The towns surrounding the forest all knew of it. Something was living inside of it, and it wasn’t human. Some believed it to be a deity of the forest, some believed it to be the forest’s very soul embodied. Some just thought it was a myth. A lot of them, if not most, respected the forest and treated it well. They believed whoever didn’t would be cursed.
Some wood cutters reported pained screams when they tried to cut down a tree. That animals would try to attack them until they left. They said the forest grew darker, seemed denser. Animals looked at them with murderous intends. They never stepped back into the forest.
Some children say that they got lost in the forest, but some animals lead them out of it again. Some say they saw a person smiling at them. A few even claimed they had talked to this person, who had branches like a tree growing out of their head.
The forest was sacred to many. People prayed to whatever spirit lived in it, and in return received its blessings. Or so they say. A lot of people offer little gifts to the forest, which they say are always gone when they look again. People ask the forest for advice, for help, and often will receive an answer.
The forest was breathing with life, thriving. Leafs green in the sun, birds singing their songs, animals living in peace. It was a wonderful place, through which many traveled safely.
dm: im gonna let yall visit disney worlds in this homebrew.
player: can we use final fantasy too??
dm: i mean i guess?
player: I want to be goofy
dm: i mean, strange request but i guess i can homebrew up a race sheet for goofy. is he a dog? i mean-
other player: I WANT TO BE DONALD DUCK BUT LIKE, A WIZARD, AND NO PANTS
other 3 players: create serious rpg characters with linked backstories and shared motivations based on their home island
dm: what the fuck guys
dm: As Ansem in Riku’s body retreats Kairi lies before you. Her heart is still trapped though, your adventure must continue until you reach Kingdom Hearts and free all of the stolen hea- player: I shove the heart releasing keyblade into my chest.
dm: —wait. What?
player: I release my heart to heal Kairi. Our hearts are connected. I can do that. Right?
dm: If you unlock your heart you’ll turn into a heartless. Do you really want to do this?
player: if it heals Kairi? I have to. I plunge the keyblade into my chest.
dm: …alright. Your heart is peeled out of your body and you turn into a heartless…
dm: …
dm: …fuck… uh. That’s the end of tonight’s session. I’ll… ummm. we’ll continue next week after I work out how to fuck to deal with that decision.
Sitzt du vor der Glotze? If the answer is yes, you are in good company. Though the verdict isn’t out yet on the consequences of long-term exposure to screens, we in the meantime still have fond memories of watching our favorite shows as kids. Though more recently some of our shows have been imported from the United States, such as Spongebob or The Simpsons, many were German products or co-productions and somewhat telling of the time period they were created in.
Pro tip: Though it can be embarrassing to be caught watching these, it is GREAT practice for German learners. The vocab tends to be simple and repetitive and the situations applicable to everyday life. This is not to mention that the songs, whether you want them to or not, will be burned in your memory for-ev-er.
Here is our shortlist of our favorite German children’s shows:
Sandmännchen (Little Sandman)
A kids show with both a GDR and an FRG version is a good example of how even children’s television can reflect politics. Sandmaennchen was a parents best friend in that it was a “bedtime” show designed to get kids ready for bed. The pace of this show and the use of puppets may remind American viewers of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. The difference between the two versions is subtle–with the FRG version being slightly more “modern” looking.
Die Sendung mit der Maus (The Program with the Mouse)
Called the “School of the Nation”, this weekly children’s series entered the scene in the 1970s. Short animated clips explained different things from everyday life from how cars work to how movies are made.
Löwenzahn (Dandelion)
These magical 30 minute episodes centered on host Peter Lustig, who lives in a imaginative converted caravan. From there he goes on a journey of discovery, explaining to a new concept about the connections between nature, environment and technology.
Siebenstein
In Siebenstein, Frau Siebenstein owns a shop which buys and sells second-hand goods. The shop is also home to a raven called Rudi and a suitcase called “Suitcase”. To say that they can both talk would be an understatement. They spend most of their time bickering like children but are the best of friends at heart. Frau Siebenstein uses something a customer has brought in or bought that day as inspiration for a story.
Die Biene Maja (Maya the Bee)
Based off a book by Waldemar Bonsels, Maya the Bee leaves her home in search of adventure outside the hive. Along with her friends Willi the bee, Philip the grasshopper, Maya’s teacher Mrs. Cassandra, and other insects and creatures go on adventures together.
Meister Eder und sein Pumuckl (Master Carpenter Eder and his Pumuckl)
The master carpenter Eder meets the one and only Kobold Pumuckl, whom we find out–only Eder can see, because Pumuckl becomes invisible when other people approach! Pumuckl finally stays with Eder in his carpentry. Pumuckl can best be described as “cheeky” and is one of the most popular characters in children’s entertainment in Germany.
Wickie und die starken Männer (Wickie and the Strong Men)
Who doesn’t like vikings? Come on. This German-Austrian-Japanese animated co-production tells the adventures of the young and imaginative Vicky, a young viking boy who uses his wits to help his Viking fellows.
“I love you, please don’t go.”
“Don’t walk out that door.”
“I thought things were going great.”
“Don’t you love me?”
Mercy me this is really late so I apologize but I hope you like it!!!
—
For the first time in months, Edward awoke to the sound of Author muttering in his sleep. Even as the sun crested over fluffy clouds, he didn’t stir. He sat up, leaning over just a little to get a glimpse of Author’s face. Light poured through the windows, dancing across the sharp angles of Author’s face. The gauze bandage covering his cheek didn’t take away from his beauty- no, it added to it. It made him look softer. Younger.
Edward traced his fingers over Author’s face, brushing his cheekbone with his thumb, keeping all his touches as gentle and soft as he could. It was nice to see Author at peace. Unfamiliar, but nice. Edward smiled as Author’s mumbling quieted down a little. Brushed a thumb over his chapped lower lip.
“You should stay with me,” Edward listened to unlistening ears, “you should sleep the day away with me. Don’t leave the bed. Don’t walk out that door. Stay with me. Please?”
Author shifted, Edwards hand limply hitting the sheets. He laid back down, facing Author, never once closing his eyes. He savored the moment like it was a chocolate in his mouth, and slammed his eyes shut when he felt Author begin to stir.
“Prince. I know you’re awake.” Author purred. Edward opened his eyes, studying the way the light played on his bare chest.
“Good morning, Author,” he groggily responded. Author smiled. Got out of bed. Edward reached for him, even though couldn’t help but admire Author as he picked his clothes off of the floor.
“Do you have to go?” Edward asked. Author froze, huffing.
“Yes, I do.”
“Why? Why do you always leave?”
“Because I have things I have to do. They’re important.”
Edward bit his lip to keep himself from saying something he’d regret. Silently, he watched him dress. Grab his bat, and go to the door. Edward felt something churn in him, and wrapped a blanket around his waist, crossing the room to wrap his arms around Author.
“Don’t go. I’ll miss you so, so much.”
He sighed. “I come back every night.”
“But I don’t want you only in the night. I want you in the morning, the afternoon. I want to cuddle and watch movies and- and do normal couple things. We’ve been dating for almost a year, it’s… it’s all I’m asking of you.”
“Don’t you love me?”
Edward took a step back.
“What? Of course I do-“
“Then let me do what I need to do. I’ll be back at 9.”
He quickly gave Edward a chaste kiss, then the door slammed shut. Edward kicked the door, then cursed and clutched his foot in pain. He wound up back in bed, blankets in a messy pile, holding his own hand.
—
The bandages were heavy with blood as Edward unraveled them from around Host’s head, then swiftly replacing them with new ones. Without the bandage, he could see his soft cheeks, the heavy scarring- so unlike Author that he wondered if they were actually the same person. They were, though. The way that Host kissed was too familiar for him to be someone else.
“The Host thought things were going great,” he spoke, oddly plain, “he thought his eyes were actually getting better.”
Edward smiled. Author was always impatient. Not all had changed.
“It’ll take some time to heal. You really did a number on yourself, pumpkin.”
Host’s face reddened with a blush, an open, pretty thing that didn’t seem like it belonged in their room, their bed. It had been only a month since Author- Host- had gauged out his own eyes, but already he was back in his bed again. Not that Edward minded. Now, he was held in the night, woken by soft snores come morning.
They were in bed, about to sleep right now, but the blood dripping down his face… postponed things.
“The Host feels like he should be better now. He’s still talking in third person.”
“You need to give yourself time.”
Host slumped. Edward stood, bloody bandages still in hand, but suddenly a hand grabbed his wrist.
“Doctor- Edward. Prince. The Host- I- I love you. Please don’t go.”
“I’m not leaving. Not ever. Just throwing something away.” The grip on his wrist loosened, and Edward felt something warm and pretty bubble up in his chest. Being wanted was nice. He tossed the bandages in the trash, and practically lept back into bed with Host.
Arms were around him almost instantly, chapped, familiar kisses pressing all over his face. Edward giggled and tried to return them, face now as red as Host’s.
Eventually, they tired themselves out, and Edward shut his eyes, knowing that when it’s morning, he’ll be in the arms of the man he’s always loved.
Host was good at being quiet. He knew a lot of the company Author was around wasn’t bad to be noticed by, not particularly, but he didn’t want to be loud.
Markus was whimpering and moaning softly at all the little kisses, gasping at the licks. He was so desperate, so needy, and Dark was here to help him out. Uncaring how he was half the size of the other. He just needed relief.
emptynarration 