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navstuffs · 8 months

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Secret Admirer

Pairing: Leon Kennedy x GNLibrarian!Reader

Summary: It is fall, and Leon Kennedy has a secret admirer.

Warning tags: ROOTH TOOTING FLUFF, college au, leon wears glasses, shy!reader&leon, leon self depreciates a bit

Author's Notes: hiii. though where i live fall doesn’t exist (i swear, we are all being cooked alive at this point), im happy to write something to welcome fall! dedicated to @sarahs-secrets2 whose birthday is tomorrow! happy birthday, my friend!! thank you for being such an amazing friend to me, you are the best!! also i won't lie, i might be working on a small drabble for a smutty second part (flannel shirts, all im saying). dividers by @firefly-graphics. images found on pinterest and edited on faceapp.

leon's masterlist

It all starts right at the beginning of fall.

Leon Kennedy never considered himself the type of guy someone could deeply fall in love with. In his own opinion, he has always been an average kind of guy. A little shy, with a pair of black glasses in front of his eyes since he couldn't see long or short distances.

Since entering college and breaking up with his first (and only) girlfriend, romance wasn't clearly in his plans. He had to focus on his studies to become a lawyer and pass the bar exam. Unlike his colleagues, who partied every Friday, Leon was busy with his head inside books—most of the time.

There is also another weighting factor: Leon had a merit-based scholarship. It is not something he would tell someone, but it meant he had worked his ass off to get there, prove himself to stay there every semester. He couldn't waste his time with anything, especially with romance.

Leon enters the already chilly Friday, his scarf close to his face. For some reason, fall had arrived earlier, and he couldn't be more grateful. The library is almost empty, except for a few students here and there. He goes to his usual spot, between two tall bookshelves, a seat at the very end, hidden from the rest of the world. Before he can get there, a smiling familiar face carrying a few books in their arms appears in his path: you, who worked in the library and was always ready to help students whenever needed.

"Back already?" You joke, whispering. Leon feels his blush spread, smiling back.

"You know me, can't stay away too long."

You giggle, seeming equally flustered. There is a moment of silence where you two stare at each other, saying nothing else. Then, you handle Leon one of the books from your arms.

"Here. This just arrived today. I hope it can be helpful."

Before Leon can answer, you leave, waving, without looking directly at his face. Leon walks to his usual spot, removes his jacket, and hangs on the chair before placing the book on the table. He sits, opens the first page, and finds a yellow post-it with something written on it. Leon then takes his glass case out of his backpack, changing his distance ones to the reading ones. Yeah, he was one of those blessed ones who couldn't see far away or close. There it was, written in blue ink:

"Hi! I hope I don't scare you by writing this, but I just wanted to let you know you are adorable!"

Leon's eyebrows raise as he looks around. Most students in there have their heads on their books. You had given this book to him earlier, so maybe? No, Leon realizes. So many other students have probably read it before. Wait, but didn't you say the book just arrived today? Well, it could have been a donation, and someone left it there.

Without making much noise, Leon gets up to look for you behind your front desk. You seem focused but promptly raise your head when you see Leon coming.

"Hey. Something wrong?" Your face is blurred, and Leon suddenly realizes he didn't change into his long-distance glasses.

"Yeah. Someone left this note in the book. Just wanted to give you a heads up."

"Oh." Leon handles the book for you, and he can't quite figure out your expression due to the lack of proper glasses. "I guess it came with the donation."

"Yeah. Probably." You whisper back in a strange tone. Leon gives you a slight nod before returning to his usual spot. Well, that was odd, but he didn't have time to think much about it. He needed to remain focused anyway.

Next Friday comes, and the temperatures slowly start dropping, which comes with a relief to Leon. He hates the heat, despises how the Earth is warming up, and nobody seems to give a damn about it. The view to the campus Library looks so pretty now: straight out from a book, orange leaves on the floor, crunching as Leon walks over them. It was one of his favorite Autumn activities when he was a kid—that and carving pumpkins. The only problem with the sudden chilly weather was his glasses getting fogged, but hey, it seemed like a fair trade.

He arrives near the library's building, finding you outside. You are wearing a deep green sweater with some trees drawn on it. On the top of your head, a cute black hat protects your ears. Leon can't help but smile when he notices you rub your hands and arms.

"It is not even that cold yet." Leon teases as he gets close. You look back at him, startled but happy to see him.

"Says the one with the heavy jacket and a scarf!"

"Hey!" Leon complains, pretending to be insulted. "At least this is better than the heat we had before, right?"

"Yeah."

Before Leon can walk in and leave you alone, he asks, his curiosity peaking.

"Hey, so what about that note from last week? Discovered where it was from?"

"Oh." You seem taken aback by his question before shrugging, "I don't know. I threw it away anyway. Nothing important."

Leon nods before waving and walking into the warmth of the library. It is as empty as last week, which Leon prefers. He goes to his usual spot, noticing the yellow post-it on top of his table. Leon rushes to grab it and read. It is written in the same blue ink as before.

"Just wanted to wish you a good week. I admire you from afar, hoping you achieve all your goals!"

Leon's first reaction is to look for you, show you the new note, and believe again this is a mistake. But then he ponders, his curiosity speaking louder. No, he isn't interested in romance, nor does he have time for it. But, if those notes are really, really meant for him, why? He isn't that special or someone who should have secret admirers. Leon has always been curious, so he places the note in his pocket.

In the weeks following, he ends up receiving more and more notes. They are on top of his desk, under the desk, near the wall, always visible so he can find them. And since the first two ones, they have started to come signed with "Your Secret Admirer." It can't just be a coincidence at this point.

"You are doing amazing, and I hope you continue to do so! - Your secret admirer."

"I wish I could say how much I admire you to your adorable face! - Your secret admirer."

"It makes me so happy to see you pursuing your dream; it gives me the courage to pursue mine! - Your secret admirer."

"One of these days, I will gather the courage to invite you out, but until then, I keep thinking about you as I look at the stars."

Leon's suspicions are towards someone inside the library, of course. His first thought is you, but it simply can't be. You are too bright, too cute, too funny for him. Deep down, Leon wishes it was you; he might have harbored a tiny crush on you since the first time you helped him, but he knows it can't be. His other suspicions are the other people in the library, but he barely knows them, except for an eventual nod or "hello" here and there.

It is finally time for the first week of exams, and the library is getting crowded. Leon arrives earlier that Friday and, for a miracle, can find his spot empty and, sadly, no note this time. He tries not to concentrate on his disappointment, focusing on his studies when, in the corner of his eyes, he comes into the corridor. You look dressed for a freezing winter, rushing toward Leon with something in your hands. When you see him, you stop in your tracks, your eyes slightly going wide. Then you turn around, leaving in the other direction.

Much later that night, Leon walks to the front desk. You look busy but still manage to give him a tired smile.

"Getting crazy over here, huh."

"Yeah. It is time for the tests, so people can go a little crazy." You explain, shrugging. You look anxious, but Leon presumes it relates to the agitated week. "Hey, do you mhm like pumpkin chocolate brownies?"

"Sure?" Leon's stomach grumbles as you pull out something from your drawer. He hadn't had something to eat since he came to the library three hours ago. Two small pumpkin chocolate brownies, probably from the candy shop near the campus. "Thanks, I haven't eaten anything today."

"Just don't eat here, okay?" You wink, smiling.

Leon holds them, staring at your table as you return your attention to your work. A pile of books is nearby and more on the other side of the table. His attention is drawn to a small yellow paper folded so many times. He gathers his courage and opens his mouth to finally ask you what he has been dying to ask you this whole time.

"Hey, is it you my—?"

"Excuse me, can you help me find this book?" A female student calls your attention, interrupting Leon. You didn't seem to have heard anything, Leon asked, excusing yourself to help the stressed lady.

Leon watches his surroundings. He shouldn't think about that, but his body works faster than his mind. Leon grabs the yellow folded paper and runs away without looking back, his whole face red. Did he just steal something?

When he is out of the library range, he stops near a street light and frantically opens the post-it, his hands shaking, not due to the cold. Could it be you? Could it be really you? Leon reads it once. Then twice.

"Hey, I know you have been studying so hard. Here, have some pumpkin chocolate brownies to sweeten your night and give you some luck for the tests!- Your Secret Admirer."

So, it is you. Leon re-reads the sentence over and over again, thinking of different possibilities. It could have been an accident, right? Someone else could have brownies for him, some other secret admirer. But so specific like that?

"Stop. You are overreacting." Leon whispers to himself, placing the note in his jacket pocket. He looks back towards the library, half of him demanding for him to go back in there and face you. Wasn't Leon that wanted to have been you this whole time? Keeping all the notes even though they might not be for him? Wasn't he even considering opening an exception for this rule just because of you?

Leon will make a decision. Not tonight, no. Tonight, he will enjoy the feeling of knowing you are his secret admirer.

Two weeks pass, and you don't see Leon. You wonder where he is since the last time he almost caught you placing the brownies and the note on his desk. You should have known he would arrive earlier since Leon has been so responsible about his studies (something you admired about him). Not coming for two weeks? You wonder if he was sick. Or maybe Leon chose to study in his dorm since the library had been so crowded lately.

After helping an agitated first-year who couldn't find a Math book, you walk back to your table and find a Pumpkin bookmark there. You turn it around, finding a sentence in beautiful handwriting: "Some say Autumn isn't the season of love, but I disagree when I have Fallen for you. - Your Not-So-Secret-Admirer?"

You feel your cheeks heating up, immediately thinking about Leon and finding him right before you, his entire face red as a tomato. You open your mouth and close it, unsure what to say.

"Sorry. I hope that didn't scare you."

"N-no! You didn't!" You reply loud enough to get some "sshhh." You shut your mouth, looking apologetic towards Leon, who smiles.

"Would you like to go out with me? There is a harvest fair nearby, and I was wondering if we could..."

"I would love to." You rush to answer, whispering. "If I don't disturb your studies, of course."

"Nope, not a problem."

Some might say nothing grows during Autumn. The leaves fall as the plants prepare for another winter until spring gives them life again, and the cycle repeats. Well, some things can bloom during Autumn, as Leon Kennedy's smile to you is enough proof of that.

#leon kennedy x reader #leon kennedy x you #leon kennedy #leon s kennedy x reader #leon s kennedy x you #leon s kennedy #leon kennedy fanfic #leon kennedy fluf #leon s kennedy fanfic #leon s kennedy fluff

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sepptember · 2 months

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𝐃𝐄𝐖𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐑 :: miles morales

pairing :: miles morales x gn!reader.

content warning(s) :: none!

sypnosis :: miles is spending the evening with you, the tv playing in the background. he decides you look pretty on paper. requested here.

word count :: 0.587k

Miles loves rainy days, but he loves them more with you—the soft hum of your tv playing as your fairy lights add a soft warmth to your bedroom, the rain drumming against the window.

You look beautiful, undone for the night, wearing the matching pajamas you insisted on buying the both of you. He loves seeing you relaxed. He loves the calm you bring after a long day that he melts into. He loves you.

And maybe that's what compels him to grab his sketchbook from his backpack, taking out his pencils and markers. He takes in the details of your face, following the edges of your nose, your eyes glowing in the reflection of your lights and the tv. He copies every one of them on the paper. You occupy numerous pages in his sketchbook already—what’s wrong with another?

It's rough at first, a loose sketch of the more vague pieces of you and the window in the background. Miles takes in the different colors, the warmth of the room bouncing off your skin, and the changing colors of the scenes, and he mimics them with his pencils and markers.

Miles steals you from the world. He swiftly curls your image into his fingers and lays you flat on the paper, carefully tucking you away before the world can steal you back. He will have that peaceful picture of you forever, and Miles wants the world to be jealous of that. He wants it to envy him for being able to keep that exact moment of you forever because the world only got it for a second.

The show is a few more episodes in when he finishes—you've changed positions, your head resting on your mountain of stuffed animals and blankets, but he still managed to copy you perfectly.

“Miles,” You say, his eyes moving from his sketchbook and up to you. Your eyes are slightly droopy, your voice just slightly a grumble. “What're you drawing?”

The way you say drawing makes him feel like a kindergartener with crayons. Suddenly, his art has become a scribbled stick figure. “Just a doodle.”

“Can I see?” You ask, and it feels like it'd be illegal to say no—even though he knows you'd completely understand if you did. He hands you the open book with a hint of embarrassment. He's sketched you so many times before but rarely shows them to you. He worries you'll think they're terrible.

You grab it as if it will tear at the seams if you're not delicate, but you beam when you finally see the page. You pull it onto your lap, taking in every little detail, completely mesmerized in a way Miles wasn't expecting.

“Oh my god,” You say, the smile growing, and Miles wants to copy that onto paper, too. “This is amazing, Miles. Really.”

He can't help the way he smiles at your compliment. It's an ego booster, almost. His parents have showered him with comments about his creativity, but they've never affected him much because they're his parents. Yet when you say it, it's something completely different. He values your opinion and cradles every comment you have close to his heart. “Do you have more? Not one of me! Just more art you'd be okay with letting me see.”

“You can flip through all of it. I don't mind.” He says, scooting closer to you. You grin again, and he swears it's the prettiest thing in the world, and he knows it will look just as pretty on paper.

reblogs > likes!! thank you for reading. <3 requests are open!

#august writes.#miles morales :: august edition.#miles morales x reader #miles morales x you #atsv x y/n #miles morales x y/n #spiderman x reader #spiderman x y/n #spiderman x you #atsv x reader #atsv x you #itsv x reader #miles morales imagine

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adventuringblind · 10 months

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Hi I saw your requests are open you don’t have to write anything if you don’t want to but I had this idea and I wanted to share

I was thinking of meting Charles on Monaco maybe during Sumer break or something, and being a little homesick so he decides to take us to a bookstore (sorry I just like to rad a lot you can change the place) and just talking about like a book he likes and just sitting on the floor with him looking for something to read and getting romantic

Idk if it makes sense but thank you and have a nice day/night

Home is Where You Are

Charles leclerc x reader

Genre: fluff

Request: Yes! I hope you enjoy it, I thought the idea was super cute! I'm open for Max, Charles, Lando, Oscar, George, and Daniel. Also, up for poly fics if anyone is interested. (If you have too much love to go around, clap your hands)

Summary: living with Charles is a dream come true. Longing for home, though, can strike anyone. Good thing he's there to help you through it until you can find time to go visit.

Warnings: home sickness, straight fluff

Notes: written in second person. Likes, comments, and reblogs are always appreciated!

Also, I've sent up my account to let tips be enabled. I was debating whether or not to say this because i dont want to sound like im begging, but frankly, people opinions do not matter me me. If you like my writing and want to support me, please consider tipping my posts or my blog. I put a lot of effort into my writing, and it would mean the world to me. Obviously, I won't have my feelings hurt if you ignor this, but I wanted to put it out there.

Masterlist

You and Charles had been together for a while now. Managing to do some long distance when you couldn't travel with him.

Now you were engaged, and you said yes. Knowing you wanted to spend the rest of your life with him.

You traveled more now. Finding yourself in different countries for the majority of the year. But you always went back home when you could. The family and familiarity bringing you comfort.

When Charles asked you to move in with him, you'd been happy. The two of you now completely together. Ready to share your lives with each other.

You were lucky you could take your job anywhere. The traveling often helping provide inspiration for your novel.

Charles made sure you felt comfortable in his, now yours as well, apartment. Making sure you had your favorite foods. He purchased an entire bookshelf just for you. He even stockpiled the apartment with soft blanket.

It was a dream come true for you.

You loved it. Waking up with Charles. Eating breakfast with him. Not having to FaceTime him to say goodnight for half the year.

When the summer break for formula 1 came around, you found yourself wanting to go back to your home country. You'd been back in Monaco for less than a week, but the days had you missing things you didn't realize you would.

You liked it in Monaco. It's your home now. But it didn't stop your mind from wandering back to the streets you grew up on. To your friends and family. The shops you frequented.

That's how Charles found you. Sitting at the table, staring into your cup of tea. Lost in the world of your subconscious.

"Mon Amour? Are you alright?"

His voice dragged out out of your thoughts. Your eyes dragging themselves to his face as he found a spot next to you.

He knew something was wrong. There was really no point in trying to lie when it was written all over your body.

You run your finger around the rim of your glass. Taking comfort in Charles nimble fingers running up and down your arm.

"Just a bit homesick, I guess." You confessed. Sighing at your relentless thoughts. Pulling your heart deeper into its sad state.

Charles hums in response. Considering what you'd said to him. "I think I know how to cheer you up." He smirks.

Charles couldn't take you back to your home country currently. You'd been working ridiculously hard, and he'd been busy doing sim work. He'd get you there soon, but for now, he'd settle for trying to get your mind off things.

An hour later, you were dressed and walking down the streets of Monaco. Nonclue where Charles was taking you. Just giggling as he held your hand and pulled you along with him. The two of you are making conversation about anything that pops into your heads.

Charles was basking in the warmth of your smile. So much so that he almost missed his intended destination. A little corner store with a vintage looking sign reading 'Nook's Books'.

"Here we are." He smiled and opened the door for you. A little bell rang to alert the owner that someone had entered.

Charles watched as your mouth opened in awe. Taking in the shelves lined top to bottom with books new and old. "I thought you might like it."

"Why did I never know about this?"

"It's hidden away, so those who don't know the city will have a harder time finding it. It's our own little corner of peace." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I was going to surprise you right before the wedding."

It didn't take long for you to grab Charles' hand and lead him down the rows of books.

You'd found many books that you liked and had picked a spot on the floor to look through them.

Charles couldn't help but admire you. On the floor surrounded by books. You looked adorable in his eyes.

He plopped down next to you and spread out his arms and legs. Inviting you without words to come rest your body against his. You happy oblige. Crawling into the safety of his arms.

You spent hours in the small store. Charles listening intently as you either talked about a book or read chapters from one.

The twobof you finally left when the store was about to close. Having spent so much time there that it was now dark outside. The streets illuminated with the orangey hue of lampposts.

Charles spun you around as you walked, Making you giggle. Completely unbothered by the nightlife of Monaco.

When you two made it to the outside of the apartment building, Charles pulled you into him.

"I know I can't get you back to your family right now, but are you feeling a bit better?"

"Yes, thank you, for everything." Your eyes met his soft gaze.

"No thanks needed. I was simply doing my job." He chuckled. Leaning in closer to you.

Finally, his lips landed on yours. A loving kiss shared between you two. But this time, when he kissed you, you knew Charles was your home.

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queers-gambit · 2 months

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Hello my lovely, it’s me your babygirl. Remember me? 🥰🥰

I know you’re busy working on fics rn so take as much time as you want to answer!

I’ve got a very important question regarding Felix that I’d love your opinion on it & share my thoughts with you!

*quickly runs to give you the biggest hug & spin you in my arms* 😘

So…. What do we think a Felix x reader wedding would look like at Saltburn? A grand extravaganza with a million guests or an intimate ceremony with just the Cattons?

Obviously they take every opportunity to throw a party at Saltburn so a wedding is the ultimate bash in the eyes of the Cattons.

Or would Felix just decide to change it entirely and just want it to be a tiny intimate thing since he wants this to feel quiet and special. And then maybe some big party another day to the delight of Elspeth and sir James.

For Felix he’s so laid back and in love all he cares about is his girl and what will make her happy. They are so young and in love i wouldn’t be surprised if he proposed on a lazy Sunday morning or a day reading naked in the field, just because he was so blissfully happy he knew there was nobody he’d rather spend these kind of days with for the rest of his life.

Side notes: Venetia would be maid of honor right? I see Elspeth as the mother in law that makes herself heavenly involved with planning and gives her brutally honest opinion picking out the dress 😅 I can even picture stoic Duncan trying to hold back tears while he’s holding a tissue box to Elspeth or sir James while they read their vows.

…

Sorry for the endless ranging but I’m aching to know your thoughts and see if you’ve thought about this too!!

of course i remember you, baby girl! welcome back!

i needed a break from writing, so thank you for sending this, my darling! it's always good to refresh the pallet, and this ask really got me thinking!

let's get into it!

kinda-sorta wedding AU HC's

pairing: Felix Catton x female!reader

fandom masterlist: Saltburn

word count: 1.4k+

warnings: suspiciously none

so your question all depends on the Reader, but i'll try to answer best i can.

the Saltburn wedding is definitely a huge, extravagant ordeal. the Cattons are well connected, so, it wouldn't just be Felix and Reader's peers attending, but ALL family from both sides, as well as family friends, too. Reader's family is invited to Saltburn a week before matrimony; where they try to help, but the Cattons have hired 3 different wedding planners to make this the most talked-about event in any social circles.

every room in Saltburn is cleaned and decorated. an abundance of flowers are shipped in to be hung from the ceilings and bannisters. there's BOTH a live band and a DJ, an erected outdoor dance floor.

now, i can see two different things: 1. Felix and Reader marry in the local church and then the reception is hosted at Saltburn. 2. they marry on Saltburn's property and still have the big ass reception on the grounds.

either way, it's most def a summer wedding to utilize optimal weather. it's a reason to wear the best clothes, drink expensive liquor excessively, and indulge in gluttony. it's a night designed to make attendants jealous.

there's well over 300 people, Sir James and Elspeth combing through their address books to send invites even to family friends they haven't spoken to in years. they're the kind of parents that take advantage of their child getting married; it's the best excuse to show off and have a grand celebration, to prove the family doesn't do anything half-assed. if they can throw extravagant parties just for the hell of it, they definitely feel pressure to out-do themselves.

it's like this wedding isn't *for* Felix and Reader, but more so for the Cattons to show up and show out. it's not about a union of two people, but an excuse to gloat and smash their privilege in everyone's face.

Felix eats it up 'cause it's all he knows, the spoilt rich boy, but Reader's a little uncomfortable with the sheer size and details of her wedding. but in the same breath, she's relaxed because she KNOWS this is just how the Cattons operate and she doesn't really have to lift a single finger.

so, Reader lets Elspeth plan her ideal wedding - 'cause there's no way she's not involved. they make some decisions together, it's a bonding experience for Reader and her soon-to-be MIL, but for the most part, it's the matriarch doing most of the heavy lifting.

Felix and Reader only get to decide on wedding colors, catering options, and the cake. and even then, they have to endure his family's opinions.

Reader doesn't even get to 100% choose her dress, hair, and make up. Elspeth basically decides everything. i agree with you and think Mrs. Catton would impose herself even on the wedding dress selection, becoming persnickety, opinionated, and a little snarky when Reader shows off her dresses. this causes tension with Reader's family, who think the older woman far too self-important, and maybe it's Reader's mother or sister that stands up to her and insists Elspeth keep quiet since this *isn't* her wedding and they don't want any influences on Reader. they want Reader to choose her perfect wedding dress without scrutiny since she has no say in anything else.

in fact, maybe - juuuuuust maybe - Reader's family takes her to shop for a wedding dress without Elspeth in an effort to dial down the stress. it's not meant maliciously, but Elspeth simply cannot help herself and takes over everything; so, Reader's family figures if she's not there, Reader can make a decision *for herself*.

when Elspeth finds out, she's hurt, but it's Sir James that calms his wife down by reminding her that she had something not-so-nice to say about damn near every single dress Reader tries on. so, she accepts this one detail being out of her control.

the entire wedding screams "old money" because half of the decorations and details are wildly redundant, but there's no such thing as cost to the family. Elspeth is def living vicariously because she thinks she knows best, so she spares no expense - perhaps even going as far as to rent exotic peacocks to roam the grounds simply because the Cattons can!

they're definitely going "Crazy Rich Asians" in the sense that Felix's marriage is going to be the event of the decade, like Collin and Araminta's wedding. again, it's not even about the union but just a chance for the Cattons to remind everyone that they were lesser-than. Felix thinks it's normal, he thinks this is how it's supposed to be 'cause he's def removed from reality, and truth be told, he loves the attention. the bragging rights.

Felix might be a bit more reserved than his family, but he's still a Catton and glamour is *all* he knows, especially for an event like this. he doesn't stand up to his parents because they're paying for everything, which makes him feels as if he's not entitled to an opinion. so, he lets Sir James and Elspeth plan the wedding they want since all Felix has to do is show up. he'll do his best to alleviate stress, acting as a buffer between his betrothed and parents, but he doesn't dare open his mouth.

this is marketed as a once in a lifetime celebration, so nobody is willing to butt heads with Sir and Mrs. Catton.

on that note, yeah, i can see Felix having an intimate proposal. maybe in the field at sunset, maybe at a cafe in town, but not in bed. he's got a flare for the dramatic, so odds are, he's actually down on one knee. he's young, so he doesn't need to make a huge ordeal for the proposal since it's an incredibly intimate moment. he might even proposal on a whim / impulsively. he's had a ring for months, planning the best moment to ask Reader, but he gets anxious and one day, it just happens. it feels right. Felix has that burning feeling that he needs to ask now else he'll fuck up his plan in the future by being so nervous. so, yeah, he just asks one day - barely even thinks about it! he just knows Reader is who he wants, so why plan the "perfect moment" when an opportunity organically presents itself?

now, Venetia can be a bridesmaid, but she's not MOH. again, depends on the reader, but i imagine Reader's sister or her own best friend should be MOH. Reader wants Ven involved in everything, but no, she's not gonna be the one standing next to Reader when she gets married. Ven helps decide bridesmaid dresses, works with Reader's sister and / or best friend to plan the bachelorette party, and is present for any conflict between Reader and Elspeth. she's sorta like a tie breaker because Felix is on Reader's side and Sir James is on Elspeth's. Ven is the one who helps keep Elspeth under control, the only one bold enough to stand up to her mother without fear of repercussions. she sees how Reader is struggling to both have the wedding of her dreams and respect for her MIL, so, Ven imposes herself to give Reader a break. to be the voice Reader lost.

and just because it's fun, YES, Duncan is def in attendance, handing the Cattons and Reader's family tissues during the emotional moments of the wedding. he eats two slices of cake. and for the fuck of it, you bet your ass Duncan lets loose a little and Cabbage Patches on the dance floor.

i think it's nice to imagine Felix being all cute and intimate, but personally, i think he's so far deep in his family's way of living to truly be humble. sure, Reader anchors him to reality, but he still lives this extravagant life so he doesn't know the definition of "humble". but that's why i said, it depends on your reader - but in my opinion, Felix is a little too spoilt to have the forethought to marry privately. or maybe he knows it's a fight not worth having with his parents, that no matter what, they're going to do what they want.

so maybe Felix is the one encouraging Reader to just "go with the flow" because resisting is futile. perhaps Reader comes around to the idea of a grand wedding because she knows she'd never have this sort of experience with anyone else; so, why not bask in it?

ah, i love these. they're so much fun! thank you for sending in, baby girl! all my love 🖤

#felix catton #felix catton headcanon #felix catton headcanons #felix catton x reader #felix catton x fem! reader #felix catton x y/n #felix catton x you #felix catton imagine #felix catton fluff #fix it felix

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bitterpotionn · 7 months

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Johnny Slaughter Headcanons - Daddy's Girl

I had to get this out there. It's gonna be longer than my usual headcanons because I have a lot of opinions on this topic. I will most likely expand on this dynamic in the future and maybe create a full-length fic about it. Johnny as a daddy does something to me...

Warnings: Johnny isn't a great father, unhealthy dynamics, implied daddy issues

Due to Johnny being Johnny, you most likely got pregnant under not ideal circumstances. Johnny wouldn't intentionally cause a pregnancy if you two were casually dating, but as we all know; You can't just casually date Johnny for long. Soon, you'll be under his control entirely.

Getting you pregnant is purely a control tactic for Johnny. It keeps you grounded with him. You can't just leave with his baby, no you're staying with him for good now.

Johnny likes the idea of pregnancy more than the actual process. I don't think Johnny is all too fond of children anyway. He likes seeing you big and helpless. You would rely on him for everything and that would make him ecstatic.

During the bulk of your pregnancy he would keep you away from most of the family. He doesn't like you around them normally. So if you're carrying his child, you're off limits to them entirely. Except for Nancy of course.

Nancy is excited, to say the least. She always wanted grandbabies and is happy that Johnny is finally stepping up and "settling down" (as much as he can after all). She would be almost overbearing in her involvement. From sewing your maternity clothes to helping you set up a small nursery in the camper Johnny and you shared. She would constantly be nagging Johnny about how he needs to get a real home for his family, criticizing him for letting you stay couped up in that small camper.

Johnny would appreciate the help from Nancy. Because he's still a busy man and he can't babysit you all day.

We all know that Johnny is scummy, and this won't change just because you're pregnant. He might be a little more lenient with you but his behavior will be relatively the same. He'd still have his violent outbursts. Cursing you and the "damn kid" in your stomach for being a pain in his ass and too much trouble.

Johnny would feel extra guilty after chewing you out though, his angry eyes would snap to your swollen stomach and his heart felt like it was getting squeezed. He would mutter a pathetic apology hours later when you're half asleep and laying in bed, his strong hands resting firmly on your stomach.

You better be careful to regulate your pregnancy-related mood swings because Johnny doesn't tolerate disrespect from you. He will put up with the food cravings and the neediness but not the disrespect. He's not above locking you in the camper for a day or two by yourself to "learn your lesson."

You were sitting at the small table in the camper. Pregnancy magazines and catalogs were scattered around you. You spent most of your time flipping through these catalogs and reading the books Nancy provided for you. You were eager to learn and absorb as much information as you could, after all, you were going to be handling this mostly alone.

You heard some movement outside, loud footsteps approaching the camper. Without much warning, the creaky door of the camper opened, revealing Johnny. He'd been gone most of the day, doing god knows what. You stopped asking questions a long time ago. His eyes shifted over to you then the magazines and books strewn out on the table. He sauntered over and picked one up, "The Complete Book of Pregnancy." His eyes scanned over the cover.

"Looks interestin'" he teased, flashing her a sarcastic smirk. She pouted and laid her hands on her swollen stomach. "Well I gotta be prepared don't I? Nancy gave me some books from the library to read up on" she explained, trying to shuffle the loose magazines and books in a neat pile. He set the book down and leaned down, both of his hands held her stomach as he gave it a kiss. "She will be fine. She's gonna be strong like her daddy," he said referring to the baby. You noted how he already gendered the baby, despite neither of them knowing yet.

He stood up straight and stretched out his arms. "Why don't we go on a walk, mama said it's important for you to get your exercise." he didn't give her much time to respond as he grabbed her hand, helping you up from your seated position. You let out a small groan as she looked up at him. "Johnny, I dunno, my legs hurt and I don't want-" He shot her a look. You knew that look. It was a warning look. You quickly stopped speaking and just nodded. "Okay," you gave him a weak smile. "That's what I thought," he said as he led you outside.

Johnny is a girl-dad. No arguments, no if and or butts about it. He's a girl-dad. It's canon (I've decided). "Boys are trouble" he would say, shaking his head with a disapproving look. He "knew how boys were" he would explain to you. However, you knew that wasn't true. He knew how he was. The terrible things he did to women.

Overprotective as shit. We all know those stereotypical "no dating until you're in your 50's" dads. Well, he'd be one of them.

While he wouldn't be too active in her life, he would try. His temper would get the better of him a lot of the time and I think she'd grow to kind of resent him. He wouldn't know what to do with her, sometimes he felt a disconnect because, after all, she was just an extension of him. His property. His baby. He would find it hard to consider her, her own individual person this would only worsen as she grew up.

When she's younger he would dote on her and keep her close. Going on walks with her and showing her how to do small things around the farm. "She has to pull her weight around here."

Most of the time though, you'd be the one solely taking care of her. He wouldn't be around for most of her firsts.

I think Johnny would be in for a big slap in the face as she turned into an adult. Especially when she's a late teenager/early 20s. He could see how young and full of life she was. It would make him think back to all the women he has brutally killed who were around her age too. It would make him sick, he could barely look at her sometimes. The thought of someone doing that to her made him furious.

They would definitely butt heads as she grew as well. Constant arguments and disagreements on how she chose to do things or live her life. She would also grow to see the effects of his abuse on you and it would make her furious. She would be confrontational and wouldn't take his shit. She most likely would leave as soon as she could, only keeping in contact with you.

Johnny would regret how things went with her. He'd miss her and wish she talked to him more. He isn't blind, he knew why she shut him out and part of him didn't blame her for doing so.

"Look at my perfect girl" he cooed as he held her. About a year passed since you had your home birth. She was a healthy baby and full of energy. Nancy and the family always told you she looked like you. But you thought she looked a lot like Johnny. She had the same thick brown hair and same dark piercing eyes.

You and Johnny made it a habit to take her on walks in the sunflower fields, letting her small hands play with the bright yellow petals. Johnny swayed back in forth as he watched her carefully pick the petals off one by one. You stood beside him, admiring how calm he looked, how content. You knew it was just temporary, his good moods always were.

She started to fuss a bit as she ran out of petals to pick. She flapped her hands around trying to signal Johnny to move on to the next flower. He let out a small chuckle as he shuffled to the side, letting her reach another.

The property was getting dark as the two of you walked back to the camper, she was fast asleep by now, laying her head on Johnny's chest as she slept soundly. Her little hands gripped some of his shirt. He was quiet as the two of you walked. His face was stoic and expressionless like he was thinking about something. The two of you silently entered. He laid her down in her make-shift crib (courtesy of Nancy).

You watched as he just stared at her for a bit, his eyebrows furrowed. He let out a small sigh as he leaned back, his eyes flicking over to you. "Why don't you head to bed, I'm goin' out" You gave him a puzzled look as your eyes shifted to the analog clock on the wall, 8:30pm. "It's late, Johnny." your voice was meek.

"I know, I don't wanna be couped up in here all night" he snapped shooting a glare at you. You just stared at him his outburst didn't surprise you, after all you were used to them by now. You theorized that after a while, Johnny would get tired of how domestic everything was. Like he needed to do something, anything to fuck it up. You knew what he was going to do when he left. He was a creature of habit at the end of the day.

He leaned down one more time and gave his baby a kiss on the forehead, running his large hand over her small amount of hair. He stood up fully and glared back down at you. Sometimes you felt like he was angry at you, for tying him down like this (despite the fact that it was his doing). You, you were expendable, replaceable. But she wasn't. That was his baby, his flesh and blood and at the end of the day, he was always tied to her in some way. He thought getting you pregnant would make you tied down but as it turns out; it tied him right down with you.

He could go out and do the things he was used to. Inflict pain and torture whoever he wanted to. Yet, every time he came home he was faced with her, his baby. He swore that sometimes she would know, know what he did, and yet, she looked at him with no malice, no underlying hatred. He knew that you hated him, he could see it in your eyes but she didn't. She was his little girl, the one person in the world that didn't despise him or judge him for what he's done. He couldn't handle that, it became too much sometimes. He needed to get out, just leave for a couple of days.

He grabbed a couple of things from a drawer before exiting the camper, not sparing you a second glance. You just stood there for a while, taking in the silence that swept over the camper. You heard the loud rumble of his truck as it drove off the property. You didn't know when you would see him again.

You made your way to the crib and leaned down, scooping her gently in your arms. "You can sleep with me tonight honey" you mumbled. Softly giving her a kiss on the forehead as you made your way to the bed. You let out a sigh of relief as your back hit the bed, all the exhaustion throughout the day had finally caught up to you. You snuggled close to her. Sometimes you wish this was just how it was. Johnny wasn't around and it was just you two, together, facing the world. You could dream, right?

#johnny slaughter #texas chainsaw massacre #johnny tcm game #tcm #tcm game #johnny slaughter x reader #bitterpotionnheadcanons #why did this make me emotional #johnnyslaughterdaddy'sgirl

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alexanderlightweight · 9 months

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Greetings and loves, for writing Wednesday: maybe something about possessive and protective magnus and the reaction of the shadowhunters?

here we go! i hope you enjoy it

<3 lumine

The summon isn’t one Magnus is expecting and he reaches out to snatch the message from the air with a frown.

“Have they not given up, yet?” Valois asks him wearily, one of five elders who Magnus is unofficially meeting with.

Instead of a meal, there is nothing but research spread out on the long table. Piles of books and scrolls and rare pages barely held together with magic.

“Nephilim will never truly give up.” Ragnor interjects with a melancholy sigh. “That would require them to be capable of change.”

If this was an official meeting, his dear cabbage would have never shown up. However, not even in self-imposed isolation will Ragnor allow himself to miss out on such obscure and frankly obscene research. “That would require them to be capable of change.”

It’s revolting in the most intriguing of ways and Ragnor is old enough that it is rare he finds things older that he’s yet to see.

Magnus can’t help the snort he lets out, but he doesn’t care and neither do the rest of their group. All letting out weary or exasperated and angry laughs of their own.

The first thing that catches Magnus’ attention is the seal. It’s similar t a seal that Magnus once banned from his very presence. Magnus knew the seal had been changed when leadership of the Institute had been summarily switched, but he’s never had cause to see it in person.

He shouldn’t be seeing it now.

Magnus’ fingers tremble as he reads the message, his face blank and he’s unsure whether it is his magic or his emotions that betray his hands so.

His answer is his magic hungrily — furiously — devouring the message without even a conscious thought.

“I must go to the New York Institute.” Magnus finally says and while Valois and others all raise their voices in confused protest, it is Ragnor who meets his gaze with trepidation.

“Be quiet before Bane loses his temper!” Daseul — one of the only Elder’s older than Ragnor — snaps, the dark feathers that blend into her hair bristle with her annoyance. “Acting like mortal children—” she mutters and then gives him a short nod. “We will undoubtedly still be here when you are finished.”

Magnus nodded in return to her, understanding her chastisement of the others. It is not their right to have an opinion on his choice and especially not until after it’s been made and completed.

New York is his territory and while Magnus has refused to step foot in the Institute for two decades now, he’s also never been sent an absolutely rambling list of threats and bribes that make no sense.

It’s an open-ended proposal that reeks of desperation.

A portal takes him to the Institute and magic slams the doors open, announcing him before the alarms can.

It is worse than Pandemonium inside.

Truly, Magnus has never seen so many shadowhunters panicking and running around, others staying out of the way, as if no one is quite sure what to do.

His arrival is a mess of noise and faces and hands on weapons before he’s clearly recognized.

“Warlock Bane?” He’s asked tiredly and Magnus raises a brow in agreement, not even insisting on his proper title. Magnus is too curious to stall this and there is a sharp edge to his magick, his power and eyes greedily looking around the Institute. “Thank the angel.”

The last bit is murmured by the man who greets him but also by the other hunters around.

“Andrew Underhill, Head of Security.” He’s told as he’s escorted, alarms still blaring but seemingly being ignored.

“And why isn’t your Commander coming to see me himself, or at least his second?” Magnus asks, voice cold with his displeasure.

Something is very wrong here.

Not dangerous — or at least not for Magnus — but something has happened and Magnus hates the lack of information he has.

Underhill nearly stumbles and when he glances at Magnus — never breaking his stride — Magnus sees the pure exhaustion and desperation on his face.

“They can’t. It’s why we need you. We tried to get help from the healers who still offer us their services, but no one was available. Our second will recover with time and the Silent Brother’s but—” Underhill shakes his head and quickens his steps. “The Commander was poisoned. We’ve been trying to form an antidote but everything we’ve tried has made it worse.”

“Are you telling me that the Head of your Institute is dying?”

Underhill blinks at him, stopping in front of what is clearly an isolated medical ward, one complete with four shadowhunters guarding it.

“Yes, it’s why we messaged you. We don’t know how much longer he’ll hold on.”

The door disintegrates before Underhill can even think of opening it and Magnus is hardly aware of the hunters who are pressed away from him with a wave of furious magick. There is a young woman standing over a bed, limp hair and darkly shadowed eyes marking her as exhausted.

“Do not touch him.” Magnus bites out, fury coating his voice as his magic shatters the syringe.

“It could have been an antidote!” She cries, pain in her voice and Magnus wants to put her through a wall.

Instead, his magic shoves her out of the room.

“And if not, it would have only caused him more agony and stolen more time.” Magnus bites back and then magic entombs him and the young Commander on the bed.

His skin is pale and drenched with sweat, lines of pain creasing his brow and his lips cracked and bleeding.

Magnus stares at him for only a moment, devastating tenderness crossing his face as he bends over the bed.

“Alexander, my darling.” Magnus murmurs quietly as he bends and presses his brow to Alec’s fevered one. “I have you now.”

—

Andrew isn’t really sure what he’s supposed to do.

This is Mirai’s area of expertise.

Or literally anyone else.

Andrew is security.

Not this strange roll of quasi-commander he’s been thrust into.

When Alec pulls through — Andrew can’t let himself think he won’t, not when there is an angry warlock hopefully healing him — things will go back to how they’re supposed to be.

“Underhill—” Bane yells and Andrew heads towards the command without thinking. It’s only when he’s stepped through two walls of magic that he realizes what he did and what he’s been allowed to do.

Two golden eyes gleam at him maliciously and Andrew swallows at the look of possessive rage on the High Warlock’s face.

A glance is all it takes after that to confirm his fears — a hand dripping with powerful magic tangled gently in his Commander’s sweaty hair and the way Alec has relaxed, even while in agony.

“How many of these so-called antidotes was he given and when?”

“Six across the last twelve hours. Izzy spent twelve hours before that researching with her teams and prepping them.”

“And when the first two didn’t work, why did they continue without more extensive testing?”

Andrew pauses, unsure and then he winces.

“I assume it’s because no one left in the chain of command realized we were in charge of that.” He admits, “iratzes didn’t help after the first two hours. The Commander has only had Headship for a little bit, not all his positions are filled.”

“The young Miss Lightwood, while undoubtedly talented and well-meaning was only aiding the poisons path. Perhaps you can ensure she sticks to bodies already dead in the future.”

Andrew doesn’t question how Bane knows who Izzy is, or what her job is.

He knows how.

All he can do is nod his understanding and compliance.

Andrew doesn’t dare do anything else.

He stands there for two hours.

Mostly he stays still and watches in silence but sometimes he’s asked questions he won’t risk leaving unanswered.

Bane is methodical and precise and he’s furious.

Oh he touches Alec with nothing but gentleness.

Bane’s hands and magic are a covetous embrace and while nephilim are hardly shy, Andrew feels like he’s intruding on something sacred between the two.

But Bane’s also angry.

Andrew can feel it in the air.

It’s in the magic around him, that Bane is wielding to effortlessly heal Andrew’s Commander.

Andrew knows for a fact that if anyone tried to interrupt Bane right now, the warlock would kill them and damn the consequences.

It’s what keeps his back so that he can keep an eye on both Bane and the shattered door but warded doorway.

This is something he can do.

So Andrew makes sure that he will be the first to intercept any shadowhunters who might possibly be able to come through the door.

Just to be safe.

—

Magnus works with a fervor that he knows has him wasting magic, but he doesn’t care.

Why would he care when he can replenish his magic with rest but nothing will return Alexander to him should his shadowhunter slip beyond the veil.

It’s with urgency that his magic heals and restores and cleanses where the poison has ravaged Alexander’s body. His internal organs are a mess and Magnus knows that even with all the healing he’s doing, that Magnus is going to want Catarina to look over his work.

Alexander makes a soft noise.

A hoarse whimper of pain and it breaks Magnus heart even as he soothes magick across Alexander’s raw lips and soothes his sore throat with a summoned potion.

This should never have happened.

It’s the only consistently coherent thought currently going through Magnus’ head.

Magnus shouldn’t have found out through a rambling, incoherent letter. Especially not an entire day after the fact.

“As head of security, I’m sure you’ll need verification from your Commander.” He tells Underhill absently, “however once you have it—” because he will. Alexander will give it to him instantly, “from now on, anytime your Commander is hurt. I am to be informed first.”

There’s silence and Magnus wonders if he’ll have to make himself clear and then Underhill speaks.

“After verification from the Commander that it’s what he wants, I’ll make sure that every single medic and hunter of rank understands.”

Magnus allows the hesitation, it demonstrates loyalty to his heart after all.

“Then leave. You can tell them all that he’s out of danger now.” Magnus can’t help how his fingers trail over Alexander’s cheek adoringly.

“Izzy will want to see him.”

Magnus blinks, honestly surprised and he can’t help the casually cruel smile that crosses his lips.

“No one will be coming into this room without my permission until he wakes.” Magnus doesn’t care if it seems unreasonable.

Alexander is his.

While the proof of that is circumspect at the moment, Magnus also knows he has the upper hand.

“And with his condition as delicate as it was, visitors aren’t recommended.” Magnus smirks, something dangerous in the corners of his mouth and the gleam of his eyes.

Magnus paramour lay dying for over a day before Magnus even knew.

Hours of agony made worse by antidotes Magnus would have known couldn’t work. Thousands of moments slipping away, the precious life of Alexander’s fading to almost nothing before Magnus could come to his aid.

Magnus has barely managed to tolerate Underhill’s presence and even that was only out of necessity.

The moment Alexander can open his eyes, can speak and agree and give his hunters no reason to wage a war they won’t win, Magnus is taking him away.

Somewhere he can safely heal.

Not here, where Magnus can’t leave the heart of himself unprotected.

#lumine writes #writing wednesday #writing wednesdays #magnus bane #alec lightwood #malec #shadowhunters #pandora's box

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c-schroed · 6 months

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Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) Or Why The Probably Most Accurate Movie Adaptation Of Dracula Still Is Not Accurate Enough

I mentioned some time ago - while salivating over the marvellous razor scene of Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula adaptation - that there is quite some stuff to unpack here. And now I found some time to unpack. So let's begin. I'll start with the good stuff, firstly the good stuff that's not in the book (i.e., the Flourishes), than the good stuff that's true to the book (the Well-Conserved). Thirdly, I'll make note of things that were, unnervingly, changed (by which I mean They Came Back Wrong), and then I'll deal with what is unfortunately left out from the book (the Missing). And finally, finally I'll rant over that two bad things that never were in the book in the first place (a section I'll call JUST WHY?).

So. A tragedy in five acts. Here we go.

Act I - The Flourishes

The razor scene. I think I dealt with this enough by now. It's perfection and I'll die on that hill.

The music. Obviously, Bram Stoker's gothic lil masterpiece is lacking some gorgeous score. But mourn no longer, because Wojciech Kilar cooked up some dashing, pushing tune for us, fitting perfectly to this dark tale of spreading darkness and deepening madness.

Some basic knowledge about blood groups. Yeah, Stoker can't be blamed for this, but still. It's a nice addition to remind us that we do indeed live in a world where blood groups exist.

The Westenra Estate. As much as I pity that the lovely town of Whitby did not make it into the movie, I do love Lucy Westenra's house. Because I'm a sucker for hedge mazes. Simple as that.

Those glasses. Those. Fucking. Nice. Glasses.

Act II - The Well-Conserved

The plot in general. Yes, there are a lot of maddening differences, as we will see soon. But still, this movie at least makes the impression that most of the people working on it had indeed read the darn novel. Which is something that I can't say about many other Dracula adaptations I have seen.

The costumes, the sets, the atmosphere. Well done, everyone!

The Actors. The good thing about being not native in a language is that one is not very prone to dialects that seem off. And as I happen to not be a native speaker of English, I have little problems with Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder adding some US touch to what should be very, very, v e r y British characters. I even find Reeves perfectly fitting for the oh so darn young Jonathan Harker. And the rest of the cast is marvellous, too (with the exception of Winona Ryder, see below for details). Especially Tom Waits, who is hard-wired to the name of Renfield in my brain ever since I first saw this movie. And Gary Oldman as Dracula… Well. I think I already made clear what opinion I have about that sexy bastard.

Some lucky few of lovely quotes made it over to the film. Dracula's welcome. The Fowl Bauble of Human Vanity, of course. And Qunincey almost making me faint when saying "Little girl" when I least expected it.

Act III - They Came Back Wrong

The dates. Goshdarnit, the dates! It's an epistolary novel, so why make the effort of making up completely new dates for events that already had a precise date in the novel? I just don't get it. And it unnerves me. Every. Fucking. Time.

Time in general. Watching the movie after Dracula Daily makes it feel so very, very hasty. Jonathan travels to Castle Dracula like it's no thing at all. And the first few days in Castle Dracula are condensed into one weird evening.

Dracula meeting Mina before Jonathan is back. I really, really loved the book for avoiding the most terrible tropes. And then comes this movie, and struts right into this terrible pitfall.

Mina. I'm sorry, usually I love the work of Winona Ryder, but here she was way too bland. Maybe it was because her character had quite a revamp (ha. ha.) and no one cared to tell her what new approach she should take. But whatever reason, the clever, adorable train fiend of the original did not deserve this!

Act IV - The Missing

The Voyage of the Demeter is way too short. Where is "But I am captain, and I must not leave my ship"? Where is the poor sea captain tying himself to the wheel? And where is his funeral? Oh, I really missed all that. And, I mean, I don't mind hearing Anthony Hopkins read the lines, but would it have been such an expense to at least hire an additional actor to voice the correspondent or the sea captain?

Jonathan Holding Mina By the Arm. That's really not an objectively big issue. That's just me who fell in love with JonMina after reading this chapter. And almost no one does it properly. They deserve justice!

(Thanks a ton to @smieska for capturing my mood just perfectly!)

Act V - JUST WHY?

Elisabeta. Don't get me wrong here: All of the oh so tragic Drac backstory they invented for this movie is terribly unnecessary. But in this sea of uselessness, the tragically deceased wife of Vlad Țepeș that just so happens to perfectly resemble Mina Murray is an audience-insulting island of unoriginality. I mean, yeah, I guess someone wanted to add some romance to the story of Vlad the Fucking Impaler. Because, well, nineties or so. But Mina, of all women? Why not invent some new character that can be bothered with such stuff? Why ruin an all-nice JonMina ship? I don't get the whole new backstory, and I especially don't get this aspect.

Dracula raping Lucy in his shitty werewolf form. Everything about this is wrong. And it has no relevance for the plot. Just. Blergh.

Epilogue

It's cruel to watch Francis Ford Coppola's take on Dracula right after finishing @re-dracula. I know that now. Everything is still too fresh. It's a good movie, after all, but especially because it's quite good it is frustrating to be so terribly aware of all its shortcomings. In a few weeks or so, I would recommend it, again, I guess. As long as it's still Dracula Off-Season. 7 out of 10 points.

#thank you for coming to my ted talk #dracula 1992 #bram stoker's dracula #dracula movie #francis ford coppola #keanu reeves #winona ryder #anthony hopkins #tom waits #dracula daily #jonmina #jonathan harker #mina harker #movie recommendation #movie review #schroed's thoughts

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madrone33 · 4 months

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Ok, so heavy SPOILER WARNING for Pjo episode 6! And the rest of the show since I have read the book! Just, y’know, there’s your warning.

I’d also like to preface this by saying this post will be a rambling, not at all ordered, completely unscripted, kinda-rant kinda-essay of my thoughts on the episode, which means it is inherently biassed and completely composed of my thoughts, feelings, and opinions! None of this is fact, and I’m not trying to force my opinion on you. If you think differently or disagree, that’s completely fine! I would hate to live in a world full of clones of myself lol

With that out of the way, onto whatever this will turn out to be!

Ok, so I really liked the Hermes scene. That part was well written and acted. The family drama and guilt and blame is this show is really complex and everyone just needs multiple hugs tbh. Also, seeing a bit of Hermes’ powers was interesting.

I’m intrigued to know more about Percy’s flashback, while at the same time dreading it because I know it’ll be something heart wrenching and traumatic for poor Percy.

Hermes not agreeing to help them was a kinda foregone conclusion; it would be way too easy for them if he just let them into the Underworld, and we can’t make things easy for them now, can we :D

The Kronos stuff was cool to see, with Luke desperately covering his ass lmao, and Percy confiding in Annabeth. The slight change in Iris Messaging, with them not needing water and using a crystal instead was good. Both that it saved time and that it’s more believable. If your one communication tool is rainbows, of course you’d carry around a portable crystal to make ‘em.

It does make me wonder if they’re ever going to explain that technology - as in phones - makes it easier for monsters to find you. ‘Cause currently I… don’t think that’s been made clear to non-book audiences? Maybe I missed it in an earlier episode? Idk.

The scene where they released the trafficked animals was funny, and Grover completely overlooking if humans would get hurt and only thinking of the animals was a nice touch. I get why they didn’t show the animal abuse explicitly, even if I liked how in the books it was shown more clearly.

Them actually realising that the Lotus Hotel is connected to the Lotus Eaters from the Odyssey was good. I like how they’re identifying the threats faster in the show, whereas in the book they really fell for the monsters’ traps a lot. And the fact that they were on guard and were thinking that it was the food to watch out for added a different kind of danger than the books, where it was more just the readers sensing something wrong and hoping they’d not get trapped.

I like that the Lotus was actually being pumped into the air the whole time. And the fact that Percy and Annabeth being together helped them remember what they were actually there for vs Grover being alone and succumbing quicker was logical.

I didn’t like what they did with Grover so much. Him finding a fellow Satyr and trying to talk to him the way that he can’t to Percy and Annabeth was sad, but then, uh, idk he kinda just felt a bit useless? And the Satyr (who’s name I’ve completely forgotten oops) I think was supposed to be seen as funny? But he was… not. He wasn’t funny. And Grover was just very meh.

Like, this is one of those instances where I would’ve liked for them to change it from the books. In the books they all get split up become slowly addicted to the games in the Lotus Hotel and all that, and then Percy snaps out of it and he goes to wake up Annabeth and Grover, and they find Grover playing something like ‘Destroying Humanity’ and then drag him out of there. Which is basically what happens here, but it’s just-

They’ve changed so many other things for the better, turning moments from a randomness scene to a character beat. And I think they tried to do that by adding the Satyr and the ‘Finding Pan’ game, but it just. Didn’t work for me. He was just kinda there and did basically nothing and, like.

Ok ok so my main problem with this episode is the lack of tension.

First off, they were more meandering around looking for Hermes, it didn’t seem like they were that worried they might not find him. Like, they literally just wandered around and found him, without asking for any directions from strange people that might’ve given some insight into how sus this place is, or even having a quick montage cut of them jogging around peering into shady places. They just- walk around slowly and then there he is. Incredible.

Second, I know the Lotus is supposed to be like a drug, where you forget things and just focus on feeling good all the time, but I would’ve liked if Grover figured out that it was in the air, or that too much time has passed, and tries to fight it or smth?

Like, he starts to forget, and knows he’s forgetting something important, and tries to find- someone- the people he knows he came here with- not just so they can help him remember but to warn them that they were wrong, and it’s not just if you eat the food it’s everywhere and they need to go because the time- it’s all slipping away and he can’t let them be trapped here-

But something or someone stops him, hold him back, makes it so he can’t, and slowly he starts to forget why he’s fighting or what he’s fighting for and then he succumbs, and the switch you can see in him from scared-determined-panicked to dazed-confused-happy is terrifying.

And now we viewers are on the edges of our seats, because now we know that Percy and Annabeth are in so much more danger than we thought, and now there’s a time limit, and now Grover is trapped in his own mind slowly losing himself, and now we’re wondering when it’s going to start happening to Percy and Annabeth too, and now we really need them to realise and save Grover and get the fuck out of there before it’s too late-

But uh, yeah, we… didn’t get that. Instead it was almost- portrayed as comical? Like, there wasn’t a lot of weight put on it.

Old man Satyr keeps forgetting ha ha ha. Oh Grover’s forgetting too? Wow it’s gonna be super hard to get out of that one! Oh, no it’s super easy. Barely an inconvenience! Oh really? Yeah, Percy and Annabeth have barely started to forget anything important, and then they happen to look up and see the Satyr and get reminded of Grover. And then there’s a super short chase scene and then jump cut to them finding Grover playing video games and oh funny, he doesn’t remember them! But it’s fine, it actually doesn’t matter, they get him and go and he remembers on his own a few minutes later! 😀

Speaking of; I might have missed something but did Annabeth do anything at all during that chase scene? Like, I think she went another route to try and cut him off, but then she just kinda disappears, Percy tackles him, and she never shows up…? Idk, I’ll rewatch it sometime, but as of now it’s very strange in my mind.

The car scene was kinda funny, but again, not a lot of tension at all.

(Though as someone learning how to drive that scene made me cringe because of how relatable it was lmao. Honestly, Percy drove way too well for a first timer in a crowded parking lot, and the fact that he actually made that turn decently well? Yeah, someone give him a pat on the back lol.)

… Okay so I just thought of something that is unrealistic and wildly deviating from the books to the point that it’s basically just fanfic, but hey, they deviated anyway when they introduced Hermes this early and it’s my shitty tumblr post so - imagine if there was a car chase. There. I said it. If you’re going to make Percy drive a basically stolen taxi through Los Angeles, fucking commit and make him have to outrun the cops/some monster until they manage to activate whatever makes the car teleport!

Like, do an ‘IKEA after dark’ situation where things are all happy go lucky in the club at first, and then after they talk to Hermes and the Lotus starts effecting them, shit starts to get weird, and the patrons around them start becoming strange, and there’s a creeping sense of wrong wrong wrong as they rush to find Grover and then they find him but he’s wrong, and he looks at them like they’re strangers and they don’t know how to fix it, so all they can do is grab him and run, barely remembering where they’re going or why, but they’re holding themselves together, and when one starts to slip the others are there to haul them forward and remind them what they’re doing.

They have car keys in hand, and they might not know how to drive but fuck it they need to go, so bring on the dramatic dark lighting and wild driving and many bumpy, jerky, shit-we-almost-ran-over-something-important escapades, sirens closing in behind them and then he takes a wrong turn and stares wide eyed into the headlights of an incoming truck, flinches back, eyes slaming shut and-

Silence broken only by crashing waves. Insert Santa Monica scene after slightly hysterical laughter because holy fuck they survived.

… Um, yeah soz, idk where that came from lmao.

Moving on! So, I didn’t mind them getting Hermes’ car too much. Like, hell yes she pickpockets a god. But I didn’t like the way that Annabeth got the keys. Like, he’s the God of Thieves and she’s pretty smart. No way she wouldn’t realise that he let her take them.

A way to make it better would’ve been if he’d done some subtle shit, and she’d done some subtle shit, and then it was shown with some shots that here he puts his keys in this pocket, and then a few shots later maybe she brushes past him, or she “leaves” the room but you can fuzzily see pot plant leaves moving in the background if you know to look for it, and then boom, no more keys in his pocket, and when Percy catches up with her she reveals that Hermes let her take them, and we’re like “ahh, of course, can’t help directly but isn’t stopping them if they take initiative, cool cool.”

But nope. She got they keys, thinks she somehow stole them without his knowledge, and then it’s revealed that, duh, he knew, and they’re just like, welp, guess we should’ve known! Yeah. You should’ve. Annabeth is just- not? She’s just not? Like this? This isn’t how she would- do stuff. She’s smarter than that.

But see what I mean? No tension. Need to find Hermes, oh there he is. He won’t help them, but they got his keys. Lost Grover, but found him almost right away. Don’t know how to drive, but whatever lets go. Grover lost his memory, but nah he’s got it back just fine.

Yeahhh. Idk it just felt weirdly lacking.

What also felt weirdly lacking was the reveal that the Solstice has passed and the gods are going to war.

So, most of that underwater bit wasn’t how the books went, but I’m kinda withholding judgement on how I feel depending on how the next two episodes handle it.

The deadline being up and the gods already going to war? I don’t like it, but yeah, I can see how it might work with the themes laid out.

This isn’t just a war, it’s a family fighting, and instead of Percy just doing it because it’s The Quest, this - his father releasing him from the quest, and Ares telling him it doesn’t matter and they’d go to war regardless of it the Bolt is found, and everyone saying it’s not his place - it gives Percy agency because he’s choosing to forge ahead and save his mother, and find the bolt, and save this family he’s become a part of from itself. It’s his choice now. I can see why they made that change.

Though for some reason the pacing was weird, and the reveal that war was literally upon them was… eh? Like, “oh btw you’re too late and now we’re going to war.” “Huh, interesting, but I’m still going.” Like I said; lack of tension. There’s just no real urgency. It went really fast, or maybe too slow? Idk, there was just something missing.

The four pearls thing? I was very thrown by that, and I’m still pretty uncertain on if that’ll remove all the tension in the Underworld part. Because the whole conflict is if he’ll choose going after the Bolt and saving the Olympians? Or will he choose his mother and doom them to war?

If he has four pearls, then he can do both, which means zero stakes. But I’ve read some other people’s opinions, and I agree that one of those pearls is definitely getting lost/broken/used up before he can give it to her, which means this was done to raise hopes and then bring them crashing down, so I’m withholding judgement and hoping that it won’t be too contrived.

And I don’t like that Poseidon basically says he wants Percy to save Sally too, because a huge part of Percy’s dilemma was that the gods didn’t understand or agree with Percy wanting to save his mum.

Poseidon being on Percy’s side certainly serves the themes the episode set up, with Hermes wanting to be there for his family and failing, this time with Poseidon trying to be there for Percy and Sally, and hopefully succeeding. But it just feels like Percy isn’t as alone as he should be, which is good for him as a person, but bad from a writing standpoint because it makes it feel too easy.

In the books, it’s kinda an act of rebellion, that he would even think of choosing a mortal over the gods, but here he’s… not? Because the gods - or at least Hephestus, Hermes and Poseidon - are on his side. So he’s not choosing a mortal over the gods, he’s just saving his mum, and half the gods have given him the thumbs up to do it.

Not saying they weren’t secretly supporting him in the books too, but Percy didn’t think they were. He felt alone. He felt the pressure of the consequences that would come with whatever descision he made. In the show he’s not really going against the gods, because the gods are actively endorsing him. Which means, say it with me, no tension.

Anyway, like I said: withholding judgment. I'll see how the next ones go, and then come to a proper conclusion based on a complete picture.

Also, side note: When the nereid said, “What belongs to the sea can always return” all I was thinking was the musical and Poseidon’s goofy ass voice saying “It’s a SeAShElL” 😂

Oh and btw, the graphics/makeup/cgi of the nereid was well done to my untrained eye. I have no idea about how it’s done, or if it’s actually shitty in the professional sphere, but I thought it was pretty, so- thumbs up from me.

Though the whole scene at the beach and swimming to her was so dark I literally had to turn my tv’s brightness up to see what was happening, which I also had to do with the Theme Park last episode, and I almost did with the Minatour. Man, they really have a problem with lighting during the night scenes.

But just throughout the whole episode, there's just this feeling of non-urgency. Like, in the episode where time is the most important thing, it... doesn't really feel like it matters all that much.

Um, yeah. I think that was all I wanted to say…

In conclusion, I liked Hermes, aaand not much else. It was still a fun episode, but just all round pretty iffy plot wise. Rip.

I shall leave this with saying WE FINALLY GOT WISE GIRL!! 🥳

#pjo #percy jackson and the olympians #pjo episode 6 #spoilers #essay #rambles #my posts #percy jackson #annabeth chase #grover underwood #hermes #long post #poseidon #percabeth #writing #analysis #sorry for any typos

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jacksgreysays · 5 months

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Hiiii how about a prompt for Further Down Road One, political marriage!Shikasuke, maybe something from an Uchiha's POV on the Shikabane-hime's meteoric rise in power, international acclaim, and political capital? And how it ripples out onto the clan as a whole?

I mean, the point of Road One is that the arranged marriage itself already does SO MUCH to change the trajectory of the Uchiha clan’s fate for the better that, basically, everything else after that is kind of a bonus. The fact that Shikako’s smart and powerful and a good person is NICE, yes, but just being engaged to Sasuke already earned so much approval from the clan as a whole that it’s just kinda… ehhhh…

Although… and this somewhat of a tangent to the prompt… it would be funny if… okay, let me set this up by saying: I don’t necessarily like Itachi as a character. When he was kind of a psychopath and apparently just murdered his entire family to test his power, that was at least a… strength of will or conviction that kind of resonated thematically. Like, what if Will of Fire goes bad kind of thing. Or the pressures of being clan heir, of being pushed too hard and too fast, would lead to a genius of violence snapping and using said violence. Then when it turns out he was given orders to murder his entire family and his one condition was that Sasuke would get to live is like… what the fuck dude. It’s both backtracking to make Itachi weaker as a character and also, somehow, even more of a psychopath in my opinion. And, like, sure, Danzo maybe used Shisui’s Sharingan to unbreakable genjutsu him into it, but I don’t think that really absolves Itachi.

All that being said, theoretically in this kinder world of Road One, we never get to that point. Additionally, there’s less pressure on Itachi to continue to excel SO OVERTLY since the clan isn’t getting isolated and also because Shisui is still there and alive to share the burden.

BUT, I do still… the idea that the Uchiha elders have been wanting one of the clan to become Hokage is something that I hold to be true unless proven otherwise. I do think the clan elders would push more for Itachi to be Hokage—because he is clan heir and so has the pedigree, while Shisui (just as powerful, literally Flee On Sight in the bingo books at such a young age) I think we’ve fandom agreed is an orphan or at least a lesser branch of the Uchiha clan.

Anyway, all of the above leads me to: Shisui and Itachi trying to PR campaign for their sister-in-law Shikako (who WILL be an Uchiha once the marriage actually) to be the new “best candidate” for an Uchiha Hokage. Like, really just them listing off all of her accomplishments to not only the Uchiha elders but the rest of the clan (who, again, already quite like her).

I also think, in this universe, that Shikako would DO SOMETHING about Sora-ku once she feels a little more comfortable making decisions—or, at least, making proposals with attached logistics—for the Uchiha clan. Like. It’s a huge chunk of territory that seems to be an abandoned city. But it’s apparently functional enough to have a community of sorts of black marketeers and a support system. Like, it’s not so out of the way of things that nobody bothers with it, which implies that it could be rejuvenated with the time and resources. I think I read a theory once that it’s because Senju used their skills to desertify the area so there just wasn’t enough food to support a city of that size. BUT, now they’ve got Shikako. And Shikako’s connections. Whether that is the ANY clan alliance or Tenzo/Yamato or upper echelons of Hidden Mist’s administration (Haku is an ice user, yes, but like he and Zabuza wouldn’t throw a squad of Mist nin with water nature to help with irrigation at Shikako’s request for free) or even the literal oasis creating ancient god Gelel.

So, you know, she’s more than proven herself to the world. And with the Sora-ku rejuvenation, already brought a level of prosperity to the Uchiha clan than they could ever imagine. “Shikako for Hokage” is not a hard sell for Shisui and Itachi whatsoever (and also, they do think Sasuke would be so happy as her First Gentleman/trophy husband)

Yeah, that’s kind of all I can think of for this prompt in terms of it being different than how the Nara clan or DoS canon clans for that matter would view her meteoric rise. Hope you enjoyed, anon.

#jacksgreyson #anonymous #ask box advent calendar #down every road #dreaming of sunshine #shikako nara #itachi uchiha #shisui uchiha #character analysis #meta analysis #brainstorm

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eternalglitch · 1 year

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Any tips on writing characters?? I’m currently writing a fic and I’m struggling anytime it’s not Mikey or Leo. I tried to write Donnie but it’s just… something’s not right. In my opinion, you did BRILLIANTLY with writing characters!! So yeah if you have any tips I’d be very happy to hear! -Sherbet

Part of the answer is simple practice and study. Particularly reading a lot of books with protagonists that behave in ways you personally would never.

I find that people tend to behave all the same; they have a primary want(s) and they try and accomplish that. The rest is just their particular ways of expressing those wants, their likes and dislikes, what kind of weight they put on different things when making choices, and so on and so forth.

I can't really use Donnie as an example because Donnie is actually the closest character to my actual personality, and is thus the easiest character to write for me. So for this example... let's go hard mode, let's say I'm doing a chapter with Big Mama. (My nemesis in writing. I love her but writing her makes me SWEAT.)

First up, her core. I'd assess that she wants wealth followed by power/control. Most moves she makes are to gain one of those. Either she directly gets monetary benefits in an interaction, or she gains power or the upper hand over someone. It's also good to note less important preferences, like food or clothing or TV shows, if you know them. The character might reference them or think about them.

Next up, how direct or indirect of a character is she? Extremely indirect. She'll say a lot of things, but there tends to be layers underneath what she is saying that is what she actually means unless she is in a position where she already has power and can demand something. She'll also straight up lie (or, at least, tell everything BUT the truth.)

She's also quick to follow logic and is rather intelligent. This will help in judging how she can respond to OTHER characters and if she will catch onto other people's emotions and if they are telling the truth.

After that, I'll note how past experiences might influence her; perhaps she's a bit more wary of leaving herself open to sabotage from Draxum, or maybe she has underlying anger that Splinter ran from her. People take notes from what they have experienced and that will reflect in their decision making processes.

Now, the hard part for particularly this character. Physical body behavior and speech patterns that instantly clue in the reader that this is that specific character. Watch for any common tells. Big Mama leans back on desks and walls a lot. She'll cross her arms as a more closed-off character. She has "siren eyes" particularly around Splinter. And she has very specific speaking patterns and made up words in her dialogue that I have a screenshot folder for whenever I am trying to write her for reference.

I also change the actual writing depending on who is narrating. Donnie's POV will be more factual. He'll take in more details of the surroundings, give more details about technology he is using. Mikey will be more interested in facial expressions. If I was in a Big Mama POV, it would ALSO be facial expressions but with an undertone of "how do I use this against them?" as well as where people are standing in case a fight breaks out. Donnie's tech might catch her eye and be given far more details than if, say, Leo or Raph was narrating. They would just note he has tech and move on.

So... yeah! That's my "break down a character" process I kind of go through mentally when starting to write a new character. Hopefully something in here helped!

#glitch answers #writing advice

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easton-creations · 7 months

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Even If

A/n: hehe uh happy marauder fandom depression day. enjoy this random thing. Btw this was written awhile ago in the middle of the night sooooo might now be that good lol.

“Remus!” Came a voice bellowing up the stairs as Remus read his book in their dorm room. The young boy fought a smile but rolled his eyes when Sirius came barreling through the door. Imdeidetly Remus’ eyes were drawn to his clouds of grey, instantly melting into them. The rest of this hot young black drifting away.

Well…until Remus saw a flash of red. It was Sirius’ hair. It was bright red, curly, and short. Shorter then Remus had even seen it. Sirius’ eyes were filled with tears, because if you have ever come across the boy, you know, his best feature is his hair (well in Sirius opinion, Remus had very different thoughts on that (; ). So naturally…he's heartbroken.

Sirius threw himself into his boyfriend's arms making his next words a little muffled through Remus’ jumper, “How bad is it?”

Yes…Remus was laughing. But how could he not? “Its not that bad Sirius.”

But Sirius groaned at these words and looked up at Remus with teary eyes, “Don’t lie…”

“I’m not lying!” Remus broke out in a grin at the ridiculousness of the situation.

“Yes you are…”

“I am not!”

“You know how I know?” His eyebrows furrowed, while Remus raised one.

“Mhm, how?”

“Cause you called me Sirius instead of Love or Babe or Si or pads.” Sirius' tears were freely flowing now and he sat in a criss-cross situation across the bed from Remus. “Are you not attracted to me now? Cause it will change back! I just have to get someone to help me.” At this point his head hung low and Remus knew he felt ashamed, “I’m sorry Moony…” His voice was meek and quiet. It broke Remus’ heart.

When he and Sirius started dating it became clear very quickly how much his parents have had an effect on him, cause from the very beginning Sirius believed that he didn’t deserve Remus’ affection. He always worried he wasn’t pretty enough for him, or that if he let down his perfect hair and let it get a little bit messy that Remus would leave him.

To Sirius’ his looks were everything.

To Remus, they were only a bonus. But sometimes it's hard to convey that to someone.

“Oh my love….Not at all!” Remus grabbed the front of Sirius’ shirt and pulled him to himself in a big hug (something that's always calmed both of them down), enveloping the smaller boy into his much larger form. “I’m sorry you feel like that baby. I think you are fucking beautiful no matter what. If you are fat and old, or young and short,” Remus tickled Sirius a little in the side, and Sirius let out a light chuckle, “Or dead and gone, and even if you're ginger…”

Sirius sat up quickly, his tears having dried, “I’M GINGER!” Sirius stands up and runs into the bathroom giving a loud shout into the mirror at the sight of himself. Remus smiled, grateful that his boyfriend is much more able to move past things than himself.

After a few seconds Sirius’ blushing head poked over the side of the door. “I love you too dork…” Then his head disappeared again, and all Remus heard was him muttering about his hair. Eventually Remus got up to help him turn it back to his normal colour of black. And while Remus figured out what to do Sirius told him about the group of kids who had caused the mischief. Apparently they had put out some kind of potion in all the drinks at lunch to dye all the students' hairs red. Sirius ranted for most of the time about who possibly could have done it, speculating about if it was a slytherin or maybe a Hufflepuff. Remus kept quiet, but in his mind he had a certain Red head that would have been perfect for the job.

****

The ‘I love you even if…’s had continued on with their life. During their years at Hogwarts when Remus got dysphoria about his chest or his scars, Sirius would hold him and tell him ‘I love you even if…’s. Or when Sirius got a letter from his biological family or his brother said something, Remus would do the same. Once, after a mission for the order where Remus had to go off the radar for 2 weeks he showed up at home and muttered.. “Even if you're ginger…” before collapsing in his crying husband's arms.

When Sirius escaped from Azkaban and was on the run he showed up at Remus’ house, looking through the window. But never knocking, never saying anything, cause ‘Even if you thought I killed them?’

When Remus finally saw Sirius alone after 12 years he hugged him and whispered, “Even when you leave. Even when everyone doubted you. Even when I doubted you.”

On the night Sirius passed through the veil Remus sat in Sirius’ old room crying and yelling out into the empty void, “Even when you're dead and gone.”

Finally when the final curse hit Remus on the field of Hogwarts he heard a familiar voice say to him, “Even when you take forever getting here.” The shorter form hugged him tightly, swearing to never let go.

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alagaesia-headcanons · 11 months

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A few times I've expressed how I feel like the later parts of the series really screw over Orrin and treat his character poorly. And I've seen some other people say similar things. But for a long while know, I've been conflicted about how exactly the books disservices him. Because, since writing this character analysis of him, I found that I don't disagree with the actual things he says and does. Like I mentioned there, I think the way his composure crumbles and how he becomes more aggressive and unreasonable makes a lot of sense in the context of what he's going through. He's lost everyone and he turns to drinking as anger and fear eat away at him. I think it works as a character arc, albeit a very sad one. And yet, I still get the feeling of the books doing wrong by Orrin and I've been trying to wrap my mind around why.

I was rereading the scene where Orrin wants to send an envoy to Uru'baen and Roran demands that he doesn't. Initially, I felt like this was one of the few moments where it does feel out of character for him, simply for the story to paint him in an exaggeratedly bad light. But I tried to reason out in what way it maybe could be in character (because I live for that). And it clicked into place. Orrin says it right there! "'But they can see us,' protested Orrin. 'We're camped right outside their walls. It would be... rude not to send an envoy to state our position. You are both commoners; I would not expect you to understand. Royalty demands certain courtesies, even if we are at war.'"

The issue at hand here is that Roran is arguing that sending an envoy to Galbatorix might provoke him to attack them. What Orrin is saying is that, as opposed to Roran and Jormundur, he knows what a king would expect to deal with when under attack, which includes envoys. If it would be perceived as rude and disrespectful to not send one, that insult could just as well be provoke Galbatorix into attacking. It makes perfect sense that, if Orrin sees this as a courtesy a king would feel entitled to, he believes it would be dangerous to risk slighting Galbatorix by failing to do it. Roran tells him, "'I won't let you endanger the rest of us just to satisfy your royal... pride.'" But it seems infinitely more likely that Orrin is attempting to satisfy Galbatorix's royal pride. I do think that not sending an envoy is a bit more sensible because, as Roran says, Galbatorix was born a commoner and likely has his own expectations (though what he goes on to say has flaws), but Orrin is still raising a very fair point by arguing that they should send one. And honestly, given what we see of Galbatorix, I don't think there was any danger of an envoy provoking him either.

But the more important thing about that realization that struck me is that I read that section at least 6 times before it occurred to me. I read it over and over while thinking "Orrin's argument doesn't make any sense, I don't know why he's saying this" before realizing it actually makes perfect sense. And it's because I believe that the true way that the series disservices Orrin's character is through the bias of the other characters and their narrations. This exchange is written in Roran's POV and it's riddled with his derision towards Orrin, his insistence that he's wrong, that he'll get them killed, and his overall very low opinion of him which colors how he sees all of Orrin's acts. And Jormundur shares his distaste and expresses his own.

Out of curiosity, I cut everything but the dialogue (sans 2 irrelevant lines) to see how it would read. It's very different; it shows how Orrin is reasonable at the start and how unwarranted Roran's combative and brazenly insulting response is. It really changes this scene from "Roran heroically saving everyone from the fallout of Orrin's stupid, careless choice," and reveals that it's just an argument- unhelpful and devolving where they both end up making inappropriate mistakes, one after the other.

Of course, there are real issues with Orrin's actions, in this case namely that his very wound up fear and frustration make him intensely volatile, enough that he tries to attack Roran here. That is egregious. But then that's compounded upon by all these other "flaws" perceived by the other characters in such an exaggerated way to the point of being fabricated. Roran sees him as dangerously stupid and vainglorious for wanting to send an envoy, despite putting absolutely no effort into learning his reason. It's just real rich that Roran then thinks, "Orrin was like a yearling mule: stubborn, overconfident, and all too willing to kick you in the gut if you gave him the opportunity." Lmao! Bitch look in the mirror, that's literally you!!!

This kind of depiction epitomizes Orrin's presence through the entire series. Every single POV characters has reason to be against him, starting with Nasuada. As a result of both of their respective positions, she sees him as a potential threat and obstacle to her goals. Through his connection to her, Eragon sees him the same way and Saphira follows suit. And Roran adopts the opinion of his cousin and his commander. So all of the POV characters are adverse to Orrin, but also, so is every single background character.

There is no one to offer or even contemplate a differing opinion in the face of the main characters' unilateral distaste. Once, literally once do we see Orrin talking to another Surdan. He gets a single line in the scene where Nasuada is appointed leader of their combined forces. Never again. We never see him interact with anyone not predisposed against him. None of his advisors, his soldiers, his friends. Every moment of Orrin's life involving the people who'd have a basis to get along with, or even like him go unseen by the entire story. And on the other side, that also means we never get to see how Orrin would interact with anyone without an incentive to work against him. So the narrative's bias against Orrin goes completely uninterrupted and unchallenged. It shows itself virtually every time he's present.

That is why the series feels so unfair towards Orrin, because in order to understand his actual intentions, it demands that the reader consider a perspective that the story refuses to ever provide. It requires ignoring perspectives that narrate everything and then giving a great deal of focus to Orrin's actions in isolation. It sets him up to be misunderstood and disliked because the easiest way to read his story is to follow along with the misunderstanding and dislike all the other characters express. The books actively obscure the true nature of Orrin's character.

#eragon #inheritance cycle #orrin #ic analysis #i stumbled into all of this while looking for one little detail for a joke post lmao #lost in the sauce jfc #ill fight to the death for orrin #i would have given anything for a scene of orrin with one of his friends or literally anyone from surda #nasuada and the rest of the vardens leadership are just so weirdly combative with him #like damn his support is the only reason ur group exists u dont have to treat him like he'll ruin everything if u so much as let him breath #another similarity between orrin and murtagh fdhsdshk: every other character treats them like shit #(this post was brought to you by! ~rorans god awful conflict management skills~)

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tokkias · 1 year

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Natsu Dragneel didn’t read. It wasn’t that he couldn’t (though perhaps Gray might try to convince one otherwise), but rather that he just didn’t understand the appeal. He could probably count the number of novels he’d read in his life on one hand, because he always seemed to lose interest within the first few pages.

On the other hand, Lucy would often wax poetic about the way that an author could use their words to construct a narrative that could grip your soul, shake you to your very core, tear you apart piece by piece, and put you back together. In her eyes, a good book could be a well and truly life-changing experience.

Natsu, of course, would quietly disagree.

That was, until, Lucy became an author herself. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind that Lucy could do anything she committed herself to, and if that happened to be proving his views on words wrong, then so be it.

After the release of her novel, Lucy didn’t stop smiling for a whole week; nothing was able to bring her down from the high of being a real, genuine published author. Natsu couldn’t help but smile along with her because he was just so damn proud of how far she had come.

Although she knew his opinions on reading, Lucy had gifted him the very first copy, a way of thanking him for all he had done for her over the years. It was first edition, hardcover, whatever that meant, but it seemed important to Lucy, so he kept it on his shelf, among various other knick-knacks. He always claimed he would get around to it, but Lucy knew better. She knew not to take offence to it; it simply wasn’t something he could help.

Lucy had been out on a solo mission the past week, leaving him to sulk alone in his house, not bothering to make his way over to the guild when Happy left (because it was boring without her anyway). Though it had turned out that it was just as boring home alone.

He was on his third—maybe fourth—lap around the house, stepping over dirty laundry that he swore he’d get to later, and examining random objects that had been subject to his hoarding habit. Natsu ran a finger over the surface of the shelf, leaving a line in the layer of dust that had collected there since the last time he (well, Lucy) had cleaned. It stopped just short of the single book that adorned it. His gaze fell upon it, leading to a moment of consideration.

Sure, what the hell.

Taking the book from its dedicated space on the shelf, Natsu threw himself down on the couch and let it fall open in his lap. He flicked through the pages, trying to find the opening lines, but his eyes were caught by a flash of text that sat comfortably before the page reading Chapter One.

A dedication to everyone in my life who made this book possible

To my dearly departed parents, for instilling in me my love for writing and magic, for always believing in me, and for allowing me to become the person I am today.

To my guildmates: thank you for welcoming me into your family with open arms, supporting me unconditionally, and inspiring this very novel.

And most importantly, to my partner and my best friend, for dragging me into our seemingly never-ending adventure, for making me smile, even in my darkest hours, and for allowing me to experience a life beyond even my wildest imagination.

I can’t wait to spend the rest of forever at your side.

She had never told him about this part of the book. It felt like he had uncovered a gift, a secret for him to find, should he ever choose to seek it out. Reading it over, again and again, made his heart skip a beat in his excitement, a grin creeping its way onto his face.

Yeah, okay.

Maybe Lucy really was right about words.

#mya writes things #nalu #fanfiction #fan fiction #i wasn't going to post this one on tumblr #but the girlies on ao3 went feral for this fic #and i guess you all deserve an apology after the last one i posted LOL

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daughter-heir-moved · 2 years

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what's your syl theory?

SO glad you asked. Rhythm of War spoilers ahead for those who haven't finished the series yet!

First, let me start with this, which I know is a controversial topic: I don't think that Syl or Kaladin will die in book 5. I think that Kaladin's arc is about living and now that he has turned a corner it would be cruel for either him or Syl to die. I just don't think it would be a compelling wrap-up to his character arc in this half for him to experience even more pain. That would be the lazy way out that I don’t think Branderson would go for (please be right please be right please be ri-)

BUT, with that being said, we know that the back five books are going to focus on characters who were in the background during the front half, and our main characters are going to fade into the background a bit. Kaladin, in my opinion, is just too much of a Main Character™️ to sink into the background UNLESS something happens to his powers. So I think that's how he gets sidelined. When does Kaladin lose his powers? When something happens to Syl.

The tl;dr of this is that I think Ishar is going to manifest Syl in the physical realm and she will get stuck there.

Kaladin and Syl are headed straight towards Ishar right now. As we know, Ishar has been doing some fucked up experiments with spren and has been trying to get them to survive in the physical world with no success (Why? Who knows! Certainly not me.) But he does make an interesting note that Sigzil finds, which I have a hard time believing is just a throwaway observation:

"Our first honorspren lived nearly fifteen minutes. A new record, and orders of magnitude longer than all previous attempts. Honorspren seem to have the most humanlike essences. When transferred, the organs and muscles form most naturally. We must capture more of them."

What would make an Honorspren even more likely to survive in the physical realm? If they were bonded to a Knight Radiant of the Fourth Ideal. Syl has already gotten stronger in the physical realm– throughout RoW we've seen her progress by being able to change colors, and Kaladin is even able to feel her in the physical realm, first when he is falling and grabs her hand, and then after:

“Syl landed beside him fully sized in a Bridge Four uniform. He could faintly feel her when she rested her head on his shoulder.”

Syl’s arc in RoW was all about understanding Kaladin and humanity in general better. We’ve seen her become more and more human, and even go to Dalinar asking him to help her feel what Kaladin feels which results in her remembering Relador and her grief at his death. I think all of this combined– Kaladin needing to be sidelined somehow, their journey towards Ishar, his experiments with spren, and Syl’s own arc about understanding humanity– leads to the conclusion that Ishar will force her into the physical realm. Ishar seems dedicated to his experimenting with spren for whatever reason, so I think he would jump at the chance of trying to manifest a Radiant Honorspren if he saw one. Because Syl has a Nahel bond with Kaladin, she will be the first to survive.

Would Dalinar or Navani be able to undo what Ishar did??? Maybe. But I don’t see Kal, Szeth, and Syl making it back to the Tower before the contest of champions is over and I think that will be a loss for Dalinar, and Navani at this point doesn’t know much about her Bondsmith powers. So I think that leaves Kaladin and Syl in the back half of the series without Radiant powers, on a quest to try to undo what Ishar did.

Feel free to add to this (or refute it!) Also this isn’t a theory that I’ve seen floating around myself– but I’m sure someone smarter than me who has read the series multiple times has already thought of this. I also hope that this doesn’t happen and the only reason we don’t see Syl and Kal in the back half too much is because they are enjoying retirement <3

#ask #rckll-bllys #stormlight 5 #stormlight 5 theory #rhythm of war spoilers #sylphrena #kaladin stormblessed #knights of woeful title #kowt theory #stormlight archive #cosmere #also if anyone ever wants to theorize together let me know.... I literally love making theories so much #it's one of the main reasons I picked up Stormlight– unfinished series with many many years down the road to theorize #my ask if always open for theories!!!!!!!!

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