#this is a very telling list hahahha

[parjums]

Hi um. I just met your werewolf sorcerer OCs but. I love them (also we’d be so so so happy if you wanna tell us more about them but no pressure)

JHJAHAHA tysm :'D

here are some basic character stuff, and i'm making a comic abt them here!

xiao:

chinese american taoist sorcerer

has destroyed several national landmarks. on a special list by the fbi most likely

lives in the moment, does NOT plan ahead. i've sorted him in slytherin but he's a pretty gryffindorish slytherin tbh

the tweet that's like 'when I was 7 I had a crush on someone in my class & didnt know how to deal w it so i wrote them a letter that just said "get out of my school"'

extremely petty

burnt out gifted youngest child

thinks he's better than you (he probably is)

adrian:

mexican/columbian american werewolf

moved away from hometown for college, meets xiao when he's back for the summer

wants to work with magical creatures in the future, so he's studying to be a vet rn

a very big people person, makes friends easily. was super popular in high school

musically inclined. a pretty good singer

learned to drive at 13

charismatic enough to be able to talk himself out of prison ngl

gets flustered when things don't go as he expects

xiao is 24 and adrian is 21, but xiao is the youngest in his family and adrian is the oldest, so they've got a bit of a different dynamic going onJHJSDHF

i'm really happy you guys are interested, i've gotten super attached to them hahahha!!

#asks #my art in the earlier chapters tho.......i cry................id redo all of it but im too lazy to LMAO #in the future maybe when i'm done with the main story ill go back and fix everything i wanna fix

[pompoenwolkjes]

2, 5, and 11 for the fanfic new year asks! <3

Hi! Thank you for the ask!

2. Will you participate in any fandom exchanges or fic challenges, etc?

I’m currently participating in two things on twt; jeongsung fest and jeongchan bingo. It’s a fun way for me to get some writing practice in though I will probably be whining again once the deadline rolls around haha. As for here on Tumblr: I’m going to try to keep up with @ficwips Wednesday word of the week game so I work on my wips more haha (except I never post it on Wednesday hdhdhd). 

5. Which WIP is first on your list to complete this year? Will you post a snippet?

Not counting the fest and bingo ones, my first on the list is the witch au! I’m really looking forward to writing more of it, I love the dynamics in this one. 

Technically the jeongsung fest is first on the list BUT I’m sharing a witch au snippet cause I really want to work more on that one and choosing snippets motivates me to expand my scenes hahah it's a LONG ONE SORRY

Minho’s eyes are drawn to something on the wall, just visible over Jeongin’s shoulder. A black spot, almost like a scorch burn. Wear and tear around the house is nothing new, susceptible to Jeongin’s moods as it is. And they know, Minho perhaps more than anyone else, that Jeongin has had a collection of hurt and anger over the years which is reflected throughout the house. Everyone still freezes when a new spot appears but they learned to live with it. Never ignoring the different marks but they now acknowledge that this is a thing that will keep happening. Chan and Seungmin watch the development of new ones like a hawk to navigate when Jeongin’s spiraling and they need to step in. It’s handy having a tattletale od sorts that informs them when Jeongin is not doing as well as he lets on.  But Minho’s never seen one like this, it looks like it’s going to crumble if he touches it, giving way for the outside. It looks like it hurts and all he wants to do is take Jeongin in his arms and tell him it’ll be alright. Except he doesn’t know this time. And Minho doesn’t lie. Never to Jeongin. No matter how much it feels like having his heart ripped out. In a house otherwise  filled with comfort and soothing tones and gentle touches, Jeongin counts on Minho’s sharp tongue and honesty, relies on it and Minho would rather die five times over than betray that, to dishonour him in some way.

11. Would you like to try any new fanfic genres or tropes this year?

I’m working on a jeongchan kitsune-ish au for the bingo and I’m excited to try that out! I’ve never written anything similar to shapeshifting but I think it would be fun and interesting to explore that as well as the mannerisms and ways of communication in animal form. Come to think of it I actually did have a txt shapeshifter/magical au hmmm I should really go through my wips again hahah but yeah! I’d really like to explore it more alongside fantasy and mythical creatures in general!!! (looks at the dragon au)

I’d also like to grow in writing intimate scenes without it being overly explicit. Or as you called it: Implying Sexy Shit Without Writing It, hahahha

Thank you for the ask!!! I was very excited about doing my first ever ask hehe <3

#ask #nettlestingsoup #skz fic #I had three different snippets in mind to share #now I’m convincing my brain I should work on those two as well regardless that I didn’t share them

[dontcallmebree]

Lighthouse? Ex husbands? A happy fic? ❤️❤️❤️😍😍😍

Hi Lis! I hope you're doing well! <333

Hahahha unfortunately this one is not entirely happy. Not sad, though! Very very soft, actually.

This one's got a Bucky recently rescued from cryo only to find out that Steve did not "die" in the Valkyrie like history thinks, and goes to find him. Cue reconnecting and finding himself in this new future with this new older Steve who has a whole new life without him (kinda).

So uh they're exhusbands... by death. I honestly cannot tell you why I decided to name the project that. Oh there's also a lighthouse, where they live all awkward and domestic. Here's a snippet but it's a really rough draft so...

He finds Steve, of all places, on the outskirts of a seaside town that looks nothing like the Brooklyn they once called home. Tucked behind a towering lighthouse, stone masonry waterlogged and slick from a rising tide, is an oddly shaped one-story home with a rusting pick-up out front. When Bucky had first come across the property, he never would’ve imagined its clean if somewhat cluttered kitchen, much less the man that lived within its walls.

I've been working on this for so fucking long and made not nearly enough progress. Fingers crossed it gets written! Thanks for asking!

wip game & list

#hi lis!!!! #asks #docallmebri #wip

[134340am]

Hmmm curious to know, which of your kageyamas in different fonts would you consider: husband, best friend, and one night stand??

Also yes, the show where rich Kageyama (Daisuke Kanbe) is from is really really good! (If you hear closely you might hear a voice from another pretty setter in one of the characters!)

INTERESTING QUESTION

husband: kyouya senpai (smart kageyama) — he seems the most all-rounded. aaand he'd probably focus on me some of the time, unlike the other two idiots who only care about sports T^T

besto friendo: kageyama (the og kageyama) — hinata and i can annoy him together!!! i probably have to tutor him somewhere down the road but that could make for some good #bonding

one night stand: haruka (swimming anime kageyama) — haru is soooo pretty i'm crazy for him >o< he probably won't be a very good lay though HAHAHHA i bet he'd ask to check out my bathtub after he cums and i don't

WBU ANON!!! this was very hard lmao i love all of them equally ; o ;

omg and i did some snooping on google.... you mean to tell me this sexy bastard has the same va as the one and only miya atsumu???

this ask single-handedly rearranged my brain and my anime watch list thank you for your service anon

#foaming at the mouth rn #i can't i can't i can't get into a new anime #i need to write my collabs and my wips and my 500 frens celebration requests and #AHHHHHHHH #HE'S HOT #WHAT DO I DOOOOOOO #fuck he looks like he has samu's hair but tsumu's eyes #deaaad i m dead #ask yuna #anon

[shoomlah]

one way I force myself to go to bed when I'm working on something is to write down all of my little stumbling blocks as I go instead of treading water by hyper-focusing on one problem, and then I have a nice little to-do list to come back to in the morning with fresh eyes 🙌🏼

#art tips #I don't know why rings! is in quotation marks and exclamatory #it was very late #this is a very telling list hahahha

[ramuoto]

TOP 10 MANHWAs

if anything good came out of 2020, it’s my discovery of manhwas. 

well, it’s not like i’ve never read a single manhwa in the past 15+ years but tbh, the ratio of manhwa:manga i consume on a weekly basis has jumped exponentially this year. previously it was like 1:99 and now it’s like 90:10 LMAO. 

so, just to remind myself that the world is still full of good things, i had to make this list. which i will probably edit in the future, if i can be bothered to. :) 

anyhow, this list was not made in any particular order, just whichever came into mind. it’s loooong so be prepared! (I’ve read way more titles than mentioned but just included the ones worth checking out)

for whoever stumbles across this list, i hope some of these resonate with you and i hope they make you as happy as they made me. 

pic credits: https://geekculture.co/geeks-guide-to-transmigration-novels-avoid-death-at-all-costs/

1. Ebony

https://mangadex.org/title/41838/ebony

Bahahah omg he looks evil there! But our dearest archduke is hardly that aww. Soz, I just ripped off the covers of the manhwa cos I can’t find a panel I liked more than another. I mean, this manhwa is a GEM. I can’t even begin to describe this because everything about it blew me away. This is not something you read when you are craving for fluff, or just wanna have something brainless after a hard day at work or if you just wanna have some eye candy lol. This is something you pick up on a weekend, when you have time, because you need those hours to digest, appreciate, clutch your chest, tear a little because you find yourself falling in love with these characters. It doesn’t have any of that cliche isekai, romance, revenge themes going on. It has a solid plot, backed by incredible characters, beautifully woven by the authors and artist with incredible pacing that keeps you on your toes and keeps you looking forward to the next chapter. Maybe I would have been happier if I found it after it was completed lol. HAVE I CONVINCED YOU ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU WANNA READ IT?! like, idk, just go. JUST GO READ IT GDI. 

p.s. it says there romance but naaaaaaah, dont go in with that expectation. :) this story is so much more than that. 

2. Bring the love

https://mangadex.org/title/44472/bring-the-love

This...this!!! THIS MANHWA NEEDS MORE LOVE. If you need a lot of fluff, a little, ok maybe quite a bit of sadness and tragedy, sweet sweet romance, cutie pies, please, look no further!!! Again, pacing, character development are so important to me and this manhwa aces it. I love the 2 MCs very much. And the side characters too. :)

3.  A Stepmother's Märchen

https://mangadex.org/title/39474/a-stepmother-s-m-rchen

When I first read this, i fucking cried. like please don’t ask me why. it’s not like its an absolute tragedy but I was just rooting for the MC so much and I really want for everything to go her way. That’s how much I adore this MC!!! I LOVE HER. I LOVE HER MORE THAN YOU DO NORA! HAHAHHA. okay soz. I need to keep this spoiler-free.

Anyhoo, there is nothing typical about this time travel plot. Sure, she goes back to try to undo the stuff that went wrong but phew, she certainly changed things so much everything that comes her way have made it so her previous experiences can hardly help aaaaaaand that’s what makes it fun! I sometimes wish the pacing could be a little more consistent, and there could be more characters I could love a little more wholeheartedly (so i wont have to be in so much despair when i read this sometimes lol) but omg the art, isn’t it pretty?! I’ve re-read this soooooo many times but the art blows me away all the time. And have I already mentioned how much I love her?! I LOVE YOU SHULI! AND I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY!

4.  Lady Baby

https://mangadex.org/title/34691/lady-baby

I literally LOL-ed when I saw this cover. WHO THE HELL ARE THEY. WHAT LADY BABY?! ehehehe. okay anyway, uhm, this is already incredibly popular. im not sure if i need to elaborate but yes, it’s adorbs!!! i dont think i like the MC as much as i love her family lol. and everyone else who adores her. im looking forward to when they get older. :) actually not really. please stay cute for as long as yall can! but yeah, i do wish the plot can move a lil faster. i want to see more character development in the other kids too COME ON! 

5.  Death Is the Only Ending for the Villainess

https://mangadex.org/title/47754/death-is-the-only-ending-for-the-villainess

am i allowed to reveal how shallow i am rn? like the previous choices were all like ‘wow-deep-plot’, ‘wow-character-development’ and this one i just included cos of AESTHETICS ALONE?! the novel covers are breathtaking!!! the manhwa art is amazing as well. and the harem is great! LOL. as for plot... uhm... it’s alright. it’s pretty engaging and i quite like the MC, she’s smart and independent and i love how she views them all antagonistically at all times HAHAHHA. her past is kinda... weird though and i do wish they’d stop referencing it. cos... girl why do you wanna go back to reality!!! stay here! it’s way more exciting! 

i love the whole isekai/reincarnate/transmigration theme and this is honestly one of the better, not-so-cliche or cheesy ones HA.

6.  Beware of the Villainess!

https://mangadex.org/title/47286/beware-of-the-villainess

do you already see the whole villainess theme?! am i suppose to start feeling embarrassed about my choices?! NO! cos this one is AWESOME!

again, another wildly popular title. for good reasons. it’s hilarious, our MC is as real and candid as it gets and LOOK AT THAT BLUE HAIRED BEAUTY. DO YOU SEE HIM?! IMPLANT HIM INTO YOUR MEMORY NOW!

it’s highly entertaining and breaks all isekai-reincarnation-villainess plot stereotypes. definitely one of the titles i look forward to every week.

7.  Who Made Me a Princess

https://mangadex.org/title/32506/who-made-me-a-princess

what? why did i choose this?

BECAUSE OF CLAUDE OF COURSE. ahahaha. okay aside from the amaaaaaaazing art and the beautiful people, the plot is not too bad. a little extreme at times but it’s interesting enough to keep me going. it’s currently on hiatus though and i was highly annoyed by how the first season ended. (YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENED? NOTHING.)

i hope the plot can move faster in the next season! and that our dearest MC athanasia can you know, finally be a little more useful... like omg just tell lucas already!!! and tbh girl, no matter which guy you choose, i approve. :D 

8.  The Flower That Was Bloomed by a Cloud

https://mangadex.org/title/37648/the-flower-that-was-bloomed-by-a-cloud

i featured this before, mostly out of frustration HAHAHA. do you see why i chose this cover?! yeah, i support this (unpopular) pairing okay! the other one is doomed!!! no matter what the author is trying to do now!! I DONT SUPPORT IT!!! lol.

anyway, i had to feature this cos the art is unique! and the story is great. :) and i looooooove listening to the ost while i read it. it starts out kinda slow but as the pace picks up, you won’t be able to stop. and you find yourself conflicted at various points. it did win an award for a reason. 

no matter what, i still think dowun is best for her okay. it’s dowun or nothing. he’s devoted to her, we all know that! he just needs to ditch that annoying female guard!!! ok yknw what, maybe nothing is better. :/ *cries*

9.  Solo Leveling

https://mangadex.org/title/31477/solo-leveling

why do i even bother? this manhwa is popular enough. 

the art is great. the MC is great. i use him and his gang as my wallpaper. 

im just not sure i like how this season’s plot is progressing. :/ but i guess it brings us nearer to solving the mystery in the first leg of the manhwa. i just enjoyed the whole part of him leveling up and now that he isn’t really leveling up anymore... idk. am i hoping for more plot shit like bleach (oh wow now u quincy?)... idk man. anywho, no regrets starting on this series and marathon-ing it to death. 

cross fingers the plot picks up and doesnt get too complicated for its own good.

10.  The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion

https://mangadex.org/title/31606/the-reason-why-raeliana-ended-up-at-the-duke-s-mansion

okay, tbh, by the time i reached 10, i still have like 15 other series i was considering LMAO. i even considered lengthening this top 10 to top 15. but that would just be more of me and my nonsense. so... why did i choose this?

COS I LOVE THE 2 MCs!!! they’re adorable. the plot is again, kinda far-fetched at times (i literally laugh my head off at some parts) but it’s isekai-reincarnation okay! anything is possible in whatever magical crap country you end up in! lol. and i like how straightforward it is... in the sense there’s no 2nd lead. like okay i mean they are there but we all know they have no chance. oops. sorry!

and cos i can’t give up on the other titles i have, imma just list them down, without pictures... cos im tired. HA. 

11. Doctor Elise 

https://mangadex.org/title/29474/doctor-elise 

Kudos to the huge improvement in art style lmao. The good... lovable MCs, engaging plot. The bad... sometimes lengthy, incredulous medical moments (i work in the medical field so i... idk. sometimes this borders on iryu LMAO and i need to remind myself this is romance) otherwise, this is a highly highly entertaining read.

12.  Seduce the Villain's Father

https://mangadex.org/title/46775/seduce-the-villain-s-father

This is another of my ‘father-love’ whims. MC is adorable and ML is handsome. enough said.

13.  The Villainess Lives Twice

https://mangadex.org/title/49644/the-villainess-lives-twice

This is like a lesser version of Ebony and Bring the Love combined HAHAHA. The plot and premise is great and it’s awesome to marathon! I don’t find myself loving the MC as much as I should but the ML is a darling! I just find her a little toooooooo gloomy. Like come on girl, be more spunky! 

14.  The Stereotypical Life of a Reincarnated Lady

https://mangadex.org/title/46790/the-stereotypical-life-of-a-reincarnated-lady

I dont know why I like this so much HAHAHAHA. It hardly has a plot. I just find the MC and ML amusing i guess lol. 

15.  I'm Stanning the Prince

https://mangadex.org/title/45586/i-m-stanning-the-prince

Sometimes I wonder if I should be ranking this higher but I kinda feel this manhwa is trying to achieve too much with an underpowered MC. I love her... but I just don’t like how she’s just a pawn of everyone else and I dont know how she can change this situation of hers. It’s cute though. the MC and ML.  and the ML reminds me so much of american/jap Mackenyu. 

16.  The Villainess Reverses the Hourglass

I HAD TO. the art is so pretty! but girl, dont use the hour glass so much! you look a little too old! i would appreciate it if MC stops basing too much of her moves on the “past” tho like idk you are gonna sound unoriginal soooooon like develop your own thoughts soon okay? <3

17. Inso's Law

ANOTHER ONE. omg. im a lil on the fence regarding this but i like MC too much. and her harem LOL. i dont see where the plot is going either but i just hope for a happy end... ):

18.  Why Are You Doing This, Duke?

HAHAHA. this is sooooo sooooooo cute, i would have ranked it top 15 if it wasnt licensed by tapas tho cos they are a joke. WHY NOT TAPPY GDI. 

19.  Miss Not-So Sidekick

Uh-oh. Is this a top-20 list now? anyway, the MC for this series is GOLD. im not liking where it’s currently heading tho thus the lower ranking.

20.  IRIS - Lady with a Smartphone

omg IVE NEGLECTED THIS FOR TOO LONG. lemme go buy more chapters hahahaha. it’s a tad too lengthy... otherwise i like the MC and yummy ML!

still not enough?

Special Mentions - Okay, these will be unranked cos I don’t think these are that good but probably still worth a read.

I've Become the Villainous Empress of a Novel - this is new, im looking forward to how it progresses wheeeee.

Lady to Queen - It’s a ruthless manhwa. There was a point i started reading all sorts of sadistic content (i was running out of content i swear) and this was one of the better ones. I appreciate the MC very much. the plot now is a little weird and im a bit wary of the MC’s sister... hopefully the ML can be more useful. he’s pitiful though. but dude come on, dont rely on the wrong gal.

Goodbye, In-law - I’m not sure if i like the current progress buuuuuuut MC and ML are cute so who cares.

The Duchess' 50 Tea Recipes - plot is still engaging. MC and ML are cute. i dont know where the plot is heading towards though. 

A Falling Cohabitation - this is interesting and fun but a lil lengthy.

Light and Shadow - the sequel is out!!! i highly enjoyed this entire series!!! i would have probably ranked it a lil higher if i did this post earlier but too many series have overtaken this in my heart lol.

This Girl Is a Little Wild - is the hiatus ending yet? i would add it back to top 20 if it came back LOL. it’s highly entertaining tho. ML is adorable.

The Duchess With an Empty Soul  - pretty nice. MC and ML are a little boring. i think it can end soon. LMAO.

A Capable Maid - it’s amusing how she gets her powers for all sorts of situations lol. the prince is creepy tbh. and im secretly rooting for the other king hehe.

Beware of the Brothers! - it’s cute and heart-wrenching at the same time! not too sure im digging the latest plot development but okay... i’ll take it. they’re all cuties.

Living as the Tyrant's Older Sister - hehehe. it’s cute. duke is kinda silly but the latest chapter made me squeal!!!

The Evil Lady's Hero  - idk where the plot is going but MC and ML are adorable!!!

The Dragon Next Door - HAHAHA. it’s hilarious.

The Youngest Princess - she’s growing uppppp noooooooooooo

Virtues of the Villainess - ginger is hilarious. i dont see where the plot is going tho... and cant say i like the ML yet. i dont even get to see him much, hello?!

The Justice of Villainous Woman - pretty wholesome... i like the MC! (the ML is fine. no one else to contend with so...) can u end already?! lol.

Amina of the Lamp - hey, what happened to this? it’s pretty inconsistent but i do like the MC and ML... and the art...

The Villain's Savior - this is some sadistic shit. i reserve it for when i feel sadistic. i pretty much wanna see MC happy but idk if she’s making the right choices. :/

I Don't Want to Be Empress! - HAHAHAHA uhm it’s getting interesting. i just want ML to step up more... 

La dolce vita di Adelaide - I FINISHED THIS! and it’s wholesome, feel-good and cute. some parts felt a lil extra but ah whatever.

The Black Haired Princess - plot. move. faster!!! otherwise the MC and ML are pretty cute.

The Abandoned Empress - im a lil on the fence but i know how popular this series is. it started out HORRIBLE. i hated the ML so much. and then i found the green hair boy creepy. like MC, you need better taste in boys. it’s certainly getting more interesting now though. so please, continue to make my money’s worth!!!

Lucia - i. am. not. guilty. of. anything. *smut warning* anyway go read the novel. it’s better. hehehe.

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim - i do not need to elaborate any further. 

Past loves 

I created this section just to remind myself, that what i could like one day, i could hate the next LOL.

The Monster Duchess and Contract Princess - I know this is wildly popular. but i lost interest in it once she grew up. i dont think she’s particularly lovable. soz.

Survive as the Hero's Wife - another popular choice. I find the plot kinda boring now. MC and ML are cute though. 

Sincerely: I Became a Duke's Maid - another popular one. again, boring plot. like cant it end yet? oh you mean we need to wait for the real female lead to show up? dont need luh.

I Am a Child of This House - wow. the plot is shit now. and i do not support the MC and her guard. soz. she’s OVERPOWERED tbh. 

This Is an Obvious Fraudulent Marriage - idk what happened but my enthusiasm for this died.

Charlotte and Her 5 Disciples - i don’t get it. i dont get their obsession for her. 

#manhwa #fav manhwa #ebony #bring the love #a stepmother's marchen #lady baby #death is the only ending for the villainess #beware of the villainess #who made me a princess #the flower that was bloomed by a cloud #solo leveling #the reason why raeliana ended up at the duke's mansion

[yuriyuruandyuraart]

this took waaay longer than expected omg-

pff- okay but i had to search for my tablet and it had everything but 2020, except for february- i did find a lot for january, but all of them are spoilers for stories, or just really bad doodles so there’s that

i used to draw on one layer on paint 3D because i was used to it, and i still don’t know why i haven’t realized how limited it was??? like besides having no layers, and few brushes, it had no pen pressure either- i swear i still don’t know how i did full illustrations with sketches and zero layers either-

but it had a way to record your drawings and i still have some of those recordings, but that’s for another time ;)

for march and april, it was my first drawings on tablet, and boi do they look bad-

except chara’s pose, i mean, the neck,,,looks,,wow- great eXEpt ThE Shading and lightning they do suck

the only excuse i have is that there is literally no brushes, i mean really, i only had the blur effect and motion blur to help me but except that nothing

from may to july was pretty bad ngl. i have nothing to say except that i got medibang on may, so there’s that. (i can’t believe i thought my anatomy was good back then hahahHA-)

the rest is good. i personally feel like i haven’t really improved much there except the use of modes and lightning/shading.

now that the “art analysis” is done, i want to thank some people for just making this year livable and much better. so first of all:

@zu-is-here​ i feel like if i didn’t go to your blog in april, i just would’ve spent the whole year in a pretty bad state- illness and stress don’t really go well together x) and i forgot to mention, but it was because of you that i got medibang and firealpaca in the first place! i feel like i vastly improved because of that- using different programs and all made me realize a lot of stuff and i can’t be grateful enough. your blog was the best thing that could’ve happened to me<3

@help-im-a-gay-fish​ okay but half of my wips and headcanons came directly from YOUR influence- like- you’re so creative it hurts (not in a bad way ofc) 

your art and writings are always such a delight to see and i can’t help but feel so happy that you paid attention the little writings i made on zu’s blog either- (i forgot to thank zu for that too but gosh i can’t be grateful enough for her) ♥

@jann-the-bean​ i have to admit, i was waaay to shy to interact with you- because i just lOVED your writings! you were a pretty big influence too! i really though you were too cool to like my messy stuff but aaah- i can’t express how happy i was that you liked my art/writings/headcanons and i still am a bit shy to really talk but just know that i love your content <3

@amemi-i​ you are such a nice person- really, i can’t really express everything with words but i’m so glad i got to know you, even for a bit! your art is amazing, just as you, and i’m very glad i have someone to talk to from time to time ♥

@bluepalleteuniverse​ you’re so cheerful i actually thought you were a kid at first xD no but okay you’re a really amazing person and i always loved your interactions with people! et puis ça fais du bien de savoir que quelqu'un d’autre peut comprendre mes charabia en français x) you and your art are very lovely ♥

@dragon-tamer-1​ you’re a very nice and supportive person! (to tell you the truth, i would’ve probably stayed anon for muuuch longer if you didn’t mention that you’d follow me in an instant if i were to reveal myself, and few people later on stated the same thing, and because i thought it was worth a shot, i wanted to make a gift for people i liked, and that’s how i started the project, because it’s way better than just revealing myself right x)) so thank u for being a very nice mutual ♥

@fio-violet​ your art genuinely amazes me- it’s got something so special in it that makes me LOVE it to such a degree- please know that i absolutely adore it <3

@rikablue27​ i just needed to say that your art is SO so amazing and i was really surprised people didn’t pay attention to it- but i can say i really admire your way of drawing people and your shading/lightning! your perspective is also very neat and i can’t wait to see more of your art ♥

@ihavekarma3-blog​ it’s literally the same thing for you and rika, you’re a very talented person and i only wish you the best for the other projects

@ask-undermine​ your daily positivity and your constant support always make me very happy and i just wanted to thank u for that ♥

@kotikaleo​ your style is literally the cutest thing i’ve seen and i’m really amazed by every work you manage to make! you deserve every kind of support and i really can’t help but be inspired by your works <3

@amarald​ like- i know for a fact you’re an amazing artist and a really nice friend, but you’re also a very sweet person to interact with! your asks always make me so happy and i’m really glad i got to meet you ♥

i just listed everyone from the top of my head but there’s still so many more people i am thankful for, like YOU! everyone who sees this: i’m so glad you’re still here and enjoying people’s content and i wish you a very happy day/night and good year <3

#my art #summary of art #summary of art 2020 #monika #chara #erruri #flaw #oc #my oc #i told ya guys the old erruri looked like sh- #i mean just #ugh #it took me a whole day to draw #i can't believe i wanted to make it my home screen #i guess they say i should learn to know my failures #anyways #thank u guys #i am so grateful for everything #the support #the love #and for the 180+ followers #we're closer to 200 than 100 and i'm so happy #good luck reading everything guys <3 #edit: i'm so tired i can't proofread well so sorry if i repeat a word too much :D

[inevitably-johnlocked]

For the playlist, Sherlock to John: "Take a Chance on Me," the Erasure version. "If you change your mind, I'm the first in line. Honey I'm still free, take a chance on me. ... If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown, Honey I'm still free, take a chance on me." ww w.youtube.c om/watc h?v=L-d4J3YUQmU&list=FLz21w0A5EyOAw5ZmRLlMXKQ&index=655

(Chorus) If you change your mind I'm the first in line Honey, I'm still free Take a chance on me If you need me, let me know And I'll be around If you got no place to go When you're feeling down If you're all alone When the pretty birds had flown Honey, I'm still free Take a chance on me Gonna do my very best To there ain't no lie If you put me to the test You could let me try Take a chance on me (come on, give me a break, would you?) Take a chance on me (Verse 1) Oooh! we can go dancing We can go walking As long as we are together (together) Listen to some music Maybe just talking Get to know you better (Pre-Chorus) Cause you know I've got So much that I wanna do When I dream I'm alone with you It's magic You wanted to leave me there Afraid of a love affair But if you think you know...... But I can let go (Chorus) If you change your mind I'm the first in line Honey, I'm still free Take a chance on me If you need me, let me know And I'll be around If you got no place to go When you're feeling down (Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me) If you're all alone When the pretty birds had flown Honey, I'm still free Take a chance on me Gonna do my very best To there ain't no lie If you put me to the test You could let me try Take a chance on me (it's alright, alright honey) Take a chance on me (Verse 2) Oooh! You could take your time baby I'm in no hurry I know I'm gonna get you You don't wanna hurt me Baby don't worry I ain't gonna let you Let me tell you now My love is strong enough To last when things are rough It's magic You said that I waste my time But I can't get you out of my mind No, I can't let go Cause I love you so (MC Kinky) Hopping in! If you like what you're seeing take a chance with me, ya! You won't be grabbed if you're feeling horny Well, you've passes so you got to know this precious property I don't know the lads, so call me MC K Nobody sits, understand me clearly However hard he try, could he never own me We all fit nice and just move freely Special K, what he says all said carefully Me not sit all along and just wait by phone Not call me 'cause me never, never home ya Machinegun as we get the wrong one Master Mark, master Paul, mister Luke and John If we like what we see we chance a situation Nothing don't pay nothing, maybe see what follow on What a jill may do if the right man come? Hey reggae boat, come we just have a little fun! Go now!

(lyrics from Genius.com)

LOOOOOOOL I HAD NO IDEA THEY HAD THEIR OWN VERSION hahahha. This isn’t the same vid you recced me, but this one is too amazing, LOL.

ANYWAY. YES! Great song for the playlist!! The lyrics are fantastic. Thank you so much!!! <3

🎶 LISTEN TO THE JOHNLOCK PLAYLIST ON [SPOTIFY] & [YOUTUBE] 🎶

#steph replies #johnlock playlist #song take a chance on me #artist erasure #deelaundry

[thetypedwriter]

Loveboat, Taipei Book Review

Loveboat, Taipei Book Review by Abigail Hing Wen 

This book is solid. The few people I’ve foisted conversation onto about this book have heard me lavishly declare it to be the YA teenie-bop version of Crazy Rich Asians. 

And while I maintain that my statement above is still true, the book also contained some other elements that either came across as a breath of fresh air or a polluted cloud of toxicity that made me cough and wheeze. 

As for the general synopsis, it’s pretty simple all things considered. You have Ever Wong, a senior who is stressed about college applications, her own future potential, disappointing her parents, and ignoring the unrequited love she has for her best friend’s boyfriend. She also happens to be Chinese-American. 

Ever’s identity as growing up Asian in the predominantly white-as-bread state of Ohio is kicked off quite strongly from the get-go. Ever talks about how the said pining of her best friend’s boyfriend could have not been pining and instead could have been her, but that he was unwilling to put up with her crazy Asian parents and their strict limitations. 

She talks about how her dad, a revered surgeon in Taipei, has been relegated to pushing medical carts in hospitals in the States for the last twenty years as they wouldn’t recognize his medical degree. 

She discusses how she and the only other Aisan kid in her class have an unspoken rule of not looking at each other or calling attention to one another as to not emphasize their Asianness. 

As you can probably tell without having me list off a litany of other examples, this book heavily concentrates on race, identity, family, and self-control. 

At the beginning of the novel, Ever is a shy, timid girl whose willing to give up her dreams of dancing because it’s what's expected of her after all her parents have sacrificed to raise her in America. 

But then her mother sells her black pearl necklace to send Ever to Chien Tan, an immersion program in Taipei where thousands of Asian-American kids are sent for the summer, for the purpose of learning the culture, language, and other specialized skills like Chinese medicine, calligraphy, ribbon dancing and stick fighting. 

Ever is reluctant at first, desperate to stay back and find a way to keep dancing, but as her mother literally throws her leotard in the dumpster, Ever knows it’s a losing battle. 

So she goes. And she is amazingly transformed. 

The rest of the book details Ever’s excursions with finding friends and love, immersing herself in the culture that Taipei has to offer, coming to terms with her own identity and race, growing up, making mistakes, hitting a low point, and then getting back up again to achieve her dreams and fight for what she believes in. 

Now, the highlight of this book is definitely the representation, the talk of race and culture, and the actual experiences of Chien Tan, more commonly referred to by the kids who attend as Loveboat, drawn from the author Abigail Hing Wen herself. 

Loveboat, as they call it, is an actual program that the author Wen and others attended and still attend. It’s obvious just from reading how much of Ever’s experience is drawn from the author’s herself and that IS ALWAYS AN AMAZING THING. 

One of the first pieces of writing advice I Ever (hahahha sorry, not sorry) received was to write what you know. Wen does this and knocks it out of the park. Loveboat comes alive with her writing, flowing from page to page seamlessly. 

She crafts it with such care and consideration that you feel like you’re there yourself, down to what the dorms look like with sticking doors, what they serve for breakfast, and the electives offered for academic selections. All of these little details brought such life and realism to the story and it made it an incredibly engaging read. 

Add on Wen’s real talk of race, racism, identity, and the struggle for identity, and you indeed have a delectable concoction of raw representation from a person of color who has experienced these things first-hand. 

Authors of color and representation in YA of characters of color have improved drastically in the last few years, but it’s still something to be expanded upon, drawn from, and encouraged and explored. 

Wen’s story is almost entirely made of Asian teenagers of differing backgrounds and experiences, and it was honestly so nice to not read about another white girl from a white girl. The story was real and filled with culture and struggle, but also beauty, friendship, and acceptance. 

All of these things hark back to why I call this book solid. 

Now onto why I don’t call this book great. 

I legitimately would have preferred if this book focused more on Ever’s identity as Ai-Mei, her struggle between wanting to be a dancer and not crushing her parents’ soul by rejecting the medical career they so want her to be in, and immersing herself in all the wonderful sights, smells, and experiences Taipei had to offer.

 Of course, love and friendship and drama should play a role, this is YA after all, but personally I felt like the romance dominated the book almost entirely, shoving the questions of race and identity and struggle to the backdrop of a pretty redundant love triangle. 

Which. We’re over the love triangle people, stop writing them. 

But really, I understand that the two don’t need to be mutually exclusive, and oftentimes, Ever’s struggle with her race and identity went hand-in-hand with her struggles for romance, but there was JUST. SO. MUCH. OF. IT.  

It was like an episode of the Bachelor if the Bachelor would stop casting white people as their main lead. Every other chapter was a pretty cliched rendition of some kind of romance trope: the bad boy that draws, the arrogant boy that predictably has a heart, but also a girlfriend, the so-called girlfriend flying out to Taipei, the evil stuck-up girl, literal running into chests moments, shirtless of course, and so many more to offer. 

For an author doing incredible things on the front of representation and real talk about stereotypes, racism, and prejudice, I found her book pretty stereotypical of a YA romance itself. 

There were several plot points that were also just incredibly predictable (the nude photos, my god, saw that from a mile away) that made reading this book just a little bit lackluster when I otherwise was really enjoying it. 

Unfortunately, the biggest turn-off this book had for me other than the recycled plot and the ridiculous, predictable, rampant love triangle were the characters themselves. They all kind of...sucked. 

They aren’t awful, by any stretch of the imagination, but they’re also not special either. Other than the fact that they’re Chinese, Chinese-American, or identify as another minority, and the implicit struggles and nuances that come with it, they were like any other archetypal character that I tend to dislike. 

By that I mean that many of the characters I found extremely one-dimensional. 

Each character had about two things about them that defined their whole characters. 

Now, not to blind you with my nerdiness, but other than books, I also am quite the connoisseur of anime. This book, in a lot of ways, comes across as a printed form of anime to me. 

There is a term in anime called Isekai which roughly translates to “accidental travel” and is saturated with shows all about people falling into magical worlds unpredictably. 

Additionally (stay with me here), anime is also quite infamous for having very archetypal characters where one or two traits dominate their whole being so completely as that is the only thing about them that comes across. 

Loveboat, Taipei in my eyes, is literally a print form of an Isekai. Which is not a compliment.

I really wanted to like Ever, Sophie, Rick, and Xavier, the predominant characters along with a whole cast of others. But I kind of...didn’t. Frankly, there wasn’t much to like or know about them. 

Ever’s character was dominated by her love for dancing and her determination to break from her parent’s protective shell, Sophie was a bossy bitch, Rick was Wonder Boy incarnate, Xavier was brooding and artistic-see where I’m going here?

Even the side characters were all identified by one thing-Marc with politics, Matteo with anger, Benji with being baby-faced. I understand that this is one novel and that it’s extremely hard to flesh out characters and unfold nuances and depth, but I personally found Loveboat, Taipei to be lacking in this quality, exceptionally so. 

Ever especially I found irritating. On some levels, I understand that Wen was trying to depict her as a flawed character who makes mistakes and learns from them, trying to represent the growth of her character and blooming into herself, but more often than not, I found her selfish, immature, and aggravating. 

When you add on that Rick is head-over-heels in love with her (as is Xavier) for reasons that don’t really make sense or are legitimately earned in the story, then the romance feels forced and falls apart, hence me wishing Wen focused more on other elements rather than romance. 

This plot contrivance, everyone, is what I lovingly call Bella Swan Syndrome-when a hot guy or vice versa falls in love with someone who legitimately doesn’t deserve it or the love is inorganic or just flat out doesn’t make sense. 

Wen attempted the whole hate-to-love thing, which I love, but also which I genuinely think failed here due to the romance being subpar and undeserved. 

Combine my lack of any real attachment to any character with the trite that was the romance, but mix it in with the praises above of realism and representation and you end at solid. 

Recommendation: If you are sick of the white people, I hear you. If you’ve been looking for books heavily centered on POC characters or written by authors of color, then I’m with you there as well. This book is a great novel for discussions of race and identity and for those Crazy Rich Asians fans out there. However, do not expect this to be the pinnacle of romance, story, or characterization, which unfortunately, falls below average on this one. 

Score: 6/10

#loveboat #loveboat taipei #abigail hing wen #poc #ya fiction #YA Books #YA literature #book blog #book #books #teen books #Teen Romance #teen fiction #romance #romance fiction #chinese american #book review #book reccs #ya book rec #book recommendations

[timextoxhajima]

im glad u r not uncomfortable about me telling you too much abt myself😂😂 i'm actually not sure what they call it in my country HAHAH and i'm afraid that u might misunderstood but im not from the UK!! im actually from indonesia i think we also call it uni here ? and we usually refer to our year by the semester i think? but im also not sure because im taking a medicine major and its pretty different to the rest, we just call it by the year since everyone will most likely graduate in their 3.5/4th years😂 (before taking the clinical year) but since i'm in the international class i have to take a degree in newcastle before my clinical year which is why i'll be going there this year! (again with the tmis im so sorry cant help it HAHAH)

ME TOO IM A WONPIL SIMP TOO HAHAH hes like the definition of honey bunch sugar plum with a very beautiful voice🥰 u should watch some of his cover and demos in their youtube channel!! and omg so excited to see more of your day6 works🥺🥺 are u planning to release them? NO PRESSURE THO i just hope it'll get more notes bc it deserves so!!!😡😡

+ just finished reading all of ur latest works and i gotta say hyunjae's gen z is my favorite out of all of them oh my god ur brain im actually not a big fan of fantasy story bc sometimes my brain is just bad at imagining things but when i read it it turns out to be so good and so easy to engage with🥺🥺 the ending tho omg🥺🥺 gotta say its one of my favorite tbz au of yours along w hostis (cant let this go ofc) and changmin's gen z (cant forget how i cried in the middle of the night bc of it! i may sound like im hyunjae-biased bc i mostly like ur hyunjae aus but i swear im a sunwoo-biased and well i think hyunjae's been getting inside my heads more bc of ur works 😂😂

OH my dumbass lmao omg youre a medicine major-- //war flashbacks to googling medical terms to use in hostis, 100% i made some mistake along the way or something while writing it//. going to the UK now is kinda dangerous tho x.x with that new strain of covid-19 floating about there ;( take care of yourself alright!

not @ my friends trying to bait me with youngk though AHHAHA because wonpil is an anomaly in my trend of biases (i usually stick to dancers //or the rude ones// and vocals are always a surprise) so i had friends who were surprised wonpil caught my eye first and not youngk because apparently he's the slut of the group (like... san/hwa/woo are of ateez and hj/ju/sunwoo of tbz?) also yeah I'm a tad bit sad that the day6 continuation chapter didn't get many notes so I'm just hoping to finish it properly as of now. maybe it’s because my blog’s more established as a tbz/ateez writing blog, and i don't show up that much on the day6 tags? ion know-- is that how tumblr works HAHAHHA

hyunjae’s gen z was a little difficult to write due to that little TW section + all the fantasy nonsense-- it’s been awhile since i touched genre of this sorts. hostis remains iconic; am i ever going to known for anything else besides hostis HAHAHAHHA //but dw you’re not alone, i personally don’t have hyunjae very high up my bias list but because of hostis, he’s been drilled into some crook/cranny now//

#tth.lemonanon

[nad-zeta]

Hi! I'd like to request for a match up if you are available ❤️ I really don't talk to much at the start and I find it difficult to start a conversation most of the time. But when we become close friends, I won't stop pestering you until you get annoyed that you want to throw me out of your window. (1/3)

I think of myself as an average person. I have lots of interests but I don't believe I have any expertise. I am more of a general knowldge person : I am interested in medicine, science, art, history and eating. I can tolerate light to medium spice; I like sweets but not too sweet. (2/3) get interested in people that acts aloof but I also fear rejection. When I feel it's just too much, It makes me want to stop. I love to laugh, I am talkative but a bit insecure and unsure of myself, but I don't want to show it to anyone. I just want to make people around me happy, and I know that when I radiate positive vibes around me, it will just spread to my friends. I hope you'll pair me with Ieyasu hahahha but If you think I am more compatible with the others, I am very glad to know,  Thank you very much! :)

Hey there love I hope you didn’t have to wait too long for this ^0^ Thanx so much for the request, and I hope you enjoy it! Hehe, this definitely wasn’t on purpose. I went through the list of warlords, and to me, you just fit perfectly with this boy!

I match you with.................. Ieyasu

The first time everyone meets you, its like dead silence. You can’t help if you are a bit awkward and shy. It’s not until the one-eyed dragon starts poking your cheek while saying:” you really don’t talk much do you lass, don’t be scared of these guys they won’t bite, although I might’. Your eyes went wide at that statement, and you backed away slowly. The next to speak was Mitsunari, he beamed his bright smile at you, “Let all be friends.” You loved the positive vibe it made you feel a little more at ease. “well this is boring if this council is done then I’m leaving,”. It was now Ieyasu’s turn to talk. He then turned his emerald green eyes on you, your breath caught in your throat. You had never seen such beautiful eyes. He rolled his eyes without saying anything and walked away. What a strange man. The rest of the oda forces continued to tease you for the rest of the day. You made quick friends with everyone due to your positive good vibes. The maids especially liked working with you because you somehow would make even the most horrendous task light and enjoyable

You hadn’t even been there a week, and the warlords were all off to war. Upon their arrivals back you had heard that Ieyasu had taken a considerable beating and was now super injured. Everyone was worried about the aloof porcupine. He had a bad habit of pushing himself too far and not taking his own injuries seriously. You sat in war council listening to the worried warlord’s gossip, that is when you finally spoke up to state your own opinion. “I used to practice medicine back home, perhaps I could go and check up on him.” You were met with smiling faces all round. “Very well fireball, Ieyasu shall be placed in your care until he is healed.” And that my friend is how you landed up bag in hand outside of Ieyasu’s palace. Part of Nobunagas official orders was that you were to stay in his palace and monitor his health. The head maid happily let you in and showed you to your room while conversing in some light conversation with you. Once you were settled, you went to see how Ieyasu was doing. He looked terrible, He looked like a porcelain doll, he was so pale and thin. You walked up to his bedside and placed your hand on his forehead. Shit, he has a fever, you looked around in hopes of finding something that would help you bring it down when you realized that, Ieyasu to must be into medicine cause his whole room was fully packed and stocked with every medical supply imaginable. You thanked the Lord at that moment for being a jack of all trades, as you had recently watched a youtube video about how to make medicine using only plants. You Carefully ground up a herb mix and made Ieyasu both something of the pain and something for his fever.

Ieyasu woke up to feel the presence of someone invading his space. His blurry eyes stared at a form near his workstation, grinding up herbs. He wanted to say something, but his throat was so dry, and he was feeling so cold. You came to sit beside him, placing beside you a bucket with cold water. Finally, his emerald eyes focused on you and widened. He managed to choke out, “What are you doing here.” You simply shushed him and offered him a tablespoon of the fever medicine. “here drink, it with help with the fever.” He narrowed his eyes, “And how do I know that is not some kind of poison.” Ieyasu could feel himself losing conciseness, you noticed this and put your arm around his head and neck to support it while bringing the spoon to his mouth. Ieyasu woke up to feeling a soothing cloth on his forehead, he absentmindedly relaxed into your fingers, caressing his face and hair. Once he fully woke up, his eyes shot open to see you staring at him with a slight smile and warm look in your eyes. “OOOh, your awake; I’m so glad.” You helped the grumpy boy sit up and brought a spoon of spicey soup to his lips “I can feed myself, I’m not some child, and as you can see my fever has broken and I’m as healthy as a horse so you can go home now.” You just glared at him, he relented by rolling his eyes and opening his mouth to drink some soup. You didn’t miss the cute blush that spread over his face as you fed him. And this was the start of your beautiful relationship

You would care for Ieyasu, changing his bandages, making him pain meds, and forcing him to get back into the futon to rest. You would also cook for Ieyasu. He would never admit it bad darn your food was good, it has just the right amount of spiciness. And boy did you live for the small slither of a smile on this boy’s lips when he would eat your food. The two of you really got to know each other while you were caring for him. You realized his aloofness was just a front to hide his insecurities. And you would talk Ieyasu’s ear off. You were overjoyed when you found out softi boy had a crazy good sense of humor. Once you found this out you would crack all the jokes

You lived to see Ieyasu’s laugh, this boy laughed with his whole body. “Haha, Stop Haha Making jokes, haha, you will be my death” He would just laugh and grip his stomach. You were the only one in the world privileged enough to see this sweet boy’s laugh. Some days you would talk so much that Ieyasu would threaten to throw you out the window so he could have some peace and quiet. You would just give him the biggest brightest smile, “I would love to see you try.”

Everyday Ieyasu would heal and get a bit more energy back. Until one day, he was fully recovered. It seems like it was time for you to leave and move back in with Nobunaga. You had walked into Ieyasu’s room and gave him his last dose of medicine, then he looked you dead in the eyes and said: “You know you can just stay right, it’s not like I was going to kick you out or anything.” You were ecstatic, at the statement, honestly between all the conversations and time spent with porcupine boy, you had fallen in love with him. You ran straight up to him and gave him the biggest hug. To the outside world, it may look like the two of you were rushing into a relationship, but honestly, if you know, you know.

You would often spend your afternoons with Ieyasu in his study, working on your newest skill. You were a jack of all trades but a master of none, and as of late, you had come to enjoy drawing. You would sit by the window and spend hours sketching wasabi out in the garden. Ieyasu would bring the two of you some spicy rice balls for lunch. The two of you would sit together while munching on the food, chatting about medicine and science. Yasu enjoyed the fact that he could have an intellectual conversation with you. It seemed like you knew a bit about every topic. 

When his back would get sore from leaning over the documents all afternoon, he would drift to where you were sitting and sketching. He would take a sneaky glance to try and see what you were doing. You would just look up covering your work, a little shy to show him your work. This would usually end in him tickling until you would let go of the sketchbook to let him see the drawing. He was in awe; it was so good.  

Ieyasu really loves everything about you. You are such a pure warm person, and he can’t help but smile when he is around you. He loves how you just bring him and his whole palace positive vibes. Somedays, he can low key tell you are feeling a bit down or insecure, and he will just walk up to you and pull you into a warm embrace. “Silly girl, it’s just us now so you can drop the mask and tell me what you are feeling insecure about.” You would hide your face in the crook of his neck and mutter what had caused you to feel a bit sad. Ieyasu would pull you down to sit on his lap at his desk. He lets you rest your head on his chest while he draws soothing circles on your back. You will fall asleep in his arms. He is so soft and sweet, hugging him is like hugging a big fluffy marshmallow. When you wake up, he will present you with a little doodle of you, him, and wasabi. You can’t help but laugh at the clumsily drawn picture. He would pout while being as red as a tomato. You would just thank him for cheering you up and give him a sweet kiss on the cheek

The two of you love spending time together. Both of you can often be found relaxing in each other arms reading. You would read up about your latest topic, and he would read the newest medical journal. Ieyasu will definitely drop a few Eskimo and butterfly kisses on your beautiful face to remind you of his love and affection for you

Other potential matches.................... Yukimura 

I hope you enjoyed dear! 

#ikemen sengoku ieyasu #ikesen ieyasu #ieyasu tokugawa #ikemen ieyasu #tokugawa ieyasu #ikemen sengoku matchup #ikemen matchup #ikesen matchup #matchups #ieyasu matchup

[keezree]

HatR Ch: 11

You sighed giving a stretch, attempting to alleviate the tension from sitting in the wooden chair. Your back gave a little, satisfying pop. It seemed as though you had spent more time in this library than any other library in your life. You could almost feel your butt print indented in the chair. The past few hours you and Ripto had been using your scrawled notes to translate the encrypted messages hidden within the illuminations of the history books.

Some of the words you recognized from the childrens book you had found, however there were other more complicated ones. You had hoped with time you’d be able to decipher them and expand your cobbled together dictionary. “Who’d have thought that the answer was right here!” Ripto took the paper you had just filled with scribbled translations and set it on the slowly growing pile, he’d been arranging them for you as you completed them. “That’s usually how it goes with stuff like this. It’s in the last place you expected it to be.” You mumbled, hunched over your paper, scratching away with your pencil. Ripto simply grumbled in response. Ripto propped himself on his hands and watched you across the table as you worked. You were surprised he hadn’t gotten bored by now. He was probably tired from his day long search. By now you were so invested in helping Ripto that even you were looking forward to finding something that would give him an advantage against Spyro and the other dragons.

Ripto gave a loud yawn and fanned at his mouth politely. “Found anything yet darling?” He lazily watched you scrawl out more translations. “Nothing yet honey cakes.” You smiled down at your work. So far you’d only managed to find a few household items and animals as well as familial words. You finished writing down the word for “dog” when you noticed Ripto fixing you with an incredulous look. “Honey cakes?” His voice raised a few octaves as he tried to hide a smile. Snickering to yourself you hid back in your work. “Can I call you honey cakes?” Ripto rubbed his forefinger and thumb together as he thought it over. “I mean…I guess? Why not something like, “My Lord” or- Oh oh! What about “My King? You’ve called me that before and I quite like that.” You looked up and gave a mock pout in thought. “But I want something softer. Sweeter? Hrmm….King honey cakes…” You mused. “Abso-LUTELY not!” He looked positively insulted. “Fine, fine.” You said somewhat dissapointed. “What about…Sugar bum?” You offered. “Sugar-NO! Not that either! Just…Maybe just call me Ripto.” Bewilderment and disbelief crossed his face as you cackled into your paper, shoulders shaking. Once your giggle fit died down and silence took purchase of the room once more you decided to offer another nickname. “What about…Pudding?” Ripto shook his head. “You know what?” He held his hands up and closed his eyes in a sort of grimace,  as if to push away your potential further attempts. “Maybe just forget it. Ripto is fine.”   A little saddened you nodded and accepted that nicknames might be a hard thing with someone who was so particular. Maybe in the future you’d come up with something… Soon enough you had finished your list of translated words and piecing them together you found what appeared to be the instructions for some sort of portal. Glancing it over, Ripto tore it from your hands. You clenched your hands, stiff from writing. For a moment, you thought the ring thrummed painfully, but it was probably just from gripping the pen for so long. Ripto let out an intrigued noise, drawing you away from your overworked hands. “Is that?” He squinted at it and gave it a closer look. Some of the words you had transcribed seemed to say something about a secret door that required a few specific items to unlock it.

You didn’t think anything of it as you wrote it down but the moment Ripto mentioned it, it clicked. “It that a portal to the dragon realms? ____! You’ve done it! Ha ha!” He snatched up your papers and leapt off his chair. It slowly dawned on you what you had just accomplished. You had, through a simple kids book, broke through the dragons well kept secret.

“ Why bother going back to Avalar to get revenge on that dragon when I can just go directly to his home world?” Ripto broke off into a fit of what you could only describe as maniacal laughter. His laugh was so contagious, you couldn’t help yourself and giggled along with him. He seemed pleased by that.

Ripto circled round the table and approached you, grabbing on either side of your face with his empty hand and the one holding the papers and planted a grateful, loud smooch on your mouth. “ Thanks to you I’ll be able to take all the dragons out at once! Hahahha! What idiots. They thought they hid themselves but we’ve found them. We’ve found them! And we’ll erase them all from existence!” While Ripto was enthralled with his new found plans, you held a bit of skepticism. The methods to reach the dragons worlds were a little bit more difficult than simply turning a dial and changing a portal like your previous experiences. The spell seemed very involved and convoluted. It required a few specific items that you weren’t sure were in this world or even easily obtainable. Ripto didn’t seem to mind- In fact the whole plan seemed to have already been set into place in his mind. You weren’t sure where he’d get the required spell materials but knowing Ripto he’d not settle til they were his. You were about to ask him where to start with finding the items when a loud knock interrupted the two of you. Ripto grumbled and dropped his arms to his sides. He rolled his eyes to the ceiling, clearly disgruntled. “Oh what now?” He didn’t want to lose the buzz of his new found excitement. You rose and stretched your legs, starting towards the door. You reached out and turned the knob, allowing one of the servants to lean in and glance between you and Ripto. “Sorry to trouble you, your highness’s, But uh…There appears to be something wrong with one of the portals. The one you disappeared through my lord.”

Ripto cocked his head slightly. “How so?” The servant fidgeted and looked down at the floor then to you for some reassurance of safety. You gave him a nod to encourage his story when a searing pain throbbed in your hand. “Ahhh!” You grasped your wrist and your knees buckled. “____! What’s wrong!” Ripto immediately darted to your side and placed a concerned hand on your back. “What happened? Tell me!” He pleaded. His usual irritated demeanour faded to one of utmost worry and concern. You unfortunately couldn’t respond. The ring felt like it was about to snap your finger off. You clawed at it, teary eyed, gritting your teeth. Ripto’s brows knitted close together and a protective look stole his face. He reached down to your hand, trying to help you remove the ring, unconcerned for the consequences of removing it, allowing for your absorbing abilities. He wanted for your relief. You couldn’t see it, but the servant who had come in looked to the window. “There my lord. The portal, do you see?” Ripto wasn’t particularly concerned with what the servant was saying, his focus was on you at the moment. However he allowed himself a glimpse upwards and saw what the servant was trying to bring to his attention. “What in the world?” He gasped. You couldn’t focus enough to look up, but you saw a bright light cast itself strongly across the window, splaying the window grilles shadows across the floor and your hand. With each pulse of light your ring tightened harder. Wincing under the pressure, you lifted your head to look up. Outside, the portal that you had arrived through was emanating an odd glow, much different than the ones you were used to seeing from portals. “What is happening out there?” Ripto demanded, turning angrily to the servant, with one hand still placed on the small of your back. The servant simply shrugged and shook his head in confusion. After a moment the portal died down and so did the pain in your finger. You breathed a sigh of relief and wiped a few pained tears from your eyes, beads of sweat dripping from your forehead. Raising your head, your eyes met Ripto’s. You gave him a reassuring nod then took a better look outside at the now still portal. “What was all that ____? Are you going to be alright?” You shook your head in an unsure daze. “I…I don’t know. I didn’t think anything of it, but perhaps it’s best I tell you. The ring you gave me. Every now and then it aches really badly. It’s like it presses in on my finger. Like it’s going to cut it off.”

Ripto reached down and gripped your hand, holding it up gently in front of his face to inspect it. “How long has this been happening?” He asked, turning your hand this way and that. He slid the ring off just slightly, revealing a red indent on the place it was looping your finger. “A little while now. I didn’t think much of it but perhaps it’s more serious than I realized.” Ripto scoffed and met your eyes. “___, I told you no more secrets!” “I know, I know…” You hung your head a little sheepishly. “ I just didn’t want to bother you.” You admitted. Ripto shook his head in frustration. “It’s not a bother if it’s you.” He said in a soft voice, tilting your head upwards with his finger. You couldn’t help but reach out to him and caress his face. He lifted his other hand up and curled it around the one you had on his cheek. “ Ripto…” You breathed softly. The love he had for you was so touching and surreal. You hadn’t been together that long but he cared so deeply for you. It was incredible to feel such love from someone. You’d couldn’t remember feeling so endeared to another before. His love for you was incredible and you always felt so unworthy. But you still wanted it- needed it. And for Ripto… Having been without someone for so long, only to suddenly have a life partner… One who cared for him so deeply. He must have wanted to make up for all the lost time. The years he spent alone he wanted to make up for them with you. Your love must have meant something awfully special to him. Clearing his throat the servant broke the moment between the two of you. “Sorry to interrupt but the portal…” He pointed outside to where it now lie quiet. Ripto looked from you to the servant and nodded. “Right. Let’s go have a look.” He took hold of your hand and helped you stand straight. —————————————————————- Walking towards the portal you had a foreboding feeling fall around you. Something was calling to you and you didn’t like it. The ring-while it didn’t squeeze at your finger, pulsed slightly as you, Ripto, Gulp and Crush approached the buzzing portal. Examining it from all sides, Ripto took no notice of anything out of place. You stood and watched as he gave it a look over. Gulp nudged into you reassuringly and Crush patted your head heavily. You watched as Ripto’s short form circled the portal then neared you again,  the curls on his cape and shoes bobbing with each step, confusion marking his face. “Hrmm…” He puzzled over the lack of anything out of the ordinary. The servant who had come to inform Ripto of the goings on with the portal also stood nearby, along with a few others. “My lord, whatever it is, it seems to be similar to when we had lost you. When you were travelling and making your rounds. The portal had exhibited the same behaviour.” He bowed respectfully as he explained. Ripto eyed the servant then looked towards the ground in thought. “Hrmm…” He scratched thoughtfully at his chin with one of his clawed fingers. “___. Tell me more about your ring.” You thumbed it, trying to think of how to describe the sensation. “Well,” you began. “ When it pinches, it almost feels as though something is calling to it- an external pressure that it repels.” You hunched your shoulders, uncomfortable with the whole situation. You wished you knew more about magic and how it affected you in this world. Perhaps then you could tell Ripto more about what was happening with your ring. He mused a bit, thinking on what you had said. Mulling it over in his head, he seemed to come to a conclusion. “Something is calling to it?” He asked, trying to reaffirm your claims. You offered a simple nod in return. Giving a hollow chuckle, he walked to the stone archway of the portal and rapped at it with his knuckles. “If you can feel something calling to you, it may be your friends trying to find you. After all, you did leave them without any explanation.” Upon using the word “friends” Ripto gestured with air quotes, mocking the notion.   Once more you rubbed your thumb over the jewellery adorning your finger. “ Maybe I should have left a note or something so they wouldn’t come looking for me. I should have lied and said I went back home.” Your departure was rushed and you had been so caught up in the happenings of the past few days you hadn’t thought of the consequences of simply leaving your previous companions behind with no warning. Were they trying to come rescue you from what they thought was a poor fate? Did they think you were taken here unwillingly? Initially that was the case; now however was a different story. You had no real bounds to the realms of Avalar, though they did feel like home. Being in the magical worlds that Ripto presided over wasn’t any different. You couldn’t go back home to the Human World regardless. Besides! You were married now and had left your old world and ties behind! Voicing your thoughts, Ripto mused aloud measures against the plans of Spyro and his companions. “If they’re looking for you then someone probably saw you leave through the portal with us. Probably some prying, scummy individual like that fat bear. I’m sure he’d sell his grandmas ashes for the right price. He probably ratted us out to those fools.” He tucked his hands behind his back and paced in front of the portal as he thought aloud. “I’ll not let that little purple bastard take you away, don’t worry my pet.” He glanced to you in a reassuring way.

Crush and Gulp looked to each other. They’d not seen their master so involved in the preservation of another individual. Prior to this, he’d only fended for himself. Seeing him be so concerned for you made them feel a little envious- however, they could sympathize. You were their friend also, and they wanted for your safety. Whatever their boss decided to do, regardless of how they felt, they’d stick to it and follow his orders as best as they could. For him and for you. Wandering back to the castle, you watched as Ripto barked orders at a few guards to keep watch over the portal. “If anything changes- anything! You come straight to me and let me know.” He demanded, jutting his finger in their faces. The riptoc servants saluted and marched their way back in the opposite direction towards the stone archway. Passing through the castles front doors, you watched as Ripto glanced around, lost in thought. He wiped at his mouth nervously and began pacing across the front hall. You stood watching him, keeping your arms wrapped tightly around yourself. How you wished you could comfort him but he seemed closed off suddenly. What was he planning? Maybe he had some sort of emergency defence for this sort of thing. You found yourself wondering just what measures he had in store, when his head turned to you. Fear. You saw fear in his face. He was afraid. Once more he was trying to protect himself. He’d been so relaxed because he had left behind the threat in Avalar. Now it seemed like it was pursuing him. How long had he been fighting and protecting himself? Before you met him… Before Spyro and Avalar… How long had he been living with fear in his heart? Anxious, wary, paranoid… Alone. He glanced away just as quickly as he had looked to you. The poor thing. You gently reached out to him and took an unsteady but purposeful stride over to him. Ripto was so caught up in his worries that he jumped when you snaked your arms around him. “Ripto…easy. I…I’m here. I’ll protect you. Just like before. I won’t let Spyro hurt you.” Ripto looked up into your face over his shoulder and placed his hand on one of your arms. “____…” He breathed. “You’re not alone anymore. I’m here…You’re not alone. Not anymore. Never again.” He took in a sharp breath as he listened to your words. “I promise…” Ripto leaned into your touch, closing his eyes. You placed a reassuring kiss on his forehead, giving him a squeeze. Without warning he flipped around and wrapped his arms around you and held you tight. “I know…I know___” There in the middle of the castles hall, you held each other. Grateful that he took some comfort in you being there, you resigned yourself for battle. Spyro and the others, it seemed, were trying to rescue you and you’d have to stand against them. You thought of your wand tucked away upstairs and what potential spells you could use. Mulling over your magic, you wondered if you could even phase him. You had seen what the dragon was capable of and how durable he was. As you held onto Ripto, you wondered if you could actually bring yourself to end Spyros’ life. Ripto as well as Crush and Gulp had gone against him and were met with defeat, so what chance did you have?

You had no experience against a dragon. Save for what you had seen him do against Ripto and the boys. Regardless, you would try. You were more than willing to in order to keep your beloved safe. “Ripto, whatever is to come, I’ll fight for you. I promise. We’ll take him on together.” You whispered gently into his ear, your face pressed next to his. Under your embrace you felt him tense up. “____…” You felt him turn his head to look to you better. You peered down and saw an indiscernible look knitting his brow. “Ripto?” His eyes met yours and his voice started a few times. “…No.” His face immediately set into a serious one. “What?” You cocked an eyebrow at him. “No. You will not.” He turned around and shook his head, his eyes focused on the floor once more. In his mind a new plan was forming. “But why not? I’ve helped you before. Let me fight for you!” You let your voice reach through the hall, emphasizing your desire. “I don’t want you to have to go through this alone. You shouldn’t have to! Not anymore… Besides, it’s me hes’ after! I should fight! I want to fight!” You walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder. “This is my battle just as much as yours Ripto!” “I SAID NO!” He rounded on you, a mix of fear and anger meshing on his face. The outburst startled you and you hunched up your shoulders against his voice. Ripto realized his mistake and took a few calming breaths. “I’m…Sorry. I didn’t mean to shout. But I’m not letting you get into harms way.” Ripto took your hands in his and pressed them against his cheek. “I’ll not let that dragon near you. If he’s bringing a fight to my lands then it’s me he’s going to deal with!” “So you expect me to just sit back and watch you struggle?” You huffed.

Ripto dismissed your concern with a shake of his head. “You won’t be doing anything. Don’t worry. I’ll deal with that menace and you’ll be kept safe.” Ripto’s cape swirled behind him as his echoing steps led him back towards his throne. He motioned for one of his servants who neared him. Beckoning them closer, he leaned in and whispered something in their ear. You strained to hear but couldn’t make out anything. Once he was done issuing his instructions, he stood straight, arms folded neatly behind his back. The servant nodded and with a little glance to you, made their way down one of the hallways. Ripto watched them leave then, with a mindful of troubles, strode over to you. “What was that?” You looked after the servant but Ripto simply shook his head. “Don’t fret over it.” Ripto’s gaze lingered on you while he put something together in his mind. You wished he would tell you. It was awful being shut out like this but Ripto was better suited to fighting than you were. Perhaps, while it wasn’t what you wanted, you’d have to trust in his choices and sit this one out while he sorted things out. “What now?” You reached out to him, wanting some sort of reassurance. He allowed your touch and leaned into you, removing his arms from behind him to place them on your hips. “For now don’t think on it. Those imbeciles aren’t worth wasting your mind on.” He flashed you a smile but it held no comfort. You didn’t like this at all. Of course you were going to worry but you knew there was no point in arguing with him. Ripto was stubborn. Yet you weren’t going to give up either. You were stubborn too! If he thought you were just going to sit back and watch him battle, he was terribly wrong! “Alright…I’ll trust you.” You fibbed. That seemed to pacify him. The rest of the evening you tried not to think about the whole situation but you couldn’t help but notice over dinner the increased guard. It was hard to chew your steak as several armed riptocs marched their way down the hallways. Ripto noticed your concern and patted your back reassuringly. “Come now my love. Just ignore them.” He said with a cooing voice and feline smile. Nodding sadly, you tried to enjoy the rest of your evening but the whole atmosphere of the castle had changed. Even if you had tried to relax you could feel your body was tense. As you walked through the halls and past the guards, they nodded to you and you returned the gesture. Surprisingly, amongst them was Zaph, the gardener. “Ah, your majesty! Don’t worry. We have things in order. This isn’t the first time we’ve had to defend the castle against outside forces.” He leaned forward and placed a reassuring hand on your arm.

You patted it and gave him a soft but fretful smile. “ I appreciate your bravery. Thank you for helping keep everyone safe. But I thought…Don’t you work in the gardens Zaph?” Hefting the crossbow he was holding in his hands he shuffled his feet. “Well, under normal circumstances yes…However in emergencies everyone in the castle is called to arms. We all do our best to serve Lord Ripto…and you as well your Majesty.” A pang of guilt welled up in your chest. Everyone was preparing for battle all because you had come to live here with Ripto. The thought of everyone you had come to know in the castle pitting up against Spyro made you feel awful. What if someone died? Zaph…Sorrel… Maybe even Ripto again… You shook the worry from your head as Zaphs’ words drew you from your mind. “There’s nothing to worry about ______. We’ll keep you safe- I promise!” Still once more in no way reassured, you left Zaphs’ side and made your way down the long hallway to Riptos’ and your room.

Just as you turned the corner, you saw Sorrel and Ripto whispering. Now you knew how he must have felt when you had been darting around with your secrets. You keened your ears to listen to what they were saying but couldn’t make out anything. How frustrating! Maybe you could corner Sorrel later and see what it was going on. The hushed words were halted quickly as Sorrel spotted you round the corner. A smile stretched suddenly across her face and she stood straight, eyeing you nervously. Riptos’ head turned to where Sorrel was looking and spotted you. He gave you an unreadable look then turned back to Sorrel. “You understand everything?” Sorrel nodded her head fervently. “Yes sir! I’ll get everything in order.” She gave him a little curtsy and then one to you as she neared you and shuffled down the hallway. You turned your attention from her back to Ripto who stood staring you down with that peculiar look again. Crossing the hall to him, you brought him into your embrace. He held you tight and breathed in your comforting scent. “Ripto, what are you planning? Is this some kind of revenge for my secret wedding plans?” You teased. He pursed his lips and shook his head. “No. It’s nothing. Come, lets head to bed my dear.” He took you by the hand and turned the ornate knob to your shared bedroom. In the dark room you both clothed yourselves in night clothes and settled into bed. You half thought of trying to be intimate again with him, just to soothe your nerves but the both of you seemed too tense. Instead you settled for holding him close, wrapping your arms around his stomach and nuzzling into the back of his neck. Ripto looked back to you, worry melting off of his face slightly as he leaned his back further into you. A contented (relieved?) sigh escaped his mouth as he let you kiss his neck and shoulders. “I know I keep telling you this but you have nothing to worry about my dearest. I’ll have the castle on watch day and night. There’s no way that purple pest will find his way in here. Even if he does manage to open that portal, I’ll keep you safe.” Burying your face in his neck you let out a hum. It was too late to argue with him and even if you knew what to say it’s not like he’d listen to you anyway. Ripto rolled over to face you and wrapped his arms about you. “Goodnight my sweet.” He whispered to you. “Goodnight Sugar Bum.” Ripto snorted, leaned back to glare at you and sucked his teeth disapprovingly. Giggling you pulled him closer and placed a kiss on his forehead. “Alright alright…” He grumbled and settled in, letting you tuck the blanket in around him. ———————————————————————————- The Super Portal hummed softly in the cold night air, the green orbs shimmering in the dim light. Elora, Hunter, Spyro, Sparx, Zoe and The Professor all gathered around the inter-world door. Even Moneybags was present, curious about the hubbub. Another attempt was being made to open the portal to you. Once more, the collected spirit particles caused the orbs to repel and scatter. Looks like it didn’t work yet again. The group deflated as they felt frustration and despair sink into their hearts deeper. How were they going to save you? “ Why not just leave the poor thing! Let Ripto keep the human and be done with it.” Moneybags waved his had dismissively as he paced around importantly while the others scrambled to get the portal to lock on to your signature energy. “ What’s one human worth anyway? Certainly not all this fuss! Hurmph.” He shook his head, inspecting his nails. Elora scoffed and stood up straight, rolling her eyes. She had been leaning over The Professors shoulder reading his notes as she listened to the greedy bears words. “Moneybags, _____ is our friend! We’re not about to abandon them! Who knows what Ripto is doing to them? They’re probably scared, alone and in danger! This could be a hostage situation for crying out loud! And here you are playing it off like it’s nothing! Think of something else besides how full that rotten gem bag of yours for once!” She went to swat at it but Moneybags recoiled protectively, holding the bag like an infant. The Professor pushed his glasses up with his pencil and turned to face the others. “You know…I believe we have been going about this all the wrong way. Despite all of our efforts we’ve made no headway in locating our friend. If we can’t reach them from here, perhaps something is preventing us from finding them there.” He gestured with his pencil as he spoke. The Professor walked towards the portal, through the small crowd as he spoke. They all turned their heads, listening to him. “From what we’ve seen, Ripto is as clever as they come. He may have found a way to keep ____ hidden from any sort of detection spells. If that is the case, no matter how many times we try to contact them with Spyro’s magic, it will always rebound. We’ll need to come up with another plan…” The Professor paced around, scratching his head with his pencil, his clip board tucked behind his back. “Gosh.” Hunter leaned against the portal. “You know, I feel kinda bad. ____never would have been taken if I hadn’t opened the portal to Ripto’s world. Too bad we don’t know where it is or we could just open it back up again.” He waved his hands as he spoke and gave a regretful chuckle. He looked up to the group around him. All eyes were lingering on him, mouths agape. He froze, jaw clenched, fear in his eyes. “What? What did I do?” He leaned forwards, spreading his hands in a shrug. “Hunter!” Elora crossed the platform to the cheetahs side and gave his arm a little punch. “You’re a genius!” Grinning she turned to The Professor and walked over to him. “I am? Uh…I mean…Yeah…Yeah! I am!” Hunter followed her, passing by Spyro, he gave a little look around to see if the others could hear. “Hey uh…What did I say?” He whispered to him behind his hand. Spyro heaved his shoulders and lowered his head, shaking it while Sparx drooped down beside him. “Professor-” Elora leaned in as she spoke, hope lighting her face up. “ Can you make another one of those controllers?” “Yes…Yes of course! How simple! Why didn’t I think of that! All I have to do is make another controller! Yes! And re enter the code for Hunters’ birthday! I’ve been going about this all wrong, when the answer was so obvious and right there!” The Professor began to grow excited once more. “Such a simple solution!” “You see? This is why you leave simple solutions to simple minds.” Hunter proclaimed, crossing his arms clearly proud of himself. “Uh….Give me a moment and I can whip up another one. Though, we’d best be prepared for the worst once we’re through. We don’t know what we’ll be up against.” The Professor turned to Elora. “Right! Me and Hunter will go and collect some orbs and ammunition for Spyro to use against Ripto. There should be some left from the previous battle. Maybe you can round up some of your friends Zoe, they can use their magic against Ripto and his goons.” Zoe fluttered lower to the ground. “ I’m sorry I can’t be of any more help. Ever since I lost my wand, I’ve not been much use.” She rubbed her arm sadly. Elora shook her head. “It can’t be helped. Hunter lost it- It’s not your fault!” Hunter tried to make himself smaller as the girls looked to him. “Maybe we can find you another one, but remember that you are still just as helpful even without it.” Elora gave Zoe a reassuring smile. Moneybags shook his head at all of this. “What a waste of time. I’m going back to Collossus to watch the next tournament. I have a few suckers-er uh, friends there who I’ve placed a uh…friendly wager against for the next tournament. Wouldn’t want to miss the looks on their faces when they lose.” The dapper bear made his way to one of the teleporting platforms as Spyros’ eyes followed him. “You know, I think you do care Moneybags. I think you’re just as worried about ____ as we are.” Moneybags froze just before the doors leading out of the inner court, his back tensing. Whipping his head around, he glared at Spyros’ accusation with pursed lips. “And just what gives you that idea?” He eyed Spyro all over, challenging him. Spyro looked to Sparx with a wry smile, then back to Moneybags. “If you really didn’t care, you wouldn’t have told me about what happened to them.” He took a few confident steps towards Moneybags, his head cocked in an accusatory angle. “ And I don’t think you would have come here to check up on our progress either.” Moneybags spluttered and stuttered and tried to spit back an argument but no words could make it out. Instead, he straightened himself, adjusted his coat and raised his head high with an exaggerated, “A-HEM!” He turned his back to Spyro and the others and rounded the corner to Summer Forests platform. Spyro chuckled and shared an amused look with his dragonfly companion. “Now lets see then…” The Professor busied himself with the construction of a new controller while Elora, Hunter and Zoe began strategizing with the other fairies. Unsure of what to do with himself, Spyro simply watched and assisted The Professor while he worked. Passing him tools and wires and other items, observing him calibrate the controls. About an hour or so passed before the entourage returned, armed to the teeth and ready for whatever was to come. Hunter guided some of the fairies who were struggling to heft crates of power up orbs and reluctant looking sheep, while Elora shifted bombs and rockets under her arms. Snow lightly fell on them all as they patiently awaited The Professor work. Then, with one final turn of a screw, the controller was complete. “There! It’s done!” He lifted the controller victoriously aloft and smiled at his work. “Now, let me type in the coordinates…And we should be ready to save ____ from Ripto…” Standing before the Super Portal, The Professor punched in the code while the others watched the archway hum to life as they lined up behind him. With a great, deep hum of energy, the orbs flashed an alarmingly vibrant, verdant flash and breached the space between worlds, opening the Super Portal up to Riptos’ Home World. “Chateau Ripto” appeared in shifting golden letters, depicting the realms title. With a steadying breath, The Professor turned to look at everyone assembled there. “Well…It’s now or never…” Spyro took a ready stance, trotted up beside the mole and after exchanging nods, he charged forwards- through the portal to where you were. “Alright everyone- Let’s head out!” The Professor called out. Marching forward, with determination and worry in their hearts, the inhabitants of Avalar made their way to you. ————————————————————————————– The pained shout you let out not only woke up Ripto but half the castle as well. When you shrieked at the pain that pulsed from the ring, Ripto startled from his slumber in a frenzy. He looked about wildly then turned to you and grasped your hand, inspecting the ring. It pinched against your finger so tight, you could see the ring shrinking in size. Your finger went numb and red as the circulation was cut off. Tears flowed freely as you heard a loud deep thrum echo through the world. A faint, far off flash of light pierced the night and briefly illuminated the wall of the castle. Seconds later, the sound died out and the light faded. So too did the pain in your finger. You squinted at Ripto, blurry eyed and shaking. “He’s here.” Ripto whispered. Before you could argue, Ripto tore you from bed. “Wh-Wait! Where are we going?” He had one hand on your back, guiding you along and the other grasped tightly around your wrist. He guided you out the bedroom door and down the hallway. Sorrel appeared around the corner. “Ah good, you remembered. Now- to the cellar-Quickly!” Ripto instructed her, and you were passed from one set of hands to the other. Sorrel- who was surprisingly strong- took you away from Ripto, your arm slowly slipping out of his grasp. It lingered in the air after you- not wanting to let go. Damn it! This is what he was doing? Hiding you?! You called out to him but he turned his back away, giving directions to a few of the guards assembled there. Ripto vanished behind the corner as Sorrel took you down the front hall stairs and towards a door you hadn’t recalled seeing before. It swung open to reveal a dark stairway, leading down to cool stone walls and cobwebby support beams. They stuck to your hair and shoulders as she guided you down the solid stone steps. The air was warm and smelled of wood and rust. In the dark, you could just make out a boiler heating the castle and an abandoned broom leaning against the wall. While you couldn’t see much, you could hear an awful lot. Above you, shouts and marching foot steps could be heard moving about above and around the castle as Riptos’ minions prepared for battle. Whipping past old wooden kegs and boxes of stored foods and old treasures, Sorrel brought you to a set of small cells, locked behind large, crude looking iron bars. “No! You are not locking me in here! I…I forbid it! As Riptos’ betrothed and your ruler I forbid this sort of action!” You, in the shakiest voice you ever heard come from your mouth, attempted to sound as authoritative as possible. Sorrel stopped abruptly and shoved you into one of the larger cells. You fell to your knees on the cold floor. Spiders and mice scurried away into the walls as you stood to brush yourself off. The sound of creaking metal and something clicking into place sounded off behind you and you turned to see a very reluctant Sorrel, tucking a key up her sleeve. “____.” She fixed you with a sorrowful look. “I apologize for not being able to follow your orders but Ripto told me to keep you here if things turned bad. I’ll keep watch on you and bring you food and water until he returns to tell us the coast is clear.” She folded her hands before her and eyed you nervously. You were always so sweet and kind, she was worried that her actions had angered you and she wasn’t sure how you would react. You were livid. Lunging forward, you grasped at the bars and stuck your head between them as best as you could. “Don’t you see Sorrel, I need to be out there! Spyro defeated him before! I know he will again- Ripto needs me! Please!” Desperation and anger clawed its way our of your throat. Worry and regret twitched at Sorrels face as she took in your words. With a hitch in her breath her head haltingly turned away from your gaze to the floor. “I…I’m sorry. I have to follow his orders…” She whispered. Still holding tight to the bars you felt yourself slink down to the floor. No… Not again. Once more you were trapped, unable to be by Riptos side in his time of need. You were sure of it. He would be defeated-! Kicking angrily at the bars you cursed from your spot on the floor. They rattled in place. The walls felt like they were closing around you as you tried to think a way out of the cell. You could hear your breath huffing angrily from your nose as you sat and stewed, trying to think. Panic clouded your mind and anger pulsed in your chest. It was hard to think like this… You tried to still your heart and ignore the fear and anger. Ripto needed you and you needed to be calm! Taking a few steadying breaths you stood and crossed the cell to the small cot that was there for prisoners to sleep. Sorrel took this as a sign of your succumbing to the situation and relaxed a bit, however, in your mind you started to plan a way out. Above you the castle began to quiet and still. Had it just been a false alarm? No…you saw the light and felt the pang from your ring. Maybe they had all left the castle and were outside protecting it. Images of everyone being taken down by Spyros’ flames flared up in your head and you had to physically shake yourself to rid them from your mind. It was too much to think of. How were Ripto and the boys fairing? Maybe they already- “Argh!” You stood up, frustrations with being contained like this welled up once more. Sorrel started from her spot on the other side of the bars. “____, what’s wrong?” You clenched your fists and glared daggers at the floor. How were you going to get out of here? “I…” You began, the words slowly coming out of your mouth, unfolding into a plan before you even realized. “I’m…thirsty.” You licked your lips and stood a bit straighter, trying to appear calm. “O-Oh?” Sorrel cocked her head to you, unsure. Approaching the bars you nodded.

“Yeah, all this stress has worn me out. Maybe, could you bring me something soothing to drink? Hot milk or maybe some tea with honey?” Sorrel clasped her hands together, glad to be of some service and further glad that you weren’t angry with her. “Yes your majesty- Of course! I’ll fix it up right away!” She curtsied and then made to take off, up the stairs. Before she was out of sight, she turned and waggled a cautioning finger. “Now don’t you go anywhere.” She teased nervously. Giving a half assed giggle you pointed at her with finger guns. “Eyy! Haha, good one!” Leaving you with a soft smile, Sorrel headed upstairs, leaving you to the dark silence. Listening to her feet shuffle along the cold stone floor, you grasped at the bars. At least she was away now… Turning your attention to the lock, you started prying at it with your fingers, shaking the door, shaking the bars, pulling at them to test their durability. They were loose, but you weren’t sure you were strong enough to pull them out. Grabbing at one of them, you hefted your whole body against the iron bar, trying to shift it from the stone it was embedded in. The cold bar gritted under your hands, the rust brushing off roughly against your palms. Pushing harder and harder, you could feel your feet slip along the floor under the force of your push. “Damn it!” You let go, looking down to your palms and brushing bits of clinging rust off. Gritting your teeth you looked around the cell. Maybe there were loose stones? Inspecting the wall as quickly as you could, you found nothing but small holes that housed frightened but curious mice. “Any chance you got a key in there?” You whispered to their twitching whiskery noses as they peeked out at you with beady, bright eyes. “Yeah, didn’t think so.” You let out an exasperated sigh and sucked at your teeth. Turning your attention to the cot, you looked under it, behind it and even lifted the covers, just in case there was something hidden there. Between some of the large rectangular stones in the wall there were cracks. You pressed your fingers between them, feeling the tips of your fingers pinched by the cold stones. Gripping at them as best as you could with your fingertips you tried pulling at ones that seemed loose. Nothing budged. Sorrel would be back any minute and you could find nothing! Where was Ripto now? Was he still alive even? Pacing around the cell, your heart pounded with fear and anger in your chest. You could feel adrenaline pumping through you- escape screaming in your veins. Your eyes trailed from the floor to the gate once more. The damned thing! It was so rusty… Wait! An idea welled up in the back of your mind. “Ahhh!” Turning your whole form to the gate, you started bouncing on your feet. “Ok, ok, ok.” You took a deep breath and from the opposite side of the cell, you darted forward! Throwing all of your power into your foot as you kicked at the lock on the door. The door clanged in its spot, the metal scraping against itself. Your kick recoiled you back a few steps, hopping on one foot to regain balance. Inspecting the lock you saw that you had actually affected it! It was bent slightly, brittle from age and rust. An excited hopeful thrill welled up through your body and you returned to your starting point again, ready to make another dash! From up the hall, you could hear the door open. Sorrel was coming! That didn’t matter now, even if she did return, you’d still kick at this thing until you were out! With a grunt of effort, you sped towards the door and piled your heel into the lock! Once! Twice! Thrice- You pounded at it with all you could muster! CRACK! The lock snapped and the door flung open, smacking against the wall with a loud metallic thunk, just as Sorrel turned into view. She stared mouth agape at you, tray in hand. The grit of dirt under your feet pounded out underneath you as you dashed up the hall towards her. She backed up slightly, flustering and trying to find her words. You neared her, panting slightly. Slowing down you stopped in front of her, eyeing the tea, then her. Reaching out to the cup, you lifted it to your mouth and took a polite sip. Sorrels face scrunched into an offended expression. “Ahh…Thanks.” You set it back on the tray then pushed past her, taking the stairs two at a time. Sorrel finally found herself and you could hear her voice call up behind you in disbelief. “Y-You! What- Get back here! I’m supposed to keep you saaaaafe! Oh! Oh no!” She scrunched her face up and pouted at the pot of tea she had made. “Oh…Whatever!” She glared a the tea in her hands and took a sip. The early night hours stretched in the stars overhead as you dashed down the castle steps, leaping over the last three. Kicking up bits of grass as you ran, your legs carried you as fast as you could across the fields. You had no idea where Ripto and the boys were, however you had a feeling it would probably be somewhere towards the portal. Running up over a hill, you could see lights from lanterns and glowing gems farther along. You stood at the crest of the hill, eyeing the scene below, breath sawing in your lungs. There they were… Below, Ripto stood atop Gulps back while Crush stood guard beside his master, illuminated by torchlight. Opposing him was Spyro and the others. Sure enough they had come for you, thinking they were rescuing you. All of them armed and looking like they were set to “kill.” You wished now more than ever that you had left them something to assure them of your safety. It was far too late for that now- You let yourself catch your breath as you tried to listen to the words being exchanged. Taking careful steps down, trying not to stumble over any rocks hiding in the dark, you heard Riptos’ voice carry across the field towards you. “Dragon! How dare you show your face here! These are my worlds! Go back to your own before you stink up the place with your disgusting odour!” He seethed from his perch on Gulps’ cranium. Crush hefted his club in his hands, weighing it in one palm. “Can it Ripto! I know you have ___ here! Now where are they?!” Spyro bounced forward on his front legs, leaning down in an aggressive stance. Ripto cocked an eyebrow at Spyro and looked at his nails in a disinterested way. “___? I have no idea who that is.” He looked down his nose at Spyro, feigning ignorance. “Get real! I know they’re here! And it looks like you were expecting us!” Spyro glanced around to the assembled riptoc guards. They all shifted uncomfortably under Spyros glare. He was just a child, they weren’t afraid of him. However the stories they had heard from you and Ripto… It was best to be cautious. Elora, Hunter and the others stepped forward slightly, showing off their artillery, hoping to show they meant business. This caught the guards eyes. With all those bombs and orbs in their arsenal, suddenly the opposing group seemed a lot more threatening. Ripto seemed unphased. It was probably an act though, you realized. “What nonsense! I was glad to be rid of your filthy presence! Why do you think I’d ever be expecting you!?” “So you always wander your world so heavily guarded? I knew you were a wuss Ripto but this is ridiculous.” Ripto puffed up in anger and bit his lip. “NEVER YOU MIND! Just leave this place dragon! You are trespassing in my world and I will not have it!” He leaned forwards on Gulps head, spitting down on his adversary. “Just leave! These are my worlds! I have the upper hand here! You can’t best me- so I suggest you save yourself the embarrassment and walk away while you still can!” He gestured towards his green steed. “Or stay! And I’ll have Gulp chew your legs off! Your choice!” He finished in a sing songy tone, giving a false smile and wiggling his fingers in the air. “Oh I’ve made my choice alright-This!” Spyro charged forward and the whole field below broke into chaos. The moment Spyro made a step forward, the riptocs did too. They charged in front of Ripto and made a semicircle defence against the purple boys horns. Kneeling down with their shields, they readied themselves to take the full blow-! Yet they did not survive it. You watched as Spyro took them out, vanishing into dust and spirit particles into the cold air. Other riptocs made battle with the fairies, being zapped by those who held wands while Zoe instructed them here and there on the battlefield. Elora lobbed bombs at some more heavily equipped riptocs. Some of them were so large! You hadn’t seen them before. Other than Gulp and Crush, you’d never seen riptocs so big. The bombs made short work of them, and those that did not flee found themselves knocked out or destroyed in the blast. Your heart sank as these warriors who you had never even met yet, lost their lives to keep you from being taken away. You’d have to try to put a stop to this somehow! Grasping at your pockets you realized you were still in your pyjamas. You wand was left behind, up in the castle. Damn! Maybe… Maybe you could talk to them? Convince them to leave- if Ripto would let you. With your heart pounding in your chest you half ran your way barefoot down the grassy hill, trying to think of the right words. As soon as the protective line in front of Ripto was breached and the riptocs were vanquished, Gulp leaned forward and made to take a large chomp. Spyro jumped backwards and landed a few feet back. “I’ve beaten you before! I know your moves!” Spyro taunted, hunching down like a cat, wiggling his tail. “You’re soooo predictable!” Ripto growled and took a step forward. “Oh yeah!? Predict this!” He raised his scepter and let off a blast that shot past Spyro. He shielded himself with his wing, and when he realized he was undamaged, he let out a laugh. “ I see your aim is as good as ever- I wasn’t even moving!” Ripto looked down his nose with a smug smile, his slitted eyes held a mischievous look. “Oh…But I wasn’t aiming for you little dragon!” ���Huh?” Spyro looked behind him to his group of friends. The rockets, orbs and even some sheep had been trapped in a red tinted crystal like structure. As well as… “Zoe! No!” All of the fairies had been trapped in the crystal as well, falling uselessly to the ground. They fell with a soft, tinkling, thud in the grass. Riptos’ laugh echoed through the field as Spyros’ eyes darted over all the fairies. Elora and Hunter ran around trying to pick some of them up but couldn’t get them all. The remaining riptocs scooped them up and tucked them under their arms, laughing at the fawn girl and cheetah, taunting them with a playful beckon. Elora scowled at them, turning to make sure The Professor was alright. He had stayed back near the portal. He was inspecting the crystal casing around the orbs, figuring out a way to remove it. Retreating to his side with the fairies, Hunter and Elora placed them carefully beside the pile of other crystal encased things. “Professor- what is it?” Desperation weighing in her voice. He tapped at it with his pencil and touched it with his hand. “Some sort of magical barrier- I’m not sure…It seems to be quite sturdy!” The Professor looked to his two younger companions. “Are there any explosives left?” He asked casually. The two eyed him incredulously. “What?! You mean to blow them up?” Elora balked. Hunter shook his head disapprovingly. “Now, now! Don’t fret! If the explosion is far enough away, yet near enough to damage the crystal, everything should be fine! Let me just do some quick calculations on the blast radius…” Elora and Hunter exchanged worried looks as the mole scribbled on his clipboard. Riptos’ voice drew Spyros’ attention back. “Pooooor little dragon…Your friends have retreated and now you are all alone! Now what will you do?” Spyro jumped as he realized he’d been surrounded. All around him riptocs had closed in, grinning wickedly. “I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do!” Spyro spun on the spot, letting his flames blast out in a ring around him, coiling outwards and incinerating the riptocs. He came to a halt and glared at Ripto, his face low to the ground. “I’m gonna kick your ass!” Spyro made to charge at Gulp when an explosion sounded off behind him. Small bits of crystal and wood shattered here and there, spraying out across the grass. Spyro turned to see the rescued fairies holding their heads dizzily. The blast from the bombs had freed them! “There! Now all we need to do is nab the rest of them!” The Professor exclaimed. “What?! No! Take them and run! Get out of here you fools!” Ripto barked down to his minions. They all swarmed at his words, running this way and that. With a short laugh to himself, Spyro took off after them, easily blazing their backsides with his impossibly hot breath. They dropped their captives onto the soft grass below. Hunter and Elora darted after Spyro, picking up the fairies as he left a trail of them behind. Ripto seethed as he saw his minions fail to obey his commands. Shoulders shaking, teeth gritted, he turned his sights on The Professor and the dazed fairies. “Ha!” He set his jaw into a wild smile and ordered Gulp to move forward with Crush at his side. The three stomped closer and Crush scooped the mole into one of his giant arms. “Gah- Let me go! Unhand me!” his tiny feet flailed underneath him as he struggled helplessly in the blueberry boys grip. His clipboard fell to the ground and Crush stepped on it, crushing it into the dirt. “My notes! My data! Everything! You!” He began trying to whap at Crushs’ face with his pencil. Crush let out an annoyed growl and squeezed him tighter. “Gak! Sp..Spyro! Help!” The others immediately stopped in their tracks. “PROFESSOR!” Elora bellowed and started running back towards them. “Elora wait!” Hunter and Spyro called after her. She dashed along the grass and scooped up a bomb as she passed it. Igniting it, she tossed it to Crush. “Here! Catch!” Crush blindly following orders, dropped The Professor and caught the bomb. “You idiot! What are you doing! DROP IT!” Ripto roared. Crush startled, panic washing over his face as he eyed the bomb. He juggled it between his two hands before looking around and noticing the portal- threw it in! ———————————————————————————- Moneybags ducked as the bomb flew overhead in Avalar. “What in the world- GHAAA!” He leapt out of the way as it detonated. Moneybags removed his hands from over his head and looked about. “Oof! What on earth is going on over there! I’m glad I stayed! Hurrumph!” ————————————————————————————— With a sigh of relief, Ripto and his minions watched as Elora ushered The Professor back to safety by their side. “Enough is enough! Stop this playing around and tell us where ____ is!” He growled, flaring up his wings. Ripto stood tall on Gulps’ head “Never! You will never find _____! They are mine! You can search these lands a thousand years and you’ll still not find them! I’ve hidden them! They’re-” “Here! I’m here!” “What?!” Riptos’ face bloomed in disbelief. You finally made it to the battle. “____?!?! What are you doing here?! Grab them you fools-NOW!” The riptoc guards flew into a panic! “Get them you nincompoops!” Ripto gestured to you with his scepter, fear and outrage marking his face. You darted through the crowd, trying to get closer. “_____! How did you escape! That cell was supposed to be well guarded!” Spyro also began weaving his way towards you. “We’re here _____! You’re safe!” Elora looked disgustedly at Ripto. “You had them locked in a cell?! All this time?” Ripto ignored her words and focused on you, he wasn’t about to tell them what had really been transpiring, that was none of their business! His eyes followed Spyro as he got closer to you. He couldn’t let that dragon get to you-! So far you had dodged every attempt to capture you, yet-! Your feet slipped over the grass and you tumbled to the ground. Spyro was almost to your side! And the riptocs were almost on you as well! With a frustrated roar- Ripto help his scepter aloft and sent a blast in your direction! Was he trying to hit Spyro? You thought to shout out to him- trying to stop him but… No…You were against Spyro. Accepting that this was Riptos’ will, you did nothing to prevent Spyros’ demise. Yet that was not what Ripto intended! You found yourself encased in a crystal prison, a dome that you could just barely stand up in. Trapped! Not encased and frozen like the fairies- he had allowed for some room for you to move. How considerate…you grumpily thought. Your fists beat against the inside of the crystal prison but there was no way your bare hands could do any sort of damage to it. You saw! It took an explosion to destroy the crystal! Spyro skidded to a halt in front of you. He let out a huff and turned back to Ripto. “How will you get them now you purple pest?!” Ripto guffawed from atop Gulps’ cranium. Sucking his teeth, Spyro started towards Gulp and Ripto. He aimed his horns at a nearby bomb, hoping to launch it at the two. Gulp flinched- remembering his last defeat. His stubby legs turned around and headed off in the other direction. “No! Gulp! He’s that way! Come on you fool! We can beat him!” Ripto hung to Gulps horns as he escaped the bombs radius. You clenched your fists against the crystal wall. Damn it Ripto! DAMN IT! Why did he always push you away when you wanted to help him? He thought he had to do this alone… But he didn’t! You were his friend- his lover! His betrothed… You knew he wanted to protect you but what about him? You wanted to protect him too! This wasn’t fair! You let out a frustrated growl and started kicking and punching at the crystal again, knowing it was futile. From the outside Hunter, Elora and The Professor approached you. You could hear their muffled voices talking but you could barely make out what they were saying. Their images distorted through the facets of the crystals structure. Squinting hard, you could just make out their lips saying the words “bomb.” So they were going to bust you out just like with the fairies… At least they’d get you out! However…they didn’t know. You no longer sided with them. Watching their faces through the crystal- worried for you and hoping for your safety- you felt guilty. Eloras’ kind face, Hunters worried eyes and The Professors’ fretful expression… You clenched your fists and looked away from them. Unable to look them in the eye… Unaware of your betrayal, they set up bombs a ways away from your prison. As they set up, you instead fixed your gaze on Gulp, Ripto and Crush who were dealing with Spyro. Despite being the only one to fight, along with a few fairies who had regained stability, Spyro was doing a fair number on the boys. Gulp who was still frightened, darted away if Spyro knocked a bomb towards him. If he was able to, Crush ran in and batted the bomb back with his club. Spyro managed to avoid the retaliation but every now and then he would get hit. Thank goodness for the sheep! No! No…You were supposed to be rooting against him! But… Arg! You felt yourself shake your head, torn still on all of this. But you made a promise! You made a promise… The bombs were easier to avoid than the rockets. If Spyro managed to gobble one up, it usually found its mark. If he was able to, Gulp used them himself or Crush would put them away with his club. Ripto himself didn’t do much except for command his minions. Every now and then he’d launch a blast at Spyro with his scepter. The three ran away from Spyro around the field, exchanging explosives and blows. The battle seemed balanced- neither side was making any headway. Until- Crush took a fall. He had taken one too many blows and crumbled to the ground. Not dead! Not yet… He passed out on the ground, his club rolling out of his hands and his still giant wings tucked behind him. Ignoring him, Spyro continued on after Gulp and Ripto. “Crush! Get up you worthless imbecile-! I…I need you!” Ripto grumbled to himself, realizing what he had said. Damn it…You were having an effect on him. He was so used to telling you his honest feelings that now he was doing it with these two! He’d have to be careful… You could could barely hear it through the crystal, but thanks to his usual volume, Riptos’ words struck your heart. He really did care for his friends… Seeing him fight so hard and worrying for his minions, you remembered your loyalty and hate began building back up again for Spyro. He was out there, set to murder your husband and friends. What were you doing?! This was no time to get sentimental or let your feelings control you. You glared at the three surrounding your prison. They were almost done setting up the explosives. Soon they’d free you and you’d! You’d… Feeling your shoulders loosen and your expression soften, you sighed. You couldn’t bring yourself to hate them. Maybe you truly could not choose a side. But that didn’t mean you wouldn’t fight in your own way. You’d made it this far following your own choices and ways. Perhaps you could keep going in the same manner. And Ripto would just have to accept it! If you were willing to fight for him, then it was only fair for him to respect your desires and wishes too. That’s how this worked! This relationship wasn’t going to be one of one sided respect. Outside Gulp made another lap, avoiding Spyros’ assault. It was a slightly different tactic this time. He’d stop and let Gulp get away from him a distance, thinking he was safe. Gulp would turn around and Ripto would aim a few magical blasts at Spyro. He’d roll to the side and let the blasts go overhead and past him. Ripto would then command Gulp to run after the evasive dragon and try to flop on him as he once had before. However when Gulp got close, Spyro made sure there was always a rocket nearby! He would spit it at the green bean and send him flying backwards, flinging Ripto this way and that on his horns. He managed to stay on Gulps’ head though, and Gulp would take off once more! Soon the bombs were finished! The Professor motioned for the others to take a step back. “Brace yourself!” He called to you through the barrier. You nodded and got ready to cover yourself with your arms when a giant green mountain of Gulp came barrelling your way. “Look out!” Elora cried, grabbing the mole and pushing Hunter out of harms way. Gulp came with unstoppable force. His attention focused on Spyro, he found himself ramming into the crystal, setting off the bombs and ruining your chance of escape. Even under Gulps’ weight the crystal did not budge. “No!” Cursing under your breath, you watched as Elora and the others stood as Gulp retreated, trailing Spyro along behind him. The Professor gave you a forlorn look through the crystal barrier. “That was our only chance! We’re all out of bombs!” Elora turned to you, placing a reassuring palm flat against the crystal. “We’ll find a way! Don’t give up ____!” You nodded and placed your hand against hers from the inside of the prison. From across the high mountain tops in the distance, you could see the sky turning a slight pink. Dawn was coming. The battle had lasted all through the night. Slowly the sky lightened and put the stars to sleep. Below, Gulp was tiring. He was slower, running out of energy and weakened from Spyros’ blows. Taking the force of another rocket, Gulp collapsed to his knees. Still, like Crush, not dead, just weakened. Ripto tumbled off Gulps’ back and shook his head. He turned to look to the green bean who had passed out. Scowling, he stood and gave Gulps’ leg a little kick. “What good are you two to me if you can’t keep up with one little dragon?!” Ripto froze on the spot, suddenly very aware that he was now going solo against Spyro. “Are you finished yet you outdated lizard? Set ___ free and we’ll leave you alone.”   Seething anger, then annoyance, then a barely muted look of rage crossed his face as he turned to face the purple dragon. “I’m just getting started you little insect! I don’t need my minions to take you out on my own lands!” He started forwards, aiming his scepter at Spyro. It was just like before, in Winter Tundra. Only there were fewer orbs this time and Ripto didn’t have any to use against Spyro. He was losing… Just as you had feared. Cursing yourself for forgetting your wand upstairs, you watched helplessly as they duked it out. Little by little overhead, the sun began peeking over the top of the mountain, casting its rays down across the field. It stretched on the grass that sparkled faintly in the morning light. Dew, you thought. But…The grass hadn’t been wet when you ran through it. Looking to your feet, you realized it was here in this grass too. Some sort of glittering substance. “What in the…” Looking back up to your husband and the tiny drake, you saw them kick up puffs of whatever this stuff was. You also saw Ripto was weakening. He was panting and his attacks were less frequent now. Luckily Spyro was out of ammo, it having been used to try to free you. And he was steadily running out of orbs. You had to get out now! Before it was too late… Poor Gulp and Crush… There were no more sheep left for them to use as fodder. But that also meant none for Spyro too… This world did have it’s own fodder animals. The blue crickets you remembered seeing- but they seemed to have cleared off in the commotion. What else could they eat to regain health? If they could get up they could help Ripto… Butterflies? Fairies? Sheep? Crickets? Gems? … Gems… You looked to the sparkling in the grass once more. Before, during practice with the dud gems… They exploded and scattered! Across the field! Ripto was able to use gem fragments to charge your binding ring- could you use gem dust to launch an attack on Spyro? Or maybe even just to escape! You knelt down to inspect the dust, wiping some up in your fingers and rubbing it between them. The Professor watched you and looked to the grass also. “What on earth is this?” He inspected it on his finger while Elora and Hunter leaned in. “Some sort of fine particle? It appears to be everywhere!” Indeed, the whole field seemed to sparkle in the morning sunlight, lighting up the field. Ripto and Spyro took notice but didn’t stop for long. They still waged their battle. With no wand or staff to channel the gems magic, you had no way of using it to help you. Unless… Could you use your self to channel the magic? Did you even need a wand? Perhaps, if you could absorb the magic and just send it through your body itself, you could draw up the gems to break free! Your eyes turned to the ring wrapped around your finger. Reaching up, you slowly slid it off and tucked it in your pyjama pocket. With the ring off, the world exploded around you, pulsing with energy. Even the crystal walls around you held their own thrum of power. You shifted your weight, feet apart under your shoulders, with a steady balance. Elora and the others eyed you, wearing matching confused faces. You lifted your hands in front of you then knelt down, placing your palms flat against the grass. You could feel their faint energy seep into your body. More… You’d need more! You reached out, under the crystal across the grass, absorbing the magic like a sponge. Leeching it from the sparkling grass, the iridescence withdrew from them, retreating and flowing to your crystal prison. The colourful grass faded to its usual green as the gem dust collected and swirled around you. It swirled like sand, twirling faster around the outside of your gem. From the dust, through the gem, you felt the magical energy flow into you. You could feel familiar energies within the dust too…

Fallen riptocs… Tears fell from your eyes as you absorbed them. “I’m sorry…” The gem dust now empty settled still in a circle around your prison. “Thank you…” Elora placed her hand on The Professors’ shoulder. “What are they doing Professor?” He shook his head unsure. The energy that welled up in you was immense! You could feel it all the more strongly now that you hadn’t been sapping it for a while. Like the first taste of refreshing water after not having had any for so long. Your body shuddered with the absolute power you now harnessed. It filled each and every cell, waiting to be used, looking for a way out. It could not find a scepter or wand and so it simply pulsed inside you, matching your heartbeat. Huh…that made you wonder if magic could be recorded as a physical thing since it kept pace with your heart. No time for that now though… You felt every ounce of magic in you and commanded it to help you escape. Freedom. Freedom! I need to be FREE! Your eyes shot open and all the power that was within you was now visible for those who were looking. Elora gasped and covered her mouth. The Professor took a step back. Your eyes revealed the wellspring of magic within you, beaming light from their sockets. “So this is Human Home World magic…Fascinating…” He adjusted his glasses and leaned in, wanting to examine you but not wanting to get in harms way. Ripto and Spyro took no notice of you. They were too transfixed with the battle. Ripto was clearly on his last legs and Spyro wouldn’t allow for any distractions. While he did notice something odd happening with his friends and you, he decided to let them sort it out while he handled the dinosaur. Through your illuminated eyes, you saw him, fighting for his life. It wasn’t hate or rage that built in you, but love. Your love and desire to protect him welled up and pulsed through your magic. Your veins began to glow, trailing up your arms in their intricate webs. You didn’t know why you knew, but somehow part of you knew how to channel this energy. You stood and readied yourself, bracing for whatever effect releasing all this magic from your form would do to you. Elora grabbed The Professors arm. “We should get out of here. I don’t like this…” The Professors nodded and took Eloras’ hand as she led him away, followed by Hunter and a few fairies. They hid nearby, secure behind a nearby boulder. Gaze fixed forward on Ripto, you saw him take a knee, his scepter dropping to the ground. Spyro stood a moment, and kicked at the ground like a bull, preparing to charge. From within, your magic coursed. It beat rhythmically in your arteries and veins to your steady heartbeat. Like the percussion to a song. A song… Glowing tears streamed from your eyes as you watched Spyro start towards your husband. They dripped to the ground at your feet. Taking in a deep breath, you filled yourself with air and opened your mouth- Your voice curled through the air as you sang out an ethereal melody. It swirled around you and wove into the crystal prison around you, seeping into it, taking on patterns not unlike the veins in your body. Your voice crescendoed and the crystal prison encasing you cracked, Snapped, Popped and- It exploded, shattering fragments in all directions away from you. Hunter, Elora, The Professor and the fairies ducked away, frightened and in awe of what they were seeing. They dare not move, unsure as to what would happen. Instead, they merely observed. Time felt…weird. Your body felt out of place… Out of time… It just felt- It felt wrong. However, you had more important things to worry about. You were dangerous as you were, sapping magic. Right now you could feel you were full to the brim and anymore in you seemed like a dangerous thing. Ahead of you Spyro charged to Ripto who was attempting to scramble away. He stood, ran, slipped in the grass and sprawled out on his stomach. He looked back to the oncoming Spyro, then back to his scepter. It was a ways away. He tried reaching for it from his spot as Spyro neared. You needed to get to him fast. Without warning, your shot forward. You didn’t fly so much as floated across the blades of grass. They reached up and tickled your toes as you sped rapidly across the field to the two. Spyro was almost at Ripto now. You didn’t want him to die but you also did not want to harm Spyro. As you reached Spyros side, just before his horns met with Ripto you reached out to him, scooping the dragon up in your arms. You hugged him. Riptos’ eyes flew open as he saw this strange entity come zooming out of nowhere to his rescue. He looked you over in shock and terror. You looked like his partner. But your eyes, the strange music coming from you, the pulse of magic that came from your very being. What had you become? Spyro flailed in your embrace. You hugged him tighter. Something had trapped him and he couldn’t see what. Before him, sprawled back on his hands, Ripto eyed the dragon. What had Ripto done? Who was this?! Spyro bucked and threw his horns back. Clawing and biting. Where he injured you, glowing blood flowed from the puncture wounds. Sparx tried to stop Spyro in his buzzing, small voice but he could not be heard over the ethereal melody that was your pulsing soul. Your plan, if you could call it that, was to hug Spyro into submission, leeching his magic until he grew to faint to fight. However you did not anticipate his strength, horns or fire. He writhed and you clung, trying not to lose your grip. From across the field Elora, Hunter and the others ran. “Spyro! Stop!  It’s ____!” Yet it was too late. Wild with instincts, Spyro twisted in your arms and gouged at your side with his horns. “NO!” Ripto bellowed out, reaching for you. You dropped Spyro who turned in the grass to see who it was that had ensnared him. Regret and shock took over his face. You felt… Cold. “____! You! No I’m so sorry! I thought-” Spyro took a few tentative steps forward. You felt… Warm. Ripto stood and shoved the dragonling out of the way. “Leave them! Look what you’ve done! Look what you’ve done to my precious ____!” Ripto neared your side and looked up to you. He kept calling your name but you barely heard him. Something within you faded and the magic faded with it. It felt too much. Everything suddenly felt too much. You collapsed. Ripto scooped you up in his arms. “____! Damn it _____ answer me!” Anger and sadness meshed on his face. He flung himself around to look to Spyro. “Look what you’ve done you idiot boy! ____ my love…It will be alright I’ll…I’ll think of something!” His face darted around, looking about him for something- anything to help you! Elora and the others neared you. Elora covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. “Sp…Spyro…” Hunter looked from you to Ripto back to you. “Wait…Did you say “My love?” Are you two a thing?!” Ripto didn’t look back but answered with a venomous voice. “Yes you overgrown furball! We’re married!” Elora let out a gasp and The Professors’ brows shot up. Hunter and Spyro gave a little “Ick.” and winced one eye closed. “Oh for- Now’s not the time for that! Help me! Find something to heal them you useless worms!” Elora frowned a disgusted look at Ripto but agreed with him. “He’s right…We need to find something to help heal ____.” Your vision swam. “Rip…to.” You laughed, reaching up to caress his face. The blood staining you was now a lot more alarming than it had been when it was glowing. It smeared across his cheek as you held it. Riptos’ face pinched up in deep sorrow and regret. Tears welled in his eyes and he took your hand in his, squeezing it tight. “Don’t you dare go anywhere on me____. Do you hear me? That is an order!” His voice was weak and trembling. Your breath hitched as you took in more air to speak. It seemed very difficult to do that suddenly. You wondered why. You were so tired. So, so tired… At least you were warm. At least you were with him… “Are there any potions? Any herbs around?” Elora asked exasperatedly. The riptocs who they had just been previously fighting now stood talking to them. “No, nothing! There may be something back at the castle but…I don’t know if we’ll make it in time…” You barely recognized the voice as Zaphs. Spyro and Sparx neared you. He was beside himself with regret. Spyro looked to you then Ripto. “I thought you had….I thought you had taken them. We…We were coming to rescue____.” He said softly, his wings wilted at his sides. “Yes. And now look what you’ve done! You should have just stayed away! _____ doesn’t need you anymore! They’re with me!” Ripto had no condolences to give to Spyro. Now he just hated him even more. He would have gotten up to clobber him but you were fading in his lap. He didn’t want to let you go. The desire to close your eyes became overwhelming but every time you did Ripto shook you awake. “No! NO! Stay! Stay with me! Please! Please? Don’t…Don’t…” He couldn’t bring himself to say it. His light, his life, his new found happiness. He was losing you. Ripto couldn’t help himself and found his chest hitching. He wrapped his arms about you tightly and held you close, sobbing lightly. Spyro would have said something taunting but knew to keep quiet. The others neared you again, with nothing to help you with. “So…They just…” Hunter spoke when no one else would. “They just die?” A pained sound came from Ripto and he curled even tighter around you. Elora whacked him. “There has to be something. Spyro…In your dragon magic…Is there anything that can help ____?” She neared him, holding her hands gently in front of her as if she could will Spyro to say yes. Setting his jaw, Spyro mulled over the thought quickly. He looked about him, eyes finally settling on Sparx. “Maybe I could…” Sparx froze in mid-flight, understanding what Spyro was suggesting, he nodded his head. Looking around the area, Spyro spotted a lone cricket fodder animal a ways away. He took it out and snagged the butterfly. Nearing you, he spoke with the butterfly still in his maw. “_____. I give you Sparx. For this moment, I let you have him as your healing companion.” Sparx flew over you, swirling around. The moment he was handed to you as a companion, he turned green and then vanished. Not blinking at this, Spyro released the butterfly from his mouth and it flew about in the air. From seemingly nowhere, Sparx appeared again and nabbed the butterfly, reforming into his usual golden glow. Desperately Ripto eyed you and your wounds. Nothing changed… “No…” Ripto begged. Your eyes fluttered. “Ripto…” You breathed quietly. Ripto shook his head not wanting to accept this. “I love you…” You settled your head against his arm, allowing your eyes to shut. “NO! ____ No! Stay don’t go! Don’t…” His voice faded. The world faded. You faded… ——————————————————————————- It hurt. You tried to sit up but found that you couldn’t. Your chest felt tight- like something was squeezing you, constricting you. A soft bed lie under you and a comforting blanket lie on top of you. Trying to open your eyes, you found them to be extraordinarily heavy. Where were you? Blinking in the soft light, you tried to make sense of things. Nothing could come into focus and it just gave you a headache to try. You shut your eyes and instead just listened. It was quiet. Though, you thought you heard someone moving nearby. Everything smelled familiar. It smelled like… “Ripto?” You barely managed. The other person in the room stopped, unsure if they heard you. Taking in a shuddering breath, you tried again. The other person heard the breath and was by your side before you spoke again. “Rip-” “I’m here! I’m here _____! You’re awake- You’re alive!” Softly you felt him kiss your face and hands and forehead. How he wanted desperately to grab you up in a hug but he didn’t dare. “Whu happend?” You tried once more to open your eyes. This time you could see a very tired, very worn looking Ripto. He stared down at you with such love and relief. He had been crying. He was still crying. You reached up to wipe the tears away. “No…You’ve been crying! Ripto, are you okay?” Ripto caressed your hand as you wiped the tears from his cheek. “____… You’re in the state you are in and you ask me if I’m okay!” “oh ____…” He leaned in and took in your warmth and scent. “I’m fine…I’m fine.” He stroked your hair and nuzzled into you. “What happened?” You managed again, with a little more clarity. Ripto removed himself from you. “You’re alive. That dragon and his dragonfly…They saved you.” He said half disgustedly. “Where are they?” You tried sitting up but Ripto shook his head and lay you back down. “Gone. To Avalar. They won’t be back.” You wanted to ask more but you felt so tired. Tired and hungry! Your stomach sounded off and Ripto jumped off the bed, reaching for a bowl of porridge nearby. He fed you little mouthfuls and you tried to swallow it down. You couldn’t eat much, but your stomach stopped protesting. “I know you are curious to know what happened…But not now. Sleep. You need the rest.” Ripto placed a hand on your forehead. Nodding you let yourself succumb to sleep. You were alive. You were safe. And so was Ripto! That was all that mattered for now. “Goodnight Sweetheart.” You whispered. Ripto smiled down at you. “Goodnight Sugarbum.” He chuckled You could worry about the past events in the morning. For now, you rested. And Ripto stayed by your side the whole time.

#ripto #hatr #hes all the rage #spyro #spyro the dragon #spyro reignited trilogy #hunter the cheetah #elora the faun #the professor spyro #crush and gulp

[piamii]

Taking a mental health day from work today but was really conflicted about how to word it.

Last year I took a few mental health days but there were 6 of us so maybe it was less conspicuous

It’s only me this year and I for some reason keep feeling this push pull with my supervisor to be close and honest with her

Last night I was feeling ok about work. But after once again not sleeping properly I feel like somethings up with me

I’m feeling all the ways I used to feel about my mental health

Being small is not okay, it’s not okay to let go, I’m responsible for all of my clients progress and safety

Which is true in a way but

I also have beeen thinking about the difference between me and my supervisor

She’s the only person I see on a regular basis. Like I see her 4 times a week

So I don’t know how to be myself, a postdoc

I keep comparing myself to her

I wondered to myself would anyone else take a mental health day in my position?

Who cares, others aren’t me

It’s like I forgot I’m extremely sensitive and have been sobbing every day and not sleeping well at all during the weekdays

My nutrition and hydration and shit has been ok, so I’m not getting sick which is the weird part

Im so incredibly emotionally constipated

There are so many incredibly destructive thoughts in my head right now that haven’t been addressed

Things have just gotten increasingly harder for a long time now and I can’t tell where adjustment starts and my dysfunctional mental state ends

Is it really ok for me to say work is too much?

Does it make me pathetic?

Didn’t I feel this way in all previous years too?

2nd year, it wasn’t like this but at least I was more honest with myself about how anxious and nervous I was about work. I definitely took it easy and complained more often. I slept poorly frequently on clinical days and would feel really angry about it. I don’t think I got sick more than once that year

3rd year i wasn’t sleeping quite as poorly but still had sleep problems, hated my commute. That was the year I kind of had to start blocking people out of my life, like not completely but was so down and exhausted that I couldn’t function socially outside of work and school. I didn’t get sick much tho. Definitely noticed SAD symptoms starting this year but to be honest felt somewhat depressed on and off through early winter until spring which is I guess the colder darker months in OR. I think I had some SI but it was towards the end of winter

4th year was when I had more somatic issues. My sleep was honestly not bad that year comparatively speaking but when m and I broke up during internship application season I had a bunch of health issues that resolved shortly after my interviews ended. Tbh internship interviews were a nice reprieve from the dark slump that probably would have hit me if I had just done school in the winter. I had my first sinus infection in spring and went to see Slushii anyways Hahahha.

Internship year... I had a sinus infection too and got a cold maybe 2 other times. Last year was the most I’ve ever gotten sick. I took a mental health day maybe like 3 times and actually used sick days too. I want to say this was the hardest year for me mental health wise until this year in terms of symptoms but the best in terms of self care. By like April/May I was feeling really good about life. Maybe it’s the weather here too idk

This year feels so much harder than the other years combined. I’ve used one sick day and two mental health days and I’m having a hard time understanding where I’m at mental health wise in conjunction with who I need to be to do well at work. It feels like I’m growing at an unmanageable pace. I’ve had the most frequent SI I’ve ever had in my life which is somewhat alarming to me. I’m safe don’t worry but I’m just saying the thoughts coming into my head. My sleep is getting reallynfucked up over these last 2 weeks. I sleep like a baby on the weekends which makes me feel like it’s stress related. On one hand I’m acclimating to this insane amount of stress and on the other hand it feels like every day I’m being stretched open and carved out.

I’m not even ruminating that much before bed anymore. Like I’m not actively distressed like I used to be when things hit me hard last year. I’m just constantly unhappy and anxious this year which I feel like is my lot in life right now. My self care has gotten much better last year and this year, but this year it’s been harder to find ways to relax. Things went downhill really fast, when the seasons finally changed here and I started seeing 4 of my clients in the field. I am most definitely consistently working over 40 hrs a week now. I tried really hard last year to work less whenever I could and honestly the agency was pretty good about giving us a reasonable workload. But now it feels like I’m meeting the real world, where work just comes at you and never says sorry. You had to do extra and stay longer this week? Sucks for you. You have to completely uproot your already untenable schedule because one of your clients has really a really complex risk presentation? Welp that’s the price of doing this work.

Like when I was told the weeks here typically don’t go past 40 hrs I feel like I was lied to. I feel alone and singled out bc I’m the only postdoc this year. I want to know how C felt 2 years ago. If there were 2 of us I feel like I’d be having an okay time. Can you fucking believe they had a hard time building to full caseload last year? It cannot be just me in this position. I want to give up every day.

I don’t feel protected I don’t feel like I can ever let my guard down. There is no one I talk to regularly that I can be honest with. I don’t have the energy to relay this information to the people I do talk to regularly which at this point is my supervisor and M. And like hell im going to tell my supervisor this stuff.

Is this the real world?

Something tells me it is, but I have to find a way through it somehow

I’m still debating about this one client. She’s on my mind a lot and I’m scared which is probably a parallel experience to what her family is experiencing.

The fuck you mean our ethical duty? What am I supposed to take away from that convo? I know I have my own voice and opinion but that made me feel really bad for not doing exactly as you said. I know I tend towards the anxious paranoid side of things but that really scared me because instilll can’t think straight about this client and I sure as hell cant go to you.

The relationship between e and I has changed too, I think she’s overwhelmed too

Something that keeps popping up over and over again is- how fucking awful it would be for a client to complete suicide

I know it happens and it’s time I face that this could happen

It’s a terrifying thought and I almost don’t want to tell anyone that I’m having it

It feels shameful and dangerous to think about, because if I can’t handle it who could?

Who can contain this for me and tell me it’s okay? I don’t want to fucking hear that I should do more

It’s a complex mess of emotions inside my head. I understand why I would need to do more in this situation but there’s no room for it. I want help in trying to balance but my schedule is already unbalanced and bringing me into a dark place emotionally.

What if because I took today off no one sees my hospital patients all week?

Friday is going to suck ass if that’s the case

I could ask my supervisor directly to see them

But I want to be small today

And that would take a lot from me

How does the psychology service work at the hospital during Xmas break?

Uhhhh....

Shit.

I’m scared for some stupid reason that someone will make me stay during break or I’ll have to work some crazy stupid long hours on Friday

I hate ongoing patients bc they still need to be seen but it’s kind of your choice whether or not to see them

It’s like adding an automatic to do to the list every time I’m there but the task takes 2 hrs at least

I’m always scared I have to stay late at the hospital, luckily the latest has been 6:30 but I’m terrified every time I go in that it’s going to be longer

This is new for me and it’s ok to get freaked out

To not have a clear idea how much I am going to work each day and each week really puts me off

I feel pathetic because aren’t there a lot of jobs that are unpredictable like that? Especially once you become salaried ?

My stomach is starting to hurt

It’s weird because I haven’t gotten any somatic symptoms this year but I’ve also been sobbing my eyes out every day so maybe that’s why my body is feeling okay. I haven’t really cried the last few days because I’m just very tired of crying at this point, so maybe that’s why my stomach has been hurting a bit more

Every time m says something nice to me, hell anytime anyone says something nice to me I start to cry and I’m just so fucking done with crying and feeling out of control just to have nothing change and things even get harder at work

Fuck!!!!!

I haven’t properly dealt with this terrified feeling

I have to tell myself this feeling is informative but separate from reality

I’m so fucking scared.

[myfalsedevotion]

Rules: answer 21 questions and tag 21 people 

Tagged by: @maluminspace , thank you so much! :3

Nicknames: Vicky (Name’s Victoria actually but nobody outside family calls me that hahahaha), I also have a couple of friends who call me Little Miss Sunshine  🙈  

Zodiac sign: Cancer ♋

Height: 157cm (about 5’2’’ hahhaa)

Hogwarts house: Ravenclaw

Last thing I googled: 157cm in feet xD

Favorite musicians: ufff, they’re constantly changing, I’ll better let my top artists in Spotify answer for me 😅

And then the older stuff my dad got me into that I have in physical CDs or LPs like John Denver, Eric Clapton, Don Mclean, Cat Stevens, Elvis, Sam Cooke, Leonard Cohen, jazz musicians like John Coltrane, Miles Davies, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Bebo and Chucho Valdés, Billy Holiday,…

My list goes on and on forever 🙈

Song (s) stuck in my head: Two very different vibes hahahha, Teeth by 5sos and Paper Rings by Taylor Swift. I think that pretty much defines my whole personality 😂

Following: 238

Followers: 37

Do you get asks: not anymore, not really hahah I think it’s because I’m not updating fic as much 😅

Amount of sleep: 8 hours! (I can go on on less, but…these are perfect for me)

Lucky number: 13!

What are you wearing: Starry sky pyjamas 😍

Dream job: I don’t even know anymore

Dream trip: New Zealand, always wanted to visit Hobbiton <3

Instruments you play: I studied piano for 10 years and I’ve kind of self-taught guitar, I also learnt how to play harmonica, and… I guess a recorder? I’ve tried violin, cello, double bass and drums while I was at the Conservatory studying, from what my classmates tried to teach me, but I don’t think I was any good at ‘em. I’d love to learn how to play bass, though.

Languages you speak: Spanish is my mother tongue, and then English, and a lil bit of French (what I remember from high school)

Favorite song: They change all the time like the tides, but one that sticks with me the most is “Life’s for the Living” by Passenger.

Random fact: don’t know what to tell you, honestly hahahha I don't know how to make up so I never wear it? Yup, that's random 😂

Dogs or cats: 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

Aesthetic: last time I did this I wrote a lil paragraph, but here are some pics. Idk if I’d call this an aesthetic tho hahahhaah

 I tag: don’t know that many people here (and not really comfortable to tag mutuals, sorry :s) yet so not gonna get to 21  :(

@24kcalum @maaaiiittteee @total-loner @cashtonbby @roseymeg @coldjune96 

[flipping-voltron-imagines]

Request: Hi! Sooo you are lacking of Keith’s requests and I’m lacking of Keith’s content🤔 hahahha! soo, could I request a Keith x reader scenario where reader in a high school au where they are both paired up for a drama/singing contest and they sing together? Like, he plays the guitar/piano and reader (or/and him) sings? LOTS OF FLUFF PLEASE. Sorry if this is long😞😞💛💛 love you! @whydontweprincess

A/N: I’m so sorry this took so long! It’s been an adventure, writing this... I posted it on accident when it was like, halfway done... But here it is! I hope you like it!

Word count: 2278

In a moment of weakness, you signed up for a music competition. Accompanied by your friends’ encouragement, you wrote my name down under the “Singers” category. Your name, neatly written, seemed to lack the dramatic flair that most of the other singers’ names tended to have. For a second, you felt like Gabriella writing her name down next to Sharpay’s.

“Finally!” cheered your best friend, pumping her fist in the air. “I can’t believe you waited three years to do this! You would have won the first show it you signed up then.”

As much as you wanted to believe that, you knew it to be false. As a sophomore, you lacked the refinement needed to do well in the competition. But now… now you might actually have a chance.

This would be the third year of the competition, and it was a strange one, too. Starting your Sophomore year of high school, the music department put on a show: they selected the top 10 singers and top 10 instrument players from auditions and partnered them up randomly. There were four performances, with two couples being eliminated at each one, until the final fifth round, where the best partnership was determined. Though the prizes were always lame, you loved seeing the dramatically different styles coming together.

Sometimes there were teams that obviously couldn’t work well together; maybe one was too stubborn to sacrifice something for the good of the team, or perhaps one was too arrogant. Even more rare that those were the ones that obviously had their own styles, but when they worked together, magic happened. In those pairings, you could see how happy each of the individuals were as they performed something so incredibly beautiful.

That was the pairing you wanted to be in.

Another friend nodded. “Yeah, Y/N, you have the voice of an angel.”

“I’m not that good,” you dismissed, dropping the pen to hang by the clip board. You doubted your own abilities most of the time, but you were in your senior year of high school. There wouldn’t be another chance to sign up, so it couldn’t hurt, right?

….

Across campus, Keith sat in the back of his math classroom, ignoring his two friends on either side of him. He avoided looking at his best friend (how they became friends, he’ll never know), Lance, who was copying his homework. Keith kept a wary eye on their teacher, making sure that he didn’t look their way and find Lance obviously cheating. On the other side of Keith was Hunk. Hunk was being ignored simply because he didn’t try to stop Lance from copying. Well, that and…

“Keith, you’ve been playing the piano since you were four years old,” Hunk whispered to keep from attracting the teacher’s attention. “We all know you aren’t going to be playing as an adult, so… why not do one more big thing with it?”

Keith rolled his dark eyes and leaned forward onto his desk. He wished his phone wasn’t dead so he could listen to music instead. Telling his friends he played the piano was one of his biggest regrets, and even than that he regretted showing them that he could.

Suddenly Lance’s head shot up. He slid Keith’s homework over, watching their teacher, who was getting closer to the trio, out of the corner of his eye. “You trying to get him to sign up for the music show?” Lance questioned. Hunk nodded. “You know, I heard Y/N finally signed up this year.”

Everyone had, at some point of another, heard your angelic voice. You were almost always singing, and one of your friends had secretly posted a video of you singing a dumb made-up song while doing your homework. It spread across the school, and despite how many compliments you’d received, you always shrugged them off with a bashful smile. Even so, you weren’t ashamed to sing in front of others, and that was a quality Keith so admired. Maybe it’s why he developed a crush on you. You weren’t afraid to be yourself, and… he was. Well, that and your beautiful smile.

“Hey,” Lance continued, noticing his friend’s reaction to your name, “maybe if you make it, you’ll get partnered up with them.” He stretched his arms up over his head and brought them back down to rest behind his nick. He crossed his legs in front of him. After kicking the backpack of the person in front of him, they turned around and he smiled apologetically. When they turned back to face the front, he continued. “Maybe you’ll finally get to ask them out.”

As giddy as the thought of going on a date with you made him, the thought of showing off his piano skills in front of the whole school terrified him. Plus, what if he actually did make it and he actually was partnered with you? That meant you’d have to go to his house. That wasn’t ideal at all. He didn’t want you knowing he lived in a shack out in the dessert, a mile out of town.

He didn’t want anybody knowing that.

….

Two weeks later, keith was called out of class. It was hardly a surprise. keith got in trouble about once a week for fighting. What surprised him was that the person escorting him wasn’t taking him to the front office, but the auditorium. When he entered, the choir director, Mrs. Flandoff (who was also his old piano teacher as a child) greeted him warmly.

“I was shocked to death when I saw your name on the sign up sheet,” she gushed as she guided him to the stage. “You always told me you were going to quit playing.”

“I did,” Keith grumbled. “And I didn’t sign up.”

“Nonsense. That’s just your nerves.” She pulled him to stand in front of a piano and pushed him down to sit on the bench. “Now play that song you used to play for recitals.”

Keith couldn’t remember the name of the song, but he remembered the starting keys. He hoped his fingers would remember the rest. He shrugged his jacket off and placed it next to him, brushed his dark hair out of his face, placed his fingers on the correct keys, and began. Just as it did when he was younger, the music just flowed out of him. Anxiety melted away. So, he thought halfway through the song, this is where I can be myself.

A sniffle broke his concentration. His hands flew away from the piano, leaving beautiful notes hanging in the air, longing to be finished. “You are most definitely going to be in this year’s show!” she cried. “Now go. Go back to class. But don’t tell a soul.”

Keith nodded, and as he left the stage, he ran into you. Literally.

“You’re really good,” you complimented, flashing the wide smile that always made his knees weak. Keith nodded, very embarrassed, and not knowing that you had just fallen for him as well.

Mrs. Flandoff called your name, and you walked onto the stage, heart pounding violently. You looked at the piano, imagining him playing as you sang. He looked so peaceful and gentle in the time he played, and so handsome with his hard hair concealing his eyes. How had you not noticed him before? What color were his eyes? It’d been too dark to tell before. And what was his name? It was probably something elegant, like… Peter, or something.

Throughout your song, your mind flashed back to him. The fantasy was so clear: the two of you sat in a clean living room, bright white light surrounding the two of you. You both wore loose white shirts and black skinny jeans, though his was much looser and lower cut than yours so he reminded you a bit of a pirate. He played the piano and you sang, and all was peaceful.

“Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. You’re in, Y/N,” Mrs. Flandoff announced, pulling you out of your fantasy.

“Thank you so much! I have one request, Mrs. Flandoff… that-that boy who was playing the piano, could I-can I be partnered with him?”

“Keith Kogane?” Mrs. Flandoff paused, made a few notes on her clipboard, and nodded. “Yes you may. However, like I told Keith, don’t tell anyone. Not until the list goes up.”

Keith… the name sounded so harsh and tough: so unlike the gentle should you had just witnessed.

For the next week, Keith was consumed by anxiety. He wondered who he would be partnered up with. If he was with someone obnoxious, he was going to back out for sure.

When Lance texted him a picture of the cast/partner list, Keith felt like he could have exploded. He wasn’t sure what emotion he was feeling: excited, anxious, or dread? Who knows. He was certainly nervous to approach you, or even look at you, after seeing he was partnered with you.

You, however, didn’t waste any time in searching him out. Feeling like a stalker, you’d found out that the two of you had your history classes at the same time and waited for him the day after the list came out. He hadn’t noticed you standing by the door, being too busy listening to music on his headphones and staring at the ground. Grabbing onto his arm, you yanked him out of the stream of teenagers.

“Hey!” he yelped, yanking his arm out of your grip. He glared at you, but when he realized who you were, his eyes widened and he visibly gulped.

“I’m Y/N, your partner,” you introduced, thrusting your hand out for him to shake. The determined look in your eye made him shiver. “I’m so excited to work with you! Your piano skills are beautiful.”

“Uh... yeah, thanks,” Keith said as he awkwardly shook your hand. He had no idea what to do in this situation, but he figured he wasn’t supposed to handle it like this.

His awkwardness put you off a little, but you tried not to show it. “We should probably get together soon. I don’t know what you wanted to do...” You laughed, drawing your hand back (because he hadn’t taken it yet) and bringing it up to run through your hair. “I’m not really sure what to do. But there’s a meeting at lunch. And I just wanted to make sure you were going.”

Seeing how awkward you were helped Ketih feel more at ease. He smiled a little. “Yeah, I’m going. I guess.” He wasn’t planning on it originally. If anyone else had asked, he would claim he had to be somewhere more important during lunch and then just leave campus to get some lunch for himself. He could get any information from his partner when he saw them next. However, you were his partner, and he couldn’t say no to you.

“Great!” you cheered and flashed him a smile. “I’m sorry for attacking you. I’m not usually so aggressive, but I’m just so excited! And between you and me… I uh, I asked Mrs. Flandoff to make us partners. Because you look so peaceful when you play the piano, you’re obviously passionate about it and I thought with your skills and my singing, we could totally win! Not that I’m, like, just concerned about winning, I just… thought it would be a bonus…” You grimaced and grabbed the straps of your backpack. “I hope that’s not weird. Gosh, it’s weird, isn’t it?”

“It’s not weird,” Keith assured. He was glad you’d done that.

The late bell rang, the two said goodbye, and after agreeing to meet in that exact spot afterward, went to class.

Keith entered his class and sat down, all the while thinking about how you definitely weren’t what he expected. He wasn’t expecting you to be as friendly as you were (even though he always knew you were really nice). The teacher took roll and began his lecture, and try as he might, Keith couldn’t stop thinking about you. Halfway through the lecture he stopped taking notes and just stared out the window instead.

The end of class couldn’t come quicker. As soon as the bell rang, Keith leapt out of his seat and practically sprinted across the room to meet you, only to find you already at your meeting spot. You teased him, calling him a “slowpoke” and together you and him walked to the meeting-a meeting which turned out to be the most boring thing either of you had ever experienced.

Then, when Keith said he didn’t care what songs they did, you decided within five minutes all of the songs the two of you should play.

“We can practice here at school,” you said, “or at your place. I don’t even live in town, technically. I live 20 miles away, in the mountains.”

Keith, somewhat impressed, nodded. “I live further away too, but… we can practice there.” He may not have wanted you to see that he lived in a shabby little place just outside of town, but it was better than practicing at school.

“Okay. I might need a ride back to the bus station afterwards, though.”

Keith could do that.

So after a few days of practicing each of your parts, you got together to put it all together.

The second Keith heard your voice, he knew for sure he was a goner, and you fell further in love with him when you glanced at his peaceful face as he played.

Both of you knew you had this competition in the bag. There was no way anyone was as good as the two of you.

#vld #voltron #x reader #imagine #scenario #fluff #highschool au #high #school #au #keith #kogane