epic tales to a group of enraptured children.)

Tiana's Rollin' Bayou Food Truck. (Alice, Tiana and Robin prepare to start serving beignets.) Alice: (Looking down at one of her creations:) "I think my beignets are getting better." Tiana: "Yeah, well, at least they're not heart-shaped this time." Robin: "I thought those were cute." Tiana: "Trust me girls, we want them to be more beignet-shaped. So, ready to provide beignets to the masses?" Robin: "We sure are." Alice: "Selling comes natural to me. (Picking up a tray laden with beignets:) I could sell land to a fish." Tiana: "Well we're not charging for these today but as always I love your spirit." Elsewhere... (The Jester searches high and low, asking whomever he passes the same question.) Jester: "Hello, sorry to bother you but you haven't seen Prince Neal by any chance? I've been playing hide and seek with him and he is really good. No? Okay, thank you." (Strolling along the park together, Jasmine and Snow White take in the festivities.) Jasmine: "I've got to hand it to you, Snow, this festival seems to be just what the people needed." Snow White: "Thanks, isn't it wonderful? Originally Storybrooke was to co-host the event with Camelot but I thought it better if everything was centered here and Camelot provided the entertainment." David: (To the crowd:) "Attention, good people! (Raises a silver chalice:) In my hand you see the Chalice of Victory. A priceless heirloom that shall be presented to the winner of the jousting competition we're hoping to have later on today. All those who are interested, sign up now for your chance at glory!" Jasmine: (To Snow:) "Priceless heirloom?" Aladdin: (Joining them:) "It's just a souvenir from Doc's birthday party. I looked at it earlier, it even says 'Doctoberfest' on it." Jasmine: "Ah." Snow White: "That doesn't make the tournament any less prestigious." Jasmine: (As Snow moves to stand by David:) "Actually I think it does a bit." Snow White: (To the crowd:) "Those of you competing in the tournament should know that in the final round you will be facing perhaps the greatest hero of our entire kingdom. A man who slays dragons. (Murmurs from the crowd:) Oh yes. To win this tournament you must first defeat the lord of the sword, my husband, Prince Charming!" (There are groans mixed amongst polite applause at this announcement.) Aladdin: "Oh pull the other one, that one's got bells on! You expect people to take part in a tournament while David walks into the final on merit?" Snow White: "I think he's earned that right." Aladdin: "I bet you do. Well I'm not having it. David, I hereby challenge you to a joust." Jasmine: "Er, Aladdin, have you ever actually jousted before?" Aladdin: "No, but how hard can it be?" David: (Chuckles:) "Well I could use a warm-up match. Alright, Aladdin, you're on." (The two men clasp forearms and the challenge is accepted.)

Forest. (Sitting in a secluded part of the forest, Emma and Regina take time out to feed Maria while the sounds of the festival can be heard in the distance.) Emma: "I don't know where she puts it all." Regina: (Smiling:) "Henry was the same. So was I, if you had asked my mother." Emma: "Yeah?" Regina: (Nods:) "Nothing was ever good enough for that woman. Which is why Daddy would spoil me. We'd have this secret spot where he and I would go and just eat as much candy and chocolate as we could." Emma: (Laughs:) "Your Dad sounds great." Regina: "Yeah. Goodness knows what size I would've ballooned to if I hadn't discovered my love of horse riding." Emma: (Teasing:) "And stable boys." Regina: (Smirks:) "Indeed." Emma: "So are you going to enter the race?" Regina: "If Snow had entered, maybe. I'd love nothing more than to show her what she could do with all those rosettes she has." Emma: "But you're above all that petty jealousy stuff now, right?" Regina: "Me? Of course I am. As far as that goes, there's only one Mills sister who-" Zelena: (Entering the clearing:) "Here you are! I've been looking bloody everywhere for you." (Before either of them can say anything, Zelena lifts Maria into her arms.) Regina: "Zelena! I thought I told you that Maria would be spending the day with us." Emma: "You know, her parents." Zelena: "Oh you say a lot of things I don't listen to. Anyway your race is due to start in half an hour." Regina: "Race? What race? I never put my name down for-" Zelena: "Both of your names are down for the horse race. You, Emma and some other riders I didn't bother remembering." (Regina and Emma look to each other and then realise.) Regina&Emma: "Snow." Zelena: (Already walking away with Maria:) "Come to think of it, it did look like her handwriting." Regina: (Sighs:) "I'm going to kill her." Emma: "Oh come on, it won't be that bad. You might even win." Regina: "Well of course I'll win, I just would’ve preferred to have been invited." Emma: (Scoffs:) "You're that confident you'll win?" Regina: "It's the only logical outcome." Emma: "What about me?" Regina: "You? I taught you how to ride." Emma: "Exactly, so I learned from the best." Regina: (Laughs:) "I may have taught you everything you know about riding, but I didn't teach you everything I know." Emma: "Oh it’s not that complicated. You climb on the horse's back and try not to fall off. I think I can take you too." Regina: (Tilts her head:) "That's sweet." Emma: (Pursing her lips:) "All right, if you're that confident, how about a wager?" Regina: "You're on. What are the stakes?" Emma: "If I win, you have to ride naked on a horse. (At Regina’s look:) Just the length of the stables, with no one else around." Regina: (Laughs:) "Wow. You've been sitting on that particular fantasy for awhile haven't you? All right, seeing as it's never going to happen, I accept. But if I win... let's see... Oh, I've got it. Since I now think you and your mother are in this together, if I win, you have to wear that gaudy monstrosity Snow bought me for Christmas." Emma: (Thinks:) "You mean that big gold necklace?" Regina: "That's the one." Emma: "Now that's just mean." Regina: (Extends her hand:) "May the best woman win." Emma: (Shakes it:) "Thanks, I intend to."

Forest of Balor. (Ruby and Mulan arrive at the mouth of a cave.) Ruby: "Well this doesn't seem ominous at all." Mulan: "Stay alert. The Cockatrice could be anywhere." Ruby: "What does a Cockatrice look like, anyway?" (The Cockatrice roars behind them.) Mulan: (Draws her sword:) “I think we’re about to find out.” (Mulan twirls her sword as the Cockatrice paws at the ground. The beast lets out another roar and lunges. Mulan stands her ground slashing the air with her sword. Standing on its hind legs, the Cockatrice screams before leaping towards her. Mulan rolls under it when it jumps, then as the beast sets its sights on Ruby, throws her sword, impaling the creature’s back and killing it. Ruby grimaces.) Ruby: "So... let's find that flower huh?" (Mulan nods and they head into the cave together.)

Somewhere In Dun Broch. (Lord Macintosh speaks with an unknown figure.) Shadowy Figure: "I have done everything I can to make your dream of becoming King of Dun Broch a reality. However, there are still those who seek to rob you of your destiny. Go forth to the Forest of Balor, and stop them.” (Lord Macintosh nods and leaves with a group of his men.) Storybrooke. Tournament Grounds. (The joust between Aladdin and David is about to begin.) Joustmaster: "Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please! (Cheers and applause from the crowd:) Our first contestant, Aladdin! (Cheers and applause:) And introducing Mr. Cheekbones himself, David!” (Jasmine walks over to check on Aladdin.) Jasmine: “So, you’ve never jousted before?” Aladdin: “Nope.” Jasmine: “Never been on a horse before?” Aladdin: “Nope and I’m completely terrified of falling off and dying.” Jasmine: “Can you even see through that helmet?” Aladdin: “Not a sausage.” Jasmine: “Great, well, good luck!” (At the other end of the field, Snow attempts to hype up David.) Snow White: “We've trained for this. You're ready for this. You're a hero, and heroes always win.” David: “These are all inspiring and valid points. Just one minor problem.” Snow White: “What's that?” David: “I can't move.” Snow White: “Come again?” David: “I literally... I can't move my arms or legs. I think we trained too hard.” Snow White: “You're not serious.” David: “No? Watch this. (Wincing, David attempts and fails to lift his arms. Panting:) That's my full range of motion.” Snow White: “Well, that's not good.” David: “I know it's not good!” (The Joustmaster blows his horn and the joust is on. The crowd cheer as the two men begin their approach. Unfortunately for all spectators, with David unable to move and Aladdin unwilling to go faster than trotting speed, the result is less than thrilling. The cheers and applause stop as everyone watches on in astonishment at the two-would be knights. Upon finally making contact with each other, each man slowly and painfully topple off their horses onto the ground. As if embarrassed to be there, the two horses canter away.) Joustmaster: (Kneeling over both men:) “Okay. Well... First one to his feet is the winner?” Aladdin: “Are you serious?” David: “I think my ribs are broken.” (Both men grunt and groan, turning onto their stomachs in an attempt to reach their feet first.) Jasmine: (When Aladdin looks to her for encouragement, coldly:) “Get. Up.” Aladdin: “Aah!” (In a truly valiant, albeit pathetic display, both men struggle to their feet. David actually managing to stand a fraction of a second ahead of Aladdin before falling backwards with a thud.) Joustmaster: “Aladdin wins!” Snow White: “What? Hey, no!” Aladdin: (Sees Jasmine running towards him:) “No!” (Overjoyed, Jasmine jumps into his arms, knocking them both onto the ground.) Jasmine: “Are you okay?” Aladdin: “I won.” Jasmine: (Beaming:) “I know.” (They kiss passionately as Snow attempts to pick David up from the ground.)

Race Track. (Now dressed in their riding gear, Regina and Emma stand beside their horses, waiting for the race to begin.) Emma: "Hey. (Regina looks up:) Good luck." Regina: "Why don't you come over here and wish me luck properly? (Smiling, Emma does just that and they share a kiss:) Oh, I almost forgot. (Reaches into her saddlebag:) I wanted to show you what you'll be wearing to dinner tonight." Emma: (As Regina holds out the gaudy gold necklace:) "It's lovely." Regina: (Dryly:) "Uh huh." Emma: "Well wait. Don't you also want to show me what you'll be wearing... or not wearing when you lose?" Regina: (Biting her lip:) "Behave." (The horn sounds in the distance.) Emma: "It's show time." (Both women mount their horses and make their way to the starting line. Joined by half a dozen other riders, Emma only has eyes for Regina. Watching the excitement and anticipation wash over her wife's face, Emma is slow to react to the second blow of the horn. Losing precious seconds from the very start, it is all Emma can do to try and catch up to the rest of the pack. Despite this, Emma finds herself distracted once again, this time by her wife's rhythmic riding motion. Catching herself staring, Emma muses that even if she does lose the race, at least she's got one hell of a view.)

#sq #swanqueen #swan queen

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worldsendroleplay · 3 years

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Friday, January 1st, 2021

Greetings, dear reader.

Some of you may have noticed my absence, but I have been hard at work. Either way, my comings and goings are none of your business. If you were to make a report of my work this past month, it would be longer than every past one of yours combined. I hope you all enjoy your holiday gifts. They were all chosen with great care and it took great effort to acquire some of them.

It seems your present to me was enough material for a longer report. I commend you for not being boring in my absence and while I know I should not criticize a gift, it would have been far better if you’d gifted me content for the entire year. Whatever; there’s always my birthday.

Many people have come and gone since we last spoke, too many for me to keep track of, but I regret to inform you that among the people that have left the world was Alastor, the Radio Demon. Where am I supposed to get my entertainment from now that all the world’s resident killers are gone? Unless Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, or James Potter make good on their threats to kill Peter Pettigrew, I suppose that I will have to watch and listen to your silly conversations and arguments instead.

There were a few Thanksgiving get-togethers, though not as many as for the next big holiday that we will cover. Bucky Barnes invited his sister Rebecca Barnes and her boyfriend, Hugo Granger-Weasley, to spend Thanksgiving with himself, his son Leonard “Leo” Barnes, and his girlfriend Angie Martinelli. They had to explain the holiday to Madge Undersee, who grew up in a world where there was no Thanksgiving and for whom a cornucopia was used for more than just food.

Christmas has arrived for the inhabitants of Worlds’ End, and many people have celebrated it in their own ways. I’d tell you about my holiday plans, but I doubt you would approve. Merlin and Morgana, on the other hand, hosted a lunch and dinner for their friends and family and spent the next day sleeping it off. Malachai Atherton explained Christmas to his girlfriend Ty Lee, who had never heard of the holiday but received a present from her boyfriend; she gave him one in return despite not knowing of the holiday, as she was aware this time of year was special somehow.

But not everyone has had a happy holiday. Regulus Black discovered that his daughter, Lyra, had joined one of the many happy ghost-like people living in the portal version of his beloved Hogwarts. I must say, that is a terrible idea of a Christmas gift on someone’s part. I do happily encourage murder, but even I must draw the line somewhere. Sirius Black, after being told by his brother that Lyra had left the world, assumed that either Peter Pettigrew or Narcissa Malfoy were involved as they were aligned with a certain Dark Lord back home. Sirius then grew infuriated at the idea of Narcissa being Lyra’s godmother, and things blew up between the two brothers when he accused Regulus of never changing his ways. Pardon my language, but what an asshole.

For un-holiday-related conversations, look no further than Aviana Pendragon. We have watched her grow up, but it wasn’t that long ago when her younger brother Gaven Pendragon was born. Avi has since felt like her family wants her to be just like her brother, though hopefully a few conversations with her parents and uncle would have made her feel better. If she is reading this, or if anyone needs to hear this—it is always okay to be yourself, whether you are rash and arrogant, quiet and sweet, or just a plain murderer. For example, I know I can be bold and that it can be intimidating to speak with me. I still do not shy away from this.

Meanwhile, there have been quite a few confessions made since people have only been able to speak the truth, both for the better and for the worse. For example, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste had a fight over a certain little secret (that I know and you don’t), but things have been cleared up between the two now and they are still happily in love. Sir Leon learned a little something about his good friend Sir Gwaine, but they did not fight at all and instead laughed it off. Compared to Marinette and Adrien, it was a rather boring conversation, but it was a conversation a long time coming. Then there was a conversation between Mordred and Merlin about a certain destiny and a certain set of fake memories, but that is all in the past. Now it is time to look to the future, and I can’t wait to see what will happen next. Even if the past did bring along enough drama to warrant several stab wounds.

And where there are confessions, there are also actions. Gorlois has been training the Druid Kara in how to fight and then extended his offer to Callan. After a few days of consideration, she decided to take the former knight up on his offer, and she joined the two in the gym. An anger-prone Druid, a feisty orphan, and a Knight who has renounced his knighthood… What can go wrong? For my sake, I hope several things do.

It has been weeks since his birth, but it is my honor and my duty to announce the arrival of young Micah Aspen Fisher Odair on Finnick Odair’s doorstep. While the victor was talking with his roommate, Rue Gardner, in the kitchen, they heard the soft cries of a baby outside. They brought the young boy inside, and Finnick has been raising him as his son since then. I cannot wait to write his mouthful of a name in future reports.

Finally, let’s move onto the exciting topic of relationships, whether they are familial, romantic, or platonic. Mariah Hunter and Daniel Jackson have been increasingly spending time together, be it watching movies, nursing small cuts on fingers, or preparing for dinners for the two of them to share. For now the two are just friends, but they are a pair to watch for anyone that knows them.

There is a new relationship in town for anyone who cares to read about it. Lu Ten may have been thinking about his feelings for Reagan Reyes for a while now, but staying silent about them was no longer possible. With the truth now being his only option, Lu Ten had no other choice but to say something, which may have been prompted by her painting of him. Thankfully, she reciprocated his feelings, and the two lovebirds kissed and decided to begin a relationship with each other. Now, let us just hope that their families approve. Since Lu Ten’s current family in the world consists of a single firebending cousin who is never happy, they should be fine.

On the topic of budding relationships, young Gaven Pendragon extended the hand of friendship to Kara, someone who has in the past tried to kill his father Arthur Pendragon as well as all the knights that he calls uncles. Of course, Gaven doesn’t know about that, and he likes seeing the best in everyone. I will address Gaven now as I did Aviana earlier—if you are reading this, perhaps it may be best to ask your parents about it. Or better yet, send in a question to me!

Gaven may not be the only tether between the two sides, though. Mordred and Kara, since their (seemingly inevitable) break up, have discussed the possibility of getting back together. As of the writing of this report, nothing has happened yet.

What is more certain is that Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala have gotten back together. Things had grown complicated between them both since she knew what her secret husband had done and what he would come to do, but they’d never stopped loving each other. It was—is—Padmé’s hope that they can find a way to move past whatever he will do in the future and perhaps stop it from ever happening at all. In a heartfelt moment, she exchanged wedding rings with him after not being able to wear them at home. It’s unlikely that change in course of action will happen, but it’s fun to watch everyone try to stop the inevitable, especially in a world like this where you already know what will happen.

Something else we already know for sure is that Jet has moved on from only telling lies to only telling the truth, which made Katara feel uncertain now that she knows that the lying buffer is gone. However, she has still chosen to be with him, and has expressed her happiness to Zuko, who is still happily in love with his girlfriend from the Earth Kingdom, Jin. What made the firebender less happy was the constant ice and snow outside, but maybe he’ll cheer up in the future. Hopefully, he got a winter coat for Christmas.

If you are Mercury Black and Emerald Sustrai, it may be a bit hard to be cheery right now. They had to deal with a question of trust once again when Mercury went to wish his Semblance back from the genies of the Genies’ Cave. Back home, this had been stolen by his father to ‘make him stronger’. Emerald insisted on joining him in the caves so that he didn’t get himself killed, and the wish was made. If he had gotten killed, it would have made for such an interesting story. I do love a good death. There was no death, though, leaving us to see what happens in the aftermath of this wish. I hope it’s something exciting.

For the sake of my future reports, I hope the coming year is full of excitement for you.

That is all for my report this week.

Go on, dear reader, and do not forget to share this with your friends!

Your Editor thanks you.

#worldsendroleplay #the editor #weekly post

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spellnbone · 4 years

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Edgar writes the Theatre & Arts Column for the Daily Prophet. His philosophy is that if someone has a voice, they have to use it to do good; this means that on the one hand one has to push art to its limits or even further, and on the other hand one has to make those voices heard which don’t have a platform yet.

Edgar’s Introduction to Theatre

Much like most families with comfortably filled wallets, the Bones would take their children to the theatre on the weekends quite often. Most of the children adored it but also took it somewhat for granted -- which made the culture shock of moving to England only worse. There are theatres in Hastings, yes but they are small and not at all as dramatic and colourful as what the Bones had grown to know in Mexico. They lacked imagination! And since there was no theatre club at Hogwarts either, it was only on his first trip to London at the age of thirteen that Edgar rediscovered his love for this art.

After that, he began reading and loving play-scripts more than novels, eventually writing down his thoughts, comparing, analysing, interpreting with fervor and a very new, strange sensation growing within him: passion. For someone who found interest in literally anything he encountered (except Quidditch), it was a surprise to many to see Edgar so into something (though one might not forget that his new love for theatre came around the same time as he was beginning to grow apart from Amelia). His friends from school might still remember that one of the best ways to get Edgar talking in a social situation was by expressing a badly thought-out opinion about theatre. Suddenly the shy boy who so often was accused of boot-licking would throw himself into passionate speeches about love, death and every other grand topic of life inbetween.

(One of his favourite topics, that is, urban legends he loved to ramble about for hours was Mundungus Fletcher. Each and every article covering the fiasco was bought six times and each and every time Fletcher’s photograph was cut out and glued to various surfaces; Edgar’s notebooks, the under-side of the topbunk above him, the walls in his room at home. It was the same grotesque-fascination-turned-unstopple-obsession that the Muggle play Cats had about ten years later).

It was during this time also that Edgar began reading the news. Initially he only ever snatched the arts section (despite its terribly boring focus on mainstream theatre), he’d eventually also begin reading the other articles, finding himself growing more and more educated and opinionated about political topics, too.

His passion ended where the stage began, though. He never tried to direct a play, write one himself, or -- Morgana forbid! -- tried to star in one. He was quite content to be but an observer. However, after graduating and leaving England to finally go back to Mexico, he fell in love with an actress of a small travelling troupe (and shortly after with her brother, the director), and before he knew it, he was travelling around the world with them.

When he came back to England, he wrote for the hebdomadal East Sussexian Wizarding paper, simply because the owner was a good friend of the Bones family and needed someone to fatten up the paper with some think-pieces. Edgar neither saw his calling in that nor ever made a name for himself, he was mostly just passing his time, trying to figure out what he really wanted to do with his life. It was only when he met up with Ainsley Abbott again around his 19th birthday that he began considering journalism as a proper career. She’d told him that the Daily Prophet was looking for a new arts columnist and remembered that he had always had a thing for theatre.

London’s Theatres

Contrary to movies, most other Muggle art isn’t completely disregarded by the Wizarding World. Of course one will always find some bloodpurists who think that all magicless art isn’t worth their time, but the more commonly agreed upon opinion is that when it comes to old-fashioned art, Muggles aren’t all that bad at it. The Daily Prophet has therefore always covered the Wizarding Westend as well as the Muggle Westend productions, giving the former more attention but never discriminating between them all too much. They are, after all, similar in many regards: the leads will most likely be traditionally good-looking, born and raised in this country and culture, and introduced to the director by personal connections. The themes of the plays perpetuate conservative values and ideals and have to please the broadest audience possible, therefore not contain any smut or controversial themes.

They’re usually even located in the same buildings as the Muggle theatres, either in magically hidden back halls or underground:

“Two, reserved on the Daily Prophet.”

The lady behind the counter, despite looking just like the other ticket vendors next to her, gave it a nod and handed them their keys. They were small little copper things, meant for a one time use of a door that was titled: “Staffs Only”.

Muggles had this thing to believe that theatres were haunted. The possibility of that, considering just how few people actually died in such places compared to normal apartment houses, were slim, and the idea absurd once you knew what truly caused the mysterious whispers, the unexplained floor-board creaking, and distant moaning: A second theatre down below. Wizarding. Vibrant, crowded, cheerful.

Not having even yet reached the first floor below, the music already met Edgar and Amelia. The chit chat was lively, and unlike the Muggle theatre above, time had not changed the customs of exhibitions and shows here: Roasted-nut sellers were walking around with their goods on a tray hanging down their neck, a fire-spitter was entertaining a group of kids in a corner, and on the stage stood one of the actors, cheering and shouting blurbs about the play in an attempt to motivate the audience. No seats but on the upper balconies, were ladies sat whose robes were so fluffy and wide that their companions for the night attempting to sit next to them probably needed to shout to have their words heard.

The idea to even pay attention to those independent artists who always seem angry or angsty, who always seemed so desperate to speak up about issues that no respectable Wizard would care about? It was unheard of by the general Wizarding Public who didn’t have a great variety of news outlets.

It was only when Edgar accepted his job as the new arts columnist that the ‘Off Westend’ productions -- that is, the exhibits shown in garages, the plays held on rooftops, the stories told by otherwise drowned voices -- were finally given a platform through and by the Daily Prophet.

Edgar’s Own Private Resistance

For about eight years now, Edgar’s been publishing little articles of about 300 to 500 words a day which are usually reviews and recommendations, as well as longer think-pieces on the Sunday edition. They’re all signed E.V.Bones (or at times solely E.V.B when the space is spare), much like his letters, so it all depends on the wit of a person whether they know who is writing the column or not. It’s earning him 6 to 10 galleons per piece, that is 40 to 70 galleons a week, which (at least in modern equivalent) is 210 to 350 pounds a week, so he’s not poor but also far from becoming rich with this. As of now, he never considered changing his job, though. Partly due to the fact that he gets to see all sorts of plays for free, partly because he usually does all his work at the office only once a week (usually a 12 hour work day) and has the rest of the week to deal with Order business. But most importantly he’s still at the Daily Prophet because it allows him to fight this war in his own, quiet terms.

Upon reviewing a play, Edgar always asks two questions: how does this further the progress of art, and how does this further the progress of society? While the opinions in his writing are always expressed quite subtly (as otherwise, Edgar’s arch nemesis Kenny Mack, his editor and son of the Daily Prophet’s current owner, will simply censor out what might be too controversial for the general readership), they’re never suppressed or gentle, certainly never excuse conservative, problematic productions.

(It was because of one of those harsher reviews of his that he met the then-adored Lydia Avery, who he had equated to a piece of morning toast -- something you thoroughly enjoy in the moment itself but would never crave if hungry or a somewhat interesting person. Most of his review had been about the blatant racism of the play, though, and and yet, while up until this day Lydia might still be upset about it, Edgar never left their conversation with anything other than appreciation for her. He’s well aware that actors are a symptom of an ill society, not the illness itself.)

The idea that he could use his job for something bigger, something good, came the night after Ainsley had suggested he take the job at the Daily Prophet. “Me?” he had asked over a cup of tea, not even 20 years old then, not yet in the Order, not yet jaded and made brave by war, not yet used to the idea that every helping hand counted, “Reviewing art for the whole of Britain? Why would anyone care about what I have to say?” “They don’t,” Dell had replied in this earnest way of his, “but it’s not about you anyway. It’s about them. There’s people out there who have no one who listens to them, even though they have something to say, even though so many others want -- no! need! -- to hear what they have to say. It’s not about you. It’s about them. And you’re the one who’s going to make sure they’re heard.” “But the Daily Prophet? It’s so conservative.” “Not your column, it won’t be. Not if you write it.”

What his brother Dell was saying and what Edgar grew to understand over the years, was that there are so many Muggleborns and Halfbreeds out there who never see themselves represented in a positive, hopeful light in stories, or at least by the actors telling those stories. The mainstream theatre productions simply do not care to show such representation, to tell such diverse stories. It’s the back-alley theatres that dare to break the rules of what is acceptable, to break the norm, to help society and art evolve. And Edgar hopes that by writing about this, more people will be able to realise that they’re not alone. That there’s others like them, out there, everywhere. That despite the way the (relatively neutral) Daily Prophet reports it, Voldemort doesn’t have that many people on his side, at least not compared to just how many people are against him. By drawing attention to those smaller plays and their values, he helps to grow and foster a community where like-minded people can meet and share their opinions and realise that they’re not alone at all.

And thus, Edgar had accepted the job, his agenda of political nature, safely tucked between 8 and 11pm, and sometimes also during matinées.

#{ it’s rotten work }#{ wisdom begins in wonder }#m:mundungus #m:lydia #did i just equate mudnugnugus fletcher to andre wlws cats?#maybe so!

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fractionallycamelot · 4 years

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Blades of Avalon

(Written for the Camelot Drabble community and the prompt 'Whatever you're going to ask, the answer is no.'

AU: Modern!AU + figure skating!AU

At the first competition of the season, Gwaine discovers that Leon is injured.)

---

Gwaine let out a warm breath in the cold air of the arena.

The start of a new season was always brimming with anticipation. A new season meant new competitors, second chances, and new opportunities to entertain crowds from the ice. There was a tangible buzz in the air - the collective hope of every competitive skater in the world that this would be their season. The energy crackled through the country, through the city, into the arena and came to die at a single, solitary point in the stands.

A solitary point wearing a Team Great Britain jacket.

Gwaine waved at Morgana as she skated by in the rink before making his way up into the stands.

The arena was more or less empty; public practices this early in the season only attracted family, coaches, and the most dedicated of fans. There was no one seated in the empty north section for Leon which made it very easy for Gwaine to saunter over to him, taking the steps up two at a time.

The ambient temperature seemed to drop as Gwaine moved into the row where Leon sat and he saw the black, medical-grade boot on Leon's right foot.

The rumors were true.

Gwaine fixed a smile to his face and sat down next to Leon.

"Hey Leon," he said as if nothing was wrong.

"Go away, Gwaine."

The dismissal rolled off Gwaine like water off a duck.

"If you really wanted to be alone," he said, trying to catch Leon's eye, "you should try to be less predictable. Everyone knows that when Celeste is on the ice, you'll be right there cheering her on."

Leon looked only at the ice, not even glancing in Gwaine's direction.

The first group of women's singles competitors was warming up. Leon's sister was among them, skating long, easy laps around the rink while Morgana looped back and forth in the middle practicing her new jump. This was Celeste's first year in the senior division. She and Leon had waited a long time for this; they had always dreamed of taking singles gold at Nationals in a family sweep.

Gwaine glanced at Leon and ventured out again.

"Hey Leon, I was wondering if-"

"Whatever you're going to ask, the answer is no."

"You haven't even-"

"No," Leon said as cold as the ice in front of them. "No, I don't want to grab a bite with you. No, I don't want to watch whatever video you have on your phone. No, I will not skate pairs with you."

Gwaine grinned, leaning in closer. "It would be just like Blades of Glory!"

Leon turned to him then, frustration and anger etched in his face.

It was enough to make Gwaine pull back.

"No," Leon said firmly. "Now please, go away."

Gwaine slipped his hands into his jacket pockets as Leon turned back to the ice, tension settling between them like a wall.

A vast, impenetrable wall.

Leon was only two years older than him but it had often felt like they were worlds apart. It was hard to believe that they started their skating careers in the same little skate club back in Fitton. A good year for Gwaine was whenever he qualified for Nationals but Leon regularly competed and reached the podium in both the European and World championships.

He could only imagine how devastated Leon was to be injured now at the start of the season.

"Does it hurt?" he asked, knocking on the wall.

Leon clenched his jaw, keeping his eyes on the ice, and shook his head.

"How long do you have to have that thing on for?"

Leon visibly flinched. He turned his head away, his shoulders rising like defenses.

"That long, huh?" Gwaine sat back as he did the math in his head. "You probably have to withdraw from Skate America and since that's a Grand Prix event, you won't qualify for the Grand Prix Final. And depending on how long you have to be in rehab, you might have to sit out of Nationals too."

Leon continued to stare at the bench beside him. He was unnaturally still.

"You'll still qualify for Europeans based on your scores from last season but will you be skating by then?"

Leon didn't move; it seemed like he wasn't breathing. Gwaine was reminded of Lance, stunned into shock by the blow he and Gwen received two years ago when Lance broke his leg - the same blow that struck Gwaine in the chest with a sudden rush of realization.

"Are you out for the season?" he asked gently.

"Gwaine."

Gwaine waited a long moment for Leon to turn towards him. Leon's anger was gone, the wall crumbling under barely restrained despair.

"Leave me alone," Leon said, almost pleading. "Please."

Gwaine nodded and stood.

He hadn't imagined that the situation was that bad when he heard the rumors, or even when he sat down. Leon was starting to reach an age where there was talk of him retiring from the sport. Gwaine knew there was one thing he had yet to achieve, one thing that drove Leon on year after year.

Losing a whole season to injury would only make it that much harder for him to beat Arthur.

Gwaine looked back. Leon had dropped his head into his hands, his fingers curling in against his face.

It was a sight that concerned more than just Gwaine.

"Hey Leon," he said, taking a few steps back down the row.

Leon looked up. He seemed to have lost all resolve.

"Look at it this way," Gwaine said, forcing himself to flash Leon a smile. "If you can't stage a comeback next season, you can always beat Arthur to retirement. No one would see it coming."

Leon considered Gwaine's suggestion. "They don't give medals for retirement," he pointed out.

"I'll make you one, just like old times."

Leon stared at him, unmoved, for what felt like ages.

"Can you even spell 'retirement'?"

Leon laughed as Gwaine lunged at him with no regard for Leon's injured foot. Leon moved with surprising agility, slipping out of Gwaine's reach as he used the stairway railings to propel himself down to the lower levels. Gwaine gave chase past the rink, relief making him feel light with hope.

This wouldn't be a regular season - but at least it was off to a better start.

#BBC Merlin #Merlin fic #Gwaine x Leon #Leon x Gwaine #OTP: Hair Pair #Fitz fic #Pre relationship #Yes #Figure skating AU #There's a lot going on in the world right now #And I have been finding comfort in this figure skating AU #Gwaine and Leon are childhood friends #I don't get to write that enough

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individuationfic · 5 years

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Hoping I’ve Got It All Right Chapter 5: I’m Just As Dangerous As You

AO3

The next time they venture into the Palace, Morgana claims they need codenames.

“We don’t know what effect shouting our real names in Kamoshida’s Palace will have on the real Kamoshida,” he explains. “Our plan could be ruined if he somehow figures out what we’re doing. The masks and costumes help, but we should be as careful as possible.”

“What do you suggest, then?” Akira asks.

Before Morgana can answer, Ryuji starts wiggling like a little kid and his hand shoots up in the air. “Ooh! Can I be ‘Skull?’ Y’know, ‘cause of my mask?”

The conversation that ensues probably takes more time than it’s worth but it makes Shiho smile, so Akira decides not to complain.

“Skull, Mona, Widow, Panther, and Joker… Were all of these codenames tied to your masks?”

“Only Skull and Panther’s codenames are based off of their masks. And Fox and Crow’s, eventually. Everyone else’s are too abstract for that.”

“Please explain how the other codenames came to be.”

“The won’t give you clues to the others’ identities, Prosecutor-san. They would be pretty bad codenames otherwise.”

“Humor me.”

“Mona is just a shortened form of his name. Widow decided on hers in the spirit of a black widow spider.”

“And you?”

“Why, Prosecutor-san, what else could you call a trump card if not Joker?”

Akira decides to text Dad and Papa after he drops Shiho off at her apartment. He’d offered to let her sleep at the café again, but she refused. I can’t rely on you forever,” she’d said.”You’ve been really supportive, and I appreciate it, I really do, but I need some time alone to really process everything.”

So he makes her promise to reach out if she needs anything, gives her a hug, and pulls his phone out of his pocket when she’s safely inside. He’s always had a great relationship with Dad and Papa, and this is the first time in his life he’s ever wondered how to start a conversation with them.

[Akira]: You guys remember how I’m a triplet, right?

[Tatsuya]: Of course. We helped you look for them for years.

[Jun]: Why do you ask?

[Akira]: I found my sister.

[Jun]: !!!!!!!!

[Akira]: Her name is Suzui Shiho. She goes to Shujin, too.

[Jun]: That’s great, Akira!

[Tatsuya]: What is she like?

[Akira]: Something awful happened to her recently. Our friends and I are trying to help, but it’s been hard on her.

[Jun]: The poor dear…

[Jun]: Is there any way we can help?

[Akira]: I don’t really think so. She’s doing her best to come to terms with it right now so all we can do is be there for her while she does.

[Tatsuya]: That’s a very mature thing to do, Akira. Good job.

[Akira]: Thank you, Dad.

[Jun]: How are things otherwise? Is school going okay?

[Akira]: Shiho’s friend Ann sits in front of me in class, so we’ve become friends, too. She’s ¼ American and doesn’t look Japanese at all.

[Tatsuya]: Well, neither do you.

[Akira]: Fair enough.

[Jun]: Have you joined any clubs?

[Akira]: I don’t think any clubs will let me join.

[Jun]: Why not?

[Akira]: Someone leaked my records. The whole school knows about my assault charge.

[Jun]: Oh, honey, are you okay?

[Akira]: Yeah.

[Tatsuya]: I can’t believe the school would let that happen. Do you want me to call the principal?

[Akira]: There’s nothing that can be done about it now.

[Tatsuya]: You still shouldn’t have to deal with that.

[Akira]: I can manage.

[Akira]: My cat’s nagging at me to go to bed, so I’ll text you later. Love you.

[Jun]: Love you too, sweetie.

[Jun]: Wait. Cat?

[Jun]: AKIRA?

Akira plugs his phone in and lays on his bed. Morgana wastes almost no time curling up on the center of his chest. “Your dads seem nice,” he says.

“Yeah,” Akira says, “they are.”

They have to dedicate a whole afternoon to getting through the tower because of the swinging axes.

“If Shadows hae the keys,” Skull gripes as they head back into the fray, “why didn’t they drop them the first time we kicked their asses?”

“Us becoming aware we need the keys brought them into existence,” says Mona.

“That sounds like bullshit.”

“It’s cognition.”

Joker spots a Shadow in golden armor and snaps to get everyone’s attention. “Widow, Skull, with me. Panther and Mona, focus on keeping us healed up.”

“Got it, Joker,” Panther says, and the rest of them nod in agreement.

“Let’s do this.” And then they pounce.

Now that the path to the Treasure is secured, they have to think about the calling card.

They gather on the roof after classes end to begin planning. Shiho sits gym style in front of Akira and lets him braid a scarlet geranium into her hair. The color looks good in her dark hair; maybe he can convince Ann to help him get Shiho more colorful clothes. Ryuji is leaning against the wall, and Ann is sitting, legs crossed at the knee, on one of the abandoned desks that litter the rooftop. All in all, Akira thinks, we really do look like a group of delinquents.

After a few moments of silence, during which Akira can feel Ann and Ryuji staring at him as he works, Ryuji finally says, “Okay, what’s up with you two? How’re you so close when Akira only moved here like a week ago?”

Shiho looks up at him over her shoulder. There’s a little bit of humor glittering in her eyes, Akira is pleased to note. “What do you think, Akira? Should we tell them or make them guess?”

“We could give them a hint or two.” Usually he would just be honest about it, but if playing along cheers Shiho up a little, he’ll gladly do it. He glances up at their friends and smirks. “I’ll go first: we��ve known each other our whole lives.”

Ann jolts a little at that. “But how? Shiho was raised in Tokyo and you… weren’t.”

Shiho leans back against Akira’s legs. “I was raised here, yeah, but until I was four, I lived in Sumaru City.”

“It’s a great place,” Akira adds “It’s on the coast. Hey, Shiho, remember that time you and Ren buried me in the sand at the beach and I got that awful sunburn on my face?”

Next to his thigh, Morgana shifts a little. Before Akira can comment on it, Shiho laughs and says, “Amamiya-san was so mad at us!”

“She was always mad at us,” Akira points out. “The other kids kept making fun of me, so Ren would beat them up, and you would encourage him, so he’d do it more…”

“Hey, no one gets to pick on my baby brother but me.”

“I’m, like, an hour younger than you, at most. Stop calling me your ‘baby’ brother.”

Ryuji makes a noise not unlike a dying whale and Akira and Shiho’s heads whip over to look at their friends. It’s then that Akira realizes he and Shiho let the cat out of the bag a little early. “You’re siblings?!” Ryuji demands.

“As entertaining as this is,” Morgana says, voice strangely snappish, “can we focus on the calling card?”

And so the conversation turns to a more serious topic.

Akira agrees to let Ryuji handle the calling card, but drags him to a nearby supermarket before letting him go home. He has to search the produce section for a while before he finds what he’s looking for: unplucked celery flowers. They’re small, white, and unassuming—to the untrained eye, that is. But Akira knows better. Akira knows they mean “lust.”

He grabs a handful off some celery stalks and holds them to Ryuji. “Use these in the calling card,” he says.

“You know flowers?”

“My dad’s partner owns a flower shop.”

“Don’t cha think that could link you to… the thing?”

God bless Ryuji, but he’s not very good at being subtle. “It’s not like I advertise knowing a lot about flowers, and I doubt I’m the only person in Tokyo who does.”

“If you’re sure, man…”

“I am.” He softens his voice. “Please, Ryuji. If you’re putting your neck on the line writing it, let me have something to do with it, too.”

Ryuji swallows hard and clenches his jaw. A hard sort of vulnerability enters his eyes. “I’ll do my best.”

Akira squeezes his shoulder. “I know you will. I trust you.”

That was the right thing to say, because Ryuji’s answering smile could outshine the sun.

Akira grins when he sees the calling card—or, rather, calling cards—plastered on the bulletin board the next morning. They’re not professional by any means (the logo Ryuji came up with is lacking, and the flowers are just taped onto the cards in a blank space), but the message is clear.

He knows this could end up on the news, so he takes a photo of the board and sends it to Dad and Papa and pretends to be confused. Then he pockets his phone and goes to his friends. They have a heist to pull off, after all.

The fight against Kamoshida’s Shadow is a lot easier than any of them anticipated. As soon as they take out his healing factor, he goes down laughably quickly.

After, when they Have Kamoshida’s crown in their possession, Widow steps forward. Her eyes are cold beneath her black lace mask. “You hurt me,” she tells Kamoshida’s quivering Shadow. “You beat me and berated me and tried to break me.”

Amazingly, the Shadow tries to defend himself. “You don’t understand! I was under so much pressure!”

“That doesn’t justify what you did to me!” Widow’s shout echoes, harsh. “Nothing could!”

“I—” The Shadow slumps. “You’re right.” He tilts his head to the side, baring his neck. “If you’re going to kill me, just make it quick.”

Joker sees Widow’s grip on her cane go white-knuckled and moves to restrain her, but is beaten to the punch. Panther places on pink-gloved hand over Widow’s and wraps her other arm around her shoulders. “He’s going to pay for what he did to you and to everyone else,” Joker hears her whisper. “But he has to be able to confess what he did.”

Widow sighs and goes slack in Panther’s grip, and Joker takes the opportunity to step forward and address Kamoshida’s Shadow. “Go back to yourself. Go back without your broken, distorted heart, and confess all of your sins. Only then can you begin working to redeem yourself.”

And the Shadow disappears, and the castle begins to crumble around them.

Shiho comes back to the café with Akira that night. Morgana hops out of Akira’s bag and into Shiho’s arms once they’re off the train, and the way she cradles him to her chest tells Akira she really needs to talk about what happened today.

Sakura-san raises an eyebrow at them but doesn't otherwise comment as Akira leads Shiho up to his attic. Shiho sinks into the couch and waits for Akira to sit beside her before she starts talking. “I thought confronting him would make me feel better,” she says, “but it didn’t. I’m still scared.”

Akira gently puts an arm around her and tugs her into a loose embrace against his shoulder. Morgana shifts a little so he’s half on Shiho’s lap and half on Akira’s, purring so hard Akira can feel it in his chest. “There’s no set timeline for your recovery,” he tells her, his voice gently above a whisper. “Take as much time as you need.”

“We’re all here for you,” Morgana adds. “None of us are whole, not really. I don’t think there’s a group of people out there who can understand you better than us.”

If the fabric of his shirt where Shiho’s face is pressed into it is a little damp, he doesn’t mention it, and the three of them fall asleep like that, almost restful for the first time in a long time.

#individuation #ao3fic #persona series #persona 5

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blue-mint-winter · 6 years

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BBC Merlin S2

It was better than season 1. I felt that the episodes were telling a more coherent story than before and they were actually moving the plot and characters forward.

Lots of love stories in this season, but of course none of them end well, except Arthur and Guinevere which is still ongoing. Btw, I wish Lancelot appeared more often on the show, I really like him.

I am Team Dragon.

I am sad they fridged Merlin’s dad. Usually that doesn’t happen to male characters, but it was a classic fridging - a guy we knew for one episode dies, gives the main charatcer manpain and a cool power-up. Cheers?

The villains were more interesting than in S1 and had more personality to them. The amoral Witchhunter, the greedy and disgusting troll, the scheming king and his jester, the king of barbarians - they all represented different kinds of dangers to Camelot. Morgause was also a much better replacement for Nimue as the leading witch opposing Uther. She’s not the cackling, evil for the sake of being evil witch, she’s a person with strong beliefs and she’s capable of putting someone’s life above her goals.

I don’t like Mordred, because he’s like a plot device, not a full character and it’s kind of annoying that Morgana loses her ability to think around him.

I really, really dislike Morgana’s storyline and how she’s turned to help the enemies of Camelot. Her story is pretty much that kid that feels alienated and falls in with the wrong crowd, because they “understand” her. It’s all the more frustrating because Merlin is right there, in the castle, knowing what she’s going through, says he wants to help then he backs off when he has the chance, because his secret is more important than helping Morgana. Like who she’s going to tell on him??? She’s on the side of magic, come on.

On the other hand, Merlin has no obligation to Morgana (except for being friends with her, and he helped magical people who he barely met, so why not her?) Anyway, Merlin has no responsibility for her actions. Morgana’s divided loyalties are particularly grating, because even if she hates Uther, what about all those other people who are her friends, like Gaius, Gwen, Arthur and Merlin? Her siding with witches, druids etc. puts her friends and other people in danger too, but she’s not very concerned or remorseful for that. And that doesn’t seem right for Morgana we know since S1. I liked her because she was principled and brave and caring, but her character just fades bit by bit as the season goes on.

Another really frustrating thing is the show’s morality. Magic users are persecuted. What Uther is doing isn’t self-defense, it’s a genocidal policy. He doesn’t care if someone is a criminal, magic in itself is a crime and it’s something people are born with. They can’t choose to do it or not. And the show is very persistent in supporting Uther’s claims but not because it claims he is right, but because it’s good for Arthur. Basically, let’s spare the main character’s feelings for his father. Every time Uther is saved from magic users, the magic is condemned, as if those people are in the wrong to attack someone who’s been hunting them like animals for years. This is particularly painful in the episode with Morgause revealing the truth of Arthur’s birth to him. She was labeled liar by Merlin just to prevent Arthur from patricide (because there was no other way to stop him? lol what a stupid excuse). I think it is important for Arthur to know the truth about his father’s terrible decisions, so that he can learn from it and be a better king in the future, but instead he gets to live in the comfortable lie and the anti-magic propaganda is validated in his mind, when previously he had doubts if all magic was really bad. So Arthur’s ideological development is reset to the starting point.

Merlin being a magic user, the supposedly good magic user, but siding with anti-magic people is another frustrating thing about the show. It’s another case of divided loyalties, but the way Merlin uses and strengthens the prejudice with his actions, instead of trying to change the perception of magic, even in small ways, is just plain hard to watch. All he does is helping magic people in secret and it usually ends badly anyway. The message seems to be that Merlin can be the Only Good Magician because he’s helping those who kill other magicians. Or rather, he is on Arthur’s side only but Arthur is loyal to his father and shares his views, and Merlin feels no obligation to change this (because he needs to protect baby Arthur’s feelings uwu). Merlin’s moral compass is that what’s good for himself and for Arthur is the most important. Everyone else is optional.

I just don’t like how Merlin is living in a lie too and I hope there will be consequences to it. The way he conceals his true self stunts his ability to grow as a person, because when he does something good, he doesn’t get any credit, and when he screws up, someone else takes the fall. Basically, Merlin doesn’t experience consequences for his magical actions, good or bad and he can’t really grow much from it.

After writing all of this, I conclude that I must like Merlin mostly for the humour and adventures.The show is really entertaining and I still hope for progress in the magic area.

#bbc merlin #season 2 #my thoughts

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dumbledoresaidcalmly · 7 years

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The Last Enemy - James x Lily Fanfiction

Can be found at https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12637484/1/The-Last-Enemy

Chapter 1 It was September 1st and sunlight streamed through the windows lining the ceiling of Platform 9 ¾. Lily Evans peered at her watch for the millionth time that minute. Knowing the following was inevitable, she gave another pleading look to her sister. Petunia Evans was glaring daggers at the people around her until she shifted her eyes to land on her sister’s. Knowing it was her final chance to patch things up, Lily spoke.

“Tuney,” she began with her childhood nickname, “I’m sorry. So unbelievably sorry! It was just an accident, I’m sure, and I would never let anything like that happen to you if I had known! I–”

Petunia scoffed. “It’s not about that! You stand there, thinking you’re so special going to school to learn and have magic while being around other people just like you!”

Lily paused at her sister’s words. She thought this was about the incident with Snape. But maybe it was something else, she couldn’t tell.

“…I’m sorry, Tuney, I’m sorry! Listen–” Lily grabbed Petunia’s inching away hand to better make a connection with her. “Maybe, once I’m there, I’ll be able to go to Professor Dumbledore and persuade him to change his mind!”

Petunia struggled to wrench her hand out of Lily’s grip. “I don’t–want–to–go!” she exclaimed. “You think I want to go to some stupid castle and learn to be a–a–you think I want to be a–a freak?” she finally spit out.

Lily felt her heart breaking; if she wasn’t close to tears before, she certainly was now. Petunia finally tugged her hand free. Lily was finally alone. “I’m not a freak. That’s a horrible thing to say,” she muttered.

“That’s where you’re going,” Petunia continued with relish, “A special school for freaks. You and that Snape boy… weirdos, that’s what the two of you are. It’s good you’re being separated from normal people. It’s for our safety.”

As Lily’s heart stung more with the cruel words, she looked for her parents. They were both standing a ways away, blissfully unaware of the two of them while they drank in the sights of the exciting wizarding community. She turned back to Petunia, gaining a new strength to defend herself and not be denounced by her sister.

“You didn’t think it was such a freak’s school when you wrote to the Headmaster and begged him to take you.” Lily retorted. Petunia’s face reddened.

“Beg? I didn’t beg!” she sputtered.

“I saw his reply. It was very kind.”

“You shouldn’t have read–That was was my private–how could you–?”

A memory flashed in Lily’s mind. She and Snape going into her room one day and finding a Hogwarts letter on her nightstand. They read it as an investigation. Knowing Snape was a few feet away, Lily glanced at her shared secret keeper as a force of habit. Petunia gasped.

“That boy found it! You and that boy have been sneaking in my room!”

“No, not sneaking! Severus saw that envelope, and he couldn’t believe a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that’s all! He says there must be wizards working undercover in the postal service who take care of–”

“Apparently wizards poke their noses in everywhere!” Petunia exclaimed, her red face replaced to one of pale terror, “Freak!” she finally spat before fleeing to the familiarity of her parents. Lily stood for a moment, trying to gain control of her tears. ‘Put on a brave face’, she thought, ‘Just get on the train.’

Lily said goodbye to her parents as they sent her off with words of love and absolute pride for her. Petunia stayed away. The wizard conductor gave the final call for boarding and Lily wasted no time stepping onto the train, desperately needing a compartment to herself for a while.

Locating an empty car near the end of the train, she hastily entered and shut the door. Taking the seat nearest to the window, Lily rested her forehead against the cool glass overlooking the packed platform littered with wizard parents, and screeching owls. This is when she finally let her tears fall freely. Why didn’t Petunia love her anymore? She probably was a freak. Maybe she was making up her magic ability. It probably wasn’t real.

Outside the compartment, a group of first year boys blocked the door, shouting and talking excitedly about magic. Lily hated them for no reason. There was a sudden lurch as the train sprung to life. Lily brushed her tears away as the car door opened and someone from the cluster in the corridor poked his head in. A boy with a mess of dark black hair on his head and grey eyes met Lily’s green ones.

“Hey, mind if we join you?” he asked. Before Lily could respond, the door was opened further, letting three more first years join the boy in taking their seats. Lily found this kind of rude but brushed those thoughts aside, as she would have said yes to him anyway.

The grey eyed boy stuck his hand out for Lily to shake. “I’m Sirius by the way,” he said confidently. Lily took Sirius’ hand.

“I’m Lily. Pleased to meet you.” By now, the other boys had their attention on Lily.

The boy with a slimmer face and brown hair stuck his hand up in an awkward wave. “I’m Remus,” he greeted.

The boy with a messier head of hair than Sirius flamboyantly stretched across the compartment, extending his hand for Lily to shake. “James Potter,” he exclaimed.

Shaking James’ hand Lily looked to the last boy to introduce himself, who had mousy brown hair and was the shortest of the four.

“I’m Peter. Hello,” he mumbled sheepishly.

James took his hand away abruptly and started ruffling in his school trunk for something. The air was then draped in an unpleasant silence and Lily turned her head to again be leaning against the window. Remus, Peter and Sirius started discussing Quidditch teams which Lily listened halfheartedly, having heard of this briefly from Snape in one of their hang outs.

Sirius watched as James rummaged from his trunk. He gasped suddenly at something tucked just out of sight. “What are these?!” he gasped as he lunged for the stack of cards. James looked up to see what had been discovered. He smiled superiorly. “That’s only my collection of Chocolate Frog cards. I’ve gathered them for years and that’s not going to stop now that I’ve got school,” Sirius leafed through them excitedly. “There’s rare ones in there so don’t mess any of them up,” James warned. The onlooking Peter choked on air as he studied the deck.

“Morgana Le Fey and Herpo the Foul?! How’d you get these?” Peter asked.

“I got talent,” James bragged.

“Stole them off some bloke, more like it,” Sirius stared in disbelief.

“And, look,” James grabbed a second deck from in his trunk. “Mint condition Merlin.” James had become a god… In the vaguest of senses. Remus had disappeared some time ago behind a copy of ‘How Not To Blow Off Your Fingers On The First Day’ by Julius Gummidge.

The compartment door opened and a cheerful old woman peered in with a welcome, “Anything from the trolley, dears?”

“One chocolate cauldron, please,” Peter asked politely, handing over the sickles to pay.

Sirius fished out a few sickles and knuts and handed them to the lady. “Licorice wand and pumpkin pasties please,” he ordered curtly.

Remus and James both paid for Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavored Beans. When the trolley lady looked to Lily if she wanted anything, she politely refused with a shake of her head. After the compartment door was closed again, comfortable silence started as the boys ate their sweets. These were only fueling the sugar high that soon took over all of them. Sirius and James ended up in a wrestling match, one which Sirius was winning but James wasn’t having any of that. Remus disappeared back into his book and Peter chowed down on his cauldron cake and watched James and Sirius be entertaining. Lily stayed with her face towards the window, keeping out of unwanted attention for the moment.

Watching the sunny countryside pass, Petunia crept back into focus in Lily’s mind. Her sister hated her. There was nothing she could do to change that, no matter what. It was hopeless. Lily faintly heard footsteps stop suddenly outside the compartment. The door swept open and closed and Severus Snape took his seat directly across from her. Glancing at him, she could only imagine what the obvious tear streaks on her face looked like to him.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” Lily said in a constricted tone.

“Why not?” was all he could ask.

Speaking to Severus made Lily delve back to her problems she wanted to ignore above all others. She took a shuddery breath, “Tuney h–hates me. Because we saw that letter from Dumbledore.”

“So what?” Severus asked in such genuine nonchalant that made Lily angry. She glared at him.

“So she’s my sister!” she snapped at him. Lily wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, careful to not give telltale signs of crying from the other people in the carriage with them. Severus said something else, but Lily didn’t want to hear any defense from him.

“But we’re going!” Severus pointed out to her. “This is it! We’re off to Hogwarts!” his excitement was impossible to ignore and it got an optimistic look from Lily despite her awful mood. Severus saw that slight change and relaxed, glad to be free of the tension between them. “You’d better be in Slytherin,” he added with a new confidence in him.

When that comment reached the ears of the others in the compartment, the James boy swiveled around to give it full attention. “Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I’d leave, wouldn’t you?” he asked the question to Sirius across from him.

“My whole family have been in Slytherin,” Sirius replied with no smile reaching his face.

“Blimey, and I thought you seemed all right!”

“Maybe I’ll break the tradition,” Sirius smiled at the idea. “Where are you heading, if you’ve got the choice?”

James answered by raising an invisible sword heroically in victory. “‘Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!’ Like my dad.”

Severus scoffed slightly which made James turn on him. “Got a problem with that?” he demanded.

“No,” he answered with a noticeable sneer that said otherwise, “If you’d rather be brawny than brainy-”

“Where’re you hoping to go, seeing as you’re neither?” Sirius slyly asked.

James let out a howl of laughter which was the cue for Lily to leave the compartment with Severus. She stood up and glared at James and Sirius who were laughing with the other two of their entourage. “Come on, Severus, let’s find another compartment.” she said hotly.

“Oooooooooo…” James and Sirius drawled in high voices, imitating Lily. James stuck out his leg to trip Severus on his way out. Before the compartment could close, Peter suddenly called out, “See ya, Snivellus!” with an air of confidence.

Lily slammed the doors shut on the boys and laughter erupted from inside.

“So. Where’s your seat?” she asked Severus.

“Just follow me.”

The two ended up in a carriage with a couple of Ravenclaws. After idle small talk, Lily and Severus sat comfortably in each other’s company. The train ride from that point was pleasant as the thought of the terrible group of boys was pushed away as the excitement of the new year flooded the mind.

When Lily changed into her school robes, it was dark outside and Hogwarts could be seen faintly in the distance. The Hogwarts Express was rushing over grassy fields freshly dewed from mid-day showers so it sparkled extravagantly in the moonlight, replacing Lily’s nervousness with pure astonishment. The train came to a stop and Severus and Lily stepped onto the stoney path ahead of them hand in hand as they looked at the massive figure calling out, “Firs’ years! Firs’ years follow me!” holding a large lantern the size of a large owl cage.

The giant man led all the new students down a narrow downhill path that led to the edge of an enormous lake. From there, the Hogwarts castle was in full view and everyone marveled at it. Perched on a mountain on the opposite side of the lake, the glinting lights from within shining like stars, the castle seemed like a dream.

“Only four in a boat!” instructed the towering man.

Lily and Severus got in one of the boats followed by two other girls. The train group Lily met before all filed loudly in a boat thankfully a ways away from theirs. Once everyone was filed into boats, they pushed off from the shore onto the mirror still water. No one spoke except for the obvious few.

“Excuse me, sir! But, what do people call you? And why are we following you blindly?” James asked bluntly.

The giant man looked mildly surprised at this question, as if no first year ever had the courage to ask someone so intimidating anything. His eyes twinkled with the opportunity to meet someone truly interested. “The name’s Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. Yeh can all call me Hagrid. An’ I’m in charge of gettn’ all yeh firs’ years to the castle fer sortin’!” he introduced. There was silence once more.

“So, if you’re the groundskeeper, you tend to the lake as well?” James asked again.

“Tha’s right.”

“Is it true there’s a giant squid living down there?”

“Ah… yes.”

“When was the last time it ate a student?”

“Never, I don’ think”

“Perfect. A new feat,” James beamed optimistically. With a jolt, he faked lunged at Peter, causing him to panic and lurch the boat to be dangerously close to capsizing. Neighboring boats burst out laughing, making the tension melt away as the students passed under a huge cliff, through a curtain of ivy, and through a dark tunnel that led to an underground harbor right underneath the castle.

Everyone clamoured up a pebbled path that led to huge oak doors. They were finally here. Lily squeaked with excitement. When Hagrid went up to the castle doors and knocked three times, they opened immediately to reveal a tall, slender, dark haired witch deemed in robes of a dull scarlet that matched her pointed hat. The few murmuring students fell silent since this witch was hardly one to be messed with.

“Hagrid,” the witch addressed. “I commend you for your punctuality, but there is no need to arrive so close to the wire.”

“Terribly sorry, Professor McGonagall, it won’ happen again.”

“Thank you very much. I’ll take them from here.”

With a sweeping hand, Professor McGonagall ushered everyone into a high ceilinged entrance hall that was a spectacle all in itself. There was faint chattering coming from a tall doorway on the right of the hall and another surge of excitement and anxiousness flew up and down Lily’s spine; the feeling continued while entering a small, cramped room. The Professor appeared at the head of the crowd.

“Welcome to Hogwarts. The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is-” Lily internally sighed at the introduction, having heard the gist of the speech from Severus over the summer when asking the countless questions about the wizarding world. Still, she kept steady eye contact, fearing that any actions committed might ruin her chances of entering the school.

“-the Sorting Ceremony will take place in front of the school in a few minutes. I suggest you all compose yourselves beforehand,” McGonagall made her way towards the door. “I shall come back when we’re ready for you. Please wait quietly.” And she left.

Lily rocked back and forth, looking up at the ceiling, smoothed out her robes, trying to steel herself for the ceremony.

“Are you nervous?” Severus whispered beside her.

“A bit, yeah,” she swallowed. Her heart was beating with anticipation. “It’s just a hat, right?”

“Yeah, just a hat,” Severus reassured.

Others around them were marveling at the few portraits on the wall, shrieked with surprise when they spoke to them and were too shy to speak back. One particular student, Lily saw, was staring fixedly at the ground, willing himself not to be sick. She figured she’d be the same if she never had met Sev.

“Yeah, whatever the test is, I’m gonna be ready for it,” James could be heard in the corner of the room. “I’ve watched my dad do all kinds of spells before. But if it’s some pop quiz or something, I’m sure I can get out of it.”

Before any retort could be made back to James, the doors opened to reveal Professor McGonagall again.

“The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin,” she announced. “Form yourselves in a line and follow me.”

Eager students filed in a single line as the Professor lead them to a set of heavy double doors. With Lily in tow behind Severus, peered up to the elevated platform where all the teachers seemed to be sitting. And on a rickety stool, the center of attention was on a brown, patched, pointed hat. Students jumped as the hat sprung to life, opening a rip above the brim like a yawning mouth. To the first year’s bewilderment, the hat started to sing:

“Here I sit with all attention

pointed right on me

and soon I’ll tell with much delight,

of what I can foresee.

I am the Sorting Hat of Hogwarts.

Why? That’s shown quite clearly

Step yourself up to this stool And your mind will work just plainly.

For in your mind, there is a secret

Of what? I can’t be sure.

But I can find them

And I can tell you what you have in store.

Is your heart filled to burst with kindness

and you think you’ve had enough?

Then I would think the perfect House

is dear, great Hufflepuff.

Or maybe you are cunning

and your drive is more than most.

Then I will welcome hither in

for you belong in Slytherin.

But if your mind is strong

And you’re unafraid to speak your flaws

then you value the gift of learning

and you’re true House is the one of Ravenclaw

Or you are brave and mighty

with courage to settle any score

You certainly show chivalry

Then you’re destined to be in Gryffindor

Please try not to be alarmed

And also try not to get upset

For I am the Sorting Hat and you will see

that I’ll leave you with no regret.

Come sit upon my chair

I can assure there’ll be no mishap

Let me welcome you to Hogwarts

For I’m their Thinking Cap!”

The hall erupted in applause and cheers and the hat gave hefty bows to each student table before appearing motionless again. Lily’s cheeks hurt from smiling. She couldn’t have thought of anything more enjoyable than that performance. But a knot formed prominently in her throat when she saw McGonagall standing next to the Sorting Hat with a large scroll that she knew her name was on.

“When I call your name, come sit on the stool to be sorted,” McGonagall stated to the waiting crowd. “Armando, William.”

A young boy with full baby cheeks stepped up to the hat and sat prominently into attention. The hat was lowered onto his head, getting caught by his large ears. There was a pause from the hat.

“RAVENCLAW!” the hat shouted.

The table to the immediate right of the center of the hall cheered loudly. The young William scurried to his new classmates.

“Black, Sirius.” McGonagall called.

Lily saw in her peripheral vision Sirius tense up. James and Remus clapped him encouragingly on the back. Peter gave an optimistic smile. Sirius sat on the stool and the hat sat on his head.

“GRYFFINDOR!” the hat immediately bellowed.

It took a moment, but a shell-shocked Sirius Black stumbled off the stool, flashed a grin to the other first years, and sat grateful at the Gryffindor table.

Realizing that she would soon be called, a terrifying thought crossed Lily’s mind. What was she supposed to think about when she had the hat on the head. That wasn’t stated clearly in the beginning introductions. Or it was and she just missed it. Panic flooded through Lily once more as she searched her mind for something to think about for the Sorting Hat. She looked to Severus and used him as her anchor for her nerves. Lily also peered around her at the different tables, looking at the different students. The older ones seemed nice. She really didn’t have to be intimidated at all. This school seemed forgiving and welcoming to all. There was even a boy in green robes with long, platinum blond hair. She thought he looked ridiculous and so Lily looked away quickly to avoid letting out a snicker.

“Evans, Lily.”

Jostled back to present, Lily managed a small grin as she stepped to the stool despite her shaking legs. When the hat came down on her head she thought a simple “Hello.”

The hat barely sat there a second before bellowing, “GRYFFINDOR!”

The table that had welcomed Sirius burst in applause and Lily made her way to her House. Looking back to Severus, he gave her fleeting smile which she returned; he seemed disappointed with Lily not being in Slytherin. She wanted to make it up to him somehow.

The Sorting continued and Lily had a ways to wait for the “S” last names so she could cheer on Severus. Name after name was called on Professor McGonagall’s list. After the name “Longbottom” went to Hufflepuff, Remus Lupin from the train was called. Sitting on the stool, the Sorting Hat crisply shouted “GRYFFINDOR!” and he made it to the table to meet Sirius’ high five. There was a “McDonald” and a “McKinnon” both to Gryffindor, “Nelson” to Ravenclaw, “Nobson” to Slytherin, and all the rest of the Sortings went quickly and efficiently. Until Peter Pettigrew.

The hat sat on his head silently, an internal pleading and struggle was plain on Peter’s face. After a few minutes, the hat bellowed “GRYFFINDOR!” and Peter collapsed at his new House table. Remus and Sirius gave him pats of congratulations. There was murmuring around the other tables. Lily heard the word “hatstall” being passed around.

The next sorting worth mentioning was the frivolous James Potter. He strode up to the hat with the utmost confidence and determination, seemingly charged on adrenaline alone. The hat spoke out “GRYFFINDOR!” before even grazing his head. James left the stool and gave a fist to the air in triumph. Sirius, Remus, and Peter cheered deafeningly as James sat at the table. Lily couldn’t help but smile at the cheeriness of the group.

Skipping a few, and McGonagall finally called “Snape, Severus.” Lily leaned forward and hoped that whatever happened, her friend would be happy in whatever House he was Sorted in. Thankfully, as soon as the hat met Sev’s head, it bellowed “SLYTHERIN!” and he quickly sat at his table. Lily and Severus met eyes and smiled from across the room but there was a bitter sweetness between them. The Sorting quickly ended and there was a gentle murmuring of voices across the hall. Most of the first years were discussing being starved. Lily overheard a few of her new housemates talking.

“I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.”

“Don’t you mean a unicorn?”

“Don’t be stupid, James.”

“You’re right, I can do better.”

The crowd fell silent as a man at the head of the elevated table with a long white beard and half moon glasses. He spoke confidently.

“Welcome,” he began. “to a brand new year at Hogwarts! This year will, in no doubt, be better than the last! Let us all enjoy our feast!” And with a wave of his hand, the golden plates set in front of students in the hall were stacked to tipping point with food of the greatest variety. All the first years gaped and soon began loading their dishes to their heart’s content. Hurriedly, Lily stacked some mashed potatoes and roasted turkey onto her plate and began pushing away from the table when a voice interrupted her.

“My dear lady, where are you headed off to?”

Turning, Lily jumped at the sight of an actual ghost in a ruffled collar speaking to her. “-I was just going to-” Lily could only point in the general direction of Severus at the Slytherin table.

The ghost gave her a regretful look. “I’m sorry to say, you’re only permitted to eat at your House table with all of your comrades.” Lily nodded briefly and the ghost gave her a curt nod before passing right through her. Lily shivered as the feeling of cold water being poured over her head passed. She absent mindedly sat back at her spot and stared blankly at her food, deciding on what just happened.

“Honestly, you couldn’t tell at all. Everyone’s sure to look nervous when they step up.”

“Yeah, but my knees shook the chair,” The girl across the table fretted. “My large, door knob knees.”

“Alice, you’re worrying too much. At least you were sorted!” The battling voice assured Alice.

“Yeah, I guess. I mean, I’m in Gryffindor. Can you imagine? Me, all tall and honorable? I only thought Gryffindor were full of themselves, at least that’s what my mum always said, being from Ravenclaw and all that.”

“Some of that’s still true,” a third voice added in. She nodded her head over to a couple Gryffindor boys sticking hands and utensils through unsuspecting headless horsemen ghosts. Lily joined in with the other girls’ giggling.

“They’re supposed to be older than us, aren’t they?” Lily casually jibed.

“Quite right. But, at least there’s proof we won’t die of boredom at this school,” The first girl agreed. She turned to Lily. “Hi, I’m Marlene.”

“I’m Lily,” she smiled.

Alice had started running her hands through the blond hair draped over her shoulder. “I’m Alice.”

“I’m Mary,” said the voice from down the table.

“Happy first day,” Lily greeted.

“‘Tis a fine evening to be sure,” The ghost was back. “Especially with an excellent grouping of new Gryffindors like yourselves.”

“I bet you say that every year, Sir Nicholas,” Marlene said.

“That’s because it’s true every year.” Sir Nicholas decided as he glided away. As he was leaving, Alice leaned after him.

“It was nice to meet you!” she called.

Afterwards, there was a comfortable silence between the little group that resulted in Lily’s ears drifting farther up the table.

“I can’t believe it,” Peter gasped. “I bet I looked like a right git sitting there. In front of Dumbledore too! The Albus Dumbledore!”

“Aw, Pete. It’s not that bad. I’m just glad that we get to keep you around,” Sirius tried to console.

“But he’s a legend! I’d give anything to know what he thinks of me.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. He’s been at this school for so long, every student probably looks the same to him,” James reassured cooly, popping an apple wedge in his mouth.

“And if he doesn’t take to you, I’ll bet he’ll get you like he did Grindelwald,” Sirius snickered.

“Bet that’d be a laugh, wouldn’ it?”

“It’d really be something to see them close this school. But that’d probably wouldn’t happen even then.” Remus exclaimed.

“Good to know I mean that much,” Peter grumbled feebly.

“Come now, Pete. You’re our pal now! You’re already part of our new team,” James said cheerily.

“What do we need a team for?” Remus asked.

“Rames, we have the opportunity of a lifetime here! Imagine it, all four of us ruling the school by 7th year. We’ve got to start early to make our mark as soon as possible. And you lucky lads have been chosen by me to help on my conquest,” James exclaimed.

“Whatever you want, mate.” Sirius conceded.

“No take backs,” James stated as Remus and Peter nodded in agreement with Sirius.

Lily picked up her glass and wondered about that group. James seemed to be full of himself. But, with one taste of her drink, he was pushed from her mind.

The feast ended with the rich desserts being cleared from each golden plate and the Hall was still fresh with new friendships being made. Dumbledore stood up once again.

“Before you all depart to your respected Houses, I have a few start-of-term notices to announce,” the entire hall was silent. “First years, you shall note that the forest on Hogwarts grounds is forbidden to enter. And if you’re an older student of Hogwarts, let this be your reminder.

“Secondly, I’ve been reminded by our caretaker, Mr. Apollyon Pringle, that there will be no wandering the corridors after hours and no magic is to be used between classes in the corridors.”

“And finally, Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone who’s interested in trying out and playing for their house teams should contact Madame Hooch.

“Now, all of you, off to bed!” Dumbledore declared with a wide sweep of his hands and a wide grin on his face. The hall erupted with cheers.

The Head Girl and Boy of Gryffindor started leading the first years away towards their bed chambers. Lily purposely strayed to the back of the line and scanned the crowd of students for Severus.

“Hey Lily, are you coming?” Mary asked.

“I’ll catch up with you later!” Lily yelled back.

Lily finally saw Severus walking with the other Slytherins. They made eye contact and ducked together in the passing crowds.

“Hi,” Lily started awkwardly.

“Hey,” Severus said uneasily.

“Listen, I’m sorry that I’m not in the same House as you. There’s really no control over it.”

Severus held up his hands abruptly. “It’s okay. We can still hang out all the time… Slytherin and Gryffindor have a few classes together so we can still see each other.”

Lily sighed in relief at the reassurance. “I’m glad. I thought you’d think differently of me.”

“I’d never think badly about you, Lily.” Severus stated sincerely.

“Aw, Sev you’re the best.” Lily concluded. “I gotta go catch up with the others. I’ll see you later!” And Lily ran off, leaving Severus with a smile so big that hurt.

Lily followed the remaining crowd of Gryffindors down a hallway that led deeper into the castle. She was in the midst of upperclassman so she nimbly skirted back to the first years and landed right next to Mary.

“There you are! I was afraid you’d miss the password handouts.”

The mass of students made it to an open stairwell with giant, looming, stone steps leading to different landings. One of the leading voices instructed the students from ahead.

“Keep an eye on the moving staircases. They have that name for a reason. Please know where you’re going. Don’t get lost.” the Head Girl directed.

Better said than done, of course. Lily thought.

The first years were led to a portrait that touched the ceiling and floor. In the portrait was a woman in a pink, lace dress placed in front of an exotic background. Like the portraits from the waiting room, she came to life.

“Password?” she asked.

“Nether Wart,” The Head boy answered and the portrait swung forward to reveal the Gryffindor common room, a cozy, round tower room warmly lit with crackling firelight from the fireplaces; light bouncing off the overstuffed couches and chairs in the room.

“Hello all first years! My name is Claire Switch, your Gryffindor Head Girl for this year.”

“And I’m Head Boy, Michael Mcconville. If any of you have questions at all this year about schedules or where your classes are, come to us.”

“Now, we were fortunate to not run into him, but I advise you all to steer clear of Peeves the Poltergeist. But if Peeves does run into you, and you’ll know it because he’ll be throwing things at you, just ignore him.”

“Just letting you know about that. Now, girls dormitories are to your right and boys to your left. You’ll get your schedules first thing tomorrow morning. We’ll wake you up tomorrow in time for breakfast.”

“Sleep well!” Claire said before leaving, being trailed by Michael.

“Hey Marlene, can I bunk next to you?” Lily asked once everyone filed into their bedroom tower.

“Sure, of course.” Marlene yawned before sprawling on her poster bed.

Lily claimed her bed and pulled her curtains shut after poking her head out to bid a quick goodnight to her Gryffindor friends. She dug in her trunk from the side of her bed and pulled out one of her new quills, a parchment, and an ink bottle and started a letter to her parents.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I’m writing like I promised I would! Hogwarts is absolutely spectacular and I can tell that school’s going to be a blast. The train ride was lovely and I’m very safe and comfortable, so there’s no need to worry. I got sorted into Gryffindor house and I think I’ve made new friends already. Severus sends his love. I’ll write to you as often as I can. Tell Petunia I miss her.

Lots of Love, Lily

Lily knew that her parents would like a longer update on the last few hours but it was the best she could manage against her worsening fatigue. She tucked the letter on top of the heap currently in her trunk and got under the covers to finally conclude her first night at Hogwarts.

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