![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shiori_makiba) wrote2016-02-25 06:57 pm
Poem: Faerie Dust
by shiori_makiba
Words: 610 words in 101 lines
Part of the Berettaflies thread of ![[personal profile]](https://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmith's Polychrome Heroics universe. Inspired by comments made by siliconshaman and stardreamer. Ashley Maddison is siliconshaman's creation. Haruko McCoy (mentioned only) is from the mind of dialecticdreamer.
Time Frame: Some time after things have calmed back down in Easy City.
Faerie Dust
Tsubasa was nervous.
She was going virtually across town today
using public transport.
And her wings were proving
to be a minor problem.
She wasn't worried about the fact she had wings.
Tsubasa was well used to them by now,
and confident that she'd be fully comfortable with them
one day soon.
Nor was she too worried about their size.
They were big, as proportional to her height
as they were on actual butterflies.
And they only folded together,
not down or flat against her back.
But the wheelchair accessible sections of the bus
should be big enough to accommodate her wings size.
It was their coloration that gave Tsubasa pause.
White and black with red spots.
Just like the bugs that had started
this whole mess weeks ago.
Just like the swarm of Berettaflies
she had accidentally unleashed on the city
not too long.
The mere sight of those wings at normal size
was enough to understandably panic people.
And seeing them scaled up to giant size
did nothing to calm that.
When Tsubasa brought this up with Ashley,
she thought about for a bit before
the proverbial light-bulb lit up over her head.
“I have an idea.”
Looking at the mirror,
Tsubasa studied the results of said idea.
She was wearing an almost backless corset-style top,
gauzy tutu skirt, and striped tights.
All in same black, white, and red as her wings.
Each item as well as herself had been sprayed down
with a fine coating of glitter.
On top of her head was headband with
a pair of smiling butterflies with blinky lights.
On her feet were the ruby slippers.
Tsubasa wondered idly.
if clicking her heels together three times
and saying there was no place like home
was worth a try.
She guessed it depended on whether the universe
wanted to follow the movie or the book canon.
There was a knock of the door.
“Are you ready to come out?”
“Yes,” Tsubasa answered
and opened the door.
“Looking good there,” Ashley said.
“Just needs one more more touch.”
She flourished a toy baton topped with a heart
and studded with more blinky lights.
“What is that?”
“Your princess wand. Can't be a faerie princess without it.”
Tsubasa rolled her eyes
but apparently that was the reaction
Ashley was going for
because she just laughed.
Not for the first time,
Tsubasa had the thought that
Ynez and Ashley would get along
like a house on fire.
“In all seriousness, though, take the wand.
It fits the image and
my minion took precious time out
of his busy day to find you
a princess wand.”
She was right.
It did fit the image.
Tsubasa also made another mental note to
make Haruko a thank you card.
He had earned several.
Besides locating the princess wand,
he had also found some of the clothing
Tsubasa was and had been wearing.
Ashley had offered what could be
safety decontaminated from her closet.
She had used some of it.
But some things simply didn't fit.
Mostly because Tsubasa was
shorter than Ashley.
The clothes and wand were in and among
other little acts of kindness.
All in spite of the fact that
Tsubasa had unintentionally
scared the hell out of him
with the swarm.
Tsubasa took the wand.
She shedded glitter the entire way there
but it was the safe kind that would
dissolve in water.
And while some people stared,
nobody screamed and
some people even smiled.
The kids, especially, seemed delighted
and keep waving and whispering excitedly.
Tsubasa smiled and thought
maybe she'd do things like this more often.
Notes:
The pictures don't match exactly but should give you some idea.
Tsubasa's skirt – very similar but some of the gaze is white instead of black.
Tsubasa's top – the back is lower than the one shown, the main part is black but the under part is red, the lacing and gauzey sleeves are red.
Tsubasa's stripped tights – same except they are red and white.
Tsubasa's shoes – same except for the heel. Hers are flats.
Update!: stardreamer has found something pretty similar to Tsubasa's headband. Hers has blinky lights but otherwise looks pretty much like that.
Now with princess wand! Thanks siliconshaman!
As far as I know L-Earth doesn't have any glitters that dissolve in water but I'm thinking that T-America does have one.
OH, how much FUN!
I think this is a wonderful solution in the short term, which will fade as more time passes. In six months, MOST people won't take any more notice of her on the bus than they do "that lady with the sunflower hat."
Re: OH, how much FUN!
>>Yes, Haruko would be delighted to help with this! Not just clothes, but little comfort items, too.>>
Yay! It sounded like something he would do, judging from his past behavior.
It probably helps that one of the first things Tsubasa did after being introduced to him was apologize for frightening him.
>>I think this is a wonderful solution in the short term, which will fade as more time passes. In six months, MOST people won't take any more notice of her on the bus than they do "that lady with the sunflower hat.">>
That is the idea.
"Pay no attention to the lady with butterfly wings."
OR
"Lady with butterfly wings on the bus. Must be Tuesday."
Also sometimes it pays to project the image of "Look, I'm silly and therefore harmless" through making that assumption does mean ignoring the fact that she is still displaying warning colors . . .
Re: OH, how much FUN!
Re: OH, how much FUN!
For sure.
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Thanks!
I giggled a few times writing it.
My muse seems to like to balance serious stuff with fluffy stuff. If not in the same piece, then in a follow-up piece.
Funny but endearing was what I was aiming. Glad I didn't miss.
>>Perfect execution of the ideas in our discussion.>>
Yay!
>>Love the Wizard of Oz shoes, nice touch!>>
Glad you liked it. ^_^
As soon as I saw the picture of the shoes, my brain went "Those ones! Without the break-your-neck heels! It's perfect!"
Yay!
should be big enough to accommodate her wings size.<<
:D
>>She was wearing an almost backless corset-style top,
gauzy tutu skirt, and striped tights.
All in same black, white, and red as her wings.<<
That is adorable.
Something that would work well for her: halter tops. Anything that has an open back with a neck loop or tie and another fastener underneath will allow room for her wings.
>>Each item as well as herself had been sprayed down
with a fine coating of glitter.<<
Add some gentle skin-safe sealant to that, and it will not only hold the glitter in place but also minimize shedding of urticating scales from her wings.
>> On top of her head was headband with
a pair of smiling butterflies with blinky lights.
On her feet were the ruby slippers.<<
Eeee! :D
>>“In all seriousness, though, take the wand.
It fits the image and
my minion took precious time out
of his busy day to find you
a princess wand.”<<
Haruko is turning into a totally awesome minion. \o/
>>And while some people stared,
nobody screamed and
some people even smiled.
The kids, especially, seemed delighted
and keep waving and whispering excitedly.<<
Easy City has the advantage of a Weird-Shit-O-Meter that requires a pretty serious kick to budge at all. People there can get used to anything. It's just a little dicey right after the incident. A year or two down the line and people will probably be selling berettafly souvenirs.
>>As far as I know L-Earth doesn't have any glitters that dissolve in water but I'm thinking that T-America does have one.<<
Yes, that's exactly the kind of thing they have. It is probably soluble in soap and water, or some other kind of releaser, to avoid dissolving in sweat. We do have edible glitter, which gets sticky if moist.
Re: Yay!
>>Add some gentle skin-safe sealant to that, and it will not only hold the glitter in place but also minimize shedding of urticating scales from her wings.>>
Added that for the notes for next time - they probably just didn't think about it this time. Or didn't want to invest too much if it didn't work.
Added halter tops to notes. Tsubasa is experimenting with clothes right now so she's open to trying new ideas and styles to see what works. Which is part of how Ashley talked her into this outfit.
>>Haruko is turning into a totally awesome minion. \o/>>
He truly is.
The good supervillians would advise: "Hang onto that one if you can. He's a keeper."
To which Ashley would probably reply: "Duh."
>>It is probably soluble in soap and water, or some other kind of releaser, to avoid dissolving in sweat.>>
I was thinking the amateur one is soluble in soap and water which makes for easy clean-up (and soap is pretty readily available).
There are probably professional level ones that uses a special releaser agent instead.
Re: Yay!
That makes sense, yes.
>> Added halter tops to notes. Tsubasa is experimenting with clothes right now so she's open to trying new ideas and styles to see what works. Which is part of how Ashley talked her into this outfit. <<
A sari would work if she left out the underblouse. There are also wrap tops, like a kimono top, that are solid in front and open in back.
Here are a few ...
https://cdn1.thehunt.com/app/public/system/note_images/81862/note_preview/4a97a938c5012855b2eb3e8bb049fb2f.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/54/6f/f7/546ff7241c5ca744f8bd4de41c069ba0.jpg
http://imagecache.asos.com/inv/U/7/36/586523/Black/image1xl.jpg
http://verstilemode.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Backless-top-wearing-tips-and-fashion-trend-12.jpg
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0161/7466/products/bustown-modern-vintage-whiting-davis-black-gold-geometric-backless-chain-mail-halter-top-004.jpg?v=1403207394
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a9/b1/3e/a9b13ea61ee39d11063b095143d8d9de.jpg
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=7194081
https://cdnb.lystit.com/photos/2013/10/15/2nd-day-black-frizz-open-back-tee-in-slub-jersey-product-1-14127393-096012125.jpeg
http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/5b/a3/5ba34815aca7cfef0d7c8c6c0aa9cbd5.jpg?itok=o97W2v8p
http://www.wholesale7.net/images/201308/goods_img/107414_P_1375870009470.jpg
http://images.windsorstore.com/images/products/1_206087_ZM.JPG
http://www.zigoti.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/how-to-wear-backless-top.jpg
http://topcdn.yournextshoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Pencey-Standard-Open-Back-Top-in-Black.jpg
http://g02.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB17gKTJFXXXXc1XpXXq6xXFXXXk/Women-Sleeveless-font-b-Backless-b-font-font-b-Tops-b-font-Sexy-T-Shirt-font.jpg
https://static.missguided.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/3/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/j/o/joely_8.jpg
https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5294730/il_570xN.244842631.jpg
http://images.ttcdn.co/media/i/product/90404-152c51c71d52498aa6969674dd8581fe.jpeg?size=500
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b9/44/c8/b944c88f1f245226ecbf0c16de6439b3.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61spRgf-2JL._UX385_.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3e/17/11/3e17112a084834ff409b1b2eb594ed0b.jpg
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0837/1333/products/1_3c30680c-fe1c-476f-9a95-2aff8cc6c9ec_1024x1024.jpg?v=1434964279
http://g01.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1_fgSHFXXXXbxXVXXq6xXFXXXS/Blusas-Femininas-Women-T-Shirt-2015-Sexy-Lace-Splicing-T-Shirt-Women-font-b-Backless-b.jpg
>>He truly is.
The good supervillians would advise: "Hang onto that one if you can. He's a keeper."
To which Ashley would probably reply: "Duh."<<
:D I can see that. Good thing Kraken doesn't poach from fair bosses.
>>I was thinking the amateur one is soluble in soap and water which makes for easy clean-up (and soap is pretty readily available). <<
That makes sense.
>>There are probably professional level ones that uses a special releaser agent instead.<<
Available at your friendly neighborhood magic/party/theatrical supply shop.
Re: Yay!
Re: Yay!
I actually had someone try to poach one of my minions. He sidled up to her and said, "I have a personal library of 10,000 books."
I said, "Mine's bigger."
My minion said, "Hers is BIGGER."
He visibly deflated and slunk away.
We laughed.
no subject
There should be! Yeah, the sugar sprinkles do get *sticky*...
Gripping hand, that would be bad for
Thoughts
The lower range is the kind that is easily washed off with household soap and water for like the average parents at home with the kids or other people who want something easy to use and clean-up.
At an upper level, you have ones that need special release agents or special soaps and are sweat-resistant, etc for people who use glitter for stage productions like faerie performers).
Re: Thoughts
Re: Thoughts
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Ah A Fellow Troper
It just seemed like the correct approach to the problem.
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Re: Album Cover
Cool pic. Lots of personality and playful - it's a nice change from all the generic come-hither album covers out there.
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Sooj runs the gamut from witchy to playful to mythpunk to avant garde to eco-rap, and then comes home to Delta blues so dangerous they almost need a hazmat label... If *any* of that appeals, she is highly, highly recommended.
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My music taste is pretty eclectic. My major requirements are good beat and a singer who actually sings not screams at me.
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Cool music
Re: Cool music
no subject
"Butterfly lady on the bus again, must be Tuesday" has cracked me right up. I love the casual acceptance.
Thank You!
And as ysabetwordsmith pointed out, Easy City people have a pretty high setting on their Weird-Shit-O-Meter. Tsubasa probably isn't even the weirdest thing some of those people saw that day or week.
>>"Butterfly lady on the bus again, must be Tuesday" has cracked me right up.>>
Glad I could inspire positive laughter. That always makes me happy.
>>I love the casual acceptance.>>
Me too.
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Siliconshaman had the idea of wearing a silly headband to make it less scary and brought up that Ashley has a tutu . . . my plot bunnies then gleefully picked those two bits up and ran with them.
Besides I think it's a good thing to mix in a little levity and fun in-between the serious and/or angsty stuff.
no subject
Yay
Thanks a whole bunch!
Re: Yay
Re: Yay
Don't know why they aren't made with blinkenlights. Little girl me would have loved it.
The toy versions of the Spiral Moon Heart Rod and the Pink Sugar Heart Rod from Sailor Moon are somewhat similar but their lights only work when you push the button. And they make noise (And yes, those are their actual names).
Re: Yay
http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/images/g/ZkIAAOSw-zxWnHT~/s-l225.jpg
Re: Yay
Now added to info!
*blows party whistle*