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noladyme · 4 years

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The Frog Princess. Chapter 3

She had no wish to be bound down to anyone, but Y/N none the less found herself being dragged across the continent; to marry King Foltest of Temeria. In stead of pomp and spectacle; she was accompanied by the witcher, Geralt of Rivia. Their travels would bring both monsters, lust, love; and heartache. All soundtracked by an endearing buffoon of a bard, named Jaskier.

TW: Violence, language, sexual themes. Rated M.

I woke to the smell of something sweet and tangy. My whole body was aching from having lain in such an uncomfortable position on the cold ground. I pulled myself up to sit, turning towards the embers of the fire. The witcher sat by it, stirring a small pot.

“Another one of your concoctions?”, I asked.

He looked up at me – his face once again a healthier shade; and his eyes amber. “Actually, it’s breakfast”, he answered, and handed me a small wooden bowl, filled with a bluish gruel. “Berry porridge”, he said. “It’s not the kind of cooking you’re used to; but it’s what we have”.

I tasted it tentatively. It was delicious. I ate my fill, and accepted seconds when the witcher offered it.

“Did she come from the grave back there?”, I asked, putting down the bowl finally. “Yes”, he answered shortly. “The grave was fresh, and the ground unconsecrated. She was killed in disgrace; probably by a lover”. “Poor girl”, I mumbled, and instantly felt ashamed of how I’d joked about him taking her head.

He stood up, and began kicking dirt into the embers. “She’s gone now”. “At peace?”, I asked. “I don’t know”, he admitted.

Jaskier came into the clearing then, buttoning his shirt. “There’s a lovely little stream down there. You should go and enjoy the water; take a bath, maybe”, he smiled at me. “She did last night”, the witcher smirked. I turned away – cheeks flush from a mix of rage and embarrassment.

---

We continued east through the forest. My knee was aching, but there wasn’t a chance in Hel he’d get me to complain.

Dragging his horse, we walked in silence; the witchers eyes tracing my face, before falling to the ground. “What?”, I asked. “Nothing”, he answered. “You’re staring at me”, I said.

He smiled. “I was just wondering”, he said. “Back at the feast; your cousin told you I was a witcher. Did you not know what that is?”. I chuckled. “I knew. I know”. “Hmm”, he grunted. “You did not react as I would have expected. Most people – most women – either draw back in revulsion or spread their legs in in lust”. I frowned at him. He chuckled gruffly. “So you are repulsed by me”, he said.

“It’s not the mutant part that I’m repulsed by”, I said. “It’s the shitty personality that goes with it”.

He grunted again. “Well I’ve lived many years. The world has changed, but my personality never did. So, you best get used to it”. I smirked. “I’ll do my best. But I’m not spreading my legs”, I said, trying for haughty; but I didn’t dare look at his reaction. “You’ll do your best, until the next time you try to run away”, he snorted.

I laughed out loud, and kicked a stone into the brushes. “So, did Eist send you with me to protect me, or to make sure I don’t escape?”. This time I did look at him. He smiled. “Well, I am a very good tracker”. “I could slit your throat while you sleep, and then run”, I said. “I don’t sleep much”, he answered. “I noticed”, I mumbled.

The trees became further apart, leading us towards fields of grain. The smell of fresh baked bread filled the air.

“So, you know about witchers, my lady?”, Jaskier called out from behind us. “Yes”, I replied. “My nan… Thrude told me about many strange things”.

A carriage passed us from behind; and I jumped to the side, almost stumbling into the ditch. The witcher grabbed my waist, not letting me fall. His hands were gentle. “How is your knee?”, he asked. “Pained”, I finally admitted.

He effortlessly lifted me into the air, setting me down on Roach’s back. Jaskier mumbled something disgruntledly. The witchers hands lingered around my waist for a second, making sure I wouldn’t fall of. “Thanks”, I said quietly. He grunted in response.

“Thrude”, Jaskier continued. “She’s your hand matron”. “Not anymore, I suppose”, I said sadly. “But she knows things. Things that she’s shared with you?”. “Are you writing another song, bard?”, I laughed. “Always!”, he said, winking at me.

I held on to the mare’s mane, getting comfortable in the saddle. “Thrude trained as a vöelve”. “A witch”, the witcher said. “No”, I challenged. “A vöelve is not a witch. She is a seeress, a wise woman; with knowledge of plants and healing”. “And killing”, the witcher once again interrupted.

I chuckled at him. “Do you oppose to Skellige’s traditions?”, I said. “No”, he answered. “I oppose to letting humans dabble in things they should not stick their noses into. Magic isn’t for them”.

We were quiet again.

---

In the afternoon we reached a small village, that seemed to have grown out of the fields. There was a blacksmith working at his anvil; and the witcher led us up to his small shop table. He lifted me of Roach, taking care to set me down gently. Our bodies were close enough for me to feel his chest against mine; and my breath hitched slightly. He stepped away quickly, as if burnt by a flame. His anger was dormant, but still there, it seemed. I sighed, and accepted Jaskiers hand to go sit on a bench by the blacksmiths small house.

“He’ll be over it soon”, the bard said, smiling at me. “I don’t care”, I answered. Jaskier looked at me, one eyebrow raised. “I can tell”.

The witcher went up to the blacksmith, a knife in his hands. It took me a second to recognize it as my own sgian-dubh. He must have taken it from my boot while fixing my wound. “Blacksmith, what can you do with this?”, the witcher asked the man; and handed him my knife. He turned it around in his hands. “Well, this is a rare one. Must have paid a pretty coin for it, master”, the man said, holding it into the air to let the sun fall on the engravings. “Some nice woodwork in the handle; and these patterns on the blade… Skellige?”. The Witcher grunted in response. “It’s not very useful now; blunt as it is”, the man continued. “I dare not heat it up; it might ruin the markings. But I can sharpen it for you; maybe oil the wood?”.

The witcher nodded. “My friends sister needs needle and a thread, for her torn dress; and a fresh bandage. We had a run in with a pack of wolves”. The blacksmith nodded with a friendly smile. “My wife will have both bandages and sewing gear. She’s in the house. I’ll work on your knife while you speak with her”.

The witcher came to stand by us; and Jaskier looked at him with beaming eyes. “You called me your friend”, he said. Another grunt. “Yes, and I also called her your sister”, he said and nodded at me; before knocking on the door of the house.

“Well; I take what I can get”, Jaskier smiled.

Having let the kind wife of the blacksmith sew a patch on my dress, and re-bandage my leg – she had resolutely refused to let me do it myself – we returned to her husband for my knife. The witcher paid the man; and we went to continue on our journey.

“Master witcher”, the blacksmith halted us. “The day is beginning to wane, and I’d hate to see you caught up by another pack of wolves. Rest here tonight. We haven’t much to offer in beds; but there’s a small barn out back; with clean straw to lay on”.

The witcher shook his head. “We wouldn’t want to impose on your hospitality. Just point us in the direction of an inn”. The man smiled – along with Jaskier. “Of course, sir. There will be one further in town. But do let us know if there is anything else, we can do for you”. The witcher answered with a smile himself; and led us on into town.

---

The inn was crowded; but we’d managed to find a table to sit by. Jaskier was sending eyes at one of the barmaids; soon leaving us for her company. We sat in silence for a long time, eating the serving of mutton in front of us. I picked at the meat on my plate.

“Dinner not suiting the lady?”, the witcher smirked at me. “I am sorry this establishment doesn’t live up to your high standards”.

I sighed, and looked at him pointedly. “I saw a wyvern rip a lambs head clean off once. I’ve never been able to stomach eating sheep since”. His eyes fled mine. “I see”, he said. “Did it set fire to the corpse afterwards?”. “Wyverns don’t breathe fire”, I answered venomously. “Anything else you want to test me on?”. He grunted.

“… For 'tis naught, but bad luck To fuck with a puck Lest your grandkid be born A hairy young faun Bleating and braying all day, hey ho..”

Jaskiers voice and lute led the patrons into a jaunty tune; goading them all to sing along. The young barmaid was hanging on to his every word – making it very clear to the whole room that his breeches would be lying on the floor next to her bed that night.

“The fishmonger's daughter, ba ba The fishmonger's daughter, ba ba…”.

I drained my mug of beer, and sighed. “Where is my room?”, I asked. “I suppose you’ll be watching the door all night; keeping me safe?”. “No”, the whitehaired man answered simply. I silently cheered at the prospect of having some privacy for the first time in a few days.

He took my arm, leading me through the crowd of patrons surrounding Jaskier. “I expect you’ll be making your own sleeping arrangements”, he said to the bard in a break between songs. The barmaid sat herself down on Jaskiers lap, and began whispering into his ear, making his face blush. “Well, I…”, he said; smiled, and shrugged at us. “Right”, the witcher said, and dragged me along towards the stairs to the second floor.

Once outside a crooked door, he opened it, and pushed me inside, following at my heels. I looked at him confused. “What are you…”, I managed, before he grabbed my arm again, forcing me to sit down on the bed.

“Dress on or off?”, he said, voice tired. He began to take of his boots, and set his things down; his sword leaning against the chair by the bed.

My breath hitched. Taking of his jerkin; his black shirt rode up, to reveal his toned physique. I caught a glimpse of the dark hair splayed his chest, before the hem fell back down, covering his torso again.

I jolted myself – forcing myself to focus. “Are you mad?”, I asked and stood up. He looked at me bored. “On? Or off?”. “I told you…”, I said. “Don’t flatter yourself, little frog”, he said. “I’m too tired for any more discussions; now make up your mind, and get under the sheets”.

My cheeks reddened. “On… I mean off”, I said, meeting his indifferent eyes.

I began to untie the laces of my dress, but stopped once I realized his gaze wasn’t diverting. I frowned at him, and he rolled his eyes. “Fine”, he said, and turned around for me to undress.

Once I had shed my clothes, leaving me in just my chemise; I quickly crawled under the sheets, covering myself. He sat down on the bed, next to me. “Hand”, he said. I furrowed my brow, and reached out my hand to him. Grabbing it, he pulled a thin rope from his pocket, tying it around my wrist; and fastening it to the bedpost beside me.

“What in Hel, do you think you’re doing?”, I growled at him. He pulled the knot one last time, checking to see that I wouldn’t be able to get free; but also, that I wouldn’t be in pain. “I intend to have a full night’s rest; without having to worry that you’ll try to run again”.

“You absolute bastard!”, I sneered. “Yes”, he answered, and laid down next to me on the bed; making the old mattress dip, and my body slide towards his. I clung to the side of the bed with my free hand, trying to avoid touching him in any way. He jostled a pillow to lie between us. “Now sleep”.

I kept moving, trying to get comfortable with my hand tied up above my head.

“Why didn’t you accept the blacksmiths offer?”, I asked. He sighed. “They had nothing to share with us”, he said; his eyes closed, and his arms crossed over his chest. “And you probably wouldn’t be comfortable sleeping next to goats”. “You expect me to sleep next to you”, I hissed. He let out a small chuckle, opening his eyes; and looking out of the corner of them at me. “At least you have a soft bed and a warm breakfast waiting for you in the morning, just like you’re used to”.

I found it difficult to control my rage. “Why do you act as if I don’t know hardship? I’ve spent winters hungry when I visited Faroe and the South Islands!”, I scoffed. “You had a choice to stay or go home. They do not. That, woman, is privilege”.

I jolted slightly from his use of the word woman. It was the first time he’d recognized that was what I was; and he seemed to realize this himself. He looked up into the ceiling; then closed his eyes, and turned his back to me.

“Now shut up. You’ve already kept me awake for two days and nights. Let me have a few hours of rest”, he rumbled. “Before I have to deal with your shit again”.

Once again, I had no answer, and I simply laid there – angry, sad; and well aware that he was right – about everything.

---

My sleep was restless. I woke several times to the sounds of grunts and moans from the rooms around us. I could swear one of the times I heard Jaskier giggling like a little boy; “Gertie… no… ooh! Well, when you put it like that…”.

The room smelled like cabbage, and it would have been dreadfully cold; had it not been for the witchers warm body resting so close to mine. He was breathing calmly; rhythmically. He turned over, facing me; eyes still closed, sleeping.

I watched him; holding my breath. Something was burning inside me; a feeling I knew perfectly well what was – but didn’t want to acknowledge.

His hand moved. It slid across the pillow between us; his fingertips lightly touching my arm for a second – sending a strange current through my body – before he gripped the grey slipcase, and scrunching it up in his hand. He furrowed his brow and exhaled deeply, seeming to have faced something very difficult in his dreams. I wanted to probe those dreams and see what he was seeing.

He suddenly cleared his throat; and I closed my eyes quickly, pretending to sleep.

“That’s a bad, bad bard…”, I heard from the next room over; followed by another giggle, what sounded like a cork popping, and then a yelp.

I kept my eyes closed, and tried to ignore the sounds. After a long time, sleep took me over.

---

A loud banging jostled us awake.

“Geralt!”, Jaskier yelled. “Geralt, she was married! We need to leave!”.

The witcher groaned in irritation, and got out of the bed; making me sink into the mattress. I struggled to sit up, keeping the covers over my body.

The witcher opened the door, and Jaskier leapt inside to safety, pressing his back against it to hold it closed. He looked at my confused face.

“I swear, I didn’t know”, he whispered; before – with an apologetic smirk – adding; “… in truth, we didn’t do much talking”.

“You’re an idiot, Jaskier”, the witcher grumbled. “It was bound to catch up to you at some point”.

“You’re not going to help me?”, the bard whined. “No”, was the answer.

The sound of footsteps thundered up the stairs. “I’ll get the whoreson!”, someone roared, and began hammering on the doors to the rooms around us.

“Geralt!”, Jaskier almost screeched at the witcher. He made a guttural sound. “Fine”, he said. “Keep out of sight”. He removed his shirt, leaving him in his breeches. I gulped slightly from the sight.

Jaskier crawled under the bed in a very undignified way. I could almost feel the mattress shaking from him shivering in fear underneath it.

Someone banged on our door. “Open up! Let me have that son of a dog!”.

The witcher opened the door calmly; staring down the bucktoothed man standing outside.

“Which is it?”, the witcher asked. “Is he a whoreson, or a dog’s son? Or is he both? Maybe the whore is a dog”. The man looked at him angrily. “This is none of your concern, witcher. I just want the bastard who I saw sneaking out of my Gerties door this morn’”.

Jaskier let out a small squeak from under the bed. The man didn’t seem to have heard him.

The witcher sighed. “You come here and jostle me out of bed, and the warm arms of this lady…”, he gestured at me, making me blush, “… to claim that I am hiding some poor sod who happened to cuckold you”. The man seemed to consider his words. The witcher continued. “My state of undress – and that of my female companion here – should make it quite clear to you, that I have other things to do; than be a living sanctuary for some bard, who happened to know how to sweettalk his way in to your wife’s bed”.

The mans face was turning red. “The cur arrived here same time as you – you must know where he is!”.

The witchers eyes became dark, and he bared his teeth. “You should worry more about where your wife is. It seems that if you’d done that in the first place, none of us would be in this situation”. He grabbed the man’s collar; making him shake in fear. “Now, fuck off!”.

“Right!”, the man whimpered. “I’ll go… speak to Gertie. Maybe I was mistaken”. The witcher groaned menacingly, and let go of the man – making him scuttle down the stairs faster than any mouse running from a cat.

The witcher closed the door, and turned around to face us.

The sunlight seeping through the small window lit up his naked torso. My breath hitched at the sight.

His chest was broad and firm, covered in the dark hair I’d seen a glimpse of the night before. The hair travelled down his muscular stomach; into his breeches. The sight of his toned physique made me understand how he could be so strong. It looked like he spent every day picking up boulders, and throwing them around. I supposed those boulders were more likely monsters; but either way, the exercise kept him at what seemed to be peak physical condition.

It was then I noticed the scars; so many of them, spread across his body. I’d known they would be there – witcher as he was – but the sight of them surprised me.

His amber eyes met mine. I didn’t mean to smile; but it happened. Suddenly he looked uneasy. He grabbed his shirt, and quickly put it on.

Jaskier crawled out from under the bed. “Well that was something!”, he declared smilingly. He sat himself down on the bed, and looked from the witcher to me; to the rope still tying me to the bed. His face went white. “Did I… interrupt something?”, he asked.

“No”, the witcher answered, and put on his boots. “If you insist on continuing on with us as far as Tigg, get your things and be ready to leave as soon as you can. I’m not going to help you if you get caught up by another jilted husband”.

Jaskier nodded, and hurried out the door.

The witcher walked up to me, and threw my knife on the bed. I used it to cut myself free. He turned around to let me get out of the bed and put on my dress. I remembered to slip the knife down my boot again.

We went downstairs. The table we’d occupied the night before was set with oatmeal porridge and some sausages. I sat down, and began eating – my stomach rumbling from hunger. The witcher smirked at me. “Better than mutton?”, he asked. I nodded with a half-smile.

“Who let in that bleeding cat again?”, the barman who’d served us said.

A grey, one-eyed tomcat prowled across the floor towards a fly resting there. With a jump it tried to catch its prey; only to have it fly away at the last minute. The cat looked up at me and hissed.

“Watch out for that one, miss. It’s feral. Hasn’t left a man or woman unscathed if they got too near”. I got up, and crouched down by the cat. It hissed at me again, before putting it’s paw up; as if reaching for me. I smiled at it, and blinked, slowly. The cat blinked back, put its paw back to the ground; and pressed its forehead to my outreached hand. I scratched its ear.

“You’re hungry, aren’t you?”, I said; and grabbed a piece of sausage from my plate; putting it on the floor in front of the cat. It instantly gobbled down the meat. “Hello, kitty. I’m Zaba”, I smiled; feeling the witchers eyes on my back. I sat down on my chair again, and the now purring bundle of fur stroked itself against my legs. I chuckled, and gave it a scratch under its chin. It was skinny; I could feel every bone in its body.

“Never seen it do that”, the barman said in wonder. “Did you ever try feeding it?”, I said. “Then it wouldn’t be hungry enough to go for the mice”, he answered. “It might be more keen to help you with that, if you didn’t treat it like so badly”, I mumbled.

The witcher looked at me with narrowed eyes.

The barman took a piece of dried meat from a hook hanging over the fire; and threw it at the cat. It jumped at the treat; almost swallowing it whole. I smiled.

The witcher made to leave; and I followed his lead. He walked up to the barman, and slipped some coins into his hand. “For your hospitality”, he said. “Take good care of the cat”, he added; a gruff warning in his voice. The barman swallowed hard, and nodded. My heart jumped a little, and I smiled again. “Thank you, master”, the barman said.

We walked out the door; and went to the small stable to get Roach.

“Thank you”, I half whispered to the witchers back. He grunted in response, looking over his shoulder at me; eyes warm.

Jaskier met us by the edge of the village; having somehow procured for himself an ass, that was now carrying his lute and satchel. “Took you long enough”, he complained. “Let’s leave this wretched place”.

Walking away from the village, I looked over my shoulder and saw my new feline friend looking at us from out the window of the inn. Someone scratched its ear, and it jumped out of sight.

---

Thanks for reading.

Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list.

- no lady

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suckitsurveys · 6 years

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Snow White and the Seven Dwarves: Have you ever stayed in a strangers house before? If yes, why? Yes. When I first starting dating Mark, I went to a party at his friend’s house, all the way in the burbs. We ended up sleeping there since I didn’t want to drive home.

Pinocchio: What’s the biggest lie you’ve told that no one knows about? I have no idea. It’s been a looooong time since I’ve lied.

Dumbo: Have you ever been to a circus or fair? I went to the Ringling Brother’s circus once when I was a kid. And I’ve been to plenty of carnivals; do those count as fairs?

Cinderella: Do you have any family members who you really don’t get along with? I mean, there are some who I disagree with and kind of hate (oops) but I generally “get along” with most of my family. I’m pretty good at being civil.

Peter Pan: If you stopped aging right now, what could you do for the rest of your life? Would you want to stop aging? I’m good with aging.

Sleeping Beauty: What’s the last dream you remember having? I literally had a dream where I was buying mayo from the store. Whitest dream ever?

One Hundred and One Dalmatians: How many pets do you have, what are they, and what are their names? A kitty named Ramona and my dad’s dog named Cosmo.

Robin Hood: Do you believe in the idea of taking from the rich and giving to the poor? Why or why not? I believe that the rich should willingly give to the poor. <--Yo.

The Fox and the Hound: Who is your best friend? Lydia, Sarah, Randal.

The Little Mermaid: If you could have anything you wanted in exchange for one of your talents, which talent would you give up and what would you give it up for? Hahaha I am not talented at all dude.

Beauty and the Beast: What is your favorite book/book series? The Ramona Quimby series and the Weetzie Bat series.

Aladdin: Could you give up your happiness for someone else’s? Yes and no? Not completely, that’s for sure.

Nightmare Before Christmas: If you could reinvent a holiday, which one would you remake and how? I’d make stupid Columbus Day into Indigenous Peoples Day. <– I like this answer.

The Lion King: Have you ever lost someone important to you? Yes.

A Goofy Movie: What was your favorite family vacation and why? I love all our trips to Tennessee. They are just so nostalgic and wonderful.

Pocahontas: What do you think it means to sing with all the voices of the mountains and paint with all the colors of the wind? I don’t know, like, being in tune with nature?

Toy Story: If your toys came to life, what things could they hold over you and blackmail you with? My barbies would be pissed at me cutting their hair, probably.

Hercules: If you were a god or goddess, what would your powers include? Goddess of water or something would be cool?

Mulan: What are your opinions on gendered products? There’s no reason for them, really.

Tarzan: Do you believe that animals are capable of “human” emotion? Not complete human emotion, no. I do believe domesticated animals feel happiness and sadness, but nothing more complex than that, really, and that’s only because they are dependent on humans, so that is where there emotions come from.

The Emperor’s New Groove: Have you ever changed your views because you were in the wrong? Yeah. I used to have a lot of internalized misogyny and thank god I got rid of that shit.

Atlantis: What are you passionate about? TV shows. Reproductive rights. Kittens.

Monsters Inc: Did you believe there were monsters in your closet when you were a kid? Nope.

Lilo and Stitch: What is your relationship with your sibling’s like? If you don’t have any, would you rather have an older or younger sibling and why? Fack. It’s a little strained right now.

Finding Nemo: Do you think parents should allow their children freedom after a certain age? Of course, that’s how raising a child works?

Brother Bear: If you could become any animal, which would you choose? A sea creature.

Meet the Robinsons: Who do you consider “family?” The obvious. And my friends.

Tinkerbell: Have you ever tried to be someone you’re not for the sake of fitting in? I was 13 once.

Bolt: How far would you go for someone you cared about? Depends on the situation.

The Princess and the Frog: If you dug a little deeper, what would be your ultimate goal in life, provided income wasn’t an issue? My goal in life is to live with my husband and our 6-10 cats in the woods on a lake with a big screened in porch and a pool. We’d be financially stable and never have a care in the world.

Tangled: Could you sacrifice yourself for someone you barely knew? I doubt it.

Wreck-It Ralph: What’s your favorite video game? Super Smash Brothers.

Frozen: Do you believe in love at first sight? Nope.

Big Hero Six: If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? I don’t want to be a superhero tbh.

Inside Out: Which of your emotions do you think controls your brain most often? Depression? Haha.

Zootopia: Have you ever experienced discrimination first-hand? Hi, I am a woman.

#surveys

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sophieaaaah-blog · 7 years

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Frozen stars Chapter one: uh, home, it's nice

“It's nice to know that you can trust possums, small creatures with tiny hands, fit for picking up nice and shiny rocks from the ground and keeping them in their tiny house. Like, their small and warm, never hurting anyone- I'd feel safe if one cradled me in its arms.” Lance says as he looks toward his mami, as they’re sitting on a cloud in the middle of the ocean, looking up at the starry sky, that’s filled with- pepe? And normal, yellow, round stars. Wait- that's not normal, but whatever.

Lance sits quietly with his mami as he sees small shadows of unidentifiable shapes by the horizon. “Mami, What do you think of possums?” He brings up, his mami looking at him and saying, “Hijo, I know you’re scared. Scared, empty, and sad.” Lance looks at his mami, questionmarks start popping up over his head- literally. “Que mami? What are you trying to say?” His mami smiles lightly and hugs him tightly. “You can't hide anything from me.”

His mami starts singing in a familiar and calming tune, she used to sing this song to him everytime he'd have a nightmare, or couldn't sleep. he looks up, and suddenly the sky changes its form, and the stars look different, it almost looks like the painting; Starry sky, a masterpiece created from an amazing artist, only to die young and in pain. Lance feels the warm embrace of his mami, and he closes his eyes, only to look up at the sky again. “Wow.”

The stars shine so brightly, like small twinkles in your eyes, it's calming to know when your mami is with you.

“It’s time to say goodnight the the moon.”

She sings in a calm voice, so soft it can make even the waves fall asleep.

“It’s time to say bye-bye to the stars.”

She gives the warmest hugs, so calming and comfortable and makes you forget about everything bad.

“It’s time to say goodnight, and then dream away.”

I miss those hugs.

Lance wakes up with a chill running from the bottom of his back, traveling throughout his spine, having a dream of his mami doesn’t really make him feel good.

“Aargh, I really need a full eight hours of sleep for once.” Lance complains trying to ignore his homesickness, and having to go eat breakfast, he really just wants to lie in bed and do nothing. “Whatever.” He says before putting on his slippers and walking out of his room, towards the kitchen.

When he arrives at the kitchen he comes across Keith, Pidge- who’s having some sort of argument- and Hunk, who's standing in the kitchen making some sort of breakfast-goo, whilst listening to Keith's and Pidge’s argument.

“No, no, Pidge you don't understand, MCR needs to come back together!” Pidge snorts at Keith’s comment, even making Hunk and Lance laugh. “Guys, please listen, they’re important!”

“Oh, and for what?” Pidge fires back with a mischievous smile on her face. “I- I don't know! but they are good.” That comment only leads to Hunk, Pidge and Lance to whisper the same thing under their breaths in sync; “No one understands me, mom.” with Keith only shouting in anger and running up to Lance, trying to start another argument.

”So how was your beauty sleep, blue paladin?” Keith asks, and Lance responds with “W-well, better without you.” only to make it sound as if Keith has slept with lance in the same bed. “Well, whatever mullet-head. I’m hungry.” Lance says blushing before going to sit down on the table, waiting for breakfast to be ready, ignoring that conversation.

After a little while of chatting and waiting for breakfast to get ready, Shiro and Slav enters the room. “Good morning!” Shiro greets. “Morning!” Lance says smiling, with Shiro looking at Lance and smiling back. “So, Shiro, what do you think about MCR?” Pidge asks before anyone could do anything else. “MCR? Theyy uhh, they’re not a band anymore right??” Shiro responds confused. “Oh goooooo odd dd, lets us not bring that back up, please?” Keith asks with an annoyed tone. “Oh, don't worry about it, I was just teasing you!” Pidge says whilst grinning. “Breakfast is ready!” Hunk shouts, when he soon comes with a bowl of green goo and puts it on the table. “Yaaas! Thanks, Hunk!” Lance shouts, and as he's taking a spoonful of goo, the alarm sets off.

“Goddammit!” Lance says, as he drops the spoon and runs to get his suit.

“So, what happened now again?” Lance asks whilst sitting in his lion, Pidge, annoyed answers with; “Ugh, didn't you listen?”, “Sorry..” Lance replies. “ouch.” Lance thinks, Pidge didn't know was that that comment actually really hurt Lance, he's not really good with insults. “Guys don't fight, and Lance, pay attention now. Some village in some planet claimed that they saw a galra ship, so we’re gonna check it out.”, Lance nods, not really responding, he just feels kinda bummed out, it happens sometimes.

When they land, they’re on a watery planet, with small islands with, what it seems like, palm trees, and some type of pink trees- like cherry trees, there’s Krystal's everywhere, and the sky is blue in some parts, pastel pink on either parts, with white clouds, Lance looks around curiously, this planet almost reminds him of home.

“GUys I'm gonNa get something I forgot in Blue,” Lance says, his voice cracking up at that sentence, and then just, walking off.

“Is he sad?” Pidge asks, looking at her teammates. “I… don't think so? If he was sad he'd be really quiet?” Hunk says, kinda confused, with Pidge answering with “So, he's basically never sad lol.” The others laugh, because, they think that it was true, although they don't really mean to hurt lance with what Pidge said.

Lance sits crouched beside Blue and takes a few breaths, well, at least he tries. “Lance stop, don’t cry, please!” Lance whimpers to himself, then he can start hearing comforting purrs from blue, almost sounding like breaths, getting louder, then lower. “Follow my breath, little kitten.” Lance does as blue says and tries to follow those breaths with his own. “Thanks, Blue.” Lance says as he calms down, taking in some air and drying his eyes, hoping the others won't notice that he cried. “Of course hey won't.” “Shut up.”.

Lance walks back to the others, they didn't wait. “Of course they didn't.”, well, at least he can see them in the distance, walking towards a small wooden bridge built across the water.

It's a good thing that they easily could find the village, the planet was quite small and there was really just three separate villages and one which had the “leader” for the villages.

The villages looks nicer than they expected, with small wooden houses built here and there, with pretty small paths made of some sort of white crystal, leading through different parts of the villages, and the place where the leader lived was just the same as the other houses, just a little inch bigger, and there were some pretty purple and black crystals growing in some parts of the walls. “Oh my god is the leader as emo as keef!?” Lance says jokingly, pointing at the crystals. “Lance, please, no more.” Keith begs, and Lance just laughs as Shiro walks up to the door and is about to knock when- the leader opens the door. “Hello, paladins! Welcome to my humble palace!”, being sarcastic at that comment. “How did you-” Shiro tries to ask before the leader abruptly responds with, “Aah, just a hunch!”.

The leader is quite tall and wrinkly, he's green with blue spots all over his face, leading to his back, his legs are that of a frogs, but the rest of his body is almost like a humans, just that his skin is green, he has gills on his neck instead of having a nose on his face- he’s noseless, and he's wearing some type of suit (More like bathing shorts and a crop top). He is quite muscular, but considering of the stick he uses to stand he's probably quite old(ish), maybe as the age of Coran if he hadn't been frozen so many years.

“Ah yes, come on give me a hug! Everybody now!” The leader says. “Oh no.” Lance thinks, as he's not really comfortable hugging a guy he's just met, as everyone gladly walks in for a warm hug by frog-grandpa except- “Except you, blue paladin, you don't have to.” he says with, quite a comforting smile whilst looking at lance, as he lets go of the others. Lance, quite relieved, but confused asks “Why?” The leader looks at him and says “Say, have you been a victim of rape?” Lance steps back. “How did he know?” he looks at him dead in the eye, with sweat already running down from his forehead and tensed up says “No, why do you ask.” and the leader replies with “Just a hunch.”, shrugs and keeps walking whilst the others just kept staring in confusion. “W.. what.” Keith suddenly says, with everybody else just looking at him and agreeing, even Lance, because he doesn't want them to know, something that's supposed to be secret, he doesn't want anyone to know.

The paladins keep on going with their mission, and it turns out that a Galran escape pod was launched from a Galran ship somewhere in space. Inside of the escape pod, there were some galran children that were forced to work with the captain, turns out they didn't like the idea of them helping to destroy planets, so they escaped.

“What? Galran children!? We should keep them captive, they may be dangerous considering where they came from!” Allura hesitantly says as Keith looks down to the ground, and before he can protest, Lance tells Allura off. “Hey, princess, their kids, and, uh, I don't know if you heard, but they didn't want to destroy planets?? Rather just escape?? from CHILD LABOUR, perhaps?? Oh and didn't I say they are just children?? Plus, not every Galra is bad.” He says, kind of irritated, looking at Keith, giving off a comforting smile, as Keith smiles back, it turns out it worked. “Oh, yes, my pardon Lance, they're just children. But what are we going to do with them, maybe there is some type of childcare center somewhere, but would they then be comfortable taking care of Galran children?” Allura responds, ignoring the Not every Galra is bad phrase. “Maybe I can take care of them!” The leader says, smiling as he brought up the idea.

“Yeah, sounds good!” Shiro says, and before the galran children walk up to the leader they ask “But, what are we gonna do with the baby?” They say pointing at the ship.

The Paladins climb into the ship, only to see a small creature that is purple, looking almost galra, but it has horns and some type of antennas that you see on butterflies, it also has galra ears. Its eyes are yellow, but has pupils that looked more like if it would be from a lizard, and its skin is scaly on some parts, especially on its face, where its chin leading down to its neck is blue-purple scaly skin and with purple coloured fur on other parts. It is wearing ragged black clothes, well, more like cloth, and the little creature, who is quivering in the tiniest corner of the escape pod, what it looked like, it was probably about 7-8 years old, and, it wasn't galra, well, maybe half galra. The team climbs out of the escape pod, only to ask the children where the creature came from. “W- we took it before we left, it was in the prison and its mother had been tortured to death, we don't know if it's a he or a she, and we couldn't just leave it, so we took it with us but we, don't know how to take off, like, smaller children.” One of the Galran children said. “But, can't you take care of him??” Keith asks as he looks at the leader. “Nope.” The leader answers. “Why?” Hunk asks, with the leader responding with, “Just a hunch.”

As the other paladins start to argue about what they should do with the child Lance gets tired of their complaining, and shouts, “ENOUGH! I’ll take care of him! Jesus christ, climb in there and look at him! He's scared to death as you guys are shouting!”

Lance climbs into the ship and tries to talk with the creature. Crouching, he looks at the boy with a small smile on his face, just to try and calm him. “Hey, little fella! You understand me?” He asks quietly, moving slowly toward it. The creature nods, hugging his legs to his chest and breathing heavily, looking down to the ground. “Hey, it’s ok, I'm gonna take care of you! J-just relax.” The child looks up at Lance, looking as if there is something lost in the child's heart, a face with no emotions, and eyes without a spark. “My mami is dead.” it says, And it hits Lance, the way it said Mami, what he calls his mother, the word that hits too close to home, and Lance, with a broken face whimpers and says, “I'm sorry hijo.” And hugs the creature, that resists at first, but then hugs back.

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justanothercinemaniac · 7 years

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Epic Movie (Re)Watch #108 - The Road to El Dorado

(GIF originally posted by @dreamworksmoments)

Have I seen it before: Yes

Did I like it then: Yes.

Do I remember it: Yes.

Did I see it in theaters: No.

Format: DVD

1) Not only is this one of my favorite animated movies, it is one of my favorite movies period. I found it while scrolling through Cartoon Network or HBO Family or something and watched it every chance I could get. 12 year old me found it very edgy. The mild swearing, the cigars, the blasphemy, all of it was very enticing and that’s fed my love of the film since.

2) Elton John & Tim Rice, the songwriting duo behind The Lion King, re-teamed for this film and churned out a nice set of songs. But the strange thing is if you listen to the soundtrack most of the songs are recorded differently than how they appear in the film. The one exception I think is "Someday Out of the Blue” which plays during the end credits. Still, they songs add the fun and energetic flavor to the film. The opening song in particular, “El Dorado,” does a nice job of setting up the mythology we need to get the movie started in a very short amount of time.

3) If you’re a fan of voice over work, you’ll recognize Jim Cummings as Cortez.

Cummings is one of the most prolific and talented voice over artists out there. It would be impossible to list everything he’s done, but his most notable work has been as Darkwing Duck, Winnie the Pooh & Tigger too, Hondo on "Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, Razoul in Aladdin, and Ray the firefly in The Princess and the Frog. It’s fun knowing what he sounds like because not only do you hear him in Cortez, but you also pick up the random nameless characters he plays too with his different voices.

4) The heart of the film, the thing that makes it great: Miguel & Tulio.

The bromance between Miguel & Tulio is what makes this film work as well as it does, it’s what makes it fun! Kenneth Branagh and Kevin Kline voice the pair respectively, and their chemistry is off the charts. It doesn’t hurt that the pair actually got to record their performances with each other, a rarity in animation (although Pixar has done it with Monsters Inc for John Goodman and Billy Crystal).

Their relationship and roles are clear from the start, they balance each other out. Tulio is mildly selfish with a great hunger for gold and an ability to think things through. Miguel’s heart is bigger than their brain, being the dreamer/softie of the group (wanting the map to El Dorado, saving Altivo the horse when he almost drowns, etc.). And they play off each other beautifully.

5) 12 year old me was very fascinated with the slight profanities this film had.

Tulio [when he’s about to roll his dice]: “Come on baby, papa needs that crappy map.”

I thought crap was a real swear when I was twelve. I didn’t lose my innocence until thirteen.

6) Chekov’s Fake Fight.

(GIF originally posted by @somehow-you-will)

The fight comes into play later in the film too, but is a showcase mainly for the wonderful banter between Miguel & Tulio and - therefore - the excellent writing of screenwriters of Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. These guys were my favorite screenwriters when I was twelve, and can you blame me? Their resume consisted of: Aladdin, The Mask of Zorro, Shrek, The Road to El Dorado, every Pirates of the Caribbean film, Treasure Planet, and both National Treasure films. They have a strong penchant for strong dialogue too. Consider the exchange above, and also this:

Miguel: “You fight like my sister.”

Tulio: “I’ve FOUGHT your sister! That’s a compliment!”

I love that.

7) According to IMDb:

The film shares several attributes of its namesake, the "Road" comedies made famous by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby during the 1940s (which helps explain anachronisms such as shared language, pop culture references and lack of historical accuracy).

I just thought that was a fun share.

8) God, I love the banter between these two.

[Tulio & Miguel jump into barrels of water in a chase scene but can’t escape because the barrels are being loaded onto a ship]

Tulio: “What’s happening here?”

Miguel: “We’re both in barrels. That’s the extent of my knowledge.”

9) Even the bad guys have great dialogue!

Cortes (upon discovering Miguel & Tulio on his ship): “My crew was as carefully chosen as the disciples of Christ.”

10) I’m just going to let you know now, so many of my notes here are just quotes from the film I love.

Miguel [giddily, after Cortes tell the pair they will be enslaved in Cuba for being stow aways]: “Alright! Cuba!”

11) For example, another quote:

Miguel: Yes, that's it Altivo. Find the pry bar!

Tulio: Yes, "find the pry bar". He doesn't understand "pry bar"! He's a dumb horse, there's no way he could understand...

[Altivo drops keys into the brig]

Tulio: Well... it's NOT a pry bar.

12) The Trail We Blaze

Animated films are usually short so as to be not too time consuming. It can take years to make 80 minutes of animation. This film has a nice device of compacting what could be very long scenes into neat little montages with the use of a song. We still get Tulio & Miguel’s fun journey through the jungles to find El Dorado, but it’s done in three and a half minutes to a fun Elton John tune. It keep the energy, the adventure, but doesn’t waste the time of the animators or the audience.

13) Immediately Tulio and Chel have great chemistry as they play “pass the golden idol” together!

14) El Dorado.

(GIF originally posted by @dreamworksmoments)

Immediately upon entering the city the audience is filled with a sense of wonder, achieved through gorgeous animation and also Hans Zimmer’s subtle music which adds for extra bone tingling. You marvel at it with Tulio and Miguel, and you understand how it is such a mythical place.

15) Edward James Olmos does some great voice over work as Chief Tannabok.

I’ve never seen “Battlestar Galactica” so I am mostly familiar with Olmos from his work in Blade Runner, Stand & Deliver, and even “Agents of SHIELD”. I think he shows off a nice amount of range with this addition to his resume. Chief Tannabok is not an angry man. He is kind, soft, gentle, patient, but also you can tell that he’s kinda sad. You don’t HEAR Olmos, you hear the chief and that makes him an excellent addition to the cast.

16) And of course our big bad, Tzekel-Kan

Tzekel-Kan is the opposite of Chief Tannabok. He is angry, an overlord of sorts. He wants blood because he believes it is what’s needed. He believes people are wicked and evil just for enjoying life and being kind, and it is his righteous duty to smite them. He pisses me off way more now than he did when I was twelve.

17) This whole bit with the volcano! Miguel goes too far and says that the gods should not be questioned or else they will be forced to release their awful wrath...but Tzekel-Kan wants to see that. Only they’re not gods! So he and Tulio turn away to try and figure it out and we get this...

youtube

There’s an old addage in writing: “A coincidence to get a character out of trouble is lazy.” However in this case I’m 100% okay with that because it’s just funny as hell.

18) How many of us have used this GIF?

19) Chel.

Chel is a nice way of making the duo a trio. Voiced wonderfully by Rosie Perez, she is just as crafty and cunning as Tulio (if not more so) but also understand Miguel’s sense of adventure. The pair balance each other out already, bit if Miguel acts too dreamer-y or Tulio is too gold hungry they throw each other out of whack (as this film shows). Chel helps stabilize them by film’s end and is a lot of fun to watch. Also, bonus points for being an animated female character with a body that is physically possible.

20)

Chel [on why she wants a life of adventure]: “You’ve got your reasons...and I’ve got mine. Let’s not make this personal, okay?”

WHAT ARE HER REASONS!?!? WE NEVER LEARN!!! I MUST KNOW!!!

21) So Chel needs to prove to Tulio and Miguel she’s a good con artist...

[Chel shows the pair the dice she stole from Tulio]

Tulio: “How did you get those?”

Miguel: “Where was she keeping them?”

I’m with Miguel, that’s the more important question.

22) Oh Miguel...

23) It’s Tough to be a God.

The only time this film is a traditional musical (ie: the characters themselves break into song & dance), and considering Kevin Kline’s and Kenneth Branagh’s singing here that might not be the worst thing. The interesting thing is that their version doesn’t even appear on the soundtrack. Instead we get a duet with Elton John and Randy Newman.

24) I need to remember this excuse.

Tulio [trying to convince Tzekel-Kan not to make a human sacrifice to the gods/them]: “The stars are not in position for this tribute.”

Miguel: “Like he said...”

(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)

25) I don’t identify totally with Miguel or totally with Tulio, but with parts of them. Like I identify with Tulio being kind of the dreamer who thinks things are possible, but this is a very me thing to say:

Tulio [after Miguel tells him he worries too much]: “No, I worry just the right amount! You can never worry too much!”

Same, Tulio. Same.

26) Remember how I said this movie was edgy to 12 year old me. Well it features a scene where Chel tries to seduce Tulio. Like, more than wanting a kiss. But like she shows off her shoulders for a back massage, they’re later found on the ground together all disheveled, it’s not even very subtle when you know what’s going on. Twelve year old me was very innocent.

27) I love their banter.

Miguel [when he and Tulio end up in a big arena to play ball for the locals]: “Well don’t blame me!”

(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)

28) The ball game is a lot of fun to watch, if for no other reason then Chel on the sidelines.

Chel: “Foul! That was a foul!”

And then it’s her idea to use the armadillo as a ball replacement to cheat.

29) So earlier in the film we got this line from Miguel:

(GIF source unknown [if this is your GIF please let me know].)

And then later in the film Miguel tries to convince Chief Tannabok that the boat they are using to leave isn’t good enough (because Miguel wants to stay) when in fact it’s perfect. When Miguel admits his mistake, we got this line from the chief.

Chief: “Hey, to err is human.”

Miguel goes to get in the boat, but then he looks over his shoulder at the chief and the chief looks at him knowingly. And they don’t say anything else about it.

I love that. I love that the chief isn’t an idiot, but he knows. He knows and he knows it’s good for his people and he knows Miguel is a good guy and...I just love it!

30) I love little things like this.

[A giant stone jaguar, controlled by Tzekel-Kan, attacks the city. It grabs a warrior, ruffs him up A LOT, then lets him fall to the ground.]

Warrior [patting himself down]: “I’m okay!!!”

[Jaguar steps on warrior]

Warrior [from under Jaguar’s foot]: “I’m still okay!”

31) Remember how I talked about Chekov’s Fake Fight?

Tzekel-Kan [when he was Miguel & Tulio cornered]: “I know what you are and I know what you are not. And you are not GODS!”

Tulio [after a beat]: “Y-you’re not a god!?”

The pair then continue to have a very real argument where they say some pretty cold things to each other...

Tulio: “You’re buying your own con!”

Miguel: “At least I’m not DATING mine!”

But it has the same effect. Tzekel-Kan is distracted, enjoying their fighting, and the audience is as surprised as he is when the pair work in sync again and punch the guy out. It’s a nice way of playing the scene out.

32) Friends Never Say Goodbye. A very sad song that plays when it seems like Tulio and Miguel are going to take separate paths in life and are really mad at each other. It actually has some nice truths to it, and again is slightly different on the soundtrack. Elton John is backed up by the Backstreet Boys for the song on the album. I hope that didn’t ruin it for some of you.

33) The film ends with the citizens of El Dorado crashing a pillar into their gate so as to keep Cortes from finding the city, only it is falling too soon. So Chief Tannabok grabs some of the ropes and holds it back for a while. And this is probably REALLY mean of me and I apologize in advance but I just thought of this:

I’m so sorry.

34) According to IMDb:

A series of sequels featuring Miguel, Tulio, Chel, Altivo and even the armadillo going after other legends about gold was planned, similar to the Shrek (2001) series, but following the disappointing box-office results they were immediately canceled.

While that would’ve been interesting I’m kinda glad this film just stands on its own. It’s a nice little gem that way.

I love this film, and think a lot of people out there will too. People don’t really talk about it these days except to talk about how no one talks about it. It’s a nice variation from standard Disney fare, the music is great, freaking Miguel & Tulio are just awesome, and it is just such an enjoyable/adventure filled film. I think you should all watch it now! It’s on Netflix if you have it. So go. Go follow that trail! (Too easy?)

#The Road to El Dorado #Miguel and Tulio #Kevin Kline #Kenneth Branaugh #Elton John #Rosie Perez #Edward James Olmos #Jim Cummings #Epic Movie (Re)Watch #Movie #Film #GIF

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