#( ugh he deserves so much better from the Arcane especially the World )

[vole-mon-amour]

2x08. part 2.

SO not normal about this.

did I just rewatch this moment 5 times in a row to hear him calling her name? to hear him calling her name in HER IMAGINATION? yes. yes, I did.

her name is Jinx and she is PERFECT. oh, Silco is SOOO missed, especially right now. rewrite her story, my ASS.

my girl is so numb and tired :(

hey. you deserve to be with Silco, but that doesn't mean you gotta try and kill yourself. c'mon, babygirl.

you ARE good. you are perfect as you ARE. oh my god. GIVE HER HER SILCO BACK.

yeah, Jayce, I see that. :/

There's no force in this world that can control you.

Are you suuuure about this, Jayce? Jfc.

This is so fucking unfair, especially after what Zaun has experienced.

Good on them. Piss off, Jayce.

Ohh, look at all those different noses.

oh to have this kind of skill for drawing and painting.

ohhh my god, the makeout scene in Jinx's cell is SO forced. i wonder if there has been a point of showing it other than, well, make the shippers happy. both of the sex scenes—Jayce x Mel and Vi x Cait—happen to be my notp and both times I rolled my eyes. Jayvik? Jilco? Of course I'm not getting anything shippy with my ships. :/

(I do wonder if Silco and Jinx were supposed to kiss in that scene or if it's something the fans came up with. Sigh.)

and we're only talking about this when we have 1 episode left before the end of the entire show? really? after so much screen time was taken away from so many main characters?

gagging at this hetero nonsense. say whatever, Viktor is gay, always has been, and never has been interested in Sky (or women).

honestly, Vander deserved better just for the sake of staying dead. yesh, Warwick is in canonical lore. but they said Arcane is also canon now, so idk what's going on and I kinda don't care? what a nonsense storyline. cheapened the sisters' story so much, too.

also, Viktor kind of deserved better. I knew he was supposed to become a villain in the end but ugh.

[maxdibert]

Do you read any fanfiction? If so do you have a preference for certain tropes and ships?

Well, I don’t read much right now because I don’t have time, but when I've had hyperfocus for certain fandoms, I definitely have. And of course, I have my ships, obviously. In Arcane, for example, I really like Ekko/Jinx, Jayce/Viktor or Silco/Vander. In the Game of Thrones universe, I was crazy about Jaime/Brienne. A not-guilty pleasure (because there’s never any such thing as a guilty pleasure) is Lucy/The Ghoul in the Fallout fandom or Beetlejuice/Lydia after watching Beetlejuice 2 lol. In Sex Education, I was obsessed with Otis/Ruby until Otis became the ultimate niceguy of all time in the last season, and I honestly don’t think he deserves any woman on Earth because, frankly, ugh. I’m a super Ted Lasso trash, and I love, love, love the polycule Jamie/Keeley/Roy, and separately, I love the Keeley/Roy and Jamie/Roy, like basically Roy has insane chemistry with both of them, and he’s clearly the core of the triad hahahahah.

As for tropes, well, I like couples who are very different from each other, like "opposites attract," that’s always something I’ve been drawn to. Whether it’s physically or in terms of personality, it’s something that hooks me. Especially when those things that set them apart are also things they’re missing, and the relationship helps them improve and fill those gaps. I really like "power couples" and the idea that two very different people can complement each other’s flaws and help them grow individually, so they can, so to speak, take on the world. I also really like tragic couples destined to never be, or who have bittersweet endings, or whose journey is quite difficult. Or that concept of "what if" or what they could have become if things had been different. Couples separated by tragedy that will never be, but if they had been, their lives would have certainly taken a very different, and probably much better, turn. I’m a drama addict, what can I say.

[ifeelhuman]

and that was episode 4 of arcane. huh. feel like i have much to say and much not to say about this episode. this review will likely be shorter.

so at the end of my last review i mentioned that i was hoping to see more Caitlyn and that’s p much exactly what we got. she’s reliable, capable, smart, and seems to be much better at being a detective/enforcer/guard than the rest of the lot (for now, and yes, that includes Marcus 🙄). Intriguing, especially since she comes from a high House. her parents are, because they are very powerful people politically (her mother on the council, mind you), still inserting themselves into Cait’s life and are shaping it when she’s a young woman trying to live her life. but i can understand and sympathize that they want her safe. she ended up doing more and more in this episode in getting answers and then she loses her job !! ugh. she does take the initiative, no matter what it may bring so she is brave.

and Jayce. very handsome i will start 😅, but i… i was not expecting him to choose safety (and Piltover’s safety [and possibly his reputation]) over his evolving hextech. however, that could be because he’s already had like, ten or so years(?) to become the man he is today and therefore has already shown the world much of his work. he has successes. perhaps this is also his way of giving back(?). i mean Medarda and Heimindinger (and presumably the rest of the council) made Jayce a damn council member !! i understand for securities sake why they did that but… a young man having that much power (plus what’s going on with Viktor)… it doesn’t sit comfortably.

Viktor. Viktor… intrigues; he’s more reliant on accessibility assistance now, appears slightly disheveled, and didn’t even participate in the presentation with Jayce. Jayce did say hextech is *their* dream and yet Jayce’s face is the one seen and known but Piltover. i don’t know if it’s jealously, hurt pride, or other but something is going on with Vik Vik.

and Jinx. who used to be Powder. i mean… she is older (freaking alive which can’t be said for many kids in the undercity), deceptively capable, great with gadgets, and a superb shooter (foreshadowed in episode 2). but she’s so… different and similar at the same time as she was before. Jinx is childlike in her mannerisms, interactions, and in her offensive maneuvers as well. she still talks like how she used to with Vi but with more violent and grown up language. you can tell that being in Silco’s grasp has done little to no good for her mental wellbeing.

Silco, who almost definitely doesn’t know for sure, tells Jinx that her sister is “gone” (not dead but the narrative and conversations treats it like a death) which, even if Vi is dead… how is reminding her of that instead of helping her through it in a more healthy manner helpful? also Jinx just straight up murders and kills people now. and she’s really good at it ! lol but how long under that skill becomes a detriment and she willingly or unwillingly kills someone. plus she had more a couple moments in this episode to show that she’s not all the way there. i have already heard people say she is schizophrenic with BPD and yeah i can already see that too. and being someone with BPD myself it’s… heartbreaking. she needs the longest hug and more earnest therapy but that doesn’t seem to be in large supply in the underground.

and lastly… i knew Vi wouldn’t be killed off so fast but i was not expecting Caitlyn to find her, let alone in this very same episode. i really thought she was gonna go to the tattooed grunt and get him to write down what happened and who he’s working for (because he said he couldn’t *say* it) but to go to Vi who apparently maimed him (deserved) is not the direction i expected. at least not this fast.

still want to know more about Vi and Powder’s/Jinx’s parents lol. and i hope by the end of the show Caitlyn is still alive, i like her a lot

[endexe]

Hold on, as much as it makes me sad to think, I love the idea that Zero is the only Arcanist who... doesn’t really have a true form, unlike everyone else in the group who does. He’s just. A human appearing being with some extreme scars ( like most of his deep scars are actually the mouths that have their own minds and can speak / laugh ), and if he tells anyone he’s an actual eldritch entity, there’s a high chance they wouldn’t believe him because he looks too... normal to be part of something greater than the unknown, and the fact that the World created him with only the human appearance being both his true and guise forms to represent the idea that he’s the WEAKEST and MOST VULNERABLE being of the Arcane...

[vaniri]

The Great Divine Plan [Martin Septim/Hero of Kvatch]

On their way to Weynon Priory, Martin Septim and the Hero of Kvatch decide to make a quick stop in the Imperial City. After learning that the body of their late emperor lies in repose in the Temple of the One, they decide to pay him a visit. This is where Martin realizes who he really is and what awaits him in the upcoming future.

(beta read by @ugh-my-back​ thank you ❤️)

______________________________________________________________

They left the Kvatch refugee camp first thing in the morning, heading east, towards Skingrad. Enidd doubted Martin was ready for that journey, he seemed completely unprepared for what could possibly happen on the road, but time was of the essence. The state he was in worried her, though. The man was even quieter than after escaping the city and to be honest, Enidd couldn’t really blame him. He went through a lot. He witnessed Kvatch fall, saw his home being destroyed and people he knew being slain on the streets, by creatures that should have never come to this world. Creatures that were there because of him. And right after he thought that nightmare had finally ended, he learned that he wasn’t just an ordinary priest, but a son of the Emperor himself, and had to leave his flock, people who needed him, especially now, as soon as possible. No wonder he couldn’t sleep that night.

He was tougher than he looked though, Enidd must have admitted that. He didn’t strike her as the traveling type, considering his occupation and probably lack of fighting skills, but he turned out to be a capable companion and endured their journey to Skingrad without any complaint. He didn’t talk much in general and Enidd understood that. He needed time to process what had happened and what was about to happen. A lot of time, probably.

She felt like a fool for adding up to the pile of his concerns by revealing the true reason why the Daedra came to Kvatch. He didn’t need that information now, not after what he went through. Not when she needed him to trust her. She felt that he didn’t, not completely. Yes, Martin was following her, yes, he was very polite and obedient, helpful even in certain moments (as he was, in fact, quite skilled in combat). But Enidd could still feel his skepticism, his uncertainty about this whole situation, and for some reason it didn’t sit well with her.

He warmed up to her a bit in Skingrad, where they stayed for the night. They still didn't talk much after that, but the atmosphere between them was palpably lighter.

After long days of walking, the Gold Road finally converged with the Red Ring Road and they could head north, along the shore of Lake Rumare. The Imperial City, the White Gold Tower and impressive stone walls surrounding it, was looming on the horizon, silent, mourning. Enidd tried not to look in that direction too often, but her eyes were drawn to the tall structure towering over the city like moths are drawn to fire. And every look she took made the memories she thought she had already left behind come back to her with full force.

“Are you okay?” Martin noticed that something was off. Of course he did, he was very observant, Enidd had found out.

“Yes. I’m just tired. We should rest somewhere, you look tired too.”

“It’s getting late, and we’ve been marching since morning. We should look for a place to spend the night.” He suggested.

“Hmmm. There’s an inn by the bridge, but it wouldn’t be safe to stay there. This road is probably the busiest road in Cyrodiil, many travelers make a stop in that inn. We still don’t know who our enemies are and why they killed the Emperor, or how much they know. It would be easy to get spotted there. And Inns like that are a perfect place for silent assassination, especially as the city guards rarely visit them.”

“I’m sure there’s even more inns in the city.” He gave the elf a soft smile.

“You want to stop in the city?”

“Why not? It’s huge and highly populated, so it shouldn’t be hard to blend in and disappear. It worked in Skingrad.”

It did, but Skingrad was not nearly as dangerous as the Imperial City could possibly be and Enidd was very unsure if staying there was a good decision. The enemy had infiltrated it once, and killed the Emperor, the most guarded person in Tamriel, in a tunnel no one should have known of. Most of the assassins were dead, the elf made sure of it, but she had no idea how many of them could still be out there. How many were still in the city.

But at that moment it seemed like their only choice. One look at Martin told Enidd that staying in the wilderness for another night was not an option. Dark circles formed under his weary eyes as he still had trouble sleeping, with nightmares of the recent events plaguing his mind. He needed somewhere warm and comfy to rest and if there was a chance to provide, the elf couldn’t bring herself to deprive him of it. He was her responsibility, she had to take care both of his security and well-being.

“Well, okay. But we need to be extremely cautious. Try to avoid unnecessary conversations, and if someone asks, remember: you are a traveling priest, which is basically true, and I’m your guard. Which is also true. You don’t come from any particular city, Tamriel is your home and you travel around it, visiting shrines and chapels of the Nine.”

“Understood.”

When they arrived in the city the sun had already set and the gates were about to shut. The guards by the entrance eyed the newcomers warily, but let them in saying nothing. Apparently none of them remembered Enidd, which was pretty convenient in this situation. She had a role to play.

“Excuse me, mister.” She chatted one of the men up. “Could you tell me where we can find a decent place to sleep?”

“Merchant’s Inn in the Market, King and Queen in Elven Gardens, the Tiber Septim in Talos Plaza, and All-Saints in Temple District.” He probably answered that question a lot because his answer sounded bored and mechanical. “There’s also the Bloated Float on the Waterfront, but that’s not a very nice neighborhood.”

“Thank you very much.”

“And if you’re here to pay respects to our deceased Emperor, he lies in repose in the Temple of the One. All citizens are welcome to see him, at any time of day and night.”

Enidd said nothing, only nodded in response and entered the city, beckoning Martin to follow her.

It was strange to be there again, after all that had happened. Everything felt so different, yet seemed the same. Stone walls didn’t crumble. People were still on the streets, minding their business and trying to live their lives as they used to. Beggars were still bothering bypassers, asking for a coin to spare and evading guards that were trying to shoo them away. Wanted posters with the face of the infamous Silver Fox were still hung on every building in the city. Everything as it used to be weeks ago. But Enidd could feel the Imperial City grieve. Or maybe it was just her, entering this place again.

“First time in the capital?” She noticed Martin looking around with interest as they proceeded towards the center of Talos Plaza District.

“No, in my youth I spent some time here. I was an adept at the Arcane University, many years ago. It feels like a lifetime now.” He stopped in front of the statue of Akatosh, a giant stone dragon in a formidable pose and with wings spread wide, as if ready to lunge at his unholy opponent, looking at it with pure reverence. “It’s strange how everything looks exactly the same.”

“I hope you’re not planning any sentimental ventures, or to visit any old friends. We should keep a low profile here. And leave quickly in the morning.” The elf reminded.

“I know. So, where are we staying tonight? Tiber Septim?”

“Too obvious. Don’t look at me like that, better safe than sorry. Besides, the owner may remember me. I’d rather opt for All-Saints.”

“Lead the way, then.”

They made it to All-Saints without anyone bothering them and booked a small room with two separate beds. Enidd was sure Martin would hit the pillow promptly, but instead he sat on his bed with a pensive expression on his face. He didn't need long to get lost in his thoughts.

“You should sleep.”

“I know.”

“But something’s bothering you.” The elf took a seat beside him. “Is it nightmares? I noticed you wake up often because of them. I know that in Kvatch you saw terrible things and I can only imagine how you felt and how this horror changed you. But it’s over now and I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“I know, Enidd.”

“If you don't feel safe here I can stay up and take the watch.”

"No, you need to rest too. Besides, it's not that."

"Then what?"

He looked at her hopefully, as if expecting her to tell him what to do.

"I want… I think I should see him."

Enidd didn’t have to ask who he had in mind. Actually, she’s been thinking about it too, but couldn’t bring herself to suggest it.

“Are you sure?���

“I don’t know. But if the Emperor really was my father, this is my only chance to see him.”

“And say goodbye.” She whispered, more to herself than him.

“Were you two close?” Martin wasn’t deaf. He didn't know much about his traveling companion, but he noticed the way she spoke about the man. It made him curious.

“Not at all. But Emperor Uriel was a good man, and he helped me a lot. He didn’t deserve to die like this.” Enidd rose from his bed and walked up to the window. She was staring absentmindedly through its dusty glass for a while, thinking. “You’re right, you should go to the temple. We should go. And we will, but not now. The guard said that people are allowed to see the Emperor at any time. So let’s hope the temple will be less, much less crowded late at night. You okay with that?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now get some sleep.”

None of them could sleep much.

They left All-Saints past midnight and walked towards the round building in the center of the Temple District. As Enidd suspected, the temple was almost empty at this hour, save for the honor guard standing by the door.

Uriel Septim VII was lying in the altar in the center of the temple, surrounded by now extinguished Dragonfires. His now looking small and fragile body was clothed in the finest robes Tamriel has ever seen, with hundreds of gems adorning the top part and golden embroidery embellishing their bottom. Thick white fur was draped around his neck and shoulders, hiding his slit throat from the view. He looked as if he was just sleeping there, calm and finally at peace, with a serene expression on his now pale face.

A face that, as Martin noticed with absolute disbelief, looked so alike his own.

Despite everything that happened during these couple of weeks, he still had his moments of doubt, when he questioned himself how a simple priest like him, son of a farmer and a tavern wench, could be a prince and the heir to the Dragon Throne. It felt so unreal. Too unreal to be true, he thought. So every day he prayed to the Nine, asked them to give him a sign, show him the truth and end his quandary. But the Nine remained silent, leaving Martin uncertain. At least until now. Now the truth was lying in front of him. He could finally feel it. He saw it.

This was his father. And he was a Septim. He was truly going to be an Emperor, rule Tamriel and preside over her people. Suddenly he felt the weight of that responsibility heavy on his shoulders. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for this. Granted, he had his flock in Kvatch; he knew how to listen to people, settle disputes fairly, and give advice to those who sought them. But he had no idea about diplomacy and politics, how to rule a country, how to wage a war or how to avoid it. No one taught him how to be a ruler. How was he going to be a good one, then?

He felt a sudden surge of anxiety rush through him.

"Are you okay?" Enidd's quiet voice and her hand on his shoulder snapped him out of his musing.

“Yes, yes.”

“You don’t look okay.”

“It’s just…  I still can’t believe it’s real. But now I see it. This is my father. The Emperor is my father. And he’s dead, and everyone expects me to take his place. I just realized I don't know how.” He confessed, looking at her despondently. “How am I going to be an Emperor if I wasn’t made for it?"

"You’re not born as Emperor. You become one. You can too."

“You can’t know that.”

“And I don’t. But after the time we spent together so far I have a good feeling about you.”

A small sad smile tugged at the corner of Martin’s lips. It quickly faded away when his gaze fell back upon the body in front of him.

“Do you know how he died?”

“I was there. We were ambushed in a maze of tunnels below the city. His Blades were busy fending off assassins that swooped on us, I stayed behind to protect the Emperor. Then, another assassin appeared right beside us, out of nowhere. He cast a spell on me, paralysis of some sort. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t do anything.” Enidd shook his head. “I was just standing there, watching that bastard slit the Emperor’s throat.”

All because I didn’t kill him first. She didn’t need to say that, Martin saw it in her eyes. He had to ask.

“You think his death was your fault?”

“No.” She shook her head again. “I couldn’t do anything. He asked me not to do anything. Right before it happened, we talked. He knew he was going to die, he knew he had to die that day. Said the fate of the world depended on that. It had to happen.”

“He asked you to let him die?”

“Yes.”

"And you listened? You believed him?"

"I was his agent for many years before his assassination. I worked in the shadows, so not many knew me, and I reported directly to him. I got to know him a little. It may sound strange to you, but Emperor Uriel had visions. Prophetic dreams about what was yet to come, as he described it. In one of his visions, many years ago, he saw me. He didn't know me, but he trusted me, took me in and let me work for him. By that he literally saved my life. And in his final moments he trusted me enough to consign the Amulet of Kings to me and warn me about the Gates. Of course I believed him. But did I want to let him die? No. I just had to. For the greater good.”

So there was a divine plan after all, Martin thought. A plan he still didn't understand, one that involved death of the innocent, suffering and destruction. He was right when he said he didn't want to be a part of it. Unfortunately, it seemed that he was in over his head right from the beginning.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this." Enidd didn’t look like she needed his sympathy, but he had to show it anyway. It was in his nature.

"It had to be me." She said morosely, eyes riveted on some point in the distance. Moment later her gaze shifted to him. “From the beginning I knew it would be me.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Me neither. But maybe we’re not destined to understand. Maybe the gods just want us to execute, play our role in the Great Divine Plan.”

“And what is our role? Did the Emperor ever-” Martin hesitated. “see anything about my fate? Did he know what the Nine had planned for me?”

“I don’t think so. Maybe? He never said anything. He never said anything about you either, until the very end.”

“So I was a secret?”

“It saved your life.”

“So maybe he knew something after all.”

“Maybe, but whatever it was, he took it to his grave.”

He couldn’t know everything, though. People's fate wasn't written in the stars, not even in the Elder Scrolls, like Enidd once believed. People's fate was always in their own hands. Prophecies and dreams could guide them, but they had to find their own path. Like she did, many, many years ago, in a life that didn't feel like hers anymore.

Maybe she was led here so she could help this man see it too.

“Listen, Martin. I don’t know what the gods are planning, neither for me nor for you, but I know, I feel we don't have to be just passive observers. I'm not going to be a passive observer. Not anymore. And I swear that whatever the Great Plan here is, I’m with you. I’m not going to let the Daedra, or even the Nine, hurt you.” Enidd looked him deep in the eye and he knew her words were sincere. ”I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

He believed her.