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aspoonofsugar · 1 year

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RWBY in Wonderland

So happy about the new volume starting! Here are some thoughts on the episode, the opening and some fairy tale references that are popping up everywhere. Probably what many other people are thinking already, but still...

INSIDE

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The opening lyrics confirm to me 2 things I have been thinking for a while.

Ruby's arc strongly foils Oscar's and this volume would probably tackle their similarities when it comes to struggling with growing up and finding their own identity.

Inside A new me, I'm ready But who will I find? Inside I've gotta let go but could I lose my mind?

Who will you see? There in the darkness When no one is watching Who will you be? When you're afraid And everything changes Will you see a stranger? Feel proud or betrayed?

They have an outside/inside motif, after all. Ruby starts focused on the outside and is forced now to look inside, while Oscar initially struggles with his interiority to the point he is introduced literally talking with his other self (Oz) and is slowly opening up to the outside. Oscar and Ozpin are also the ones, who bring out The Girl Who Fell Through the World's fairy tale by giving it opposite spins. So, this juxtaposition between Ruby and Oscar is not surprising. In the past volumes (vol 6 - 7 - 8) Ruby has struggled on how to be a leader and Oscar has struggled with who he is. Right now, they may start tackling the other's conflict. Curious to see how it will play out in the story as a whole.

This volume is probably going deep into the characters' interiority and I am fully expecting The Ever After to mirror this. After all, the meaning of the song is rather clear, we are diving INSIDE to discover who the characters are and who are going to become. The world, which is clearly magical and unknown, should mirror this struggle:

Inside Our worlds unwind

Now, I don't know if it is going to be because the world has some magical property to bring to life the characters' fears and dreams (which would fit with the theme of Creation) or if there is going to be some other explanation that links the Ever After to the Gods and to the hidden Lore of Remnant. In any case, I am rather open to everything, but I think looking at the wonderland characters and world through the lens of what they can tell us about RWBYJN's personality is worth doing.

This also fits the Alice's inspiration for this volume because both Alice's books end with the protagonist waking up and "decoding" a dream:

Now, Kitty, let’s consider who it was that dreamed it all. This is a serious question, my dear, and you should not go on licking your paw like that—as if Dinah hadn’t washed you this morning! You see, Kitty, it must have been either me or the Red King. He was part of my dream, of course—but then I was part of his dream, too! Was it the Red King, Kitty? You were his wife, my dear, so you ought to know—Oh, Kitty, do help to settle it! I’m sure your paw can wait!’ But the provoking kitten only began on the other paw, and pretended it hadn’t heard the question. Which do you think it was? Alice Through the Looking Glass

The long grass rustled at Alice's sister feet as the White Rabbit hurried by--the frightened Mouse splashed his way through the neighbouring pool--she could hear the rattle of the teacups as the March Hare and his friends shared their never-ending meal, and the shrill voice of the Queen ordering off her unfortunate guests to execution--once more the pig-baby was sneezing on the Duchess's knee, while plates and dishes crashed around it--once more the shriek of the Gryphon, the squeaking of the Lizard's slate-pencil, and the choking of the suppressed guinea-pigs, filled the air, mixed up with the distant sobs of the miserable Mock Turtle.

So she sat on, with closed eyes, and half believed herself in Wonderland, though she knew she had but to open them again, and all would change to dull reality--the grass would be only rustling in the wind, and the pool rippling to the waving of the reeds--the rattling teacups would change to tinkling sheep-bells, and the Queen's shrill cries to the voice of the shepherd boy--and the sneeze of the baby, the shriek of the Gryphon, and all thy other queer noises, would change (she knew) to the confused clamour of the busy farm-yard--while the lowing of the cattle in the distance would take the place of the Mock Turtle's heavy sobs. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

As you can see, wonderland and the glass world are dreams, even if it is really unclear who the dreamer really is :P. Speaking of grass rustling, this line kind of reminds me of:

The leaves of the tree rustled and on the wind she heard one more question...

The grass rustling helps her sister to enter Alices's dream and to understand it, while the tree might help the characters to better decompress everything that has been going on. So that they can grow and heal.

Speaking of the tree, there is an interesting tidbit in Alice in Wonderland:

She noticed that one of the trees had a door leading right into it. “That’s very curious!” she thought. “But everything’s curious today. I think I may as well go in at once.” And in she went.

Once more she found herself in the long hall, and close to the little glass table. “Now, I’ll manage better this time,” she said to herself, and began by taking the little golden key, and unlocking the door that led into the garden. Then she went to work nibbling at the mushroom (she had kept a piece of it in her pocket) till she was about a foot high: then she walked down the little passage: and then—she found herself at last in the beautiful garden, among the bright flower-beds and the cool fountains.

Alice's main objective in the book is to enter a beautiful garden full of red roses and eventually she manages through a door found in a tree. I think the metaphor is clear, the Tree will lead Ruby and the others home both physically and psychologically since it will help them discover who they are.

OTHER REFERENCES

There are many and everyone is being catching up to them quicker than me. Here are some I found:

The Girl Who Fell Through the World is a line from the novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland itself

The Dodo is a reference to Carroll himself, since Alice meets a Dodo, who alludes to him

At the beginning of the story Alice almost drowns in the pool of tears and then meets a mouse, but offends him by mentioning her cat. Here Ruby starts crying, which leads to rain, but then she befriends Little and scares them off by talking about Blake (a cat).

The Jabber Walker alludes to the Jabberwocky, which I love so far because it is not a character in the story of Alice, but rather a poem, with no clear meaning. So, it is beautiful they rendered them as a mysterious creature, who is difficult to understand when they speak. I also wonder if they have something to do with Yang since she is introduced fighting them and she even fights them in the trailer, as well. Moreover, the Jabberwocky's poem mentions the monster having eyes of flame, so...

The world being organized in neat sections reminds me of Through the Looking Glass, where Alice finds herself on a giant chessboard, playing a game to become Queen.

Speaking of Queens and Kings, it seems we are gonna have a red King, who plays chess, which kinds of combines the Queen of Hearts and the Red Queen. Moreover, he cracks in the trailer, so I wonder if he may reference Humpty Dumpty, as well:

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall Humpty Dumpty had a great fall all the king's horses and all the king's men Couldn't put Humpty together again.

You're heading for a fall And you're nearing the end Like a house made of straw No one's putting you together again

This would be interesting because chess + theme of falling = the Atlas Arc and Ironwood. I wonder if the play of chess would be a chance for Ruby to metaphorically face what went down in Atlas.

Then we have some obvious ones, like the caterpillar, the cat, the mushrooms (which in Alice can make you become big or small), Neo as the Mad Hatter and Jaune as a combination of the Hare from Wonderland and the White Knight from Through the Looking Glass.

SPEAKING OF ALYX HERSELF

I adore her design! It has immediately become one of my favourites in the whole series!

Secondly, I really like @greenteaandtattoos idea she might allude both to Alice herself and to the White Rabbit, since she has a rabbit motif and the characters are shown running after her shadow and looking for her:

In general, the opening seems to be setting Ruby, Neo and Jaune as foils to Alyx.

Alyx's silouette overlaps with Ruby's and especially Neo's (after all, grinning Ruby may also be Neo tbh) several times and she has a golden rabbit patch, which resembles Jaune's new Hare friend:

Jaune seems to combine the Knight Imagery (the White Knight from Alice Through the Looking Glass) with the March Hare (a mad hare from Alice in Wonderland). This is interesting because it is as if the story is asking Jaune to reconcile his different parts. His persona (the Knight) with his shadow (the Hare).

I know I failed so many times Drown my troubles hid my mind Buried everything in hundred proof A skillful coward hides the truth so well

Ren: Him (Jaune) on the other hand… There's no fear at all. I can see it, he believes we're going to get this done.

Is he brave or is he a coward? And can he be both?

The Mad Hatter (Neo) and the March Hare (Jaune) are also linked symbolically, as in Alice in Wonderland they are 2 jokes on the idea of madness. Hatters used to lose their mind because they used mercury in their job, while hares go crazy in the month of March because of hormones. Here, I think it might enforce Neo and Jaune's foiling:

They are both going mad out of grief, but they go at it in opposite ways. Jaune is probably interiorizing and blaming himself, while Neo is externalizing and blaming Ruby. I am interested to see how they will influence the story, especially since they might move independently from the group, at least for a little while. Neo is RWBY's enemy, while RWBY have no idea Jaune has fallen too.

RWBY'S JOURNEY

This might be a giant red herring, but the opening might give us some hints on the order the characters are gonna explore the different settings.

They started from the beach and are probably gonna move to this market while proceding to the Red King's area:

This market is probably where they are gonna meet the Knight, since the trailer shows there Jaune's feet while riding a Hare (obvs I am considering Jaune=Knight, but I might be wrong). It seems to be also where the Racoon and the Blacksmith woman are.

Here is where they are gonna meet the King and play chess with him. WBY are gonna be small for the chess game. Also the market town and the Red King's Kingdom seems to be in the same place:

The red buildings are the same of the market town, after all. This place also reminds me of the Forever Fall forest, which is interesting. In general, the characters moving from yellow to red makes sense considering alchemy. They are currently in the yellow phase, but are approaching the red phase, which I think will be Vacuo.

The mushroom forest is where the caterpillar is. Also, in Alice in Wonderland the mushrooms are able to help Alice control her size, so I wonder if WBY are gonna go back to normal here... or if they are gonna be miniaturized again... This area is also where this lake with the lotus building seems to be:

Finally, there is this place in the clouds, which resembles the Central Meeting Point of volume 8, in concept:

Here is where the bridge scene is probably gonna play out. Again, them being in the sky makes sense given they need to reach air through fire in alchemy.

Obviously, there might still be more locations and we don't know where Ruby is gonna find Penny's sword or where the shining globe is (maybe the Blacksmith's woman's house? No idea). In general, it is also possible they might find themselves stuck in circles at one point... After all, the opening ends back on the beach, where Alyx wakes up to start her journey once again... and where Crescent Rose is found:

OTHER THOUGHTS ON THE EPISODE

We had already seen the majority of it thanks to clips, but there are still many interesting moments!

Little is clearly meant to be Ruby's mirror and it is interesting so much focus is put on them being innocent and young. They still don't know who they are, but this means they can take their time to discover it. This is something Ruby seems to have forgotten. In general, Little is very similar to volume 1 Ruby. They see a person in pain and want to help, after all. It is also interesting, they are already considering Ruby their personal hero, since she takes out the cheese for them. The relationship between Little and the Cat is also going to be interesting.

Yang and Ruby's interaction is great. I think their relationship should be in focus. Yang should move from Ruby to Blake symbolically, which would be better also for her and Ruby, since the balance in their sisters' relationship is changing.

I am curious if Blake and Weiss are gonna be foiled this volume, since they are introduced together. I don't have many thoughts on this, though, so far.

It is interesting Blake is the one, who points out they may be in a fairy tale. As someone already noticed, it is an inversion from volume 1. There Ruby was the idealistic one, while Blake was a prisoner of her own cynism. It seems their journey has led them in opposite positions now. It would be interesting to reread their stories through this foiling.

The mysterious woman opens the volume and I wonder if we will discover who she is at the end. Just like Salem starts the series and she is revealed to be a character in volume 3. Wouldn't it be interesting if the woman is indeed Summer and she is revealed alive at the end of this volume? As a way to introduce us to the Vacuo story arc?

Finally, this is not an episode thought, but the opening also seems to set the Jabber Walker and the Knight as foils somehow... I wonder what this means for Jaune and the other characters...

This is it, for now. I have other thoughts on Neo's allusion to Trivia/Hecate, but they are pure speculation, as for now, so they will have to wait!

#rwby #rwby theory #rwby meta #rwby volume 9 #rwby spoilers #team rwby #neopolitan #jaune arc #ruby rose #my meta #my thoughts

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lovelymarguerite · 1 year

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So something people forget about Alice in Wonderland is that the very end isn't about Alice. It's about her older sister. And when I brought this up in my children's lit class, there was a fight between Older Siblings and Younger Siblings.

"First, she dreamed of little Alice herself, and once again the tiny hands were clasped upon her knee, and the bright eager eyes were looking up into hers—she could hear the very tones of her voice, and see that queer little toss of her head to keep back the wandering hair that would always get into her eyes—and still as she listened, or seemed to listen, the whole place around her became alive with the strange creatures of her little sister’s dream.

The long grass rustled at her feet as the White Rabbit hurried by—the frightened Mouse splashed his way through the neighbouring pool—she could hear the rattle of the teacups as the March Hare and his friends shared their never-ending meal, and the shrill voice of the Queen ordering off her unfortunate guests to execution—once more the pig-baby was sneezing on the Duchess’s knee, while plates and dishes crashed around it—once more the shriek of the Gryphon, the squeaking of the Lizard’s slate-pencil, and the choking of the suppressed guinea-pigs, filled the air, mixed up with the distant sobs of the miserable Mock Turtle.

So she sat on, with closed eyes, and half believed herself in Wonderland, though she knew she had but to open them again, and all would change to dull reality—the grass would be only rustling in the wind, and the pool rippling to the waving of the reeds—the rattling teacups would change to tinkling sheep-bells, and the Queen’s shrill cries to the voice of the shepherd boy—and the sneeze of the baby, the shriek of the Gryphon, and all the other queer noises, would change (she knew) to the confused clamour of the busy farm-yard—while the lowing of the cattle in the distance would take the place of the Mock Turtle’s heavy sobs.

Lastly, she pictured to herself how this same little sister of hers would, in the after-time, be herself a grown woman; and how she would keep, through all her riper years, the simple and loving heart of her childhood: and how she would gather about her other little children, and make their eyes bright and eager with many a strange tale, perhaps even with the dream of Wonderland of long ago: and how she would feel with all their simple sorrows, and find a pleasure in all their simple joys, remembering her own child-life, and the happy summer days."

The Younger Siblings felt that Alice's sister shouldn't have been mentioned at all, and that she was trying to take something that didn't belong to her.

But here's the thing.

When read it as a kid, it didn't register. When I read it in my Children's Lit class in college, though, it was like a gut punch. Because by then, I could remember the first time my younger brother told me about some fantastical world he'd made up, and I couldn't make it real in my head. I knew it was real to him, and I desperately wanted it to be real to me, and it wasn't. And I didn't tell him it wasn't real because even then I knew how cruel that would be. So I played along. And it hurt, and I didn't know why.

And I bet, if you are an older sibling, you had something similar happen. There is a profound sense of loss in realizing you are Growing Up and your younger sibling isn't at that point. And it is heartbreaking.

Alice's sister isn't trying to take Wonderland for herself. She is mourning her own loss of childlike wonder while at the same time hoping that Alice never experiences the same loss.

#alice in wonderland #children's literature

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nightmutearts · 3 years

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finished a commission for djin of his character, tanana! I had a lot of fun with this, i normally don't do big backgrounds like this, and I was learning clip studio paint. so I had a fun, challenging time. really love CSP's brushes!

#my art #furry #teacup gryphon #mushrooms #moss #moth #digital art #gryphon

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ultrainfinitepit · 2 years

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Winter pin hoop ❄️

Lunar Lynx

Silver Coyote Skull

Gold Coyote and Deer Skulls

Clouds

Winter Moth Girl

Rainbow Lynx

Cat with Fish

Teapot and Teacup

Girl and Dog with Bells

Snowy Gryphon

Manta

Eyepatch Guy and Skeleton Girl

Valkyrie

Seafoam Girl

Blue Leopard

Three-Eyed Cat and Flowers

Bird Planchette

Snowy Plover

White Cat Head

Long Whale

Turtle

Grub

#pin collection #enamel pins #pins #pin #enamel pin

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spookyfoxinc · 3 years

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woah! its a teacup gryphon!

set of stickers for Shinny on telegram 🐦✨

#furry #art #anthro #fursona #safe fur work #spookyart

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ask-de-writer · 3 years

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THE LUCK OF BLACK CATS : MLP Fan Fiction

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Return to MLP Fan Fiction

Return to Tales to Read AFTER the Lights are OUT!

THE LUCK OF BLACK CATS

De Writer (Glen Ten-Eyck)

1441 words

Writing begun 10/21/17

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Users of Tumblr.com are specifically granted the following rights. They may reblog the story provided that all author and copyright information remains intact. They may use the characters or original characters in my settings for fan fiction, fan art works, cosplay, or fan musical compositions.

All sorts of fan art, cosplay, music or fiction is actively encouraged.

///////////////////////

It is well known that Black Cats bring bad luck. It may be that it is not QUITE true.

Sugar Maple was playing outside, in her Grandmare's neatly fenced yard. Sugar loved to visit Grandmare but her mom really didn't like to bring her this far into the Everfree Forest.

Sugar climbed onto the platform of Grandmare's swing set and began to shift her weight to make the swing swoop back and forth! It was fun! The wind made her light brown mane and tail fly about as the butter colored foal swept from one end of the swing to the other and back!

The swing was almost as much fun as playing with Grandmare's cats! They were all pure, silky black and over half of them had wings like a bat! They could fly really well, too! Sugar bailed off the swing at the top of its swoop and spread her own young wings! Her glide was inexpert but enthusiastic, as she sailed about Grandmare's cottage! She almost made it all the way around, back to the swing set! Her hooves hit the lawn sod only about ten feet short of her goal!

Little hooves clattering on the stone of the front steps, Sugar dashed into Grandmare's little house! “Mom! Grandmare! I glided almost all the way around the house! I made it almost all the way back to the swing!”

Her mother set her teacup down firmly and began, “SUGAR MAPLE, what have I told you about unsupervised flying!?”

Grandmare raised an admonitory black furred wing and used the other to scoop Sugar into a welcoming hug! Taking a moment to preen a few small tangles from Sugar's mane with her razor sharp fangs, Grandmare said gently, “You did very well. Did you flap at all or was it a pure glide?”

Giving her leaf brown mother a slightly fearful glance, Sugar replied, “I glided the whole way! I did cup my wings up to land! I came down real gentle.”

The hug was pulled tighter as Grandmare smiled, showing her fangs. Shifting her voice up, beyond the hearing of most ponies, Grandmare asked, “[How is your chirping coming along?]”

Answering the same way, Sugar replied, “[It is going really good! Mom can't hear it, so I practice it a lot!]”

“[Tell me, Sugar, what you chirp in my bedroom?]”

Excitedly, Sugar exclaimed, “You got a dress horse with a costume on it! It is too small for Mom or you, so it must be for me!”

Nodding, Grandmare agreed, “It is, Dear. Go and try it on. Later, we will practice flying our way.”

Sugar dashed for the back room!

Granmare returned her attention to Sugar's mom. “Hazel, I thought that I made it perfectly clear that Sugar must be allowed to develop! Look at you! You play the part of a crippled pegasus! You do it so well that you have lost the ability to fly or even hear chirping!

“THAT is too high a price to pay for 'fitting in'!”

Hazel looked down and fiddled with her teacup before trying, “If anypony ever saw my extended wing, or Sugar's for that matter, they would scream THESTRAL! There could be a mob! I don't want Sugar hurt!”

Grandmare softened, “In that, we are agreed. Caramel Treat's is always a safe place. Those Werewolves do understand the problem and will protect us. So will Reverend Smallflower at the Assembly.”

Their discussion was ended by the return of Sugar. She was wearing the costume as a thestral witch! Two of Grandmare's cats were riding her shoulders, purring happily. One casually lifted a furry, bat like wing to scratch under it.

Grandmare was delighted. Hazel was less so, but agreed that it was a great costume.

Grandmare led Sugar outside, the cats following. Soon Sugar was fluttering short distances and landing properly. The cats were 'helping.' They thought that the fluttering filly was a great toy! Conversely, Sugar, dodging their mock attacks thought that the cats were great teachers! It only took a few hours before she was swooping and dodging with them in a game of aerial tag! Happy foal's laughter pealed down from the October sky.

Grandmare nodded serenely, “She takes to the sky as naturally as breathing. A true thestral if ever there was one.”

Hazel agreed sadly, “I know. I hope that Ponyville will be better to her than it was to me.”

Grandmare turned Sympathetic eyes to Hazel. “I do know what you mean, dear. You half breeds have it rougher than we full bloods. The unicorns have never forgiven our service to the Nightmare Throne, 2000 years ago, in the Nightmare Wars. The only thing that shows Maple to be a partial breed is her color.”

Sighing, Hazel glanced at the sun's angle and suggested, “We must return home, Grandmare. It has actually been a good visit.”

Hazel and Sugar Maple trotted back along the nearly overgrown trail that led from Grandmare's to behind the Duchess O' Red Hoof's land. It joined the trail leading from Brightmane's cottage. It became far better and more traveled after that.

They reached Ponyville proper and went into their snug little cottage home without incident. The two cats that had ridden Sugar's shoulder all the way, immediately flew from her shoulder, circling about the room, high and low. They perched on the sofa back and began to preen.

Evening fell and with it began Nightmare Night. Gathering together her loot bag and a “Witch's Staff”, Maple set out. Both cats riding her shoulders.

She joined a group making the rounds of homes and small businesses.

“Wow! That is a neat thestral witch costume! How did you turn your fur black, Sugar?”

She smiled and replied, “Just a cheap brush in dye. It will wash out.”

“Gee, I wish that I had a cat like yours to go with my witch costume! Aren't you afraid of bad luck? Yours are pure black.”

The mare in charge of the small herd was in a silly looking deer costume with phony horns on a spring gripper across her head!

Of course, they dropped in on Caramel Treat's Sweets for their famous Nightmare Night display and fabulous foal bowl! It did not disappoint! There were the very real Werewolves, Caramel and Fangrin in their Everfree Ridgeback Wolf forms, a black gryphon, several games and the foal bowl hidden under mists in a big cauldron.

The party went on toward the more residential parts of town, followed by a pegasus in a skull like mask and a costume of bones painted onto black cloth. His wings could slide out through reinforced cuts in the fabric. It hid his cutie mark.

Sugar chirped to the cats in a voice too high for ponies to hear, “[Dark Sky, New Moon, could you go back and cross his path a few times? I do not like him following us!]”

In answer, both cats hopped from her shoulder, gliding to the ground and scampering back! They paraded across his path repeatedly. Undeterred, he continued to follow the herd of foals.

The cats returned to Sugar's shoulder. The foal herd was approaching Drastin Park and its big unobstructed hoof ball pitch. He charged toward the hapless foals!

He tripped over two cats that had been watching him for any such stunt! He faceplanted, in a most embarrassing way! The whole herd of foals heard him fall and stopped to watch!

Climbing back to his hooves, he charged again! Bowling the foals over like ninepins, he grabbed two foal loot bags and leaped for the night sky!

Two cats and Sugar were on his tail, almost immediately! The cats snagged his left wing, causing him to spiral out of control! Before he could do anything to get rid of the cats, Sugar slammed her head in between his hind legs from above and power dived, flipping him over onto his back!

Fluttering and flailing helplessly, he hit the ground with a crunch! Sugar landed lightly beside him and gathered up the stolen loot bags. She was still picking up spilled treats when the rest of the group swarmed around her!

As Sugar was returning the stolen bags, one of the colts said admiringly, “We could see the whole thing! The moon lit up those thin clouds and we saw it all!! You really are a thestral! That was so neat how you took him down!”

One of the fillies came and got her loot bag. She petted the cats and said, “I guess that the thing about black cats and bad luck is true!” Giggling, she pointed to the fallen pegasus thief. “It sure was for him!”

~THE END~

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#THE LUCK OF BLACK CATS #MLP Fan Fiction #Tales to read AFTER the Lights are OUT #Written by De Writer

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yanachii · 7 years

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A teacup griffin in a teacup!

#Yana Doobles #Griffin #Gryphon #Teacup Griffin

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rainbrookeemberscar · 4 years

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Chapter 1: Questions

Her breath hitched as she set eyes on the little face before her. Two beautiful blue eyes stared, and soft pink flesh grasped. Alysa was everything a baby should be, warm and loved, so much love. Rain’s hands folded around her gently, like cradling an egg, and brushed the soft dark hairs along her head. She was so entranced, she'd hardly even noticed the calls of the child’s mother, Livian.

"Rain! Stop!...." She glanced up and around. The noises were fuzzy and so were the https://www.pinterest.surroundings. It looked as though the entire area around them was covered in a thick, soupy haze. "Rain! Please!....." Livian cried. What could Livi possibly be concerned about? It's not like she would ever do anything to harm Alysa. Rain's eyes trailed back to the infant in her grasp, but Alysa wasn't there. Only a smoldering heap of ashes clung in her shaking palms. She couldn't breathe.... I...I couldn't....I.... Tears and sobs escaped her as she cradled the ashes to her chest. I'm so sorry....

"Would you like a refill on your tea Miss?" the waiter inquired. Rain's attention snapped back to the cup betwixt her fingers, now just barely containing any of the warm contents. "Miss?" he pressed. "Yes, yes." She held her cup out and tried to smile. There was a small bit of comfort watching the amber colored liquid pour from the spout and splashing into the dainty cup. She wished desperately that the herb infused water could wash away these disturbing visions. But in the end she knew that was just a wish, not a reality.

After cleaning up a few of the spilled droplets, the waiter bowed his head and dismissed himself to attend to other customers waiting. She watched him for a few moments before refocusing on her cup. It was rather ironic that she found herself reflected in a teacup. Warmth swirling and churning in a certain amount of chaos, all contained in a dainty, porcelain container so easy to break. "Bah," she muttered.

The haunting reality was Rain had no idea what she was doing anymore; no clue who she was or even what she really wanted. She was a hot, swirling, churning mess and quite possibly dangerous. Everything that had happened in the past few months had left her in a place she was not familiar with. Before, she'd lived 100 lifetimes of men and knew precisely who and what she was. Now, it was a different story. Was she a phoenix? A golem? A Kal'dorei? A Quel'dorei?

What bothered her even more, there was no one to guide her. Her friends had helped her through these processes. Livian had created this unique golem for her and had been continually maintaining a close eye on her developments, but even Livian didn't know exactly what would happen. When Rain had felt like sharing any new progress or changes the poor dragoness would be thrown for a loop and drown herself with guilt and worry.

Rain was not a child to be coddled or caged, even for her own safety. The only thing Rain was completely sure of was that she needed training. The fire magic was a minor concern in comparison to the other abilities popping up. And these visions....hallucinations.....whatever they were....were becoming a real problem. She needed someone to trust. Someone to guide her and teach her how to control all of this. The mere mention of training had sent Livian into a tantrum, but Rainbrooke knew there was more at risk than just the wrath of the Magus Senate. Livian was right, however. Those pompous politicians, powerful though they are, are not to be trusted. But who?

She drummed her fingers across her lips anxiously, wondering if she would spy the stubborn drake coming to drag her back to the mortuary. Livian would be furious when she received Rain's letter explaining her choice to seek training. In her heart, though, Rain knew it was the only option, especially after what she had seen.

There was only one other phoenix she was aware of, perhaps he would be able to shed some light on the situation. That is, if she could get him to talk to her. He served the great Prince of Silvermoon, Kael'thas Sunstrider. But he was a phoenix nonetheless.

She tossed a few coins on the table, making sure to leave a generous tip for the waiter, and made her way to the portals. Shattrath would be the closest to she could get to Tempest Keep without alerting anyone. Several timelords had created a magical field upon the entrance to that place, transporting those back in time to when the occupants were still alive. It served as a testament of the plunders of devotion to the Fel. Kael'thas and his minions had done terrible things with magic and it proved to be their downfall. Now it seemed that period of time might hold some of the most important answers for Rainbrooke.

She stepped through the portal and arrived instantaneously in the City of Light. Refugees pattered back and forth through the corridors, buying and selling goods. She did her best to blend into the crowds, pulling her hood over the red tendrils of hair and trying to cover her face.

She hurried quickly in buying her gryphon ride and setting out. The sooner she was away from crowds the less chance she had of being discovered, or of causing a scene. She used to love crowds and parties, dancing all night. Now, the thought almost made her vomit.

The trees and stone passed beneath them in a haze, until the creature slowed and landed just outside the mighty keep. Goblins and Sin'dorei had taken up residence outside to sell their wares and offer loaded down travelers a place to dispose of unwanted items. But she wasn't in the market for either this day. A short walk away was the door to the great phoenix A'lar. Would he have answers? Would he even speak to her? So many questions buzzed around in her head, but she would never know if she didn't try.

#phoenix #tempestkeep #golem #queldorei #adventure #alar

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vergils-daughter · 5 years

Text

V x Reader „Forget me not”

“Today I found your dress –it was lying in the bedroom, as if ready to be put on. It has a beautiful color of cornflowers. I am curious if it suits your eyes, did you choose it to highlight them? I cannot find your photos, so it is only an empty guess.”

“I appreciate the collection of Your books. I took the liberty of gathering them from the floor and putting them in order on the shelf. My mother thought me that one must take care of the books. Sometimes it is the only thing that remains – to look after what is dead, but contains the whole world of memories.”

“Judging by the stuff I found in your closet you are slim but rather short. It is funny, you would merely reach my wishbone. Griffon discerned that I would have to put you on a stool to be able to look you in the eyes and not bend myself too much...

I would carry you in my arms instead.

Forgive me this familiarity. You would surely not wish for it.”

“I see you have quite the collection of various types of tea. I adore it too. Well brew sencha could do wonders, it is any better than coffee. I hope you don’t mind, but I used this adorable cast-iron kettle which I found in the dresser and I spent my afternoon by a teacup. It is so magnificent to feel that smell after so many days of dwelling in raddled houses, filled with the nasty stink of putrescence.”

“I keep writing, even though I can’t be sure you will ever receive these letters. There is no point in this. You may even not be alive anymore. Tomorrow I could stumble across your body buried under the stack of debris. I cannot stop thinking about this.”

„It is... curious. Straight line of nose as though it was made with a single brushstroke, gentle lips only slightly curved in a grin of cogitation. I bet they are soft in touch. The photo is black and white so I still can’t tell what is the color of your eyes. But what I see pleases me. I was gawking at your photo for a long time, too afraid to breath or make mane a sudden move. As though I fear that the whole picture will disintegrate into pieces. The Shadow laid down at my feet and fell asleep. And I am contemplating Your photo. On its back there is a name. Y/N.”

„Y/N, where are you? What fate befell you? Is there a mere chance that you ever read the letters I left here and there? It becomes my obsession. I am returning to this apartment every day, even though I still need to do so many things before I meet with Nero. Gryphon mocks me more than usual, but well, I did give him the reasons to laugh.”

„Your place looks way better now. I supported the bookcase with a peg, but be careful, because it still can fall over. I gathered all the sharp pieces from the broken window pane so one can easily walk around the bed, although there may still be a few smaller pieces lost in the carpet. I changed the linen. Your china did not suffer much damage, as well as the wardrobe. There I stashed all the clothes that were laying on the floor and the couch.

I could not resist. For a short time I was sitting in a chair near the window with your dress pressed to my face, inhaling your scent. I know it is highly inappropriate. Please, forgive me this awful weakness.”

“I think I know what to do. I need to go. Because, you see, my days here are numbered. I can either spend them roaming the city and seeking a way to prolong my pathetic existence – or I can thwart what the former me began. And only by bringing him back to life I have the opportunity to find you. I know it seems like a complete absurd, but I would rather not go into details, all this is way too much muddled.

I must... he must... seek you. Prevent you from being forgotten. Vergil needs to be brought back.

But he shall remember, too. This is why I keep repeating this everyday like a mantra: Your name, Your face, Your house. I hide Your photo in the book to ensure he will find it. This way I am increasing the odds that he recalls it all.”

“Today Nero should arrive in the district. I am setting out to encounter him. The apartment awaits You, as well as my letters. You can come back calm, my Dear.”

Polish version:

„Znalazłem dziś Twoją suknię – leżała w sypialni, jakby gotowa do założenia. Ma piękny, chabrowy kolor. Ciekawe, czy pasuje do Twoich oczu, czy wybrałaś go, by je podkreślić? Nigdzie nie mogę znaleźć Twoich zdjęć, więc to tylko próżna zgadywanka.”

„Podoba mi się Twoja kolekcja książek. Pozwoliłem sobie pozbierać je z podłogi i poustawiać na półkach. Matka nauczyła mnie, że o książki trzeba dbać. Czasami to jedyne, co nam pozostaje – dbać o to, co martwe, a zawiera w sobie cały świat i masę wspomnień.”

„Sądząc po Tych rzeczach, które znalazłem w szafie, jesteś szczupła ale dość niska. To zabawne, sięgałabyś mi ledwie do mostka. Gryf uznał, że musiałbym Cię postawić na stołku by móc Ci spojrzeć w oczy nie pochylając się...

Zamiast tego nosiłbym Cię w ramionach cały czas.

Wybacz tą poufałość. Pewnie byś sobie tego nie życzyła.”

„Widzę, że masz całkiem pokaźną kolekcję herbat. Też je lubię. Dobrze zaparzona sencha potrafi zdziałać cuda, jest lepsza od kawy. Mam nadzieję, że nie masz nic przeciwko, ale skorzystałem z tego uroczego żeliwnego czajniczka, który znalazłem w kredensie i spędziłem popołudnie przy filiżance herbaty. To takie niezwykłe czuć ten zapach po tylu dniach przebywania w zniszczonych, przepełnionych wonią rozkładu domach.”

„Piszę do Ciebie, chociaż nie mam pewności, że kiedykolwiek otrzymasz me listy. To bez sensu. Możesz już przecież nie żyć. Jutro mogę natknąć się na Twoje ciało pogrzebane pod stertą gruzu. Nie mogę przestać o tym myśleć.”

„To... niezwykłe. Prosta linia nosa, jak pociągnięta pędzlem, delikatne usta lekko wykrzywione w grymasie zmyślenia. Założę się, że są miękkie w dotyku. Fotografia jest czarno-biała, więc nadal nie wiem, jaki kolor mają Twoje oczy. Ale to, co widzę, wprawia mnie w zachwyt. Gapiłem się w Twoje zdjęcie przez długi czas, bojąc się oddychać czy wykonać gwałtowniejszy ruch. Jakby w obawie, że ten obraz się rozpadnie. Cień położył się u mych stóp i zasnął. A ja kontempluję Twoje zdjęcie. Z tyłu jest imię. „Y/N”.”

„Y/N, gdzie jesteś? Co się z Tobą stało? Czy istnieje szansa, że kiedykolwiek przeczytasz moje listy, które zostawiam tu i ówdzie? To zaczyna przeradzać się w obsesję. Wracam do tego mieszkania codziennie, mimo że powinienem zrobić jeszcze tyle rzeczy przed umówionym spotkaniem z Nero. Gryf nabija się ze mnie bardziej, niż o tej pory, ale cóż, sam dałem mu powody do śmiechu.”

„Twoje mieszkanie wygląda już o wiele lepiej. Regał podparłem kołkiem, ale uważaj, bo może się przewrócić. Pozbierałem kawałki szkła z rozbitego okna, więc można już swobodnie chodzić wokół łóżka, aczkolwiek jest ryzyko, że parę ostrych kawałków zawieruszyło się w dywanie. Zmieniłem pościel. Twoja zastawa nie ucierpiała, podobnie jak szafa z ubraniami. Schowałem do niej te, które leżały na podłodze i kanapie.

Nie mogłem się powstrzymać. Przez jakiś czas siedziałem w fotelu pod oknem, z Twoją suknią przyciśniętą do twarzy, wdychając Twój zapach. Wiem, że to niestosowane. Wybacz mi tę słabość.”

„Chyba już wiem, co zrobię. Odejdę. Bo widzisz, moje dni tutaj są policzone. Mam do wyboru przeżyć je, włócząc się po mieście i szukając sposobu na przedłużenie mojej nędznej egzystencji - albo udaremnić to, co zaczął mój dawny ja. A tylko przywracając go na powrót do życia mam szansę na odnalezienie Cię. To brzmi absurdalnie, ale wolę nie wchodzić w szczegóły, to wszystko jest zbyt zagmatwane.

Muszę... on musi... poszukać Cię. Uratować od zapomnienia. Vergil powinien wrócić.

Ale musi też pamiętać. Dlatego powtarzam to sobie każdego dnia jak mantrę: Twoje imię, Twoja twarz, Twój dom. Chowam do książki Twoje zdjęcie, by mieć pewność, że on je odnajdzie. Wtedy zwiększam szanse na to, że mu się przypomni.”

„Dziś w dzielnicy powinien pojawić się Nero. Wyruszam mu na spotkanie. Mieszkanie czeka na Ciebie, podobnie jak moje listy. Możesz wrócić spokojna, Kochanie.”

#dmc5 #dmc v #dmc spoilers #dmc v x reader #a letter #do not forget him #he needs love

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lewiscarrollsocietynorthamerica · 5 years

Text

CHAPTER XI. Who Stole the Tarts?

The King and Queen of Hearts were seated on their throne when they arrived, with a great crowd assembled about them—all sorts of little birds and beasts, as well as the whole pack of cards: the Knave was standing before them, in chains, with a soldier on each side to guard him; and near the King was the White Rabbit, with a trumpet in one hand, and a scroll of parchment in the other. In the very middle of the court was a table, with a large dish of tarts upon it: they looked so good, that it made Alice quite hungry to look at them—‘I wish they’d get the trial done,’ she thought, ‘and hand round the refreshments!’ But there seemed to be no chance of this, so she began looking at everything about her, to pass away the time.

Alice had never been in a court of justice before, but she had read about them in books, and she was quite pleased to find that she knew the name of nearly everything there. ‘That’s the judge,’ she said to herself, ‘because of his great wig.’

The judge, by the way, was the King; and as he wore his crown over the wig, (look at the frontispiece if you want to see how he did it,) he did not look at all comfortable, and it was certainly not becoming.

‘And that’s the jury-box,’ thought Alice, ‘and those twelve creatures,’ (she was obliged to say ‘creatures,’ you see, because some of them were animals, and some were birds,) ‘I suppose they are the jurors.’ She said this last word two or three times over to herself, being rather proud of it: for she thought, and rightly too, that very few little girls of her age knew the meaning of it at all. However, ‘jury-men’ would have done just as well.

The twelve jurors were all writing very busily on slates. ‘What are they doing?’ Alice whispered to the Gryphon. ‘They can’t have anything to put down yet, before the trial’s begun.’

‘They’re putting down their names,’ the Gryphon whispered in reply, ‘for fear they should forget them before the end of the trial.’

‘Stupid things!’ Alice began in a loud, indignant voice, but she stopped hastily, for the White Rabbit cried out, ‘Silence in the court!’ and the King put on his spectacles and looked anxiously round, to make out who was talking.

Alice could see, as well as if she were looking over their shoulders, that all the jurors were writing down ‘stupid things!’ on their slates, and she could even make out that one of them didn’t know how to spell ‘stupid,’ and that he had to ask his neighbour to tell him. ‘A nice muddle their slates’ll be in before the trial’s over!’ thought Alice.

One of the jurors had a pencil that squeaked. This of course, Alice could not stand, and she went round the court and got behind him, and very soon found an opportunity of taking it away. She did it so quickly that the poor little juror (it was Bill, the Lizard) could not make out at all what had become of it; so, after hunting all about for it, he was obliged to write with one finger for the rest of the day; and this was of very little use, as it left no mark on the slate.

‘Herald, read the accusation!’ said the King.

On this the White Rabbit blew three blasts on the trumpet, and then unrolled the parchment scroll, and read as follows:—

‘The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, All on a summer day: The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts, And took them quite away!’

‘Consider your verdict,’ the King said to the jury.

‘Not yet, not yet!’ the Rabbit hastily interrupted. ‘There’s a great deal to come before that!’

‘Call the first witness,’ said the King; and the White Rabbit blew three blasts on the trumpet, and called out, ‘First witness!’

The first witness was the Hatter. He came in with a teacup in one hand and a piece of bread-and-butter in the other. ‘I beg pardon, your Majesty,’ he began, ‘for bringing these in: but I hadn’t quite finished my tea when I was sent for.’

‘You ought to have finished,’ said the King. ‘When did you begin?’

The Hatter looked at the March Hare, who had followed him into the court, arm-in-arm with the Dormouse. ‘Fourteenth of March, I think it was,’ he said.

‘Fifteenth,’ said the March Hare.

‘Sixteenth,’ added the Dormouse.

‘Write that down,’ the King said to the jury, and the jury eagerly wrote down all three dates on their slates, and then added them up, and reduced the answer to shillings and pence.

‘Take off your hat,’ the King said to the Hatter.

‘It isn’t mine,’ said the Hatter.

‘Stolen!’ the King exclaimed, turning to the jury, who instantly made a memorandum of the fact.

‘I keep them to sell,’ the Hatter added as an explanation; ‘I’ve none of my own. I’m a hatter.’

Here the Queen put on her spectacles, and began staring at the Hatter, who turned pale and fidgeted.

‘Give your evidence,’ said the King; ‘and don’t be nervous, or I’ll have you executed on the spot.’

This did not seem to encourage the witness at all: he kept shifting from one foot to the other, looking uneasily at the Queen, and in his confusion he bit a large piece out of his teacup instead of the bread-and-butter.

Just at this moment Alice felt a very curious sensation, which puzzled her a good deal until she made out what it was: she was beginning to grow larger again, and she thought at first she would get up and leave the court; but on second thoughts she decided to remain where she was as long as there was room for her.

‘I wish you wouldn’t squeeze so.’ said the Dormouse, who was sitting next to her. ‘I can hardly breathe.’

‘I can’t help it,’ said Alice very meekly: ‘I’m growing.’

‘You’ve no right to grow here,’ said the Dormouse.

‘Don’t talk nonsense,’ said Alice more boldly: ‘you know you’re growing too.’

‘Yes, but I grow at a reasonable pace,’ said the Dormouse: ‘not in that ridiculous fashion.’ And he got up very sulkily and crossed over to the other side of the court.

All this time the Queen had never left off staring at the Hatter, and, just as the Dormouse crossed the court, she said to one of the officers of the court, ‘Bring me the list of the singers in the last concert!’ on which the wretched Hatter trembled so, that he shook both his shoes off.

‘Give your evidence,’ the King repeated angrily, ‘or I’ll have you executed, whether you’re nervous or not.’

‘I’m a poor man, your Majesty,’ the Hatter began, in a trembling voice, ‘—and I hadn’t begun my tea—not above a week or so—and what with the bread-and-butter getting so thin—and the twinkling of the tea—’

‘The twinkling of the what?’ said the King.

‘It began with the tea,’ the Hatter replied.

‘Of course twinkling begins with a T!’ said the King sharply. ‘Do you take me for a dunce? Go on!’

‘I’m a poor man,’ the Hatter went on, ‘and most things twinkled after that—only the March Hare said—’

‘I didn’t!’ the March Hare interrupted in a great hurry.

‘You did!’ said the Hatter.

‘I deny it!’ said the March Hare.

‘He denies it,’ said the King: ‘leave out that part.’

‘Well, at any rate, the Dormouse said—’ the Hatter went on, looking anxiously round to see if he would deny it too: but the Dormouse denied nothing, being fast asleep.

‘After that,’ continued the Hatter, ‘I cut some more bread-and-butter—’

‘But what did the Dormouse say?’ one of the jury asked.

‘That I can’t remember,’ said the Hatter.

‘You must remember,’ remarked the King, ‘or I’ll have you executed.’

The miserable Hatter dropped his teacup and bread-and-butter, and went down on one knee. ‘I’m a poor man, your Majesty,’ he began.

‘You’re a very poor speaker,’ said the King.

Here one of the guinea-pigs cheered, and was immediately suppressed by the officers of the court. (As that is rather a hard word, I will just explain to you how it was done. They had a large canvas bag, which tied up at the mouth with strings: into this they slipped the guinea-pig, head first, and then sat upon it.)

‘I’m glad I’ve seen that done,’ thought Alice. ‘I’ve so often read in the newspapers, at the end of trials, “There was some attempts at applause, which was immediately suppressed by the officers of the court,” and I never understood what it meant till now.’

‘If that’s all you know about it, you may stand down,’ continued the King.

‘I can’t go no lower,’ said the Hatter: ‘I’m on the floor, as it is.’

‘Then you may sit down,’ the King replied.

Here the other guinea-pig cheered, and was suppressed.

‘Come, that finished the guinea-pigs!’ thought Alice. ‘Now we shall get on better.’

‘I’d rather finish my tea,’ said the Hatter, with an anxious look at the Queen, who was reading the list of singers.

‘You may go,’ said the King, and the Hatter hurriedly left the court, without even waiting to put his shoes on.

‘—and just take his head off outside,’ the Queen added to one of the officers: but the Hatter was out of sight before the officer could get to the door.

‘Call the next witness!’ said the King.

The next witness was the Duchess’s cook. She carried the pepper-box in her hand, and Alice guessed who it was, even before she got into the court, by the way the people near the door began sneezing all at once.

‘Give your evidence,’ said the King.

‘Shan’t,’ said the cook.

The King looked anxiously at the White Rabbit, who said in a low voice, ‘Your Majesty must cross-examine this witness.’

‘Well, if I must, I must,’ the King said, with a melancholy air, and, after folding his arms and frowning at the cook till his eyes were nearly out of sight, he said in a deep voice, ‘What are tarts made of?’

‘Pepper, mostly,’ said the cook.

‘Treacle,’ said a sleepy voice behind her.

‘Collar that Dormouse,’ the Queen shrieked out. ‘Behead that Dormouse! Turn that Dormouse out of court! Suppress him! Pinch him! Off with his whiskers!’

For some minutes the whole court was in confusion, getting the Dormouse turned out, and, by the time they had settled down again, the cook had disappeared.

‘Never mind!’ said the King, with an air of great relief. ‘Call the next witness.’ And he added in an undertone to the Queen, ‘Really, my dear, you must cross-examine the next witness. It quite makes my forehead ache!’

Alice watched the White Rabbit as he fumbled over the list, feeling very curious to see what the next witness would be like, ‘—for they haven’t got much evidence yet,’ she said to herself. Imagine her surprise, when the White Rabbit read out, at the top of his shrill little voice, the name ‘Alice!’

#white rabbit #queen of hearts #who stole the tarts #alicesadventuresinwonderland #Alice In Wonderland #chapter 11

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