Once Then Always (further brainstorming) (2015-10-01)

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A/N1: Check this post out, first.

~

Okay, so even if I were to write this story, which I’m not saying I will (but I’m not saying I won’t either), here are some things which I would, theoretically, like to do/see, as part of the repercussions of the Lost kids being the Narnia’s Golden Four instead of the Pevensies.

1) Carlos the Gentle + Wolves –> Dogs

Carlos is literally responsible for the existence of dogs. If he hadn’t allowed the White Witches’ wolves to defect to the side of good, they would never have been domesticated, and thus would have remained wolves forever instead of steadily turning into modern day dogs.

Do you know how hilarious/potentially fascinating that would be considering dogs are the reason why his mother was caught (and banished to the Isle and potentially why Carlos even exists). It would be so great.

2) Evie the Magnificent + Dwarves interaction

If I’m remembering this right (I’ll have to do a re-watch/read of LWWA if I do end up writing Once Then Always) lot of the Black Clan dwarves were aligned with the White Witch while the Red Clan dwarves (arguably) were still on Aslan’s side. But the dwarves we see in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves aren’t clearly one Clan (as denoted by hair color) or the other. Even the two instances of dwarves we see in Descendants (Doug, with black/brown hair) and School of Secrets (unnamed, Sleepy’s kid with red hair) show that the seven dwarves of Snow White are already mixed clans.

So how do these two Clans, on opposite sides of a centuries long war, reconcile? Evie the Magnificent, that’s how. I think, though, it would kind of start out selfish on her part. Pragmatically, of course, but also simultaneously selfish. Because here are two Clans of dwarves who want to prove themselves better/more loyal to the new tetrarchs of Narnia but their main industry of weapons making is basically… defunct. So Evie, knowing that dwarves in her time are in charge of the precious metals/gemstones as well, is just like… make jewelry, make crowns worthy of the new tetrarchs of Narnia.

And she somehow gets them to grudgingly work together… somehow.

I realize now that there’s a running theme in the Lost kids unintentionally playing a part in their parents’ demise during their rule over Narnia. And… I REALLY like that. So… hm… let’s see.

3) Mal the Just…

… probably was the one to, at least temporarily, side with the White Witch. She saw a woman–just like her mother–who not only brought a kingdom to its knees but kept it there. Ruled over it for centuries? a dreadfully long time. Became queen, in fact. Maleficent never did that. Just cursed the royal family–and even that, only partially, because three weak fairies had been able to soften the blow. Make it sleep instead of death.

And at first, Mal thinks, how foolish. If you’re going to do something, do it completely. Crush it thoroughly so it can’t be undone. But she sees the effects of that under the White Witches’ rule, creatures turned to stone, unable to make up for their mistakes. And, maybe, Mal also is pragmatic more than kind about this. Maybe she thinks it’s a waste of resources. Thinning down one’s own army until there is hardly anything left. Wouldn’t it be better to temporarily imprison them, and get more use out of them later?

~something something probably relating to the White Witches’ efforts to kill her gang~ Mal realizes she’s made a terrible mistake. She goes back to her friends, asks for forgiveness, because justice is not about being punished, it’s about making sure crimes will not be committed. Will not be repeated. And sure, one way is to kill the criminals, but another way is to rehabilitate them.

Nothing can be final, there will always be a way to give someone a second chance. There are no killing curses, only sleeping curses. I dunno I’ll figure it out when I write it

4) Jay the Valiant…

Okay, let’s see, what was the cause of Jafar’s downfall. Aladdin, the “laws of genies,” uh… Is the Cave of Wonders a lion head or a tiger head? Because that could put an interesting spin on the “diamond in the rough” requirement. In that Jay is the first “diamond in the rough,” aka someone who is willing to sacrifice themselves for others.

Unless Genie was there? Like… if Narnia is Auradon’s ancient past, then Genie who is an ancient being, might have been in Narnia during the Lost kids’ reign. Which means… what. Was Genie actually a bad guy before?

Hm… okay, no, this one is difficult. 

Urgh, I dunno. Should I even? I have Ain’t No Rest, though… 

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dinah-lance:

Gina Rodriguez for Emmy Magazine

(Sorry, were you looking for the Queen of Hearts?

She’ll certainly rip yours out, if you’d like.

Or if you don’t.

Either way, your heart is hers.)

[Hm… a Princess of Hearts, anyone? What should her name be…]

edit: she is now Querida

Only just gotten on board the descendants fandom but AHHHHH!!! I REALLY REALLY ENJOYED YOUR ONLY FOOLS RUSH IN DRABBLE SERIES!!! So, so, so, good. SOOOOOO GOOD. And well-written. And soo cute omg omg you are amaaazing.

jacksgreysonLeave a comment

Thanks! I really appreciate it. And, welcome to the fandom! 🙂

I have a few other Descendants fic (and, in particular, other Benlos Descendants fic) you might be interested in. If you want to check those out, there’s “A Tale of Two Kingdoms,” a Pacific RimxDescendants crossover/fusion series and… well… actually, a lot of stuff. I didn’t realize until now how much I’ve written for this fandom. You can take a look at my Descendants tag or my Benlos tag for everything else. I’m currently working on a series called “Ain’t No Rest” (but it’s slow going, so I recommend checking out my other stuff first, because I have no idea when that’s going to be finished…)

Anyway, thanks again for reading! I’m glad you enjoy them. And I hope you have a lovely time in the fandom.

edit: I realized how generic and voice-mailbox-esque the above sounded. sorry about that anon, let me try again:

THIS FREAKING FANDOM HAS EATEN MY BRAIN, I SWEAR TO GOD I WAS WATCHING THE MOVIE BECAUSE MY YOUNGER COUSINS WANTED TO WATCH IT AND THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS LIKE… This could be better. There were so many points in the movie where I was just, oh, so close Disney, you have the potential for a movie that honestly could be groundbreaking, but shied away.

Well, you know what? FANFICTION.

Which probably explains why a lot of Only Fools Rush In was written within the week after the movie came out. No other fandom has so quickly and thoroughly held my brain hostage and demanded fic as Descendants. None. Seriously. It’s the recipient of not only my first completed multi-part fic, but my second completed multi-part fic, my first three forays into fanmixes, and I’m pretty sure it’s responsible for at least 75% of my followers. (SHOUT OUT TO ALL MY FELLOW DESCENDANTS TRASH)

So, yes, I hope you do have a lovely time in the fandom. By which I really mean–I know you watched the movie and saw it’s potential and wanted something more TO THE POINT OF DESPERATION that you joined a fandom full of other people similarly desperate.

because that’s really what all of my fic and fanmixes are about. Me, seeing the potential that movie had, and wishing it had reached it. (and also, cute dumb boys being in love. With or without giant robots being involved.)

Untitled DCU drabble (2015-09-30)

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A/N1: Related to these drabbles here.

~

“I don’t think I’m ready for this,” you mumble, grip tight around the handlebars of the motorcycle.

Beside you, the man who is not your brother–the man who was killed by your father–the man who threatens to kill you in revenge on his off days–snorts, “Never handled a motorcycle before, princess?” Jason sneers, draped over a bike of his own.

“It’s not the motorcycle that’s the problem,” you say, because it’s true. Your mother wanted you to be prepared for every situation, it’s why you can swim and ride a bicycle and handle various vehicles. It’s why you know how to fly a helicopter.

You look down, where the front tire of your motorcycle meets the concrete, then look further down beyond that. Past the edge of the roof, a large ramp begins it’s descent only to curve back up into a half pipe–a ludicrous sized one. One for motorcycles, apparently.

“How did you even get this built?” You ask, incredulous. Surely this is against some sort of zoning code. Then again, the Wayne family is the richest on the eastern seaboard. If not the entire country. They’ve gotten away with a lot more.

“Stalling, princess? Just admit it, you’re too scared.” Jason mocks.

“Of course I’m scared,” you say easily, truthfully. You find that you’ve been telling the truth an awful lot recently. It’s not as uncomfortable as you thought it would be. Freeing, actually.

From your peripheral vision, you see Jason startle, perhaps surprised from your confession.

“But not too scared to try this,” you add, revving your engine once, twice, and letting physics take you for the ride of your life.

Yours is a legacy of lies and madness. You’re done with the first; it’s time to give the second a chance.

~

A/N2: Uh… I couldn’t sleep. And then I know I’m a big liar for apparently continuing this series. And in second POV at that? Whaaaat?

Ain’t No Rest, part 8/? (2015-09-29)

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Carlos wakes up to a persistent ringing noise, a small furry face huffing dog breath right into his nose, and in a bed that definitely isn’t his. He’s not sure which problem to fix first–isn’t sure if he should even bother to fix anything. He’s on the edge between sleep and wakefulness and it’d be pretty easy to slip back down into sleep.

Except for that damn ringing noise.

Carlos groans, alerting Dude to his conscious state, and he has to move his head away from Dude’s well-intended but currently unappreciated doggy kisses. Might as well stick his head underneath the pillow to muffle the noise as well.

Prey having escaped, Dude jumps down off the bed and out the slightly ajar door. The doorbell, for that’s what the ringing must have been–though the doorbell at Hell Hall sounded different than that–stops, too, leaving Carlos in peace.

For about three seconds.

Because then Dude starts barking and growling, and then there’s the Knight’s voice saying something, and someone else’s voice–a woman’s–shouting back and nope. No way is Carlos going to be able to sleep through this.

Quietly–not that he would be heard over the ruckus happening outside his room–he tiptoes out of bed, straightening the sleeping clothes Ben loaned him as best he could. Without the tough leather of his jacket, or his steel-enforced boots, he feels soft. He feels vulnerable with his gang so far away–they’ve never been so separate before, even before they became a gang, the Isle is so small.

But Evie said he would be safe with the Knight, with Ben. He smooths his hands over the soft, plain shirt, before stepping closer to the bedroom door.

The voices become more distinct–actual words instead of just noise–and eavesdropping is a perfectly legitimate form of information gathering.

The woman’s voice curls around Dude’s continuous barking and growling, “–can’t believe you still have this mutt. This whole kind to animals phase was acceptable in high school, maybe, but we’re adults now, Benny–”

“Dude isn’t a phase!” Ben interrupts, almost a growl of his own, “And how did you even get in?”

“You gave me a key, Benny-boo, don’t you remember?” The woman says, high, lilting, like she owns the place.

Carlos can feel his muscles tense, preparing to flee. It reminds him of their mothers, back on the Isle, how everything they wanted was so easily taken.

“That was when we were still dating, Audrey, I asked for my spare key back.”

“And I gave it back,” the woman, Audrey, responds coyly, “After I made a copy, of course…” And maybe that was meant to be flirtatious, the pause in conversation implying some kind of seductive motion that Carlos can’t see, but instead:

“Will you shut that mongrel up!” She shouts, clearly irritated by how unromantic a barking dog can make a situation.

For some reason, it almost makes Carlos smile, even though he peeks out the door in concern for Dude. He knows what it’s like to be on the wrong side of that kind of irritation. Knows what it’s like to be on the wrong side of that phrase, actually.

The apartment size and layout being what it is makes guest bedroom door visible to the rest of the apartment. Extremely so.

So despite how quiet Carlos is in comparison to their argument, his movement is still very obvious. Three pairs of eyes catch on him and immediately Carlos regrets his actions.

To be honest, Audrey doesn’t look like much of a threat; she doesn’t look real–all pastels and perfectly put together–it’s entirely different from the world Carlos is used to on the Isle. Where grays and browns are the default, and colors are bright and loud and poisonous.

But Dude runs towards Carlos, wheeling around and standing guard, hackles raised and growling in her direction. Even Ben, from his spot further away, takes a few steps closer.

“Carlos–”

But Audrey is already near, and Dude not much of a deterrent. She turns towards Carlos, and smiles.

“Carlos, is it?” She asks, and there’s something in her hand, something she’s pointing in his direction. “Benny didn’t tell me he had a guest over.”

“Damn it, Audrey, I said no comment!”

But Audrey ignores him, focussed entirely on Carlos, “How about an interview?” She asks, recorder already on, “An escapee from the Isle of the Lost? My ratings will go through the roof!”

~

A/N: Ta-da! Ain’t No Rest update.

Surprise, Audrey is in journalism.

Also, bigger surprise, I actually barely made my midnight deadline! Wooooow.

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https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/200803636/stream?client_id=N2eHz8D7GtXSl6fTtcGHdSJiS74xqOUI?plead=please-dont-download-this-or-our-lawyers-wont-let-us-host-audio

kitasmeow:

Made by andwereallwevegot and mashup’d by jacksgreysays

I posted this on my previous blog but that blog was deleted soo..

Someone with actual musical talent got a hold of my mashup’d version of The Ballad of Lapis Lazuli and made it so much better.

It’s like seeing a random sketch you made be turned into a movie. Except… with music. 

This is so lovely! You have a wonderful voice, kitasmeow.

(Ooh, and here are the ukulele chords for it)

Fake Fic Summaries 6/?, the Descendants x Narnia crossover edition (2015-09-28)

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jacksgreysays:

Once Then Always

In a kingdom trapped in an eternal winter, there are four empty thrones waiting for their rightful rulers. Narnia discovers that the best way to overthrow a witch queen isn’t necessarily with heroes.

Or: Carlos has always been Gentle, Evie grows into her Magnificence, Jay learns to be Valiant, and Mal chooses Justice.

—

I’m always a sucker for Narnia fusions/crossovers in which a different set of kids meet the prophecy requirements and are the ones to take down the White Witch and become Kings and Queens of Narnia. And also, I read somewhere, that what if the Pevensies weren’t the first set of “two sons of Adam, two daughters of Eve” that Aslan sent to defeat the White Witch. The prophecy is so vague that literally any group of two boys and two girls could fit it–so the idea was, Aslan had sent multiple groups before the Pevensies but they all failed (got killed).

Now I’m not saying it’s true, or that in this AU the Pevensies were one such group that got killed, but maybe it takes four kids who know what evil is really like to defeat evil.

But I’m not really sure what I’d want to do with this, specifically. I definitely want there to be certain points where the Lost kids handle it differently than the Pevensies did. Like, for example, instead of killing the White Witch’s wolves, Carlos tames them/gets them to betray her. So it’s Carlos the Gentle, Wolftamer, instead of Peter the Magnificent, Wolfsbane. But, similarly, since none of them fall for Mr. Tumnus’ friendship act, the frozen statues don’t get unfrozen for the battle. Jay earns the title Valiant when he (tries to) makes a sacrifice play–which… I don’t think any of the Pevensies did–like, if the White Witch has one of the others, he tries to exchange himself for them (only for Aslan to step in all majestically).

You know, stuff like that.

My main hold up is that I’m not entirely sure whether or not I want one of them to fill the “betrayer” role that Edmund did. I’m thinking, if so, it would probably be either Evie or Mal; only because the White Witch would be able to take advantage of their ‘weaknesses’ best. Evie for the chance to be a real princess/queen, and Mal for a magical mentor who is successfully maintaining her rule over a kingdom. But at the same time, I don’t know if that is tempting enough to pull them away from the others… it depends.

Probably this would happen–in the Descendants timeline at least–during the museum heist. Considering it’s a museum full of various magical artifacts and it’s canon that they had to search around for where the wand was being held. It wouldn’t be too out there for a certain wardrobe to be one such artifact and interrupt their search by sending them to Narnia.

Which would derail the Descendants movie entirely, but that would’ve happened regardless. I guess… hm… it would be interesting if Narnia was like the super distant past for Auradon. Because a lot of the creatures you see in Narnia (fauns, dryads, minotaurs, DWARVES) they’re not contradictory to Disney movies per se, but if you compare Disney’s Hercules (which, obviously, ancient Greece so several centuries B.C.) in comparison to most of the ambiguous Medieval/Renaissance/more recent time periods of the characters/kingdoms in Auradon then you see a distinct drop in magic. Less magic, less interaction with gods/magical creatures, to the point where even the dwarves and fairies look human.

So with the idea that Narnia is the very distant past of Auradon, how interesting would it be for the so called hero kids to be confronted with villain kids actually being mythical rulers from the Golden Age of Narnia.

It’s an interesting idea in theory, and I may revisit to brainstorm some more or even do a few drabbles, but I don’t think I’ll actually write this. AT LEAST NOT UNTIL I FINISH GODDAMN AIN’T NO REST. Ugh, I know, it’s killing me. I wish it were as easy to write as A Tale of Two Kingdoms was…

I JUST REALIZED:

Since dogs originated from ancient wolves that have been domesticated, then that means Carlos, Wolftamer, is responsible for dogs existing. And dogs are the reason why Cruella was finally caught for her crimes and banished to the Isle of the Lost.

O_O

This sandbox is too fascinating to ignore. 

Fake Fic Summaries 6/?, the Descendants x Narnia crossover edition (2015-09-28)

jacksgreysonLeave a comment

Once Then Always

In a kingdom trapped in an eternal winter, there are four empty thrones waiting for their rightful rulers. Narnia discovers that the best way to overthrow a witch queen isn’t necessarily with heroes.

Or: Carlos has always been Gentle, Evie grows into her Magnificence, Jay learns to be Valiant, and Mal chooses Justice.

—

I’m always a sucker for Narnia fusions/crossovers in which a different set of kids meet the prophecy requirements and are the ones to take down the White Witch and become Kings and Queens of Narnia. And also, I read somewhere, that what if the Pevensies weren’t the first set of “two sons of Adam, two daughters of Eve” that Aslan sent to defeat the White Witch. The prophecy is so vague that literally any group of two boys and two girls could fit it–so the idea was, Aslan had sent multiple groups before the Pevensies but they all failed (got killed).

Now I’m not saying it’s true, or that in this AU the Pevensies were one such group that got killed, but maybe it takes four kids who know what evil is really like to defeat evil.

But I’m not really sure what I’d want to do with this, specifically. I definitely want there to be certain points where the Lost kids handle it differently than the Pevensies did. Like, for example, instead of killing the White Witch’s wolves, Carlos tames them/gets them to betray her. So it’s Carlos the Gentle, Wolftamer, instead of Peter the Magnificent, Wolfsbane. But, similarly, since none of them fall for Mr. Tumnus’ friendship act, the frozen statues don’t get unfrozen for the battle. Jay earns the title Valiant when he (tries to) makes a sacrifice play–which… I don’t think any of the Pevensies did–like, if the White Witch has one of the others, he tries to exchange himself for them (only for Aslan to step in all majestically).

You know, stuff like that.

My main hold up is that I’m not entirely sure whether or not I want one of them to fill the “betrayer” role that Edmund did. I’m thinking, if so, it would probably be either Evie or Mal; only because the White Witch would be able to take advantage of their ‘weaknesses’ best. Evie for the chance to be a real princess/queen, and Mal for a magical mentor who is successfully maintaining her rule over a kingdom. But at the same time, I don’t know if that is tempting enough to pull them away from the others… it depends.

Probably this would happen–in the Descendants timeline at least–during the museum heist. Considering it’s a museum full of various magical artifacts and it’s canon that they had to search around for where the wand was being held. It wouldn’t be too out there for a certain wardrobe to be one such artifact and interrupt their search by sending them to Narnia.

Which would derail the Descendants movie entirely, but that would’ve happened regardless. I guess… hm… it would be interesting if Narnia was like the super distant past for Auradon. Because a lot of the creatures you see in Narnia (fauns, dryads, minotaurs, DWARVES) they’re not contradictory to Disney movies per se, but if you compare Disney’s Hercules (which, obviously, ancient Greece so several centuries B.C.) in comparison to most of the ambiguous Medieval/Renaissance/more recent time periods of the characters/kingdoms in Auradon then you see a distinct drop in magic. Less magic, less interaction with gods/magical creatures, to the point where even the dwarves and fairies look human.

So with the idea that Narnia is the very distant past of Auradon, how interesting would it be for the so called hero kids to be confronted with villain kids actually being mythical rulers from the Golden Age of Narnia.

It’s an interesting idea in theory, and I may revisit to brainstorm some more or even do a few drabbles, but I don’t think I’ll actually write this. AT LEAST NOT UNTIL I FINISH GODDAMN AIN’T NO REST. Ugh, I know, it’s killing me. I wish it were as easy to write as A Tale of Two Kingdoms was…

Untitled DCU drabble (2015-09-27)

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[A/N1: Okay, I’m getting tired of this series now, I doubt I’m going to continue it, but here’s one last little section and some pieces of dialogue that I might have used had I kept going]

~

There are two reasons why, when Tim tried to look for remaining family after his dad’s death, he found nothing.

One is that he really just doesn’t have that much family. Both of his parents had been only children, and their parents before them as well.

The second is that he wasn’t looking for the right people: Janet Drake never actually existed and so couldn’t be related to anyone.

Then again, even if he had been using the right name, doesn’t mean he would have found anyone either. Because the woman who wasn’t really Janet Drake had taught her daughter well.

—

“Mother believed in having back up plans for her back up plans. On the off chance she couldn’t tell me herself, she wanted me to be able to find the truth. Timothy Jackson, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Dorothea Janice.”

and

“Mine is a legacy of lies and madness. Why would I want that?”

and

“The Joker’s not a threat just because he’s amoral and crazy. He’s a genius, too. You think he’s not going to notice if someone starts looking into Jack Kerr’s past?”

and (specifically to Damian Wayne)

“I’m as much Gotham royalty as you are.”

and (specifically to Jason Todd)

“I’m pretty sure this is a test. But I’m not sure for who.”

~

A/N2: Okay, yup. That should be it in this little universe.

edit: nope, I lied. again. continued here