#folklore asks

the 1: name one person you're really glad you met

cardigan: what's a piece of clothing that reminds you of someone?

TLGAD: where would you like to have a holiday house?

exile: have you ever left a movie through the side door before it ended?

MTR: what's the last movie that made you cry?

mirrorball: do you like dancing?

seven: what's a happy memory of childhood that you have?

august: tell me about a memorable summer

TIMT: what's something you're trying to learn?

illicit affairs: are you good at keeping secrets?

invisible string: what was your part time job as a teen?

mad woman: what makes you mad?

epiphany: what's something new you learned recently?

betty: do you forgive people easily or hold a grudge?

peace: what makes you feel at peace?

hoax: who can cheer you up when you're sad?

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folklore: what song from any artist makes you cry the most?

lover: are you single or taken?

red: have you ever had your heart broken?

speak now: who’s your celebrity crush?

wonderstruck: what is the best experience you’ve ever had?

starlight: the moon or the sun?

enchanted: what is your favorite city in the world?

fearless: what are you afraid of losing?

debut: did you have a high school crush?

balancing on breaking branches: what do you hope people perceive you as?

haunted: what is a bad habit of yours?

afterglow: do you assume too quickly?

this is me trying: what is your passion?

cardigan: What story, myth or film do you most identify with and why?

I love this question so much and I’m glad I got sent it multiple times because I have multiple answers! This time, I’m going to say that Cinderella, all versions but most essentially the fairy tale itself, independent of any version, is a story that I identify with on a deep level. I didn’t consciously know this until I saw the 2015 live action version and that’s part of the reason I love it so much, but I did grow up with the fairy tale, not one particular version, just a handful of written versions I read over and over and I loved it before I knew why and it’s either made me the way that I am, contributed to it at least, or it spoke to something that was already in me. 

It’s always been my favorite fairy tale; as a kid I always thought of it as THE fairy tale, even if I read a lot of other ones. It’s such a fundamental part of me that it’s hard to break down why it is but I’ll try.

1. Cinderella wants to go to the ball because EVERYONE ELSE GETS TO and so her exclusion from it is INSTANTLY relatable and recognizable and human and funny and good. It’s the most classic, heartrending cruelty that she isn’t allowed to go, and as a kid you understand her heartbreak in an immediate way because what is childhood but a long series of not being able to go to balls and longing for it with your whole heart?? And I love that about it so much--it’s so me. Cinderella isn’t an avenger, she doesn’t have cause, there is no quest. Not that any of those things are bad at all! I’ve loved many stories that begin with a quest or a cause--but I don’t always relate. Cinderella IS me. She’s just a girl who wants to go to a party in part because everyone else gets to go and because it sounds sparkling and magical and who wants to be excluded from that?? and the fact that the framework of the cinderella story isn’t the loss of her mom (or in a way her dad) or about righting the wrong of her life (and there’s a lot wrong) but about the very human and ordinary and almost humble desire to go to a beautiful place for an evening, that that’s the catalyst of it all, is very, very, very right to me.

2. It’s a story in part about finding the right dress (and shoes!!!!) And like!!!!!!!! That sounds shallow but actually it’s deeply satisfying and practical and honest and it’s the thing that gave me a deep love not necessarily of clothes in general (because i’ve struggled with fashion and all the baggage of fashion most of my life) but of a woman finding the rIGHT dress at the RIGHT time and it being something that is capable of transforming her! not to hide her or overshadow her but to show her truest self in this bright and sparkling way!! ANd I loooooooove that. i love that it’s transformative and fun (finding the right dress for something IS fun!!!) and also it’s pretty magical to me because it bypasses the horror of shopping and having to figure out if a dress iS the right one and all the horrors that come with confronting your physical form. It’s magic, you know? LITERALLY. It’s the right dress and it’s effortless and it’s also a gift.  She goes from being poor and plain and ragged to a princess without earning it, without asking for it but it changes everything and both the reality of that AND the symbolism of it, the spiritual transformation of grace touching a soul bUT ALSO JUST THE LITERAL TRANSFORMATION OF A GIRL PUTTING ON A PRETTY DRESS AND FEELING INSTANTLY BETTER AND DIFFERENT AND BEAUTIFUL is just a very, very deep part of my soul. 

3. And finally, It’s a story about being seen. Cinderella goes to the ball not in order to be seen but to SEE. And then when she’s there it’s all flipped on its head!!!! She is Seen!! She (literally) becomes the talk of the ball, the center of attention. (My spotlight-loving, extroverted, attention loving self has ALWAYS loved that about it) but she is also S E E N. By the prince. And she finds something there that she never expected and that changes her life, again without her trying, without her working for it. She finds love and it changes her whole life (in the literal, extremely satisfying sense that she marries a literal prince and leaves her awful home behind and gets to go live in a castle with the love of her life) but also ---who doesn’t want to find love? Who doesn’t want to be SEEN and LOVED and also tbqh PURSUED!!! Cinderella leaves, she doesn’t try to make her happy ending happen, she doesn’t stay to fight. She leaves at the stroke of midnight (she’s late!!!! she lost track of time!!! me, me, me!!!!!) and then everything comes undone and the magic fades and she has to be tracked down again! Not in a bad way but the prince has to work to find her, has to go out and leave his palace (his comfort zone) behind and try to find her and the reality of that, the persistence and the love behind tracking her down and waiting for her and being patient for her brings tears to my eyes. 

And then just, to conclude so 

4. Also yes Cinderella is kind-- we know that she’s kind, that she’s humble and faithful and GOOD, but the ball and the dress and the magical night and the pRINCE isn’t a reward for that (though it’s so satisfying, right? Because she has suffered unjustly. We’ve watched her suffer for so long and then for it all to lift and change and transform is so gooood) but the fact that it does is just. IT’S A GIFT. And like the best gifts it is unexpected, unlooked for, unasked, in a sense unearned. And that’s also me. This fairy tale is a huge reason that I approach life the way that I do because it taught me the power of gift, the power of beauty, the power of grace and the way that all sorts of beautiful things can happen in real life. Not always in this way, not always like we expect but NONETHELESS. Life is hard and awful and dreary and we spend a lot of the time in the scullery but it has its moments of transformation and beauty and love and grace and light. They’re REAL, they happen!!!!! This story taught me that and made me love it and gave me hope and faith about beauty and light in the darkness on such a fundamental level. 

And I’ve made myself cry so I’m going to stop now. 

hoax: What shades of a color do you think encapsulates you best?

I love this question. Green or blue. I used to say dark green because it is my favorite but now I think it’s the green of leaves with light shining through them. It’s an energetic and hopeful color, it’s warm and glowing, it’s of the earth but also found in the sky, and I identify with all of that. But I also feel that green--and even that lighter sun-lit shade of it--also represents my darker sides. It’s the color of envy and I struggle with envy a lot. It can be a poisonous and sickly and deceiving color, I always think of it in connection with the Lady of the Green Kirtle in the Silver Chair, and the evil that is in me, that i do, that my nature is drawn too looks like this color, I am convinced. I’m so sorry for adding this dark thought after the nice one but it’s true. 

Certainly, Vi, thank you for asking!

August: Where was your go-to hangout spot in high school?

For the majority of my time in high school I either was home, at school, or at the barn where I worked/rode. Then if I was hanging out with friends I’d probably be at their house. There was a year where I did MLC and hung out a lot as the YMCA, but I couldn’t keep that up AND school AND riding.

There was the beach, too, but I didn’t go nearly as much as one might think.

Hoax: what shades of a color do you think encapsulate you the best?

Shades of pale or dusty pink, and rich earth tones like dark reds, browns, and black. I like airy romantic colors or deep, dark, natural ones. It’s a bit of a coin flip but both kinds really resonate with me!

Mirrorball,August and Invisible string!

Thank you for the ask lovely💜

mirrorball: What is your personality at parties?

It depends. If it’s mostly people I know well and am comfortable with? I’m very chatty and constantly cracking jokes. If I only know 1-2 people? Probably following them around or sitting in a corner wishing I was at home. I don’t really go to parties anymore but when I was younger I had a hardcore party phase where I would drink a lot to overcome my social awkwardness (and other reasons but I digress) I eventually earned the nickname shots.....so I was pretty wild then 😳

august: Where was your go-to hangout spot in high school?

There was this swimming hole out in the woods which we called paradise. You had to climb under fences and walk along the aqueduct and hike down this really steep hill to get to it, but it was super pretty with a waterfall and quiet and secluded. During the summer I would go a lot with my sister, cousin, and friends. But I’d also go out there alone a lot when I just couldn’t stand being at home. It was a safe and quiet place that I could run away to.

invisible string: Do you believe in fate?

Hmm not really. I think a lot of things are just timing and our lives could be very different if we just done things a little differently

Thank you again for the ask! 😊

cardigan what story, myth, or film od you most identify with and why?

I really relate to this myth I heard at gay camp (not a conversion camp, it was the opposite) a few years ago of a woman who was born with three eyes and her third eye saw people for who they truly were. Idk where the myth came from, but I’ve never been able to find it since I heard it :/

seven what was your favourite daydream or game to play outside as a kid?

so I’ve always believed in faeries and pixies, so when I was a tiny child, I used to pretend to be a faerie who spoke in riddles and it used to drive my mum insane because I was always speaking in stupid sentences that didn’t make any sense because I was, like, 5 and didn’t know how riddles actually worked

illicit affairs: what’s the most scandalous/outgoing thing you’ve done?

dude i’m such a boring woman. i chased off some racists who were harassing one of my canvassers during the 2018 campaign by screaming and kicking their car, does that count

invisible string: what is your favorite place to be?

the jubilee bridges in london on a spring evening.

hoax: what’s something you’re nervous about right now?

Ur the worst ❤️

the 1: Do you have someone from your past who you think could have been “the one”? Do you keep in touch with them?

-Maybe 👀It’s the one quote from The Half of It where Aster’s like “maybe if things were different, or if I was different”

cardigan: What story, myth or film do you most identify with and why?

-Hmmmmm I honestly have no idea lmao. Identify with?? I think most peeps are too brave or smart for me to identify with hahah.

the last great american dynasty: If you could design your dream home, where would it be, and what would it look like?

-Oooo interesting. Haven’t thought about i! I think maybe something like my parent’s current house? Better wifi tho. 

exile: What film do you wish you could change the ending of and why?

-I’m sure there are many that I could recall if I really thought about it but none right now?? Okay jk maybe The Rise of Skywalker lmao the R*ylo thing. And not giving us FinnPoe rights 🤡

my tears ricochet: Do you believe in ghosts?

-Yes lol plz don’t haunt me, or do, and make life interesting.

mirrorball: What is your personality at parties?

-Observe people! Figure out how to best fit in with people and groups. And then if I drink a bunch my personality is brave to do stupid things!

seven: What was your favorite daydream or game to play outside as a kid?

-Umm childhood daydream would be imagining myself as a character in various animes 😌

august: Where was your go-to hangout spot in high school?

-Uh, my house? I didn’t hang out with people outside of school 😭I guess in school, it’d be C house wing in school before school started and before the period after lunch started???

this is me trying: What are some of your self-care methods?

-Ignoring people 😌And i guess listening to music ahha

illicit affairs: Have you ever been in a secret relationship?

-Not really, but I guess I didn’t tell some people? I wish tho sounds exciting :// (and stressful)

invisible string: Do you believe in fate?

-Yes!!! A very cool thing

mad woman: Are you good at confronting others when they have crossed a line with you?

-Definitely not lmaoooooo. If I confront someone I literally feel bad about it for the rest of my life :)

epiphany: What is your greatest fear?

-Interesting.... hm....I thought of something in the shower some days ago but I forgot lol. But the other thing would be saying something dumb or offensive to Taylor Swift and I think I’d cry myself to sleep every night the rest of my life. Wait jk I remembered it’d be crying in front of an authority figure I’d also think about it for the rest of my life. Not speaking from experience.

betty: What was one of the dumbest things you did at 17?

-Probably apply to a bunch of ivy league schools. Bruh @ me ur essay skills are not strong enough cuz u don’t care.

peace: Do you have any chosen family?

-YES my friends are the best they let me be annoying ❤️

hoax: What shades of a color do you think encapsulates you best?

-Uhhhh light blue? Like chill and kinda faded yk?

the lakes: If you could disappear for a month and run away to somewhere, where would you go?

-Honestly like my apartment. With full stock of food and no other people and many activities and comfortable bed. Sounds like the dream.