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vilevenom · 2 months

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Guess who finally got a couple hours of time to write? Aw yis.

Here is the first of a small series of non-consecutive drabbles/ficlets I plan to write to expand on the 'Hello My Old Heart' Hickdory series.

First up - a baby hatches!

Forlorn. That would be the word Hickory would use to describe the expression currently on John Dory's face.

John was sat at the kitchen table, his arms folded over the surface, and chin resting atop them. In front of him sat their egg, propped up and half wrapped in the softest blankets they could find. The shell had finished developing its colors a few weeks ago; a soft blue at the top fading into a vibrant orange at the bottom, with yellow speckles chaotically scattered all over, while from the top sprouted a curly tuft of orange hair.

"What's got ya lookin' so sad, darlin'?" Hickory asked, setting a mug of hot cocoa next to John's elbow.

The teal troll sighed as he sat back, mindful of the mug as he moved. "Doctor Moonbloom said it should've hatched by now," he muttered, taking up his mug and cradling it close to his chest.

"It'll happen when it's meant to," Hickory said, pressing a kiss to John's temple, "Ya just gotta be patient."

"I know," John snapped, immediately looking contrite as Hickory raised a brow at him. "Sorry," he muttered, curling around his mug, "I just…what if I did something wrong?"

"Like what?"

John shrugged, blowing on his cocoa. "I don't know. Didn't keep it in my hair enough? Jostled it too much? Sang the wrong song around it? Didn't let /you/ carry it enough? There's a multitude of things I could've done wrong."

"I think yer bein' a bit harsh on yerself, hun," Hickory said with a lopsided smile. "Sometimes eggs just hatch late. I think I recall one egg, back before, well, everythin'," he waved a hand casually through the air, "I think it hatched a whole week later than the doc said it would. Nearly drove their poor parents batty."

"Yeah, that'd drive me batty, too," John grumbled, taking a sip of his cocoa. "My family doesn't hatch late. All of my brothers hatched around their expected dates, almost to the day. Branch was so on time we were all already sitting around his egg, waiting for the first crack when he wrestled his way out."

Hickory let out a quiet snort of laughter at the thought of a tiny Branch struggling his way out of an egg shell. "I wish I could tell ya how my family was, but Dickory didn't exactly share a whole lotta history with me. An' ya know my parents were gone before I could meet 'em, so…" he trailed off with a short shrug.

"I know you probably meant for that to make me feel better, but it didn't," John muttered, tipping his head back to look at Hickory stood next to him. "What if I've already fucked our kid up?"

Hickory sighed heavily, placing a hand on John's shoulder to give it a comforting squeeze. "Ya didn't, darlin'. I promise."

Three more days passed, and John Dory was growing restless. He was pacing the living room floor of their pod when Hickory came home from the market, their egg in his arms. He was muttering quietly to either himself or the egg, Hickory couldn't tell which, looking like he was about three seconds from bursting into tears.

"Johnny?"

John jumped slightly, clutching the egg to his chest. He gave Hickory a wide eyed stare while taking in a shuddering breath. "Oh. You're home."

"I am," Hickory said softly with a little nod, setting the bag of food he'd bought to the side quickly. "John, what's wrong?"

"I ruined it," John hiccupped as Hickory cautiously approached, tears welling in his eyes.

"What'd ya ruin, hun?"

"Our baby," John nearly whispered, dipping his chin and squeezing his eyes shut as tears began to run down his cheeks. "It hasn't hatched yet. It's five days late. I ruined it. I wasn't perfect and now it'll never hatch."

"Oh, darlin', no," Hickory was quick to sooth, wrapping his arm around John's shoulder and coaxing him to sit on the floor with him. He tugged John into his chest once they were both kneeling, running his fingers through the teal trolls hair as John cried silently over their egg. "Ya just gotta give it a bit more time, hun. I promise, ya didn't do nothin' wrong. It'll hatch." He held the teal troll closer as he felt Johns head shake under his chin. "Yes. It will. It's bein' a stubborn little bug, but remember about that other egg I told ya about? It was a whole week late. An' I'm sure there's loads a' parents around the village here who have stories a' their own little ones taking forever to come out."

John leaned into Hickory, sniffling quietly. He didn't agree with Hickory, but he also didn't try to actively argue the point again, so Hickory took it as a win.

Another day came and went, and the egg still remained unbroken. John was staring at it again at the kitchen table.

"Hey." Hickory bit his lip as John jumped, having obviously been lost in his own thoughts and didn't notice Hickory's approach. "I packed us up a nice picnic dinner. Thought we could go star gaze, an' get outta the pod for a bit."

John blinked owlishly at Hickory for a moment before shaking his head and pulling the blankets and egg towards himself. "No. We can't leave. What if it hatches?"

"We're obviously gonna take it with us, darlin'," Hickory said with a kind smile. He reached out to gently take the egg from John's hands, only to settle it carefully in John's hair. It was large enough now that it stuck out of his teal locks a fair bit, the orange tuft a stark contrast against his own hair.

"But-"

"No buts. We're gonna get outta here, enjoy some good food, an' have a nice time. It's warm out, and the stars are promisin' to look real pretty tonight. Personally, I think you enjoyin' yerself will probably be good fer the egg," Hickory said, tipping John's chair to force him to stand.

"How so?" John asked, stumbling to his feet. He reached up to ensure the egg was secure, following after Hickory at a sedate pace as the county troll scooped up a picnic basket and a couple blankets.

"Because you bein' in a good mood will have better, ah," Hickory snapped his fingers, word on the tip of his tongue, "Uh, vibes? Energy? I dunno, Poppy said somethin' t'me about it the other day. But, the long an' short of it is, you bein' happy will help make the egg happy."

John looked skeptical, but didn't argue with Hickory as they left their pod, gave a brief greeting to Rhonda, and began heading up to the hill that overlooked the village.

"This is nice."

Hickory hummed, leaning into John's shoulder as they watched the stars on the horizon. "Told ya."

John chuckled, squishing a small berry into Hickory's cheek, earning a squawk of indignity from the county troll. "Yeah, yeah."

The two continued to sit in pleasant silence for a few more minutes, when suddenly John sat stock still. Hickory was in the middle of trying to ensure the red berry smeared on his face wouldn't stain his fur when he noticed John's panicked expression.

"Darlin'? What's the matter?"

John's wide eyes went from staring at the horizon to looking fearfully at Hickory. "It's moving."

It took Hickory a moment to realize what, exactly, John was talking about. He jumped into action as soon as he did, grabbing the extra blanket he'd brought in case it got chilly, and bundling it up in front of John. He and John reached into his hair, carefully extracting the egg and place it on the blankets. It wiggled weakly at first, before jerking violently to the side.

"Woah!" John cried out, reaching for the egg, only to be stopped as Hickory grabbed his hands.

"Let 'em do it on their own," he breathed, rapt gaze focused on the wriggling egg.

The two at silent attention as the egg wobbled one way, only to jerk in the other direction not a moment later. It was the most movement John could recall seeing from an egg, and he'd witnessed all four of his brothers hatch. "Come on, baby, you can do it," he whispered in encouragement, letting out a quiet whoop as the first crack appeared in the shell.

Hickory's grip had gone from holding John's wrist, to holding tightly to his hands, the two unconsciously leaning forward as more cracks began to form around the first. Finally, a tiny blue fist burst through the shell, grabbing at the air, before disappearing back inside.

"Oh! It's blue," John half cried, tears in his eyes and a grin on his face.

"Yeah," Hickory breathed, in awe as their child's fingers reappeared to pull at the shell, tugging pieces inside, rather than pushing out. He chuckled wetly, his own tears forming. "Hey, bug, I think yer doin' it a little backwards, there."

After a few minutes of the tiny hand yanking bits of shell into the egg, a brilliant green eye peered out of the hole. It blinked at John and Hickory, before disappearing again. The two laughed at their baby's apparent shyness, only for Hickory to yelp and John to reach out in a panic as the egg tipped backwards. It would seem they had little to worry about, however, as two tiny blue legs burst out of the shell, followed by their baby sitting up. The top of the egg shell still sat on his head, while the rest was in little scattered bits all over the blanket. He grinned and giggled up at them, clapping his hands together, before shaking his head to toss the last of the shell away, releasing a head of puffy bright orange hair.

"Oh," John breathed, reaching out to scoop their new baby boy into his arms, "Hello there."

"He's got freckles," Hickory noted next to him, leaning into John's shoulder and gently cupping the baby's cheek. He let his thumb trail over sparkling yellow freckles.

"And your nose," John chuckled, booping the baby gently on his light yellow nose. This elicited a bright and loud giggle from the baby as he tried to grab at John's fingers.

"Did you think of a name?" Hickory asked, letting the baby catch one of his own fingers and snorting a laugh as it was nearly immediately shoved into the baby's mouth.

"What do you think of Sky?" John asked, glancing at Hickory out of the corner of his eye.

Hickory pressed a kiss to John's cheek, curling into his new family with a happy little sigh. "I think it's perfect."

#trolls #dreamworks trolls #trolls band together #trolls world tour #trolls john dory #trolls hickory #trolls oc #trolls fanfic #hickdory #things that i wrote

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strawbubbysugar · 9 months

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Hi hello I binged your fic in two days, scrolled through the tag until chapter one and I am full of ✨questions✨

So Matt sees both his wife’s and DJ’s as green, right? Is that bc green’s his favorite color? And that’s why he confused his wife’s string as romantic?

Did Matt’s wife divorce him after the DJ realization or did she die during childbirth? By the little info it sounds like he has full custody of Maddie??

If Matt’s wife IS dead, what happened to the string? In general what would happen if a soulmate died? Does the string disappear?

Idk if I’m overthinking it, but is Monty becoming.. too friendly? Based on the latest chapter with the tail wagging, I feel like he’s become more invested with YNgineer? Maybe he has a platonic string with them? Again, might be overthinking???

Saw some art with Rockstar YN in the So(u)l tag and I COULDNT HELP BUT NOTICE they’re wearing sun and moon colors?? Have they unconsciously been wearing their colors even before their awakening because that’s ADORABLE

So I know YNgineer’s string is silver/grey for the DCA because colorblind, but did you have a specific color in mind, like if YN COULD see color, what would their fav color be? Or is that reader interpretation? In which case fair lol

YNGINEER WROTE A SONG FOR SUN IM???????? THATS SO CUTE AND I HAVE TO KNOW IF THERES ANOTHER SONG FOR MOON? Chapter cliffhanger got me bad man I sense incoming angst but auuughhhhhh I hope they get back to fun sleepover times soon!!

Tysm for an amazing fic love it so much! The chapter lengths are so delightful! Not too short and not too long! Idk if that’s intentional but chefs kiss!! Looking forward to more, but of course no pressure!!! Take care of yourself!! Sorry if any of the questions are spoilery but I can’t wait to find the answers one way or another! 👁️👁️

^^ I recommend goin through the blog since I dont tag everything as so(u)l and a lotta these questions are answered!! Ill answer the ones that havent been/are incorrect though!!

Matt saw his wifes as a dusty green, and he sees the DJ's as rainbow. Dj sees his string with Matt as a more electric green, woven with black! already answered! When your soulmate dies, the markings you had for them fade even more than they already wouldve if both of you confirmed the bond. Theyre still there though, they just lose all colour. shrug! hehehehe Silvery would still be the colour I imagine, though with more of a hint of teal! Its really up to reader interpretation though :) There is another song for moon! :)

#ask #so(u)l spoilers #so(u)l lore #^^ hehe tysm!!

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msweebyness · 5 months

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Class of Heroes Intro

Here's the final installment! The title sequence for Class of Heroes! As always, @imsparky2002 and @artzychic27! Enjoy!

(Instrumental of "Ever Ever After" begins to play. The camera shows a panoramic view of a gorgeous and old-fashioned palace, before zooming up to the sign in the front courtyard, which reads, "Francois Preparatory Academy" in looping golden script. The screen then shows several interior shots of the gorgeous school; the grand ballroom, the massive theater, a classroom, the main entry hall, before zooming out to a field of emerald green grass outside the school.)

(We come to a dirt clearing in the middle of a field, where a girl of Eurasian descent, donning a practical pink hanfu is practicing motions while wielding a sword with a hilt carved to resemble a dragon, an expression of determination in her blue eyes...only for them to shoot open wide as she trips over a rock, prompting an exasperated groan from the small black cat hovering nearby while a small red cricket hops over to check on the girl.)

*TITLE CARD: Marinette: Honorable warrior...and a bit of a klutz!*

(The camera zooms into something golden resting at the edge of the clearing, and we are suddenly following a long, long trail of silky blonde hair, eventually landing on a boy with sparkling green eyes, perched on a windowsill, smiling brightly as he is brushing out his fifty-foot locks. The boy begins to hum a soft melody, causing his hair to begin glowing a brilliant gold, as the small teal snake wrapped around his shoulders hisses in content.)

*TITLE CARD: Adrien: Sunshine prince with a whole lotta hair, and a special power that comes with it!*

(Adrien smells something cooking and looks in the window of what is revealed to be the cafeteria. The camera zooms into the kitchen, where a girl of creole descent with her hair tied back is mixing ingredients into a large pot of gumbo. She adds a few shots of tabasco, deeming it perfect after tasting a sip, and begins ladling it into bowls for the lunch rush.)

*TITLE CARD: Alya: Determined workaholic with a passion for good ol' southern cookin'!*

(On their way out of the kitchen and into the cafeteria, one of the cooks trips over a bump in the rug and falls over, sending the tray of gumbo bowls he was holding flying into the air. However, before they can hit the ground, the bowls and airborne gumbo are trapped midair in a glittering blue aura, floating and reassembling themselves on the tray as the cook is set back on his feet. The camera then pans over to a boy with a dark pink cap, comfy pastel clothes, a laidback smile, and a glittering wand.)

*TITLE CARD: Nino: The best bro you could ever ask for, with a magic touch!*

(Nino turns and winks at the audience, pointing his wand, and with a *poof* the scene changes to the warm and yet grand atmosphere of the school's library. The camera pans over the shelves before coming to rest by a roaring fireplace, where, in a large armchair, a girl with short blonde curls and wistful blue eyes sits with a book, reading about far-off places, daring swordfights, magic spells and a prince in disguise!)

*TITLE CARD: Rose: Fairytale-Fanatic bookworm who sees the beauty beneath the surface!*

(The camera pans over to a window with roses growing in a pot on the windowsill, before being whited out by the sun, allowing the scene to transition outside, to the school's maze-like garden. Moving into a row of tall rosebushes, we see a girl with silky black fur and large horns walking down the path, before she stops and gently takes one of the roses in her black claws, admiring its beauty.)

*TITLE CARD: Juleka: Beastly princess who proves that beauty is found within.*

(Juleka smiles softly as she hears a soft melody floating through an open window, making the camera pan to the left in order to look inside. Sitting before an ornate grand piano is a boy with his teal hair pulled back in a ponytail and a gentle smile, his fingers flying expertly across the keys, weaving a story through music as he smiles peacefully.)

*TITLE CARD: Luka: Mellow maestro who plays mesmerizing melodies for all the land!*

(The camera suddenly pans up into the sky, where a horse with orange-brown fur and golden wings is swooping through the clouds. The camera follows him as he swoops downward towards the main entrance of the school, where a very muscular boy with a goofy, but cute smile is carrying a stack of large crates up the front steps. He sets them down, giving a wave to the grateful teachers as he bounds down the steps.)

*TITLE CARD: Kim: Loveable Himbo with the heart of a true hero!*

(Kim smiles with a dreamy look on his face as he hears a familiar and gorgeous singing voice approaching. The camera pans upward to see a girl with adorable freckles and wavy red hair walking towards and descending the steps, twirling with a bright smile as watches the people around her with bright and curious eyes.)

*TITLE CARD: Ondine: Mermaid princess who's happy to be part of this world!*

(Suddenly, Ondine's foot catches on a step and she begins to fall, bracing for impact with the ground. Thankfully, Kim is there just in the nick of time, catching her in his arms. With a loving smile, the two give each other a soft kiss before Kim is splashed with water from a nearby fountain, and we turn to see a girl with the scales of a tropical fish and sharp teeth smiling mischievously.)

*TITLE CARD: Missy: One feisty fish but a friend to the end!*

(Suddenly, a colorful carpet whizzes across the screen in midair, the camera hurrying to follow it. Once we catch up, we see a girl with messy pink hair and patched-up clothing smirking as she looks over the contents of the wallet she snatched off of one of those jackass royals. Turning to the screen, she gives a two-finger salute.)

*TITLE CARD: Alix: Former street rat with sticky fingers and attitude to spare!*

(Alix is then grabbed by the back of her collar by a blue hand, jerking her with a yelp and pulling Carpet to a stop. The camera does a spinning pan to reveal a boy with cerulean skin and an abundance of gold jewelry looking at Alix with an unamused expression. He holds out a hand, and Alix reluctantly forks over the wallet, which he returns to its owner with a snap of his fingers.)

*TITLE CARD: Ismael: All-powerful genie getting a taste of life as a free man!

(Alix and Ismael look up as a microdrone flies across the sky, carrying some documents with what looks like mechanical plans. The small robot flies in through the window of a small mechanical workshop, where a bespectacled boy dressed in baggy and comfy clothes works at a cluttered desk, turning to look at a large, marshmallow-like blue robot before turning and examining the plans.)

*TITLE CARD: Max: Robotics genius with a mind that just won't quit!*

(The scene suddenly cuts to an archery target in a field outside the school, which is pierced dead in the center of the bullseye. The camera pans to the side, showing the same thing happening to several other targets. The camera then pans back to show a girl with short black hair and a practical junihito aims another arrow straight toward the screen, her expression fierce and focused.)

*TITLE CARD: Kagami: Cold and quiet princess with a fiery heart and deadly aim!

(We hear a soft, almost angelic voice singing peacefully from somewhere offscreen, and the camera gently drifts into the nearby forest, coming to rest in a flowery clearing. Surrounded by a ring of light that almost resembles a halo, we see a girl with soft blonde curls and tender amber eyes, singing beautifully to a dove perched on her finger, as a bevy of other woodland creatures are at her side, listening with rapture.)

*TITLE CARD: Mylene: The fairest in all the land, of both heart and face.*

(Mylene smiles in a loving way, looking up at the school's belltower as she hears the grand chimes of noon sounding out. The camera zooms up to the tower, swooping in through the window, and weaving through the bells from above before resting on a tall, muscular boy with a hunched back and a slightly sunken eye, who smiles as he ceases pulling on the thick ropes, listening to the bells chime as three small gargoyles swoop around the rafters.)

*TITLE CARD: Ivan: A big guy with some atypical features but the gentlest heart.*

(The camera pans deeper into the forest, the trees growing thicker, covering the area in shade, soft grasses and dark flowers, where another song, the wistful melody of 'Once Upon a Dream', is being sung by a boy with brilliant red hair, who is drawing in a sketchbook as he spins contentedly through the woods. Suddenly, he lets out a loud yawn...and collapses on the soft grass, snoring peacefully.)

*TITLE CARD: Nathaniel: Creative prince who has a bit of a narcolepsy problem...*

(The camera pans over to where some frost has begun to spread through the grass. We follow the trail to a small pond, which has been frozen over by a thick layer of ice, on top of which skates a raven-haired prince clad in shimmering blue, his green eyes twinkling as he sends wafts of snowflakes from his fingertips into the air, forming different shapes and patterns.)

*TITLE CARD: Marc: Sweet but nervous royal with the chilly power of frost!*

(The camera flashes back to the school, skimming along the ornate floor of the grand ballroom, coming to rest on the motions of a broom, sweeping dust into a pan. The shot then pans up to reveal a girl with shining blonde hair dressed in simple work-clothes. She hums 'Sing, Sweet Nightingale' to herself as she continues to sweep, smiling at a mouse that darts up onto her shoulder.)

*TITLE CARD: Zoe: Former housemaid and world's most patient stepsister!*

(The camera pans upward to a nearby banister, where a girl with tailored blonde curls and a froufy yellow dress watches Zoe cleaning with a pensive expression, while also examining her nails to make sure each one is perfect. She then turns with a huff to leave, casting a remorseful glance at her half-sister before she goes.)

*TITLE CARD: Chloe: Former bully who's slowly learning the value of goodness.*

(The shot switches to the school's lavish dance studio, where a girl with neat ginger hair and skin carved from pine wood is performing an intricate tap dance routine. After executing a few flawless turns and kicks, she takes an ending pose, to the applause of her peers. She notices a scratch in her arm, takes out a block and begins to sand it out.)

*TITLE CARD: Sabrina: Wooden girl who won't be anybody's puppet anymore!

(The shot changes over to the school's elaborate display of trophies and student art...which have been knocked asunder by a group of rambunctious students. Suddenly, the fretting teachers watch as a blue aura surrounds all the paraphernalia, levitating them back into pristine order. The shot rotates to show a blonde girl with glittering wings, clad all in blue as she wields a star-tipped wand and gives a stern look to the sheepish students.)

*TITLE CARD: Aurore: Motherly fairy who maintains order as best she can!*

(With a clean swoop, the shot changes to the in-school TV studio, where a girl with dark hair, and the ears, tail and eyes of a lion, nervously flicking through the script of the report she's about to give. Hearing the call of "Rolling!", she looks up at the camera, putting on their best smile.)

*TITLE CARD: Mireille: Future Lion Queen who's ready to stop running away from her past.

(From somewhere up above, we hear the sound of jingling bells, and the camera pans up to see a small fairy with a short pixie cut, clad all in green whizzing down the hall with some miscellaneous supplies in a bag at her side, dodging past the heads of other people, no doubt focused on her newest project.)

*TITLE CARD: Lacey: Spunky fairy with a talent for tinkering and ingenuity.*

(The scene cuts to a field outside the school, where some snooty princes are engaging in a game of croquet. Suddenly, all of their mallets are swiped from their hands. While they’re looking around in confusion, one prince is tripped and falls head-over-ass from his own mallet. The audience hears mischievous laughter from someone, and the camera pans over to a boy with bright red locks, clad all in green, grinning broadly as he flies away.)

*TITLE CARD: Simon: Neverland jokester learning the value of growing up.*

(The shot transitions to a road outside the school, which is blocked by trees from a recent storm. An extremely tall student with wild curls and colorful overalls steps up, easily demolishing the trees with their massive fists and clearing the way for cars and carriages to pass through without trouble.)

*TITLE CARD: Denise: "Bad Guy" with a huge heart coded to be good!*

(The shot changes to a wide view of the entrance to the school’s gorgeous gardens, where more and more flowers seem to be growing by the second! The camera then pans over to a girl of Indian descent, dressed in beautiful, colorful floral prints, who is growing rows and rows of roses and carnivorous sundew, humming lightly to herself as the different colored pollens stain her clothes.)

*TITLE CARD: Reshma: Family golden child with serious flower power ready to express her true self!*

(The shot then changes to the main gates of the school, where a crowd of people has assembled around a teen with curly hair, dressed in 90’s inspired pop garb. They give everyone a smile as they pose for picture after picture and sign numerous autographs.)

*TITLE CARD: Cosette: Beloved popstar with a voice to make a siren blush!*

(The scene then transitions to the school’s grand amphitheater, where a show of epic proportions is being put on, complete with music, lights and a full chorus. In the center of all the grandeur is a student clad in gold jewelry and stylish Inca robes, belting each note perfectly and loud enough for everyone to hear.)

*TITLE CARD: Jean: Bigshot emperor with theatrical flair who's learning to watch out for the little guys!*

(With a dazzling smile, Jean produces a blue desert flower in his hand and tosses it to someone in the crowd. It lands in the hands of a prince clad in shimmering teal whose eyes twinkle behind his glasses. He gives the emperor a soft smile as he pets the tiger reclining at his side.)

*TITLE CARD: Austin T: Spirited prince who's not a prize for anyone to win!*

(The scene then transitions to a dark hallway, shadows creeping around every corner. Suddenly, the audience hears an eerie giggle sounding from somewhere in the darkness. With a deathly shriek, a girl who appears to be a skeleton, dressed in a trimmed and macabre black suit with a lacy gothic parasol appears, causing the camera to seem to jump. The girl giggles, her unearthly violet eyes twinkling.)

*TITLE CARD: Eri: The Pumpkin Queen of Halloween, always ready for a good scare!

(The camera then drops to the floor, showing a detached blue hand carrying a handful of flowers as it scuttles along the floor. It then jumps up to reattach itself to a patched-together boy with shaggy black hair, fiddling with a vial of something called ‘Fog Juice’.)

*TITLE CARD: Anthony: Ragdoll with a snarky streak and Eri's voice of reason.*

(Anthony smiles as he hears a lovely voice humming a soft tune, and turns to see a prince of Hispanic descent walking towards him, gently stroking a small rabbit in his arms on the head. The young royal blushes as the ragdoll hands him the flowers he had collected, squeaking in happy surprise.)

*TITLE CARD: Jesse: Gentle and musical prince with a secret love for the spooky!*

(The camera zips out of the dark hall, stopping at a doorway when a cheerful bark is heard from inside the school’s graphic arts studio. A well-put-together girl with the ears and tail of a cocker spaniel trots out, watching her latest project on her tablet, making tweaks as needed, her tail wagging in seemingly constant joy.)

*TITLE CARD: Ayesha: Perky puppy who loves making peppy cartoons!*

(Ayesha’s ears perk up as a girl with neatly arranged dark curls and thick glasses hustles by, carrying several scrolls and maps while reviewing an ancient text in a book, weaving effortlessly through oncoming students as she takes notes on her cell phone.)

*TITLE CARD: Dot: Quirky but organized librarian with a fascination for the undiscovered.*

(As Dot passes, the shot focuses in on a student in a dark purple chiton dotted with punk-rock accessories, watching the passing students with a somewhat bored and detached expression as they spin a small white flower between their fingers.)

*TITLE CARD: Roxie: Snarky rebel against society with some heavy debts to pay.*

(The shot then transitions back to the woods outside the school, where a student with perky glasses and blue-black hair pulled into a neat bun sketches a detailed diorama of a young mother squirrel in its habitat, adjusting their yellow dress as they make sure each detail is immaculate.)

*TITLE CARD: Petra: Gifted sketch artist with a passion for the natural world.*

(The camera zooms up to a window of the school, revealing what seems to be the chemistry lab…for only mere seconds before the room is engulfed in an unusual pink smoke. When it clears, a student covered in pink powder, clad in a white labcoat and platform sneakers grins madly at the success of their latest experiment.)

*TITLE CARD: Anais: Eccentrically brilliant chemist who'd love to be a superhero!*

(Just outside the chemistry lab, a girl with wild red curls and a stylish leather jacket appears to be fiddling with the hi-tech wheels on her skates, trying to adjust them to lower resistance and amplify her speed. With a smile at her seeming success, she takes off down the hall in a blur.)

*TITLE CARD: Aggie: Skating speed demon with a brainy edge and 'tude to spare!*

(In the school’s main office, a girl with well-groomed white fur and the ears and tail of a mouse adjusts her fluffy purple cap as she arranges a stack of documents for a missing child case in perfect order, ready to be sent to the RAS.)

*TITLE CARD: Candace: Passionate social work intern with natural leadership skills!*

(The scene then transitions to the school’s basketball court, where a tall boy of Korean descent with short, spiky hair of a bright red hue is dancing to ‘Nobody Like U’ through his headphones as he scores three-point shots effortlessly in succession of each other.)

*TITLE CARD: Soo-Yeon: Pop Band Fanboy who's a beast on the basketball court!*

(The camera then exits the gym and zips through the hall, until entering the door of the school’s shop classroom, where there’s been an accident with some of the equipment. A tall girl clad with a pink cap and clad in white overalls whips out a golden hammer, tapping it against the broken machines and repairing them instantly.)

*TITLE CARD: Margo: Fix-proficient video game hero who wants everybody to be happy!*

(Outside the shop classroom, a girl of Asian descent wearing a flat hat and a strip of fabric over the lower half of her face watches the passing students with keen eyes, never seeming to rest or change expressions for a moment.)

*TITLE CARD: Staci: Warrior and friend of the dragons, not the best with trust.*

(The shot changes to an overhead view of a police-academy modeled obstacle course, overseen by a surly instructor. With a high trill of the whistle, a girl with short auburn hair and the ears and tail of a rabbit, begins the course, blazing through it in record time as the other students watch in awe.)

*TITLE CARD: Parker: Aspiring cop-to-be and the most determined person you'll ever meet!*

(The camera then once again zooms back to the woods, climbing up a tall oak tree and stopping on a particular branch. On that branch perches a muscular boy with the features of a fox, shooting arrows at falling leaves with a relaxed smile.)

*TITLE CARD: Brecken: Big-hearted jock who gives back to the community in his own way!*

(Brecken turns with a smile as someone lands delicately on the branch next to him. A girl with immaculate brown curls, a stylish blue coat and a delicate red parasol dusts herself off as she hums a merry tune to herself, having just completed another babysitting job. She did so adore children!)

*TITLE CARD: Evie: Devoted and near-perfect caretaker of the young with a passion for parasols and song!*

(Down below, beside the entry road, a wheelchair-bound student with wire black curls and a variety of mechanical parts films the procession of carriages for a class assignment, an easy and spacey smile on their face as she cheerfully greets everyone who passes by.)

*TITLE CARD: Mona: Friendly half-car who's always smiling, even when they're confused as heck!*

(The scene then transitions to the school’s kitchen, where a girl clad in wizarding robes is simultaneously leading the dishes to the sink with magic and solving complex math equations on a blackboard, murmuring quiet little utterances to herself as she works.)

*TITLE CARD: Eloise: Brilliant mathematician with the additional talent of ancient sorcery!*

(The scene then changes to the school’s cafeteria, where Alya has just brought a bowl of her gumbo to a blonde boy clad all in pink, stopping a moment with a fond smile to listen to him chattering excitedly about some new happening at the school.)

*TITLE CARD: Austin A: Spoiled southern beau with a sweeter side once you get to know him!*

(Just outside the school, a hapless chicken nearly walks right into an open manhole cover, only for the water from a nearby fountain to scoop it up, and deposit it into the waiting arms of a boy with dark red hair and tattooed arms, who gives its head a fond pat.)

*TITLE CARD: Austin Q: Cranky Chief's son who shares a special connection with the water!*

(The camera follows a boy in spiffy dress clothes with his hair pulled back in dreads as he talks rapidly on the phone about an upcoming superhero publicity event he has planned, wanting everything to go smoothly.)

*TITLE CARD: Austin B: Hero enthusiast who wants to shed some light on super prejudice!*

(The scene changes to that of the school's state-of-the-art training facility, where a young man with shaggy blonde hair and dark-hued battle armor is battling a magical simulation with his sword. He is swiftly victorious, sheathing the blade...only to notice something glowing in his pocket. He takes out a small, smooth blue gemstone, staring at it with an unreadable expression.)

*TITLE CARD: Felix: Raised to be a lawman, destined to fall between right and wrong.*

(The scene changes to the school's lush courtyard, zooming up to stone pavilion, where a skeletal girl clad in gaudy orange plays a soulful love song for an adoring crowd, only for her expression to darken as she hears two students murmuring about how they had heard this song before...and not from her.)

*TITLE CARD: Lila: Performer with a closet full of dark skeletons to hide!*

(In the grand entry hall stand two women, one with shimmering fairy wings and another in distinguished wizard robes. Caline Bustier and Olga Mendeliev, the teachers of the famed 'Hero Classes'. The two magical teachers turn to face the entrance of the school as the grand, gold-plated oaken doors fly open, allowing the students to walk in as sunlight dances on the gleaming tiles. Directed by their educators, the students gather together under a massive stained-glass window, smiling at the camera for the final group shot.)

(With a grin and a flick of Nino's wand, the title appears on the screen in looping, grand cursive with a poof blue pixie dust: "Class of Heroes". A rainbow of fairy dust rains down, sending us to black screen.)

And that concludes this little miniseries! I hope you enjoyed, and lave your thoughts in the comments and reblogs!

#miraculous ladybug #class of heroes #ml au #disney au #mlb ocs #title sequence #intro

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ase-trollplays · 3 months

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When We Were Kids (Part One)

...s-so... how are you feeling?... ...s-still s-sore?...

Y'all got no idea. The only thing that don't hurt is blinkin'. I swear, soon as I can move again, I'm suplexin' Dan inta next sweep.

...he only picks on you because he cares... ...its his way of making s-sure you dont obsess over everything...

Ya mean like the fact I fucked myself an' can never have anythin' close ta a normal life ever again cuz I lost my fool head?

...yeah... that... ...im just relieved you werent killed... ...i... ...i was going insane thinking id have to bury another moirail...

I wouldn't be too relieved. I can't go out in public ever again with legis an' fleet dogs out fer my head. Prolly got a hefty bounty, too, an' rewards fer turnin' me in. Y'all two ain't safe either if anyone finds out y'all know me.

...yeah... ...when dantli comes back... we s-should all talk about where were going from here...

Ugh, I can't even get my shit from my hive. It's prolly bein' watched or somethin', or it's been raided an' bugged by now in case me'r one a y'all shows up. God, my lusus ain't gon' know what happened ta me, an' he can't come here like yers. I ain't sure he'll wait a sweep fer me ta come back like when I was a kid.

...that reminds me... ...when i was in the hospital... you s-said you knew exactly how i felt when i was being held captive... and that i s-should ask you about your childhood...

Yeh. Yeh, I did say that, didn't I? I'm guessin' this is yer way a askin'?

...yeah... if you dont mind...

Alright. It ain't a happy story, but I'm sure ya already figured that. I guess I'll start from the beginnin'.

I was even more a a hotheaded stubborn shit when I was a kid, if y'all can believe that. Pickin' fights with every troll I saw an' tryin' ta befriend the ones who beat me. Which was damn near all a them cuz fer all my bluster, I was a twiggy scrawny little toothpick, ain't had a ounce a muscle on me. I didn't want nobody thinkin' I was weak just cuz I was a skinny rust.

I was always gettin' my dumb ass beat up an' hurt tryin' ta prove I ain't no wimp, but I did get some good friends outta it. Even had a li'l flush crush on one a them, a girl who beat me in a fight just by knockin' me down an' sittin' on me 'til I wore myself out tryin' ta get her off. I had a whole group a friends back then. I can't tell ya what their names'r caste was, but we were a happy li'l group.

Here's the part where everythin' goes ta shit. When I was five, I was out patrollin' my li'l territory when I spotted a scraggly-lookin' teal prowlin' around. He was a adult an' a lot bigger'n me, but I challenged him all the same. He hauled off an' kicked me dead in the stomach an' told me ta get lost. If I was smart I'd a left it at that, but who said wrigglers are smart? I wasn't ready ta say I lost, so I picked myself up, grabbed a big ol' rock, an' chucked it square at the back a his head. Hit him so hard he started bleedin' an' staggered a good bit.

He looked back at me real mad at first, then he started smilin'. Said I had a lot a fight in me for a twiggy brat. I told him there's more where that came from if he don't git, an' he laughed an' said he'd have a ball breakin' me. 'Fore I knew it, he was right up on me, an' I didn't have no time ta react 'fore he got me in the gut with a stun gun an' knocked my ass right out.

I woke up in a cell with a couple other young trolls. I asked where I was, an' they said I was in the slave camp. Said I was here cuz they were gon' break me, train me inta a perfect li'l pet slave, then sell me off ta the highest bidder. Needless ta say, I wasn't havin' that shit. I made it my mission ta put up as much a a fight as I could an' refuse ta be domesticated.

First handler they assigned ta me was that teal that grabbed me. Since I already fought with him once, I knew what ta expect. He got a lotta good licks in over the first couple nights, but eventually he slipped up an' I was able ta steal his stun gun an' shock him dead in the eyes. After that, they decided to gimme their toughest, meanest, biggest handler.

He was a big blueblood who made us call him "Mister," an' he took that shit serious. I called him asshole exactly once an' he slapped me 'cross the face so hard he damn near snapped my neck. I couldn't feel my face fer a night afterward. Most a my abuse came from him, an' I just know he was havin' fun beatin' my ass every night tryin' ta make me give up.

But I'm the most stubborn bitch ever hatched, so I didn't make shit easy fer him. He beat me ta shit, starved me, locked me in a tiny li'l cage, an' made sure no one talked ta me'r tried helpin' me'r they'd be in the same boat. His favorite punishment fer me was the post. There was a big wooden post in a sort a courtyard outside with a pair a manacles attached. He'd lock me in, hike up my shirt, an' tear me ta ribbons with a whip. Afterwards, he'd leave me out there fer nights with only a thick blanket thrown over me ta keep me from bein' completely cooked ta death by the sun durin' the day.

He liked hearin' me cry an' scream in pain, so I'd try my damnedest to keep my mouth shut no matter how hard an' how much he whipped me. I'd stay quiet for the first thirty seconds, but after that I could never hold it in anymore. Then he'd whip me more fer resistin'. So many times I was close ta givin' up if it meant he wouldn't torture me no more, but I didn't wanna let him win.

...oh my god... ...im s-so s-sorry... ...i cant even imagine... and i s-said all that--

Y'ain't gotta apologize fer bein' mad. I get it. Ya were in a scary situation, an' hearin' that I never even tried ta find ya when this whole thing was my damn fault ta start with? I'd a been pissed, too.

...s-still though... ...it was s-so insensitive...

It ain't like y'all knew any a this at the time. It's fine.

...how did you get out??...

Heh, that's where shit gets real interestin'.

They kept me at that camp fer half a sweep torturin' me, but I held on. I dunno why they didn't just cull my stubborn ass a long time ago. My guess is cuz Mister wanted the satisfaction a breakin' me cuz ain't no one else been this much a a challenge fer him fer so long. If he let them cull me, it ain't a real win. But eventually he reached the end a his patience with me.

I managed ta get a hold a a fork an' taunted Mister 'til he grabbed me 'round the throat an' got right in my face ta threaten me. I stabbed him in the eye an' tried ta make a break fer the exit while he was screamin' an' cursin' an' bleedin'. A course, I didn't make it nowhere close ta the door 'fore I got caught. Mister was fumin' somethin' fierce, and I didn't even get a chance ta register what he was about ta do 'fore everythin' just became blindin' pain.

I remember one a the supervisors cussin' him out cuz they was plannin' on sendin' me ta The Pit, an' now I ain't in no condition ta be transferred. That fucker cut me open from rib ta hip with a dagger. I spent nights in the infirmary tryin' ta get stabilized an' patched up. I was so weak from bein' starved an' beat on a regular basis that I almost died.

But like I said, I'm the most stubborn bitch ever hatched. I was able ta recover enough ta get my stitches out, but after they they decided ta cut their losses and finally cull me. Mister wanted ta do the honors himself. After what I did ta him, he didn't care about winnin' no more. He wanted me dead. He filled a tub full a water, threw me in, an' held me down with his foot while I thrashed an' tried ta free myself 'fore I drowned. Eventually I lost consciousness.

I woke up chokin' on water an' hackin' the shit out my lungs in the middle a the forest. I figured they dumped my body fer the undead an' the animals ta eat once I blacked out. I didn't know where I was or how ta get back home, an' I was fuckin' scared. But I was free after half a sweep in captivity, an' that was more important than bein' afraid. I picked a direction an' started walkin'.

I didn't have no way a huntin' ta feed myself, an' I was still fuckin' weak as shit, so I didn't eat much a nothin' 'cept whatever bugs an' small animals I was able ta catch. I had ta sleep up in trees durin' the day ta avoid the roamin' undead. Eventually between the hunger an' bein' exhausted all the time, I dropped.

Next thing I know, I'm wakin' up in a hive belongin' ta some li'l jade even younger'n me sayin' him an' his lusus found me. I was still a ornery li'l shit an' wasn't exactly a good hiveguest. He still helped me an' everythin' though. Kept me fed, gave me a place ta sleep. Once I was mostly healed an' had my strength back, I robbed him blind an' ran. Took every piece an' scrap a food I could carry, stole a couple knives, an' I was off. I'd prolly apologize ta him if I ever see him again, not that I remember what he even looked like, an' I'm sure he don't remember me or wouldn't recognize me now.

I spent the next half sweep doin' whatever I could ta survive an' try ta find my way home. I stole, I killed, I broke inta hives, I did whatever I had ta do ta make it ta the next night. When I finally made it hive after that half a sweep, my pa was there waitin' fer me. He waited fer a whole sweep fer me ta come back instead a takin' in a new charge. I bawled the hardest I ever have in my life. Makes me feel extra shitty that I can't go back an' say my goodbyes ta him. He's prolly still waitin' fer me ta come back just like I did last time I went missin'.

...if you want... i can ask dantli to go to your hive and tell your lusus you arent coming back... ...i dont think hes on anyones radar s-since he doesnt s-socialize... ...i can tell him to make it look like he's robbing you s-so they dont get s-suspicious... and itll be a convenient way to get s-some of your things for you...

That ain't a bad idea. S'long as he don't say nothin' stupid'r incriminatin', that could work.

Anyway, speakin' a going back hive, when I finally made it back ta mine after my sweep in Hell, I couldn't function fer shit. I didn't wanna reach out ta my friends cuz I didn't want 'em ta see how broken I was. I didn't wanna look weak ta them, an' none a them reached out anyhow. In just that one sweep, they moved on from me, which still kinda hurts ta know that's all it took ta lose 'em.

Fer perigees after, I'd have daymares a bein' back at the slave camp, weak an' in pain with Mister standin' over me with the whip, then draggin' me out ta the post. I was barely gettin' any sleep, I couldn't eat, an' I was terrified a bein' in water. That's when I decided ta start bulkin' up an' gettin' stronger so I couldn't be taken back there or anywhere else.

Fer three sweeps, I had the mother grub a anxiety. A lotta nights, I couldn't even get the nerve ta leave my hive. I'd get anxiety attacks an' panic attacks when I saw highbloods, 'specially male blues. An' y'all know me. When I start gettin' anxious, I get real mad an' itchin' fer a fight. Even now, I don't hate highblood s'much as I get anxiety bein' around 'em. An' I do also hate 'em.

That's when I started drinkin'. It wasn't about gettin' drunk. It was a way ta calm my frazzled nerves an' keep my anxiety under control. Over time, though, it turned inta a addiction, an' y'all know how well that ended up workin' out fer me in the end.

That's basically everythin' about my childhood, so believe me when I say I know exactly what it's like ta not know if yer gonna live ta see another night, an' cryin' yerself ta sleep durin' the day cuz everythin's so awful, an' prayin' that yer loved ones ain't next or won't be too tore up if ya don't survive.

...i... im s-so s-sorry... ...no one s-should have to endure that... especially not a child... ...i... i...

C'mon now, y'ain't gotta cry about it. It sucks, but it's in the past now, an' fallin' ta pieces over it ain't gon' fix nothin'.

...i... i know... but...

It's okay, I get it. If it'll make ya feel better, go ahead an' cry it out. I can hold ya if ya want.

...but arent you s-still sore?...

Not so sore I can't comfort my pale. It ain't gon' kill me, so get yer li'l cryin' sniffly self over here.

#things to read #tw torture #Corali Primer #Thiomi Shiaka #Roll With The Punches #Anyone interested in Corali Lore?#Originally I was gonna color code their dialogue to make it obvious who's talking #but I nixed the idea bc I thought it would annoy people

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pepplemint · 1 year

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Get the urge to make Vash Stampede's jacket as a serious actual jacket because I'm a slut for correctly used cosplay fabrics when I see it bUT also putting a whole lotta money into it for no reason + use is kinda stupid i guess

It has this really interesting color, red obviously but leaning on cerise? It'd be hard to find the perfect match. With a large hood that likely need some sort of stiffening to make sure you get that obvious collar even when open. I'm not entirely sure what fabric I would think it is but I'm leaning on softshell. The teal insides are ✨

Also, fabric patches, I would probably honestly go for leather anyway, would look fancier. That plate on the hood is interesting, it seems to be metal. The actual hardest part would be that zipper though, it's huge. You might have to create an ornamental one since it's not really realistic.

I'm an idiot so I would probably want that arm shield thing too. Maybe not the piece that stands up, looks like it might get uncomfortable, the other parts I wonder if you couldn't reimagine as maybe pleather/fabric pieces, that way it wouldn't be hindering function.... You could switch over the red fabric to a greyish teal halfways down the bicep and hide the seam with a pleather piece on top. The parts that light up probably have to be exchanged for paint though. Unless you make a hidden pocket/zipper under the pleather, putting a battery driven LED light there, but I don't think that would be comfy to walk around in for actual use. For cosplay it'd look cool though.

#long post #I'm overthinking as usual stuff like this makes me crazy #trigun stampede #fruktstund

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huariqueje · 9 months

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Apricots with spanish bowl - Lotta Teale

British , b. 1979 -

Oil on linen, 50 x 60 cm.

#Lotta Teale #dutch artist #still life #spanish bowl #apricots

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tau1tvec · 1 year

Note

I love the way you build so much! Do you have any tips for incorporating color? I tend to use a lot of beiges in my builds and even though they look nice,it’s starting to get repetitive when I’m decorating new lots! Any tips you have would be greatly appreciated ☺️

I get ya, I tend to trip into a lotta my own repetitiveness when it comes to builds too, which is a lotta the reason why I tried to challenge myself with Yan and Marco’s house, since my usual builds tend to lean more into an either colorful, moody, or grungy mess.

Either way, I still try to stick with a palette, so whether a build is more classic, modern or contemporary I’ll usually try to match all the wood grains, and stone accents, no matter what, usually something to compliment the actual colors and tones I wanna use.

Lighting can also be a huge factor in what I choose, I originally wanted to go for lighter more muted wood tones for the Garden House, but with all of the windows and candles being the major lighting sources, I ultimately chose a yellower wood to “soak” in the warm light.

For colors, the main ones I stuck to were greens, whites, and terracotta oranges. For the children’s rooms however, it’s kinda unavoidable to lean to more garish colors, as a lotta toys tend to come only in these tones, and tbh I prefer it that way? Since I’m not all too into a child’s room looking too beige, still, it’s likely they’ll come in the typical “red, blue, yellow” or “purple, aqua, teal” combos a lotta irl toys do, so due to the mixes of mints and citrus colors already present in Mag’s nursery, I stuck with the latter.

Treating rooms, and even bathrooms in a house as separate entities really creates a more lived in home. Cohesiveness throughout is cool and all, and certainly looks good in a mansion or an estate that was likely built to look more like a compound or a museum than a home, but a house where every room feels like you’re experiencing the life of the person inhabiting it is a lot more fun.

For example:

This living room…

… and this room exist in the same exact build.

Isa loves bright sunny pastels, and that being a contrast of the more moody look her uncle prefers shows they’ve got their own styles, and respect each other’s personal spaces.

So go and throw in a few cobwebs and wall holes in that laundry room no one likes to go into bc the water heater makes creepy noises, inside your otherwise pristine beige build!

The surroundings of your sims are as much characters as your sims are, treat them as such.

#asks #help

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thiswaycomessomethingwicked · 1 year

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I remember growing up and going to my dad’s church to hear how Pokémon and Harry Potter were part of a satanic plot to steal away and sacrifice and ritually abuse American (re: white) children at the same time as seeing posters at the public school I went to that said things like “you cant get aids from toilette seats, so ladies, please sit down” which represents a whole lotta things to unpack.

And it’s like man—the Satanic Panic wasn’t that long ago. In fact it’s informed a lot of the conspirituality bullshit some of y’all subscribe to (eg Teal Swan), and maybe you should learn some history that isn’t found on tumblr and is instead found in formal academic, verified spaces.

#satanic panic #the 90s were a Time To Be Alive that’s for sure #ama about growing up with a dad who started his own fundamentalist church #and how I used to holy roll and speak in tongues when I was a kid #but also had huge influences of Catholicism and Judaism in my life #my religious upbringing was a hot mess

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simena · 1 year

Photo

LOTTA TEALE

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yeehawbvby · 7 months

Text

Falling Away With You | Ch. 45

Sebastian x F!Reader and M. Rasmodius x F!Reader

Rating: Mature/Explicit

Chapter Summary: Time for that cute date with Magnus! :^)

Author’s Note: I was gonna release this chapter either tomorrow or next Wednesday, but here it is early, as a little Halloween Spirit's Eve present!! (Totally beating myself up rn for not lining up the Spirit's Eve chapter to come out today.. ough)

Anyway, there's a lotta RomRas referenced in the first half of this one! It’s pure, cavity-inducing fluff >:3 And some sillies, because of course there is.

I hope y’all enjoy it, take care, and happy Halloween! x

Table of Contents + Work Summary

Check it out on ao3!

Prev | Next

After freshening up in Magnus’ restroom, I jog back downstairs to the main floor, where he’s patiently waiting for me to head out.

After I slip on my shoes, he takes both of my hands in his, calmly stroking my knuckles with his thumbs. “Ready?”

I hum my affirmation, nodding and smiling at the handsome wizard in front of me. As per usual when I’m being teleported, I close my eyes, saving myself from any potential freak-outs. I’m curious to know what it looks like to teleport, but today isn’t that day… Or tomorrow. Baby steps, (y/n).

I realize we must be at our destination when I feel a soft breeze against my cheeks and hear the sounds of nature.

The air smells fresh and crisp, and as Magnus steps aside and I open my lids, I’m met with a beautiful, serene forest, like something out of a fairytale. The pine trees directly ahead of us are coated in green moss and beige fungi, and as my eyes scan upward, I notice that there’s a vast cliff behind them, with more woodland up top.

As my gaze pans right, I see a waterfall that drops onto a small, elevated piece of land before creating a new and thicker cascade just below it. There’s a pale rainbow forming around the foam at the bottom, making every straying droplet look like glitter bouncing through the air. The crystal-clear water of the river it flows into shines iridescently under the sunlight, and as I turn around to follow its path, I realize it’s all gathering into a vast lake full of fish I’d never known existed. Some are purple, with pointy pink fins; others teal, with what looks like small rubies and emeralds and sapphires embedded into their scales.

Completing my full circle, I peek behind Magnus, noticing a similar pattern to what I’d already seen: a long and wavy river, waterfalls, and trees galore. When I finally look back up to him, he’s peering down at me. His cheeks are pink but his eyes stay maroon, and he has that cozy, lovestruck gaze he usually does when looking my way.

“Where are we?“ My voice comes out quiet, as if speaking any louder would somehow disrupt the peace.

“Grenville Falls,” he answers. “A forest of magical origin that lies far from civilization, and one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever come across in my travels.” I guess that explains why it’s so serene here. Humans haven’t been around to taint it yet. “Until now, most of the magic we’ve discussed has been almost purely pragmatic.”

“Almost.” I give him a shit-eating smirk.

My brother in Yoba is seriously trying to pull the “Magic must be used responsibly!!!” bullshit after casting spells on me for his own horny entertainment on several occasions. Magnus laughs before looking around at the grove we're standing in.

“Buuut,” he pointedly continues, “we’ve only barely touched on the simpler joys that magic can bring.” He turns back to me and laces our fingers together, a soft grin slightly plumping the warm apples of his cheeks. “I realize that, spiritual interference or not, it must have been hard to befriend me – let alone begin seeing me romantically – given how suspect our first interactions must have made me seem, alongside how out of touch I am in current social practices.”

Oh. So he really had almost no idea that I was unwillingly swooning right off the bat? I thought he’d read my mind plenty back then… maybe it was less than I’d assumed.

I give his hand a reassuring squeeze. Maybe he knows now, if anything – and if not, I could always just tell him when he’s not, like, pouring his entire heart out to me.

Magnus continues, “And yet you took the trouble to give me a chance, my dear, in spite of all that stood in our way. You’re so incredibly precious to me, and I wanted to give you even a sliver of the joy that you’ve brought into my life. So,” he sighs, reaching into his shirt pocket, “Although I don’t have a bouquet, as per tradition with the humans of the Valley, I thought you deserved to be properly and officially courted.” Magnus pulls out a fucking ring, and upon seeing the whites of my eyes, he chuckles. “I promise, this is not a marriage proposal.”

“Oh thank god.” I breathe out a nervous laugh, my right palm resting over my heart.

“But I am asking if you’d do me the honors of being my… girlfriend?” Magnus looks off to the side briefly, tilting his head as his eyes pinken. “I’ve always preferred the term ‘partner,’ but I’m not sure how common of a label that is in these times.” He shrugs, bringing his gaze back to mine, and beaming with again-maroon eyes upon seeing me enthusiastically and vigorously nodding my head.

“‘Partner’ is fine, I like ‘partner,’“ I squeak out. My cheeks are on fire, I can’t tell if it’s more from the thick blush coating them or from smiling so wide.

I jump to koala myself onto Magnus, unable to resist pecking his cheek and burying my face into his neck before accepting his gift. As always with physical contact, he barely needs time to think as he wraps his arms around me for support, one hand resting on my lower spine and the other against the back of my hair.

“I honestly didn’t think you were gonna ask,” my mumbles muffle into his collar. “I just assumed it was some sorta elemental tradition for sex to solidify a relationship, or something.”

“That is true in many cases, actually,” he confirms, setting me back on my feet. “Luckily, we more mindful beings have a say in the matter.”

Now that I’m not frazzled by what seemed like an engagement waiting to happen, I can actually look at the ring – which Magnus had looped onto his pinky for safe keeping during our embrace – up close. It’s fucking gorgeous, oh my god. A small moss agate is clasped against a gold band, and the bits holding the stone in place look like thin vines. Seems almost too delicate to wear.

Holding the ring between his left thumb and forefinger, he says, “That necklace Lady Welwick gifted you is an artifact imbued with her clairvoyant magic to aid your clairvoyant magic, generally speaking. But artifacts can be made to assist you in any aspect of magic, or of life itself, really.” Bringing his right hand up to his right earring – with his usual long, red ones adorning both ears – he explains, “These are similar, in that they provide a defense I don’t normally have. Although young for my kind, I’m still… er. I am an old man.”

My lips twitch as I attempt to hide a smirk. Magnus notices and chuckles.

He shushes me teasingly before continuing, “I don’t have the same oomph in me that I used to, so I wear these to keep myself safer in case anything should go awry. The rings I often wear serve a similar purpose — but those, I change to accommodate what is on my schedule each day.”

I nod in understanding, eyes wide with intrigue as Magnus brings his hand down to match his left.

“I conjured this with the same purpose as my earrings. I’ve yet to teach you defensive or combat magic, and while you may hopefully never be put in such a way that someone or something could threaten your well-being, this will offer a veil of protection, as well as invigorate you once you’re able to arcanely fend for yourself.”

“That’s so cool,” I mutter. “Thank you, Magnus,” I smile up at him. Swooning completely. “I love it, it’s perfect.”

“It’s the least I could do for you, my love,” he offers, his expression mirroring mine. He then asks, presenting an upturned palm to me. “May I?”

I nod, opting to place my right hand in his. Rather than looking down at our hands, I keep observing him:

The way he mutters something about hoping it fits under his breath.

The soft squint in his eyes.

The way his bottom lip rests subtly beneath his top teeth.

How his almost nervous expression turns into a bright grin as the ring is slipped on in a flawless fit. That familiar spark I experienced when putting on my necklace for the first time buzzes through my newly-accessorized digit, but I ignore it in favor of watching Magnus for just a bit longer.

Happy, dense crows feet form at the corners of his eyes as he pans them up to mine, before they widen slightly, his irises turning rosy as he notices that I’m staring. I simply smile up at him. The crinkles next to his eyes come back and he chuckles, taking my cheeks in his hands before leaning way down to softly plant a kiss on my forehead, and then my lips.

I giggle out of our smooch.

“What?”

“This feels like an actual proposal, honestly.”

His brows furrow. “Did I do too much?”

I get back on my tippy toes and pull him back down to me before he’s out of reach, whispering, “No way,” before stealing his lips again.

_______________

After all the cheesy stuff, Magnus summoned us a picnic! It took him a bit, and I needed to lend him some mana as he had to teleport it all from storage at home, but he managed. The blanket he brought for us to sit on has a purple gingham pattern, and the food and drinks were rested within a stereotypically tan, woven picnic basket.

Encased within the basket was a large bottle of cherry wine, a few empty cups, and some snacks. Mostly charcuterie-type things, like cheeses, fruits, and sliced meats, but he included some raw veggies and a few dips for ‘em as well. When I asked about the extra cups, Magnus said that the water here is perfectly safe for drinking, and that he added those so we wouldn’t need to mix the water and wine at all.

As soon as he told me that, I grabbed a cup and rushed over to the river. I’ve never had fresh water like this before – and holy fuck, it was so nice. Never tasted anything like it.

Fast-forwarding to right now, we’re laying side-by-side, lazily snacking on the few crackers and apple slices that are left. Both feeling all silly and happy and wine-drunk. About halfway through the bottle’s contents, we abandoned our cups in favor of occasionally passing the glass vessel back and forth to each other.

Speaking of which, now seems like a good time to top myself up!

I lean up onto my elbows and grab the bottle by its neck, chugging a few gulps back. Magnus, who’s peacefully lying still with red cheeks and closed eyes, startles a bit when I tap his arm with the bottle. I smile down at him.

“Sorry,” I giggle, “want more?”

He nods, then shuts his eyes again. “Feed it to me.”

My giggle turns into an ugly snort-laugh. “Why?”

“I’m sooo comfortable, (y/n)…”

“Too bad! It’s dangerous t’drink laying down.”

Magnus rebuttals, “I love danger.”

“Why are you lying?”

“Who, me?” He opens just one eye, smugly smiling up at me.

“Don’t play dumb.”

“To think my beloved partner would accuse me of such a horrible thing…” he trails off, sighing dramatically while closing his eye again.

I know Magnus is only teasing, but I still pout with furrowed brows. What a little shit! It’s at least nice to learn that he’s a coherent drunk, instead of the bumbling mess I am.

“Y’know what? Fine!”

I take a little wine in my mouth, then lean down, meeting Magnus with my lips against his. A surprised hum escapes him, but he melts into the kiss regardless. I stay still, so as to not blow my own cover (this would totally blow it easily in most cases, but right now, he doesn’t seem to notice). Finally, the moment Magnus’ lips part, I let the wine trickle onto his tongue. It’s barely even half of a sip, so it should be safe enough.

Another startled noise emits from the wizard’s throat, but he quickly adapts, swallowing the wine before bringing a large palm to the back of my head. Kissing me harder and deeper. Catching me off-guard. Oh boy.

I put a palm against his chest to steady myself, feeling my already-toasty cheeks heating up some more when he adds tongue. Noticing that my lower half is heating up too, I pull away, rolling over to lay on Magnus’ belly. It would feel wrong to do The Sex in such a seemingly sacred place.

My head jostles as Magnus sighs contentedly, and I turn onto my side to look at him.

“You’re s’handsome…” I murmur, reaching over to trace his jaw.

He raises his head a smidge to meet my gaze. The little bit of a double-chin this gives him is adorable. Makes me laugh. After a lazy smile, he lies flat again. As he moves, he reaches a hand to my hair and begins running his fingers through it, occasionally soothing my scalp with some light scratches. I hum, thoroughly enjoying how it feels.

Magnus sighs again, then dreamily murmurs, “It’s truly remarkable how lucky I’ve gotten meeting you.”

Smiling, I shake my head. “It’s more—“ I swallow back a small hiccup, “S’more fate than luck, no?”

“I suppose, but it feels lucky, nonetheless.”

I pop the last bit of apple into my mouth before letting myself relax into his touch. After a few moments of thought, I wonder out loud, “What kinda hobbies do y’have other than magic?”

Magnus doesn’t respond right away, but knowing how little time he has for things not magicky, I don’t rush him.

“I’m not so sure, honestly…” he eventually answers. It comes out quiet, almost whispered. “Gardening, I suppose, although that is often tied to my magic in some way.”

I frown, then suggest, “So let’s figure something out together.”

He peers down at me. “Anime,” he announces determinedly.

“Wh-“ I cut myself off to laugh, “What?!”

“I would like t’watch anime.”

Maybe it’s the booze, but I hug my tummy as I roll to lay on my side, curling in on myself with giggles. I almost knock the wine over, and Magnus quietly tuts at my clumsiness.

“Why don’t we start you off with manga instead?,” I suggest once I’ve relaxed. “Might like it better.”

“Manga?”

“Anime, but in book form.”

“Oh, that sounds splendid!”

“You read it backwards, just so you know. It’s usually published in Gotoroan, an’ translated for distribution elsewhere.” I emphasize the last two words with a vague wave of my hand.

“I can do that.”

I close my eyes for a few moments, the conversation coming to an abrupt end by my spinning head. “Is there a spell t’cure drunkenness?”

“I don’t believe so.”

I groan, rolling some more to nuzzle my face into Magnus’ chest.

“Although,” he adds, “a cheeky dip over there might help us sober up.”

“What about the fish?”

He snorts. “Why would they care?”

…Y’know. I was worried, at first, about the potential danger of swimming with these funky lookin’ fish. But something about how candidly Magnus responded convinced me that I should’ve been more worried about the critters’ opinions.

And you know what? He’s sooo right! Why would they care? Why should I care?!

I flop off of Magnus, laying flat against the blanket for a moment. He stumbles onto his feet, then assists me in doing the same, before beginning to strip.

My mouth falls open, a little bewildered. For some reason I thought he’d conjure up swimsuits, or that we’d swim in our underwear, or something like that. Promptly, I begin lifting my sweater over my head.

I observe, “We’re raw dogging this lake, huh?” The chilly air gives my skin goose bumps, but I don’t mind, given how much alcohol raises my temp.

“What are we ‘dogging?’”

I snort. “Oh. Slang.”

“For what?” he asks, stepping out of his boxers. He stumbles a bit and I hold his arms to stabilize him. Shamelessly give him a once-over, too.

“I’ll tell you when you’re older.”

“I’m very old, (y/n).”

“Not old enough!”

Seeing me struggle out of my skirt, Magnus offers the same assistance I gave him. Then, he glares at me. Silently, but not even telepathically, telling me he’s gotta know. Sighing and remembering his yearn to be hip and cool, I give in.

“Fine. Sex. But like, without protection or whatever.”

“Ah… we are indeed raw dogging this lake!”

I chuckle at his enthusiasm. “Hell yeah we are!”

He holds his hand out to me, and practically drags me with him upon contact. I stumble a bit, then jog, wanting to match his pace. Don’t have the time or coordination at the moment to hold my boobs in place, which has me feeling a little self-conscious…

The water shocks me out of any negative thoughts though.

“Holy shit, s’freezing!” I strengthen my hold on Magnus as if it’ll steady my shivers.

“It’s not that bad.” His teeth are chattering.

“Liar.” I splash him with my free hand. He lets out a tiny yelp and tries to pull away, but I keep my grip firm, attempting to hit him with a few more watery snipes.

“Oh, if it’s a war you want, so be it!”

“What?”

“Hold your breath,” he warns before promptly yanking me down.

I scream out bubbles, laughing in delirium due to both the sudden change in temperature and Magnus’ own distorted under-water laughter. After a short moment of observing how ethereal he looks — his purple hair floating around him, the sparkle of his pale gray skin being tinted blue, the otherworldly fish circling around us — I shake my hand free and promptly bring myself back up to the surface. He follows my lead.

“Damn it,” I continue to giggle, repositioning my wet hair out of my face. Swiping some water from my eyelashes, I once again mentally thank Yoba for waterproof makeup. “So cold…”

“This seems to be doing the trick though, wouldn’t you agree?”

Unfortunately, he’s right. I feel surprisingly more level-headed now than when I was laying on him in a wine-driven stupor. “Yeah, yeah…”

I look around, admiring the beauty of our surroundings again, now from a different angle. I don’t notice anything new, but it’s still just as pretty, nonetheless.

Feeling something tickling my ankle, I look down into the water, watching as a sparkly blue fish swims around me. I giggle.

“Hey buddy,” I murmur, reaching down to try and stroke its scales. The movement scares it away, though. “Aw, man.”

“‘Twas a good effort.”

I meet Magnus’ fond gaze and furrow my eyebrows. “Not good enough.”

“Maybe someday.”

I sigh. “What are these fish, anyway?”

My partner shrugs. “Many are your typical river fish, such as carp or bass, whose forms have been altered due to the magical properties of the area.”

“Huh,” I grin, returning my gaze to the fish that swim a mere few feet away from us. “That’s sick.” I look back up at Magnus, quickly diverting my attention again when I notice the dreamy stare he’s still boring into me. My cheeks heat up, warming my whole body a little, as if I’m not skinny dipping in an almost freezing-cold river.

Then, my mind ruins the moment — as it typically does — suddenly drifting to my fish friend’s scales, then back to the weird note I received earlier.

“Can these fish’s scales be made into ink, or something?”

“Perhaps.” With a brow furrow and head tilt, he asks, “Why do you ask?”

“Um…” I think for a moment.

Do I tell him? Well, I suppose there’s no backing out now, really. He’s looking at me so expectantly, and he could read my mind if I were to lie too poorly.

“I got this letter earlier,” I go on, “and the ink looked really similar to that blue fella that was here before, right down to the way it shimmers. Never seen anything like it.”

Magnus frowns. “I hope it hasn’t come from one of them.”

A particularly small fish swims closely by the old wizard, this one a vibrant purple. It almost matches his hair. He reaches a gentle hand towards it, and it doesn’t back away, unlike the blue fish who graced me a moment ago. Lucky…

“It’s been a mutual decision between the Ministry and First Slash that places such as this remain unscathed.” He peers back up at me, letting the guppy move on. “Who was its sender?”

I shrug. “Didn’t have a name or return address. I didn’t feel any energy from it, either.”

He hums in thought. “I’ll take a look, if you don’t mind the intrusion. Maybe I can discern who or what it’s from.”

I offer a small salute. “You got it, boss.” Then, I sniffle. It’s super boogery. I better not be getting sick from this…

“Let’s get you out of here,” my partner prompts, noticing my… goopy state.

Magnus wades over to me, reaching out a hand. I’m surprised it’s so warm as I clasp mine into it, and take advantage of his body heat, looping my arm through his and pressing my bare body closer as he guides us to the shore.

“We’ll head back once you're warm and dry, alright?”

I grin up at him. “Sounds good to me.”

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