.
(Still a WIP, so I plan to finish it later.) for @malflearweek
--
The first time it happened, his head could just about peek over the bed the Divine Dragon slept upon. Alfred didn’t need to stand on his tiptoes to see the wisps of blue and red hair framing the Divine Dragon’s cheeks, but he still couldn’t see his entire face. His mother had lifted him up a few times to see the Divine Dragon fully, and Alfred vaguely recalled his shirt had two large dark blue lines. But from this angle, he could only see a criss-crossing golden pattern and a lot of white.
He loved coming here. Most of his days were spent in bed or visiting the doctor. His mother had said he needed to do physical therapy in order to get stronger. He liked the idea of getting stronger, but he also wanted a friend. He wanted someone else to talk to about his day or about the flowers he saw from the castle windows. Everyone told him the Divine Dragon was listening carefully and lovingly to those who visited him. So even if Alfred didn’t get a direct reply back, it was fine.
“Hi, Divine One! It’s Alfred. Wait, um….” He clasped his hands in prayer. “Divine One, thank you for allowing me into your sacred place of rest. Okay, that should be good, right? I wanna tell you about my day!
“Today I saw some hummingbirds in the garden! They were so small and fast, they just zoomed past me. They really liked the flowers, too. And then, Mother taught me how to make a flower crown. She called it something like… ger land? I forgot!
“I wish you could see the flower crown I’m wearing today. Maybe I’ll make one for you, too. I don’t think it’s disturr, um, disturbing your sleep if I put it on very quietly. Maybe I’ll get really good at it, and then I can make lots for my little sister! She is still a baby, so I’ll have to make little ones. I would make lots of flower crowns for my friends. But I don't know when I'll see them again.
“I just want to have more friends around… I mean, you are my friend, too, but you can’t play tag with me or practice duels, or walk with me in the garden…
“...Unless you woke up right now! You don’t wanna be stuck in bed either, right? Then we could be best friends! Hm. Maybe you just need help… ngh…”
Alfred stood on his tiptoes and stretched out an arm for anywhere he could reach. His fingers brushed against some fabric from the Divine Dragon’s sleeves. He repeatedly grasped at that area until a clump of white and gold was firm in his hold. Then, he tugged.
“Please?” he whispered, timid. His mother had told him many times to never disturb the Divine Dragon’s slumber. Reminded of her words, Alfred reluctantly allowed the fabric to slip from his fingers. Shame burned his cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Divine One. I think we have to be friends just like this, with you sleeping. But can you wake up someday soon, please? Then, I’ll show you the pretty flowers in Firene and watch butterflies. Or maybe we could even see a deer! And I’ll make you a flower crown!”
---
Alfred was sure the second time was an accident. He had outgrown his childhood fantasies of playing tag with the Divine Dragon, after all, and the weight of his responsibilities began to settle on his conscience. He visited the Somniel less often, now that his health had improved and other activities filled his daily life. Every time he came, though, lifted his spirits.
“Divine One, Céline can’t come today. It’s been a while since it was just me, hasn’t it? There’s a lot to catch up on, and I can’t wait for you to hear all about it.
“Well, Céline completely outclasses me in magic. She really has a talent for it. Yesterday, she burned a training dummy to ashes, and it was just her first week using fire magic. I tried to learn some magic myself, but I guess I’ll just have to stick to physical weaponry. I’m getting really good at the lance, now. I want to be as good as Father was at it, so I still have to work harder.
“Oh, and we learned about who our retainers will be! We were thinking Céline’s would be Etie. They were practically joined at the hip as children, so imagine my surprise when she was assigned to me. Instead, her new retainers are a woman and man, Chloe and Louie. I knew Louie from his knighthood training at the castle, but I’ve never met Chloe before. She and Céline seemed to know each other. I thought Céline told me everything, but even she keeps some secrets.
“My retainers are my trusted friends, Etie and Boucheron. Getting to train with two of the strongest people I know… Divine One, I couldn’t be happier! Oh, you’re really strong too. You vanquished the Fell Dragon before! It’s a shame we can’t practice sparring matches together, but… but anything could happen. Right?
“No doubt you’re listening to me, because you have given me the strength to be a prince to my people, and I am grateful. A lot of it was my own work, too, but you really are a true friend, looking out after me. So you know my deepest wish. I get it, you need more time to heal from your wounds, more time than I needed… but…
“I might not even get to ascend the throne. When I start thinking about that, I feel so sickened that I might leave mother and Céline alone… how can I be a worthy prince? I hate thinking that some things just weren’t meant to be. You probably can’t make it go away, but if there was any way to make sure I could at least take care of Firene, Divine One… please. I don’t want to lose the joys I have, spending time with Etie and Boucheron, ruling with Céline and Mother, and being able to talk to you.
“I am scared, Divine One. What will happen to me? I wish I knew what you were thinking right now. Can you share a sign, anything?” Alfred scanned the Divine Dragon’s face for any response, a twitch of the nose, a deeper breath than usual, maybe even a smile.
“It’s alright, I really enjoy talking to you all the same. I’ll keep my health up, so that we can talk for as many years as I have left. I promise to treasure each and every moment we have together. …I’ve seen Céline do this thing called a pinky promise before. I wonder if we could…”
Those words were a mere suggestion, not even taken form, when he noticed the hands folded across the Divine Dragon’s chest twitched. Alfred’s eyes widened. A low, short grunt emerged from the body lying in front of him.
Alfred heard his heartbeat accelerate. Could it be? All those years of his childhood dreaming of seeing the Divine Dragon’s eyes with his own, realized? After a moment passed without incident, he exhaled. He would just have to train more, eat well, work hard and perhaps, one day, he could share his joy with the one who was there for him for all his years.
"Dear, I think you forgot to wire that circuit." "Oh! You seem to be correct. Well, Helper, can you give me a hand?"
because old married donro has me in a chokehold
For Day 4: Invention Gone (Wrong-ish?) of @donro-week
QOTD: What is your favourite thing about Gyro?
The most striking thing about Gyro is his genuine desire to help people. He is able to go through any crazy ordeal, or any morally ambiguous situation, in order to invent what his clients want. Not to mention the incredibly low prices/willingness to work for free. This guy just sincerely believes in the untainted betterment of society. Comics Gyro, anyways. DT17 Gyro seems most content getting to play around with his robots. More power to him, I suppose lol.
My hypothesis is that in like 10 years gen z is gonna have a big cult boom the way the boomers did in the 70s
whats that defunct land quote again? every part of the film making process is awful, but not making film is even worse? idk something like that. anywah im being completely normal about art rn ::))
For @a-pale-azure-moon and her amazing Utena AU of FE Three Houses, Someday We'll Shine Together.
Aesthetically, Utena goes surprisingly well with FE3H, with the academy setting, European-style architecture, and military-inspired uniforms. Basically, this meant I didn't have to change their designs at all for this setting lol.
The game says Alfred keeps the Pact Ring in an embroidered bag. It also states he dislikes embroidery. He totally made that bag himself.
more @malflearweek shenanigans.
I recommend this show. The art style is eye candy, for one. The show incorporates Chinese mythology with modern interpretations/situations, so even if you don't know much about them, it is still easy to connect with and understand the characters.
Additionally, the gags in this animation are playful and visually interesting; the jokes are creative and fresh. Each episode has unique instances of exaggerated depictions of emotions, visual punchlines, and recurring jokes that appear in unexpected ways.
The show is starts off as a slice-of-life with a "monster of the week" structure that contributes to worldbuilding (a new mythical creature needs help, and we learn about their powers + why they are struggling in the modern world), but hints of deeper secrets and lore are dropped throughout. As the series progresses, layers of secrets are unraveled which seem to be building up into a larger narrative.
Finally, there is yuri.
This is such a cute show. I love the animation! It’s about the modern lives of many of the Chinese mythical creatures. Just sharing in case anyone else thinks it looks interesting.
Also, it’s got the option to turn on English subs. For those like me who need them.
Here’s a link to the official free eps playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBakWosU0sfj_-XZSlGy-IOnDNplD3Ttj
📑HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY -
TIER 1: PRODIGY & INITIATE -
In this $20 bundle, you'll get: 📎 1 PDF copy of the fanzine, with over 90 pages of writing and art all dedicated to Franmaya
PLUS you can add $10 and get the digital bonus bundle, which includes MORE digital merch and our behind-the-scenes PDF! 🫶
TIER 2: IN LOCKSTEP -
In this $30 bundle, you'll get: 📎 1 PDF copy of the fanzine 📎 1 physical copy of the fanzine 📎 The opportunity to purchase our digital bonus bundle add-on
PLUS you'll be eligible to receive some of our coveted stretch goals! 🫶
TIER 3: GIRLFRIENDS -
In this $35 bundle, you'll get: 📎 1 PDF copy 📎 1 physical copy 📎 1 random die-cut sticker 📎 1 random print 📎 The opportunity to purchase our digital bonus bundle add-on
AND you'll be eligible to receive some of our coveted stretch goals! 🫶
TIER 4: LONG-DISTANCE LOVERS -
In this $45 bundle, you'll get: 📎 1 PDF & 1 physical copy 📎 2 die-cut stickers 📎 2 prints 📎 1 sticker sheet 📎 OPTIONAL: the digital bonus bundle add-on
AND be able to receive stretch goals AND the early bird merch (if you act fast enough)! 🫶
TIER 5: MRS & MRS FEY -
In this $60 bundle, you'll get: 📎 1 PDF & 1 physical copy 📎 all stickers and prints 📎 1 acrylic standee 📎 OPTIONAL: the digital bonus bundle add-on
AND you're eligible to receive ALL stretch goals AND the early bird merch (if you act fast enough)! 🫶
📑EARLY BIRD SPECIAL -
Only the FIRST 30 ORDERS of tiers 4 & 5 will be able to hold in their hands a physical copy of a darling correspondence: two love letters, one from Franziska, and the other a reply from Maya. Act fast if you want to receive this one-of-a-kind merch! 💙💜
📑STRETCH GOALS -
Do you hold the key to our hearts? In addition to the darling merch we already offer, we ALSO have a handful of stretch goals available, should we hit these preorder milestones! Stay tuned throughout our preorder period to see these rewards get unlocked! 💙💜
If you have any questions, please send them to our Retrospring or our Tumblr asks!
Thank you for the support!
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goodnight everyone (:
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