Book Of Life - Blog Posts

My le muerte fan art i’m very happy about she turned out

So this realization came to me like a fucking lightning bolt, and I submit for your approval…

The OT3: [it was impossible to find a picture with Jaskier, Yennefer, and Geralt together I did my best]

The bottom:

The bottom who thinks he’s a top:

And the top:

You just combined two of my fixations

You never cease to amaze me, mi amor.

just some cringe ass oc x canon ship for today that's it

Manolo had been different since his resurrection.

Maria didn’t notice it right away. The changes were so subtle, so small that one had to look closely to know they were there at all. But something was… off.

For instance, Manolo was colder now.

Not as cold as his corpse (his corpse) had been. But his skin definitely had a cooler quality to it now. His skin tone was still tan (not pale like he’d been lying still so still on his bed) and he was still warm.

Just not as warm as he was before.

Manolo would sing for them. For she and Joaquin both. He sang of love, friendship, apology, forgiveness, and more. His voice was beautiful, his music was beautiful.

But sometimes his music was off.

The tune, starting out so melodious, would turn darker, more ominous. The notes turned sour and twisted, and Manolo seemed not to notice. Carrying on as though his song was not beginning to frighten them. He would open his eyes and see their scared faces. He would stop and ask if they were alright. And Maria and Joaquin would share a look. They would not tell him.

Sometimes Joaquin could swear Manolo’s eyes glowed. If it was really dark or Manolo was displeased he would see a flash of yellow.

At first he told himself he was imagining it. His relief at having his best friend back (alive) was so great he was seeing things.

But then he kept seeing it.

An eerie yellow glow emitting from Manolo’s eyes for a brief second. The warm brown completely enveloped by the unearthly light. Maria saw it too, he knew she did. And that wasn’t all.

Sometimes during a storm, lightning would flash and for a brief instance the warm, alive musician was replaced with the skeleton. When walking down the street with his two friends he would see someone look at Manolo and do a double take, looking terrified. So it wasn’t just him.

He supposed he shouldn’t be so surprised. Manolo had been dead (no matter how Joaquin had pleaded with him to wake up wake up please I’m sorry). There had to have been some side effects, some lingering results of death.

Manolo used to love animals. He would pet every dog, cat, chicken, every creature that crossed his path. But he was beginning to rethink his opinions.

Animals hated him now. They refused to come near him and growled and hissed whenever he came close. Chuy would skirt around him, try to tug Maria away from him. Even the bulls in their pens would snort and back away.

After his got his life back, his two amigos would not let him out of their sight (we’re not losing you ever again). But they’d sometimes recoil slightly at his touch. Or refuse to look him in the eyes. The people of San Angel would often look warily at him. Some would turn to smile at him but start in terror, before peering closer at him, confused. He wondered what they saw.

He would sometimes catch Maria and Joaquin looking at him with strange, unreadable expressions on their faces. A hint of apprehension or outright fear.

“What’s wrong?” He would ask them.

“You look as if you’ve seen a ghost”

COLLEGE DOODLES!!!!

(Se vienen cositas)

Parents Day

Masterlist

Paring: Xavier Thorpe x Mexican!Reader

Summary: it’s parent’s day and Xavier is finally going to meet his girlfriend’s parents.

Warnings: Spanish with translation. Boyfriend!Xavier, involved parents, probably many spelling mistakes

A/N: Since I don’t know much folklore or mythical creatures from different Latin American countries, I made the reader to be a catrina like La Muerte from Book of Life because it revolves around Mexican culture and that’s the culture I know the most. If you haven’t seen The Book of Life, La Muerte is made entirely of white sugar candy with knee-length black licorice hair that is tied in a low ponytail and multi-colored glowing eyes with aqua eyeshadow that are in shades of gold and red. Though a catrina itself is just a skeleton, La Muerte is different. La Muerte has magic to transform herself into a human, has telekinesis, can revive anything including nature, controls and generates fire, and in her catrina form, she leaves trail of marigold petals and levitates herself. So to avoid any confusion in Nevermore, Y/N is usually in the human form that she has created for herself. When her parents come in for parents day, they are in their catrina form. Xavier knows Y/N is a catrina but he has NEVER seen her in her catrina form. Understand? Cool.

This is how La Muerte looks, Y/N’s catrina form is basically like that but smaller since Y/N is younger. Y/N’s mom is basically La Muerte in her Catrina form

Y/N was hanging in Xavier’s art shed, just watching him paint.

“Are you excited for parents day tomorrow?” Xavier asked Y/N as she plays with the marigold plant she gave Xavier last week. “Kinda, why?” Y/N asked. “So I can finally meet your parents. You barely talk about them. Like I know you talk to them on the phone a lot but you never talk to me about them.” Xavier said as he got closer to Y/N. “There’s not much to tell, we’re a very Mexican family.” Y/N commented, waving her hand over the marigold so more flowers can sprout.

“Well I cant wait to meet them. I’ve even been practicing my Spanish.” Xavier said, sitting next to Y/N. “That’s good that you’ve been practicing.” Y/N commented. “I do have a question though, how come I’ve never seen you in your Catrina form?” Xavier asked. Y/N was shocked at the question, for the years you guys have been friends, months of dating, he has never asked this before. “I’ve been reading up on Catrinas so I don’t say anything stupid in front of your parents, right? In this book of Mexican Folklore, it says that a Catrina is made up of white sugar, candy, has black licorice for hair, their eyes are glowing candles, their faces are decorated, their clothes are made up of candy too. Catrinas are literally made up of sugar, slice, and everything nice! But they have the ability to take on different human forms. I’ve always seen you in your human for, how come I’ve never seen you in Catrina form?”

For Y/N it was a sensitive topic. Not that she didn’t like her Catrina form, she LOVED it, it was very beautiful, reminds her of when she would visit Mexico and see all her relatives. However, being the only Catrina in Nevermore, Y/N became self conscious.

“I’m not entirely comfortable with being in my Catrina form in front of people that are not my family.” Y/N said, when Xavier was about to say something, Y/N’s phone rang, a Luis Miguel song playing, Y/N got off the seat and walked towards his paintings. “My mom, LOVES him, bueno? (Hello)” Y/N answered the phone.

“Hola mi amor! Como has estado? Mañana es el Parents Day de tu escuela así que tu padre y yo vamos a estar contigo todo el día, llevaremos a tu hermano, me encantaría conocer a todos tus amigos. (Hello my love. How have you been? Tomorrow is Parents Day at your school so your dad and I will be with you the entire day, we’ll bring your brother with us too, I would love to meet all of your friends)” her mom said.

“Sí, claro mami. Van a estar con su forme humano o Catrina? (Yeah, of course. Are you guys gonna be in human form or Catrina form?)” Y/N asked. “Forme humano para no llamar mucho la atención. Pero eso sí, cuando ya me cansé, me vuelvo catrina, no entiendo como puedes mantenerte en forme humano todo el tiempo, aveces cansa (Human for to lay low. But once I’m tired, I’m going back to my Catrina form, I don’t get how you can stay in your human form all the time, it’s exhausting)” her mom commented. “Si lo sé, te hablo luego, adios (Yeah, I know, I’ll talk to you after, bye)” Y/N hung up the phone, Xavier just stared at her. “What?”

“I just love hearing you speak Spanish.” Xavier said with a loving smile. “Maybe you could teach me Spanish!” Xavier said, Y/N just laughed in disbelief, “Last time I tried teaching you Spanish, you didn’t pay attention like at all, so no. Stick to duolingo, guapo.” Y/N commented. “I know that word! It means handsome, right?” Xavier asked Y/N as he got up to stand in front of her, his hands on her hips. “Yes it does, good job.” Y/N said, Xavier leaned down and kissed her. They continued kissing until they ran out pf breath. “If we keeping kissing like that, I won’t be able to stop.” Xavier said, leaning his forehead against hers. “I’m going back to my dorm, don’t stay here too late.” Y/N said, giving Xavier one final kiss before leaving his art shed. As Y/N was walking back to Ophelia Hall, she was making figures with her fire powers, so much fun. She saw Yoko and Enid talking.

“Finally you’re here! We’re having a sleepover in the dorm, Divina and Wednesday are coming too.” Yoko told Y/N. “Are you sure Wednesday is the sleepover type?” Y/N asked, looking at Enid. “Maybe she’ll surprise you. I can’t wait to meet your parents tomorrow! What are they like? Are they really made out of candy? Are they coming in their Catrina form? I was asking Wednesday about Catrinas because Xavier has the book.” Enid said and Y/N was shocked. “Why do you want to learn about Catrinas?”

“Because you are one! No one is teaching us about different creatures and outcasts from around the world so I gotta learn.” Enid said. They entered Yoko and Y/N’s dorm and waited for Divina and Wednesday for the sleepover. “How is your mom dealing with the whole ‘not being able to wolf out’ thing?” Yoko asked Enid as Enid was painting Y/N’s nails a pastel blue color. “She’s not handling it well, I swear, we she comes for Parents Day, it’s going to be awful. I’m better off meeting Ajax’s parents, that doesn’t sound too bad, actually.” Enid said, a few minutes later Divina and Wednesday showed up. “Girls, you’re just in time, sit on the floor, let’s get started.” Yoko said.

Meanwhile Xavier and Ajax were playing video games. “Dude, I just don’t know what to say to her parents. What if they don’t speak English?” Xavier said. “There’s a reason why you’ve been learning Spanish. Just relax, her parents can’t be different from Y/N, you’ve been learning about Catrinas, why are so nervous about meeting them tomorrow?” Ajax asked, they have been having this same conversation for a week.

“I don’t know, i just want to make a good first impression.” Xavier said. “I’m sure you will. Now one last round before you go back to your dorm.” Ajax said.

The next day was Parents Day, Principal Weems finished her announcement. Enid was sitting with her parents, Wednesday was with her parents and Pugsley, Xavier and Y/N were sitting together at a table, talking to Ajax.

“There is no way you stoned yourself. I thought there were some showers without the mirrors.” Y/N said as she laughed after hearing Ajax’s story about why he couldn’t make his date with Enid. “There are! Those were taken though, such a horrible experience, even if it does last a couple of hours.” Ajax said. “My folks are here, I’ll talk to you guys later.” Ajax said, hugging both Y/N and Xavier. When Y/N and Xavier were talking, Y/N saw her parents walks in…they were in Catrina form. “Ay, no manches (no way)” Y/N said looking at her mom, she walked towards her parents.

“Hola hoja, como has estado? (Hi, how have you been?)” Y/N’s dad asked her, hugging her. “Pensé que iban a estar en forme humano, qué pasó? (I though you guys were gonna be in human form, what happened)” Y/N asked her dad, getting out of his hug. “Dante quería estar en su forme alebrije, por lo menos tu hermano está en forme humano (Dante wanted to be in his alebrije form, at least your brother is in human form)” Y/N’s mom said. “You couldn’t give me a warning?” Y/N asked her brother. “I would have but mom took away my phone.” Y/N’s brother said, she was gonna keep talking to him until she felt Xavier come up from behind her and hugged her.

“Are these your parents, babe?” Xavier asked. “Obviously, mami, papi, él es Xavier, mi novio. (Mom, dad, he is Xavier my boyfriend.)” Y/N said. “Mucho gusto conocerlos, señor y señora, mi español no es muy bueno pero estoy tratando lo mejor que puedo (nice you meet you, my Spanish isn’t really good but I’m doing the best I can)” Xavier said and Y/N looked proud, she kissed his cheek.

“Well, Xavier, it is nice to meet you too. Where are your parents?” You mom asked in English but with an accent. “My dad couldn’t make it.” Xavier said. “Oh that’s fine son, just spend the day with us, it will be fun, we brought tacos.” Y/N’s dad said. Xavier smiled, “I would love that, thank you.”

They went to the park/picnic area of the school so they could eat. “Here you go, honey, you should add the salsa to your taco, it tastes so good.” Y/N’s mom said. “Sure, thank you, is it spicy?” Xavier asked. “No, not really.” The whole family replied, Xavier added the salsa to his taco and took a big bite, a few seconds later, his eyes were watering and drank about half his bottle of water. “That’s really spicy, what the heck.” Xavier said.

“Rule number one; of a Mexican says something isn’t spicy, it is. If they say it’s a little spicy, it’s very spicy. If they says it’s very spicy, don’t eat it. Now you’re all caught up.” Y/N said as she finished her taco. The day continued that way until everyone’s parents had to leave, they said their goodbyes and now Xavier and Y/N were in his shed.

“I wanted to show you something. But first close your eyes.” Y/N said. Xavier did what she asked. “Okay, now open them.” Xavier opened his eyes and low and behold, Y/N was in her Catrina form. She looks very similar to her mom, except instead of having a big hat with candles and skulls, Y/N had a flower crown made out of marigolds, with 3 small skulls, and 2 small candles. Her dress was made up of cherry fruit roll ups, decorated with marigolds, the hem of the dress was lined with candles as well but the dress went up to their knee.

“What do you think?” Y/N said, she was floating, gauging Xavier’s reaction. “You look absolutely beautiful. Can I paint you like this?” Xavier asked. “Sure.” Y/N “flew” to the stool that Xavier longed her to, leaving a trail of marigold petals and she sat on the stool. “Is this pose fine, Xavi?” Y/N asked. “Yeah, babe, you’re good.” After about 2 hours of painting, Xavier was finished. Xavier showed Y/N the painting and when she saw it, she was so happy, his painting was amazing. He moved his hand in front of the painting to make it move and the Catrina in the portrait began dancing and twirling around. Y/N went back to her human form.

“Xavier, I love it, it turned out so beautiful.” Y/N hugged Xavier and Xavier kissed her forehead. “Of course, this is probably one of my favorite paintings yet. You, my love, are a walking work of art.” Xavier said and kissed Y/N. “You’re so sweet. Let’s go to your dorm though, maybe I can thank you a little more intimately.” Y/N said as they walked out of his shed.

Hope you guys like it, if you know of any other “mythical creatures” native of Latin American countries, it would awesome if you let me know. If not, every Hispanic outcast reader will be a Catrina or a Nagual.

there are a bazillion movies about saving christmas and no one cares. but the moment there’s two animated movies about the day of the dead, i see people calling them rip-offs??? 

I’m excited

Someone needs to make a "Die with a Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars edit with Manolo Sanchez and Maria Posada pls pls pls

The Two Crow Roads and Second Death

Neil Gaiman “Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back the right one.” They also look at you funny when you request 2 copies of the same book through the inter-library loan. Even funnier looks when you insist on a hardback and paperback copy.

My quest inspired by @crowleysbookshop for the differences between versions of The Crow Road ended with: 1) two different publishers (Scribner vs. Abacus) and 2) different cover work artists. So not allot. If there is a difference, I missed it.

But there's double-meaning of Crow Road.

Crow Road is a street in Glasgow.

Crow Road is also a metaphor for death.

Two Crow Roads. Two Deaths. A second death.

Photo credit: @daria-meoi

Second Death

The phrase "second death" appears 4 times in the Bible, specifically the Book of Revelation. The one Nanny Ashtoreth and Brother Francis read to Warlock.

There's a first physical death. You've shuffled off this mortal coil and gone to meet your maker.

The second death is a reference to an eternal separation from God for non-believers and a swim in the Lake of Fire. Where bad folks go when they die.

A traditional interpretation is that the "lake of fire" and the "second death" are symbolic of eternal pain, pain of loss and perhaps pain of the senses, as punishment for wickedness.

Revelation 20:11-15

“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

If I read that right those who experience this death are all those whose names have been removed from the Book of Life.

There's Hemingway's quote, "Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name. In some ways men can be immortal." Is that also a Book of Life reference? The power of a name.

I don't understand the Book of Life yet. It's just something you scare cherubs with. I've seen some great meta from @beebopboom on it and the Guardian of the Eastern Gate.

Photo credit @fuckyeahgoodomens

I'm still wondering about these seats. Left Crow Road has rabbit seated. Rabbits are a Fibonacci reference. Then the empty seat. Then second Crow Road with Elspeth's hat over the back.

Why is there an empty seat?

Is it for Death?

A missing book? A book between two deaths. That seat is for the Book of Life.

So, I have rediscover Boneheads (made by @Atomi-Cat) and Jack Skellington is La Muerte and Xibalba's son (made by @yuramec). This got me wondering. What if the two are place together?

Ok, this is mainly to see how Manolo will react to this. I mean, imagine finding out that not only is one of your friends the son of two powerful deities in charge of a holiday you celebrate, but they were the same ones who made that wager of you and your friends which cause you to die a early death the first time around.

For me, I imagined this going in two ways:

Manolo found out who Jack's parents are, while Jack himself either didn't know about the wager or knew about it but not to the full extent. You know, like one of those parent lore that gets drop once and is never brought up again. Cue the awkward and tense atmosphere in the air between Manolo and Xibalba while Jack is somewhat oblivious to it, and is trying to ensure that his friends and parents have a wonderful time together.

or

2. Not only does Manolo know who Jack's parents are, but he's also his godfather. Why? I don't know, maybe it was some way to show that all is forgiven and try to move on from the past. Also, it was mentioned that the Sanchez family was La Muerte's favorite due to them flirting with death as bullfighters, so that could have a play in the decision.

Not sure, what does anyone think about this?