Go and catch a falling star

The end of my clumsy flight | Howling Dragon

"Yeah I mean I don't really know everything that went on. And I had this weird moment in the dream. I don't know... I wasn't a Dragon before really. I don't think..." He faltered. "I was human-locked so long so I figured there was no real trace of it. But I can still you know... shift so." It was a weird moment. He didn't know how to feel about it yet.

Because Mushu wasn't sure he could feel anything about it.

Mushu settled back much like he had before everything had gone sideways and a Dragon dream took over. "Thank you," Mushu mumbled softly. "I really appreciate your help." He remembered his manners now, in a moment where he felt the most vulnerable... where he would finally accept the reality of his situation... one way or another.

@oh-heartlessman

#The end of my clumsy flight #howling dragon #mushu

Howl fetched the spectacles.

Or more accurately, Howl outstretched their hand and the spectacles floated towards it. He put them on and gestured for Mushu to get comfortable.

Today, thankfully, Maggie was at school. Which meant that the risk of interdimensional hijinks was significantly lower than usual (though not zero — it was never zero in this house). Howl could properly concentrate, too, without worrying that Maggie would burst downstairs and demand playtime.

“Tell me about this moment of yours,” Howl said, as he began to survey the magic around Mushu. “In the dream. It might help me put together this unusual puzzle of yourself.”

@dragon-not-a-lizard

Humbled By Darkness || Hyenas Howl

Banzai thought the idea sounded rather too logical but maybe that was the ticket. Easy was never good though and the complications that could come from it.

His might went straight to what will happen if? What happens when?

"I don't think I've got the option to go cold turkey either." Banzai laughed to himself. It wasn't funny honestly it was at his own expense. Most of the time he was held and magick gun point to do dark magick most of the time now.

Yes he enjoyed it - who wouldn't but with what Mantu wanted and where he saw his story going he knew that it was going to be death or darkness. Just admitting that all right here didn't seem smart and who knows how Howl would even respond to him opening about what he has done and who he has been under the many masks.

"I only say that because I have my self in a less than favorable situation where I am required to dive deep." His eyes shifted back to Howl before he made decided to be honest "I am a true necromancer. This is who I am."

Why was he being so damn awkward. This was like swallowing a big pill and Banzai felt out of his element. Where he normally would control a conversation he felt like he was on egg shells.

@oh-heartlessman

Howl had their suspicions.

There were a few paths that led to dark magic such as this. Sometimes it was clear (a demon, for instance). Sometimes it was a mix of things — a pinch of blood, a dash of necromancy, a splash of mind control.

That being said, he’d actually been hoping it was something clear-cut. That was an easier fix. Not that any of this would be easy, but, well, comparatively —

“Honestly, the fact that necromancy is the sole cause is promising,” said Howl. “I mean, the situation isn’t good, of course. But at least you’ve got a clear root cause. Sometimes people dabble in so much that it all get tangled up and there’s no way to unravel it without unraveling all of a person’s magic…”

He shrugged.

“It won’t be easy. But at least there’s a specific root cause. That way we know what to look at.”

Howl wasn’t sure if they were being reassuring at all. Not that they were trying to. Howl was approaching this like any sort of puzzle and in his mind, logic and reason were comforting. Eliminate factors, narrow down causes, and the solution should present itself.

@banzai-bungu

Banzai couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the mention of easy. Nothing in his life had ever been easy. The years of training and honing his craft was never easy. There was no question he wasn’t as powerful as Howl but Banzai knew he was a rare talent.

Sometimes the thought crossed his mind that if he practiced more or got a mentor not on his father’s payroll he could come say out power Mantu himself.

“I will not unravel any of my magic.” Banzai said quickly unsure if that was the plan.

That was a hill he was willing to die on - suffocating on the darkness itself.

“I am this good because of the rules I break.”

@oh-heartlessman

#Humbled By Darkness #hyenas howl #banzai

“Certainly not,” said Howl.

He was amused that Banzai even thought for a moment that Howl would suggest that. But then again, maybe Howl’s reputation as Ingary’s very special rulebreaker had more or less died down in favor of his growing reputation as a Magick influencer and fashion icon. After all, while Ingary liked to think of itself as the center of the sorcerer world, there was a whole vast online world much bigger and influential.

Better this way. There was more he could do.

“I’m not one to stick to any sort of rules, darling,” Howl continued. “Which means my approach to this whole process will be rather unconventional — but that just means we’ll have a better chance of stopping this and putting you in control of your magic again instead of eliminating it entirely.”

They raised both eyebrows.

“Now — shall we talk first steps?”

@banzai-bungu

The end of my clumsy flight | Howling Dragon

Howl dipped his head towards the dog. As a sorcerer, you got used to all sorts of familiars and animal companions. Not that guardians were familiars — he’d known Jake Long and Fu Dog, he knew the difference.

“The pleasure is mine,” he said, taking a seat on his usual armchair. He tilted his head as Mushu spoke, then lifted both eyebrows. “Alright, I’m sure I can take a look and double check to see if we were able to break the price magic deal. Are you experiencing anything strange? That might help me narrow things down.”

@dragon-not-a-lizard

Crickey was sitting high alert, watching Howl so carefully that Mushu couldn't help but elbow him lightly. There was no need for that. Mushu knew that the chaos of it all wasn't Howl's fault. Maggie had popped up and it had turned into a mess.

But the most important thing was this... the fact that he could play basketball again but the Dragon abilities hadn't really gone away. "I... well yeah. To be honest... when I made the wish before.... or the price magic like you say... I gave up basketball. So I can play again which is nice and makes you assume the price magic is done," Mushu added, because that would make sense.

"But... I can still shift? Which... before the wish I was um..." he rubbed the back of his neck. "I was human-locked," he admitted. "So I thought maybe you could tell me how busted I am that the magic is still sort of working."

@oh-heartlessman

#the end of my clumsy flight #howling dragon #mushu

Howl nodded along.

“Ah, so you’re wondering if traces of the price magic deal might still remain?” Howl asked. “Even if what you gave up has returned? Interesting — I supposed anything can happen, really.”

Howl was not one to discount the possibility of any situation. After all, they had seen the impossible first hand. Multiple times.

“I can do an evaluation, if you’d like. Bring out those terrible glasses and have a look. Though,” he paused dramatically, as he swept his gaze over Mushu, “from just looking at you, I can’t detect it. But better be thorough, eh?”

Especially since it wasn’t as if Howl had actually done anything to undo the price magic. He’d been about to start the first steps of it. Not even the first steps. The preliminary diagnosis.

Curious and curious.

He wondered if the dream had anything to do with this.

“But yes, if you’d like me to take a closer look, I certainly can. Just get comfortable — it might take a moment.”

@dragon-not-a-lizard

Room for two? || Herowl

Hera, admittedly, hadn't thought of that. But then again, she had never undertaken any sort of building work before, so why should she? It did sound like a good idea, though. Build a small room for now, and expand it, magically, in increments as required. It would certainly be better than moving out, which Hera definitely didn't want to do.

She noted the way Howl's eyes softened ever so slightly, and she felt her shoulders sag, just a little bit. Maybe she was a little bit more worried about the parenting than she would let on. Her expertise ended after about a month of age, and even then, she had never really looked after a child before.

She thought of her nieces and nephews; Percy's children were almost teenagers now, and Griffin's son was almost five, and Hera hadn't spent longer than an hour with any of them in the last few years. It was no one's fault, except maybe her own. She was too far away, she was too busy to travel; she cursed herself for it now. All this time she could've been getting herself used to what children were like, once they stopped being babies.

"I'd say I'll come to you with my questions, but I suppose I might have to wait a while for that." She gave Howl a small, rueful smile. Hera did enjoy Maggie, though. Though he'd managed to skip what Hera assumed to be the messiest, fussiest parts of raising a child, he'd still done a good job. "Though I will take you up on the offer of a spell. Perhaps not right away; she won't need much more room until she's out of the crib, I would imagine. But I'll hold you to it, when the time comes."

@oh-heartlessman

#Room for two?#herowl #hera

This was not the life Howl had foreseen for himself.

He never thought he’d be a parent. Never mind that the circumstances of Maggie’s birth were unusual and exceptional. Right now, she was a little human girl, so he had to care for a little human girl. That meant school work and dress up and Barbies and more. Sure, she still had the spirit of a demon-dragon creature within her, but she also liked Sidney movies and she liked popcorn and she threw tantrums and got into trouble and she missed her friends very much.

Howl wondered what she might’ve been like as a baby. They didn’t really think about that all too much. But he wondered now.

He delicately shelved that thought and turned to Hera with a warm smile.

“Well, what are friends and business partners for?” he asked. “Circle back in a couple of years and I’ll have loads of hand-me-down clothes for you as well. They do grow out of them so quickly.”

@thesorceress-hera

Things Dads Do || Wild Howl

He winced companionably as soon as he heard the story about Sidneyland. "Avery's talked about going to Sidneyland too, and he doesn't even have Jackson to act as a lure. London sounds like a much safer trip."

He chuckled at Howl's question.

"It'll depend what I can talk Isaac into. Avery is always looking for time to spend in the ocean, and Isaac doesn't want to leave town for too long. But the past few summers we've spent a couple days on the coast, and that works as a compromise for now."

It was one of the few places where Nick could guarantee privacy after all. Money bought space, and that way he could guarantee that no one would see Avery in his elf form as he swam around. He might tolerate Avery being open here in Swynlake, but elsewhere he didn't want to risk anyone seeing their son that Nick hadn't approved. Not until Avery was capable of defending himself.

Although Nick was feeling that itch that came from being in one place this long. A trip to the coast was all well and good, but he felt that pull towards something new. It was hard to resist.

He sighed, not aware of the wistful edge to it. "But since Isaac has a summer birthday, that's usually a good time to talk him into a trip."

@oh-heartlessman

#Things Dads Do #wild howl #nick

It wasn’t just a Sigh — but a Wistful Sigh.

It was a beautiful one too, a lovely grey. Maybe it was because Nick had just been describing the seaside, but Howl though it rather looked like morning mist on the ocean — that sort of almost melancholy grey that lingered.

Perhaps Nick Wilde missed the ocean. Howl wondered if he'd grown up near there or something. Whatever that wistfulness was, it clouded the Sigh oh-so-elegantly.

He itched to collect it —

Actually, he did. Why not?

They raised their hand, guiding the Wistful Sigh through the air. The moment it touched Howl’s fingers it manifested and became visible to anyone else looking. It slinked through Howl’s hand and he guided it to a vial that floated out of his cloak.

“Apologies,” he said. “I just couldn’t resist a good Wistful Sigh like that. Always a bit awkward in the middle of conversation, but well — I’ll owe you a small charm on the house.” He winked.

@wilde-fun

The end of my clumsy flight | Howling Dragon

Well at least Howl was ready for him.

Mushu had been all over the place trying to figure out what actually happened and what it meant for him. But the best thing would just be to get information directly from the source.

"Oo. Well I won't say no to muffins," Mushu agreed as he stepped inside, Crickey following in right next to him. "Oh by the way this is Crickey...my guardian," Mushu explained. The maltese looking guardian glanced up at Howl and nodded. Hello. It is nice to meet the person who has been helping Mushu.

"Right... anyway," Mushu sat down and gestured for Crickey to join him. "Considering a whole dream happened and stuff it's been hard to know if something changed or if something just went a little sideways or what."

@oh-heartlessman

#The end of my clumsy flight #howling dragon #mushu

@dragon-not-a-lizard

Humbled By Darkness || Hyenas Howl

Banzai thought the idea sounded rather too logical but maybe that was the ticket. Easy was never good though and the complications that could come from it.

His might went straight to what will happen if? What happens when?

Why was he being so damn awkward. This was like swallowing a big pill and Banzai felt out of his element. Where he normally would control a conversation he felt like he was on egg shells.

@oh-heartlessman

#Humbled By Darkness #hyenas howl #banzai

Howl had their suspicions.

That being said, he’d actually been hoping it was something clear-cut. That was an easier fix. Not that any of this would be easy, but, well, comparatively —

He shrugged.

“It won’t be easy. But at least there’s a specific root cause. That way we know what to look at.”

@banzai-bungu

♥ 35.3K likes

thegreatwizardhowl2: hope you didn't blink and miss me ;)

honored to have a cameo in the devil wears prada 2 with the one and only meryl streep -- pay attention to the milan fashion week runway montages for a glimpse of yours truly

#swynsta #the way JCB was apparently at this years milan fashion week tho lmao #face #haertbreaker

Turn it up, turn around Bitch, Monday through Sunday I can turn a dance floor into a runway Turn it up, turn around Bitch, Monday through Sunday I can turn a dance floor into a runway

#soundtrack #what if i said howl made a cameo in the devil wears prada 2 #and what then #Spotify

The Swynlake Bachelor Presents ... Bucky Barnes?! || The Final Labor

The Final Labor NO WORD LIMIT! But you must follow the stipulations below.

Theme: Dating Show - Bucky Barnes is the Bachelor

Requirements:

All but one of your characters are contestants One character is the host One person who claims “I’m Not Here To Make Friends” Surprise appearance of an Ex At least one mention of being there for the “right reasons” One Fear Factor Date One Hometown Date Confession Cam Two characters get in a fight over Bucky One gets the final rose

cw: nothing really, just some tongue-in-cheek meta goofiness and gratuitous MCU references

Welcome, welcome, one and all to the inaugural episode of the Interdimensional Into-the-Anya-Verse Adventure! I’m your host, the ONE and ONLY Howl Pendragon – aka the Muse so damn powerful that I kept plaguing our sweet Anya with psychic visions after she wrote me off, begging her to bring me back. I know, I know. I’m just that good. No need to clap. Okay clap a little bit.

Now some rules – none of the others realize that this is an alternate reality! Fun, isn’t it? It’ll be just like one of those Swynlake dreams. So play along, darlings. They’ve all never met before and they’re all very single and they all think they’re here to win the love of our eligible bachelor…

And who is that eligible bachelor, you might be asking? We did something similar the first time – remember? That time I was the eligible bachelor. But we’re going to spice things up a little and bring in a character from Anya’s other writing spheres: please welcome… the one and only Bucky Barnes – from the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

[READ HERE]

#swynlaborsanya4.0 #AND FIN

Big Scary Teeth and Claws || One Shot

Howl getting Maggie ready for school

cw: mentions of blood, incredibly brief mention of Maggie's conception, nothing wild

When the Great Wizard Howl Pendragon arrived in Swynlake over ten years ago, he often found himself sleeping well past noon.

And why not? He was young. He enjoyed the nightlife. Unless he needed a particular early morning reagent, he liked to relax in bed till the last possible moment. He had no responsibilities to anyone, besides himself. No ties. No relationships. Not even a heart beating in his chest.

It wasn’t just the nightlife – there were moments when the great feathery shadow nestled beneath his skin burst out and spent many late hours soaring through the skies.

Much had changed in the last decade.

For one, there was no demonic shadow thrumming deep within his soul.

For another, where there once was nothing but a hollow in Howl’s chest, now beat a heart full of blood.

And for another, Howl was up with the sun. He’d collected a fresh batch of spring reagents. He caught up on some of his spellcraft. He even had time for a yoga routine.

All done before he had to wake Maggie up for school.

Oh yes, you see. That was another thing that had changed – the Great Wizard Howl Pendragon now had a daughter.

[READ HERE]

#swynlaborsanya4.0 #feat maggie

Things Dads Do || Wild Howl

Nick knew that Avery would hate that he'd mentioned this to someone else, and he wouldn't be too happy about Maggie knowing. But it was the same as watching to make sure that Avery wore his gloves. Someday he would be old enough to make bad choices all on his own, and it would be their job to let him. For now, he was still young enough that they needed to be responsible.

It was hardly Avery's fault that he was far fromt he world he'd been meant to live in. While his body was adjusting to a degree, it would never be as easy for him as it was for many humans. That was simply a fact.

"I appreciate that one. He's a good kid and getting better at learning hsi limits, but its tough to say you have to slow down on fun when everyone around you is having such a good time."

Sure enough, a moment later Nick could hear Avery's bright laughter as he glanced over and saw the two of them running to a different part of the park. Short runs like this were fine, but Nick kept one eye on the pair regardless.

"Any big plans for this summer? I thought I heard Maggie begging for some kind of trip the last time."

@oh-heartlessman

#Things Dads Do #wild howl #nick

“She wants to visit London — mostly to see Opal. Though she did also make a big deal about the Ferris wheel and wanting to be as high in the sky as possible.”

Then, Howl pinched the bridge of his nose.

“She also wants to go to Sidneyland. Her little friend Jackson who moved away apparently has been really, really talking about it. They video chat sometimes and now she’s got it in her head that we should meet up with Jackson’s mum and do a Sidneyland vacation.”

Howl did not want to go near a theme park. He most certainly did not want to go with Jackson and his insufferable mother.

“I think we can make London happen,” Howl declared. “For her birthday, possibly.” He raised both eyebrows. “And yourself? Any big absences for the mayor the townsfolk ought to know about?”

They jested, of course. They didn’t really care whether or not a mayor was in Town Hall. The town functioned the same regardless.

@wilde-fun

The end of my clumsy flight | Howling Dragon

Something was weird. Or maybe it had stayed weird. Considering how the previous attempt had been to deal with the wish... maybe it wasn't really gone. But... if that were true he would still be blocked from basketball right?

Mushu was so confused. Which meant he should just go ahead and consult the expert who he'd reached out to before: Howl Pendragon.

He had tried to sneak out of his dorm without notice, but of course his guardian, the maltese looking thing named Crickey figured him out and followed him. But better Crickey than his older brother Muyang. Crickey at least was a bit gentler.

Isn't messing with sorcery once enough for you Mushu? Crickey asked him as he trotted along next to Mushu. Mushu chose to ignore that, veering down the right street to make his way to the Pendragon place. "Just relax. I just... I need to confirm something with him and then I'll leave. That's all." That or if it was really fucked up he'd ask for Howl to help him fix it again. But it was better to not mention that part to Crickey for now.

He knocked on the door and managed a polite smile as it swung open to reveal Howl. "Hello again! Listen... can we talk for a minute?"

@oh-heartlessman

#The end of my clumsy flight #howling dragon #mushu

Howl had been expecting Mushu.

Of course he had — after all, they’d more or less triggered a whole Swynlake dream reality. Howl wondered how much of it had been them (Maggie included) and how much of it had been Swynlake up to its usual shenanigans. The date had been one of the usual jaunts…

Howl made a mental note not to experiment with big, extravagant spells around April Fools, Valentine’s Day, and that one weekend in August.

“Ah yes, of course,” said Howl, ushering Mushu in. “I figured you’d be showing up here sooner or later. Please have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink? Eat? We have some fresh muffins. Blueberry!”

Calcifer had made them, actually. On his own, while Howl and Maggie had been out. Howl had been very surprised, but they were delicious.

@dragon-not-a-lizard

Things Dads Do || Wild Howl

"Isaac is currently the parent in our household that has to be about saying no, I do a terrible job of it," Nick said, amused at himself.

But really. He was a criminal and a conman with the blood of more people on his hands than he cared to count. He folded like paper as soon as Avery gave him one of those pleading looks.

"Give it a couple years and we'll swap. I'm much better with teenagers than I am with young kids."

He almost said 'I've raised those before'.

He wasn't sure he was ready to admit that to Howl, even if the other man would likely be understanding. He'd spent so long keeping secrets that any hint of the truth still stuck in his throat.

"The biggest concern is that he'll push himself into an asthma attack trying to keep up with her. He likes to play and he's not always good at remembering his limits when he's having a good time. So. If she does pick up on it, could be good for him to have someone besides his parents telling him its okay to slow down so he can play longer."

@oh-heartlessman

#Things Dads Do #wild howl #nick

Howl knew he ought to say something like Ah yes, Maggie is very responsible and in tune with her peers — surely she will keep an eye out for young Avery!

But.

He knew his daughter. Maggie was bullheaded and liked getting her way. Even if that meant bossing others around. Especially when it meant bossing others around.

Though, maybe that bossing around might work in Avery’s favor, should Maggie be informed. She did have a good heart, once she knew what was going on.

“We’ll have to keep an eye on them this time,” Howl said with a wink. “Then perhaps I’ll have a little talk with her before next time they play together. So she doesn’t lead him to climb up cliffsides or something else that requires intense cardiovascular activity. But I do think once she knows not to do anything too extreme, she'll be good. And she can be… very persuasive.” He chuckled. “And by that I mean, very bossy.”

@wilde-fun

Room for two? || Herowl

Hera supposed that was true, too. How many times had she said it? The baby should be in the same room as her parents for the first six months, at the very least, and in a moses basket or a crib in the living room during the day; that was all they really needed. They couldn't run around, nor even crawl, really. They wanted to be close to their parent... whoever that parent may be.

She knew one thing: she didn't want to move. She liked her cottage on the corner, not just the house but the entire ensemble - she had grown a garden she was not only proud of, but that she used for her witchcraft daily. She liked her neighbours, and new the neighbourhood well. To up and move would be a big change, and did she need to add more on to the thought of raising a child?

But the idea of an expansion did suit her. Howl was right - a room off the back of the house might be nice. There was land back there that she didn't really use, merely kept the grass cut and the hedges trimmed. It would be easy enough to add on a small nursery, wouldn't it?

"You're probably right." She agreed. It would get some nice light. "I think I prefer an extension over moving. It wouldn't have to be anything big, would it?" She mused, and then paused, smiling as she said, "And I'm sure you could help with the interior decorating."

@oh-heartlessman