blake kathryn
"I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas"
Jules of Nature
Peter Solarz
if i look back, i am lost
PUT YOUR BEARD IN MY MOUTH
Product Placement
Cosmic Funnies
d e v o n
No title available
titsay
One Nice Bug Per Day
he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
Acquired Stardust
Kaledo Art
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open
No title available
Keni
occasionally subtle
I'd rather be in outer space 🛸
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Bangladesh
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Argentina
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from Italy
seen from Argentina
seen from United States
seen from Singapore
@wcnka
* ੈ✩‧ — Here's my destiny, I just need to unlock it. Will I crash and burn or go up like a rocket? I got nothing to offer but my chocolate! And a hatful of dreams!
#wcnka — an independent interpretation of WILLY WONKA from WONKA — established December 2023 — adored by STARRY — ( 25+, she/her ) — mutuals only — beta editor.
RULES. ABOUT. MEMES. VERSES. STARTERS.
yall i KNOW he whimpers. I KNOW IT. 🗣️🗣️
“Are you sayin' you'll conquer the Earth in another fashion? Not that you seem the evil sort. Oh, I could see it now, and I'd be a touch jealous of whoever could go to either one! Hmm, quite agree there, a shop is a lot of work to run on one's own. A hotel, even more so.” Yet there was the possibility that Mellie would do just fine, after all, she practically ran things as it was. Her brother was the one that took care of the finances and helped with the inventory.
“Well she might be onto somethin' that sort of advice. Not wise sometimes to have too many eggs in one basket.” There were other sayings that she could've used, but somehow had decided on that one. Yet Mellie herself knew the feeling all too well, always wanting to try new things with The English Garden. New bouquets. A new display for the parents who brought their little ones in that didn't have much. However, one idea had to stick fully before a new one could land. There'd been talk with her twin about opening another shop, one of a smaller variety, so that folks passing by could enjoy her flowers. Nevertheless, that was a much, much farther down the road thing.
“All the time, but Melvin says we can't afford to. He would know, fortunately.” She mused, not quite brave enough to do a roll, but cross one leg over the other, hardly lady-like. “Some of both if either of us are honest. And definitely the staff. I'm horrible 'bout lettin' others work 'or me. It's a trust thing. Oh, I'd love to know, 'ow! Quite the trick, really.”
@wcnka
"I wonder about that, too. About the staff situation. I have my friends who can help set it all up but running a shop isn't in their long-term plans. Not that there's anything wrong with that; everyone has their dream." And he wouldn't force anyone to work for him when it wasn't their passion. Mellie mentioned it being a trust thing but Willy found it easy to trust folk. Too easy and that, as those same friends had pointed out, could cause problems. He still didn't see anything wrong with being trusting, but had accepted that he had to be a bit more careful about who he spilled his entire life story to.
Quite the lovely scene this was — the two of them having a nice conversation while floating so delicately. Willy always thought it a pleasant surprise when he found people who were open to such moments of whimsy. Just to share a moment of doing something like this without the fear of being seen as too silly or unserious. In his opinion, more people should let loose and do silly things. At least once a day! Now, it didn't need to be floating along the ceiling like this. It could be anything, really. Taking time out of their day to do a funny dance at random or to suddenly start singing at the top of their lungs with no care about how they'd be perceived by others.
"The chocolates are starting to wear off but this has been a lovely time. I do enjoy talking with you and visiting your shop. I'd like to come by more often." The chocolatier got one more forward roll in before they both gradually began to dip, the power of the Hoverchocs gently letting them down.
Even though the other man quite literally took off, Melvin found that he could keep up fairly well. That was, until the other came to a full stop--it was a good thing he could stop nearly on a dime! “Oh no, it's not a gang, not even close. It's just a bunch of other shopkeepers that Mellie and I know of. We help each other.”
Part of him wanted to help with the more exotic ones, but something told Melvin that was ingredients Willy wanted to keep secret. Any shopkeeper or, as it turned out, candy maker as it would be had trade secrets that they didn't want any living soul to know. Even his twin had hers, but then again he was the only one to know--she might actually kill if such information was let out.
From his trousers pocket, he produces a small leather-bound notebook that is kept on his person during the day for various purposes. After all, Melvin would jot down random thoughts, things that were needed for The English Garden, important telephone numbers etc. “I know of two very important addresses right down the street in the direction you were headed. I promise they're nice and won't ban you.”
@wcnka
"I'll hold you to that promise!" Because he really didn't want to be banned from any more shops! These fellow store owners were part of the community that Willy very much would like to be part of. They may as well all help each other out if they were, hopefully, going to share this area for many years to come.
"Ah, you're prepared! Good, good, I like someone who makes notes. I don't do that but I like others that do. So, where to first? Down the street, you said?" And off Willy went, headed in the direction he'd originally been traveling. If Melvin hadn't said it was that way, he would have probably trotted off in the other direction, so he was glad for the instruction to keep his busy mind focused on something before it distracted him from his plans for today.
"I'll compensate you by the end of this gathering of errands." Did someone gather errands or did they just do them? Running errands? Yes, that sounded like the correct term now that he really thought about it. "Would you prefer payment in the form of cash or sweets? I personally think sweets win over money but my financial advisor insists I must do business with money instead. He says people will get irritated with me if I don't pay them properly." Yes, money was important, he knew that, but he wasn't very good with it. That was why Abacus was handling his finances to begin with! Willy smiled fondly, remembering how the older man had scolded him for being so careless with his funds.
They nod in agreement. "I'm not sure if I'd say I have a passion for it, but I do admire people that do," they hum softly, pausing for a moment when the brush catches another knot. A frown pulls across their features, but they easily wiggle the bristles free and use their nails to work away at the tangled curl.
When Willy mentions someone with such a long beard, they can't help but laugh a little at the idea. They'd seen some very strange hairdos on humans...Short, long, and everything in between. Such creativity! The idea of it combining with one's facial hair proved a very amusing one, indeed. Perhaps even a bit impressive.
He mentions the brush and they smile brightly, giving a caring hum as they hold it up for him to see. It's an ornately carved brush with a gentle formed handle that almost seems to fit perfectly against the curves of their thin fingers, the palm of their hand...Seashells adorn the back and the handle, grains of sand laced into the cushion where the kelp-infused bristles stand on end. Although the bristles appear quite sharp, they're incredibly soft to the touch as though they themselves are made out of hair. They turn it in the light, letting the seashells glimmer and sparkle under the warmth of the reflecting light, the shine of the mirror...
"I suppose that depends on your definition of magical. It is certainly purposeful. And, um...Individual. One-of-a-kind? I think that is how you say it. In very human terms, yes. I would say it's considered magical." They bite their lip a bit shyly, running their fingers down the bristles of the brush with care. "It is perfectly carved to fit my hand, see?" They hold it in demonstration. "And it is infused with the finest ingredients from the sea, the ends sensitive to the very strands it strokes through. It does its job very well."
Their smile twitches downward again when he mentions going diving. They try not to let him see that telltale sadness in their eyes again and simply go back to combing his hair with delicate, meticulous strokes. They truthfully had no desire to put a damper on their lovely conversation. It was nice to lose that weightiness for a while...Pushing the conversation onward, they ask,
"Did your mother often brush your hair for you when you were young?"
Day spoke about the hairbrush in the same manner Willy might gush about chocolate. He liked to think that it did hold magic powers that came from somewhere deep in the ocean. Maybe from Atlantis itself! He wanted to reach out and touch it, to feel the weight of the brush in his own hand and he knew Day would let him, but he also felt like he should just let it be. That special hairbrush that carved to fit their hand only.
"It's beautifully crafted. Its maker must have been a very special person." He enjoyed meeting individuals who were masters of their craft, no matter what that craft might be. Carpenters, blacksmiths, artists, novelists, chefs, anyone who took pride in their work. When he eventually made it to London, he hoped to meet the chocolatiers he looked up to so much since he was a little boy. Slugworth, Fickelgruber, and Prodnose. They'd been in the business for years now and Willy would like nothing more than to hear all they had to share about their chocolate-making adventures!
"She did and we'd sing songs every time. Or tell stories. I got my imagination from her." And what a wild and fantastical imagination it had grown to be. Willy smiled fondly, remembering all the grand adventures he and his mother would go on while sat next to their little oil heater. It hadn't been a glamorous lifestyle by any means but Willy hadn't cared about any of that; he wouldn't have changed it for anything in the world.
They couldn't help but chuckle a little at his answer and, especially, at the seriousness of it. They pause in their brushing when he mentions breaking brushes, though. A quirked brow.
"Well, you won't break this one, that much is for certain," they assure him with a smile. If he did, they'd be out of luck. They weren't really sure where they could get another brush like this one without going back to the ocean and even then...Well, they didn't want to think about that.
"I think your hair looks nice, it just..." They tilt their head in thought. "Could use a bit of love, that's all." A bit more oil massaged between their fingers and then they're gently working away at a particularly stubborn knot. They idea of Willy going bald has them hiding a burst of laughter behind their hand.
"No, no. I think I would much rather you keep the messy curls. They suit you. As does your hat."
The corner of their mouth twitches downward slightly when he asks about their experience with hair. They push back the thoughts that caused the slight frown rather quickly, forcing a smile back on their face when they notice the way he's eyeing their neatly tucked away locks.
"Where I'm from, it is something of an egregious sin to cut one's hair," they explain slowly. "So, yes. I've learned to care for mine and for my sisters' and..." They swallow, a sort of sadness in their eyes when they remember their family. "It would be much to my preference to cut it short, but...I think I have come to enjoy the process of caring for it. It takes patience, stills the mind for a little while."
"People can be passionate about any subject," Willy nodded but then stilled so he didn't move too much and make the hair brushing more of a pain than it had to be. "The styles hairdressers can do are impressive. The other day I saw a man with a long beard that combined with his hair! It was so long I thought it might trail on the ground when he walked, but it was clearly well cared for."
Willy wouldn't have the patience (or the money) for the fancy oils and shampoos people used to keep their hair extremely nice. He just went with the basic stuff that got the job done. He drops the subject of fancy hair and their skilful hairdos for now to focus on something Day said earlier.
"Your brush— is it a magical one?" It looked different to ones he'd seen before. Was it from the ocean? "What makes it unique from regular ones?" He was always intrigued by new inventions, especially when there was a chance they might hold an otherworldly charm.
"I really hope I don't break it then! Although, it would give me an excuse to go on a diving trip to find you a new one." And then he could discover treats along the way that he might use in creating new recipes.
OH LET'S GO
continued with @wcnka from (x)
Daianira's hands move slowly and delicately through Willy's unruly mop of curls. It certainly is a mess and they wonder silently if he even bothers to brush it most days, but they don't say anything. They couldn't really understand why he neglected to keep his hair tidy, but it wasn't any of their business anyway. The gesture of brushing it for him had come more out of a desire to touch, to assist as much as they could.
They're good at being gentle, at avoiding yanking at knots, but managing to clear them all the same. Perhaps this was because they had so much hair themselves, took care of it constantly. It had become a bit of a self-soothing technique, really. They kept their own hair tied up or tucked to appear shorter than it truly was most of the time, but that was only because outside of the comfort of the ocean it could get in the way so easily. They listen quietly while Willy talks, fingertips slowly massaging his scalp with an oil they were using to help ease out the knots as they move to brush at a particularly unruly spot with a small frown.
"How did you ever find it," they ask with a quirked brow. They lean over to view him in the mirror. "The gum, I mean...in your hair. I don't think I could find anything in here without a map," they tease lightly with a smile.
"I could sense there was something there that shouldn't be. I just knew where it was and yanked it right out." Gum was such a nuisance and really had no business being around. Yes, he had waged a war against its very existence and nothing could change that!
"I used to break brushes when I was a boy. Mama said she'd hoped I wouldn't inherit her thick hair, but hers always looked nice, even when she tutted over it." She wore head wraps and hairbands so that probably made it more manageable.
"But I like it all the same. It's either keep it or go bald. Imagine that! My hat needs to be cushioned or it would just slip down my face." His hat was a staple of his and was the perfect volume to keep it securely atop his head. With the amount of running about he did, he might have lost it years ago, which would have broken his heart.
"You have experience caring for hair then?" He eyed their own. "I couldn't imagine having hair that long. It seems like such a hassle."
"Yes!" A year of running his shop would be a perfect way to save up the money while getting his name out there again. With no jealous rivals to sabotage his product, he could really go all out and show people how it was supposed to be.
"I'll handle the chocolate making side and you handle the stuff that you know how to handle. I've only recently learned how to read, so I think you'd be better at handling the admin side for the time being." Then when he had enough money and the factory was ready to go, he could think about what roles he had to hire. This was all so exciting.
"How about we shake on it?" He held out his hand. "Just a general 'good to do business with you' shake." It wasn't a contract or anything serious like that. Just a good old fashioned agreement between friends who could achieve something great together.
"You only --" Good lord. Chip's confidence had flickered there for a moment, but nope. He definitely was needed, even if Willy's friends continued to work by his side.
With a shake of his head, he dismissed the thought and simply grasped Willy's hand.
"Yeah. Good to do business with you," he agreed with a laugh. "Can't wait to see what you come up with next, Wonka."
This felt like a poorly-thought-through idea -- but Chip wasn't worried at all. In fact, oddly enough, he felt more excited than anything!
How ridiculous.
Willy Wonka really did get ahead of himself.
"It's a yes, pending on your success," Chip said finally. "How about we focus on getting your shop back up and running first? If you can stay in business for a year, we can see about building you a chocolate factory."
This was madness. It truly was. But Wonka really did have a miraculous product...and Chip could see him doing very well now that the other chocolatiers were gone.
"As for my conditions...perhaps I should take a more administrative role in your business in the meantime. Balancing you out -- in an official capacity, perhaps?" He sighed. "I have gotten so damned tired of being a postman."
"Yes!" A year of running his shop would be a perfect way to save up the money while getting his name out there again. With no jealous rivals to sabotage his product, he could really go all out and show people how it was supposed to be.
"I'll handle the chocolate making side and you handle the stuff that you know how to handle. I've only recently learned how to read, so I think you'd be better at handling the admin side for the time being." Then when he had enough money and the factory was ready to go, he could think about what roles he had to hire. This was all so exciting.
"How about we shake on it?" He held out his hand. "Just a general 'good to do business with you' shake." It wasn't a contract or anything serious like that. Just a good old fashioned agreement between friends who could achieve something great together.
brush . work a brush / comb through my muse’s hair . - cursedvessels, from Day!
"It's a mess," Willy announced as if that would somehow stop the brush from having a battle against his unruly, wavy locks. At least it didn't tug too much when the brush was used gently. Sometimes when Willy was in a rush, he brushed too quickly, which resulted in him hurting his scalp. He then got mad about it, despite it being his own fault.
"You know, one time I was experimenting with making gum and I got some of it in my hair, so it put me off gum for a long time." But he didn't really like gum in general due to it being a waste of time. Not to mention the constant chewing could be quite obnoxious. Gobstoppers were a far more entertaining way to occupy ones mouth.
@cursedvessels
Even if the factory didn't work out, it was nice to hear that Willy thought of him. No, more than nice -- it made Chip really happy, actually. More happy than he had felt since the accident.
"Heh," he laughed. "At the very least, I'll be happy to tell you what isn't structurally sound," he agreed. "But if you ask for my expertise, you know, you can't take back the request, Wonka. I'm going to inevitably rain on a lot of your fantastic parades. Especially if you're sticking around."
Which made Chip feel happy as well.
"I won't take it back! I mean, I need someone to tell me what can't work and what's too dangerous. The factory won't be around for long if I get my way all the time." But maybe sometimes would be okay! As long as it was physically possible to do. Eyes shining, Willy tried not to get ahead of himself but it was hard to keep his knees from bouncing.
"Soooo... is that a yes? An 'I'll think about it', at least?"
He could tell Chip was interested in the idea. Greatly. Willy didn't even think he'd need to do much more persuading. "Do you have any conditions? If we're to possibly go into business together, I should any requests you have."
Chip had been mildly amused, if not encouraged, up until Willy turned to him with that look. Suddenly, he knew exactly what he was thinking before he even said the words. And when he did --
Chip was conflicted. He thought his response would have been an outright refusal, if not a polite one.
No, no, those days are behind me.
No, find someone with more experience.
... But he didn't want to say those things, even if he knew deep down they were the better answers.
"--Willy, I..." Instead he faltered, utterly stunlocked.
I had given up. To save himself, to ease his pain and indignity, he had let that dream go. Not because his head wasn't good enough to do the job, missing arm be damned, but because he knew no one would give him a choice. Because he knew that, god forbid, if he built a building that came down like the one that nearly killed him upon his workers...
But he wouldn't. That was the thing -- he knew he wouldn't, because he knew he cared. Yet this offer, as farfetched as it was, was suddenly a terrifying possibility. Terrifying and wonderful and mindless.
Finally, weakly, he managed, "I haven't thought about architecture in a long time."
"That doesn't mean you can't start now. I know it's a lot to think about and I don't need to hear your answer right away; like I said it'll take me a while to get the money together. But I think you should think it over for now and get back to me."
While it was true Willy didn't have anything to go off of right now or what made an architect a great one, he just knew Chip was a serious hard worker who wouldn't do anything by half measures.
"It would be a collaborative effort, too. I have lots of wonderful ideas and I need someone who can listen to them but also tell me when something won't work without putting me down." He couldn't work with someone who would throw out his ideas and make him feel bad for even thinking them.
"Once we have the money, we can really go for it. Think of everything we'll need and get to work on what a factory on that scale will need." Willy's eyes were shining again. So many possibilities! And it wouldn't just be one floor, it would be multiple!
"And I'd like to stay there, too. I've always struggled with laying down roots, but I could see myself living somewhere I could really call my own."
This was a lot. Why was it always a lot when Willy Wonka was in a positive mood? Chip did not prefer the morose version of the man he had experienced the other day -- but he almost did. Almost.
"I...see." Drowning in chocolate. Babies down laundry chute. Lofty. Chip was going to need another day or so to process all of it. Shaking his head, he smiled nonetheless. "A chocolate factory? And how much is that going to cost?" he teased. "I presume you'll need to sell a few more chocolate bars before you can, eh?"
"A lot, I imagine, but I'll sell my products at a better price. I've learned." And Abacus could help him figure out the best way to make profit without compromising his morals! People had been buying like crazy at the shop before it burned down, so that was a good sign.
"The factory isn't actually built yet, but there's this old abandoned castle up on the hill. Well, I went with Abacus to ask about it and the city said they're going to tear it down. I thought that was terrible!" And now Willy was back on the couch after his pacing. "So, I made them an offer. If I can pay them what they want for it, they'll sell it to me and I can make the factory out of that. I really think I can manage it!" He could make a lot of chocolate and candy in a few days and then he could hold some grand event: the Return of Wonka! Of course, he wouldn't make what he needed all in the one go but he could keep at it until he reached his goal.
"And Chip," He scooted forward, eyes shining. "You said that you once wanted to be an architect? Maybe you could help me design the factory. It'll be a while for us to get it all together and for me to have the money to pay you, but once I do I think you'd be the perfect man for the job."
"--Good evening to you, too," Chip was glad to see everything had worked out for Wonka, but he could never get used to the other's energy when he was cheerful. He stepped aside, chuckling and shaking his head as he let the other in, and grabbng the offered package with his arm. "I haven't seen the news yet, no. But I'm sure the streets will be full of gossip by tomorrow."
He gestured for Willy to come in, leading him back into the living room.
"You just missed my parents, but they'll be thrilled to see everything you brought." He set the package down on the coffee table. He fixed Wonka with an assessing look. He really did seem happier, if not a bit.. edgier? It was likely for the best. "What happened, exactly? Are your friends all right?"
"Everyone's fine— more than fine! Super!" Willy took a seat on the couch and grinned. Now that everyone was safe and the whole business concerning the evil (yes, evil) chocolatiers and Scrubbit and Bleacher had been sorted, he felt like he was walking on air again. He'd lost that feeling for a bit there.
"So," Willy began, settling in for a gossip session. "We found out that Noodle was actually related to Slugworth. She's his niece, can you believe it? And her poor mother entrusted him to look after her when she was sick, but he dropped her down the laundry chute at Scrubbits."
"But we managed to find Noodle's mother after Lottie called around. She works and lives at the library! That sounds like fate! So, now they've been reunited and can finally be happy together." Willy just loved happy endings. "Everyone else is doing great, too. They've all returned to their families. Larry said he's going to sort things out with his ex-wife!"
What else, what else...!
"Me and Noodle nearly got drowned in chocolate, but Lofty saved us. That's the Oompa Loompa's name. We got back at the chocolatiers by making them fly with my Hoverchocs. They were stronger this time, so it'll take them a while to come back down. If they come back down." Would it be wrong of him to not care if they stayed up in the sky forever?
"Officer Affable said he will throw them in a cell when they do." They'd technically already been arrested, but it was just a waiting game for now. They would probably gradually drop back down to solid ground within the next day or so.
"And so that's that!" Willy leapt up from the couch, always eager to move, even when he had nowhere to go. "Oh, I'm going to build my own chocolate factory, too! Me and Lofty are now officially in business together."
☆ put this star into the inbox of your favorite blogs - it's time to spread positivity !
// Thank you!! And same to you, of course! We need to do more threads soon!!
Chip shook his head. He didn't mean a literal ship -- but he'd let it slide for now. What matter was that Wonka seemed to understand what he was meaning.
He give the other's hand a shake, then said, "I'll leave you to wash up, then. Spare clothes are there," he gestured to where he'd left them. "And I'll get you some extra pillows for you to sleep on the couch. You're welcome to stay for breakfast, but I'll understand if you need to leave in a hurry in the morning to help your friends."
Chip was right to think that Willy would rush off in the morning. Not that he didn't appreciate the offer for breakfast! If it had been any other time, Willy would have stayed and properly shown his gratitude to Chip and his family for hosting him. But he had very limited time to save his friends and dilly-dallying wouldn't achieve anything!
Fortunately, after much nonsense and close calls (and nearly drowning in subpar chocolate) everything worked out in the end. And after another bath to get all that chocolate off him, reuniting Noodle with her mother, and catching up with Lofty, Willy found himself back at Chip's home. With presents. When the door opened, he grinned wide and offered the large package. Inside were multiple boxes of his chocolates and sweets, all ready to be consumed by the family.
"Don't worry, everything is made fresh. I left all of those sabotaged chocolates back at Scrubbit's for them to have if they want." He really didn't care what those two did with them — they could choke on them for all he cared.
"It's a thank you for helping me out. Did you see the news? Slugworth and his lackeys have been arrested. Good riddance, I say!"
