I did the sketch of this before the previous one, but ended up just wanting to finish the full body first. I'm content with this technically being my last art of last year and first art of this year bc I'm definitely fully sane.

The animation in 101 Dalmations is so crazy good tho and makes me want to draw more, curse you classic Disney movies

Isle kid Moodboards revamped part 2;

Marya Grigorievna Rasputin, the 20 year old daughter of Grigori Efimovic Rasputin and Baba Yaga (bartok the magnificent).

One of the medics of Harriet Hook's crew.

Lover of skeletons, magic, taxidermy, bugs, roses, and whiskey cake.

Not too great st speaking English.

Bestfriend of Big Murphy and Claudine Frollo.

Currently single.

Reza Vizer, the 15 year old son of the former Royal Astronomer of Agrabah and a harem girl as well as the adoptive son of Mozenrath and Sadira. Older brother of Omar and Alya.

He is the forensics expert of the Badun Detective Agency and is rivals with Carlos De Vil as well as a student at Dragon Hall.

He's good with swords, daggers, guns, tea, and breaking and entering, and He always acts like he is the smartest in the room (which he is most of the time) and doesn't like it when that title is challenged because he has earned that title.

He also doesn't like it when people treat him like he's less than Carlos, which is why he didn't join the Anti-heroes club (because it was being run by Yen Sid who is not found of him at all).

He is dating Yzla Sorcerer of Enchancia.

Claudine Esther-May Frollo, the 19 year old daughter of Claude Frollo.

She is homeschooled and apart of Harriet's crew, the Bad Apples, and the Anti-heroes club. She is also the bell ringer at Dragon Hall.

She is left handed and a redhead who loves science, art, music, sweets, and things being fair. Which of course while paired with her beauty did not bode well for her due to how her father is.

She works at her father's crepes shop and is dreaming of the day she can escape with her friends.

She has a thing for Lefou Deux.

Richard 'Rick' Perseus Ratcliffe, the 21 year old son of Governor John Ratcliffe.

He is apart of Harriet's crew, The LeGume Hunting Club, and The Bad Apples.

He and his dad do not get along at all due to many factors—like his dad being racist and naming him after his dog. If anyone dare mention the origin of his middle name, they will get a black eye from him.

He had his own pug named Prometheus.

Once when he and Clay Clayton were young and rough housing, he accidentally knocked the other man out of a second story window at Hook's inlet. They're still friends though, surprisingly.

He also has a habit of saving people from water sources like John Smith, much to his father's annoyance.

He has two younger siblings (Rachel and Rory) and is very protective of them as well as the kids of his father's former crewmates who got stuck on the isle with him.

He is dating Mad Maddy.

Claymore 'Clay' Comrade Clayton, The 20 year old son of William Clayton.

He is a member of the Bad Apples, Harriet's crew, and The LeGume Hunting Club.

Though unlike his dad he doesn't enjoy poaching or being crueler than necessary when hunting because it makes him uncomfortable, so he avoids doing it.

He loves graffiti and sailing and the jungle as well as tree climbing, rope swinging—on vines—, and partying. He also likes carving his intails into things and rough housing.

Especially with Rick and Anthony.

He and Rick once overdid it and he ended up getting thrown through a window, which no one has let them live down since.

He and his dad have a volatile relationship, which is arguably better than what most kids on the isle have, though those in Auardon would argue that that's still bad. He gets along alot better with his aunt and brothers though and has no clue who his mother maybe.

He has no problem with speaking his mind, which gets him in trouble often. He has tons of weapons as well as a stuffed grollia and would get along swimmingly with Tarzan and Jane, and their family. Especially their son, Taylor, who is just as rambunctious as he is.

He doesn't have the best grades but he's a good person and arguably Ginny's conscious, and that's all that matters, right?

Also he's terrified of getting hung like his dad and the idea of drowning again.

He's protective of his younger brothers, Cassius and Wilson, and is dating Ginny Gothel.

Jadeana 'Jade' of Agrabah, the 19 year old daughter of Nasira and the niece of Jafar.

She is in Harriet's crew and is the messenger of the isle, so no one really messes with her.

She's a bit of a loner but when she cares about people, she cares about them deeply—i.e. Jay. She'd help him steal so he could stock Jafar's shop quicker and so he would get hit or have to sleep outside. She rarely ever goes near Jafar's shop—since her mom who isn't all bad strictly forbade it—but when she does, it's to see Jay.

She was heartbroken when Jay left without saying goodbye but slowly over time she's gotten angry and bitter and resentful because she thinks he forgot about her.

She likes crocodile wrestling since it's an easy way to get out her aggression and she has two pets—a snake named Hassan and a parrot named Tygo.

She has magic but goes to Dragon Hall because she thinks the witch school is pointless on the isle.

Oh and she's dating Jonas Olympian (a member of Uma's crew).

Hermione 'Hermie' Leona Bing, the 14 year old daughter of The Ringmaster and Miss Atlantis.

She is a member of the Badun Detective Agency and as well as the Anti-heroes club.

She was an orphan by 7 and left to run what was left of her father’s circus on the isle.

She lives by herself with her animals in her father’s old trailer by the woods where the circus tents and trailers are located.

She is known as an animal whisperer and a Jack of all trades on the isle because she can do nearly every circus act there is.

She obsessed with circus related things—ESPECIALLY clowns.

She is in denial about the true nature of her parents' deaths and is emotionally and mentally unstable due them.

She has quite a sweet tooth—especially when it's traditionally considered circus food.

She collects glass figures as well as odd/deformed furniture, toys, and photos (along with just vintage photos in general) and loves colorful things.

She also loves reading, filing, painting, dagger throwing, acrobatics, gymnastics, dancing, playing games, and taking care of animals.

Her and Eddie Balthazar are dating.

Edmund 'Eddie' Seraiah Balthazar, the 15 year old son of Sarah Dear /Aunt Sarah and Edgar Balthazar.

He is apart of the Anti-heroes club and the Badun Detective agency.

He has alot of old school hobbies like croquet and crochet, golf, birdwatching, and collecting things. Things like stamps, coins, and bugs. He likes reading and listening to music and writing and he loves picnics, sewing, and knitting.

He had a litter of kittens that he adores as well as a motorcycle.

He also likes red wine, coffee, tea, champagne, slushie, hard candy, chicken pot pie, cigar, and toast with beans. Not that his parents know that he likes alcohol.

He usually shows little more than indifference to those outside his inner circle and has been taking care of his elderly parents (and their pets) since he was 9.

He is dating Hermie Bing.

Gaston Junior and Gaston the 3rd LeGume, the 21 year old sons of Gaston LeGume and Laurette. Aka Junior and Bronze.

They are hard heads lacking in education because of their father and can hold one hell of a grudge (as well as an ox) but have hearts of gold. When it comes to the people they care about that is.

They are both members of Harriet's crew and have many shared (and differing) hobbies.

They are very protective of their little brother (and sister) and their little cousins, even if they love getting under their skin at times.

Junior is dating Daphne Tremaine and Bronze is dating Sammy Smee.

Also Junior has a bad leg from trying to ram through the barrier with his dad.

Gemma Enchtra LeGume, the 3 year old (by d3) daughter of Gaston and the Enchantress. She is the younger half sister of the Gaston twins and Gil as well as the younger cousin of LeFou Deux, Claire Bimbette, and La Foux Doux (by default).

She is every bit as good, innocent, and bubbly as Gil is. She loves Magic, fruit, candy, roses, lifting rocks, animals, the forest, mirrors, and adores her older siblings and cousins with all her heart. She also loves her parents too despite not knowing them all too well.

Oh and she likes weight-lifting, though her elder family members don't allow her to do it.

And she loves mirrors as well and carries around the doll that her brothers and LeFou Deux made her.

She is my oc based on the toddler from d1.

heavily belated introduction post

SORRY I'LL ORGANIZE THIS BETTER LATER

resident alfons kisser

go follow @silkkorchid she's very cool <3

bro I might as well make a whole carrd atp I promise I'll make a Tumblr acc for more serious content I swear

what kind of content?

- multifandom: mainly twst, ikevil - polls, fantheories / analyses, memes, shitposts... - ocs someday...

who am I?

rou? (they/them preferred) - 🐬 chronically online jade leech kisser - 🪞 alfons enjoyer... - procrastinating artist - obsession with polls? maybe... - intp-t // 4w5 (459) // sp/sx // melancholic (does this mean I'm an idia kinnie)

tags I use?

#twst polls #ikevil polls personal (in general they will have "rou" prefix so it's just my posts if you search them...): #rouanswers - answering an ask #roubrainrot - (I brainrot immensely)* #routheories - theories* #rouletmecook - (rouart was taken 💀)

#roudead - piano #roustorytime - irl experiences (varied) usually extremely off topic * these posts tend to be REALLY long but it would be appreciated if my efforts could be recognized 😭

tags - oc brainrot

misc oc tag will be: #rouocs

twst ocs: 📫 #yuu-kanaeru - yuusona 🪞⚜ #host : 🪞⚜ - sirius #gilles-barbe-de-cloches - gilles (we don't talk about him. you'll never know who gilles really is. have fun finding what anon he is)

ikevil ocs maybe?: - tba TBA original - The Artificial Darlinghouse: - tba TBA original - Roulette Luxe (help I need a better name): ❄️ #rou henrietta peregrine - Henrietta Peregrine 🌈 #rou clyde chandler - Clyde Chandler 🍷 #rou dorius verlaine - Dorius Verlaine 🐦‍⬛ #rou branwen levine - Branwen Levine

TOYHOUSE TBA

current blogs (last updated April 12, 2024):

- @rou-luxe (main; polls; shitpost; you are here) - @nrchostclub-official (🪞⚜ host) - @nrc-delivery (inactive yuusona? 📫)

brainrotting fandom list + favorites

- Twisted Wonderland EN ID: TBA - Deuce, Jade, Azul, Rook, Cater, Vil, Jamil

- Ikeseries (Vil > Pri > Vamp). Ikevil EN ID: P4C2AQXNF

- Alfons, Elbert, Roger, Jude, Clavis, Silvio, Shakespeare - paths completed (in order): Clavis (romantic), Shakespeare (romantic), Silvio (romantic) - in progress paths: William Rex, Gilbert (against my will)

this post was last updated April 26, 2024

Descendants Canon: Meet the Notorious Nine

(Mal, Evie, Jay, Carlos, Uma, Gil, Harry, Azalea and Aricka Kore Page.)

(CW: heavily implied child abuse.)

———-

Aricka Kore Page was good at observing. She was queen of the shadows after all. They were her domain, her birthright as daughter of Hades. Her smoke-blue hair and cobalt blue eyes were a dead giveaway as to her her father is, and her pale skin and vicious cackle was a dead giveaway as to her mother.

Right now, she was observing Gaston Jr and Trois, who were arguing loudly over something, and she crept closer to further eavesdrop.

“I should be the one to shoot it down, I saw it first.

“No, I’m older. I deserve the pride of shooting a Bore-adon limo down,” Jr growled. Her blood ran cold at that statement.

An Auradon limo- a MARKED Auradon limo- on the Isle of the Lost-?! The last time they were there they were investigating the kidnapping of a prince from one of the kingdoms. The prince was never found but if he’d been a baby then they never would’ve. The person who did the deed would’ve hid their tracks way too well for them to find him.

Breath in her throat, she scampered through the shadows to the Dragon’s Den. Her twin sister’s domain. Here, Aricka was a mere lackey, not a princess, but that was just as she liked it. She would defer to her twin’s rules anytime she wanted. She chucked the largest rock she could at the “Falling Rocks” sign and as a soon as the stairs were low enough she leapt up and took them two at a time.

She tripped on the last step and fell into the meeting area of the room, startling Evie and Carlos who were also there with Mal. She scrambled to her feet, “Mal-!” She panted. Hand over her chest to regain her breath. “Jr-Trois- Auradon limo- HERE-!”

“Easy, Aricka,” Evie guided her to the ratty couch in the Dragon’s Den, where they both sat down. “Slow down and catch your breath. Then tell us what you saw in the shadows.” Carlos moved to get Aricka’s favorite item in the Den- a soft ratty, holey purple blanket that didn’t smell like mold or seawater, but instead Evie had sprayed it with a liquid that smelled nice. She’d called it lemon verbena. It smelled like the sunshine Aricka loved seeing in Auradon.

If a limo was here that could only mean that Ben had successfully convinced his parents to agree to the VK Isle Reformation Proclamation.

“Mal…” she says, once she could breath without panting. “I heard Gaston Jr and Trois talking about shooting down an Auradon limousine- if they were correct and they saw a limo here on the Isle-,”

“Then that reformation plan you mentioned when you got home was agreed to.” Mal says, crossing her arms. “Which means we need to plan. Carlos, Evie, go to the Junk Shop and make up and excuse to drag Jay from his dad’s grip and grab Azalea when you do.” She turns to her twin. “You and I are going to the docks to grab Uma Gil and Harry. They’ll leave Jonas and Desiree in charge of things while we talk. Meet back here when you get them, E and Carlos.”

With plans in motion, the four teens went about their respective tasks.

~~~~~~

Fifteen minutes later, the well named Notorious Nine were assembled in Mal’s carefully hidden Dragon’s Den:

Demigoddess Fae Mallory Bertha Page, eldest daughter of Maleficent and Hades, legally adopted stepdaughter to Lady Persephone of Olympus.

Demigodess Fae Aricka Kore Page, youngest daughter of Maleficent and Hades, legally adopted stepdaughter of Lady Persephone.

Future vizier in training Jadir Ali, son of Jafar and an unknown mother.

Princess Evelyn Rose Grimhilde, daughter of Lady Regina Grimhilde and Graham Humbert, Regina’s Huntsman.

Super genius Carlos Oscar de Vil, son of Cruella de Vil and William Cecil Clayton.

Captain AND Princess Uma Adira Nautica-Facilier, daughter of Ursula and Dr. Draven Facilier.

First mate Harold Everett Hook, son of Captain James Hook and Queen Narissa.

Master-at-Arms Gilbert Castor Legume, son of Gaston Legume and Paulette Dupont.

Azalea Ixoria, daughter of Hyacinth and an unknown father.

“Right,” Mal says. “The day Aricka said would come has come. Uma, I trust your crew is ready for a seamless transition from your rule to a crew mate of your choice?”

“I selected Jonas, son of Razoul and Mother Gothel, for temporary Captain and Desiree, daughter of Shan Yu and an unknown mother as First Mate,” Uma says.

“For Master-at-Arms I picked Bonnie, daughter of Evelyn Deavor and Arthur Harrow,” Gil added.

“Hadie is taking over the shadows while I’m gone”, Aricka said, knowing that she would go by default to help whoever was going to Auradon.

“Ginny Gothel and Hermie Bing are in charge of our turf whilst we’re away,” Mal adds. “The orphans have been moved into the basements of Bargain Castle, Uma’s Fish and Chip Shoppe, and the various ships we have in our control.” It wasn’t the best solution but it was the only one they had. “Harry, does your older sister know which children are moving onto her ship?” The eldest Hook sibling had procured the Arabella when she was 16, five years prior. She had a fine crew she’d carefully accrued over her rule as captainess, and when Mal had first proposed this manner of action she was the first to join the force.

“Aye,” the first mate drawled. “She’s cleared all the space she could, just waiting for the signal.”

“Uma, your crew ready for new crew members?” Mal confirmed. The teal-and-aquamarine haired captain nods.

“Jonas, Bonnie and Desiree know that they are to let any orphan child who says the code onboard. If they don’t know the code they have to vet them carefully, but if they pass the test they may also be sent aboard.” They would never turn a child away unless they tried something like actively murdering a crew member or one of the main Notorious Nine members, but they still had to be cautious in their actions.

Mal nods. They knew Auradon would pull the key players off the Isle first, to get a feel for things, so they’d been preparing for this day even though it seemed like a crap shoot.

Now that it was here nobody really liked the idea of leaving their turf so exposed, but it was for the good of the kids on the trash heap of a “home” they lived on that they would go.

“Aricka. We have an idea of how things will work thanks to you, but we still have to make sure we don’t meet their expectations. They want us to be evil, so we need to blend in as much as possible. This is where your expertise comes in. You will have to guide us through the social aspect of everything along with Evie, and make sure we don’t make a spectacle of ourselves,” Mal says, locking eyes with her sister. The sapphire-haired princess nods, having expected this.

“Jay, you Harry and Gil are on bodyguard duty. You’re the three strongest looking guys we have, and they’ll be expecting you to be ruthless and mean. So while you are the muscle you’re also to be kind and earnest and you need to each find a hobby that doesn’t purely rely on your strength.”

“Does this mean I can’t play Tourney?” Gil seemed genuinely upset about that notion, and Uma was quick to assuage it,

“No, Gil, you just need another hobby that shows how much of a good person you can be, like drawing or making jewelry or something.”

“Harry, you can join my sewing business I’ll be starting in Auradon,” Evie offered quietly. “We can say that once you get settled in Auradon you realized you didn’t just like sewing basic repairs but you had an eye for fashion as well. Once you get comfortable as a tailor you could start your own shop, and we could be allies in that regard.”

Harry blinks at this, considers, then shrugs. “Might as well, Blueberry,” he says, which was as close to an agreement they would get from him.

“Jay, use your parkour abilities to join some dance classes, show the perfect prissy Auradon kids how the Isle does dance,” Aricka Page says, teasing her allies for how they addressed her mainland friends.

Jay considers this, knowing Aricka would have been able to find classes that fit all their strengths and personalities. “Yeah, that could work… great suggestion Aricka,” he says and offers a hand for her to high five. The shadow princess smiled brilliantly at the Agraben, and reciprocated, interlocking their fingers and shaking their hands.

(It was no secret that Jay had a huge soft spot for her, her having been the one to discover the true atrocities his father committed against him, and had dragged him to her dad one night when it was particularly bad.)

“This has to work, guys. Our parents will likely make us try to get the wand or something to break the barrier down, but we have to play the long con, which means no stealing the wand. We have to be smart and vicious and ruthless but loyal.” Mal looks around the Den. “Head back to your respective parents. They’ll expect us to be oblivious so act like nothing is amiss.” The crew assembled nods their understanding. “Disperse. Meet at Bargain Castle with your parents when Maleficent assembles us.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thirty minutes later, the well named Notorious Nine were shuffled into an expensive looking limo marked with the Auradon royal crest.

The time had come for a new era.

Whether it was for better or for worse was yet to be seen…

~~~~~~~~~~

@astralshipper @rosieshipper @hyperionshipping @sappy-secrets @tsundere-selfship @yeehawselfshipping @letsgofoletsgo @callsign-revenge

General Headcanons for “Hades’s Mansion of Villains”

Summary: “Hades, fed up with being alone, decided to invite his homies to live with him on his mansion, but little did he know that when you place the nastiest people that ever lived on one place, some crazy shenanigans are bound to happen.”

About the world: 

-First of all, the story setting is in a little pocket universe named “Disneyville”. It’s about the size of a large city, with a big marketplace (called “Downtown”) at the exact center, houses and apartment buildings at the surroundings and big regions of dangerous forests that extend to the farest limits of the town.

- Disneyville is used as a convergence point for all the worlds inhabited by Disney/Pixar characters and can be easily entered by the use of portals and carriages implemented by King Mickey. But it’s not only a hang-out spot, beacuse DIsneyville also serves as a place to contain all the villlains and antagonists.

-The villains were either resurrected or captured and then placed inside of the town. Mickey and some of the most optimistic heroes thought it would be a better way to “reform” them instead of just letting them rot in whatever hell they ended up after their defeats.

-There isn’t a magical barrier that inhibits them from leaving the town, but there is one that senses when a villain or a henchmen has left. This is possible thanks to a magical “tag” that was placed over them shortly after they were brought into the town and warns the good magical users when one of the bad guys has escaped the town.

-Everyone’s powers and magical abilities have been mellowed down by Mickey so that way it’s not that easy for them to organize and succeed on an attack without getting caught. Believe me, they’ve tried.

-The bad guys can move with relative freedom in Disneyville, and go to events, get jobs, open business, etc.. But life’s still harsh for them since they are mostly treated like outcast. They claim that they don’t care about this and they mostly don’t, but they have to admit that maintaining an honest job is even more difficult when you are recognized as a criminal.

-The town is not entirely inhabitaded by villains however, since a large number of goood or neutral characters have decided to move to the “big city”. Mickey even enocourages this often, saying that the villains could use more positive influence around the town.

-All of them can speak English thanks to the magic that surrounds the town, but can still speak other languajes if they desire to do so. 

-Somehow they are aware of the existence of the movies/shows they star in and some have even seen them. They don’t like to think about it too much about that beacuse ✨existencial crisis✨ but will reference it often.

Important locations 

- Mystiriódis Manor, otherwise known as “The Mansion”: An old, eerie property located in the outskirts of town, partly hidden by the dense trees of the Gloom Forest. The house is owned by Hades, who had been using it mostly to get away from the Underworld during his free days until he decided to invite some of the villains to live there with him.

-Slim-McLeach Farm: No one is sure how they managed to get the property and the cattle, but now they are among the main providers of dairy and beef in Disneyville. The farm is located not very far away from Mystiriódis Manor, so Slim and McLeach often go to visit.

-Gloom Forest: A dark forest filled with both regular and exotic creatures. It is rumored that Shan Yu and the Headless Horseman both prowl around the place at night.

-Jolly Roger Dinner: A little pirate-themed dinner co-owned by Captain Hook and John Long Silver.

-House of Mouse: The most exclusive club in Disneyville, open only by invitation to heroes, sidekicks, villains, henchmen to hang-out for a while.

Who lives on the mansion 

Hades

Maleficent

Ursula

Yzma

Cruella de Vil

Madame Medusa

Gaston

William Clayton

Jafar

Captain Hook

Dr. Facilier

Scar

Shere Khan

Zira

Claude Frollo

Professor Padriac Ratigan

King Candy AKA Turbo

Henchmen

Kronk

Iago

Diablo

Pain and Panic

Flotsam and Jetsam

Facilier’s Shadows, often nicknamed “Fantome” (espectre or shadow in French)

Mr. Smee

================

Important links to check

DA RULES: Please be sure to check my rules before following or sending an ask.

VK Cove AU: Another Disney Villain AU I have that’s basically HMOV but it’s mostly focused on my fan kids for the villains and their shenenigans.

COMMISIONS OPEN!: If you are looking for artists to commision you can check out my artwork!

===============

About the author

Adrian -- 19 years old -- she/he -- interacts from @sugar-fueled-gremlin 

While me and my friend, @disneyfan50 , are still messing around with our Owl House inspired AUs and changing some stuff with season 2 still coming out, decided to maybe at least explain the character roles in the AUs, this one being The Chimera House, AU on disneyfan’s series Heroes and Villains, my series Descendants: Family Business and our series, Family Ties, with elements from our series, Power Within: 

*Nikolas ‘Nik’ Goodwin- known as the Chimera Man due to the cursed form he takes, Nik is a wanted outcast due to being not in a coven and as a result, is often on the run from the emperors coven and has to make his living a lot via selling human junk from the human realm. But when his palisman leads a human to him by mistake on one of these days, things are never the same...

*Jayra Ashton- a human from the human realm, Jayra grew up with a father that would mostly leave her to parent herself...and then act surprised when he got called in over her antics in school, with the last straw being for her father when she used snakes and fireworks in her book report and hoping the camp would teach her to grow up already, her father intends to send her to camp....only she never goes, instead finding her way to another world from her books, and in the process, her life changes completely. 

*Godzilla- a demon that resembles a spider, no one really knows of his origins outside of the fact that Nik found him while hiding out from coven scouts one time and by the time Nik managd to escape them, he had a spider demon with him and despite insisting he’s terrifying, everyone, especially Jayra, disagrees.

*Fido- the demon that resides in their house, Fido is the Chimera House in some sense, and often roams around as a result and sometimes risks travelling beyond the house, and despite coming off as annoying and creepy, he means well.

*Falcon- Nik’s palisman he made out of palisman wood when younger, Falcon is actually an Eagle palisman, and when not being used by Nik and eventually Jayra, Falcon roams the house or steals human junk when Nik sends Falcon to do so.

*Calliope Goodwin- Nik’s younger sister, Calliope is a member of the Empress’ coven and often likes to keep the fight that resulted in her place, a secret as she in present, has risen to coven leader, but after losing a fight with her brother, she finds herself assigned to capture her brother, with the promise that he will be cured, something she wants done, so she’s willing to do anything to have it cured.

*Cordelia Hawkins-Hook- a student in Hexside, Cordelia comes from a guards family and as a result, is often looked down upon to the point her friend would eventually ditch her for being a latebloomer and in present, said friend, Minnie, bullies her for failing the Oracle track, but after sneaking a human into school, she finds herself on the right track of Abomination, while befriending the human in the process. 

*Fairen Glass- a student in Hexside, Fairen is known for his love for the human realm and its treasures, and excels in his track of Illusionist, and finds himself befriending a human named Jayra when Cordelia sneaks her in one day, easily becoming the twos loyal friend. 

*Minnie Mim- the youngest child of the Mim’s, Minnie to most comes off as cold and only sticking to those like her status, as she used to be friends with Cordelia until the day she ditched her and picked on her when she started to fail the track Minnie was in, aka Oracle, but after some incidents with the human, she ends up changing for the better slowly and while slowly fixing her friendship with Cordelia, also slowly falls for the human, Jayra....

*Coriston and Colaris Mim- the eldest of the Mim children, they are known for their tricks, especially when it comes to them using their skills from the Illusionist Coven to do so and when it comes to their younger step-sister, they vary between getting along or getting back at her when she tells on them.

*Malachi Fae- a student in Hexside, Malachi due to his families status, has been friends with Minnie since they were childen but often picked on Cordelia and others as a result but is still known as the schools sport star while excelling at Potions Track.

*Carla De Vil- a student in Hexside, Carla, coming from a family of sciencetists and inventors, instead studies the construction track and hangs around Malachi and Minnue due to the three meeting each other while younger.

*Maddie and Mr. Mim- the parents of Minnie, Coriston and Colaris, or step-mother to the twins and step-father to Minnie, they are often harsh with their children, expecting only the best, especially from Minnie. Being in the Oracle and Abomination covens respectfully, both own and run Mim Industries. 

*Empress Aralda- serving a entity she calls Maleficent, Aralda rules the Isles with the coven system being her creation and anyone who isn’t in it, will be punished. Seeking to have her son by her side though and a human door to continue her plans, she is willing to do anything to get both.

*William- Aralda’s right hand man, William is often calm and collected with his duties and often tries to hide his joy at his colleagues failures, as it means he can clean up after them, but he has a dislike for the Golden Guard when said Guard starts to get more duties then William.

*The Golden Guard/Enoch ‘’Galleon’- taken in by Aralda when younger and told his parents didn’t want him, Galleon is loyal to the coven and is cosidered a child prodigy, but he soon slowly discovers the truth as he has run ins with the human and her friends...

Duke Reviews Xtra: 101 Dalmatians 2: Patch's London Adventure

Hello, I'm Andrew Leduc And Welcome To Duke Reviews Xtra Where Today We Continue Our Look At Disney...

Where Sunday, I Reviewed 101 Dalmatians, So Today On Duke Reviews Xrra, We're Looking At The Direct To DVD Sequel, 101 Dalmatians 2: Patch's London Adventure...

This Film See Patch, The Loneliest One Of The 101 Dalmatians, Feeling Lost In A Sea Of Spots While Wondering: If He's One Of A Kind Or Just One Of 101?

Accidentally Left Behind When The Family Moves To Their Dalmatian Plantation, He Goes Off In The City To Meet His Hero, Thunderbolt (Played By Brad Majors From Rocky Horror) As Cruella Returns To Cause The Dalmatians Trouble...

Will Patch Figure Out If He's One Of A Kind Or One Of 101?

Let's Find Out As We Watch 101 Dalmatians 2: Patch's London Adventure...

The Film Starts In London, As Roger And Anita Radcliffe And Their Canine Clan Are Packing For The Move To Their Dalmatian Plantation, A Big Home In The Country With Enough Room For Pongo, Perdita And Their 101 Dalmatians To Run Around Also It's Far From The Clutches Of Cruella De Vil...

But Patch, The Feistiest Of 101, Starts To Feel Lost In A Sea Of Spots And Longs To Be A One Of A Kind Wonder Dog, Like His Hero, Thunderbolt...

While Watching The Thunderbolt Adventure Hour, Patch Hears About A Chance To Appear On The Show While It Is Being Filmed In London, But Unfortunately The Move Is Going To Interphere With His Opportunity...

But The Next Morning...

Like Kevin McCallister From Home Alone, Patch Is Accidentally Left Behind When The Family Moves, So, Deciding To Run Away, He Goes To The Audition And Meets Thunderbolt...

After The Audition, Thunderbolt's Sidekick, Lil' Lightning (Played By Hugo From The Hunchback Of Notre Dame) Tells Thunderbolt That The Producers Want To Replace Him With A Younger Dog...

So, In An Attempt To Save His Job, Thunderbolt Decides To Go Into The Real World And Perform An Act Of True Heroism To Prove Himself With The Help Of Patch, Who Knows Everything About The Show...

Despite More Obsessed With Dalmatians Than Ever, Cruella Attempts To Calm Her Frenzy Through An Affiliation With A Spot Fixated French Artist Named Lars (Voiced By Martin Short)...

While Thunderbolt Attempts To Do Several Attempts At Heroism, Telling Patch That He Is Giving Him A Junior Deputy Test And Will Let Him On The Show If He Can Pass, This Test Involves Him Unwittingly Giving Thunderbolt Instructions On How To Save The Day As He Has No Idea How To Act Without A Script...

(Start At 0:49)

But Back At Thundebolt's Trailer, Lightning Reveals His Mean Nature, Tired Of Being Second Best, He Cons The Producer (Who Is Desperate And Frantic Over Thunderbolt Being Missing) Into Recasting Him As The Hero....

Unable To Recreate The Look Cruella Desires, She Decides To Inspire Him By Restarting Her Search For The 101 Dalmatians, But She Becomes Angry When Cruella Discovers That They Moved, But Using A Newspaper, She's Able To Get Their New Address From Patch's ID Tag..,

But While Thunderbolt And Patch Bond Over Their Fear Of Being Just Another Dog, The Radcliffes Finally Discover That Patch Is Missing As Cruella Gets Horace And Jasper Out Of Prison, Sending Them To Get The 98 Puppies By Locking Them In A Stolen Kanine Krunchies Truck...

With Lars Getting His Inspiration Back, Cruella Wants Him To Make A Masterpiece Out Of Puppy Fur But Refuses As He's Not A Sicko, So, It's Back To The Old Plan Of Making A Dalmatian Puppy Coat For Cruella...

Using The Twilight Bark, The Imprisoned Puppies Reach Patch And Thunderbolt Who Go Out To Save Patch's Family...

When Lightning Hears About Thunderbolt Going To Save The Dalmatians, He Becomes Horrified At The Fact That Thunderbolt Might Actually Become A Hero And Hurries To The Warehouse To Ruin Thunderbolt's Chances...

With Lightning Convincing Thunderbolt Not To Use Patch's Stealth Plan But Openly Attack Instead, Cruella Captures Thunderbolt And Patch And Locks Them In A Cage...

Sneaking In, Lightning Reveals That Thunderbolt Is A Fraud While Also Revealing That There Was No Plan To Recast Thunderbolt It Was Just His Way Of Getting Rid Of Him...

Patch Is Deeply Hurt That Thunderbolt Would Lie But Their Situation Reminds Him Of One Episode Which Leads To Patch Escaping And Releasing His Family While Thunderbolt Stays In His Cage...

With The Puppies Getting Onto A Double Decker Bus, Cruella Soon Follows In Hot Pursuit As They Race Through The Streets Of London, Eventually Cornering Them In An Alley...

Patch Attempts To Hold Them Off While The Other Puppies Escape, Luckily Thunderbolt Shows Up (Having Hitched A Ride With Lars) Apologizing To Patch Saying He May Not Be A Hero, But He Can Act Like One...

So, He Fakes A Heart Attack To Distract Cruella While The Puppies Get Away While Patch Puts The Bus In Reverse...

Yep, Cruella, Horace, Jasper And Lightning End Up In The River Where They're All Promptly Arrested Afterwards...

With Pongo And Perdita Arriving, They Are Proud Of Patch As Thunderbolt Tells Them That He May Be An Actor But Patch Is A One Of A Kind Wonder Dog...

As The Credits Roll We See A Newspaper Montage Of The Characters Fates: With Lars Taking Credit For An Accidental Painting Of Horace And Jasper That Patch Made, Crediting Him As A Genius.,

Horace And Jasper Opening Up A Ladies Boutique With The Motto "Fur Bad, Nylon Good"....

Cruella Ending Up In An Issue Of The Magazine Called The Institution...

And Roger's New Song, Seeing Spots, Becoming A Smash Hit...

We Also Get A Post Credits Scene Where Patch Has Become Thunderbolt's New Sidekick, As The Other Dalmatians Serve As Extras..,

And That's 101 Dalmatians 2: Patch's London Adventure And It's Pretty Good...

The Story Is Interesting, The Art Styles Match The Original And The Characters Are Well Acted For The Most Part, I Like Martin Short But I Feel Lars Sounds Too Much Like Franck From Father Of The Bride, Which I Like But If I Wanted To Hear His Franck Voice I'd Watch Father Of The Bride..

Also The Guy They Picked As Pongo Sounds Absolutely Nothing Like Rod Taylor, In Fact The Guy They Got, Samuel West, Is Mostly Known For The Opening Of Van Helsing Where He Played Dr. Frankenstein...

But Aside From Those 2 Minor Complaints, It's A Great Film And I Say See It....

Till Next Time, This Is Duke, Signing Off...

The Princess Bride

It feels downright inconceivableI to devote only one chapter in a book about lessons gleaned from eighties movies to The Princess Bride. Why, just off the top of my head, while standing on my head, I can name five life lessons that this movie teaches you that you don’t learn anywhere else:  1. “Never go against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line!” 2. “Love is the greatest thing—except for a nice mutton, lettuce, and toma- to sandwich when the mutton is nice and lean.” 3. “Life is pain. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” 4. Eventually, you learn not to mind the kissing parts. 5. And most important, “As you wish” = “I love you.”  Such is the depth of wisdom in this film that in 2013, twenty-six years after its release, BuzzFeed devoted a listII to the lessons gleaned from it. A BuzzFeed list! Who needs the Oscars, Princess Bride, when you have that ultimate of mod- ern-day accolades? The Princess Bride is so adored that it’s probablyIII now a clichéd response on Internet dating websites: walks on the beach, an open fire, sunsets, and The Princess Bride. And yet, despite this, love for The Princess Bride is not seen as desperately hackneyed or cheesily safe. The Princess Bride is what you’d need a prospective love interest to cite as their favorite movie for the relationship to progress,IV it’s the one film that would make you rethink a lifelong friendship if you found out your best friend “just didn’t get it”—not that they would ever say that, because I honestly don’t know a single person of my generation who isn’t obsessed with this film.

And not just my generation: in As You Wish, a very enjoyable book about the making of The Princess Bride, Cary Elwes—who played Westley the farm boy, of course—recounts being told by both Pope John Paul II and Bill Clinton how much they loved the movie, proving that The Princess Bride appeals to saints and sinners alike.V Now, having said all that, I have a confession to make. I was not the big Princess Bride fan in my family when I was growing up. That title instead went to my sister, Nell. Our mother took us to see it at the movie theater when I must have been nine and Nell was seven, and even though the film was— incredibly—something of a commercial disappointment when it came out, the cinema was absolutely packed with kids like us. In my mind, everyone in the audience was utterly in thrall to this tale of Buttercup (Robin Wright), her true love Westley (Elwes), and their battles against Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), and Count Rugen (Christopher Guest), and their eventual assistance from the brave swordsman Inigo (Mandy Patinkin), the giant Fezzik (the professional wrestler known as André the Giant), and Miracle Max (Billy Crystal). Afterward, we stood in the cinema atrium as our mother bundled us back into our coats. “Did you girls like it?” she asked. Standing there in her corduroy dungarees and T-shirt, Nell looked in a state of semi-shock. “I LOVED IT. I WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN RIGHT NOW!” she practically shouted. Now, The Princess Bride is wonderful, but in order to understand how unex- pected this proclamation was, you have to know a little bit about my sister. Ever since she was old enough to throw a tantrum, my sister refused to wear dresses. She never played with dolls. She refused to let my mother brush her hair and had apparently no interest in her physical appearance. She did not like mushy stories—she didn’t even like reading books. In other words, she was the complete opposite to me. How much of that was a deliberate reaction against me, a younger sibling defining herself in opposition to the older one, and how much of it was simply an innate part of Nell was already a moot point when we went to see The Princess Bride: Nell’s parameters were so firmly set by then that her nickname in our family was “the tough customer.” She would consent to drink only one kind of fruit juice (apple), and buy only one brand (Red Cheek), and only if it came out of a can (never a carton), so there was absolutely no negotiating with her about mushy princesses. Lord only knows how my mother got her to see the movie in the first place. She must have hid- den the title from her. And yet, like the grandson in the film, Kevin Arnold,VI Nell found that, against all odds, she did enjoy the story, just as Kevin’s grandfather, Columbo,VII promises. I think Nell made my mother take her to see the film at the cinema at least three more times. As she wished. When it came out on VHS, we bought it immediately and it was understood that the videocassette was officially Nell’s, just as the videocassette for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was officially mine. When she found out that the film had originally been a book by William Goldman, who also wrote the screenplay, she asked my amazed mother to buy that, too. Nell read it over and over until the pages fell out, so she stuck them back in and then read the book again. The Princess Bride was the book that taught her to like books, as much as the movie taught her to relax some of her other rules. She developed a lifelong crush on Westley and, not long after, she started wearing dresses, too. The reasons why Nell loved this film so much exemplify, I think, why it is universally adored in a way that, say, the vaguely similar and contemporary The Never-Ending Story is not. It’s a fairy tale for those who love fairy tales, but it’s also a self-aware spoof for those who don’t; it’s an adventure film for boys and—for once—girls, too, but without pandering to or excluding either; it’s got a plot for kids, dialogue for adults, and jokes for everyone; it’s a genre film and a satire of a genre film; it’s a very funny movie in which everybody is playing it straight; it’s smart and sweet and smart about its sweetness, but also sweet about its smarts. Unlike, say, Shrek, there are no jokes here for parents that go over the kids’ heads: all generations enjoy it on exactly the same level. It’s a movie that lets people who don’t like certain things like those things, while at the same time not betraying the original fans. But most of all, The Princess Bride is about one thing in particular: “The Princess Bride is a story about love,” says Cary Elwes. “So much happens in the movie—giants, fencing, kidnapping. But it’s really a film about love.” This might seem like a statement of the obvious, but it isn’t, actually. Yes, the film is ostensibly about the great true love between Buttercup and Westley, and their most perfect kiss that leaves all the other kisses in the world behind. Both Elwes and Wright were so astonishingly beautiful when they made the film that, watching them, it’s hard to believe any love ever existed on this plan- et other than theirs. And they, rather pleasingly, were quite taken with one an- other. In his book, Elwes talks at length about how “smitten” he was with Wright, and she says precisely the same about him: “I was absolutely smitten with Cary. So obviously that helped with our onscreen chemistry. . . . It doesn’t matter how many years go by, I will love Cary forever.” Disappointingly, however, Elwes insists that they remained just friends. “Everyone asks if there was more!” he says, sounding a little exasperated, apparently unable to see what everyone else can: namely, that it seems against the laws of nature for two such beautiful people not to have had sex at least once. The last scene that Elwes shot was of him and Wright kissing on horse- back, creating “the most perfect kiss” of all time against a sunset. Surely that was romantic. “Well, not really. Robin and I were friends by that point so we kept laughing, and [the director] Rob [Reiner] was going, ‘Touch her face, touch her face!’ ” He laughs. But Westley and Buttercup’s love is only a part of the film, and only one of several love stories in the film. There is also, for a start, the great love between Inigo and Fezzik. The scene in which a drunken and broken Inigo looks up into Fezzik’s face in the Thieves Forest and Fezzik says a simple, smiling hello is much more moving than the moment when Buttercup realizes the Dread Pirate Roberts is actually Westley (not least because she’s just pushed him down a hill). Even if Inigo does become the Dread Pirate Roberts at the end of the film, as Westley suggests he should, it is as impossible to imagine him going off without Fezzik as it is to imagine Buttercup and Westley being severed. This love between the two men is at the root of one of the film’s subtlest lessons. Bad guys teach audiences how to think of opponents in life, and this is especially true of bad guys in books and films aimed at kids. Because stories for kids tend to be relatively simple, villains in these films are almost invariably evil, and that’s all there is to be said about them. Cruella de Vil, Snow White’s stepmother, the witch in Rapunzel: WHAT a bunch of moody bitches. This is also certainly true of movies for children in the 1980s, from the frankly terri- fying Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd) in Who Framed Roger Rabbit to the enjoyably evil Ursula in The Little Mermaid. It’s a pleasingly basic approach, and one that validates most kids’ (and adults’) view of the world: “I am good and anyone who thwarts me is wicked and there is no point in trying to think about things from their point of view because they have no inner life of their own beyond pure evil and a desire to impede me.” The Princess Bride, however, does something different. It’s easy to forget this once you’ve seen the movie and fallen in love with the characters but Inigo and Fezzik are, ostensibly, bad guys. When we first meet them in the movie, they knock our heroine, Buttercup, unconscious and kidnap her for Vizzini. We are also told they will kill her. Our princess! In the eyes of children, you can’t get much more evil than that. They are hired guns in the re- venge business, which is not a job for a good guy in any fairy tale. But Gold- man flips it around. We quickly see Inigo and, in particular, Fezzik being ex- tremely sweet with each other, doing their little rhymes together and trying to protect one another from Vizzini’s ire. Their love for one another shows us there is more to these villains than villainy. Goldman then ups the ante even further by having Inigo describe to the Man in Black how he has devoted his life to avenging the death of his father, thus giving him the kind of emotional backstory kids can definitely understand, as well as adding another mission to the movie. Soon after beating (but not killing) Inigo, the Man in Black fights with Fezzik, who we already know has a similarly sad past (“unemployed—IN GREENLAND”). Plenty of villains were once good before crossing to the dark side: Darth Vader, many of Batman’s nemeses, Voldemort. The point in those stories is that the difference between true evil and true greatness comes down to one wrong decision, one wrong turn, and there is no going back from that. But The Princess Bride does something more subtle: it suggests that good people some- times end up doing bad things, but are still good, have stories of their own, and are capable of love. Inigo and Fezzik both killed people in the past for Vizzini, but they’re all still good people. This is quite a message for kids (and adults) to take in: not everything is clear-cut when it comes to good and bad, even in fairy tales. In the original novel, William Goldman goes into much greater detail about Fezzik and Inigo’s friendship, and this is one of the reasons why I—in all hon- esty—pre-fer the book to the film.VIII But the film alludes to it enough in order for audiences to understand the real bond between the men, and partly this happens through the script and partly through the actors, especially one actor in particular. At one point, Arnold Schwarzenegger was considered for the role of Fezzik, but, thank heavens, he was already too expensive by the time the film finally started shooting. Where Schwarzenegger is all jarring rectangles and jut- ting jaw, André the Giant was all soft circles and goofy smiles. Where Schwarzenegger palpably punished himself to a superhuman extent to get the body he clearly wanted so badly, the man born André René Roussimoff suf- fered from gigantism due to acromegaly and had no choice about his size, just as Fezzik didn’t, much to the latter’s misery (“It’s not my fault being the big- gest and the strongest—I don’t even exercise”). It would be a patronizing cliché to say André was born to play Fezzik, but he was certainly more right for the role than Schwarzenegger. By the time he made The Princess Bride, André was seven feet, four inches and weighed more than 540 pounds. Easily the sweetest stories in Cary Elwes’s book come from the cast and crew’s memories of the wrestler, who died in 1993 at the age of forty-six, and this is not mere sentimentality. Quite a few of The Princess Bride’s cast have, sadly, since died, including Mel Smith, Peter Cook, and Peter Falk, but none of them prompts the same kind of fondness as that felt for André. “It’s safe to say that he was easily the most popular person on the movie,” Elwes writes. “Everyone just loved him.” Partly this is due to the extraordinary nature of the man. Robin Wright re- calls going out to a dinner with him where he ate “four or five entrees, three or four appetizers, a couple of baskets of bread, and then he’s like, I’m ready for seconds. And then desserts. I think he went through a case of wine and he wasn’t even tipsy.” But it was André’s innately gentle nature that made him so beloved. His “compassion and protective nature,” Elwes writes, helped Wallace Shawn over- come his almost paralyzing fear of heights when they were filming the climb up the Cliffs of Insanity. When Robin Wright felt chilly when filming outdoors, André would place one of his huge hands on top of Wright’s head. “She said it was like having a giant hot water bottle up there. It certainly did the trick; he didn’t even mess up her hair that much!” Elwes writes. When he died, William Goldman wrote his obituary in New York magazine. The last lines were as fol- lows: “André once said to Billy Crystal, ‘We do not live long, the big and the small.’ Alas.” Next, on a smaller level, is the love between Miracle Max (Crystal) and his aged wife, Valerie (Carol Kane). Initially they seem simply like a squabbling old couple, playing purely for broad comedy (and their scene is the broadest comedic one in the film). But it soon becomes clear that Valerie is needling Max only because she wants him to get back his confidence in his work after Prince Humperdinck destroyed it by sacking them, and her little cheer when her husband agrees to make a miracle for Inigo is really very touching. By the end of their scene, they’re working together, finishing one another’s sentences, holding each other arm in arm, and whispering little asides to one another. As a portrait of elderly marriage goes, this one is a pretty lovely one. Finally, there’s the great love story that frames the whole movie: the one be- tween the grandson/Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage) and the grandfather/Columbo (Peter Falk). In the beginning of the movie, the grandson is irritated by his cheek-pinching grandfather and can hardly believe that he has to stop playing his adorably primitive-looking computer baseball game to listen to grandfather read a book.IX As the film progresses, the relationship between the grandson and grandfather progresses almost like a traditional love story: the grandson slowly gets more interested, clutching his covers anxiously when Buttercup is almost eaten by the Shrieking Eels; then he gets angry, banging his bed with his fist when it seems like Westley has been killed; and finally, he comes around entirely and tells his grandfather to come back the next day to read the book again. “As you wish.” His grandfather smiles, and the film ends. “That wasn’t actu- ally in the script,” Elwes says. “They came up with him saying that on, I think, the last day, and it really captures the love between the grandfather and grand- son. You can also see the tenderness between Fred Savage and Peter Falk.”

Squeaky and Squirmy: papa you’re here

They run to Harry who falls to his knees in disbelief

Harry: boys. You’re. You’re here. How are you here (to hadie) what did you do?

Hadie: I just thought your mother would like to see her grand babies

Female!Hades: these boys are yours son?

Hadie: taken in because their birth father died.

F!Hades: William Smee?

Harry nods dumbly

F!Hades: ah. He was very worried about his children. I assume you took thorough care of them and their death was a tragic accident

Harry: well. Ya see milady. Ummmm

Hadie: they volunteered to die at his wife’s hands because she wants to cast the dark curse that will destroy this realm and all others like it.

F!Hades: why?

Mal: she says I humiliated her when we were young.

F!Hades: oh. Shrimpy right

Hadie: yes

Harry (incensed but trying to remain calm for the twins): THATS NOT. ahem. That’s not her name and you know it (teeth clenched). Brother.

Hadie: why do you think I care gargoyle face? (He turns to the twins). Boys. Why don’t you take your real papa to see your old papa.

The boys scream in delight and drag Harry away.

Mal: that was cruel. Harry scares the crap out of me but no one deserves that.

Hadie: it had to be done. It can’t be here for what I’m about to ask our father for

Hades (now looking like John Barrowman): and what is it you would like to ask me for my son?

Auradon, Massachusetts. The mansion if Mayor Uma Danes.

(After “the greatest show” lyric page)

Uma: oh. Just a dream

Chester: hello Madame Mayor

Uma: SHIT (she pulls a gun in him) oh. Leon. It’s you

Chester: why the gun

Uma: a strange man entered my house in the middle of the night and I’m a young single woman in a position of power who lives alone in America. Of course I have a gun.

Chester: oh. So did you do it

Uma: do what exactly?

Chester (sadistic gleam in his eye): brrrrrreak the werewolf

Uma: if you are referring to de vil. Then yes. Jay has now slept with Gil and in the morning Carlos will find out and it will utterly destroy him.

Chester: yay!...can I feast on his remains

Uma: I’m destroying him emotionally not physically

Chester (visibly disappointed): oh

Uma: leave now. It’s three in the morning and I need my beauty sleep.

Back in the underworld

Hadie: I need the len. The lett-tuce. The leetoony

Mal: the water of the river Lethe?

Hadie (gratefully): yes. Thank you. Yes. I want to make Uma forget she wants to enact the curse. If I dilute it just right

Mal: I’ll ask Ben? I’m sure he and I can dilute it for you.

Hadie: this why you’re my favourite. Then Uma won’t remember her overblown revenge scheme. And Mal and her family will be safe

Hades: that’s good plan. Except for one wrinkle

Hadie: yes?

Hades: your brother

Hadie: shit. Oh well. No matter. I’ll use it in him as well.

Mal: or. We can go with my plan

Hades: and what plan would that be child?

Hadie: a very brave. Very, heroic plan. That we will not indulge in

Hades: why?

Mal: because my plan is to sacrifice myself so Uma leaves my family alone and safe and no one has to suffer but me

Hadie: it’s all rather Snow White

Hades: hmmmmm. Mal. Follow me. I think it high time for a father daughter talk.

(End of episode)

CS Supernatural Summer**

Hello, this is my offering to the CSSNS gods. Since I feel like the runt of the litter because there are some talented writers participating. I hope you all like the story. To be honest, I was nervous and then technical issues occurred in the form of my computer crashing and all my notes and stuff disappeared so I almost didn't make my deadline but I dived for it and made it just in the nick of time.

A little bit about this story. Okay, it was inspired by the movie Wolf from 94. Oh my gosh, I rewatched it because it had been so long since I first watched it and let me say it was a cheesy movie but I loved the different take on the whole wolf/werewolf mythology and I've said it before and I will say it again I think of CS playing out the roles on every movie I've previously seen or anything really. I did borrow some dialogue from the movie and ouat anything I felt fit well together. It is not a complete retelling of the movie but some of it was used.

Thanks to everyone that assisted in my freakouts. My lovely Beta @artistic-writer and @hookedonapirate for the artwork assist.

A/N:  Can a cursed bite lead a man to find his one true love? An unexpected happy ending or a new beginning?

AO3 or FFN

(Part 1)

Wild Within

…

The eerie, pitch black road was intermittently illuminated by the moonlight, and snow covered the surrounding trees. Not another living soul was in sight. In hindsight, he should have paid closer attention to the road, but time was his enemy and all he could think of was that he was running late.     

Out of his peripheral vision, he saw something streak from the forest. This something, an animal of sorts, jumped in front of his beloved classic car and before Killian could even think about swerving out of the way, he made contact. Oh please don’t let it be dead. Hopefully, the animal was alive, but if it wasn’t he would give it some dignity. He would not allow a poor innocent animal to become roadkill.

He had been distracted by thoughts of his love. It was their anniversary, married for five years, and he was more in love than ever.

At the beginning of their relationship, they were looking for something casual. No commitment. They just wanted to enjoy each other, neither of them were looking for love, but somehow it had found them. The day he met Milah was at a mandatory office party that he had no inclination to attend. Killian was nursing some rum at the bar when she approached to order a drink, and they had exchanged some small talk along with some smiles, and now he was a happily married man.

He sighed and looked for a flashlight because the headlights were not providing enough illumination for his inspection. He found one and checked it, the bulb flickering a little before staying on. It wasn’t perfect but it would do, so he exited his car and approached the animal. It looked like a dog, only it was bigger. Much bigger.

He knelt in front of it and noticed the beast had its eyes closed and was breathing with shallow pants, but suddenly, its eyes opened and it snarled and snapped at him, catching him on the hand.

Disconcerted, Killian watched as the wolf - it’s a bloody wolf -   rose to its feet, bared its teeth and growled at him, and then ran with a limp into the forest. Apparently, the animal was not as hurt as he had first thought, but least he didn’t have to call animal control to pick it up.

Killian looked around for any other signs of life. He knew wolves traveled in packs, and he certainly didn’t want to be caught unawares if there were more nearby. He looked down at his hand to inspect the bite, but it didn’t look to be at all serious. It was not much more than a nibble, but he should probably go to the doctor regardless. He shrugged and stood up to inspect his car. The hood and grill didn’t show any signs of damage, but it was dark, so he’d have to inspect it in the daylight. He got in and continued until he reached his intended destination.

Killian knocked on the door of the hotel room. “Killian, it’s about time!” Milah pulled him inside the room wearing a sheer nightgown and promptly pushed him against the door as she kissed him.  She desperately pushed his coat off his shoulders and let it drop to the floor. She was touching him all over in a frenzy and was about to tear the shirt open for better access when he stopped her.

“Milah! Sorry I’m late, love. I had a little accident,” he stammered as he glanced at his bitten hand with smudges of dried blood.

“What? Killian, I’m so sorry and I was just attacking you! Are you alright?” She looked at him incredulously and stepped back, distancing herself from him both physically and emotionally.

He took a breath and continued, “I’m fine and I don’t mind being attacked by the woman I love. Sweetheart, we need to talk-”

“But I don’t want to talk… Don’t you want me?” The look in her eyes turned sultry, “It is our anniversary after all…” she purred as she sauntered toward him.

He raised his hand to stop her and walked toward his discarded coat with his jaw clenched. “I have something for you.” It never failed. Every time he just wanted to talk to her she wasn’t interested. She had been so distant lately. She only wanted to fuck. Fuck, not make love. He tried to banish the thoughts from his mind as he turned back to her with a small box in his hand. She was pouting on the other side of the room. He stared at her as he held out the anniversary gift he’d purchased to commemorate their love.  

“Milah love,” he slowly approached her with the gift and handed it to her. “I love you, sweetheart.”

“Thank you. I love them.” She opened the box and looked at the diamond earrings with a lack of excitement that she tried to hide. She walked toward her bag and grabbed a box. She made her way back to him “Here is your gift and Happy Anniversary.” She grabbed a drink and sat down.

“Thank you. It’s lovely.” He looked at the expensive watch. “Milah, I –“

Annoyed at his insistence, she interrupted him once again, “Killian, I’m very tired and I think I’m going to turn in. Goodnight.”

 He stood there in the middle of the room as she locked herself in the bathroom. Hurt and frustrated, he grabbed his coat and stormed out into the cold night,  anniversary gifts forgotten. He had struggled to make the day special somehow. Unable to get out of a work commitment to truly spoil his wife as he had wished but life interfered.

Somehow, amid the firestorm in his head, Killian had made it home and fallen asleep in their marital bed. After a night of mostly tossing and turning, he got up and got ready for work.

As he was about to leave, he decided he should probably change the bandage on his hand. Once he had removed it, he was amazed to find no evidence of the bite. Shrugging his shoulders, he hurried to the office.

Excelsior Publishing House. The sign on the tall building never ceased to thrill him. Killian loved his job. He loved everything about it. He had loved to read from the time he was a little boy and he couldn’t help but think that perhaps that was what made him a good editor-in-chief. His mentor at the publishing house had taken him under his wing and truly shown him the ropes. Killian’s charm and good looks were usually quite effective in signing new authors. But when they didn’t work, his obvious knowledge of the industry closed the deal. These things ensured that the best client list belonged to him. His authors remained at the top of the Bestsellers List for weeks at a time. He had it all. He had a job he loved, and a wife he adored. Everything he had ever wanted. Even with the storm clouds on the horizon.

The publishing house was being absorbed by Spencer Group; the parent company of Nolan & Blanchard, a communications company. The takeover had been in talks for some time now. The tension at Excelsior over potential job losses was palpable. Killian himself wasn’t quite as anxious as perhaps he should be. He felt his value to the house would ensure his continued employment, but if things went south, he knew his best friend Robert Gold would follow him and if it was the other way around, Killian would do the same. They had been friends for years, and it was through Robert that he had met and fallen in love with Milah. Robert had been set up on a blind date with the beautiful Milah Balefrie, but they just didn’t click. He introduced Milah and Killian and Killian was instantly besotted. He had hesitated in pursuing her because of his friendship with Robert, but his friend had encouraged him. He would be forever grateful to his friend for introducing him to his love.   

Reaching his office, he was surprised to find his assistant, William Smee, waiting for him.

“Oh, Smee, good, you’re here. I need you to schedule a doctor’s appointment for me. The earlier the better.”

“Of course sir.” Smee stumbled out of the door and collided with Ella De Vil. “I’m sorry Miss De Vil. I will announce you in one second.”

“Darling, there is no need to announce me. Killian is one of my special friends.” She pushed Smee to the side and without knocking, stormed into Killian’s office. Killian looked up, startled as she entered.

“Hello, darling.” Ella approached Killian and kissed his cheek.

“Ella, I’m sorry love, did we have an appointment?”

“No, I just heard about the merger.” She paced in front of his desk. “What are you going to do  Killian?” she asked, turning to face him.

“I plan on staying put after the takeover,” he replied.

“What are you saying? Are you saying there’s a chance of them letting you go? You are Editor-in-Chief! Your name and reputation alone should be enough to keep you on.”

“Thank you, love, but that is not up to you. But the good news is that my best friend is the head of marketing and he is willing to leave with me if I leave. Word is they are not willing to lose him.” Killian shrugged.

“Well how about we add to the mix? I will leave too.” The twinkle in her eye suggested she was enjoying this a little too much. Killian smiled, “I will let Bobby know and thank you for your support.”

She waved his thanks aside, with a laugh, “Oh, darling, you know I love you. I’ll follow you anywhere. If only Milah had not won your heart, I would be the one enjoying that stubble.”

Killian turned beet red to the tips of his elf ears. “Of course love,” he replied, looking down at his desk.

“Are you going for a new look? Your hair and the beard too look... different.” She approached his side of the desk, undeterred when he didn’t meet her eyes.

“Pardon?” Killian looked up, surprised to see her standing right next to him.

“Your hair looks thicker and the beard too.” She reached to touch his jawline and he quickly dodged her. He loved Ella De Vil but sometimes she was too handsy.

“I’m afraid I didn’t have enough time to trim it today. Would you excuse me one tic?” Rushing around her toward the door, Killian made his escape.

“Of course.” She sat down.

He reached Smee’s desk, just as he was hanging up the phone.

“Sir, the doctor said he could squeeze you in today as long as you arrive before noon.”

“Are you ill darling?” Ella asked concerned. Both men looked up, startled to see that Ella had followed Killian out of the office.

“No,” Killian waved aside her concern, “a wolf bit me and I need to get a rabies shot.”

“Oh well, then you should make haste and go get that shot. Killian, please keep me informed about your status here. I refuse to work with anyone else.” The seriousness on her face spoke volumes to Killian.

He nodded, “Thank you for your support, Ella.’’

Killian then glanced into Smee’s direction. “I better go see the good doctor then. Smee will you be attending the party at Spencer’s?”

“I will sir and you?”

“We will be there. I better go. See you there,” Killian replied as he strode out of the office.

“See you tonight, sir.”

At the doctor’s office, no one believed he was bitten by a wolf. All he can do is listen to the doctor’s anecdotes about rabies shots and his sister-in-law getting bit in the arse by a raccoon.

Later that evening, Killian was dressed all in black and waiting for his lovely wife. Tick tock, he thought, glancing at his watch. Finally, she emerged dressed in a dark grey fitted dress. It hugged her in all the right places and Killian couldn’t help when his thoughts took a lascivious turn. “You look stunning, love,” he whispered in her ear as he helped her with her coat.

“Thank you,” she murmured. She was obviously not excited to be going to the party, but as he opened the door for her, he promised he’ll make it up to her later if she’ll let him.

Emma Nolan stood in front of the full-length mirror in her dressing room not really seeing the beautiful face before her. Her tasteful and elegant gown accentuated her lithe body but she was totally oblivious. She was lost in thoughts of the last six months. The last six months that had changed her life forever. The Spencer Estate, no her home, should be called Nolan. After all, George Spencer was the step-father of David Nolan. This was their home. Not his. David had been raised here. George was the interloper. He had married Ruth Nolan when David and James were in their late teens. James had taken to the man but David had always been more cautious.

Ten years later both Ruth and James perished in an accident. Foul play was ruled out, but after recent events, Emma had gone back to look at the accident that killed her grandmother and uncle that she barely remembered. Emma’s instincts were rarely off, and something about the accident didn’t sit right with her. As the older twin and already working in the family communication business, David inherited his mother’s position of CEO instead of George. Instead of the loss unifying the house, it tore it apart. And then there were two. David and socialite Snow Blanchard had married by this time and their only child, Emma, was a toddler. When she was old enough, David started bringing her in to get her familiar with the business so she could one day take over. Now she was a woman. A woman thoroughly trained into the business. A woman who could handle the day to day operations. She worked by her father’s side and was ready to step in when he was ready to retire. Tragically, six months ago, instead of some planned family time together at the Storybrooke estate, David and Snow were in a car accident. Their car, which was in excellent working condition, or more specifically its brakes, had suddenly failed. It was his decision to not resuscitate. It was his fault her parents were dead. She hated him. They had fallen in a coma together as they did everything else. Their injuries had not been considered serious at first and then the doctor said they had no brain activity. Once they had been declared brain dead, George Spencer pounced and took over. She had requested a second opinion. He had claimed that she was too distraught to properly handle the situation or to manage the company and managed to force her out. And now, thanks to him, she was alone. She and George were the last remaining members of the family. The worst thing was that he kept trying to sell the loving family angle.

She kept her distance and avoided interacting with the man as much as she could but the merger with Excelsior had been one of her father’s projects so she wanted to see it through for him. She shook her head and brought herself back to the present and the party downstairs that she REALLY didn’t want to go to. But, she was expected and she didn’t need to give her grandfather another reason to push her further out from her father’s company. With a sigh, she picked up her wrap and headed for the door.

The party had been dull, to say the least. Killian couldn’t wait to get out of there. It felt like creepy crawlies were under his skin and he couldn’t figure out why. He felt like it was a time bomb that was surely going to explode in his face soon.

The dinner had been delicious as he met the surprised gaze of his wife at his new found craving for extremely rare meat, all but dripping with blood. He was enjoying the conversation between Robert and Milah, only occasionally sharing his thoughts when he was summoned.

A liveried butler approached the table. “Mr. Jones could you please follow me, sir. Mr. Spencer would like to have a word with you on the terrace.”

“Of course,” Killian replied as he smiled and rose from his seat. “Please excuse me,” he said to his dining companions. He then promptly followed the butler.

As he stepped out onto the terrace he was greeted by a tall, thin, balding man. “Mr. Jones, it is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Likewise Mr. Spencer,” he replied holding out his hand, “I understand you wanted to have a word.”

George Spencer looked down at Killian’s proffered hand with only thinly veiled disdain. “Ah yes, right to the point. Let’s take a walk.” The man turned toward the stairs that would take them to the manicured estate grounds. Killian followed with a furrowed brow. After some minutes walking away from the house, the music and laughter from inside a distant echo, George stopped. “I want you to consider Europe. Eastern Europe to be precise.” He finally turned to look at Killian’s troubled visage.

“Sir, I don’t follow.” Confusion laced his words.

With a sigh of impatience, George continued, “I want you to think of it as your area. A brand new market opening up and I think you are a perfect match.” Now, Killian was no fool, but he just couldn’t summon the same enthusiasm that was so apparent in the man’s words.

“I see.” Killian nodded. “Then it is safe to assume that I will no longer be editor-in-chief at Excelsior after the takeover?” He could hear the resignation and defeat in his voice, whilst something inside him was screaming at him to not just lay down and let this man walk all over him. But he felt helpless to comply with that sentiment.

“I hope you understand that this is business and not personal.” George placed a placating hand on Killian’s shoulder. “You are clearly a man of taste and individuality, which I prize.” The false sympathy in his voice turned Killian’s stomach.

He shook the man’s hand from his shoulder. That at least got the screaming in his head to turn the volume down just a notch. “You just don’t prize said qualities enough to let me keep my job. I wonder what traits my successor possesses?” he pondered aloud.

With a shrug of his shoulders and nonchalant demeanor, George answered, “Drive and ambition. He nagged me until I gave him your job.”

“I see,” Killian repeated. He smiled tightly and couldn’t help himself as he clenched his jaw in an attempt to drown out the continued ranting in his head and to stop himself from divulging his true feelings.

They continued their walk in silence. Reaching into his jacket pocket Killian retrieved and turned on a cigarette. He knew it was a horrible vice but right now he needed it. Anything to keep his mouth and hands occupied.

Up ahead, Killian noticed a small crowd gathering. He then spotted the beautiful beast.     

“This is my prized possession,” George spoke reverently as he approached the magnificent creature. A huge black stallion, fully 16 hands high at the shoulder, stood in front of them along with a couple more horses. “He is the sire. I’m sorry but please put the cigarette out. Horses don’t like them.” Killian stood, awestruck at the breathtaking animal. The horse snickered as his master approached, but when the horse met Killian’s eyes, all hell broke loose! The horses reared, hooves kicking the air in front of them, screaming, ears flattening against their heads, eyes wide in panic before landing on solid earth again, turning and galloping away.

Killian was aware of screams. All he could hear were screams. They seemed to echo in his head. He thought it was the other people in the crowd. Then he thought it must be the horse’s screams. They must have somehow taken up residence between his ears. Finally, he realized the screams were his own. Both in his head and pouring from his mouth. As he tried to drown out the sounds of his fear and anguish, Killian ran. He ran toward the trees that were a good 300 yds away. Within what seemed like only seconds, he was beyond the tree line. He spotted a bench and sat. The screaming was finally beginning to quiet down. His heart was pounding so fast he thought it would explode given half the chance.

“I have a feeling this will help. Drink up.” A feminine voice from his left got his attention as she handed him an amber liquid.

Kilian looked up at the source and was transfixed by what he saw before him. A beautiful blonde woman in her early twenties. She wore a red leather jacket and skinny jeans. She had green eyes that instantly calmed him and silenced the screaming for good.

“I can't thank you enough for your kindness lass,” he replied as he swallowed the rum down, “but now you are without a drink.”

“No worries. Follow me.” She turned away, her long curls bouncing against her back. Killian couldn’t help himself. He got up and followed her. Something inside told him this would not be the last time he followed her. He thought he recognized her from dinner earlier, but couldn’t be sure, as her appearance, if she was the same person, was quite different. They entered a cottage not far from the bench where she found him. She preceded him inside. “Would you like another drink?” she asked, turning to him with a small smile on her face. Killian was captivated. He was certain he’d never beheld anything so beautiful in his entire life.

“I don’t think I should lass. I don’t want to drink all your liquor.” He smiled shyly yet genuinely at his gracious host.

“What are you, the last gentleman alive?” She asked skeptically with a raised eyebrow.

“I’ll have you know, I’m always a gentleman.” Killian tried to look affronted. He didn’t think he pulled it off very well.

“I sincerely doubt that. You look like you could have a bit of a scoundrel in you.” She turned toward the kitchen.“How about you tell me what that anxiety attack was caused by?” she tossed over her shoulder.

Killian followed her into the kitchen as she prepared herself a drink, “Well, it turns out I’m about to enjoy Europe.” His shrug and self-deprecating chuckle belied the anxiety he could feel trying to claw its way back to the surface of his mind.

“Wow and you sound so happy about it,” she said as she turned to him and took a sip of her drink.

“I’m not,” he replied as he joined her leaning against the counter, “but it is either Europe or unemployment. I’m too old for unemployment so I will opt for the job that no one could possibly want.”

“Oh, I see. So my grandfather is the reason for your bad luck, but you make it sound like you are an old man. What are you like 200?” she asked with a chuckle and another sip of her drink. “Are you sure you don’t want another drink? It’s bad form to let a lady drink alone.”

Killian laughed “I’m sure. If that was the case I have somehow managed to maintain my dashing good looks.”

“But you failed to maintain your youthful looks?” She tentatively ran her fingers lightly over the gray hairs frosting his temples.

“Lass some things get better with age.” He smirked as he waggled his eyebrows. She rolled her eyes at his ridiculousness. “I’m sorry,” Killian stated with furrowed brows, “you said he is your grandfather? George Spencer?” he questioned. She pushed away from the counter and led the way back into the living area.

“Step-grandfather is more accurate. He was my father’s stepfather. I’m Emma Nolan and you are?” She settled herself onto the leather sofa. Killian sat next to her.

“Killian Jones, former editor-in-chief of Excelsior Publishing.” This time when he put his hand out, she laid hers on it without hesitation.“Nice to meet you, Emma Nolan.” Killian raised her hand laid on his and brushed his lips across her knuckles. He didn’t let go.

“Likewise, Killian Jones,” she whispered. Her breath stuttered. She was looking at the man in front of her, dumbfounded. No one had ever kissed her hand before. He was older than her that was obvious. Sure he had some gray hairs but he was right they enhanced his looks. The beard was nicely maintained if a little thick, but what truly enchanted her were his eyes. Blue like the sea. A sea that called to her. A sea that had hidden depths that swirled with something she dared not think about, much less name. A sea she could see herself drowning in.

“Thank you for helping me in my time of need but I should get back to my wife.” Emma felt like she had just careened back to earth at about 100 mph. She visibly deflated as she removed her hand from his and looked up at him with eyes that continued to hold the anxiety about his future at bay.

“Of course and it was nice meeting you.” He stood on the sofa and held out his hand to help her to her feet.

“Likewise I’m sure.” Taking his hand, she allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. He bowed over her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles a second time.

“Until we meet again, Emma.” Killian straightened and walked toward the door. “Do you know the direction of the main house?” When he got to the door, he realized he had no idea where he was.

“Oh sure,” she answered, “about 30 yds straight ahead you’ll come to the edge of the trees. You’ll be able to see the house from there.” Emma stayed behind in her little cottage retreat. She was not about to go back into the big house to go spend time with the awful man. She’d had enough of that from earlier, thank you very much. Thank god they didn’t share any DNA.

Killian finally reached the stairs leading on to the terrace that featured at the beginning of this harrowing experience. Climbing them, he shook his head at how his evening had gone. Trying to banish the thoughts of emerald green eyes from his head, he looked around for his wife. He finally found her inside the parlor of the house looking quite alone and perturbed. “Milah,” he said, approaching her, “we can go now if you want.” He reached for her hand to help her up from the settee on which she sat.

She looked up at him with trepidation on her face. “First tell me how it went.”

Killian sighed and brushed his hand through his thick hair. “Where is Robert? I think he would want to hear this,” he stated as he looked around for his friend.

“Why?” Milah sounded confused. “I think he left. He had kept me company for a while but you were gone for over an hour and he just decided to leave. What is the big news?” she asked him.

“He is the new editor-in-chief!” Killian tried for enthusiasm and failed miserably. He looked around for anyone who might be privy to this conversation but found no one. His shoulders drooped dejectedly. “Spencer wants to transfer me to Eastern Europe once the merger goes through. He said to think of it as my area. An emerging market that I am perfect for.” The sarcasm dripped from his lips as they twisted into a sneer.

“Spencer told you that Robert was getting your job? What did he say exactly?” Killian didn’t notice Milah’s eyes light up when she mentioned Robert.

“Well,” he sighed, “he didn’t say that exactly, but it also wasn’t hard to arrive at the conclusion. He would be the logical choice. And I am a perceptive man.” Killian shrugged. As the weight of his best friend’s betrayal settled on him, the voice in his head that had been silent since he looked into Emma’s green eyes started to crank up again. How could he do this to me? He was supposed to have my back! Just like I would have his if the positions were reversed. Killian shook his head, trying to rid himself of his traitorous thoughts. You’re not the traitor, he is. The voice sneered. “Come on Milah, we’re going home.”

“That bastard never said he was offered your job,” Milah complained. She could feel Killian place a calming hand on the small of her back as he steered them towards the door.

“Why would he tell you?” Killian snapped, “He didn’t say anything to me either. And I’m supposed to be his best friend!” He could hear the voice; he could feel his blood pressure rising again at the thought of Robert getting his job, behind his back no less!

Milah ignored the question. “The least he could have done was warn you,” she mumbled under her breath. She pasted a fake smile on her face as they were intercepted on their way to the door by none other than George Spencer, himself.

“Sir, I’m so sorry about the horses earlier,” Killian apologized. “Are they all right? Were they found?” He asked, his voice laced with concern.

“Oh, of course,” the man said, waving aside his concern, “Once you took off, they were quite easily brought under control. Where did you go, by the way? I sent some of the house staff to try and find you.” The apparent lie rolled off his tongue with disconcerting ease.

“Apparently, I have a phobia of screaming horses,” Killian said with a self-deprecating chuckle, “I ran toward the tree line and was able to collect myself at a stone bench I found there.” He turned toward his wife with a sheepish expression. “Anyway, we must be going. Thank you for a... enlightening evening.” He smiled tightly at his host and ushered his wife toward the door.

“Of course. Thank you so much for coming. Please consider what we talked about. I’d like an answer before the week is out.” The man’s smug demeanor made Killian’s skin crawl. Yeah, I’ll give you my answer all right. The thought rolled around in his head before he could stop it. Tightening his hand around his wife’s waist, he turned toward the door once again.

“Yes, sir,” he tossed over his shoulder without looking back. “You’ll have your answer before the weekend is over.” He stalked out the door, all but slamming it behind him.

Milah groaned as she sought out the blaring alarm, arm waving in the air as she tried to turn it off but only succeeded in knocking her phone to the floor. Turning to Killian she tried to rouse him so he would get up and turn off the alarm, but he was just dead tired, continuing to snore softly, dead to the world.

“Killian,” she said, patting him lightly on his bare chest, “it’s 7:30.” snore “It’s time to wake up.” When his snores continued, she sat up shaking his shoulder. “Killian, wake up!”

Killian gave a start, snorting, as his body jerked awake, his eyes blinking away the disorientation that took several moments to dissipate “Huh? Wha-?” He turned toward his wife, “I think I’ve earned a little break. Give me till 8?”

“Are you kidding? No! You can’t have until 8,” she screeched, “It’s Monday morning! You have to go to work! You are going to be late and you are never late.”

“What? What are you talking about? It’s Saturday!” As he looked at the disbelieving expression on Milah’s face, comprehension dawned. “Isn’t it?” He questioned. Milah continued to stare at him, dumbfounded.

“No, Killian,” she sighed, “It’s Monday morning. It’s now 7:37 am. You’ve been asleep since you went to bed Friday night.” Milah rolled over and got out of bed. Killian groggily looked on as she walked away and went back to sleep.

The following morning, Killian woke to find Milah in her robe standing at the end of the bed. “Are you going to work today?” she asked, arms crossed over her chest.

“Yes love, I feel like a new man.” He tried to gather her in his arms, but she turned away with contempt. Killian’s brow furrowed as she turned to face him.

“What is wrong with you? You sleep for 80 hrs, and expect me to just forget that? You expect me to excuse it? Are you kidding me? You can’t just abandon me like that for 3 days and expect me to respond to you when you’re ready for sex. When you want to tell me what’s going on, come find me. Until then, just stay away.” Killian watched gobsmacked as she headed out the bedroom door. Feeling defeated but finally rested for the first time in who knows how long, he turns toward the bathroom to get ready for work. Standing in the shower he noticed that he had hair growing in places it had never sprouted from. It is not like he was hairless but he certainly didn’t have hair to this extent. He tried to trim what he could and on top of everything his beard was thicker than normal as well. He shook his head. I’ve become the president of the hair club for men overnight. Finally ready, Killian left for work.

As he walked into the dreaded building, he could hear everyone’s conversations. His ears perked up but he shook his head trying to ignore it and continued to his office. Once there, he was met by his assistant Smee, who seemed to be upset with something.

“Good morning Smee,” Killian greeted the man. Noticing his frown, he inquired, “Is everything all right?”

Smee startled as he looked up at his boss. “Oh, yes sir. I mean, no sir. Good morning sir. I’m so sorry sir, I heard the news,” the man stammered, his face as red as the beanie Killian knew he kept in his desk.

“Wait,” Killian looked around, “was Robert in here?” He asked. The voice that had been silent for days as he slept, started to make itself known again. If that bastard shows his face in my office...

Smee was taken aback at the look in his boss’s eye. It was murderous. “He was sir, but that was earlier. He is the one that gave me the news. How did you know?” He asked, confusion coloring his voice. He followed Killian as he entered his office and sat down.

“It matters not.” He looked down and started editing the manuscript he had pending on his desk as Smee stood awkwardly wringing his hands. He looked back up at his assistant with a perturbed look on his face. “Was there something else, Smee?”

“No, sir. Sorry, sir… I just...”

“What is it now Smee?” Killian sighed, put down his pen, and sat back in his chair.

“Did you finally get contacts?” he blurted out.

“Contacts?” Killian noticed he was not wearing his reading glasses. “Uh, no. I d-didn’t… get contacts…” he trailed off.

“Sir, are you sure you are alright?”

Killian sighed. “I am. You may go now.” He watched as the chubby man left his office. He looked down at all the work he had accomplished in just a few minutes. Normally that amount of work would have taken the entire day, but it was amazing how fast he was going through it and without his glasses too. The area where the bite should be caught his eye he had forgotten all about it. He still could not believe that it had healed completely. Not even a scratch left behind.

He got up and went to the hall and bumped into one of his coworkers.

“Oy sorry mate. Didn’t see you there.”

“It is alright. Scarlett, isn’t it a bit early for rum?”

The other man turned red. “For your information, it is coffee with a dash of rum but how did you know?”

“I could smell it a mile away.” Scarlett walked away obviously upset at Killian’s words.

Killian stood there and finally truly listened. He heard small conversations amongst his coworkers. Some work related and others not so much. The distance between him and them didn’t matter. Their talks were crystal clear.

He returned to his office. “Smee get me Will Scarlett on the phone.”

“Yes, sir.”

Killian was in his office waiting for Smee to get Scarlett on the bloody phone for him. Sure Scarlett enjoyed his liquor a little too much but he was amazing at his job.

“Sir I have Mr. Scarlett on line one for you.” Smee had quickly followed his order.

“Hello Will, could you find me a respectable author that specializes in animal possession.”

“Sorry mate do you mean manuals on how to own a pet or animals?”

“Of course not Scarlett, animal possession or the possession of the spirit by an animal.”

“Okay, I have something for you. Anita Lucas.”

“Is she the top one?”

“Yes, she is the most respectable. She wrote The Beast Inside.”

“Good give Smee the information. And Scarlett I'd advise you to not tell people that you had a drop of rum with your coffee because we both know you didn’t have any coffee.” With that Killian hung up.

Will Scarlett looked around his office trying to find a bug or any sort of listening device. How had Jones known about his conversation and that he, in fact, had had some rum minus the coffee?

Finally, the day had come to an end. He went home and still no sign of his friend.

Killian arrived home and found a note from Milah saying she had a last minute business trip.

Leftovers for him it was then. He noticed he had an unheard voicemail on his phone and played it. “Hey, I have an emergency at work. So I have to go out of town for a few days. There are some leftovers in the fridge. See you soon.”

He ate his dinner and promptly put away some clothes that were lying around. He loved Milah but she could be such a slob. Then a scent caught his attention. It was all over her clothes and it was not her scent but another he knew all too well.

He was angry, to say the least. Soon he was out the door and headed out into the darkness of the night. He ran all the way to his friend’s home and didn’t even break a sweat.

He arrived at the large apartment complex and eagerly rang the doorbell assigned to his friend’s living quarters. “Who is it?” Said the voice on the intercom.

“It’s Killian.”

“I’m coming down. I’ll be there in a second.” Interesting his friend didn’t simply buzz him in. Killian pondered the possible reasons for the lack of hospitality. Deep inside he knew why.

A few minutes passed by and then in front of him there stood his best friend. At least that is who he thought it was but he needed to make sure first.

“Killian, what are you doing here at this hour?” Robert held his hand blocking Killian’s way. “Killian is there a problem?” still blocking his way. Then on instinct alone Killian snarled and bit him as he pushed him out of his way. He rushed up the stairs and took five steps at a time in what looked like an animalistic way,n all fours using his legs for more power, and soon he arrived at the apartment door. The door opened and there stood his wife in nothing but his friend’s opened shirt.

“Killian, what are you doing here?” he didn’t respond to her only glaring at her and suddenly turned and left.

“Milah, I’m sorry I tried to stop him.”

“Robert, I better get dressed and go home.”

“No wait, I need to know when are you going to leave Killian?”

“Robert I told you it’s complicated. I can’t just leave him.”

“Milah when we started this you said you were going to leave him and now it has been a year. I’m tired of this going back and forth.”

Milah walked away and headed to the bedroom to get dressed. She quickly dressed and rushed home only to find it empty.

Every trace of Killian was gone except for his wedding band and the watch she had purchased for their anniversary with the inscription: RG Our Time Is Now. She had given him the wrong box.

The next day Killian entered his office as usual.

“Good morning Mr. Smee please update my personal information. I’m staying at The Cygnus.”

“Yes, sir for how long?”

“Permanently.”

“Is there anything else you need sir?”

“Actually there is.” He smiled wickedly at his assistant, “call legal and find out if the deal with Spencer has been finalized. Then get me the entire list of author’s I have worked with over the years and the ones that worked with Arthur before he left. Then call Spencer and make me an appointment with him.”

“Gladly sir, why now sir?”

“The answer is simple Mr. Smee. A man unwilling to fight for what he wants deserves what he gets. Recently I was made aware I had fallen victim to conformity and I trusted the wrong people. I will not be making the same mistake again.”

“Yes, sir. I’m on it.”

A few minutes later Smee informed Killian about his progress.

“Sir Mr. Spencer will see you at the Estate at noon. Here is the list of Mr. King’s authors and this one is yours.”

“Fast work Mr. Smee I’m impressed. Now take Arthur’s list and call the author’s and ask them if they would be interested in partnering with us in a publishing house of our own because once Spencer takes over he only wants to push and promote what sells and to bury the rest. Tell them we’ve got investors lined up for the startup. Oh, and Mr. Smee call Ella De Vil first.”

“Is any of this true?”

“Not yet. I’m off then.” He winked at his assistant.

Smee was in awe of his boss’ sudden alpha displays. He wasn’t a pushover but after Mr. King retired he had noticed his boss fall into a sort of submission.

In the last days, he had a twinkle in his eye as if he were commandeering a massive vessel. Captaining his own ship and by the craftiness of the requests, it indicated it was a pirate ship.

…

Killian arrived at the gate of the Spencer Estate. The security guard announced him and soon he was at the front door of the immense mansion and knocked.

Not long after he arrived he was guided to the owner’s office.

“Mr. Spencer, good afternoon. I just wanted to inform you that I will be passing on Eastern Europe.”

“I figured you would.” George Spencer scrutinized the younger man. “I believe there is more to your visit. You are not here just to decline the job offer.”

“Nice seeing you again sir.” And he walked out much to Spencer’s surprise.

Killian was roaming the grounds subconsciously. Someone caught his attention, a fragrance, one to be specific. There she was, his savior riding a horse at a slow pace.

The horse spotted him long before she did and started to get upset. He was jerking back and forth in an attempt to get away from him.

“Whoa sweet buttercup, calm down shh shh everything is alright.” She tried to calm the horse with her soothing voice. The horse made a sudden move spooked by Killian’s presence and Emma fell down.

Killian rushed to her aid. “Are you alright lass?”

“Are you crazy!?” Emma asked in disbelief as she pushed his hand away. “Isn’t it obvious animals are afraid of you? You couldn’t have forgotten about the other day so soon.”

“I didn’t think it was me they were frightened of,” Killian answered chastised.

“Really? How did you miss it before?” she rolled her eyes “Animals are in fact disturbed by your presence and now I have a bruised butt as proof.”

“I’m sorry I just wanted to say hello but since it is my fault your arse is bruised I wouldn’t object to rubbing ointment on it to make it feel better.” He raised an eyebrow suggestively.

“That is what you are going with? What happened to your wife? I’m sure she would love to know her husband is being inappropriate with some other woman.”

“I’m sorry for my inappropriate behavior and for spooking your horse and subsequently making you fall on your bum. I honestly just wanted to say hello and my behavior was crude and I honestly don’t know where it came from. As for my wife that is a different kind of problem.”  He hung his head in shame it is true he was behaving unlike himself and he had no excuse.

Emma noticed he was being honest. “It’s alright. Were you visiting George?”

“I just wanted to inform him I wouldn’t be accepting the Eastern Europe offer.”

“Did you get a better offer?”

“Not yet but I will.”

She looked at him closely and noticed a slight change in him. She couldn’t put her finger on it but something was different. Interesting she thought and then she was unable to stop herself from wanting to get to know him better. “How about a lunch offer?”

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t impose.”

“Come on you are not imposing and besides you owe me for the bruised bum.”

He smiled and nodded. “Lead the way lass.”

They arrived at Emma’s cottage. Killian vaguely remembered it from the other night. He heard her slamming cabinets and making a ruckus.

“Hey about lunch I’m going to have to ask for a rain check? I only have some pop tarts and a carton of milk.”

“I love pop tarts.” He responded quickly. In reality, he hated the sweet pastries but something deep within him was telling him to stay. To get to know her, to bond with her.

“Listen I just want to make one thing clear, nothing like that will be happening between us. I know you are trying to bond with me but I’m not interested. I know we’ve exchanged words and I try to be a better host than dear old grandpa but that is not an invitation to my bed.” She knew she invited him to lunch and for a moment she felt a pull to him that for a brief second she didn’t want to fight but now she was resisting it.

He approached her slowly. “All I expect is some small measure of civility from my hostess. Nothing inappropriate in that is there?”

They sat in her little kitchen table enjoying the pastries and milk.

Killian maintained eye contact with her and added “so tell me about you. What do you do?”

She quickly went on the defense. “What does it matter to you what I do?”

“Lass I was just making small talk but you are not used to men being truly interested in you. Are you? They either gravitate to you because of your family’s wealth or because of your beauty but never for you.”

Emma laughed at his analysis. “Oh so now you are going to psychoanalyze me? I didn’t know you were a psychiatrist.”

“You are an open book to me. I understand you. Yes, you’re beautiful and due to some experiences, you think men are only interested in you because of your looks or for the money. The problem with that is that you want them to be interested in you because you're you and not because of the way you look or because you are wealthy so you create walls around your heart to protect yourself from heartache. The problem with that is that because you close yourself off and you become rude, hostile, sullen and withdrawn. You are your own problem because those walls you create to protect your heart also keep love out. The gist is that you want someone to look past all those flaws and see the real person underneath. But the only reason that anyone would bother to look past all that is because you're beautiful. Bit ironic, isn't it?”

“Wow, that keen insight into my character isn’t a turn on. I’m not suddenly challenged by you and falling at your feet.”

“I never expected you to.” He answered honestly as he toyed with the pop tart he was currently munching on.

Emma smiled at him and finished hers. She finished drinking her milk as she studied him as he gulped down his milk and his mustache turned white.

“So what are you going to do? When we first met you didn’t sound keen on the idea of being unemployed.” She tilted her head as she waited for an answer.

He grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth erasing the milk mustache. He leaned back and stared at her. “That is a story for another time.”

“A story for another time? I don’t remember inviting you over for another meal.”

He smiled and started to get on his feet. He suddenly stumbled down and failed to gain his balance and with him, he took her family portrait.

She rushed to her feet to help him but he was knocked out. She kneeled next to him and slowly raised his head to see if he had any cuts. Once she was sure there was no damage she got up and rushed to get him a water bottle. Biting her lower lip she looked at his features. Her hand subconsciously traced his jaw and the little scar on his cheek.

He was beautiful and she knew he was right about his deductions about her. She slowly unbuttoned his shirt to make his breathing easier, revealing some chest hair.

Killian started stirring and then he opened his bright blue eyes. They stared at each other. Emma asked “hey how are you feeling? You gave me quite the scare.”

“I’m okay” he slowly sat up as she held out her hand to stabilize him. She grabbed the water bottle and handed it to him. “Drink this slowly.”

He grabbed the bottle and took a few sips. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

“Mr. Jones I’m starting to think I enjoy nursing you back to health.” She was smiling fondly at him.

“I believe you do enjoy it, lass. You do it so well. If I could inconvenience you once more and help me get on my feet?” He tilted his head as he reached out to her.

“Okay, up we go. Slowly take your time and if you need to lean on me.”

He did as he was told and soon they were both on their feet. “Hey, do you think some fresh air might help?” She asked.

“I would rather not risk losing consciousness outside.”

“Alright, I have a spare bedroom how about you get off your feet.” She grabbed his arm and put it around her shoulders and guided him to the room.

She helped him get into bed and as she started tucking him in he started speaking. “Would you believe that earlier this week I was bitten by a wolf and the weird thing is that I haven’t felt as full of life as I do now?”

“A wolf bit you? But they are not common in this area are you sure it was a wolf and not a big dog or something?”

“It was a wolf I don’t understand why no one believes me. I know the difference between a dog and a wolf. I was the one staring at it.”

“Okay calm down I believe you. I’m curious if this was the runt of the litter? I only ask because earlier you passed out and when we first met you were having an anxiety attack. This time it does seem different.”

He attempted to give her a toothy grin as he considered his answer. “I have no explanation for that. All I know is that I feel like somehow that wolf passed something to me with the bite. My senses are heightened-” he stammered as he noticed the intense way she paid attention to him. The woman ran hot and then freezing cold. He felt drawn to her in a way he couldn’t explain.

“You say that you feel better than you have in a long time. My advice is to accept it as a gift. Hey, you should rest and tomorrow I will make you breakfast.” She smiled as she noticed he was fighting to keep his eyes open.

“Aye, I’m just afraid there will be a steep price to pay for such gift. I hope it’s more than pop tarts I wouldn’t object to some bacon.” He closed his eyes for a brief second.

“I’ll have you know that I can, in fact, acquire bacon. Just rest.” Her concern for him was evident.

Before he finally fell asleep he looked deep into her bright green eyes and said, “please don’t take this the wrong way but you are truly beautiful Emma Nolan and I mean not just on the outside but your light shines through even when you attempt to hide it.” He smiled and was lost to sleep.

The moonlight entered through the large glass door. It slowly roused Kilian from the bed; beckoning him to her side. His eyes opened, the normally deep blue eyes were amber and his jaw adjusted to cater to the canine teeth slowly becoming fangs, the fingernails once trimmed were long and sharp. He eagerly answered the call of his pale mistress and went out into the woods that surrounded the backyard of the large estate.

He ran until he could hear a small creek with the water flowing. He suddenly stopped as something else caught his attention. He sniffed to get a better scent.

Not far from him stood a deer. Innocently enjoying water from the creek and without warning, Killian splashed through the water and reached the deer in record time. He grabbed on to the animal and without remorse, at the deer's cries, he broke the fragile skin with his powerful jaw and piercing teeth, ending the life of his prey.

List the book and lesser known AKs and think what would their personalities be like.

(I'm only gonna do the ones mentioned by people who worked with descendants. And any kid seen for more than a couple of seconds in wicked world is disaqualifed immediately because you can see their personality. Also I know crabby isn't a girl in canon but since no one ever corrected me, you all have to deal with a female crabby).

Li Shang Jr—he's a lot like his mom but has his dad's temper and overprotective-ness. And he's really inti music and a great boyfriend.

Elle (wheel chair girl)—she's the adopted daughter of Eric and Ariel. And she's a lot like her mother, and gets along with her better than she does with her dad. She's stubborn and hopeful and always tries to remain optimistic. And she's creative.

Taylor (One off tourney kid who I assume is Tarzan's kid)—he's as wild as his dad and as smart as mom, and an animal on the field. He's good with animals and socially awkward but a good friend and boyfriend to have.

Derek (Doug's brother)—he's a weightlifting selective mute who's dating Diego de vil. He's multi-talented, multilingual, and very smart and ambitious. And a protective older brother and cousin.

Miguel (random tourney kid)—he's Milo and Kida's kid. He's smart and nerdy like his dad but sporty, athletic , and stubborn like his mother. He never gives up and loves learning about other cultures.

Brendan (random tourney kid)— One of Lottie La Bouf and Lars Westergaard's kids. He's kind like both of his parents and a bit snobby but he's a good friend to have and one of the few people in the Westergaard family who's not afraid to stand up to his uncles and grandparents. He's protective and helpful and supportive and day Dreamer.

Li (another tourney kid)—assuming he's Longwei's kid, he's the complete opposite of his dad and very resentful that he got stuck with a girl's name. He goes by Lie and is very mischievous, playful, and smart. He's the life of the party and one of the best players on the field. Also assume he's mixed.

William (another tourney kid)—he's Wendy's middle child. And a mixture of her, Michael, and John. He's smart like John (and his older sister Jane), playful like all of them, resourceful, parental like his mom, brave like his dad, loving like his older brother and uncle Michael, and very very athletic though he doesn't look it. He's also good with kids and animals and doesn't hold anything against the vks that their parents did.

Akio (another tourney kid)—he's Edna mode's son. He's eccentric and wants to be a hero but he's also heavily into sports and building traps and designing. He'd get along with Evie and hate capes. He's very big on the no capes rule.

Ruby (Flynnpunzal's kid)—artsy girl who's afraid of dating at first. She's cautious and knows how to defend herself. A lover of the arts. She can name almost any piece you show her. She's friendly and loving but very introverted.

Aziz—friendly kid. A good thief like Jay. Athletic and accepting. Smart and competitive. A bit off a show off. Good at giving people the slip. Observant. Playful. Ladies' man. What more can I say?

Ariana Rose—ever watched mean girls? She's basically Regina George and is totally awful to Audrey. She's hauty and snobby and loves rubbing everything in Audrey's face. She's Isabella but an actual bitch. No misunderstanding about it. And unlike Audrey, she has no reason to be. She's the perfect golden child. The one Leah always compared Audrey to.

Bobby Hood—Mischievous, playful, protective, fun loving, quick, smart, clever, cunning, brave, dashing, a ladies man, a bit slow at times, nature loving, athletic. Bit of an attention seeker. Good leader and friend. Sarcastic. Snarky. Loyal. Stubborn. A bit noisy. Totally in love with Tiger Peony.

Tiger Peony—kind, nature loving, sweet. Smart. Natural born leader. Activist. Feminist. Loyal. Stubborn. Protective. Multitalented. Good at stealing the show. Sassy. A bit noisy. Mysterious. Sarcastic. Intune with herself, her feelings, and nature. Good at giving advice. Has a thing for Bobby Hood.

Herkie—Slightly dimwitted sweet heart who loves art and sports. Doesn't know his own strength half the time. Protective. Kind. A bit noisy. Good at misdirecting people. Loves pranks and food. He's a good chief and fighter but also if you need a distraction, he's your guy.

Artie—a fun-loving, hyperactive, playful pre-teen who wants to be just like his dad when he grows up. He loves pranks and sword-fighting, and climbing trees.

Pin—Cocky. A bit of a smart ass. Mysterious. Noisy. Smart. Playful. Creative. Bad liar. Funny. Protective of his family. Good at carpenting. Loves amusement parks. Doesn't trust easily. He's a smoker and a mostly honest guy. Ambitious. Knows how to get what he wants. Think Richie from It mixed with August from ouat and Donkey from Shrek. Also a prankster.

Opal—bit of an odd girl to outsiders. She's brave and confident and never shies away from being who she is. She's a good musician and advice giver. Loves her friends. She's loyal and smart and Intune with her heritage. Bit of ambivert who learns more towards the introvert side. Witty as well. Good dancer. Friendly. Bit of a pacifist but will fight when necessary.

Arabella—she's an open, loyal, and friendly outgoing girl who reminds people of her aunt Ariel in many ways. But she's also assertive and a party girl. A free spirit who doesn't like to he held back and isn't above being sneaky to get what she wants. She's a rebel and advocate and activist and the life of the party. No party is the same without her there. Also had a bit of a corruption arc.

The Tweedledum and Tweedleedee cousins—mysterious introverts who stick mainly to themselves and other Wonderlandians. They're mischief and meek when together and totally different people when not. Rarely seen without one another.

Clarina Potts—motherly, friendly, sweet, a bit bossy, good cook, good babysitter, a cheerleader, preppy, social, a bit dirty minded, playful. A model student. She's a lot like her mother tbh. She also wears a pan on her head as a hat.

Yi-min—she's temperamental like her father, loving like her mother, loyal like her parents, a good fighter, can stand her own ground, brave and determined, doesn't like hip hop, bit of hippie. Good strategist. Fun. A foodie. A blogger. A theorist. Good at deduction. Helped Lonnie out in school of secrets. Good with cameras.

Hap—hippie, doesn't always think things through, a romantic, socially awkward, a cheerleader, takes after his dad. Talkative. Party boy. Not very academically inclined. Calls his car baby. You know the type.

Anxelin—goth artsy girl who's quick on her feet, snarky, sassy, sarcastic, and good at stealing. Loves her family and friends but is a total introvert.

Bashful/Bash—shy musician who worked for Diego's band for awhile. He's a nature guy. Bit of a hippie. Works at a flower shop. Mysterious. Doesn't have a lot of friends. Introverted. Bit of a lone wolf..

Gordon—likes Ivy de Vil. Smart ass. A bit dimwitted. Protective middle child. Takes awhile for him to like and trust people. He's strong and works at the docks. Doesn't mind feminine things. Will do anything to make his girl and younger cousins and siblings smile. Bit like Ward from season 1 of Shield but not evil. He speaks his mind. Has a good sense of humor.

Sleepy Jr.—a geeky nerdy insomnia stricken drama club, gamer student who falls asleep everywhere. He loves movies and works at the movie theater. Kind and friendly and playful. More confident than Doug.

Shy—his name is deceiving because he's actually rather outgoing and social, and popular. He's on about every sports team at Auradon Prep and he's rather confident, even when he shouldn't be. He's not also not as smart as his younger brother (or Doug) not that he'd ever admit that.

Snoozy/Creeps—He's an anti-social poet who wants to be a teacher when he's an older. He changed his name to creeps because he hates his old name. He's also good at fighting and is rarely ever asleep. He's academic and in college.

Doc 2/Raphael—he's a snobby college kid who is currently trying to become a doctor. He always acts like he's all that and is a bit of a smart ass. Thinks he's better than he is. But he's also helpful and is always the first to rush to his cousins/friends/siblings' aid.

Cheerful—he's brave, confident, kind, likes goofing off, smart, stickler for the rules. Friendly. Always tries to save as many people as he can. He's a volunteer fire fighter. Athletic. Fun loving.

Gesundheit—a bookworm toy maker who is loyal, playful, kind, sweet, friendly, and smart. Completely introverted. Makes dirty jokes constantly. Quite the swearer. Which shocks people. He's good at playing innocent too.

Crabby—a moody, ambitious, hardworking smart aleck with a temperament who wants to be a social worker. She is a former class president and girls inc. member who knows how to get what she wants.

Tyrone (tourney player)—Tiana and Naveen's son. Best friend of Brendan. He's hard working like his mom and playful and flirty like his dad. He's a sporty guy, knows how to play the banjo, and he loves crocodiles and fire flies. Hates frogs though. He has a thing for Freddie. He's interested in voodoo, not that he'd ever tell his parents that. Bit of a show off. Kind. Sweet. Kind of bossy. Prefers Jay over Carlos. He's afraid of being turned into a frog.

‘Logan’ or ode to Hugh Jackman as Wolverine

What is an actor? The actor is an artist who brings the author’s, writer’s and society’s imagination into reality for the purpose of entertainment or for deepening one’s understanding regarding a concept. The power of an actor is stronger and intense as they have the power to impact so many minds all around the world. On that note, even before I dive into critiquing the movie, I would start with showing my appreciation for Hugh Jackman as an actor.

Not only did Mr. Jackman pulled off the character of wolverine beautifully for past 17years, he also let go of it as beautifully. Nobody could have interpreted the character Wolverine so perfectly and consistent like he did. His humble, innocent, kind and universal disposition gave him an edge in understanding and portraying the character, thus adding depth and dimension that we all have enjoyed. With his decision to let go of the character, Mr. Jackman not only proofs this businessman's intellect but that of a true artist who loves his character and take responsibility for it. It is true that the character (Wolverine) might have become monotonous for the audience and would have stopped yielding a profit. Mr. Jackman’s personal growth and wisdom also spill from his decisions, as he has appeared to accept his age and health. Hugh Jackman is the next actor that I have come to admire after Mr. Robin Williams.

Now moving on the movie, to tell you the truth I don’t feel like completing the review as I don’t want the effect of this movie to wear off (Only crazy movie lovers would understand that). But as the quotes go “ what needs to be done, needs to be done”. I also need to review this movie and that needs to be done. In the initial scenes, we see James Logan Howlett sleeping in a car, but because of some disturbances, he comes out. It is then when the audience gets to see the first glimpse of the man and the hero they adored; Wasted and wearing a suit of a chauffeur. He sees some thugs trying to steal the silver rims of the tires that he was just in. He urged them to stop and warned them “you don’t want to do this”. The thugs shoot him. In the back of the mind, the audience knows that he has regenerative powers so nothing would really happen to him. Quite contrary, the regenerative powers seemed slow and he in pain. But of course we are talking about Wolverine, even though he was injured, his will and attitude never shivered and he was as fierce as the first time when we saw him. He still had that fire and fierce energy to kill off of the rowdies who attempted to attack him. 

The struggle of this fictional character made me remind of my real life hero, my father. Made me remind of his last stages of life, where till his last breath he was fierce and refused to go down without a fight, without making his children stand strong and safe. Now, this is only a fraction of a way to relate to this movie. There are so many people viewing this movie and they all have their own sweet way of relating to this story. The only reason that the movie could have had such an intense impact on its audience is because of its decades of build up. I was moved by its every scene.

You would see all the pillars of the X-Men tumbling, from Wolverine, Caliban (Stephen Merchant) to Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart). But the hope is not lost, they encounter an 11-year-old girl named Laura. who apparently happened to be Wolverine's daughter. She was created as a weapon X-23, which later become redundant due to the success of project X-24. From there, the story is all about how Wolverine, who is not only wearing off physically but also struggling psychologically. He is finding a hard time looking out for hope, a brighter place where mutants have a future and can live in peacefully. The appearance of Laura in his life should have given him hope but because of his years of experience being defeated and falling to find a safe enough place to settle down. He feels reluctant to believe Laura and tries to convince her to not to be that hopeful. This is exactly when the audience gets to see Laura’s adamant character similar to that of Logan when young. It is not just that Laura is similar to Wolverine in powers but mentality as well.

There are times in the movie when Logan is seen to lose his consciousness and faint, Laura becomes the stronger one and help him meet his responsibility towards her and the future. James Mangold, the director, and the story writer, by choosing Laura to be an 11-year-old girl, contrasting that from the comics, suggests that he intended to draw out the sympathy of the audience and entertain the younger audience, that I am sure would have got inspired by looking at Laura. Dafne Keen acted as Laura, and she did an amazing job. Her character was not invested with many dialogues so the only way she could bring out the character was purely through acting. She gave the character her own personality and depth but also portrayed some shadows of Wolverine here and there, giving her character an interesting and refreshing outlook.

The director dealt with the character of Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier well. Though, again it was really sad to see how he dies by being stabbed by X-24, who looked just like wolverine. So, the summary of his life was a man who took a bullet on his back and chooses to stay handicapped throughout his life to protect innocent humans; who also built mutants as heroes to protect the world, got stabbed and betrayed by a man-made and a soulless mutant. Actually, making his theory and life philosophy wrong or let's say un-ideal. I was thinking to myself during that scene, that Xavier must be thinking, “Ahhh! Dame that Magneto was right! Stupid humans, we should have taken over the world when we had the chance. At Least, we would have had a good death and not to forget “life ”. (But if everything was so peaceful then we would have never got to the part where we sit in a hall and watch an X-men movies and critique it later. Right?). Apparently, entertainment won over Professor Xavier and Magneto.

Moving to the villains of the movie, Donald Pierce (Played by  Boyd Holbrook). He too interpreted the character well, though his role reminded of Cruella de Vil ( the villain of 101 Dalmatians(1996)) or Joe Mantegna (Villain of Baby’s day out (1994)). Nevertheless, he too did an amazing job.The next Villain was X-24. Ironically, it was a  relief to see X-24, whose mission was to kill the hero. X-24 was the only way we got the glimpses of the Wolverine’s younger and the stronger self, even though he lacked the spirit of the hero that we all have come to admire. Again here also, it is needless to mention that Mr. Hugh Jackman did a marvelous job in portraying the character of X-24, who had only a few scenes to develop his character. Mr. Jackman brings out the character by portraying a man who looks similar to wolverine and possesses the same powers but he is not the same, cause he has no soul. The intricate work that he did in developing his roles in this movie is beyond one’s praise. 

The makeup was so ‘unreal’ that it almost made me cry to see Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) so old. The camera shots were clear and nicely taken. And not to forget the humor, even with such an intense storyline, the writer didn’t fail to deliver subtle hints of humor, that the character, Wolverine always possessed. But sometimes the tone of the humor took a little stereotypical turn. Portraying what the father did the daughter does the same, similar to, where the father has a mole the daughter possesses the mole in the same place too. Old humor, yet classic.

In the end, as it turns out, I actually think that I wouldn’t be able to completely review the movie. Who else is better at judging the movie than the actors and the people who were intimately involved with the movie. So, I have attached a link to an interview with Hugh jackman and Patrick Stewart. In here they dive in the political stance of the movie, as well as, have shared some interesting insights into the movie making. Hope you enjoy!

                                                XXXXX

101 Dalmatians (1996) and 102 Dalmatians (2000)

A woman kidnaps many puppies in order to skin them and create a fine coat but the animal kingdom is against her and through cooperation they manage to stop her.

 Glenn Close is clearly the best thing about both of these films. She clearly relishes the part and she gives a fantastic and consistent performance. Her evil laugh very much lives up to the original cartoon villain and her henchmen are very much suited to their roles. Tim McInnerny who is in both films is a great addition and works well with Close.

 Unfortunately Hugh Laurie and Mark Williams are not in the second film which is a great shame because they were quite funny in the first one. The other villains in both films, the mute butcher and the egomaniacal fashionista, were a lot weaker and didn’t create nearly as much comedy as the other characters. Nanny was also lovely in the first film although they make an attempt to create a similar character in the second one which doesn’t work. I also wasn’t keen on the fact that some dogs were just named after their one character trait. This is something quite common to dog owners but think of it applied to people; if we started calling children “fatty” or “drooler” then it would be classed as bullying rather than cheap comedy.

 The parrot was an interesting element of the second film because obviously the dogs can’t talk which means that there is a lot of clunky exposition which is eliminated by Eric Idle’s constant monologue of events. The second film is also preferable because it has fewer odd CGI expressions for the dogs where they randomly wink to camera or raise their eyebrows. If they’re getting all these brilliantly trained dogs in then they shouldn’t be undermined by irritating parts like that.

 The weakest part of both films has to be the leading males because the first one seems to have his voice set to ‘constantly moaning’ and the relationship between the two people feels wholly unnatural because besides owning Dalmatians, they don’t actually seem to have anything in common. The second film’s leading man was completely clueless throughout, even when things were in a state of equilibrium he looked like a sheep who had accidentally wandered into a mincing factory.

 101 Dalmatians: 4/10 -This one’s below average, but only just!-

 102 Dalmatians: 5/10 -Can’t find a better example of average-

 -The part of Cruella de Vil was originally written for Sigourney Weaver.

-A story from the set suggests that when Close put on her Cruella outfit for the second film, no dog wanted to go near her.

-Close is allergic to tobacco so she smoked herbal cigarettes throughout the film.